This week's news cycles have been dominated by two things: Future, his son, his past relationships, his mixtapes and now, a new album; and Young Thug's legal troubles, which include a litany of felony charges and the implication that he and Baby plotted with PeeWee Roscoe to have Lil Wayne killed. Improbably, Thug joins Future on XXL's Songs of the Week, alongside Drake collaborations, an NBA point guard trying his hand in the booth and Skrillex and Vic Mensa's inevitable collaboration. These are the best hip-hop songs of the week ending today, July 17.

Future, "Blow a Bag"

If you've traveled through the American Southwest, you know that the cowboy hat is less an accessory than an inextricable part of one's soul. Future seems to be pretty enthusiastic about the classic Western thing lately, which seems odd considering his move back to Atlanta, but is forgivable because he's churning out good-to-great projects at an alarming rate. His latest, Dirty Sprite 2, is anchored by "Blow a Bag," where the spawn of Dungeon Family and codeine makes sure you know just how many grey hairs his accountant has.

Young Thug, "Pacifier"

As you watch the last hours of your work week tick away, Young Thug is facing the following charges: Possession of a Firearm During a Felony, Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony, Purchase, Possession, Manufacture, Distribution or Sale of Marijuana and Possession of Cocaine and Making Terroristic Threats. Perhaps morbidly, his new single, "Pacifier," is one of the most joyful things he's ever done, on par with Jamie xx's "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)." With all the jazz snaking its way into high-profile rap albums this year, who knew Thug would do the best scatting?

YG, "Twist My Fingaz"

Lots of critics say that a classic album needs to either define or dictate the period in which it's released. YG's My Krazy Life did both; released last May to critical and popular acclaim, it was the only major label album to properly capture the ratchet sound, thanks in no small part to its chief architect, DJ Mustard. In turn, the last 14 months of pop music have followed the same blueprint, and thirty-somethings from Oakland presumably glower at the wall. But now, fresh off a shooting and brief hospital stay, YG returns with the lead single from his sophomore set, Still Krazy. "Twist My Fingaz" is a G-funk infused piece of revivalism, but it's just the update the Compton MC needs.

Damian Lillard, "Soldier in the Game"

Last year, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard's line was 21.0 points per game with 4.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists, the first two marks being career highs. With LaMarcus Aldridge's departure to the San Antonio Spurs, Portland fans no doubt hope Lillard' in the gym. And he might be, but he's interspersing workouts with recording sessions. In hip-hop's long tradition of overwrought acronyms, he's calling himself Dame DOLLA, for Different on Levels the Lord Allows. This week, he dropped a song called "Soldier in the Game" over Future's "Fuck Up Some Commas" beat. Though he's from Oakland, Lillard raps like a bit of an East coast formalist. We'll have to wait for the album for the final verdict.

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Vic Mensa and Skrillex, "No Chill"

A few years ago, Vic Mensa and Chance the Rapper were two sides of the same coin. Cerebral but not soft, young but contemplative, they looked poised to become major mainstream rap stars. So far, that hasn't happened. Chance receded into The Social Experiment, his group of Chicago musicians who earlier this year crafted a dense, reverent album called Surf. Vic, on the other hand, has gravitated to less organic sounds, chasing EDM checks and whatever can be snuck into a club via water bottle. Today (July 17), he and Skrillex dropped their collaboration, "No Chill," which can be listened to here. Garish hair products for all.

Wizkid Feat. Skepta and Drake, "Ojuelegba (Remix)"

Is grime soccer? The gritty, visceral British genre sports of the moment's best MCs, but its flirtations with the pop charts Stateside have fizzled out quickly. But Skepta is a force of nature, and his verse on Wizkid's "Ojuelegba" is the kind of show-stealing turn that travels well. The song is in the news because of Drake, who played it during his first appearance on Beats 1 Radio. But it's the other two artists who really capitalize on the opportunity; Wizkid is quiet and carefully, but that doesn't mean his vocals and his writing aren't precise and incisive.

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