MacMillerInTheCut
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This week was an important one for hip-hop. On Tuesday, four mainstream albums (and a litany of mixtapes, singles and album announcements) dropped, marking June 18 as 2013's first major release date. So, whether you spent the last five days arguing about J. Cole vs. Kanye vs. Mac or incessantly posting Facebook statuses about your opinions, the best part about this week is that it got people talking. And now that the dust has settled, we can just listen (really listen) to all the new music that was released without having to defend its greatness. That's really the best way to enjoy this rap stuff, anyway.

On the news front, Amanda Bynes killed the Internet after rumors swirled that she's working on a rap album with both Waka Flocka and Wyclef Jean; Meek Mill affiliate Lil Snupe met his unfortunate end earlier this week in Louisiana (we talked to fellow Louisiana legend Turk about Snupe's untimely demise); Diddy announced a partnership between his Revolt TV and Time Warner; and 2 Chainz teased his upcoming sophomore LP, due out this fall.

In our weekly column called In The Cut, the diversely opinionated XXL staff celebrates another lively week in hip-hop and picks some of their favorite releases from the past week. Until next week—keep it funky, rap fans.

Flatbush Zombies - "Palm Trees"
This track showcases the ~~wavy~~ side of Flatbush Zombies, a world apart from their high-flying and waffle-spewing (literally) live show—but when you smoke that much kush, it's hard to keep your energy up all the time. This song nonetheless drips with swag and brash indigence as it swims through Erick Arc Elliott's dream-like production and sticks a middle finger in the face of all #haters. This is a jam you blast obnoxiously loud while smoking a blunt on a rooftop at 2 in the morning and looking at the stars, smiling softly to yourself as Juice begins his ode to Mary Jane and lets loose the line, "You might say I'm addicted/But me? I'm truly lifted."—Dan Rys, Online Features Editor

Juicy J Feat. The Weeknd - "One Of Those Nights" Video
When I heard this song, my first thought was: How the hell did The Weeknd and Juicy J link up? My second thought: Who the fuck cares? It's a match made in heaven. With Abel's magnetizing vocals floating around Juicy's hallucinogen-friendly raps, this song puts you in a high that mortals shouldn't be on. Couple the amazing track with this visual jewel that dropped yesterday - illustrating a robbery gone horribly wrong - and Juicy J's Stay Trippy quickly became the album I'm most looking forward to hearing. The Trippy God strikes again.—Emmanuel C.M., Assistant Editor

Mac Miller Feat. Jay Electronica - "Suplexes Inside Of Complexes And Duplexes"
When I interviewed Mac a few months ago, he told me he was waiting for a rare verse from Jay Electronica for his upcoming album. It turns out he got the verse, and threw it on one of Watching Movies' true standouts, "Suplexes." It's a woozy, hypnotizing tune that finds Mac and Jay trading off verses filled with lines about spirituality, self-reflection and quirky boasts. It's the kind of music that'd perfectly soundtrack a midnight stroll through some side streets in Belguim, or something.—Dan Buyanovsky, Associate Editor

Dom Kennedy - "Never"
June 21 officially marks the start of summer. To celebrate, Dom Kennedy—who has gotten pretty damn good at soundtracking the summertime over the past few years—releases a new, smooth single called "Never." Produced by The Futuristiks, Dom's laid-back flow meshes well with the soothing sample that drives the track. Dom seems to be speaking about his usual topics—riches, women, and grinding to the top—but his flow is as interesting as ever. You can't go wrong with some new Dom to kickoff your weekend.—Eric Diep, News Editor 

Travi$ Scott Feat. T.I. & 2 Chainz - "Upper Echelon" Video
To put it simply… THIS VIDEO IS DOPE! It's the definition of dope. It's dope in its purest form. From the gloomy scenery to the random and eccentric things taking place (i.e. Tip just standing there with a box cutter while 2 Chainz gets flanked by some polite folks with axes), Trav's short film is weirdly awesome and completely different. There's a freakshow going on in the Quintana woods, and these visuals make me want to take a trip over there right away.—Ralph Bristout, Lifestyle Editor

Migos - "Adios"
While Migos' Y.R.N. mixtape was actually released last Thursday, since the video for "Adios" only came out last weekend, I'll take this as an opportunity to write about the project. This trio out of Atlanta has some of the most silly, addictive hooks I’ve heard in quite some time, and the new mixtape is pure fun. Whenever you're ready to give Kanye and Cole a break and stop taking yourself so seriously, download Y.R.N. and actually enjoy yourself this summer.—Neil Martinez-Belkin, Music Editor

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