Repetition remains a reality in the rap game, and specific bars tend to get overlooked. This is an opportunity to take a closer listen and really consider what these artists have to say. We encourage your opinions.
Keep in mind, these are the most noteworthy lyrics of the week, not necessarily the best. Also, it's hard to get everything right - if you notice any errors, don't hesitate to let us know in the comments section. Lines we're not sure about will be bolded.
This series is brought to you by our collaborators at gotbars.com, currently one of the most efficient providers of the latest hip-hop and R&B lyrics. Get familiar and create an account with them to continue the discussion directly:
Vividest Imagery: Mac Miller - I Come In Peace
"I said it - I'm a bitch-ass bitch / That's why preteen girls be like 'this that shit!'"
The latest from the new and improved Mac Miller, with Most Dope production from Big Jerm and P. Fish. The instrumental's a perfect match for the vivid images the young Pittsburgh emcee paints; although drug-addled, absurdist and somewhat depraved, the imagery is as clear as day, and there's an underlying sense of honesty and self-awareness in Mac's delivery. The wordplay here is extremely on-point as well - he's come a long way since K.I.D.S.
The track title was inspired by the Craig R. Baxley film of the same name, by the way.
[Excerpt]
The Devil can't know my plans for destruction
The angels get eliminated, process of deduction
Red light, rushin' through it, nukes like I'm Russian
I paid a foreign nun to bring the drugs in
I put the dope in the dumplings, the coke by the onion
Snort so many lines, it's disgusting
[Excerpt]
I'm doing drugs with the coastguard
Smoke clouds coming through the sonar
I can beat my own ass with a crowbar
'Cause I'm so numb I don't even know where my toes are
This is Mozart, dope art
I'm gonna have a daughter, name her Rosa Parks
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Most Popular: Childish Gambino ft. Problem - Sweatpants
"More green than my Whole Foods / And I'm too fly - Jeff Goldblum."
The words to this prematurely leaked cut from Childish Gambino's imminent album Because The Internet were the most popular of the week. The track's definitely more engaging than your average "Most Popular" selection - 'Bino goes in over a bass-heavy trip of an instrumental from frequent collaborator and Community composer Ludwig Goransson, switching his flow up throughout dense, rapidly delivered verses marked by an uncharacteristic (and possibly thematic) arrogance. Problem contributes to the hook and ab-libs throughout, adding an extra layer of braggadocio.
We're looking forward to hearing the rest of the album, which drops on December 10th.
[Excerpt]
Still spittin' that cash flow - DJ Khaled
I've got a penthouse on both coasts - pH balance
Real niggas, I rep those - why though? 'Cause I said so
Hip deep in that Pepto, I got five on her like Ben Folds
I got more tail than that PetCo, you faker than some Sweet'N Low
Yeah, you got some silverware, but really are you eatin', though?
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Most Original: Scallops Hotel (AKA Milo) - Budlong Woods
"Fingers too big for origami folds / I dozed off during your Anunnaki flow."
"Budlong Woods" is a choice selection from Hellfyre Club emcee Milo's Poplar Grove (Or How To Rap With A Hammer), the debut EP released under his new Scallops Hotel side project. Although the self-produced instrumental is on-point, lyrically speaking, this is one of the most refreshingly original tracks we've heard in a minute. The young Wisconsin rapper's approach is worldly and very much self-aware, the cut peppered with surreal imagery and references to philosophy, mythology, pop culture and art.
Although nostalgic, there's something acutely contemporary about Milo's work as well. We're definitely looking forward to what he has in store.
Cop Poplar Grove via his Bandcamp page - it comes highly recommended.
[Excerpt]
I fiddled with my fingers till I swear I saw the ceiling crack
Heard the words leave my mouth before I knew I was feeling that
Caterpillars scurried down my capillary veins
And I blinked a couple times because I’m nervous
Finding purpose, laying on the kitchen floor again
Daydreams of Deloreans, but a Kanye West context
Kept me reading Complex, that was a waste of all my dollar signs
Be compassionate with smaller minds
Hide behind the shower liner, you are not a coward, minor
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Best Freestyle: Gunplay - Numbers On The Boards
"Bang! Dang, I must be super insane / To punch 50 in the face and beat a sentence in vain."
The latest freestyle from criminally underrated MMG rapper Gunplay finds him flowing over Pusha T's "Numbers On The Board" instrumental to great effect. This is raw, multisyllabic lyricism served straight up, no frills. Whether entirely off the dome or not, Don Logan undoubtedly went in, adding his inimitable flair to a track that was already extremely potent to begin with.
[Excerpt]
Every day, steak, lobster, oysters, ribs, bibs
Man, them fakes be recordin' fibs
Torch, new Bimmer, got no miles and rims
Control the trap like the house on Sims
It was all good a week ago, now it's no grins
For all y'all niggas, no wins
And I'll go polish my rims
And scrape gum off the bottom of my Timbs
Whack a motherfucker, give his partner a glimpse
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Most Colorful: RiFF RAFF - How To Be The Man
"Yup, packin' my luggage - push get to shovin' / Show JODY lovin' when I'm flippin' Candy Pumpkin."
"How To Be The Man" is RiFF RAFF (aka JODY HiGHROLLER)'s first official radio single, produced by Diplo and DJ Mustard. It'll be included on his highly-anticipated debut studio album NEON iCON, which is scheduled to drop on January 28th via Mad Decent.
Lyrically, it doesn't get much more colorful than this, and we'd expect nothing less from the white Danny Glover.
Just add rice.
[Excerpt]
I pulled up five years later in a drop-top Six
Butterscotch twist, cheek checkered in lipstick
Might be in a movie with Barry Sanders
Might be Adam Sandler and my cup is Pink Panther
High school? I was on the news
Fist full of jewels looks like a swimming pool
Aqua Shock start, glow-in-the-dark shark
Take the time to read the rest of the words - you may learn something:
Most Sentimental: Hopsin - Dream Forever
Hopsin's new Knock Madness album dropped this week, and "Dream Forever" is a noteworthy cut simply for the fact that's it's a calm, positive reprieve from a generally dark and angry project. Not to discredit the work, of course - darkness is Hop's niche, which is why the sentimentality of the track in question comes as somewhat of a surprise. The Los Angeles emcee bares his soul and professes his unconditional love to a dream girl who may or may not exist.
For those irritated by the fact that we chose this track over a harder one, know that we included "Rip Your Heart Out", "Hop Is Back" and "Old Friend" in previous segments.
[Excerpt]
You're the only girl that never disrespected me
You always know how to bring out the best of me
Cupid shot us separately...
Then we came together, it was destiny
I love until there ain't no lovin' left in me, definitely
[Excerpt]
I wake up in the morning with this sensational pain
It goes straight to the brain then my day is invaded with rain
Engraved in my veins is your name, this ain't gonna change
It is staying, remain...
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Honorable Mention: Cormega ft. Raekwon - Honorable
Fellow NYC emcees Cormega and Raekwon are unquestionably influential veterans in the game. Their new collaborative record "Honorable", although uncomplicated, finds them doing what they do best - dropping knowledge, showcasing their classic New York perspective and remaining spiritual.
Respect your elders.
[Excerpt: Cormega]
Beef and money don't mix, invest in peace
I've paid dues in the street, respect is my receipt
Truth will set you free, except with police
Be aware when you sleep or you could rest in peace
I elevate poetically, I'm incredibly deep
Never ball 'til you fall, capice? Stay on your feet
[Excerpt: Raekwon]
The library of slangs - dutches up in Ukraine
Political prisoner, check the chain
Out the country with my dame
Televised gangsters, see me up close, nothing's changed
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No Comment: Kanye West - "Closer" Freestyle
This "freestyle" took place after a heated interview between Kanye West and Sway Calloway on Tuesday morning, and finds 'Ye spitting "the first freestyle that had absolutely no rhymes" over Nine Inch Nails' "Closer".
We'll leave the commentary up to all of y'all.
Stay tuned for next Friday's Lyrics Of The Week, and thanks for joining the discussion.
[Excerpt]
I can make shit rhyme
I can make shit rhyme if I feel like
Even if I don't
So I just might not
'Cause I don't want
And I'm just gon' freestyle for the first time
With a freestyle that don't even go together
No rhymes - on my new shit
Nothin' rhyme! How that sound?
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