who's Wrld is this? Juice 🌍
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I still get excited when rappers put up big numbers. It’s strong for the culture. The tragedy is that the late Juice is not here to live his huge success. The early sales projections of Juice WRLD’s new, posthumous Legends Never Die (Grade A/Interscope) has him going No. 1 with 400,000+ in the first week. I knew Jarad Anthony Higgins was popular — but damn. His last album, 2019’s Death Race For Love (Grade A/Interscope) debuted at No. 1, but with 165,000. So the level-up is real. TheMotto No. 65 finds me placing extra respect on the commitment of Juice’s passionate fanbase: they always rise up for their fallen star.
This is Juice’s first album since his December 8, 2019 death. At the age of 21, the Chicago native suffered a seizure at Midway International Airport. It was caused by an accidental overdose of oxycodone and cocaine. This has been the year of posthumous MC success. Juice’s work joins Mac Miller’s critically acclaimed Circles (Warner), which was his biggest career first week at 164, 000 and Pop Smoke’s triumph last week at 248, 606.
A gifted songwriter, Juice’s video ⤵️⚔️⬇️ for “Come & Go” features an animated sword fight. The track is produced by Marshmello: it’s guitar fueled, a nod to Juice’s rock star ambitions. The clip is via Grade A Productions, and directed by Steve Cannon.
top billin’:
mood ⤵️
watch out, now:
Mr. West blessed us on Sunday with “Donda,” a song dedicated to his moms.
Tell me, how? I don’t understand how anyone could not dig Snoh Aalegra’s new “Dying 4 Your Love.” A sultry tale of the unrequited is brought to life by a vibrant visual 🎶⬇️
Five rules that you must abide / When you’re in the mob | Never break the oath | Bend or fold | Never steal or rob. A new deluxe version of The Price Of Tea (ALC/Boldy) means there are more of Alchemist’s menacing tracks for Boldy James to slow-flow over. This is epitomized by “Bernadines” which is filled with more than a few Jay-Z lyrical references ⬇️⤵️🎙
Kehlani is not only back in her Hyphy Williams director’s chair, she throws on the white wedding gown for “Bad News,” a true heartbreak story. Her quarantine style videos remain undefeated 👰🏽🎬🎵⬇️
Finally — a video for this powerful New York collaboration. On “Move Like a Boss,” I love how Fivio’s choppy kinetic style compliments Young M.A’s brash and rugged attitude ⤵️🎤⬇️
you must learn:
Questlove Supreme podcast ⏭ Rick Rubin
The Music Industry Is Trapped In A Void Year 𝄢 𝄞 author: Yoh/DJ Booth
On Jack Harlow’s “Sudden” Success 📈 author: Donna-Claire Chesman/DonnaCWrites
ESPN Enters Into Multi-Year Agreement with United Masters
made you look:
⤴️ Travis gets tatted
⤴️ Freddie Gibbs shoots with Benny The Butcher for the upcoming Alfredo movie. Directed by: Will Gates
🚘 ⤴️ on the move: City Girl JT.
turn it up:
The Moon Man and Slim Shady? Admission: I was skeptical of this pairing on paper. But: they delivered. Cudi is confident and focused. And Em goes crazy with 64 bars that touch on everything from Drew Brees to Ahmaud Arbery ⤵️
⤴️ still shining from her 2019 Over It (LVRN/Interscope) victory, Summer Walker just dropped a surprise EP, Life on Earth (LVRN/Interscope). The highlight is “My Affection,” another pair-up with PartyNextDoor It’s the project’s most satisfying selection. I wouldn’t mind a whole EP from this duo ⬇️
Akademiks recently pointed out that the below collab is lowkey running Soundcloud. Say hi to Iann Dior, a Puerto Rican-American raised in Corpus Christi, Texas who benefits greatly by this Wheezy production and guest appearance by Mr. Midas Touch, Lil Baby ⤵️
what more can I say:
Another young rapper is gone too soon. RIP Quality Control’s Marlo (center, above, on the set of his January “1st N 3rd” video) was killed July 11 in a highway shooting. He was 30. QC bosses P and Coach K sent their heartfelt condolences.
P: So Much Potential That The World Didn’t Get A Chance To See. Love You Bro. It’s Really Hard For Me To Say RIP
Coach K: You always had a smile on your face when we talked. If only everybody could’ve seen the pureness of your heart. This is such hard thing to do RIP Marlo. Prayers to your kids & family. Asè 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
My favorite Marlo joint is the classic 2017 “2 The Hard Way” with Lil Baby ⬇️ If I never sell a record | Or a song | In the trap I went gold.
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Danyel Smith + Elliott Wilson