Best Songs of the Week Featuring BlocBoy JB, Lil Skies and More
Another week done. Hopefully you weren't in the way of the snowstorm, and if you were no worries, spring is here. This week's music reflects the better weather and fun times we all have on the way. We've got the incredibly fun BlocBoy JB reworking one of his previous songs and adding in 21 Savage on "Rover 2.0," talented newcomer Lil Skies teaming up with Rich The Kid for the bouncy "Creeping" and much more in XXL's best songs of the week.
BlocBoy JB is no one-hit wonder, and is one of the bigger new acts in hip-hop right now. He returns with a follow up to "Look Alive," the piano-heavy "Rover 2.0" featuring 21 Savage. The original "Rover" had the same beat and hook, but this updated version features a new BlocBoy verse and an appearance from the Slaughter Gang boss. BlocBoy rapping, "Coupe got the missing roof, your boo came up missing too/Poof, I just stoled your boo, now ooh, she gon' eat the crew," will likely play in your head all weekend.
Lil Skies is huge on and offline, racking up views and streams like nobody's business. His latest is "Creeping" featuring Rich The Kid, in which the two go hard over a beat that could only be described as sparkly clean. Over flutes, chimes and 808s, Skies and Rich tell a story of women that have them smitten in the moment. This might be the catchiest song that dropped this week, and has all the makings of a hit.
Chicago rapper Saba is double trouble, as he has chops as an outright spitter, and is a sound songwriter to boot. His new single, the off-kilter "Life," is a prime display of both talents. Saba raps about mass incarceration, the painful loss of his cousin and his career, all while displaying a technical sharpness that sets him apart from the fray. "I got my grandaddy soul, I'm at war that's on my mind/I seen Walter body cold, wish I could switch it with mine" is a downright chilling sequence of lines, and Saba delivers them with pure conviction.
G Herbo is also from Chicago, and is yet another skilled rapper from the city. The former XXL freshman got to shine this week, thanks to his freestyle over Three 6 Mafia's "Who Run It" at a Dallas radio station. The clip blew up on Twitter, and made it all the way to Drake, who urged him to drop it as a full song. Herbo took heed, and released the song; his lyrics do not disappoint. "Mama's crib got a pond, not a pool/We had roaches and rats, I ain't get to move," he spits, making it easy to cheer for his success.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the Bronx artist who has won over New York time and time again, might have another one. His new song is "Best Friend," which also features Tory Lanez. The thumping beat plays the background to Tory and A Boogie trying to make sense of their lives as rich, young playboys. A Boogie crooning all over the hook brings back feelings of his crazy summer run last year, and Tory Lanez is an excellent fit for the song.
Atlanta's own Trouble has been on the rap scene for a while, and his style has evolved to the point that he's become a visceral and frank lyricist, working his eye for street imagery and charisma into every song. He freed his project Edgewood this week, his first release as a member of Mike WiLL Made-It's Ear Drummer record label. The track "Knock It Down" is a banger, with its twinkling keys and plodding beat. Trouble rattling off "I'ma knock down the bih like some free throws" makes this worth the listen alone.
Listen to the best songs of the week below.
See New Music Releases for March 2018