What's your pick for album of the year so far? Well, we now know J. Cole's. In a new freestyle delivered last week, the North Carolina rapper picked his own project, K.O.D., as "Album of the Year," the title he gave to the impromptu new track. Bundling the take on Nas' "Oochie Wally" beat with an announcement of a new mixtape, The Off Season, Cole made the week a memorable one for his fans, who propelled the new track to #1 on our chart.
Quavo and YG both have two appearances apiece this week, and are the only artists with multiple spots on this week's list. New tracks barely missing out on top ten spots include Quavo's "Bubble Gum" (#11), Mick Jenkins' "Bruce Banner" (#12), Tory Lanez and Moneybagg Yo's "B.A.B.Y." (#13), and Rick Ross' "Bag Up" (#15).
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10. DJ Mustard Feat. Travis Scott & YG - Dangerous World
One of two holdouts from last week's top ten, this Mustard-led banger benefitted from great timing, arriving the exact same day as new albums by both of its featured artists. In its second week out, it drops five places from #5 to #10.
9. Quavo - Lamb Talk
Just after midnight on Friday morning, Quavo came through with three brand new, unannounced solo tracks. Of those, two made our top ten, and the third placed just outside of it at #11. Debuting at #9 is "Lamb Talk," a Buddah Bless-produced banger.
8. Quavo - Workin Me
Immediately following "Lamb Talk" is another one of Quavo's three new songs, this one being the Murda Beatz-produced "Workin Me." Seeing as Young Murda's having a pretty big moment for himself right now, with his, Nicki Minaj, and Tekashi 6ix9ine's "FEFE" cracking the top five of the Hot 100, this is a big-ticket collab. "Workin Me" debuts at #8.
7. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie Feat. Don Q & 50 Cent - Yeah Yeah
Following "Workin Me" is another Murda-produced gem, this one a New York posse cut called "Yeah Yeah." On it, 50 Cent joins forces with two members of the new generation, frequent collaborators A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Don Q. This one debuts at #7.
6. Nicki Minaj Feat. Eminem & Labrinth - Majesty
Appearing just one song after his old Aftermath labelmate, Eminem shows up on a cut from Queen, the new Nicki Minaj album. "Majesty" also features relative newcomer Labrinth, and it debuts at #6.
5. The Game Feat. Ty Dolla Sign, YG & Jeremih - Down to Fuck
Top-tier crooners Ty Dolla $ign and Jeremih have a joint project called MihTy in the works, but first, they've lent their talents to a carnal new jam by The Game. "Down to Fuck" also features fellow Angeleno YG, and it debuts at #5.
4. Playboi Carti Feat. Lil Uzi Vert - Big Bank
Speaking of collab albums, perhaps the most anticipated one in rap right now is a Carti/Uzi joint project, which has been rumored for years now. "Big Bank" follows a few other collaborations between the two that have leaked in the past year or so, but as it's since been taken down from YouTube, there's no sign of an actual release on the horizon yet.
3. Future - Scammalot
Arriving towards the end of the week two weeks ago, Future's new loosie "Scammalot" just barely missed out on our top ten last week, but makes it in its second week out. After debuting at #15 last week, the track's up 12 places to finish at #3 in week two.
2. Chris Brown - Had to Do It... Sorry DJ Khaled
This Breezy song is proving pretty popular. "Had to Do It... Sorry DJ Khaled" arrived unceremoniously on Brown's SoundCloud two weeks ago, perhaps held off of major streaming services because of its very obvious Michael Jackson sample/interpolation, and since then it's racked up a ton of views on our site. After debuting at #1 last week, the track slips only one place to finish at #2 in its second week out.
1. J. Cole - Album of the Year (Freestyle)
J. Cole loosies are an extreme rarity, so it's very unsurprising that his new freestyle sits at #1 on our chart. "Album of the Year" may be brief and spur-of-the-moment, but it's still sitting pretty with a 91% user approval. It debuts at #1.