Vic Mensa‘s new song “Swish,” a scorching collaboration with Chance The Rapper and G-Eazy is the talk of the internet. The reunion between the late blog-era rappers is evoking a sense of nostalgia, while providing fresh sounds. Equally as buzzy is the song’s video, which features the three artists making the rounds across Chicago.
In the video, Vic, Chance, and G-Eazy are seen riding motorcycles throughout the city, riding trains with twerking women, and enjoying dinner in Chicago-style diners. At the end of the video is a dedication to sports drifter Jake Rio.
Since the beginning of his career, Vic has been labeled a “conscious rapper,” among the likes of Chance, as well as Kendrick Lamar. “Swish” is a more bouncy, party-ready record than anything he’s done in the past. In an interview with Paper from this past February, Vic revealed that while he doesn’t mind the title, he does find a sense of cognitive dissonance when he makes music outside of the realm.
“I think the place where it becomes sticky is that it’s not the entirety of my being as a person,” said Mensa. “So if I want to make a ratchet-ass song for the strip clubs, I feel very conflicted. Can I even do this? That’s where it becomes conflicting for me.”
Playboi Carti might be one of the biggest names in hip-hop right now and he’s conferred that excitement onto the artists on his label, Opium. While Destroy Lonely might not be a household name yet, among a certain subset of fans — namely, the ones who rage at Rolling Loud year after year — he’s the next in line to step up to the upper echelon of notoriety, especially after the release of his highly-anticipated upcoming album, If Looks Could Kill. Destroy Lonely announced its official release date today: May 5.
Lonely — whose music is reminiscent of Carti’s, as well as Trippie Redd’s, and whose father I-20 was signed to Ludacris’ Disturbing Tha Peace in the 2000s — also shared the enormous track list, which includes 26 songs. Physical editions will include two additional songs which will be unique to the format. The sole feature is fellow Opium artist Ken Carson on the bonus track, “Money & Sex.” Fans hoping to catch Destroy Lonely live can see him at Bonnaroo and Summerfest in June, then at Rolling Loud in Miami and Lollapalooza in Chicago after he spends most of July in Europe.
Check out the tracklist for If Looks Could Kill, out 5/5, below and get more info here.
DIGITAL Tracklist:
1. “How U Feel?”
2. “If Looks Could Kill”
3. “Fly Sht”
4. “Which One”
5. “Raver”
6. “Came in Wit”
7. “By The Pound”
8. “All the Time”
9. “Biggest Problem”
10. “Chris Paul”
11. “Superstar”
12. “New New”
13. “Right Now”
14. “Which Way”
15. “Wagwan”
16. “Moment of Silence”
17. “Brazy Girls”
18. “Goin Up”
19. “Passenger”
20. “Promo”
21. “Worth It”
22. “Redlight”
23. “Make Sum Work”
24. “Safety (interlude)”
25. “Your Eyes”
26. “Money & Sex” (bonus) with Ken Carson
CD BONUS Tracks:
26. “Too Damn Rich”
27. “Spillin”
VINYL BONUS Tracks:
26. “Check the Fleet”
27. “Back Sippin”
The ever-flowing wave of women in rap music is a treat to watch. Quality Control’s Gloss Up is amongst the list of newer acts to pay close attention to. The Memphis native has been featured on tracks with artists such as her labelmate Lakeyah and GloRilla, to name a few. Now with her experience under her belt, she’s paying it forward by recruiting St. Louis rapper Sexyy Red for her new single.
Produced by Black Surfer and Rvei, “Check” is all about proudly boasting about your independence. As Gloss Up opens the chorus rapping, “I got my check-up, my p*ssy got a check-up too / Get a n**** when I want, pick a n**** when I choose / I be running through these n***** / they all know just how I move / I got my check-up,” she’s letting it be known that she’s going to secure financial stability by any means.
This goal is the driving force behind her grind. Gloss Up works twice as hard to let suitors admiring from the sidelines that if they aren’t willing to contribute to her bank account, then don’t even bother.
In the official visual directed by Diesel Filmz, the ladies have fun as their ambition brings all the boys to the yard or at least their fun ice cream stand.
Fans who were worried about a potential curse on Lil Baby can rest easy; if his video for “Go Hard” is anything to judge by, his skills as a rapper and a hitmaker remain untarnished. The new track is vintage Lil Baby, with a string of breathless verses in which he insists he “Need a Nike deal how I’m runnin’ sh*t” and that he’s “savin’ the ghetto” framed by yet another relentless hook asserting he’s “back goin’ hard again” (a running theme in his music).
Meanwhile, if fans thought that his photo op with the Kardashians meant a romantic entanglement, the visuals for “Go Hard” should lay those worries to rest as well. Baby and his crew throw a yacht party with all the debauchery of an Atlanta strip club, amped by what could very well be international waters. Very scantily clad women twerk all over the boat, proving there’s more motion in the ocean (sorry, I couldn’t leave that one on the table). It’s a wonder the ship doesn’t capsize from all that rocking.
“Go Hard” is thought to appear on Lil Baby’s next album ever since he previewed the track on Instagram in 2020. It certainly appears to be his first original song since releasing It’s Only Me in October, although he dropped a video for “Forever” with Fridayy in February. Could a new Lil Baby era already be on the way? Considering his philosophy about going hard, it’s not out of the question.
Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.
Whatever you might be into, each April brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of April below.
It’s not often we hear much from Jai Paul, but he just played Coachella and he also has a fresh new vinyl release. It’s a pressing of Leak 04-13 (Bait Ones), the officially released version of Paul’s famously leaked set of demos from 2013. This is the first time the set has ever been made available on vinyl and only 3,000 copies were made available, so it’s a must-have for Jai Paul die-hards.
45 years ago, in 1978, the now-late Warren Zevon dropped what would become his signature album, Excitable Boy. For this reissue (which features classics like “Werewolves Of London” and the title track), the album was remastered from the original analog master tapes and pressed on 180g 45 RPM vinyl, making this edition an audiophile’s dream.
Rudimental is a beloved UK dance music institution now, but it all started with 2013’s Home. It’s been a decade since that debut album dropped, so now there’s a new anniversary edition that includes a number of new remixes made specially for this reissue.
Jack White and the folks at Third Man Records know their way around vinyl, so their new deluxe reissue of the White Stripes classic Elephant is one to behold. It’s pressed on beautiful clear, colored, smoky vinyl, which is home to beloved tunes like “Seven Nation Army” and “The Hardest Button To Button.”
Aesop Rock and Blockhead — Garbology Instrumentals and The Recycling Bin
Rhymesayers Entertainment
Aesop Rock and Blockhead have formed a strong partnership over the years, and now the rapper and producer are bringing a pair of their projects to vinyl for the first time. Garbology Instrumentals is an instrumental version (duh) of the pair’s 2021 album, while The Recycling Bin is a companion EP featuring Blockhead remixes of Aesop songs that Blockhead previously wasn’t involved with.
Love And Rockets — Earth, Sun, Moon (Reissue) and Love And Rockets (Reissue)
Beggars Banquet/Big Time
’80s English rock group Love And Rockets (which rose from the ashes of Bauhaus) is in the midst of some catalogue reissues and April brought a pair of new ones. Both albums — Earth, Sun, Moon and the self-titled one — come on classic black vinyl and the latter includes their best-known song, the top-three hit “So Alive.”
Get Earth, Sun, Moonhere. Get Love And Rocketshere.
Violent Femmes — Violent Femmes (Reissue)
Craft Recordings
Record Store Day was this month and Craft Recordings came through with a number of reissues, including a new picture disc to mark the 40th anniversary of Violent Femmes’ self-titled album. Aside from being a gorgeous piece to look at, it features favorites like “Blister in the Sun” and “Please Do Not Go.”
Paul McCartney And Wings — Red Rose Speedway (50th Anniversary Reissue)
Apple
Speaking of Record Store Day, Paul McCartney And Wings made the day count with a 50th anniversary rerelease of Red Rose Speedway. This edition will sound as good as possible thanks to the half-speed remastering treatment the LP received. This was the first Wings album to top the charts in the US, so if you don’t have any of the McCartney group in your vinyl library, this reissue is a good place to start.
GoldLink — At What Cost (Vinyl Me, Please Reissue)
Vinyl Me, Please
At What Cost was a strong and well-received debut for GoldLink back in 2017. Vinyl Me, Please is celebrating the project in 2023 with a lovely new reissue, which is pressed on 2-LP orange and blue galaxy vinyl and comes with newly written listening notes.
Metallica have been at it for over 40 years now, and on their new album 72 Seasons, it really sounds like James Hetfield and company truly haven’t lost a step. All the new fans they gained after their Stranger Things sync last year are in for a treat with this exceptional LP.
Lola Brooke‘s breakout single, “Don’t Play With It,” is still going strong but that doesn’t mean the pint-sized Brooklyn rapper doesn’t have more heat in the stash. With all of that momentum behind her, it’s the perfect time for her to drop some new music, which arrives today in the form of the “Just Relax” video.
Taking a sample of Black Sheep’s “The Choice Is Yours” and pairing it with some Swizz Beatz-style drums, producer Reefa crafts a throwback beat that provides the perfect platform for Brooke’s rugged rhymes. The video kicks it old-school too, placing the action at a good old-fashioned house party where TKTK.
Of course, some sh*t goes down when it’s billion dollars on an elevator, as Beyoncé sang on the “Flawless” remix featuring Nicki Minaj. But, the singer doesn’t want any smoke with the IRS. The Grammy Award-winning musician refutes claims that she owes millions in unpaid taxes and penalties, according to Page Six.
The Balmain collaborator is getting her financial documents into formation. Forbes revealed that back in January, the Notice of Deficiency asserted that the “Cuff It” singer owed a grand total of $2.7 million in unpaid taxes and penalties. When breakdown, the organization alleged that the entertainer had a tax bill of $805,850 for 2018 with $161,170 in penalties, and a tax bill of $1,442,747 in 2019 with $288,549.40 in penalties.
However, earlier this week, it is being reported by the outlet that Beyoncé and her legal team filed a petition in tax court to dispute these findings. The musician’s representatives claim that the IRS did not correctly account for several millions of dollars worth of deductions, including in charitable contributions over those two years.
To be exact, in 2018, Beyoncé supposedly contributed $868,766 to an unnamed charitable organization. In the newly filed petition, the recording artist requests that her penalties be waived since she “has acted reasonably and in good faith.”
Michael C. Cohen, the singer’s attorney, told Page Six, “We are working with the IRS and anticipate that the matter will be resolved shortly.”
The IRS might want to tread lightly as the singer’s fiercely loyal fan base, the Beyhive just might take matters into their own hands to ensure the Renaissance World Tour kicks off without a hitch.
Here and there, Post Malone has dealt with rumors about drug use and other worrisome health issues. His recent weight loss has fed into that some, and now Malone laid his cards on the table and shared how he’s doing.
In a new Instagram post, Malone wrote, “i wanted to say that i’m not doing drugs, i’ve had a lot of people ask me about my weight loss and i’d suppose, performance on stage. i’m having a lot of fun performing, and have never felt healthier. i guess dad life kicked in and i decided to kick soda, and start eating better so i can be around for a long time for this little angel. next up is smokes and brews, but i like to consider myself a patient man… lol!”
He added of new music and where he’s at mentally these days, “i’ve spent a bit in the studio lately working on new music, and am so excited to share it with you, thank you for your patience and support y’all. you make my heart beat. i just wanted to say hi, and hopefully i’ll be posting more on here, my brain is in a super dope place, and i’m the happiest i’ve been in a long time.”
“4/28/2023, Antwerp Belgium! hello everybody, i hope you’re having a great night. i wanted to say that i’m not doing drugs, i’ve had a lot of people ask me about my weight loss and i’d suppose, performance on stage. i’m having a lot of fun performing, and have never felt healthier. i guess dad life kicked in and i decided to kick soda, and start eating better so i can be around for a long time for this little angel. next up is smokes and brews, but i like to consider myself a patient man… lol! i’ve spent a bit in the studio lately working on new music, and am so excited to share it with you, thank you for your patience and support y’all. you make my heart beat. i just wanted to say hi, and hopefully i’ll be posting more on here, my brain is in a super dope place, and i’m the happiest i’ve been in a long time. if you’re having a hard time or need some love, i can say that you’re loved more than you know, and keep f*cking crushing it. goodnight nerds [face with steam from nose emoji] spread love and rock on [boot emojis]”
Jack Harlow has kept a relatively low profile in the past few months, at least as it relates to music. Instead, the “Industry Baby” rapper has seemingly poured himself into his budding movie career. The musician is set to start in White Men Can’t Jump remake, amongst a few other projects. So, the announcement that Harlow would be releasing a new album, Jackman, tomorrow, April 28, was a total shock to fans.
After their surprise wore off and without many details to go off of, social media became hyper-fixed on the gritty album cover in which Harlow is posed shirtless in an alley. In the comment section, the semi-appropriate response to a thirst trap is to respond with something equally thirsty. However, instead of a fleet of smitten ladies lining up to fawn over the rapper, a plague of jokes has flooded social media.
In the last 24 hours, Harlow has been compared to Drake’s adorable son Adonis, the American Dad alien Roger, and more.
Looks like a 80’s gay porno VHS cover. Which will be his next career move, if another one of his albums flops again. I rather see him do gay porn anyways than to listen to his music. @jackharlowhttps://t.co/edWXRQbs7B
Rock The Bells has returned! The long-running hip-hop festival, which originally focused on legacy and underground rap acts, was basically defunct for the past ten years. However, that was until the rapper whose song the festival is named after revived the festival last year. The man born Todd Smith revealed the full lineup for the 2023 festival today with a trailer reproducing scenes from headliner Queen Latifah’s 1996 film debut Set It Off (this is a trend), showing the only thing that changed is the coast (the original Rock The Bells took place in California, and so featured more West Coast artists).
The lineup for this year’s festival (“don’t call it a comeback”) includes Big Daddy Kane, Boot Camp Clik, De La Soul, Fabolous, Ludacris, MC Lyte, MC Sha Rock, Method Man & Redman, Monie Love, Rakim, Roxanne Shanté, Salt-n-Pepa, Slick Rick, Swizz Beatz and friends, The Cold Crush Brothers, and Yo-Yo. In addition, the festival will feature a tribute to the late Sean Price by the members of Boot Camp Clik, including his widow Bernadette Price, as well as a set honoring the pioneering women of hip-hop who are often ignored.
The 2023 Rock The Bells Festival will take place on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York. You can get more information here.
Which will be his next career move, if another one of his albums flops again. 
I rather see him do gay porn anyways than to listen to his music. 
(@IndustryMaybe) 
Inependet Music Collection 