Source: Getty
Anderson .Paak — “King James”
Anderson .Paak comes right back around with another one. Shortly after releasing Oxnard, the Aftermath singer-rapper-songwriter unveils his brand new single, “King James.” The track is expected to appear on his forthcoming album, Ventura.
Over Callum and Kiefer’s funky production, Anderson sings about social justice. “We couldn’t stand to see our children shot dead in the streets,” he sings in a nod to Colin Kaepernick. “But when I finally took a knee, them crackers took me out the league.”
As the title suggests, LeBron James also gets a shoutout for his activism. “I’m not much for games, but I play for keeps,” Anderson sings. “And we salute King James for using his change to create some equal opportunities.”
“King James” is one of the songs set to appear on Ventura. Anderson recently revealed that the album will also feature André 3000, Smokey Robinson, Lalah Hathaway, Jazmine Sullivan, Brandy, and Nate Dogg. The LP is available for pre-order and it is due to arrive April 12.
ScHoolboy Q — “Numb Numb Juice”
ScHoolboy Q returns with a bang. The Top Dawg Entertainment MC ramps up anticipation for his next album with the release of his newest single, “Numb Numb Juice.”
Groovy Tony mans the entire song’s vocal duties. However, he gets a hand from Hakeem Carter, Nez & Rio, and DJ Fu on the production tip. “Okay, let’s get it,” Q screams on the chorus. “Bitch, let’s get it!”
Over booming production, Groovy Tony raps about a vicious plot. “Got a plan, we gon’ kill his man / The gun won’t jam,” he raps. “It’s on, on sight / I might get life / That’s on my life.”
“Numb Numb Juice” is believed to be the first single off ScHoolboy’s forthcoming album. It will be the follow-up to 2016’s critically-acclaimed Blank Face LP, which featured “THat Part” with Kanye West and “Dope Dealer” with E-40, among other lauded cuts.
To go along with the audio, ScHoolboy Q unleashed a visual directed by Dave Free and Jack Begert. The clip features a cameo from Tyler, the Creator, and pop culture references to Belly, “Joe Rogan Experience,” Puff Daddy, Ma$e, and more. Watch the visual below.
Zacari — Run Wild Run Free
While his labelmate ScHoolboy Q unveils a new single, the newest Top Dawg Entertainment signee unleashes his debut EP. Hot off his appearance on Kendrick Lamar’s “LOVE.” standout, Zacari rolls out Run Wild Run Free.
The 7-song EP only features one credited guest appearance. It arrives in the form of the Lil Yachty collaboration “Young & Invincible.” Otherwise, Z has things covered on cuts like “You Can Do Anything,” “Lone Wolf,” and “Ten Outta Ten.”
Zacari has reportedly been working on this EP for years. “Some of the lyrics are even from high school,” he recently revealed, according to 2DopeBoyz. “This being my first project, I wanted my experiences up to this point to be reflected in the music. A lot of the sounds and tones are drawn from my experiences in Alaska. I want the project to feel like a breath of fresh air.”
Get some fresh air below.
T.I. feat. Snoop Dogg — “Playas Ball”
T.I. and Snoop Dogg celebrate their lifestyles on “Playas Ball.” The track is a reunion of sorts for the duo, who also collaborated on Problem’s 2013 cut, “Roll Up.”
“Why you lookin’ at me sideways?” Da Doggfather asks on the track. “Let me get my point across / Geometrically, mental telepathy / My Crippin’ and pimpin’ is sold separately.”
Tip blesses the track with a reference to Puff Daddy. “Mink coat to the floor since I did it with Puff / Showed a lot of y’all what gettin’ it was,” he raps. “Come from a long line of players, generations in my DNA / Pull up to the playa’s ball like I’m at the VMAs.”
Tip also made headlines this week by comparing himself to another Snoop collaborator, Tupac Shakur. “Riddle me this,” he wrote on Instagram. “Who since 2Pac has maintained as much consistent diversity within music genres, businesses & other opportunities? I’ll wait.”
Attend “Playas Ball” below.
Tory Lanez Drops 2 Rich the Kid Collaborations
Tory Lanez and Rich the Kid join forces for two new collaborations, “Freaky” and “Tic Toc.” The dynamic duo appears side-by-side on the latter, while Rich only provides ad-libs on the former.
“Freaky” is a solo track from Lanez. Aside from his signature ad-libs being heard throughout, Rich gets a writer’s credit on the song, according to Spotify’s records. He’s listed by his real name, Dimitri Leslie Roger, alongside Tory and producers Oz and Nils. “Shorty getting freaky and nasty,” Lanez raps on the track. “I’m the reason lil’ mama got that ass so thick / She done heard a lot of stories about this cash I get.”
Rich does appear on “Tic Toc” with Lanez. Over Foreign Teck and Nik D’s instrumental, the duo raps about big watches, big blocks, and more. “This ain’t no G-Shock,” brags Rich. “You lovin’ the way I light the wrist,” adds Tory. “Niggas say I be biting, well, I’ma bite ya bitch.”
Lanez isn’t stopping anytime soon. The Toronto artist teased a lot of new music on Twitter. “ALL THE PROJECTS I BEEN TALKING ABOUT ARE GOING TO DROP THIS YEAR,” he wrote, referring to Chixtape 5, El Agua, Cause, and Love Me Now Reloaded “ALL THE ARTIST FROM UMBRELLA ARE DROPPING STARTING NEXT MONTH !!! I’m very EXCITED.” Listen to “Freaky” and “Tic Toc” below.
