XXL’s Songs of the Week (April 11

This week was about Young Thug. The inscrutable Atlantan's Wayne-baiting Barter 6 mixtape is finally available, the first proper full-length project since he became a household name last summer with Rich Gang's "Lifestyle." But beyond Thugga's stellar tape, there were other exciting happenings on each coast--from Jadakiss being rustled awake over some Jay Z classics up in Yonkers to Long Beach newcomer Boogie, the weak was overflowing with great hip-hop. These are the XXL staff's picks for the best songs of the week ending today, April 17.

Boogie, "Oh My"

Long Beach is not a nice place. Just ask B0ogie--if you asked him to take you through a day in his life, you'd probably have little more than a stunned three-word response. The Thirst 48 rapper's new single, "Oh My," is one of the strongest arguments for his place as one of rap's most exciting new practitioners. Slated to be on his new album, The Reach, "Oh My" is the kind of raucous single that doesn't cede any space or make any compromises, packing biography and menace messily into the radio format.

Christian Rich Feat. Vince Staples & Bia, "High"

Speaking of Long Beach, Vince Staples used 2014 to separate himself as the city's most promising act since a certain canine burst onto the scene more than 20 years prior. His Def Jam debut, Hell Can Wait, was one of the year's finest EPs, led by the punishing "Blue Suede" and rounded out with the cop-taunting "Hands Up." His contribution to Christian Rich's "High" is as incisive as anything he's done of late, relaying his mother's problematic love advice and staying out of the way of the synths. Bia also turns up for a cutting verse.

Jadakiss, "Where I'm From (Freestyle)"

"I'm from where the cops beat you--after they put the cuffs on." Jadakiss is from where they've got EBT, no black cards. The Yonkers legend took to two classic Jay Z instrumentals this week, just to remind anyone who may have forgotten what his growl can do to a beat. On "Where I'm From," he smirks, spitting, "Your lawyer just mumbling." He won't let you slack academically, lack identity, give into the narcotics officer. Though the In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 original stands as one of Hov's essential cuts, Kiss is unfazed.

Freddie Gibbs and Curren$y, "Fetti"

Neither Freddie Gibbs nor Curren$y is with the bullshit. The two rappers are among the most vehemently no-bullshit figures in the industry, each workmanlike in his release schedule, yet anything but ordinary inside the booth. "Fetti," their contribution to The Alchemist and Oh No's Welcome to Los Santos album, is a hazy master class; the Gary, Indiana mercenary's flow aloe is enough to keep any challengers at bay, at least for the summer.

Yelawolf Feat. Eminem, "Best Friend"

Though an Eminem co-sign is seen by some as the highest compliment a rapper can receive, it takes more than that to carve out a career. Yelawolf's new album, Love Story, is his first in almost four years, in which he clawed and fought to further establish the fanbase that first led to his Shady Records deal. But his second major-label album is a step in a deliberate direction, one to solidify and codify an audience to whom he can play live shows for years to come. "Best Friend," the sole collaboration on Love Story, is a heartfelt song dedicated to higher powers. Eminem is as committed as ever to the Bruce-Lee-of-loose-leaf thing, his syllables landing precisely.

Drake, "My Side"

Though his performance at the first weekend of Coachella was met with middling reviews, Drake has a release schedule to meet--we're nearing the physical product date for his If You're Reading This It's Too Late, the album he released online unexpectedly in February. The album will come with two new songs; one is the previously released "How Bout Now," and the other is "My Side." The latter, released this week, is a spacey, muted song--at the beginning, Drake mumbles that the record sounds how being rich feels. Who are we to tell him he's wrong?

Young Thug, Barter 6

This isn't a song. We aren't Rick Rubin. How do you reduce Young Thug? Barter 6 arrived this week, and it's everything you've come to expect from Thug--syrupy, warbling vocals, flows too precise to rap along to, similes and images that seem beamed in from another galaxy. From the Baby-featuring intro, "Constantly Hating," to the emotional three-song coda that ends the record, Barter 6 is the definitive Young Thug LP. Featuring legends like T.I. and Boosie Badazz and fellow newcomers like Young Dolph, Barter 6 should stay atop critics' lists through the end of the year.

Filed Under: XXL's Songs Of The Week