Even though it’s known world wide as Black History Month, the term “Black Music Month” feels increasingly more fitting in the music industry each year as the worlds of popular culture and Hip Hop further intertwine. Nevertheless, HipHopDX has returned yet again to deliver another star-studded week of New Music Friday coverage featuring a hit-list roundup of the hottest new albums.
The first New Music Friday of Black History Month yields a hefty caldron of bubbling releases highlighted by Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records artist Pooh Shiesty’s debut project, the deluxe edition of Compton native and inaugural Rhythm & Flow rap competition winner D Smoke’s Grammy nominated album, and new material from Griselda Records MC Conway The Machine.
Here are the biggest releases from the week ending Friday (February 5).
Pooh Shiesty — Shiesty Season
For Memphis native Pooh Shiesty, the release of his debut Shiesty Season album feels more like a highly anticipated follow-up album rather than his first trip around the block. Thanks to his viral track “Back In Blood” featuring Lil Durk reaching the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, in addition to his holly-hood, feel-good single “Guard Up” Pooh has managed to drum-up a feverish hype to welcome his new project. Shiesty Season is also intact with eyebrow-raising features from Gucci Mane, 21 Savage, Foogiano and more.
AD LOADING...
D Smoke — Black Habits (Deluxe)
With the one-year anniversary of his Black Habits album looming next month on March 6, D Smoke ups the ante early on the deluxe edition of his 2020 effort that earned the Inglewood native two Grammy nominations for Best Rap Album and Best New Artist.Black Habits (Deluxe) is a short but dense update including three new tracks and exclusive commentary on the making of the album. Of the three new records added to the LP, Snow Tha Product is featured on “Deebo” which pays homage to late actor Tommy Lister Jr., known and beloved for his role as Deebo in Ice Cube’s iconic movie Friday.
Conway The Machine — If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed
Luminary Griselda Records member Conway The Machine is teaming up with blogger-turned-beat-maker Big Ghost for their 10-track collaborative album If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed. Arriving via The Machine’s Drumwork Music Group, If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed is constructed like an a-side, b-side record and features guest verses from Ransom, Rome Streets and Knowledge The Pirate. If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed is currently being hosted via Big Ghost’s Bandcamp.
AD LOADING...
The Weeknd — TheHighlights
Fresh off announcement of his 104-date After Hours World Tour, HipHopDX’s HipHop Awards 2020 Singer Of The Year winner The Weeknd is delivering his career sizzle reel The Highlights project. The 18-track project pinpoints the Toronto-based singer’s catalyzing moments and is intended to celebrate the monstrous success of After Hours, which enters its 47th week in the top ten of the Billboard 200 Chart on the eve of its one-year anniversary. The Highlights includes notable collaborations with Daft Punk and The Weeknd’s Fifty Shades Of Grey film soundtrack record “Earned It” among countless other deep cuts.
New Music Friday - New Singles From Yella Beezy & Erica Banks, Young Thug's YSL, Sheck Wes, 2KBABY & More
Honorable Mentions this week include a new album from New York rapper Sy Ari da Kid, new drill-gore music from U.K. artist Scarlxrd and a new offering from Rich The Kid’s latest Rich Forever Music signee Tropico.
AD LOADING...
Check out more of the 2021 Rising Stars here.
