Legacy Track of the Week: N.O.R.E. ft Sevyn Streeter - No Reason
“I see these dudes they spaz for no reason, they go on Instagram and they wyl’ for no reason, you gonna threaten your fam for no reason (no reason), you ask them why they do it, they tell you for no reason” The best record off 5E is this introspective record that has N.O.R.E. in deep thought and we all should know how legendary that can be. Yet in all seriousness there are gems in this record that are accentuated by the smooth sounds of Sevyn Streeter and producer SPK, this was well delivered and once more symbolic of how the Drink Champs host comes from a different era of Hip Hop, back when emcees were actually saying something.
N.O.R.E. ft Fabolous - Big Chain
“It's just one of them days you rocked the big chain, summer time no rain you rocked the big chain” Noreaga is back with his 7th studio album and this one has LeFrak City written all over it, true to it's name 5E that shows despite recent podcast success N.O.R.E. is still in tune with his roots, and is still good for that classic New York City sound that his era was best known for. This one is produced by Cool & Dre and has Brooklyn native Fabolous getting in some work on the speed bag as well, this one was a nice addition to Summer 18.
N.O.R.E. ft Jadakiss, Wyclef Jean & Phokus - LaLa
“If you having a weed convo you better mention me, see me coming out of the spot, or the dispensary, me not being high just doesn't make no sense to me, so me and my man chain-smoking with intensity” In classic give & go formation Nore trades bars with Jada as if he was Sheek or Styles P, and complete with Wyclef Jean on the hook (who by the way has one of the best Drink Champs episodes that absolutely should not go overlooked) this pro-marijuana record is everything it should be.
N.O.R.E. ft Kent Jones & Yung Reallie - Parade
“I'm back, I'm back, okay (okay), I tell ‘em throw me a parade (tell 'em throw me a parade), I tell 'em throw me a parade” Drink Champs! Drink Champs! Drink Champs! Salute to Noreaga for revitalizing his career more than twenty years after The War Report, and unlike Joe Budden he’s actually added to his legacy of comedy and true love for Hip Hop, as opposed to simply fueling his ego while trying desperately to make the story about him. Sure enough, N.O.R.E. has achieved both music and podcast relevance by only showing love and being himself, and for that reason, we absolutely should throw him a parade… right in the heart of LeFrak City… Queens!
Dave East ft Fabolous - Levelin’ Up
“She could do tricks with her tongue, I used to switch up my bitch every month, yeah she call me I'm picking her up, I've been in motion I ain't hit in a month, probably could get any chick that I want” Dave East has just released his… let’s see… 13th mixtape not including two other ‘extended plays,’ making this his 15th official project before he’s decided to release his debut album. Heir apparent to Nas I think not, but all the same this project is exactly what you’d expect it to be, all for better and for worse. With that said this is easily one of the best records off Karma 2, complete with a Fabolous verse that’s one of the highlights on the tape.
Iggy Azalea ft Wiz Khalifa - OMG
“Oh my God, this shit different (yah), Oh my God, Gucci slippers (yah), Oh my God, my wrist vicious (yah), Oh my God, might hurt yo feelings (yah)” Produced by Eric Weaver & Smash David this one is self explanatory and not really calling for any further explanation.
Denzel Curry - PERCS l PERCZ
“On Tree, I do not fuck with the percs, I barely fuck with the Earth, on me, industry ***** the worst, acting like they from the dirt, on me, I do not fuck with the percs, I barely fuck with the Earth, on Tree, all of them ****** I birth, tryna put me in a hearse” The ‘Tree’ is supposedly a double entendre that also pays homage to Curry’s deceased brother, yet otherwise this is an eclectic record that has a message in Hip Hop not heard often enough. This Florida emcee is definitely a force to be reckoned with and you can stream his new album TABOO right here.
BTS ft Nicki Minaj - IDOL (Remix)
“Uh what’s good, Korea? You know I've been a boss for my whole career” For those of us on the Western side of the world who likely aren’t familiar, BTS is a seven member South Korean boy band also known as the Bantam Boys, and apparently they are a global internet sensation whereas they were “the most tweeted about celebrities of 2017.” Therefore it was only right that Nicki Minaj has found herself on a remix, and honestly, I can appreciate the end result.
Casanova ft Chris Brown & Fabolous - Left, Right
“Up, down, up, down, left, right, left, right, what's the code for the night? I'm on the road for the night, even a good girl could be a hoe for the night, come blow on the mic that's the flow that I like, yeah” One of the few highlights off Casanova’s debut album Commissary just got the visual treatment, and I do co-sign this Scott Storch produced record all the way.
Jim Jones ft Jadakiss - Dust & Powder
“Rule number one never fuck with the cowards (never), nothing is mines, everything is ours” One of the many highlights off Jim Jones latest album Wasted Talent just got the visual treatment, and if you haven’t already press play on one of the best surprises of the year.
Drake - Nonstop
“Look I just flipped a switch (flipped, flipped), I don't know nobody else that's doin this” Visual treatment for one of the more popular records off Scorpion, Drake’s latest studio album that aside from commercial success still seems to fall short of his ultimate potential.