It’s yet another strong week for the US edition of #GRMFreshestOut. While our own crop of MC’s continue to grow and impress in the USA, their MC’s are still on their grind too. Our guy Griff has rounded up the very best releases from across the pond and put them all in one convenient place, just for you. Whether it’s the new banger from Yeezus himself or a new heater from the best rising female emcee, he’s got it here. Check in and check out #GRMFreshestOut below.
Kanye West ft. Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom & Paul McCartney – All Day
Yeezy has made absolute waves in the media these last couple of months, whilst preparing to release his next LP ‘So Help Me God’. Thankfully, the music is still screaming out over the headlines with utter quality. This new release has writing and production credits from some of the hottest artists of the moment and it really shows. After a run of more melodic tracks, this banger is just what we needed.
Big Sean ft. Drake & Kanye West – Blessings
Although I try to showcase a range of music on this feature, it’s hard to not include yet another Kanye related song – impossible in fact. “Blessings” is still sounding as good as it did when it was first released, and now it gets a boost from it’s accompanying visual. Despite the title, the video is in keeping with the aesthetics of Big Sean’s latest ‘Dark Sky Paradise’ album; it’s foggy, it’s haunting and it’s gloomy.
KiD CuDi – Love.
To try and spin a little balance, here’s a new track from someone who perhaps doesn’t get on with Kanye these days. Now operating independently, KiD CuDi released a previously unheard song from his 2014 album ‘Satellite Flight”s sessions, titled “love.”. Featuring a Ratatat sample, the track has Cudi putting in a vintage performance of his individual sound.
Action Bronson ft. Chance The Rapper – Baby Blue
It’s safe to say everybody’s appetite has been just about whet for Action Bronson’s forthcoming major label debut ‘Mr Wonderful’. A slew of quality releases have come from his direction and this new one is no different. With Chance The Rapper checking in to deliver a hilariously spiteful verse, Mark Ronson on the buttons and even Zane Lowe getting involved in the writing process, the outcome is fantastic. Bronson doesn’t let his contributors overshadow him however, and he put’s in a couple of great verses and a strong hook too.
Tink – Ratchet Commandments
One of the strongest female MC’s of the minute in the States has to be Timbaland’s new prodigy Tink (word to DeJ Loaf too – check out my interview with her here). The rapper/singer has delivered another strong track, which draws inspiration from Biggie’s classic record “10 Crack Commandments”. In this version, over a beat courtesy of her label-head, Tink channels her inner mean-girl and goes at those ratchet women. You know who you are.
Words: Alex Griffin