Asset.Radio is a weekly playlist of new hip-hop releases curated by OGM contributor Aidan Werder (@aidantheasset). See last week’s Asset.Radio.22.7.1 here.
Tune in weekly for a fresh curated batch of 25 (ish) new releases from the week, or throw on shuffle for a random sampling of new music from some of the most original and compelling new artists in hip-hop.
The goal of Asset.Radio is to paint a picture of what the cutting edge looks like, answering questions like: Which artists are bringing something new to the table? What are the cool kids listening to? And who is an asset to the culture?
And keep in mind, all in the humble opinion of Aidan the Asset
For Asset.Radio.22.7.2 (July 2022, Part 2), Seddy Hendrinx stole the top spot with his surprise Monday release of “Groovy” and an unexpected feature from NYC’s Fivio Foreign — a definitely groovy, lightly drill-infused lead single ahead of his long-awaited new project, Well Sed. Hosted by DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz, Generation Now’s best-kept secret is finally set to release his first project since 2020 on July 13th, and based on the quality of “Groovy” it’s looking like it was worth the wait. Fivio also had another unsuspecting drill collab this week with The Kid Laroi on “Paris to Tokyo.”
With his own R&B-infused sound, last week Brent Faiyaz dropped his highly anticipated new album Wasteland — also his first project since 2020. Releasing to a hugely warm reception, the new project included only a few features. There were big ones on the previously released fan favorites like “Wasting Time” with Drake and “Gravity” with Tyler the Creator, and “Ghetto Gatsby” with Alicia Keys, and notably only two others from promising DMV-natives Joony and Tre’Amani, for the what is probably the project’s most rap-first moment on “Addictions” featured on this week’s Asset Radio.
PGF Nuk also had a much-anticipated release last week. Arguably Chicago’s most exciting new rising star, Nuk dropped the boldy-titled Switch Music — his first-ever album showcasing his captivating, unapologetically gritty and unmistakably Chicago style that’s caught fire with gangster rap lovers around the country over the past year. Not dissimilar from EST Gee, who joined him for “Not Opps” and appears again on “Steppers” along with the entire CMG roster.
There are also a few entries on the list this week from recent projects that deserve a second appearance, like “BodyRock” off Money Man’s Big Money or “Watch Shit” off Highway’s new self-titled project.
From the big apple, Shawny Binladen treated fans of his raspy, idiosyncratic alternative-drill with yet another project Wick the Wizard — blessing us with 18 new tracks and a rare look at him absolutely gliding over a more orthodox-than-usual drill beat on “Pretendo”. His close compatriots and fellow Yellow Tape Boys Big Yaya and Four50 also killed their drill-flipped version of “Wait 4 You,” cooked up by Chubby El Hefe. Also from NYC, the currently incarcerated Eli Fross teamed up with fellow Winners Circle members Sleepy Hallow and Great John to drop what may be his best track yet in “Bad Days.”
MHPG Sound also recently dropped Sound or Drown, a posse project exploring their own NYC drill alternative with all the familiar faces from the sexy drill universe (which you can learn more about in our recent deep dive on the subgenre), represented on this week’s list by Cash Cobain and Matthew Ali’s sexy drill take on Bow Wow’s “Let Me Hold You.”
Their neighbor to the south, Newark NJ’s Bandmanrill continues to innovative his own take on the regional Jersey club sound with “Lurkin.”
There were several notable releases this week from the Soundcloud (not so) underground. SSGKobe dropped an impressive 6-track EP, featuring a standout performance on its lead track “Hershey,” and Ken Carson finally dropped his long awaited debut album, X. Eem Triplin continues to drop a steady stream of self-produced singles defining his particularly understated sound, and Tony Shhnow refuses to slow down as he drops another new single “Ease My Pain” just weeks after dropping a new project. Midwxst showcased his best-in-class hyperpop on “broken” and Soundcloud OG $not dropped a rare single “MS Porter” featuring Night Lovell.
Putting on for the west coast this week is San Diego’s Lil Maru with the super catchy “Soda Shopping” featuring Fenix Flexin and Cypress Moreno, Sacramento’s DB.Boutabag with “Pockets Bigger” and Sacramento’s Young Slo-Be with “Ouweee” after his trademark adlib featuring Valejo’s DaBoii. And of course, Ralfy the Plug remains relentless in pursuing his and Drakeo’s dreams with a new single “Closer to My Dreams”(Freestyle).
From Florida, Hotboii enlisted Kodak Black for the extremely tender “Live Life Die Faster,” and Tallahasee’s most confusingly named new rising star, Real Boston Richey continues to shine with his new single “I Want You” — in the best way sounding like what might have happened if Lil Baby were born and raised in North Florida.
One of Dallas’ most exciting new acts, BigXThaPlug dropped a new EP Big Steppers, which included his biggest song to date “Safehouse” and one of the best examples of his relentless Texas flow.
And finally, representing a softer side of the streets is the consistently underrated Shordie Shordie out of Baltimore dropped a predictably good new single “Body Language.” And Cleveland, Ohio’s talented young SPB Benz recently reintroduced his R&B-infused sound with a new project and standouts tracks like “Everybody Can’t.”
Listen to Asset.Radio.22.7.2 below and tune in every week for a fresh batch of new releases
