Kendrick, Drake, Kanye, Sampha: Hear Today's Best Music Releases in One Place
What a day.
It’s usually expected for a lot of music to drop on Fridays since The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry changed “New Music Tuesdays” to “New Music Fridays.” However, today was one of those Fridays where many unforeseen drops happened. Kendrick Lamar released a new song and music video titled “HUMBLE.,” Wizkid dropped his Drake collaboration “Come Closer,” and Mary J. Blige shared her Kanye West-featured record “Love Yourself.” Sampha put out the accompanying film to his album Process, Calvin Harris dropped his highly anticipated collaboration with Pharrell, Young Thug and Ariana Grande, and A Tribe Called Quest delivered a Hiro Murai-directed visual.
If you’re having trouble keeping up with all of the releases, don’t worry; we’ve compiled today’s most notable music drops below for your convenience. Take a listen and let us know which drop you’re feeling the most.
SONGS
Kendrick Lamar – HUMBLE. (Produced by Mike WiLL Made-It)
After dropping “The Heart Part 4” last week, Kendrick Lamar followed up with a new single titled “Humble.” Produced by Mike WiLL Made-It-produced, the bouncy piano track is likely to be on K-Dot’s forthcoming album. The visual finds King Kendrick wearing some Pope-type garment, his head set with the flames of the Holy Spirit and leading a group of disciples.
Wizkid featuring Drake – Come Closer
Wizkid’s Drake-featured single “Come Closer” finally arrived after the song was teased earlier this week. The track, which was unofficially titled “Hush Up The Silence,” debuted back in February on the 37th episode of OVO Sound Radio. Wizkid and Drake previously worked together for the latter’s “One Dance,” which is the first song to reach over a billion streams on Spotify and is currently the most-played song on the platform.
Mary J Blige featuring Kanye West – Love Yourself
Not long after unveiling the tracklist of Strength of a Woman, Mary J. Blige dropped the Kanye West-featured track “Love Yourself.” Blige reveals that “Love Yourself” has roots in hip-hop and soul and that she reached out because she had always wanted to work with Kanye.
Calvin Harris featuring Pharrell, Young Thug & Ariana Grande – Heatstroke
“Slide” was one of the best hits of the year thus far, and Calvin Harris followed up with yet another banger with “Heatstroke.” Featuring Pharrell, Young Thug and Ariana Grande, the track is a definite heater as the title suggests. This is just the beginning; expect more fire from Harris this year.
Joey Badass featuring ScHoolboy Q – Rockabye Baby
Joey Badass announced his sophomore album, All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ earlier this month and unveiled its official cover earlier this week. The New York rapper dropped a single from the LP titled “Rockabye Baby” featuring ScHoolboy Q. Produced by Chuck Strangers, the track is as politically-charged as the albums. The project drops on April 7, so stay tuned.
YG – Pop It, Shake It (Produced by DJ Mustard)
After a fall-out during the Still Brazy era, YG finally linked back up with DJ Mustard and dropped a new track titled “Pop It, Shake It.” YG and Mustard have a collaborative mixtape, 400 Summers, arriving soon. “Pop It, Shake It” will likely appear on the tape; however, a release date has yet to be unveiled.
Cam’ron – 10,000 Miles
Earlier, Cam’ron released his song and video for “10,000 Miles” off of his upcoming mixtape, The Program. The track samples Vanessa Carlton‘s smash hit “A Thousand Miles,” and finds Killa Cam talking about a relationship turning sour. The video, directed by Clifton Bell, finds Cam showing off some impressive acting skills.
Logic – Everybody
Logic announced earlier this week the title of his new album Everybody and that it would arrive May 5. A day after, the rapper dropped the album’s title track. The forthcoming project will be Logic’s first studio album sincey 2015’s The Incredible True Story.
JMSN – Where Do U Go
JMSN is prepping for the release of his forthcoming album, Whatever Makes U Happy, which is dropping on April 28. He dropped a new song “Where Do U Go, which follows his first single “Drinkin.” The track is another super smooth, neo-soul record as expected from the Michigan crooner.
Asher Roth featuring The Cool Kids – Wu Financial
The Cool Kids linked up with Asher Roth for a new collab titled “Wu Financial.” The track follows Asher’s last song, “More Or Less,” and is the trio’s first collaboration since 2011’s “Roll Call.” At the moment, there is no word on what project this song will end up on.
ALBUMS
Kodak Black – Painting Pictures
Painting Pictures is the debut studio album by Kodak Black. Dropped while the Florida rapper is incarcerated, the LP is released via Dollaz N Dealz Entertainment, Sniper Gang and Atlantic Records. It features his hit song “Tunnel Vision,” and guest features by Future, Young Thug, A Boogie Wit a Hoodie and more.
Freddie Gibbs – You Only Live 2wice
Freddie Gibbs released his third studio album, You Only Live 2wice, which features previously released singles “Alexys” and “Crushed Glass.” The album finds Gangsta Gibbs coming to terms with his past, clarifying the sexual assault charges that were brought up against him and ultimately dropped.
Amir Obe – None of the Clocks Work EP
Def Jam’s newest signee, Amir Obe, shared a new EP titled None of the Clocks Work. Seven tracks deep, the Detroit artist speaks on emotions and broken relationships, and his lack of desire to obtain material possessions.
G-Eazy & Carnage – Step Brothers EP
G-Eazy and Carnage’s joint project, Step Brothers, features their previously-released lead single “Guala.” Featured guests on the EP include Smokepurpp and 24hrs, respectively. In 2015, Carnage revealed that he and G-Eazy were locking themselves up in a studio to work on a joint project.
MUSIC VIDEOS
A Tribe Called Quest – Dis Generation (Directed by Hiro Murai)
A Tribe Called Quest’s We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service single “Dis Generation” recently got its own visual. Helmed by Hiro Murai, who is also responsible for directing the acclaimed Atlanta series, the video comes with a strong message attached to it — not a political one but regarding art of emceeing.
FILMS
Sampha – Process (Directed by Khalil Joseph)
Sampha released his brand new film Process via Apple Music. Directed by Khalil Joseph, the visual serves as a letter to the singer-songwriter’s late mother who had passed away from cancer in 2015. The film will also be screened at locations in Brooklyn and London. Watch it via Apple Music and peep the trailer below.
From Morden, to Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Process: A film by Kahlil Joseph, coming March 2017, only on @AppleMusic https://t.co/gJ12nWJyDa pic.twitter.com/G0hvSWVXwV
— Sampha (@sampha) February 2, 2017