XXL’s Songs Of The Week (January 12

We're just two weeks in, but 2015 has already given us some great—and often confounding—hip-hop. Chasing muses down project hallways and double cups, the last week alone has seen young upstarts fleshing out their aesthetics and veterans making triumphant returns. These are our favorite songs from the week ending today, Jan. 16.

Your Old Droog "Get The Paper"

With the Nas-impersonator tin foil hat folks mostly in the rearview, New York's Your Old Droog has begun to expand on the revivalist tactics he laid out on his self-titled debut LP. "Get The Paper" catches Droog rolling out of bed, ready to flex on the Arts section. Routine never sounded so gritty; "guap" never sounded so suspect.

Photo: Getty Images

Future Featuring Juvenile "Aintchu"

While his style--long on Autotune and short on coherence--rubs purists the wrong way, Future has nothing if not reverence for Southern hip-hop history. The Dungeon Family's adopted son enlisted Juvenile for "Aintchu" from he and Zaytoven's Beast Mode mixtape; the former Hot Boy rounds out what could be 2015's early frontrunner for Best Song honors. "Your family straight if you get killed in the city 'cause you insured, aintchu?"

Yo Gotti Featuring Jadakiss "Real Rap"

"Play with me and I'ma go bonkers/ Shot a video in the middle of Yonkers." Yo Gotti is laying out his credentials, carefully and deliberately. By the time Jadakiss' signature rasp hits halfway through "Real Rap," the cut from Gotti's DJ Drama-hosted Concealed cements itself as a souled-out staple.

Lil Wayne "Sh!t (Remix)"

Lil Wayne is not one to be passive. With his Tha Carter V collecting dust on one of Baby's marble kitchen islands, Wayne reminds us what he's been doing since his curtains were sheets--dismantling rap styles like a codeined-out contractor. Borrowing a vocal register from his spiritual disciple Young Thug, Weezy tackles the beat to Future's fantastic Honest-era loosie.

Roc Marciano "Three Sixty Five"

Roc Marciano makes you feel like a masochist. Seldom has a rapper made listeners so eager to be insulted, threatened, and stunted on. This week, the relic from the mid-'90s dropped off his contribution to producer The Dirty Sample's compilation project, wherein Marci flees the scene and never leaves prints; hammer like an instrument; killer syndicate. Syllables and wigs are chopped up like it's nothing.

Joey Bada$$ Featuring Action Bronson & Elle Varner “Run Up On Ya”

With his debut album B4.DA.$$. vying for a spot in New York rap history, Joey Bada$$ takes a moment to keep his focus narrow, and it's a welcome turn. "Run Up On Ya" is tailored for winter nights on the train back to Brooklyn, except when Action Bronson shows up in the tan coupe with two 22-year-olds. The latter rips through a show-stopping verse, ready for his Tiger Beat cover.

Action Bronson Hot 97 Freestyle

Action Bronson has a debut album, Mr. Wonderful, on the docket; he's more concerned with the afterlife. Visiting Funkmaster Flex on Hot 97, he reminds his family: "If I die, change my suit four times at the wake," before adding some less savory requests. Lamenting the lack of pensions in the rap game and the fact that Jadakiss has no grills to cook on, Bronson tears Flex's show to shreds. Consider it a warning shot.

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