Jeezy, Dave East, Danny Brown, And More Hip-Hop

Jeezy, DJ Drama – ‘Still Snowin”

Two decades deep into the game, Jeezy still proves he’s “Still Snowin” with a fresh DJ Drama-backed mixtape that’s as reflective as it is rugged.

Riding lush samples from soul’s golden era, this project finds Jeezy digging into his legacy with clarity and grit—what DJ Drama calls “twenty years of greatness, legacy, and excellence.”

Across standout tracks like “Head To The Sky (You Can Win)” and “Keep That Same Energy,” the Snowman rhymes over timeless instrumentals from Sounds of Blackness and Bobby Womack, blending street memoirs with grown-man introspection.

On “The Whole Town,” a track that could easily sit on an official studio album, Jeezy delivers a cinematic performance that captures his evolution from propane-heated homes to courtrooms and solo summers.

“Summer ‘25, single as a bi**h/ ’Nother lawsuit, lawyer with the switch,” he admits, addressing personal fallout with candor, while bars like “I gave the trap everything but my tears” show the weight of the road he’s traveled.

Even when he boasts, “Why they call that ni**a Snow, ‘cause that boy went polar,” there’s wisdom tucked beneath the bravado.

More than nostalgia, Still Snowin is a statement: Jeezy’s pen is sharper, his soul louder, and his story far from finished. Easily one of the week’s strongest releases—this one deserves your ears. – Preezy Brown

Dave East Featuring Stove God Cooks – “Bottega Trunks”

Dave East sets a smooth, cinematic tone with “Bottega Trunks,” a laid-back yet lyrical offering that serves as the calm before the storm of his upcoming Karma 4 album, due October 10.

Riding a looped, string-laden sample, East leans into his melodic bag, keeping things suave with flirtatious lines and luxury-laced imagery. Stove God Cooks slides in effortlessly, adding his signature vocal grit and flair to the mix.

An unexpected curve-ball of sorts, “Bottega Trunks” is a vibe-heavy warmup that signals East is sharpening both his pen and palette ahead of the main event. – PB

Danny Brown – “Starburst”

With “Starburst,” Danny Brown kicks off the Stardust era in full technicolor chaos—exactly the kind of left-field brilliance we’ve come to expect from one of rap’s most unpredictable minds.

Produced by Holly, the track opens with a jittery, frenetic beat that Brown masterfully weaves through, dropping existential gems like “Present is the past in a second, so count your blessings.”

But just when you think you’ve settled in, the beat flips into a booming, 8-bit-esque sonic shift, and Danny goes full throttle, tearing through the back half like a man possessed.

It’s lyrical, it’s weird, it’s thrilling—and unmistakably Danny Brown. As the first taste of his upcoming Stardust LP (dropping November 7), “Starburst” stands out as one of the week’s strongest releases, blending thought-provoking bars with anarchic energy.

With a 21-city U.S. tour on the horizon, Brown’s gearing up to make a lot more noise—and this is the perfect toss of the gauntlet. – PB

Young Thug – Uy Scuti (Supernova Edition)

Young Thug decided that 21 songs weren’t enough, and treated fans to seven more on the “Supernova Edition” of his latest album Uy Scuti.

In it, they got the elusive tracks “Safe” and “Rosetta Stone,” plus a posthumous Lil Keed feature on “I Put A.” These, along with the original offering, prove that Thugger is way sharper than people may have thought.

This album has been polarizing due to heightened expectations and his recent “bad press,” but musically, Uy Scuti is better than Punk and Business Is Business.

One would be hard pressed to find actual critique for the music instead of altered perceptions of Thug as a human being. And that is an unfortunate reality of this current music landscape. – Armon Sadler

Gucci Mane – “Only Time”

“Only Time” feels like classic Gucci Mane in some ways, and a more modern version in others.

The polished production leans more toward his new iteration, but the signature OG “yeaaaah” ad lib and flow is very much so of the late 2000s and early 2010s Guwop.

Fortunately, he is as locked in as ever lyrically and delivery-wise. He also employs some nice vocal inflections and his vintage, hilarious one-liners.

Most enjoyably, he provides a really good hook. It isn’t easy for rappers to land a good chorus, especially one as long as this, but he nailed it. Longtime Gucci fans won. – AS

Kevin Gates – “Fuk Em”

Kevin Gates has a message for authorities, h*es, men not in his squad, and seemingly the entire world: “Fuk Em.” The production feels fresh, almost Bossman Dlow-like.

However, Gates makes the record his own with his signature raspy voice and southern drawl, on top of humorous catchphrases. The track loses a bit of momentum toward the middle when he drops the beat out and breathes repeatedly, but he picks things up so it is negligible.

Overall, this is a solid effort and a good hook that is easy to memorize and repeat. It’s hard to say if this will pick up steam in the mainstream, but it’s enjoyable. – AS

41, Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, Tata – ‘Spleen’

41, Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, and Tata have answered our call. “Spleen” is a different offering than what they popped off for. The beat isn’t the standard sample drill production with a high BPM.

Instead, it is more slowed down and creates a “vibe.” Their flows have some similarities to their biggest records, but they were attentive to the aura the beat created. They also do a great job distinguishing themselves from one another due to their different pitches, inflections, and nuances in the vocals.

This is a really fun record that may have done some damage during the summer, but hey, you need good music in the fall, too. – AS

Coi Leray, Shoreline Mafia – “Act Like You Know”

Coi Leray continues to show she is one of the more versatile artists today.

“Act Like You Know” featuring Shoreline Mafia feels like a 2014 prime YG record, but she makes it her own with her pleasing melodic tone and unique flows. Shoreline gives a great assist, adding the west coast flair and bounce that has experienced a resurgence in the last year.

In truth, a song like this deserves the same attention as some of the other records that have popped off but starpower and push dictates that. Nonetheless, this is incredibly fun and primed for car rides, dance offs, and basketball highlights. – AS

Bun B Featuring Yung Dro, Killa Kyleon – “Can’t Stop My Hustle”

Murda Beatz Featuring Big Sean, Babyface Ray – “Hood Politics”

Blxst – “Aye Girl”

DDG, PlaqueBoyMax – “No Dreads”

Ras Kass, Smif-N-Wessun – “42”

Hurricane Wisdom – “OT”

Fetty P Franklin – “Kitchen Therapy”

Mellow Rackz – ‘Nothing To Something’

Skip Marley – “Cry Wolf”

Skrilla – “Kurt Angle”

Connie Diiamond – “Breathe”

Tay Money – “Redneck”

4Fargo Featuring Hunny Bxby – “Posted Alone”

Samara Cyn – “Freeverse”

MESSIAH! – “Fasho!”

Luhh Dyl – ‘Hear Me Cry’

Brodie Fresh, DJ Drama – “Glory”

Mighty Joseph (Vast Aire of Cannibal Ox & Karniege) – ‘Empire State’

ADÉ – ‘Philip’

RXKNephew, MVW, ChaseTheMoney – ‘Whole Lotta RXK’

Yakiyn – “Spread Like Butter”

Big Sad 1900 & DJ Gutta Butta – “SALTY”

ABGR Lil Cory – ‘Everything Must Go’

YoDogg & Cardo Got Wings – “Now Ya Gang”

Rocklife Zho – “Groomin”