The returns of two Southern trap rap icons representing Atlanta and Memphis, respectively, one of which whom was also a part of G.O.O.D. Music feels like an appropriate start to Kanye West’s Black Future Month.
Along with the highlighted appearances from 2 Chainz and Yo Gotti, this edition of HipHopDX’s New Music Friday coverage also includes several other project spotlights including offerings from Kanye West’s DONDA collaborator Digital Nas, Young Stoner Life Records rapper Yung Kayo and Chicago MC Saba.
Check out the full roundup of albums released on Friday (February 4), below.
2 Chainz – Dope Don’t Sell Itself
Off the strength of a pair of compilation albums in 2021, which included the 10th-anniversary edition of the T.R.U Realigon mixtape, 2 Chainz entered 2022 in album mode by promptly delivering his Million Dollars Worth of Game EP home to his hit 42 Dugg assisted single.
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Being the multi-faceted moneymaker he’s become known to be, 2 Chainz has also branched out his hustle his year with his recent multi-level partnership deal as the first head of creative marketing for Souther slider franchise restaurant Krystal. He even earned the praises of 90s Hip Hop MC’s Slimkid3 and Fatlip of The Far Side (formerly of the Pharcyde) for the smooth freestyle he spit over the group’s all-time record “Passin’ Me By” during his recent appearance on the L.A. Leakers.
Setting out to prove he hasn’t lost his street entrepreneurial spirit, 2 Chainz has recruited the assistance of NBA YoungBoy, Lil Baby, Moneybagg Yo and Juicy J, among others, for his 12-track Dope Don’t Sell Itself.
Yo Gotti – CM10: Free Game
Following a minor pivot, CMG captain Yo Gotti is reviving his Cocaine Muzik mixtape series for the first time since 2016 when the Memphis rap juggernaut dropped White Friday (CM9).
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Launched via Yo Gotti’s hard-hitting 42 Dugg and EST Gee-anchored “Cold Gangsta” single, the 10th installment of the series, originally intended to be a two-part album, arrives as a 22-track double disk album. Side A of CM 10: Free Game appears to be the feature-heavy disc and is home to guests features from artists such as Gotti’s 2 Federal collaborator Moneybagg Yo, along with Kodak Black and Blacc Youngsta — who was rumored to have been dropped from CMG last December.
Bars from the winner of his “Dolla Fo Dolla” unsigned rapper challenge are also featured on Side A of the record, while almost the entirety of Side B is handled by Yo Gottie himself, aside from a loan verse from Shenseea
Saba – Few Good Things
Four years removed from his acclaimed 2018 project Care For Me, Windy City lyricist Saba has returned with more conscious raps along with the assistance of the Pivot Gang Collective.
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On January 25, Saba revealed the 14-song tracklist for his album Few Good Things, which features Hip Hop legend Black Thought, his fellow Chitown native G Herbo, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony rapper Krayzie Bone, 6LACK, Smino, Mereba, Fousheé and Eryn Allen Kane.
Following the release of his album singles “Fearmonger,” “Stop That” and the Krayzie Bone-assisted “Come My Way,” Saba explained the unique, seemingly existential theme of Few Good Things.
“The concept of this album is the realization of self after a search for exterior fulfillment,” Saba explained. “It is the satisfaction and completeness you gain by simply living a life that is yours. Few is a small number, but few is not lonely.”
Smoke DZA & Real Bad Man – Mood Swings
Money and marijuana is still the main source of inspiration for New York Hip Hop Veteran Smoke DZA’s high-powered raps.
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Following the premiere of his “Run It,” single earlier this month, Smoke DZA explained Complex the 420-friendly concept behind the Mood Swings project he and producer Real Bad Man created.
“Being legally able to sell weed on the west coast inspired me to create this record during the pandemic” Smoke DZA said. “The beat told me everything to do.”
The seven-track release includes guest verses from Flee Lord, OT The Real, Knowledge The Pirate and Remy Banks.
Yung Kayo – DFTK
Following his emergence as a frontrunner on the 2021 Young Stoner Life Slime Language 2 compilation album by way of his standout performance alongside Lil Uzi Vert on “Proud Of You” Yung Kayo has been firing on all cylinders to make a name for himself.
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Beginning 2022 with his dynamic “Yeet” single featuring “Gët Busy” rapper Yeat and “It’s A Monday” solo effort, Yung Kayo has already set a productive precedent for the year.
Featuring contributions from Eartheater and “Pushin P” co-captain Gunna, Yung Kayo’s DFTK album further establishes the Washington D.C.-bred rapper as a turnt-up innovator of the next generation of rap.
Baby Money – Easy Money
Detroit power player Baby Money is already having a monumental start to 2022.
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After inking his deal with Quality Control Music last month, Baby Money celebrated his wins with the release of his anthemic Helluva-produced “Longtime Coming” visual single.
Building on the success of his Young Nigga Old Soul (Deluxe) project, Baby Money taps his fellow Motor City natives 42 Dugg, Icewear Vezzo, Babyface Ray, Peezy, and Tay B for his Easy Money project.
New Music Friday - New Albums From NBA YoungBoy, Iann Dior, Paper Route Empire
The Honorable Mentions list also features a fresh bundle of new offerings from artists such as Pouya, Epic Records signee Beam, R&B vocalist Hollywood Cobain, New Jersey artist 90RACKSS and more.
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Also, peep this week’s New Music Friday Singles list featuring new releases from YG, J. Cole and Moneybagg Yo, the late King Von, 21 Savage and more.
Stay up-to-date with the latest music releases here.
