Is it June already? What better way to kick off the month than bump this week's Friday's Heat? Hint: there's no better way. Peep this week's fuego, featuring: 2 Chainz, Vacations, Curren$y, Makonnen, and Joyner Lucas
"4 AM" by 2 Chainz ft. Travis Scott
2 Chainz is back and you know you missed him. His latest album Pretty Girls Like Trap Music is slated to be released on June 16. The record will feature artists such as Drake, Pharrell, Gucci Mane, Quavo, Nicki Minaj, Trey Songz, Ty Dolla Sign, and more. Shit, it looks like everyone missed him too.
The leaked track "4 AM”, with this summer's favorite rapper Travis Scott guest starring, maintains a chill trap beat that is used as a perfect platform for 2 Chainz and Scott to slink in and out of with their strong lyrics. The song is a free extra on iTunes when you pre-order Pretty Girls—and trust us, you should.
"Lover's Smoke" by Vacations ft. Drake and Sade
This luscious song is the ingenious mash-up of Drake's "Free Smoke" and Sade's "Lover's Rock." This is an ideal summer track; you can almost feel yourself floating in a pool at sunset. Thanks to Brooklyn-based Vacations, aka DJ John McSwain, this perfection has been found. Vacations released a 5-track album of Drake and Sade remixes, and if "Lover's Smoke" is any indication, this might be June's best album.
Drake and Sade were fated to collaborate, even if indirectly by Vacations. Drake bears a tattoo of the 58 year-old Sade Adu. The British-Nigerian songstress has the textured vocals reminiscent of 90s melodies, and paired with Drake's soulful verses, it seems like they were in the studio recording this together. Bring this new Vacations mix on your next romantic beach vacation.
"She Don't Stop" by Curren$y
The first track to drop from Curren$y sequel album to the 2010 mixtape Smokee Robinson is banging. Curren$y had announced the new album Smokey's Revenge on May 29, and dropped "She Don't Stop" less than 24-hours later. The new record features original production by Atlanta producer Don Cannon—the beat-maker behind artists like Big Sean and Lil Uzi's hits. The album itself is said to just be a natural release of jam sessions. "I closed my eyes and realized that me and Don Cannon had just created Smokey Robinson 2," Curren$y tweeted, along with a photo of him and Cannon in the studio. No word yet for when the full mixtape will drop, but in the meantime, check out "She Don't Stop." You won't stop singing "she don't stop for nothin / she a go-getter" after listening for 30 seconds—it's that addicting.
"Line 2" by iLoveMakonnen
This oddly catchy song from "Tuesday" singer is perfectly simple: he's got a new girl on line 2. The track is apparently a one-take freestyle and the earworm nature of the clean hook is impressive. "Line 2" marks one of the first widely-received songs since Makonnen left Drake's label OVO Sound in April 2016. Soon thereafter, he announced his retirement from music all together to focus on acting. But for now, he's still having his sing along.
Makonnen has publicly acknowledged his influence of Lil B, both professionally and personally. He released the track with a kind message to fans: "motivational music...Congratulations to everyone graduating in 2017. Hope you have a safe fun summer!" You've got to appreciate his sincerity and seemingly innocent verses in this new hit.
"Mask Off (Remix)" by Joyner Lucas
Emcee Joyner Lucas debuted his remix of Future's "Mask Off," reworking it to have a stronger punch and catchier beat. This track is off of Lucas' upcoming album 508-507-2209, aka The 508 Project. Lucas has been dropping new tracks from this album, but "Mask Off" is one of the most powerful. "After this, I don't wanna hear this song EVER again!" Lucas joked on Twitter when announcing its debut. The cut is architected by producer sensation, St. Louis-based Metro Boomin.
Lucas uses the remix to speak to all his haters. "I'm bout to grab n*** by the throat," Lucas raps. "I'm 'bout to crash Lil Yachty's boat." He even gives a shout-out to critics with: "Don’t you compare me to Logic. Go listen to Sriracha."
Let's see what else Lucas has to say on the rest of The 508 Project, and get ready to love the new tracks.