Thug

Cardi B – “Don’t Do Too Much”

Cardi B’s “Don’t Do Too Much” plays like a record she should have collaborated with Ice Spice on, and that is fully complimentary.

Nonetheless, she carries the record with ease. It is great hearing her on new types of production and seeing how she flows over a variety of beats, especially this one, without sounding rough.

Topically, it also fits with the rest of the album; despite all of the difficulties she has experienced, she is still extremely confident. There are a lot of great tracks on Am I The Drama? across rap, pop, and R&B, but this bonus track is a standout. – Armon Sadler

Doja Cat – ‘Vie’

On Vie, Doja Cat continues to prove she’s one of pop’s most fearless shapeshifters. Blending genre and mood with practiced ease, her fifth album is a kaleidoscope of romance, lust, self-doubt, and revelation.

Whether she’s deadpanning sharp lines over digitized snares on “AAAHH MEN!”—”Am I gay or am I just angry?”—or riffing on intimacy politics in “Gorgeous” (“You feel empowered, but not within”), Doja balances vulnerability with a provocateur’s flair.

“Cards” delivers one of the album’s most quotable couplets, pairing sensuality with streetwise edge: “Break bread, ni**a, don’t twirl the pasta / Hand on my a**, did I stir the block up.”

While “Take Me Dancing” with SZA doesn’t quite recapture the spark of their “Kiss Me More” magic, it’s still a lush, worthy addition. Elsewhere, “Acts of Service,” “Happy,” and “Make It Up” offer standout moments of sonic risk and emotional range.

Titled as a layered play on the Roman numeral for five and a nod to La Vie en Rose, Vie thrives in its ambition. Doja Cat isn’t chasing trends—she’s building her own, one genre-defying, thought-provoking track at a time. This album isn’t just experimental—it’s alive with intention. – Preezy Brown

Young Thug – ‘UY Scuti’

Young Thug successfully did what many artists fail to do on Uy Scuti; he turned back the clock.

From the opening track “Ninja,”a cinematic trap opener with a jarring, head-scratching section where he uses the hard “R,” the Ken Carson-assisted “Yuck” which recalls 2019’s “Sup Mate,” all the way to copious infectious melodies and fluid lyricism.

For those whose minds are stuck on his recent bad headlines, the focus may only be on the flaws of this album. However, for those who have been fans since his origins, this is a comfortable reminder of the eccentric talent they grew to love.

He brings along many of his constant collaborators, including an impressive performance by Quavo on “Spider Or Jeffery.” The album is definitely long and imperfect, but there is a lot to love. – AS

Mobb Deep – “Taj Mahal”

“Taj Mahal” is a glorious return to form for Mobb Deep, a lavish yet gritty glimpse into the duo’s upcoming album Infinite, dropping October 10.

Over a smoky, cinematic beat from The Alchemist, Prodigy sets the tone with a vivid recounting of a high-rolling night: “I hit the hundred dollar slot machine for $30,000.” Havoc follows suit, anchoring the track with sharp bars and a Queensbridge shoutout: “Wanna roll the dice, it’s the flick of the wrist.”

As part of Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It campaign, “Taj Mahal” feels like legacy rap reawakened—timeless, confident, and unapologetically New York. – PB

Ice Spice – “Baddie Baddie”

Given how often Ice Spice calls herself a “baddie” in her songs, it felt like a matter of time before she made it a song title.

“Baddie Baddie” doubles down on one of her favorite phrases, but also shows that she has continued trying new things.

The production is different from her standard offering, and the flow matches the energy. Her assertion that she was just “poppin’ her sh*t” and didn’t mean to go pop is a fly summation of how her authenticity helped her to become a star as well.

After a disappointing debut album, the Bronx star’s latest tracks signal that she has elevation on the way. “Baddie Baddie” is a good one. – AS

Sexyy Red – “Is You Coo”

A$AP Ferg – “Ferg Strong”

Ferg Workout Plan? Ferg made a banger for the fitness folks with “Ferg Strong.” The beat recalls early 2000s nostalgia and is very ambitious, blending various synths, drum patterns, and instruments.

Despite the organized chaos, she skates through it with ease. The Harlem rapper is often underrated as a rapper because he has made such fun, hype music throughout his career, but “Ferg Strong” is a firm reminder of his artistic mettle in various regards.

There’s catchy lines, cool flows, and a fresh sharpness. It seems like he’s trying to push people away from ozempic as well, and what better way than provide them a soundtrack to hit their bicep curls and cardio? – AS

Peezy – ‘Still Ghetto’

ScarLip, FendiDa Rappa, Dank Demoss – “Big Girls”

Juvenile Featuring Mannie Fresh, Dee-1 – “He Gone”

Monaleo – “Sexy Soulaan”

Dollar, Jay Dimes, DJ Holiday Featuring French Montana – “Upon Arrival (Remix)”

Hit-Boy Featuring Lefty Gunplay, Spank Nitti James – “N.T.A.B.”

Ty Dolla $ign Featuring Kodak Black, YG – “SMILE BODY PRETTY FACE”

Ron E Featuring Fabolous – “Still On My Mind”

Chance The Rapper Featuring Do Or Die, Twista – “Ride (Remix)”

Toosii Featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again – “Please Don’t Go”

G Herbo – “Reason”

BunnaB – “I Like Em”

Bruiser Wolf, Harry Fraud Featuring Benny The Butcher – “Raised By Dope”

Lexa Gates – “Nothing To Worry Bout”

Zillionaire Doe – “Skyami Living”

PLUTO – “Pluto Walk”

AraabMUZIK – “Lost In A Maze”

PaperRoute Woo – ‘Slime Dunkin”

Krown Vic Featuring Noodah05 – “Blue Bikinis”

Lil Mosey – ‘Fall City’

Spyro – ‘The Men, The Boys & Your Guy’

Fireboy DML, Pheelz – ‘Peace By Piece’

M-Dot & Confidence – “The Experience”