This week's Friday's Heat features songs from: Yo Gotti, Post Malone, Wale, Audio Push and Vince Staples.
“Castro” by Yo Gotti featuring Kanye West, Big Sean, Quavo and 2 Chainz
Yo Gotti is starting the weekend off hot with his new single, “Castro.” The Ben Billions productions provides a thumping energy for the all-star emcee lineup, especially allowing Quavo and 2 Chainz to fearlessly outshine big names like Kanye and Big Sean. Countless drug references dominate the track, paying a quasi homage to the late Fidel Castro.
“Anti lame nigga / Take your girl like a pain killer / Just saw a picture of your first baby mama / Look like a train hit her / Can't finesse me, I'm the finest / AKA, it's your Highness”—how does 2 Chainz not put a smile on your face? Make sure to throw this track on tonight’s pregame playlist rotation.
“Big Lie” by Post Malone
The second track off his debut studio album, “Big Lie,” makes a strong case defending Post’s position as a legitimate R&B contender. After being catapulted to the top of Hip Hop conversations from his monster hit, “White Iverson,” Post is starting to notice industry fakes and doesn’t hesitate calling them out. He sees you flexin’, but he knows that’s just a big lie.
DJ Mustard’s smooth beat harnesses a hard-hitting core, providing a strong foundation for Post to demonstrate his musical chops. He doesn’t really stretch the imagination on this track, but he’s having fun, enjoying success, and making good music in the process. Keep them coming, Post.
“Black is GOLD” by Wale
After answering J. Cole’s “False Prophets” with “Groundhog Day,” Wale is back with an impassioned track, “Black is GOLD,” recorded over D’Angelo’s “Lady” instrumental. On par with his extensive musical catalogue, this track is a conscious tribute to black women, and encourages them to celebrate their beauty. He asks his sisters to take pride in their skin, and to wear it as a badge of honor.
Wale specifically shouts out multiple women, but the two that caught my ear were 12 Years a Slave’s Lupita Nyong’o, with the line, “Uh, hey Miss Lupita / Hope you know you inspired the future women for us / Don’t know your vibe really, just know that your mother Kenyan / Just know that that melanin mesmerizin’ in every picture,” and the imploration for SZA to not retire. In a country where women of color are now especially scrutinized, Wale is here with open arms asking them to see themselves, as he perceives them: beautiful.
“Caroline (Remix)” by Audio Push
Emerging artist, Aminé, released the hit “Caroline” back in March to a very welcoming audience, eventually landing him mic time on The Tonight Show. Nine-months later, the HS87 California duo, Audio Push, adds their spin to the infectious beat. Despite releasing their debut studio album, 90951, in late September, the duo is using this single to promote their upcoming project, My Turn III—an addition to their impressive “My Turn” series.
Consistent with their previous work, Audio Push demonstrates their velvety vocals by exchanging verses, complementing each other’s sound to create a great product. Clever lines have never eluded the two, and that doesn’t change on this track: “Now Caroline, Caroline, need a golden calculator to divide / And a thousand opinions just to decide what the fuck to eat / And who should drive.” Who doesn’t love an Outkast reference?
“California Heaven (Remix)” by JAHKOY featuring Vince Staples
Vince Staples never shies away from a challenge. Whether he’s dropping dope freestyles, reviewing every fucking thing, or chopping it up about crack with Eric André, Vince always steps up to the plate. This past Friday was no different.
Linking up with JAHKOY on the “California (Remix),” Vince delivers an efficient well-crafted barrage of bars, talking about California’s physical beauty—like its beaches—but also how California to an extent shaped who he is, and this perception makes his situation with women “quite perplexing.” Replacing ScHoolboy Q’s verse from the original track, Vince effortlessly skates over this beat to add his California view, and rap about how the state’s angels and demons factor into his life.