After the excitement of new projects from Kevin Gates, Future, Young Thug, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, French Montana, and Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz, we seem to have hit a bit of a lull three months into 2016. Views From The 6 is (hopefully) in sight for April, and A$AP Ferg and ILoveMakonnen both should have new material out in the next few weeks, but March is definitely looking like a down month for hip hop's upper echelon. As usual though, there's still plenty of heat dropping if you take the time to scope it, with full-lengths by Flatbush Zombies, Denzel Curry, and Lil Yachty all popping up in the past week.
The turnover on this week's top ten list is limited to the bottom five-- with no huge show-stoppers arriving, most of the existing highlights were left comfortably resting around where they ended up a week ago. What's interesting about this edition is the fact that all but one track feature guest vocalists, and beyond that, some pretty interesting combinations of voices on the same track. Collabs might not always make for the best tracks, but they're clearly more likely to draw in views from fans of both parties.
10. Fetty Wap & Monty - Instant Friend
It's been a while since Fetty Wap made the top ten as a lead artist (or at least billed alongside one of his Zoo Gang compatriots), so "Instant Friend" was a welcome addition this week. A tale of Instagram love, the feather-light track reaps heaps of benefits from Fetty's layered melodies.
9. Majid Jordan Feat. Drake - My Love (Remix)
Majid Jordan's first collaboration with their OVO boss, "My Love," first dropped last year as a track that fit into the duo's brooding, blue-hued sound, but on last week's OVO Sound Radio, they gave it a danceable update. Despite the number of views this remix garnered, it only scored a 59% user rating, which most likely means that everybody came in expecting new Drizzy bars. Oh well.
8. A$AP Ferg Feat. Marty Baller - I Don't Care
Ferg is the most chameleonic member of A$AP-- able to do turnt-up EDM, boastful trap, woozy R&B, or good old neck-snapping NYC boom bap, all depending on his mood. "I Don't Care" is firmly in that last category, with Ferg's artist-in-development Marty Baller making the hook's every word seem bolded, double-underlined.
7. Trouble & Fetty Wap - Anyway/Everyday (Prod. by Nard & B)
For his second appearance on this week's list, Fetty teams for the first time with Atlanta's Duct Tape Entertainment representative Trouble. As he proved on his recent track with Young Thug, "Thief In The Night," Trouble is always a great choice to play the more subdued yin to a more unpredictable vocalist's yang.
6. Lil Uzi Vert Feat. 2 Chainz & Wiz Khalifa - Countin
I was super disappointed to wake up to a "tonight's concert has been delayed" notification from Uzi last week, but if he cancelled in order to complete this track, I can't be too mad. Linking up with one of his idols, Wiz Khalifa, as well as 2 Chainz, the young Philadelphian delivers what could very well be a hit on "Countin." Keep your eyes on this track.
5. Tyler, The Creator - What The Fuck Right Now
Tyler's take on Kanye's "Freestyle 4" might even be better than the original, so it's no surprise that it stays near the top for a second consecutive week. His bars (and on-screen antics) are not to be missed, but be sure to show some love to A$AP Rocky's surprisingly crucial additions as hype man.
4. A$AP Ferg Feat. Migos - Trap Anthem
Hey Ferg, have you gotten the message yet? We really can't wait much longer for Always Strive And Prosper. This is his second track on this week's list, and unlike the other Wavy Wednesdays cut from two weeks ago (Rocky's "Phantogram Freestyle"), this one hasn't faded yet.
3. Travi$ Scott - Uber Everywhere (Official)
After an unofficial version of his MADEINTYO remix appeared in our top ten for three weeks straight, Travi$ Scott finally decided to upload the official one, and guess what? It's back up here again. Is it really that much better than the original though? Interested to hear your thoughts on that one.
2. Tory Lanez - Tim Duncan (Prod. by C-Sick)
Argentina Fargo's own "Uber Everywhere" remix slid off the top ten this week, but luckily, he had another waiting in the wings to take its place. "Tim Duncan" is the only true solo dolo cut on this week's list, so props to the Toronto star for carrying everything on his own back. How bout that chemistry with C-Sick though?
1. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz - Gotta Lotta
Best track on ColleGrove? I would personally go with "Smell Like Money" (can't top a Wayne verse that name-drops pigs in a blanket and cinnamon danishes IMO), but "Gotta Lotta" is certainly up there as well. The chemistry between the rappers is palpable, but still not as powerful as the sensation of hearing Wayne and Mannie Fresh back working together.