The Newest Hip Hop Music You Need to Hear
Contents
Discover the newest hip hop music you need to hear, with updates on your favorite artists and new rising stars in the genre.
New Releases
This week’s new hip hop music includes releases from Lil Baby, Lil Durk, and Rod Wave. If you’re looking for something to bump in your car or just want to stay up-to-date on the latest hip hop music, make sure to check out these new releases. You can find a full list of this week’s releases below.
J. Cole
J. Cole surprised everyone on Tuesday night when he released his new album, 4 Your Eyez Only, just two weeks after announcing it. The 10-track album is a follow-up to his 2014 Forest Hills Drive, and he’s been hinting that it would be a “true hip-hop album.” And while the album isn’t as explicitly political as Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN., there are still a few references to current events. Here are the tracks you need to know about.
“For Whom the Bell Tolls”
On the opening track, Cole touches on police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. He raps from the perspective of someone who’s been killed by the police, and addresses the issue of posthumous fame (“now your name in lights / but to us you was still alive”). It sets the tone for the rest of the album, which is introspective and personal.
“Neighbors”
On this track, Cole tells the story of how he once got raided by the FBI because his neighbors thought he was dealing drugs. He was just growing weed in his basement, but because of the way he looks (a “THC-lookin’ black man”), he was automatically assumed to be a dealer. The song is a commentary on racial profiling and how quickly things can escalate when people make assumptions without knowing all the facts.
“She’s Mine Pt. 1 & 2”
These two tracks are some of the most personal on the album, and they’re both about Cole’s daughter (born in 2016). On Pt. 1, Cole raps about how he wasn’t there for her birth because he was out on tour, and how guilty he feels about it (“I wasn’t present / present for your birth / I was out tryna get mine”). Pt. 2 is a letter to his daughter that she can read when she’s older. He talks about how he wants her to be proud of her blackness (“be Black beautiful / never apologize for what you are”), and how he’ll always be there for her (“daddy love”).
“4 Your Eyez Only”
The title track is another letter, this time addressed to Cole’s friend (and possible love interest), who was killed before he could fully tell her how he felt about her.Cole reflects on his friend’s life and death, and how short life can be (“28 years old / barely had a chance to live”). It’s a poignant reminder that we should all make sure we tell our loved ones how we feel while we still can.
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar’s latest album, “DAMN.”, is one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year. The Compton-born rapper has been hailed as a visionary artist and one of the best lyricists of his generation. On “DAMN.”, Lamar explores themes of race, religion and politics with his signature mix of searing honesty and bravado. The result is an album that is both timely and timeless, full of Compton-bred anthems that will have you nodding your head for days.
Chance the Rapper
Chance the Rapper is one of the most popular and acclaimed hip hop artists of our time. His latest album, Coloring Book, was released in 2016 to critical acclaim and won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards. Chance is known for his positive and uplifting lyrics, and his music has a light and joyful feel to it. If you’re looking for some new hip hop to listen to, Chance the Rapper is a great place to start.
Upcoming Releases
There are always new hip hop albums and mixtapes being released, and it can be hard to keep up with all of them. Here are some of the newest hip hop releases that you need to check out. This section will include upcoming releases from both established and up-and-coming artists.
Lil Uzi Vert
Hailing from Philadelphia, Lil Uzi Vert first caught listeners’ ears in 2016 with the release of his breakthrough mixtape, Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World. Blessed with a unique, melodic flow and an uncanny knack for delivering both introspective lyrics and infectious hooks, Vert has become one of the most exciting young voices in hip-hop. His long-awaited debut album, Luv Is Rage 2, finally arrived in August of 2017 and solidified his place as one of the game’s hottest new talents.
Travis Scott
It’s been a big year for Travis Scott. The 26-year-old rapper released his third studio album, Astroworld, in August to critical and commercial acclaim. The record debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 537,000 equivalent units in its first week. It was also certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) just four days after its release.
Scott’s Astroworld Tour has been equally successful. The trek, which launched in support of the album, has grossed more than $53 million and sold more than 500,000 tickets, according to Billboard Boxscore. It’s currently slated to wrap up on Dec. 19 in Los Angeles.
In addition to his musical accomplishments, Scott also made headlines this year for his relationship with reality TV star Kylie Jenner. The pair welcomed their first child, a daughter named Stormi Webster, in February.
Logic
A Maryland native, Logic (born Sir Robert Bryson Hall II) had a turbulent upbringing that found him kicked out of his home at 13 and shuttling between various friends’ houses. After dabbling in drug dealing, he settled into a life of rhyming, eventually attracting the attention of indie hip-hop label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). TDE’s CEO, Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, took the young rapper under his wing and signed him to the label in 2012.
In October of that year, Logic released his first mixtape, Young Sinatra. The well-received project set the stage for his 2013 Def Jam debut album, Under Pressure. The record hit number four on the Billboard 200 and included the platinum single “Under Pressure.”
Logic’s rapid rise to fame continued with his second album, The Incredible True Story (2015). The cinematic LP debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and featured guest appearances from Big Sean and pusha t. It was supported by the gold singles “Fade Away” and “Young Jesus,” which peaked at numbers 20 and 43 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, respectively.
Music Videos
The newest hip hop music you need to hear is “All I Do” by J. Cole. This song is about Cole’s journey to becoming a successful rapper. The song is honest and motivating, and it will inspire you to pursue your dreams. The music video is also visually stunning, and it features some of the most beautiful women in the world.
J. Cole
J. Cole is one of the most popular and well-known hip hop artists today. His music often tackles important and thought-provoking topics, and his latest album, 4 Your Eyez Only, is no exception. The album’s title track is a powerful ballad that tells the story of a young man who was killed in a drive-by shooting. The song is equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, and it’s sure to resonate with many fans.
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar is one of the most celebrated rappers of our time. His thoughtful and introspective lyrics have earned him critical acclaim and a loyal following. His music videos are always highly anticipated and his latest release, “Humble,” is no exception.
Directed by Dave Meyers and the little homies, “Humble” is a visually stunning video that perfectly complements the song’s message of humility. The video begins with Kendrick walking through what looks like a post-apocalyptic world, where everything is in ruins. As he raps, we see more and more people joining him, until he’s surrounded by a huge crowd.
The video then cuts to Kendrick performing in front of a projections of flames, which creates an eerie and foreboding atmosphere. But as the song progresses, we see that Kendrick is actually in control of the fire, which represents his power and confidence.
The video ends with Kendrick alone again, walking through the same post-apocalyptic world. But this time, instead of being surrounded by destruction, he’s surrounded by people who are living their lives normally despite the chaos around them. This conveys Kendrick’s ultimate message: although the world may be full of turmoil, we can still find our own peace if we stay humble.
Chance the Rapper
Since 2016, Chance the Rapper has released several music videos, including “No Problem”, “Blessings”, and “Angels”. He is known for his innovative style and creativity, and his music videos are no exception.
In “No Problem”, Chance the Rapper teams up with Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz to create a fun and high-energy video. The video features all three rappers performing in a variety of colorful settings, including a boardwalk, a car wash, and a pool party.
“Blessings” is a more emotional video, in which Chance the Rapper reflects on his life and career. The video features clips of Chance growing up in Chicago, as well as footage of him onstage and in the studio.
“Angels” is another reflective video, this time focusing on the city of Chicago. The video features Chicagoans of all ages and backgrounds, highlighting the diversity of the city.Chance the Rapper is one of the most exciting and creative artists in hip hop today, and his music videos are a reflection of that. If you’re looking for something new and different in hip hop, be sure to check out Chance the Rapper’s latest music videos.
