Following highly anticipated releases from Latto and Polo G last week, a whole slate of new albums have arrived from the rap Gods.
The main event is a new mixtape from YG which will get you in the summer mood, while DJ Drama has resurrected his Gangsta Grillz series for Gucci Mane and Tinashe looks to capitalize on the commercial success of her single “Nasty.”
Post Malone‘s new album F-1 Trillion is sure to be the project that makes the biggest dent commercially, but be warned: it’s free of rapping as he shows off his country side.
Elsewhere, 38 Spesh delivers his latest offering while Quando Rondo gives fans something to remember him by before he heads off to prison.
NoCap, Jae Skeese and Cash Kidd also prove there’s something for everyone with this week’s New Music Friday.
Check out the full list of new albums below and peep this week’s best new singles here.
YG — Just Re’d Up 3
Features: Saweetie, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Yachty, G Herbo, Babyface Ray, Mozzy, Tee Grizzley, Larry June, Kalan.FrFr, Baby Stone Gorillas, Ackrite, Jaye Anderson, Diamond Platnumz
Producers: Mustard, Wheezy, FNZ, Lil Rich, Mike Crook
Label: 4Hunnid / BMG
Amid his relationship troubles with Saweetie (who also appears on this project), YG has still found time to drop a new West Coast banger that’s heavy on high-profile features and party vibes. “Malibu” featuring Tee Grizzley and G Herbo is a particularly sunny highlight.
Gucci Mane & DJ Drama — Greatest Of All Trappers: Gangsta Grillz Edition
Features: JT
Producers: Zaytoven, Da Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Dun Deal, Pooh Beatz, Go Grizzly
Label: 1017 / Atlantic
Perhaps the most famous mixtape series of them all, DJ Drama has resurrected the title for La Flame. Gucci landed his first Gangsta Grillz in 2008 with The Movie. Over 15 years later, the Trap God is back with more street rap cuts helmed by Barack O Drama.
Post Malone — F-1 Trillion
Features: Morgan Wallen, Dolly Parton, Luke Combs, Tim McGraw, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Hank Williams Jr., Brad Paisley, Lainey Wilson, HARDY, Sierra Ferrell, ERNEST, Billy Strings
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins,
Label: Mercury / Republic
Hip Hop appears very much in the rear view mirror for Post Malone as he fully embraces the country side of things on his latest LP. Accompanied by country stars past and present, Post continues to walk the same road as Kid Rock and Yelawolf before him.
38 Spesh — Mother & Gun
Features: Method Man, Benny The Butcher, Lloyd Banks, Havoc, Che Noir, Clemm Richard, Ti-Lar Bee, Klass Murda
Producers: StreetRunner, Jimmy Dukes, 38 Spesh, LT Beats, Shamir
Label: T.C.F.
The hardest release of the week. Fans of Spesh get more of what they love from the New Yorker — gritty storytelling, deft lyricism and hard beats — while he also expands his repertoire by growing more personal than before.
Quando Rondo — Here For a Reason: In the Darkest Time (EP)
Features: NBA YoungBoy
Producers: Timothy “Bos” Bullock, Kutta Beatz, Bankroll Got It, Keystone, Aero Alvin
Label: Quando Rondo LLC / Never Broke Again / Atlantic
Fresh off pleading guilty to federal drug charges and facing a lengthy stretch inside, the controversial rapper has dropped a new five-track EP that reflects his legal troubles and the 2022 shooting that saw the death of a close friend. Quando also finds time to interpolate 50 Cent‘s “Many Men (Wish Death).”
NoCap — Before I Disappear Again
Features: Quavo, French Montana, Rylo Rodriguez, Sleepy Hallow, SoFayGo, D’yani
Producers: Pi’erre Bourne, 94TheGenius, Al’Geno, Str8cash, FrankGotThePack
Label: Atlantic
Delayed so long even Kanye West thought NoCap was taking his time, the Alabama rapper has stacked his sophomore album with 23 tracks and some strong features as he attempts to prove himself without the guidance of NBA YoungBoy.
Jae Skeese — Ground Level
Features: Big K.R.I.T., Project Pat, Dave East, Sauce Walka, Jay Worthy, Smoke DZA, Lloyd, Che Noir, Billie Essco, Novel, TAJ, Malizah
Producers: Statik Selektah, Beat Butcha, Ski Beatz, Quincey Tones, Mitch Arizona
Label: Drumwork / Equity
The rare Buffalo rapper to not rep Griselda (though he is signed to Conway The Machine‘s Drumwork), Jae Skeese’s eighth mixtape offers a more eclectic sound than before as it spans boom bap to trap while even flirting with more commercial sensibilities on “Sara Lee.”
Tinashe — Quantum Baby
Features: N/A
Producers: Nosaj Thing, Zack Sekoff, Phoelix, Ricky Reed, sdtroy
Label: Tinashe Music Inc. / Nice Life
Finally getting the attention she deserves following the success of “Nasty,” Tinashe, with her own overtly sexy brand of R&B, has continued to prove herself as one of the most exciting pop stars on the planet after getting caught up in record company squabbles and perpetually labeled “underrated” for her lack of commercial success.
Cash Kidd — Created Player
Features: Icewear Vezzo, DeJ Loaf, BlueBucksClan, DaBoii, Shordie Shordie, FMB DZ, Babyfxce, Eastside Mani, Kdoe
Producers: Russ V12, Anton Pastoria, NickzBeatz, Bishop
Label: 5674 / EMPIRE
The Detroit rapper (who recruits an ensemble of the city’s finest for this album) has been steadily building from his guest appearance on Big Sean‘s “Friday Night Cypher” with years of hustling, finally culminating in this 19-track project that serves as a showcase of his underestimated talent.
