July 12-19, Edition 5
Keeping up with music’s ceaseless news cycle can certainly be tasking, but we at OGM are cutting right through the noise. In our weekly news series “Top 5ive,” we’re saying things straight-up — unpacking the five most important news stories you need to know right now. Know the major players and what their latest moves are, as our new editorial series is dedicated to keeping listeners informed on the most harrowing, heroic and heartfelt headlines in hip-hop.
In this week’s edition (July 12-19), we recap another busy week including Lil Uzi Vert’s announcement of the upcoming Red & White EP, Kanye West pulling out of Rolling Loud, Nardo Wick’s upcoming album and so much more.
Lil Uzi Vert season is officially upon us, with this being the first time fans have heard solo work from him since 2021’s “Demon High.” Announcing his new EP, Red & White, on Tuesday (July 12), Red & White is reportedly slated for release on July 22 — all ahad of his long-awaited album, Pink Tape. While there is little known about the upcoming project, Uzi did drop off two new Soundcloud exclusive singles this week, titled “I KNOW” and “Space Cadet” — with the latter already amassing nearly 2 million streams on Soundcloud. For more on the long-awaited return of Lil Uzi Vert, click here.
After months of wondering if he would or wouldn’t perform, Kanye West officially dropped out of Rolling Loud Miami this weekend (July 22-24). The move may seem surprising on the surface, but most Ye fans were already anticipating this after the legendary emcee dropped out of Coachella 2022 without any given reason. In his place will be another legendary performer, Kid Cudi, who is coming off of the rerelease of his 2008 mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi, and a greatest hits album all this month. For more on the abrupt departure for one of raps most prolific figures, click the link above.
One of the years most anticipated releases is finally upon us after Steve Lacy dropped off his new album Gemini Rights last Friday (July 15). This marks his first album after his 2020 project, The Lo-Fis. The new project has been praised by fans and critics alike and is undoubtedly one of the strongest and powerful albums this year has given us. For more on the critically-acclaimed third project from Steve Lacy, click above.
SoFaygo has proven this year that he is allergic to keeping music in the vault after he surprise “leaked” a new project via Soundcloud titled BABYJACK. This project follows his teaser tape titled B4PINK he shared in June, a 5-track teaser for his debut album Pink Heartz. Besides Faygo’s Twitter bio stating the title “BABYJACK”, the project has gone completely unspoken by Faygo and his label. For more on the surprise “leak,” click above.
Seven months after Nardo Wick dropped his high-energy debut album, Who is Nardo Wick?, the Jacksonville native has announced its highly-anticipated sequel is dropping this Friday (July 22). The project is hot off the heels of his 2022 XXL Freshman Class performance and follows multiple singles including “Krazy Krazy” and “Riot.” While we are unaware of features or a track list, the project will likely be banger after banger and a fan favorite. Even The Kid LAROI is presumably on the record. For more on the sophomore project, click here.
