Eminem Escapes Death, Common & Pete Rock Kick Knowledge, Ice Spice & Central Cee Collide And More Hip-Hop Release

Yesterday was Friday, which means there are a ton of new releases to look forward to from some of your favorite Hip-Hop artists. To help you unwind and enjoy the weekend, check out VIBE’s picks of songs and albums you should hear and add to your soundtrack of weekend festivities.

Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady (Coupe de Grâce)

Shady/Aftermath/Interscope

Despite being one of the most skilled and successful artists in rap history, Eminem has been subjected to disrespect and ridicule, unbefitting of a legend of his stature. The past decade has included recurring questions regarding his place in the all-time rankings, with some detractors appraising him as a mere stringer of words and little more when compared to his peers. Yet, Em has been privy to the whispers, even responding to them on occasion, particularly in the form of a couplet. Building on the success of his Music to Be Murdered By project, the Detroit native returns with The Death of Slim Shady (Coupe de Grâce), an even more potent long player that ranks as his most explosive offering in over a decade.

While a handful of campy and contrived, radio-driven inclusions are in the mix, The Death of Slim Shady (Coupe de Grâce) is otherwise double the hits as there are misses. Em scores a few early highlights in “Renaissance,” Habits,” and “Evil.” Names get called on “Lucifer,” whereas “Guilty Conscience 2” sees him reprising his 1999 Dr. Dre-assisted hit. Boasting features from White Gold, J.I.D., Dem Jointz, Big Sean, BabyTron, Jelly Roll, Skylar Grey, Ez Mil, and Sly Pyper, The Death of Slim Shady (Coupe de Grâce) has enough power to temper talks of Em’s in the rap hierarchy, as he continues to outperform competitors half his tenure, with relative ease. – Preezy Brown

Common And Pete Rock – The Auditorium Vol. 1

Common/Loma Vista Recordings

Class is in session on The Auditorium Vol. 1, as Common and Pete Rock school listeners on the finer tenets of Hip-Hop with a collaborative effort that captures both creatives in a state of rejuvenation. Running 15 tracks in length, the project comes off the heels of multiple teasers to spread the word about the entree. Now that it’s arrived, it’s definitely as good as advertised. Tracks like “This Man” and “Fortunate” are sonically refined, with heady lyricism on Common’s part, as he drops contemplative stanzas over drum loops courtesy of the Soul Brother No. 1. Bilal, Jennifer Hudson, and PJ assist vocally on the album, with De La Soul member Posdnuos being the lone guest wordsmith on the proceedings, effectively placing the focus squarely on Common and Pete Rock’s grand display of musical mastery. – PB

Ice Spice & Central Cee – “Did It First”

2024 Dolo Entertainment, Inc., under exclusive license to UMG Recordings, Inc. & 10K Projects, LLC.

Ice Spice released her best song this year alongside Central Cee. “Did It First” is all about getting retribution for a lover who has wronged her. She matches the vindictive lyrics with a house-influenced drill beat and a beautiful vocal sample. While she did not stray away from her usual flow or pedestrian lyrics, as an overall song, it fares better than anything she has released recently. That claim is especially boosted by Central Cee’s appearance, as he has been locked into a different zone feature-wise. He is undeniably the best part of this breezy track that clocks in at under two minutes. – Armon Sadler

Bossman Dlow & Lil Baby – “PJ”

2024 Alamo Records, LLC/Sony Music Entertainment

Bossman Dlow cannot miss right now. A tweet went viral this week saying that he is bringing back the “traditional power forward” and it accurately describes his skill set as a rapper; “PJ” featuring Lil Baby is another display of that. He doesn’t need a wide vocabulary, variety of flows, or diverse production to make a good song; he sticks to what he does best and it continues to work. Lil Baby is a welcome addition to this song, matching Dlow’s slightly stoic voice and getting off luxurious flexes. There’s no rocket science to this; Bossman Dlow found something that works and everyone wants a piece of it. – AS

YG Featuring Lil Yachty & Babyface Ray – “Stupid”

2024 4Hunnid Music Inc. under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

YG’s “Stupid” is him at his best. A West Coast beat to the fullest allows him to get his signature flow off and a hook that progresses to a crescendo. The feature selections here, Lil Yachty and Babyface Ray, are interesting. This isn’t their usual sound, but they both offer solid verses. Lil Boat’s verse is especially funny, as he raps about his sex game following consuming a honey pack. YG is normally known for catchy hooks, and this one doesn’t feel like it will capture that feeling. Ultimately, time will tell. Nonetheless, it is a fun bop and refreshing release after the Compton artist’s string of subpar releases. – AS

Tyga & Sabrina Claudio – “No Question”

2024 Last Kings Music / EMPIRE

Tyga may not get enough credit for his ability to make great love songs. “No Question” plays like a score for a romantic drive down a highway and the beach he and Sabrina Claudio sit on in the cover art appears to be the ideal destination for said drive. Speaking of Claudio, she floats in her verse with airy, celestial vocals. They even duet toward the end of the track. Their seemingly new relationship could be a good shot in the arm for both of their careers so far; not to say that they needed a resurgence, but rather they are reminding people of their mettle. – AS

SoFaygo Featuring Don Toliver – “Precision”

2024 Cactus Jack

SoFaygo and Don Toliver step into their alternative rap bag on “Precision.” The production is primed for moshing, with rock synths and a rapid drum pattern. Both artists opt for nimble flows and double-time deliveries. Beyond the general admission section of concerts, the track sounds like something that would be played in a basketball or football highlight tape. They blend the chaotic production with their pitchy, autotuned vocals and it works. This track sounds within Playboi Carti or Lil Uzi Vert’s wheelhouse and if they happen to get on a remix to the track, know that you heard it here first. In any event, Faygo and Don delivered. – AS

Big B Featuring Killer Mike – “Pretend”

Regime Music Group

Big B is joined by Killer Mike on “Pretend,” the third single released in anticipation of the optimistic rhymer’s forthcoming studio album Wellness Check. Produced by TAVALANE, this rockish banger finds Big B reminiscing on his formative years, including his awkward tendencies as a youth and his embrace of those qualities along his personal journey.

Swooping in on the track’s third verse, Killer Mike harkens back to his love of “B.B. guns, go-karts, and Run-D.M.C.” and urges listeners to live their life “cause we don’t really know what happens after.” A collaboration first manifested two years ago, when Killer Mike vowed to gift Big B a feature verse as a show of appreciation for hooking him up with a custom bespoke Indian motorcycle, “Pretend” is a feel-good thumper from Big B that coaxes a light-hearted, yet potent appearance by his Atlanta-bred costar. – PB

Russ – “Win”

DIEMON

For his latest drop, Russ called for his fans’ assistance in choosing the wave, garnering a response that overwhelmingly indicated this was the one to ride with. “Win,” which was initially released as a snippet on the multihyphenate’s “Russworld” voting platform, was voted as the song listeners wanted to hear next from him, with him obliging by unveiling it in full. Detailing his dealings with the opposite sex, Russ deems himself the ultimate victor in the realm of seduction, as he picks and chooses between the harem of women pining for his companionship. – PB

Grafh and 38 Spesh Featuring Memphis Bleek, Freeway, Peedi Crakk – “Rocafella Chain”

T.C.F. Music Group

Grafh and 38 Spesh are joined by a few grizzly vets on this slick salvo, which pays homage and reverence to the reverence that being bestowed a chain with a Roc-A-Fella Records logo as the charm means within the culture. Produced by Spesh, the track begins with Grafh professing his royal standing in the five boroughs, declaring, “I’m the King of New York, no way going around it/ Had the crown so long, my skin started growing around it” before passing the mic to Roc alums Peedi Crakk, Freeway, and Memphis Bleek. “Rocafella Chain” is the latest preview of Grafh and 38 Spesh’s upcoming collaborative album God’s Timing, which is due to arrive in early August 2024. – PB