🎧 can Khaled + Drake beat 'I'm On One'?
an expertly-curated hip hop music + culture newsletter
photo ⬆️ Jamie
No one rolls out an album better than DJ Khaled. He’s a masterful marketer. A promotion machine. I’ve known Khaled Khaled for many years now and his over-the-top antics still thrill and entertain me. After so many teaser talks and rambling clues (including keys and owls), TheMotto No. 66 is about Khaled having not got only one Drake single—but two ⏬⬇️ And the release is set for late Thursday.
In January, the day after Khaled’s second son Alealam was born, Khaled flew to Toronto to begin working on new music with Drake. Maybe Khaled’s pitch was simple: “Yo! Drake I got two sons and I need two anthems.” Seriously, though: Khaled and Drake have been cooking up magic for years.
⏏️ photo: Ivan Berrios
when I interviewed him for my Keep It Thoro show on East Village Radio in spring of 2013, Drake announced the defiant “No New Friends (SFTB Remix).” I didn’t love the BPMs of their most recent, 2017 collab, “To The Max”. But the gold standard of their partnership? I’m just feeling / Like the throne is for the taking/ Watch me take it. It’s the classic 2011 “I’m On One” ⏬. The song, an open challenge to Jay Z and Kanye, ran the summer, and was my personal manifesto. Drake, with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, was gearing up for Take Care. His confidence was wild high. What a time.
What should we expect from this week’s Khaled-Drake doubleheader? Well I can’t say that I’ve heard anything — but I do know the titles of both songs. And no, I can’t tell you what they are. See ya Thursday midnight on TIDAL.
top billin’:
mood ⏬
watch out, now:
as the title suggests, “Ridin Strikers” has Future breaking the whips out — and he doesn’t mind letting his lady-friends steer, and get to the money ⬇️
a million views can’t be wrong: Memphis’ Moneybagg Yo previews a new unnamed song. We need this asap ⏬
I am just a winner | That my parents made. Mississippi’s Big K.R.I.T. delivers a dynamic short film commemorating the one-year anniversary his 2019 K.R.I.T. Iz Here (Multi Alumni). There’d have to be a hole in your soul to not enjoy this visual medley of the album’s best tracks. Y’all better stop sleepin’ on K.R.I.T. ⤵️
This is the part | Where I tell you I’m fine | But I’m lyin’ | I just don’t want you to worry. Another day, another animated Juice WRLD video. “Wishing Well” is actually the best one, though, since it focuses solely on Juice. The song’s lyrics about substance abuse are riveting ⏬
DaBaby and Roddy Ricch’s “Rockstar” is No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for its fifth week. Below, producer, SethInTheKitchen breaks down how he created the broken guitar chord instrumentation for Genius’ Deconstructed ⤵️
you must learn:
Rick Ross Discusses Ambition, Social Justice, And The Best Weed He’s Ever Smoked 💪🏽 author: Tara Finley / LA Weekly
The Reemergence of Tyler, the Rapper 🎤author: Will Schube / Complex
LL Cool J on why classic hip hop culture is more important than ever 🎙 Fast Company
Jeezy’s grooming routine is an inspiration 💦 GQ
Best of Wayne and Drake: Ranking Top 37 of Their Songs 🎧 authors: Brandan Verrastro and Cam Jackson / What You Expect
made you look:
💅🏽 Lauren London reppin’ Puma. photo: Top Shelf Junior ⤴️
⏏️😷 Offset is on point. Two doors up, one mask on.
⤴️ it’s his prerogative: Joey Badass promises new music this Friday
🎶 Tinashe too! Friday. That new new.
turn it up:
That’s the cover of Black Thought’s upcoming EP, Streams Of Thought Vol. 3: Cane & Abel, produced entirely by Sean C. The first offering, “Thought Vs. Everybody,” proves once again very few come close to touching Thought’s lyrical prowess. Latrophobia | That's a fear of the healer | Kaepernick is an activist | Y'all in fear of the kneeler ⬇️
Haitian-Canadian DJ/producer Kaytranada links with New Orleans singer Lucky Daye for “Look Easy.” This slapper will have you fiendin’ for outside to open up again, for real ⏬
Get your dutty wine on as H.E.R.’s “Do To Me” slows things down with a classic reggae feel. Pull it back, Selector ⤵️
what more can I say:
My April 2019 CRWN with Jennifer Lopez is now on YouTube. Check out my range, kid.
@elliottwilson tweets | @elliottwilson IG | follow HRDlist
a danyelliott production
Danyel Smith + Elliott Wilson