The music week in review: Vince Staples, DJ Khaled, Martin Solveig & more
It’s getting a little too humid for comfort so the only real option you have is to listen to good music to take your mind off of it.
We’ve got some fire releases this week. Despite the lack of numerous significant albums, at least compared to last week, there were some gems this week and some great singles dropped as well.
Let’s jump in.
Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory
Vince Staples released Big Fish Theory, the highly-anticipated follow up to 2015’s Summertime ’06, on Friday.
This album traverses the entire hip-hop landscape, with fun romps like “Big Fish,” hookup jams with “745,” and bangers like “BagBak.” Staples shows his wide variety of skills as an artist on Big Fish Theory, one of the best hip-hop releases of 2017.
DJ Khaled – Grateful
DJ Khaled came through with Grateful, a 23-song album so full of features and star power it’s almost laughable.
The album is a perfect reflection of DJ Khaled himself, confident, boisterous, rather large, and basically hitting you over the head with extravagance. Grateful is short on subtlety and intricacy, but it is about as fun as a pop/hip-hop album gets. I mean, dude has Beyonce and Jay-Z on the same song.
DVSN – “Don’t Choose”
Singer/producer DVSN, the most recent OVO thirst-trapper, is up to the same old tricks with “Don’t Choose,” in which he implores a potential love interest not to choose anything over him tonight.
DVSN is an exciting artist, with interesting, complex production and a unique voice. He’s definitely one to watch out of the OVO camp.
J Hus – “Did You See” – (Mura Masa Remix)
“Did You See,” a single off one of my favorite albums of the year, J Hus’ Common Sense, gets the remix treatment from Mura Masa.
Not that “Did You See” needed to get any bouncier, but Mura Masa’s interpretation is definitely a banger. Mura Masa is an exciting youngin in the electronic genre, and, of course, if you haven’t been fucking with J Hus yet, change that.
Martin Solveig – “All Stars”
Martin Solveig, one of the most prominent purveyors of some good old French electro-pop, shows up every once in awhile to drop some fire.
This time, Solveig has recruited Finnish singer-songwriter Alma to provide the massive vocals on “All Stars.” Solveig rarely misses, he’s got the time-tested formula down, and “All Stars” is another notch on the belt for the Frenchman.
Maliibu Miitch – “4 AM”
South BX’s own Maliibu Miitch dropped the visuals for her entrancing “4 AM” earlier this week.
The video shows Miitch in her element, riding around the (extremely trash) NYC transit system. The haunting piano keys combined with her gravely voice give “4 AM” a very 90s NY hip-hop sound. Miitch is surely a huge prospect in the New York scene.
The-Dream – “Summertime Body” ft. Fabolous
The-Dream, one of music’s biggest movers and shakers (he probably wrote your favorite song), joins forces with Fabo for this track dedicated to those people that got in shape for the summer.
“Summer Body” has the requisite Caribbean-influenced production to make it perfect for summer ’17. You will probably hear this song in the club (whichever type of club that is). The-Dream was given a gift to provide the world with the most catchy and sultry r&b possible.
Ro Ransom – “Prettiest” ft. Jazz Cartier
https://soundcloud.com/roransom/prettiest-ft-jazz-cartier
Harlem’s Ro Ransom hooked up with Jazz Cartier to make “Prettiest,” in which Ro brags about being pretty and having the coolest shit (his girl has a Tesla, so you know it’s real).
Ro Ransom is another NYC rapper that’s definitely on the radar. It feels like he’s been around for a minute, but he’s still very young in the game. Affiliated with Harry Fraud’s Surf School Recordings, there’s more to come from Ro.
WizKid – “Naughty Ride” ft. Major Lazer
WizKid, one of the biggest stars in world music, hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, recruits Major Lazer for “Naughty Ride,” a soft, two-stepping track with fluffy synths and dancehall drums.
This song works whether you’re driving out East for the weekend or already at the function, just be ready to dance regardless.
Goldlink “Crew” Remix – ft. Gucci Mane, Brent Faiyaz, Shy Glizzy
Goldlink is one of the more exciting up-and-comers in alternative hip-hop. Now he got Gucci Mane to jump on the “Crew” remix.
“Crew” originally appeared on Goldlink’s studio album debut, At What Cost, which came out back in March. The album was very well-received and got hip-hop heads in D.C. and beyond excited about Goldlink’s prospects.
Getting a verse from Gucci Mane is always basically a certificate of realness so shoutout Goldlink.