Doechii, The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Kid Cudi

The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Doechii – “Timeless (Remix)”

Doechii jumped on The Weeknd and Playboi Carti’s latest banger “Timeless.” The changes don’t lend themselves to this being one of the remixes of old, but some distinct nuances set this apart.

First, she starts the song with a verse in-pocket, showing off impressive wordplay and sharp cadences. She also utilizes melody, and harmonizes with Abel on the chorus. Musically, this will do a lot for those who are fans of her music and the latest collaborations between TDE/PgLang and Opium.

Additionally, it’s a major business move as these will be the two biggest acts she has worked with and at the height of her momentum thus far in her career. – Armon Sadler

Kid Cudi – “Neverland”

Kid Cudi’s latest single, “Neverland,” is a bold, emotionally-charged entry that conjures thoughts of fantasy and bliss.

Riding an epic, guitar-laden soundscape, Cudi delivers a poignant meditation on resilience and renewal. “When I’m feeling up and I’m feeling down / Reminds me that I’m still alive,” he sings, grounding the track in raw vulnerability and a powerful “never die” ethos.

It’s a stirring anthem for anyone searching for something beyond the now—a voyage toward the eternal. The song also sets the tone for what Cudi calls “an exciting new era,” with a full album and short film of the same name on the horizon.

Slated to debut at Tribeca in June, the film promises a larger creative vision that fans won’t want to miss. “Neverland” is more than a comeback—it’s a reintroduction to an artist who’s never stopped evolving. – Preezy Brown

Key Glock – ‘Glockaveli: The Don (Deluxe)’

Key Glock continues to reign down on music listeners with new tunes on the heels of his recently released Glockaveli album, as the laconic lyricist doubles back with the project’s deluxe version.

Tacking on three new songs in addition to the original eighteen, Key Glock leans into his hustling tendencies on “Money Habits,” forewarning sneak-dissers and opps amid boasts of his financial status.

“Going Hard” captures the Memphis boss in a relentless zone, whereas “All Dogs Go To Heaven” ends the trifeca on a more solemn note.

Assuming the aura of a don on this welcome stimulus package, Glizzock keeps the iron hot while spinning the block, even after successfully hitting his target on the first drill. – PB

That Mexican OT Featuring Lil Wayne – “Baby Mad At Me”

That Mexican OT strikes a compelling balance between swagger and sincerity on his new single “Baby Mad At Me,” a twangy, melody-laced track that showcases his growing versatility.

Produced by Bankroll Got It and Chris XZ, the song finds OT owning up to his romantic missteps with a vulnerable edge that’s refreshingly honest. Lil Wayne slides in with a sharp, reflective verse of his own, continuing his recent hot streak with effortless charisma.

As the first taste of OT’s upcoming album Recess, due this summer, “Baby Mad At Me” is a promising preview—catchy, confessional, and well worth the listen. – PB

Fetty Wap – “Forever (7193509)”

Fetty Wap dropped off his first record from behind bars. “Forever (7193509)” touches on his pain and how, if people understood it, they would get him more.

His normally high, energetic voice is calmer and melds to the downtempo beat. There are drums, giving the record a knock, but they don’t overpower the somber track and make it feel like a bop because that isn’t the purpose here.

The New Jersey artist always thrived at expressing his feelings, but this may be the deepest he has ever dived into negative emotions. With all of these things combined, this is easily one of Fetty’s best records since his breakthrough in the mid-2010s. – AS

Lefty Gunplay, JasonMartin – ‘Can’t Get Right’

Can’t Get Right, the new collaborative album from Lefty Gunplay and JasonMartin, is a gritty, West Coast statement piece that deserves your attention.

With tracks like “Lord Forgive Me” and the title cut, the project delivers raw odes to street life, layered with sharp lyricism and unflinching honesty.

Lefty Gunplay proves himself a capable and charismatic emcee, representing for the Latino community while carving out his own lane.

Features from The Game, Ty Dolla $ign, RJMrLA, and others add polish to Can’t Get Right, but it’s Lefty’s sure-handed presence and JasonMartin’s steadiness in a supporting role that truly anchors the project. – PB

NBA YoungBoy – “Shot Callin”

YoungBoy Never Broke Again didn’t fix what wasn’t broke on “Shot Callin.” It is his standard, mid-tempo offering loaded with drums, synths, and a looping vocal sample.

The most prominent aspect, of course, is his piercing croon. Content-wise, and per the title, it is heavy flexing and braggadocious energy. And hey, given all he has accomplished despite legal troubles and thoughts of the industry blackballing him, his feelings are valid.

YB continues to be one of the shining stars of the late 2010s and thus far through the 2020s due to the way he appeals to listeners’ feelings in a variety of ways. “Shot Callin” was simply a drop for those who were done reflecting on pain and instead want to boss up. – AS

E-40 – ‘Beating They A**’

Some things in life never get old, such as the rush of hearing E-40 volley his signature brand of slanguistics atop an instrumental.

Such a treat is delivered via the Vallejo mainstay’s newest one-off “Beating They A**,” as 40 Water drops game on the rules of engagement in the realm of money stacking and macking.

Produced by EJ Galloway, “Beating They Ass” marks E-40’s first musical drop since November 2023, when he unleashed his most recent studio album, Rule of Thumb: Rule 1. “I wanted to make a statement with this new release,” E-40 said of his latest jam in a statement.

“Even at my age, I can still evolve and adjust my delivery like I’m a brand-new artist. I’m never gonna get comfortable and I’m always going to push myself to be great, so we can keep beating they ass in the rap game. And just know, this song is just the first of a few surprises that I’m cooking up for 2025.” 

Nearing four decades in the game, E-40 sounds spry as ever, as “Beating They A**” finds the West Coast legend putting belt to backside, both lyrically and in spirit. – PB

Richie Evans, Vado, Dave East – “Crownholders”

Richie Evans, Vado, and Dave East took it back to the essence with “Crownholders.” The beat is slow and plodding, but not boring; rather, there is some soul to it.

The sonics make one envision all three wordsmiths standing outside of a corner store rapping while smoking blunts and surrounded by their crew. Each rapper also has distinct vocals, which present a nice variation of sound over a beat that gets a bit linear when it progresses past the two-minute mark.

Most importantly, there are bars galore. If the title was indicative of where they place themselves in the hierarchy of rap, they made a strong case. – AS

Cory Gunz Featuring Dashii – “Anxiety Freestyle”

Cory Gunz followed Doechii’s wave of reintroducing the world to “Anxiety,” but added a 2000s element of freestyling over a popular beat.

His version leans more into rapid wordplay and flow switches that made him popular, while also touching on concepts that are better grasped when watching the accompanying visual. Dashii handles the hook, highlighted by a filtered, distant-sounding vocal delivery.

It is almost as if Gunz is the voice in front of your head struggling, and Dashii’s in the back of your mind trying to work through your trauma but you can’t get past the more front-facing issues. Overall, a solid and enjoyable track. – AS

Bas, The Hics Featuring Ab-Soul – “Norbit”

Andre 3000 – ‘7 piano sketches’

Tech N9ne – “This I Know”

billy woods – ‘GOLLIWOG’

Knowledge The Pirate – ‘The Round Table’

Anycia – “No Scrub”

The OMG Girlz – “Make A Scene”

Starlito, Don Trip – ‘Brothers 4 Life’

DJ.Fresh & The Musalini Featuring Planet Asia, Silent Sniper – “Players Ball”

MIKE, Tony Seltzer – ‘Pinball II’

Paul Russell Featuring Saweetie – “That Girl”

Fredo Bang – “Feel A Way”

Connie Diiamond – “JAT”

Landstrip Chip, G Herbo, Babyface Ray – “Trophies”

Amelia Moore Featuring Teezo Touchdown – “spelling bee”

Raq Baby – “Toy Story”

Dyce Payso – “Litty”

Casablanca The Gawd Featuring Che Noir – “Readings On The Wall”

Hulvey, Alex Jean – “Rain On Me”

itsHoly Featuring Dave East – “ALYK”

Skaiwater – ‘pinkPrint 2’

Swavay – ‘BILLY2’

Babyfxce E – ‘M Block (Deluxe)’

Ovrkast. – “I’m On”

Lelo – “Perfect Blue”