A whole heap of new music came through at the end of this week, including albums from Danny Brown, Dave East, DJ Mustard, and Solange. Those each deserve repeat spins, but for a recap of all that surfaced in the hip-hop world over the past week -- one that shows just how expansive the genre is today -- then press play on our latest Staff Picks SoundCloud playlist.
The wind chill that has confirmed the end of summer is properly channeled in the opening track, "Prayer Hands," a gloomy new trap joint from the reputable Que. After a raucous club anthem from Sonny Digital, Young Sizzle, and Juicy J, the Atlanta mud is replaced with the grime of NYC on 50 Cent's new remix of Young M.A's "OOOUUU," which has suddenly emerged as one of the essential tracks of 2016. After more coldness off the new comeback tape from another G-Unit vet in Lloyd Banks, the mix heads in a softer, more lighthearted direction, with a new track from future R&B star Bibi Bourelly, a surprisingly blissful EDM-influenced collab from Bizzy Crook and the recently revived Atlanta singer Lloyd, and an OVO rework of Frank Ocean's "Godspeed."
Stream the playlist and check out each staff member's picks below.
Angus Walker: Bizzy Crook feat. Lloyd "If You Only Knew"; Robb Bank$ "Defined"
Danny Schwartz: Que "Prayer Hands"; Bibi Bourelly "Ballin"
Trevor Smith: Frank Ocean "Godspeed (dvsn Remix)"
Kevin Goddard: Young M.A feat. 50 Cent "OOOUUU (Remix)"
Carver Low: Sonny Digital feat. Young Sizzle & Juicy J "Don't Play"
Zakk Feig: Mura Masa feat. A$AP Rocky "Love$ick"