This week’s New Music Friday is star-studded, with two entries from Nicki Minaj, one with Drake and Lil Wayne, a new verse from Stormzy on a Jon Bellion remix, a posse cut from Steel Banglez featuring MoStack, Mist, Haile and Abra Cadabra, a soulful tune from Jorja Smith, a vibe from 2 Chainz with Ty Dolla $ign, Jhene Aiko and Trey Songz, as well as bangers from Yungen (featuring Sneakbo and Haile) and D Double E (featuring Jme, Wiley, Chip, Lethal Bizzle and Baseman).
Nicki Minaj – “No Fraud” (ft. Drake & Lil Wayne)
This diss-fuelled retaliation track is a war ready entry from the “Starships” singer. When Nicki switches up her style for verse one, she goes in. Nonchalant and deadly, Nicki knows she’s killing the track and doesn’t even need to get too gassed to do it. The Pink Friday superstar has enlisted her Young Money familia Drake and Lil Wayne to help her body the track.
Nicki Minaj – “Regret In Your Tears”
This second entry from Nicki Minaj features a bouncy beat and an emotional top line. There is hate in her lyrics, but it all sounds so nice; her melodies are touching and honest. Nicki’s flow in the second verse is mad, too. She’s really on something different at the moment with all of her feature verses and solo releases, they’ve made me really amped for her forthcoming album.
Jon Bellion – “All Time Low” (ft. Stormzy)
Anyone who knows me knows that I am the biggest Jon Bellion Stan. To see him finally touch base with the UK is a revelation; this track is a bonafide smash. A pop song on the surface, “All Time Low” has insane J Dilla inspired drums that fill the track’s pockets perfectly. This track is a remix featuring Stormzy and his verse is CRAZY. Absolutely mad. As soon as I thought this track couldn’t get any better, it did. Track of the week.
Steel Banglez – “Money” (ft. MoStack, Mist, Haile & Abra Cadabra)
This highly anticipated possé cut produced by acclaimed hit-maker Steel Banglez doesn’t disappoint. There was a lot of hype around “Money”, and it’s duly delivered. Every verse is dope and Mostack’s hook is sure to get the listener gassed. Abra Cadabra’s verse is the hardest on the record, but Haile and Mist aren’t far behind. “Money” is a certified hood banger.
Jorja Smith – “Beautiful Little Fools”
This soulful track will bring you down to Earth. “Beautiful Little Fools”, a song supposedly inspired by The Great Gatsby, is introduced by a luscious piano line before transitioning into a smooth and jazzy instrumental that sits underneath Jorja’s incredible vocals. The tones in her voice on “Beautiful Little Fools” are amazing; the track is so calm and soothing, but it’s dominating at the same time. Awesome addition to this week’s playlist!
2 Chainz – “It’s A Vibe” (ft. Ty Dolla $ign, Trey Songz & Jhene Aiko)
Straight away, this doesn’t sound like a normal 2 Chainz track. His flow will be quite familiar to listeners akin to the London music scene. Pardon the pun, but this track is a vibe; plain and simple. The hook is excellently delivered and Tityboi’s verse is delivered with a confident tone. When Jhene Aiko comes in for the third hook, the track progresses surprisingly naturally to suit her souled out vocals (again, pardon the pun).
Yungen & Sneakbo – “Do It Right” (ft. Haile)
This is another strong hook from Haile, his chorus is brilliantly delivered and excellently written. Word to Jme, any Charizard reference is a winner. Sneakbo’s verse is crazy hard, too. This song is a banger through and through. Yungen’s verse has a low-key swag about it before it switches completely and he starts to spit on a different level.
D Double E – “I Like It” (Remix ft. Jme, Wiley, Chip, Lethal Bizzle & Baseman)
Jme’s verse has a flow similar to his crazy Grim Sickers feature, Wiley’s pen game is something else, Chip returns from a brief hiatus to dead the beat, D Double does D Double and holds his own on the track, before Lethal Bizzle comes through with another dope verse in a long time (even if it is brief) and Baseman finishes off the features with another hard 16.