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Young Thug — Slime Language
Light the candles. Young Thug celebrates his 27th birthday with the release of his long-awaited project, Slime Language.
Thugger slithers out with some company on this effort. In fact, the project features an array of artists, including Gunna, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, Jacquees, and Dolly, among others.
Slime Language is actually a play on sign language. Earlier this year, Thugger said he would not release a new album this year as a tribute to his brother, who is reportedly deaf. “I got a deaf brother,” he told Hypebeast back in February. “I got a brother who can’t hear or talk, so I want to act deaf for a year.” However, he’s since opted to release a new project in honor of his brother with the sign language theme.
Slime Language is available below.
Ariana Grande — Sweetener
Just two years after releasing Dangerous Woman, Ariana Grande returns to the spotlight with her forth major label album, Sweetener.
As expected, the pop powerhouse packs a potent punch from popular producers like Pharrell Williams and Max Martin. Skateboard P also lends a vocal hand on “blazed.” Meanwhile, rappers Nicki Minaj (“the light is coming”) and Missy Elliott (“borderline”) show up as guests for plenty of rap and R&B-inspired fusions.
“It was a really awesome experience,” Grande said of the album’s creative process during an interview with “The Tonight Show” in May. “It’s kind of about bringing light to a situation, or someone’s life, or somebody else who brings light to your life, or sweetening the situation.”
Grande doesn’t shy away from the tabloid headlines on this project, which was crafted during her high profile relationships with Mac Miller and comedian Pete Davidson. She even titled a song after the latter, referring to him as her soulmate. Listen to Sweetener below.
Stefflon Don — Secure
Rising British rapper Stefflon Don capitalizes on her rapidly-growing buzz with the release of her new project, Secure.
The 16-song effort is an all-out attack on Stefflon’s haters and naysayers. “Said that I’ma do it and I did it,” she raps. “If they ever doubted, I bet now they feeling stupid.”
Steff, who recently appeared on the XXL Freshman cover, taps famous faces for this go around. Future, Sean Paul, Popcaan, Sizzla, and DJ Khaled appear as featured guests.
The British rhymer recently explained the title’s importance. “Since I’ve been doing this music thing, sometimes insecurities do step in a little bit,” she told fans on Instagram. “I’m like, ‘Steff, bruv, that’s not you. You’ve never been like this.’ I’ve been secure since I was little.”
Secure the new project below.
Aminé — ONEPOINTFIVE
Aminé is back. After breaking onto the scene with last year’s “Caroline,” the Portland rapper revamps with ONEPOINTFIVE, which landed one day before most new releases as a surprise drop.
Personal raps appear throughout the new release. “I’ve thought about suicide a hundred times,” he raps on the intro, “DR. WHOEVER.” “But I hate to disappoint and see my momma cry / Birthdays these days be the worst days / ‘Cause I know I’m getting older and not happier.”
Gunna, G Herbo, and Rico Nasty all swoop in for assistance. Meanwhile, Chingy, the St. Louis rapper, gets a song named after him. “VVs in my pinky ring,” Aminé raps on “Chingy.” “It’s right thurr like I’m Chingy.”
Listen to Aminé’s Good for You follow-up below.
Migos — “Is You Ready”
Migos get cinematic. The trio of Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff delivers “Is You Ready,” a new single off the soundtrack for the Mark Wahlberg-starring film, Mile 22.
“We came out the trenches with extensions, God is my witness,” raps Takeoff. “They can’t hang with us, can’t bang with us,” adds Offset. “They know we armed and dangerous.” Quavo handles the chorus and asks, “Is You Ready?”
Mile 22 is in theaters. Listen to the new track, if you’re ready.
Reeseynem feat. Chance the Rapper — “What’s the Hook”
Chance the Rapper lends his high profile name and voice to Reeseynem on their new collaboration, “What’s the Hook.”
Reesey kicks off the track with an Auto-Tuned verse about chess, flexing, and more. “We just play the cards we’re dealt,” he raps. “We ain’t ask for it / Knew we was the niggas from day one and now we fast forward.”
Lil Chano slides through with a verse of his own. “I’m working on this money,” he raps. “All my cousins country, but they do not love the country.” Find out what the hook on “What’s the Hook” sounds like below.
