Amir Obè - 'Happening In The Grey Area' EP Stream

Photo by jxdirect

"My parents never even knew I was making music 'cause I'd only do it privately. I was really into sports -- that was my passion first. I was trying to play college basketball," said 25-year-old singer and rapper Amir Obè to Billboard in an interview.

Now, the product of Detroit and Brooklyn upbringings, Obè centers his focus on music. As a frequent collaborator with OVO affiliates PARTYNEXTDOOR and even Drake on "Star67" from IYRTITL, Obè gains national attention from the working relationship he has formed with the Toronto crew.

A year after releasing his "Detrooklyn" mixtape, Obè releases his new EP, Happening In The Grey Area. The project is preceded by lead singles "Truth For You," "I'm Good," both featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR, and "Just Know," which some may have heard on Soulection Radio.

The artist calls his music "very conversational," and his relationship with OVO "Not anything official." However, be alert for more OVO x Amir Obè music and listen to Happening In The Grey Area below.

P. Reign featuring Travi$ Scott - Palm Trees

October's Very Own affiliate P. Reign released his new mixtape yesterday titled "Off The Books." The music compilation boasts several high-profile collaborations, like "Stuck On Stacks" featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR and the one of note, "Palm Trees," featuring Travi$ Scott.

Houston rapper and hip-hop's rising star, Scott, aka La Flame!, aids P. Reign with a post-club anthem that entices listeners to come see where he chills. He moans repeatedly on the track, "Palm trees where I lay up." This is the song you play during the cab ride back to the crib.

Download "Off The Books" here and listen to "Palm Trees" below.

G-Eazy, Jeremih, Kid Cudi & Rick Ross Release Albums

Kid Cudi - Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven

Friday is the day for new music. The day's position as the start of the weekend is the reason many playlists, mixes, singles and albums drop. Nielsen's ratings system also places Friday as the "official street date for all new album [and track] releases," says the company's website.

While some rappers could give a hoot about the statistics, their labels certainly do and it is indirect feedback consumers provide to the artists.

For hip-hop fans and contemporary music enthusiasts, this Friday offers you a lot. Oakland, Calif. native G-Eazy; Chicago, Ill. singer Jeremih; Cleveland, Ohio artist Kid Cudi; Maybach Music Group head honcho and Clarksdale, Miss. born Rick Ross all release albums.

G-Eazy drops his sophomore album following These Things Happen with When It's Dark Out. His work, a literal statement, is highlighted by songs "Of All Things," featuring fellow west coast rapper Too $hort and various singles, like "You Got Me." The Bay stays in the limelight.

Jeremih returns with an album for the first time in three years. His talents and selection of featured artists, such as J. Cole, Future and YG, makes Late Nights: The Album fight for consumer attention. This fact also allows the singer to spit bars throughout the LP. A song of note is "Worthy" with Jhené Aiko.

After much anticipation, Kid Cudi delivers Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven. The rapper takes inspiration from '90s indie rock and songs appear reminiscent of Nirvana. "Confused!" and "Fairy Tale Remains" stick out after a first listen of the 26-track project. By nature, the work is highly introspective.

The veteran of the mix, Rick Ross, releases his eighth studio album titled 'Black Market'. Legends Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey make appearances on the record. Certainly listen to "D.O.P.E." featuring Future.

Enjoy the new music and T.G.I.F.

Bryson Tiller - Self Righteous

Via @brysontiller Instagram

Around a year ago Louisville rapper and singer Bryson Tiller released songs "Don't" and "Sorry Not Sorry." The singles exploded, receiving remixes, placements on numerous SoundCloud playlists and even a Drake co-sign. These praises made Tiller even more popular and more relevant among the interwebs conveniently leading up to the release of his debut album, Trap Soul, back in October.

Today, Tiller brings to his fanbase new music for the first time since dropping his album. The new track, "Self Righteous," comments on a deteriorating relationship that needs to be made right. Produced by Ayo, Keyz and ENT, listen to "Self Righteous" below.

Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole Present Black Friday

"I like my raps extra prolific."

Black Friday, the infamous day after Thanksgiving reserved for America's superfluous shopping desires also had some musical sentiment behind it--free of charge--courtesy of Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole.

It has been hinted at that Lamar of Top Dawn Entertainment and Cole of Dreamville Records are cooking up a special collaborative project for the near future.  Yesterday's joint release of two tracks both entitled "Black Friday" reinforce this notion.  Their two singles "Alright" and "Tale of Two Citiez" from their respective albums To Pimp a Butterfly and 1400 Forest Hills Drive were given a new treatment, as the rappers swapped tracks.

In Kendrick's version of "Black Friday" over Cole's "Tale of Two Citiez" bump, he continues to separate himself apart from the rap industry that he asserts "been in shambles."  Without a hook or chorus, his fierce cadence across the four minute track is relentless as he discusses Kanye's bid for President, Trump's bafoonery, and dominant influence of rap music.  Towards the end of the song, listeners hear Kendrick's response to Billboard's mis-steps in their recent top ten rappers list , "Billbopard list me, Tupac damn/But number 9 makes sure he lives oh yeah." 

On the other hand, J. Cole takes K.Dot's jazzier "Alright" and foreshadows a greater project coming between the two prolific rappers stating, "When you and K. Dot dropping shit, b*tch never, they can't handle two black n***** this clever / But this February, bet sh*t get scary when I f*ck around and drop…" as the verse ends unexpectedly.

Listen to both "Black Friday" songs below and stay tuned for more developments on what could be a forthcoming project from Cole and Lamar.