Tyler, The Creator Crashes AOTY Convos, Lil Uzi Vert Reigns Eternal, Premo Opens Gang Starr’s Vault, And Other Hip-Hop Releases

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Today is Friday, which means there are a ton of new releases to look forward to from some of your favorite Hip-Hop artists. To help you unwind and enjoy the weekend, check out VIBE’s picks of songs and albums you should hear and add to your soundtrack of weekend festivities.

Tyler, the Creator – Chromakopia

Tyler, the Creator’s ascent to superstardom has been a joy to witness.

First introduced as the leader and flag bearer for Odd Futue and OFWGKTA crew roughly 15 years ago, the Cali native has gradually evolved into a titan and one of the more innovative and forward-thinking creatives in the game, with a string of critically acclaimed solo offerings that rate among the best of the past decade.

With his Q-Rating at a peak and on the precipice of his creative prime, Tyler throws out his latest album, Chromakopia, a longplayer that finds the 33-year-old continuing to challenge sonic and conceptual boundaries.

Opening with the defacto title track, “St. Chroma,” Tyler announces himself with a whispery flow, the charging backdrop morphing into a chaotic a hodgepodge of audio feedback midway through the proceedings.

“I just need this time to myself to figure me out out/ Do I keep the light on or do I gracefully bow out,” Tyler ponders towards the end of the track, a notion rejected via a voice sample of ***, which adds a personal touch to the introductory cut.

Chromakopia scores earlier victorious with the rambunctious “Rah Tah Tah” and Teezo Touchdown-assisted “Darling, I,” declaring he’s the biggest artist out of California aside from Kendrick Lamar on the former, a plausible boast giving his current cultural cache.

Bouncy conga drums provide the foundation for “I Killed You,” a track reminiscent of a vintage Neptunes instrumental, while the GloRilla, Sexyy Red, Lil Wayne featured “Sticky” leaves a bit to be desired, primely to its grating, recurring hook.

However, that slight misstep is immediately forgiven with “Take Your Mask Off,’ a song about discovering one’s true self and shunning societal and cultural expectations, which finds Tyler addressing everyone from wanna-be thugs to sexually closeted clergymen.

Additional highlights such as “Thought I Was Dead” featuring ScHoolboy Q and Santigold, and the Doechii-assisted lead-single, “Balloon” keep the momentum going, with Tyler ending things off with “I Hope You Find Your Way Home,” a cut full of revelations and insights into his personal life.

Enjoyable from top to bottom, Chromakopia is an instant shoo-in for general Album of the Year conversations and Grammy Award consideration. – Preezy Brown

Lil Uzi Vert – Eternal Atake 2

Lil Uzi Vert’s Eternal Atake 2 arrived at an interesting time in rap. The Philadelphia enigma has been one of the biggest stars in rap over the last near decade, but there has been a decline in sales and music quality. This album is an accurate display of where they currently are; the music is all over the place, but the highs are high and the lows are unfathomable.

The five-song run at the end from “Chill Bae” to “Space High” is excellent as it is the emotive, introspective Uzi that fans grew to love when they broke through. The ambitious efforts earlier in the LP are laudable, but ultimately don’t land. They would benefit from having some more focus and locking in to what they want their identity to be. The production and lyricism is too all over the place. – AS

Gang Starr – “Finishem”

DJ Premier unveils this cut from the Gang Starr vault, which finds Guru pulling off finishing moves atop a steely soundbed crafted by Premo himself. Standing ten toes behind his reputation, Guru likens his attack to a video game characters while bragging about his oratorial prowess. “I whoop flames out you, I’m the beat igniter/ Lay you out on the concrete just like street fighter,” he rhymes, promising physical and lyrical damage upon impact, as a vocal sample commands for the ensuing scene to be taped off.

According to Premier, with a half-decade since Gang Starr’s last album, One Of The Best Yet, looming, the time was perfect to celebrate with new music from he and his late groupmate. “As One Of The Best Yet was approaching the five-year anniversary mark, that milestone moved me to create a new track to match the occasion. The album is special on so many different levels; what it meant to me, Guru’s family, and the fans, it warranted something new to honor the occasion” DJ Premier affirmed in a statement accompanying the song’s release.

“I started going through files, looking for something that stood out and fit; and as soon as I heard Guru’s hook “now I’m about to finishem, my rep alone could diminish’em” I knew that was it and went to work crafting a beat for it. I had some unused Antman Wonder files that I decided to check out, and one of the sounds hit me emotionally from the very first note. I knew this was the one to shape the song. The fans always appreciate more Gang Starr—and this one is for them.” – PB

Future featuring Travis Scott – “South Of France (Remix)”

Future feat. Travis Scott “South Of France (Remix)” cover art

Future and Travis Scott’s collaborative history makes this remix to “South Of France” an unsurprising release. The track is already solid and admittedly did not need Travis. It is his tempo and key, but he doesn’t necessarily add much. Their vocal performances feel a bit lifeless in comparison to previous collaborations like “First Off,” “3500,” or even “Type Sh*t” and “Cinderella” from this year.

On paper, a Future and Travis Scott collaboration doesn’t generate the same excitement as it used to and the music follows through on that feeling of exhaustion. At least Future sounds great and the original “South Of France” is still available to play. – Armon Sadler

Snoop Dogg featuring Jhené Aiko- “Gorgeous”

Snoop Dogg featuring Jhene Aiko "Gorgeous" Cover Art

Few duos in Hip-Hop hold the significance of Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, as the pair have transcended eras while teaming up to craft some of the culture’s definitive bodies of work. With Snoop’s long-awaited Missionary album, which will be executive produced by Dr. Dre, arriving this coming month, the tandem unleash “Gorgeous,” the first single from the project.

Featuring songstress Jhené Aiko, who lends her feathery vocals to the track’s hook, “Gorgeous” captures Snoop sounding particularly spry, as his invigoration is evident with every line spat. “Last time I checked, I was the plug to your plug, I’m the f**king connect,” the Long Beach legend professes on the opening verse, flexing his status as the ultimate boss and ladies man. Backed by a groovy instrumental courtesy of Dr. Dre, “Gorgeous” matches Snoop and Dre’s vintage G-Funk sound with a freshness that makes it less of a retread and something that fans, old and new, can get into. – PB

Kodak Black – Dieusan Octave

Kodak Black had been releasing music at a consistent rate this year and now has dropped off a surprise mixtape in Diueson Octave. The project being titled his birth name perhaps represents him attempting to return to the Kodak of old. The last few years have been very trying for the Pompano Beach, Fla. rapper and his latest releases have all been very emotive and introspective.

He continues this on tracks like “Catch Fire,” “Never Exaggerate,” and “Ima Be Real.” Kodak’s star-power came from his rapping ability and the way he connected to listeners, and that shines through on these eight records. – AS

Freddie Gibbs – You Only Die 1nce

Freddie Gibbs drops off his latest project, You Only Die 1nce, a collection that finds Gibbs up to his usual tricks, namely rapping his a** off atop an array of beats ranging from brooding to nostalgic. On “Status,” the Indiana rep takes a stream of consciousness, musing on everything from cocaine deals to his plans for the 2024 Presidential election.

For longtime fans, Gibbs’ signature “Slammin” declaration prior to a verse means fireworks are sure to occur, which is the case on “Wolverine,” on which he professes his desire to “smoke his opps” like Oppenheimer amid a nod to fellow Gray natives the Jackson 5. Narcotics distribution is the topic of discussion on “Brick Fees,” whereas “It’s Your Anniversary” finds Gibbs reworking Tony! Toni! Toné!’s R&B classic, “Anniversary,” and “Ruthless” includes sonic and vocal samples from 112’s 1996 hit, “Cupid.”

Yet the most riveting number on You Only Die 1nce is the finale, “On The Set,” as Freddie tackles ongoing happenings within Hip-Hop, such as the federal takedown of Sean “Diddy” Combs and the death of Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan. “Goddamn, they done got Diddy/ I used to look up to that ni**a even when that ni**a Pac dissed him/ I wonder if he paid off Pac killers/ I wish them ni**as in L.A. never popped Biggie,” he openly wonders, giving insights into his personal life amid observations on the culture.

All in all, You Only Die 1nce is another potent offering from Gangsta Gibbs, as he plays to his strengths and picks his spots with the precision of a proven vet. – PB

Central Cee – “One By One”

Central Cee tapped Cash Cobain for a slizzified beat on “One By One” and he skated all over it. His jab-like bars mesh perfectly with the anticipatory Cobain beat. There is a certain energy Cench brings to this track that feels like he is hungry. He wants to compete and be the best and he raps like it.

There’s this stream of consciousness that is conveyed through his flow switches and it works. He gives a nod to The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody and shouts out his new album title Can’t Rush Greatness. This is another star-making performance for Central Cee. – AS

Yeat featuring Quavo – “5Brazy”

Yeat and Quavo went full rockstar rage on “5Brazy.” The production is admittedly a bit jarring, but that rough sound is the aesthetic which may not be everyone and is perfectly okay. Quavo fits himself to this beat and style like a glove. There is a nice contrast between their vocals; Yeat is more brooding and Quavo is louder and more animatedly high-pitched.

It is also nice to hear a near three minute collaboration from these two in this era of shorter songs intended to encourage replays or play on listeners’ psyche. It’s a solid, fun song and it’ll be interesting to see how far it goes. – AS

Westside Gunn – 11 and Still Praying

Westside Gunn 'Still Praying' Album Cover

Westside Gunn pulls double-duty with back-to-back releases, as the FLYGOD continues to wreak havoc with his seemingly endless stream of projects with his 11 EP and new album, Still Praying. On 11, Westside does all of the heavy lifting, delivering starring performances on “Big Dump Ballad,” which features a heartfelt poem by Keisha Plum, and “Cain Tejada,” the latter titled after the popular Power Book II: Ghost character.

For Still Praying, the Buffalo soldier links with DJ Drama, who serves as the host amid rampant rhyme spills on the part of Westside and his Griselda cohorts. Featuring guest spots by Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine, Boldy James, Stove God Cooks, and Rome Streetz, and production from Conductor Williams, Daringer, and more, Still Praying is loaded with praiseworthy offerings, as “Beef Bar,” “Max Caster,” “I Know Verdy,” “Duran Duran,” and “Free Shots” present Gunn in all his ostentatious splendor. – PB