XXL’s Songs Of The Week (Jan. 31

The Grammys take place this Sunday (Feb. 8) at Staples Center in Los Angeles. But there are more rappers than just those nominated who are making great, dynamic new music. This week saw gems from major label upstarts and underground lynchpins alike, with Action Bronson once again leading the pack. As he gears up for next month's major label debut, Mr. Wonderful, the culinary overlord from Queens dropped off yet another stellar single. Hear that and more after the jump.

Action Bronson "Big League Chew"

What if 1997 never ended? "Big League Chew," an Alchemist-produced loosie dropped with the season finale of Action Bronson's cooking show, Fuck, That's Delicious, catches the Queens rapper at his basest. Where some rappers dress up their boasts, Bronsolinio realizes he "might never see rain again," and the mechanics of that are left up to the listener to determine. He also raps "I'm the hottest shit since B2K/ My Russian barber gave me the see-through fade," in case there was any doubt as to who's the most colorful writer in New York right now.

Your Old Droog "Rage Against The Machine"

It's hard to go wrong when you're channeling Jadakiss. But when Your Old Droog asks "Why did Bush knock down the towers?" he isn't just flipping the Lox MC's most commercially successful song. With Rage Against The Machine's catalog as a touchstone to frame his development, Droog remembers stealing cash from his grandma's purse, going to college "to get hoes" and generally lamping. The identity crisis is gone; Droog is no longer a cult of personality, comfortable to be a capable formalist.

Migos "One Time"

Quavo, Takeoff and Offset have got this down to a chain-snatching, triplet-heavy science. After 2014's one-two punch of No Label 2 and Rich Nigga Timeline, Migos are finally coming for the retail shelves. "One Time" is the first single from their upcoming debut album, YRN: The Album; the Deko instrumental is a band0-approved backdrop, all woozy bass and stereo hi-hats. As long as the trio feels the need to "call up the plug," they'll be in rotation in all cities, especially the Magic ones.

Fashawn "Guess Who's Back"

There was a time when Fashawn seemed prime to take over hip-hop. When his Exile-produced debut, Boy Meets World, dropped in 2009, it had the California MC primed to become a major star. Young, charismatic and capitalizing on the buzz that Exile and created with Blu on 2007's Below The Heavens, Fashawn commanded a tremendous amount of attention from underground hip-hop fans. Then, he went away. His official sophomore effort, The Ecology, has been delayed time and time again; but now, it's finally imminent. On "Guess Who's Back," he recounts all of these and more. But he's not looking back.

Big Pooh Featuring Steve Roxx "Stop"

"Make a decision--what the fuck you supposed to do?" Big Pooh has always been engaging; of late, he's become one of the most gripping rappers working. The Little Brother alum debuted his new single, "Stop," at XXL this week, and it's among the most politically-charged songs to hit the 'net thus far this year. With assists from Steve Roxx and producer Apollo Brown, Pooh name-checks a litany of Black men who were murdered by police officers. As he raps, "It don't that I'm innocent when they pointing the guns."

Post Malone "White Iverson"

They know who it is when they see the armsleeve. Post Malone, a relative unknown took to Soundcloud this week with "White Iverson," a song that flits between coldhearted boasting and bloodletting. "I need that money like the ring I never won" has to sting for Philadelphia 76ers fans--especially in the midst of this rebuilding period--but Malone makes it sound sincerely heartbreaking.

Two-9 Featuring Wiz Khalifa & Ty Dolla $ign "Full House"

Metro Boomin has apparently been spending some time in cabanas. The prolific and precocious Atlanta producer takes the trap on spring break for Two-9's new single, "Full House." Packing as many people as they can into a series of vacation homes, the rappers--assisted by Wiz Khalifa and Ty Dolla $ign in capable turns--are the centers of attention they were bred to be. Two-9's new mixtape, B4FVR, is coming soon.

Kid Ink Featuring Migos "Every City We Go"

Kid Ink's sophomore album, Full Speed, was released this week and features a handful of would-be and likely hits. None are more potent, however, than "Every City We Go," his collaboration with the Migos. Ink plays Ringo to Quavo's Lennon, reveling in his abundance of illicit substances and lack of parole officers. It's hard to imagine a better set of tour companions, especially if you're looking to collect groupies and precious metals.

Waka Flocka Flame Featuring DJ Whoo Kid, Offset & Ca$h Out "OVA"

Waka Flocka Flame doesn't mince words. When he tells you that it's "over" because he: pays you $70k a year just to roll up; rush your trap house like a drug bust; catches you talking slick, just know that it is really, truly over. Enlisting the Migos' Offset, Ca$h Out and legendary mixtape fixture DJ Whoo Kid, Flocka continues to hone the specificity of his style. "OVA" is rarely even half a degree outside of Flocka's wheelhouse. Sometimes, you just know what works.

Well$ "Bike Safety"

North Carolina's Well$ is minding the road for others. On his newest cut, "Bike Safety," you can practically hear the weight of the world on his shoulders. As a performance, it's inspired, with the upstart claiming he was real "after and before pimpin'," and bargaining with Soundcloud streams for his friends' bail money. Infatuated with face tattoos, worried about hitting innocent bystanders on the overpass, Well$ lets loose for just under two minutes until he stops abruptly. "This is all I've got."

Ca$h Out "WYD"

Ca$h Out drops “WYD,” a new track off a new R&B project Less Stress More Sex that he’s planning to release soon. The ATL rapper slows things up and it a complete 180 from “Tomorrow,” the last track he released last month. However it doesn’t feel forced. It expands the sound of C.O., opening up a lane that he can potentially strive in. On the song, Ca$h Out croons “what you doing” over and over on the Inomekindakitche-produced beat.

Filed Under: XXL's Songs Of The Week