Best New Tracks: Kid Cudi, MadeinTYO, Pharrell, 21 Savage, Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, Nicki Minaj and More

For the latest in our best new music roundup series, we take a look back at another solid week of music that was unexpectedly dominated by a handful of surprise releases. Some of those included the brand new Hear No Evil EP from Young Thug, the Bless Yo Trap EP from Smokepurpp & Murda Beatz and of course, the biggest surprise of the week – the return of Nicki Minaj who dropped off two new singles. Speaking of Nicki, her one-time label mate Drake told fans on Twitch he would be willing to record a Fortnite-related single in exchange for a Hotline Bling emote from Epic Games.

Meanwhile Dipset Capo Jim Jones also dropped his seventh studio album, Wasted Talent this week, and although maybe one his best projects in recent time, the LP is seemingly being overshadowed by Jones’ recent callout of Supreme, in which he demanded residuals stemming from a 2006 photoshoot.

Check out the best music releases down below and let us know what you think.

MadeinTYO – “Summer With Santana”

HUF

Contrary to popular belief, MadeinTYO proved to the world this week that chivalry isn’t dead after all. As a token of appreciation to the mother of his child, the esteemed rapper dedicated a song to his soon-to-be wife, titled “Summer With Santana.” Arriving with a message in the SoundCloud description, “

Kid Cudi -”The Rage”

Joshua Peter Grafstein

As Kid Cudi loyalists patiently await the arrival of his joint album with Kanye West, the Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin artist emerged this week with a new Dot Da Genius-produced record, titled “The Rage.” The track isn’t quite the album-single fans have been waiting for, but nevertheless, we’ll happily accept any Cudi material at this point.

Smokepurpp & Murda Beatz – Bless Yo Trap EP

Alamo Records

Following months of teasers, Smokepurpp and Murda Beatz liberated their Bless Yo Trap EP this week, and as expected, it’s stacked with bangers. The ten-track project includes appearances from Offset, Lil Yachty and A$AP Ferg, amongst others.

Young Thug – Hear No Evil EP

300 Entertainment/Atlantic Records

Despite telling HYPEBEAST TV he wanted to “act deaf for a year” and not release any music in 2018 as a sign of respect to his deaf brother, Young Thug shared a surprise this EP this week, titled Hear No Evil. The project arrives with just three new songs, but very potent ones. “Anybody” featuring Nicki Minaj, “Up” featuring Lil Uzi Vert, and “Now” featuring 21 Savage.

Rae Sremmurd & Pharrell – “Chanel”

Ear Drumma Records

After catching everyone off guard with a video release for a song he made over two years ago with N.O.R.E., Pharrell came through with a new Rae Sremmurd-assisted cut this week, titled “Chanel.” The record will presumably appear on Slim Jxmmi and Swae Lee’s long-awaited Sr3mm triple album, which should be arriving any day now.

Nicki Minaj – “Chun-Li” & “Barbie Tingz”

Interscope

Nicki Minaj made her valiant return this week after spending most of 2018 watching the rise of fellow female rapper Cardi B, who just shattered Taylor Swift’s streaming record this week. Meanwhile, during Nicki’s Beats 1 radio interview with Zane Lowe on Thursday afternoon, she dropped off two new singles “Chun-Li” and “Barbie Tingz,” and needless to say, fans have been going nuts – more specifically, her “Barbz.”

Tyler, The Creator Remixes Drake & Trouble’s “Bring It Back”

AFP/Getty Images

With his upcoming episode on Bill Nye’s Saves the World set to debut on May 11 via Netflix, Tyler, The Creator was back in the headlines this week thanks to his new remix of Drake and Trouble’s latest song, “Bring It Back.” Just recently, Tyler also shared a surprise single called, “OKRA.”

21 Savage & Juicy J “Who Run It” (Remix)

Slaughter Gang

The “Who Run It” challenge is alive and well thanks to Chicago rapper G Herbo. This week, the latest to try his raps over the Three 6 Mafia classic was 21 Savage, who teamed up with Juicy J for his own Atlanta-trap rendition “Who Run It.” Just a week prior, A$AP Rocky shared his impressive remix of the song as well.

Lil Uzi Vert – “Bandz (Bye Bye Birdie)”

Atlantic Records

Despite being on the receiving end of Rich The Kid’s scathing “Dead Friends” diss track, Lil Uzi Vert hasn’t really paid it no mind. In fact, he completely ignored it on his latest single “Bandz (Bye Bye Birdie).” It was produced by DP Beats, who shared the track on his Instagram with the the caption: “vintage.”

Be sure to check out our previous music roundups for the best drops of weeks past.