There’s plenty of new music to sift through. How do you know what is good or bad? Well, that’s where we come in.

Aside from a busy week of interesting news, there’s always a plethora of dope music that drops. Sometimes it’s out of nowhere, and sometimes it is promoted and released right when we expect it. As rap heads, we are all for it and love to talk about the new ish that comes out. In an attempt to keep you up to date with everything, we are going to round up our favorite tracks that we’ve been bumping in the offices. Click through for the best songs of the week.

Previously: The 25 Most Anticipated Albums For The Rest Of 2014
The 25 Best Songs Of 2014 (So Far)
The 25 Best Mixtapes Of 2014 (So Far)
The 25 Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2014 (So Far)

The Game Featuring Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Diddy, Fabolous, Wale, DJ Khaled, Swizz Beatz, Yo Gotti, Curren$y, Problem, King Pharaoh And TGT “Don’t Shoot” (Dedication to Mike Brown)

The Game is the next hip-hop artist to make a tribute to Mike Brown and he does it in a big way. The Compton rapper gathers an all-star cast to address the sadness behind Mike Brown’s death. There’s a lot of emotion in this joint. Listen to it above, and purchase the single on iTunes now.

“The issues in Ferguson really hit home for me and I feel compelled to use my musical platform to address this,” says Game. “I am a black man with kids of my own that I love more than anything and I cannot fathom a horrific tragedy like Michael Brown’s happening to them. This possibility has shaken me to my core. That is why this song must be made and why it was so easy for so many of my friends to come together and unite against the injustice. I managed to get everyone on board fairly easy, simply because we have the hearts. We care and are inclined to take a positive approach to resolving an issue that has existed since the beginning of mankind and that is RACISM and hatred towards one another as human beings.”

Previously: Talib Kweli Goes Off On CNN About Ferguson Coverage
Hip-Hop’s Response To The Protests In Ferguson
Michael Millions “6 (Mike Brown Tribute)”
Skater Stevie Williams Leads A Mike Brown Tribute With Fashion Designers In Las Vegas
B.o.B Drops “New Black” In Response To The Mike Brown Shooting


Premiere: Lil Herb Featuring Chance The Rapper and Common “Fight Or Flight” (Remix)

One of the first things you learn in psychology is the concept of the fight or fight decision — the one you face when you’re in danger. It’s a situation Chicago cats face during times where the violence rate is far too high. Lil Herb enlists Chance The Rapper and Common to convey the sense of desperation that comes from it in the “Fight Or Flight” remix.

The soulful vocal sample doesn’t alleviate the circumstance as much as it adds a sense of lucidity and urgency to it. The three Chi-Town rappers have proven themselves capable of transfixing that feeling in their verses. Chance is the angst-ridden good kid struggling in the darkness, Common provides the poetry and Lil Herb, who represents the danger at the core of the song, shines. “I used to think I could go back to what I used to do/ Now cry less and less at all my homies funeras.” Feel the severity of the concrete above.

Previously: Lil Bibby Featuring Lil Herb “Game Over”

Lil Bibby Free Crack II Mixtape Cover
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Lil Bibby Featuring Jadakiss And Anthony Hamilton “Water (Remix)”

2014 XXL Freshman Lil Bibby, whose Free Crack II mixtape comes out later today, has released a bonus track entitled “Water (remix),” which features Jadakiss and Anthony Hamilton, to hold us over til the mixtape drops. Behind a soulful beat, more soulful singing from Anthony Hamilton, and dope bars from both Jadakiss and Bibby, it sounds like the Chicago native is continuing to do the same things that earned him a spot on our Freshman list this year. Check the track out here.

Lupe Fiasco Featuring Jennifer Hudson And Common “Remission”

Earlier this year, Lupe dropped a single entitled “Mission” off of his upcoming album Tetsuo & Youth album, and now Lupe brings fellow Chicago natives Jennifer Hudson and Common along for the remix. The song promotes cancer awareness, and is a part of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign. Though the song will be available on iTunes on Sept. 5, the same day the trio will be performing at the nationally televised Stand Up To Cancer telethon, the video for the song can be viewed above. Check it out.—Marvin Jules

Previously: Lupe Fiasco Says King Los, Logic And Cassidy Are Better Lyricists Than Kendrick Lamar
Lupe Fiasco Wants More People To Become Officers

Bobby Shmurda Featuring Mavado, Junior Reid, Popcaan, And Jah X “Hot N*%#a (Reggae Remix)”

Bobby Shmurda continues to give “Hot Nigga” new life with another remix. After French Montana delivered a monumental verse, the Flatbush native gathers Reggae superstars Mavado, Junior Reid, Popcaan and Jah X that ups the ante. Each bring their unique styles to the table and keep the energy high. Shmurda recently came out as a surprise guest for Drake vs. Wayne Tour in New Jersey, and was featured on Rico Love’s I Sin album.

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