XXL’s Songs Of The Week

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)

Future Featuring Nicki Minaj "Rock Star"

In a new loosie, Future brings along Nicki Minaj for “Rock Star.” The part-crooner, part-rhymer focuses on the rock star lifestyle, but the hook borrows from another genre. You’ll hear pieces of the sax riff from George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” here. Sample clearance issues prevented it from appearing on Honest.

Minaj is taking her inspiration from Minaj, however. The Young Money First Lady sounds aggressive as she drops punchlines over the busy instrumental. “Cuban linked up, cue the brinks truck/ If I was a nigga, I would be gettin’ my dick sucked.” Again, Minaj isn’t bounded by gender when it comes to her dominance.

Give the previously unreleased track, produced by DJ Clue, a listen below.

Elle Varner Featuring A$AP Ferg “Don’t Wanna Dance”

Ten years ago, “We Don’t Care” was the fresh-faced intro to Kanye West’s debut, The College Dropout. Now, it’s the sample for singer Elle Varner’s latest single “Don’t Wanna Dance,” in which she muses about the DJ playing love songs when she’s not trying to get in her feelings in the club. The sweetness in her voice hasn’t diminished at all either.

A$AP Ferg fits in well, too. The former next up from the A$AP mob has had a couple of good looks recently, and he’s even slated to appear on Ariana Grande’s upcoming album. The Trap Lord has risen and he’s flourishing.

“We Don’t Care” is expected to appear on Varner’s upcoming album, Four Letter Word.

360 Featuring Ja Rule “Why Should I Care”

Imagine if Queens takes over the summer. While G-Unit rises, the borough’s own 360 brings along Ja Rule for “Why Should I Care.”

If you liked Ja Rule when his emotional thug shtick reached its peak in the early aughts, this is your track. With an R&B voice backing him (Toni Braxton’s track of the same name is sampled), Ja Rule’s gruff voice delivers with his course on adult contemporary thug love. All jokes aside, he actually delivers a pretty solid verse.

“Why Should I Care” should appear on 360′s upcoming EP, #Foot2NeckSeason. Ja Rule is also prepping an album for a 2015 release.

Scarface Featuring Akon “The Exit Plan”

Emeritus was originally slated to be Scarface’s final album, but fortunately that’s not the case. The Houston legend’s Deeply Rooted is on the way, and its latest song — “The Exit Plan” featuring Akon — has hit the Internet.

The new single takes the straight shooter approach, opting to steer away from fast-talking metaphors for a series of enunciated mantras. The lessons from Scarface include, “Be your own man, ’cause your friends ain’t shit” and “People knowing where you sleep, that’s a problem.”  Words to live by.

 Wale “The Followers”

Despite the recent events between Wale and Meek Mill, the MMG rapper drops some new music today. “The Followers” is produced by Pro Reese & Marce Reazon and shows off his more conscious side. Look out for The Album About Nothing dropping soon.