In The Cut: Nipsey Hussle & King Chip Made XXL’s Top Songs Of The Week

As we put the finishing touches on our upcoming issue, the XXL staff is desperately trying to pick its collective head up and again immerse itself in whatever's happening in the outside world. Needless to say, we've got some catching up to do.

In this week's news, Nas stopped by Anderson Cooper 360 for a panel chat about the Trayvon verdict; DJ Khaled cutely (and bizarrely) proposed to his YMCMB teammate Nicki Minaj; Kid Cudi teased his forthcoming MOTM III; Mike WiLL announced that Miley Cyrus will be rapping on his new single; and the Trap Lord A$AP Ferg revealed the stellar cover art for his appropriately-titled Trap Lord album, out August 20.

Meanwhile on the music front, XXL's 11th Freshman Chief Keef dropped two new jawns; Frank Ocean put out an audio-less "Versace" remix; and Memphis' King Yo Gotti released the video to his Bay Area-inspired single "Act Right."

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 light, rap fans.

Hot Sugar — "56K (Remix)" 
Hot Sugar, the Grammy-nominated producer who has collaborated with an array of musicians, released a track that samples the dial-up tone from the early days of the Internet. The original "56K" was dominated by Heems of Das Racist’s stream-of-consciousness lyrics, but just like with every other hot beat, a remix was bound to come out. Enter this six-minute affair, which boasts nine rappers and show-stealing performances from Kitty and Ness of Weekend Money in particular. They rap in a pass-the-baton style, and if you're into the indie-rap version of "Triumph," this one's for you.—Eric Diep, News Editor

King Chip Ft. GLC & Chevy Woods — "Fresh At My Funeral"
Cleveland’s own King Chip, formerly Chip Tha Ripper, dropped the slow-rolling banger, “Fresh At My Funeral,” a new collaboration with GLC and Chevy Woods this week. It’s the perfect music to smoke a blunt to in the back of your hearse or candy painted donk.—B.J. Steiner, Online Editor

Deniro Farrar Ft. DuRu Tha King — "Social Status" Video
Deniro Farrar's momentum is crazy right now. The self-proclaimed leader of cult rap is rapidly growing as an artist, blending his unique sound and delivery with hypnotizing beats. On this upbeat record, we hear a lighter side of Deniro, and with "Social Status" he showcases his loyalty to his crew and his family. This video is about as summery as you can get,  oozing fast cars, close friends, bad women and long-lasting memories to spare.—Emmanuel C.M., Assistant Editor

Nipsey Hussle — "Summertime In That Cutlass"
Listening to Nipsey Hussle in the summer is like slipping on a custom-tailored leather tux in the fall. By that I mean—it's perfect. On "Cutlass," he's as silky smooth as he's ever been, and sounds so laid back it might be a health issue if he's any more relaxed. Look out for his forthcoming tape Victory Lap, which he says is coming "sooner than later." I can't wait.—Dan Buyanovsky, Associate Editor

Rich Gang Ft. Yo Gotti & Ace Hood — "Dreams Come True" Video
While most of Cash Money's Rich Gang album consists of wildly entertaining strip club bangers and unapologetic stunting, this is a rare deep cut that finds you more in the mood to lay out next to the pool rather than pop bottles. Augmented with a classic vodka-wealth-and-semi-naked-women video, Birdman, Yo Gotti, Mack Maine and Ace Hood find themselves in endlessly quotable territory, and expertly bask in the glamor of it all.—Dan Rys, Features Editor