This Friday, May 3rd, 2024, saw the release of highly anticipated new music from several prominent artists across different genres. From collaborative rap group $Y ( aka Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign), to 4Batz, Willow Smith, Slum Village, Spice 1, and Lil Jon.
Willow Smith– “Empathogen” album:
Willow Smith, the 23-year-old singer-songwriter and daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, has returned with a new album titled “Empathogen.” The 12-track was released May 3rd, with “Big Feelings” being released Thursdays, with the premiered for “Run!” seen during her NPR Tiny Desk Concert. Willow Debuts New Song ‘Run!’ The 12-track album includes songs like “Down,” “The Fear is Not real,” “Between I and She” and “I Know That Face”
Slum Village– “F.U.N.” album:
Legendary American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan (featuring rappers Baatin, T3, and rapper / producer J Dilla) Slum Village, has released their first new album in over 8 years, titled “F.U.N.” The album features collaborations with artists like Cordae, Sanko, Larry June, Abstract Orchestra, Phat Kat, Brittney Carter, The Dramatics, Robert Glasper, Elijah Fox, Fat Ray, Karriem Riggins, and Earlly Mac. This marks a significant return for the group, whose 2004 album “Detroit Deli” is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Two singles from the album was already released, last year’s single “Request” and “Factor,” which dropped in March.
Spice 1– “Platinum O.G. 2” album
Bay Area (Hayward, California) rap veteran Spice 1’s latest album, “Platinum O.G. 2,” marks his 15th full-length studio LP. Spice 1 has long been a pioneer in the Bay Area scene. His initial six albums with Jive Records, notably his sophomore effort “187 He Wrote,” played a significant role in establishing his status, and he has remained independent since the beginning of the current millennium.
“Platinum O.G. 2” features a lineup of tracks including “Gangsta Shit” featuring Rick Ross, Q Bosilini, and Snoop Dogg, “Thriller” featuring Nawfside alongside Q Bosilini and Tela, “Crumbs with Bums” featuring Conway the Machine, “Houston to the Bay” featuring Lil’ Flip and Paul Wall, “Projects” featuring K-Rino and Treach, “How Long” featuring Nawfside, “Since the Day” featuring CL Smooth, “Real G’s 2” featuring B-Legit, Domino, and KXNG CROOKED, “Deuces in the Sky” featuring MC Eiht and Worldwide, “Yesterday” featuring Fiend, Mac, Mr. Serv-On, and Q Bosilini, and “Come Out with Me” featuring the late Bushwick Bill and once again Q Bosilini, who samples “My Flame” by Bobby Caldwell.
You can read more about 4batz and Chloe Bailey single, as well as ¥$ albums via HipHopUntapped.com. Overall, this Friday has seen a diverse array of new music from established artists across hip-hop, R&B, and alternative genres, catering to a wide range of listeners. Fans of Willow Smith, Slum Village, and Spice 1 have plenty of fresh material to explore this weekend.
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