Source: @PhotosByBeanz / @PhotosByBeanz
Takeoff — The Last Rocket
A new rocket takes off. Coming on the heels of Quavo’s Huncho LP, Migos rapper Takeoff takes flight with the release of his debut solo album, The Last Rocket.
Takeoff uses the 12-track project to reminisce about his life before the fame and glory. “Remember nights of selling products to environments / Remember when we’d run from 12, ain’t run a mile since,” he raps on “I Remember.” “I remember…I can’t forget it!”
The project, which features Quavo, also includes some thundering production. DJ Durel, TM88, Murda Beatz, Cubeatz, Buddah Bless, Cassius Jay, and Wheezy are among the LPs producers. Meanwhile, the spotlight remains mainly on Takeoff.
Watch The Last Rocket blast off below.
Swizz Beatz — Poison
Swizz Beatz brings the Poison. Eleven years after his debut album One Man Band Man, the super-producer unleashes his highly-anticipated sophomore album.
As expected, the venomous project boasts a star-studded arsenal. It includes Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, Jadakiss, Styles P, Young Thug, Pusha T, Nas, 2 Chainz, and French Montana, among others. Meanwhile, Swizzy holds the boards down with some assistance from araabMUZIK, DJ Scratch, and Bink!
This is more than just a musical offering, according to the seasoned beatsmith. “You gotta face your poison in life in order to poise on,” he told Mass Appeal. “Everything that’s going on around us is poison. A lot of us turn our heads from it instead of dealing with it. If you’re a drug addict, the first sign of recovery is noting that you’re a drug addict… I don’t financially need this album, but spiritually, I need this album. Hip-Hop is in my blood and I didn’t wanna compromise nothing.”
Face the Poison below.
Metro Boomin — Not All Heroes Wear Capes
It’s a bird, it’s a plane! No, it’s Metro Boomin with a new album. The high-profile producer throws his superhero outfit on and unloads his newest project with a star-studded roster.
Metro’s avengers include Gucci Mane, 21 Savage, Travis Scott, Swae Lee, Gunna, and J Balvin. Kodak Black, WizKid, Offset, and Young Thug are also among the LP’s guests. Some of those acts, including La Flame, Thugger, and Gunna appear more than once.
Metro returns to the scene following retirement rumors. “To everyone that believed in me, thank you,” he wrote in a message to Twitter followers after the LP’s release. “To everyone that did not believe in me, thank you!”
Believe it or not, Not All Heroes Wear Capes lands below.
Vince Staples — FM!
Vince Staples is tuned in. Over a year after his Big Fish Theory LP, the Long Beach rapper swims out with his latest project, FM!
As the title suggests, Vince’s new set carries a radio theme with interludes by Los Angeles morning show “Big Boy’s Neighborhood.” Meanwhile, Jay Rock, E-40, Tyga, Kamaiyah, Earl Sweatshirt, and Kehlani are among the featured acts.
To go along with the new album, Staples launched his very own radio show, Ramona Radio, via Beats 1. He also celebrated the new project with the release of his “FUN!” video, which features Google-inspired images from director Calmatic.
“Thank you and enjoy,” Staples added upon the album’s release, before teasing additional material. “We got more coming soon.” For now, tune in to FM! below.
H.E.R. — I Used to Know H.E.R.
H.E.R. comes right back. Shortly after releasing I Used to Know H.E.R., the singer-songwriter unleashes the EP’s surprise sequel.
The mysterious songstress handles the bulk of this project on her own. However, she enlisted some heavy hitters for production, including T-Minus, Darkchild, Flippa, Gitty, D’Mile, Swagg R’celious, The Donuts, Beckon, and more.
Much like she did with I Used to Know H.E.R., the songbird showcases her spoken word-rap skills. “We are habitual thinkers, substance abusers, and habitual drinkers,” she raps on the closer, “Lord Is Coming.” “Are we really trying when kids are dying and depression is trending? Are these the signs of an Armageddon?”
Get to know H.E.R. some more below.
Styles P — Dime Bag
Veteran rapper Styles P keeps on smoking with the release of his newest project, Dime Bag. The new 10-track offering follows G-Host, which dropped in May, and his Dave East collaborative project Beloved, which arrived last month.
Ghost opens the new album with a statement on “War N Peace.” “A calm wolf is still a wolf,” he explains on the track. “Never confuse peace. Can’t wait to buck a hundred shots at the enemies. It’s like that.”
But the project also allows P to express himself and share his growth on other cuts. “I made my design,” he explains on the closer, “Self Made.” “I’m a one of one, you was made on the line / Ever cross me, that’s a blade in your spine / I’ma die a legend, you gon’ fade with the time.”
Listen to the legend’s Dime Bag below.
Moneybagg Yo — Reset
Memphis MC Moneybagg Yo is ready to press the Reset button with the release of his debut album. The new project, which follows a series of mixtapes, consists of 15 cuts.
As a testament to Moneybagg’s popularity and growth, the Tennessee rapper taps major players on this album. J. Cole, Future, Kodak Black, Kevin Gates, YG, and Jeremih all appear throughout the LP. Drumgod, Rvssian, Retrofuture, and more provide beats to go along with the rhymes.
Earlier this year, Yo spoke about his evolution as a musician and as a person. “It took some time for me to learn how to develop…I was antisocial,” he told The Fader. “But then I broke the shell, and once I did — I had observed so much stuff that went on around me, and I just started preaching it. And that’s why people love me so much: they be going through the same shit.”
Listen to his preaching on Reset below.
