In the tenth edition of our New Music Friday UK feature, we get dope new records from David Guetta with Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne, Gorillaz and Vince Staples, Frisco, Drake and Sampha, MIST, Toddla T and Andrea Martin and Trey Songz.
David Guetta – Light Up My Body (feat. Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne)
Nicki is on something different right now. Each verse is filled confidence; each verse is hard. This David Guetta track is just another release for her. The beat is vibey, with some light 808s that carry the verse before Nicki takes the chorus somewhere else – into a more natural territory for Guetta. The drop is greezy though, don’t get it twisted. I’ve been seriously impressed by the Pinkprint rapper recently. Lil Wayne goes hard too.
Gorrilaz – Ascension (feat. Vince Staples)
Vince Staples and Gorillaz? This. Is. Dope. “Ascension” features a bouncy, contemporary beat; very different from what they were doing when they released “Dare” and “Feel Good Inc”. There’s a throwback Gorillaz sound to this though, that’s for sure. Vince’s bars on this track are super catchy, too, there’s just a real feel good vibe to this well-produced, well-executed record.
Frisco – Serrvice
“Accidentally punch an MC on purpose”. Yeah, that’s the type of vibe Frisco’s feeling on “Service”. Big Fris’ flows on this track are crazy, it’s just classic Frisco. The BBK man’s bars are delivered with a quite sort of Godfather, Darth Vader swag. The beat behind “Service” is nuts too, with sliding 808s that are quaintly contrasted by ditsy melodic plucks.
Drake – 4422 (feat. Sampha)
Drake’s “4422” features Process singer Sampha, who has previously collaborated with Drizzy on the Nothing Was The Same track “Too Much”, which was an adaptation of the piano-man’s own song. Sampha’s verse repeats several times before the beat starts to develop and the song begins to take off. A tender moment in Drake’s stunning More Life, “4422” is airy and reflective. It’s definitely one of my favourites from the playlist. Drizzy actually doesn’t feature on this track, but “4422” transitions effortlessly into the next track on the album, where Drake’s verse begins.
MIST – Hot Property
This Steel Banglez produced track is hard. The hit-maker leads the track with some dope 808 sounds and claps, whilst Mist bars effortless over the top. The Brum MC takes his product a level further each time he drops a tune; “Hot Property” is a SERIOUS *Jme voice* banger. You can check the Iceland-shot visuals for “Hot Property” right here on GRM Daily.
Toddla T – Blackjack21 (feat. Andrea Martin)
Airy to begin with, “Blackjack21” eases into a spoken-word piece by Toddla T that swiftly progresses into a simple bassline that starts off the track’s transition into a lounge listen. Andrea Marin’s vocals are pristine on top off the bassline that carries the track, she delivers some awesome gambling-themed lyrics. By the time T’s spoken word comes back in, the beat introduces some brass before evolving completely into a synth-driven movie.
Slick Don – Highs and Lows
“Highs and Lows” is incredible. Slick Don has managed to combine a throwback sound and a classic grime flow with a fresh idea. Every one of Slick Don’s verses are quality, from start to finish. The instrumental is a new-classic type, with plucked melodic sounds sitting perfectly atop the dirty sub sounds. “Highs and Lows” is my pick of the week, for sure!
Trey Songz – Song Goes Off
It’s a new day, with new Trey Songz, and that means this weekend is going to be amazing. “Song Goes Off” is incredible from its production to Trey Songz’s tender, soul-twisting melodies. The song goes from being a more electronic cut to a piano-lead lament as Trey delivers some heartwarming spoken lyrics, before the beat kicks back in with some subtle 808s and the singer’s throwback vocal tones.