This week's Friday's Heat features tracks from: Juelz Santana, Don Q, Dom Kennedy, The Underachievers, and Consequence
"Dip'd In Coke" by Juelz Santana featuring French Montana and Cam'Ron
Harry Fraud and Maaly Raw teamed up to provide the hypnotic yet thumping production for the coke boy anthem, “Dip’d In Coke.” Juelz Santana recruited French Montana and Cam’Ron to remind everyone why New York rap will always be the backbone of Hip Hop—regardless of its current standing. With the influx of trap music, it’s always refreshing to receive a rugged anthem starring some of Hip Hop’s greatest minds.
The three veteran rappers trade verses detailing their boss status and hustle, all while remaining loyal to themselves and the game. The song isn't so much bragging as it is just simply stating facts. The New York connection on this track facilitates the artists’ chemistry, making for one hell of a way to start your Friday.
“Tupac” by Dom Kennedy and Hit-Boy
In the words of my favorite TV Jewesses from Broad City, “Yusssssss!!” It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from Dom Kennedy, the LA-based artist known for his laid-back style and unique wordplay, and he answers his silence loudly on “Tupac”—the collaborative track with fellow Cali artist, Hit-Boy. Separately, Dom and Hit-Boy are just a dope rapper and producer, respectively. Together, they form the lethal duo, Half-A-Mil. They dropped their first project this past December, and shocked the Hip Hop world with a surprise second EP, which dropped on 2/24.
“Tupac” is one of the leading cuts off this project, and pays respect to the legend. Dom discusses that despite his musical absence and being self-managed, he’s still one of the coldest dudes in the game. In addition to supplying the light and crispy production, Hit-Boy also delivers a silky verse that reps his crew HS-87. Hopefully these two have some more surprises up their sleeves.
“Take Me Alive” by Don Q featuring Styles P & Jadakiss
Anytime Scott Storch hops on a beat, the track is almost guaranteed to be fire. “Take Me Alive” off Don Q’s new project, Corner Stories, featuring Styles P and Jadakiss is no exception to this rule. Storch lends his legendary hand to Don Q to produce a chilling track discussing Don Q hustling the Bronx’s corners. Don Q alone makes “Take Me Alive” a classic New York track; Styles P and Jadakiss’ presence dresses it up in Tims and a Yankees fitted.
Don intros the track by discussing how his early rap career was simply to put on for his hood, but he then quickly realized that his skills could lend themselves to a world take over. But he’s not cocky—he’s a self-assured individual who understands the rap game’s fickle nature. Throughout the track, Don lays out what motivates him to keep grinding and persisting.
“Cobra Clutch” by The Underachievers
It must be a New York Friday. Brooklyn’s insightful Hip Hop collective, The Underachievers, aren’t mincing words on their new track, “Cobra Clutch,” and want the world to know that they have the Hip Hop game in a lethal choke hold. The ominous production almost acts as a warning to emcees who think they can compete with the menacing, intricate bars of The Underachievers.
“Cobra Clutch” is a single off their upcoming album, Renaissance, and lays out why rappers need to pay respect to the eccentric individuals from BK. They think differently, act differently, and approach the rap game differently—and they’re not afraid to let everyone know. Complete with wordplay and smart metaphors, “Cobra Clutch” offers hope for their upcoming project.
“Spaceship III” by Consequence featuring Chance The Rapper, Alex Wiley, GLC, and Chuck Inglish
I say it all the time: “Spaceship” by Kanye West is one of my favorite songs of all time. The tangible struggle that he emits resonates so well with me and Kanye fans alike. This was the track off The College Dropout that confirmed for me that Kanye was going to be a star. The production, lyrics, and emotion run deep to provide a genuine account of Kanye’s desire of hopping in that spaceship and flying towards his dreams.
Now, Consequence, with help from fellow Chicagoans, Chance, Alex Wiley, GLC (featured on the original), and Chuck Inglish have reimagined this classic, and packaged it as “Spaceship III.” Paying respect by reciting original bars verbatim, mixed with new verses from some of Chicago’s young kings is powerful on multiple levels: 1) it validates Kanye’s seismic influence and 2) it perpetuates the notion of Chicago’s strong musical brotherhood. Peep this track to hear a little of the old school blended with the new.