Legacy Track of the Week: 88-Keys ft Mac Miller & Sia - That’s Life
“They told me, "Don't make a promise you can't keep/ all the drugs in your system, you can't sleep/ how many times you had to buy a Plan B/ for a girl you never bring back home to meet your family?" This could be my favorite Mac Miller record of all time, one that was initially recorded in 2015 (without Sia), and was eventually released after his death in 2019. Ultimately, the miscellaneous track was released through producer 88-Keys, who arguably helped create one of Mac’s most timeless records.
Benny the Butcher ft Black Thought - Crowns For Kings
“Yo, when we was hooked in the hood, gettin' booked like literature/ kept us shook, like when the boogieman comin' to get ya/ we was crooks, tryna cop more rides than Great Adventure” Black Thought and Benny the Butcher over soulful production off the Plugs I Met ep.
Benny the Butcher - Took the Money to the Plug’s House
“I had an amazing run, that's where I got my flavor from/ had me puttin' paper together just like a staple gun” Benny over Alchemist production is likely an undeniable combination.
Mark Ronson ft Lykke Li - Late Night Feelings
“On and on and on/ feeling on and on/ On and on, on and on/ with late night feelings” Mark Ronson released his 5th album, Late Night Feelings, and the title track is more of that feel-good energy that the London producer is known for.
Mark Ronson ft Camila Cabello - Find U Again
“I'll try to pass the night away with somebody new/ but they don't have a shot when I compare them to you/ it's too late, too late/ baby I know I'll never find you again” I’m super late when it comes to the Cuban-American pop princess known as Camila Cabello, but I’ve seen the latest Grammy Awards and now I’m paying attention. From what I can tell she’s got the same appeal as Ariana Grande, and I expect her stardom to grow exponentially in the upcoming years.
Mark Ronson ft Alicia Keys, The Last Artful, Dodgr - Truth
“Oh, keep on educatin', meditatin', anything to keep me up” Alicia Keys floats on this Mark Ronson production 🔥🔥🔥
Mark Ronson ft Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like a Heart
“This world can hurt you/ it cuts you deep and leaves a scar/ things fall apart, but nothing breaks like a heart” Some Miley Cyrus country vibes if you’re in the mood.
Lil Nas X - Panini
“It's a dream, he/ wished it on a genie/ I got fans finally/ ain't you wanting them to see me?” The follow-up single to the record-breaking smash hit Old Town Road is all about the production from Dot Da Genius and Take a Daytrip.
Gucci Mane ft Meek Mill - Backwards
“Shorty said she only fuck trappers (Trappers)/ end up fuckin' with a rapper (For real?)/ damn, bitch, how you go backwards? (Damn)/ diamonds on froze like Alaska” Produced by Zaytoven, the Meek Mill collab is one of the best tracks off Gucci Mane’s 13th album, Delusions of Grandeur.
Gucci Mane ft Justin Bieber - Love Thru The Computer
“I told her, ‘I ain't ever seen another cuter’ (No)/ good brain, she don't even need a tutor (Wow)/ Fuck a shooter, I'll shoot a ****** shooter (Bah bah)/ Long money, I don't even need a ruler (Wow)” This J. White Did It production samples Zapp & Roger’s Computer Love and, of course, this unlikely collaboration handles the rest.
Gucci Mane - Look at Me Now
“Said I was ugly, but she can't stay out my face now/ Ooh, how they lovin' me, man, this industry so fake, wow” Gucci over Tay Keith production.
Trina - Get Money
“They gon' hate you anyway/ either way it go… might as well get money” Originally released in 2017, this Rico Love production finally got an official release on Trina’s 2019 album, The One.
Trina ft 2 Chainz - New Thang
“Pretty motherfucker with a fat ass/ a boss bitch is way more than a hashtag” Rico Love’s production is all over this Trina album, and one of the best-kept secrets in R&B proves he can lend his talent to southern hip-hop as well.
Trina ft Lil Wayne - Situation
“We body the body (The body)/ I got his tongue deep in my body (In my body)/ like I'm riding the Harley, like police behind me, nobody can stop me”🔥🔥🔥 Produced by Audio Jones this track is certified flame.
The Game - West Side
“Ain't no S on my chest, just the west on my back” The first official release off Game’s 9th studio album, Born 2 Rap, that overall fails to capture the magic of Jesus Piece or the Documentary 2 & 2.5, yet is still one of the best West Coast rap albums of the year.
YFN Lucci - P.O.E.T.
“Uh, long live Nipsey, I got love for the 60's/ be with blood like I'm Billy, I fuck with both sides” One of the better tracks off YFN Lucci’s Gangsta Grillz mixtape with DJ Drama.
YFN Lucci ft Trey Songz - All Night Long
“And I heard you keep it wetter than like four lakes, yeah/ well girl, I'm tryna swim until my arms ache” Trey Songz laces the hook for one of the highlights off 650Luc: Gangsta Grillz.
XV ft The Crushboys - Loyal
“I know people I left in my house that abandoned me/ blood makes you related, Loyalty Makes you Family” Following the release of his Day Ones ep, XV released his long-awaited sophomore album (a follow-up to his 2006 debut, Complex), making 2019 one of his most active years to date. This track highlights the talent and the perhaps untapped potential.
XV ft Anjie B - The Falling Off
“So here we are, fully committed/ to this, music decision, I told to who wouldn't listen/ Dante Hall, found my call in a new position” Appearing to reflect on his career that struggled to take off, this is XV at his best on his sophomore lp humorously titled, The Dude with the Strap Back Dad Hat.
XV ft Endlyss & Freddy High - End Game
“Yeah, cuz' nothing's never given to us/ knowing they should just invest if they really knew us”📠
Lupe Fiasco - Run Game
“Playboy's back in ya ear (Uh)/ fresh from Bloomingdale's with a bag full of gear (Yeah)/ yes there's weed there, sex to sleep here (Uh)/ Nah, understand, I'm just blessed to be here” Originally recorded in 2003 prior to his breakthrough years later, this miscellaneous track finally got the proper release it deserved.
