July 19-25, Edition 6
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 19-25), we look back at an action-packed weekend including the confusing (and exciting) Rolling Loud festival and new projects from Joey Bada$$, Lil Uzi Vert and more.
Rolling Loud Miami got off on the wrong foot this past weekend (July 22-24) as Kanye West and Kid Cudi’s beef continues to sizzle. While the festival announced early last week that Ye would not be attending the event, Lil Durk shocked festivalgoers by bringing out the Chicago legend in all his glory. While this was great for everyone attending Durk’s set, the rest of the festival was in the midst of a frenzy near its main stage. Moments before Ye made his surprise appearance, Kid Cudi, who replaced Kanye after he dropped out, was in the middle of a nightmare. Being pelted by water bottles and stomaching boos from fans, Cudi promptly exited the stage mid-set to Kanye chants. While the moment wasn’t a bright spot for the festival, fans were also teased with a Lil Durk and Metro Boomin collab project dropping by the end of the year. For more on the rocky start to Rolling Loud, click here.
After five long years, Joey Bada$$ is finally back. After releasing his third studio album 2000 last Friday, fans can finally hear the boom-bap beats and clever wordplay Joey has been known for once again. The new album was originally supposed to drop in June, but was pushed back due to sample clearances. The project was easily worth the wait, though, as it opened up to strong reviews and praise from fans. The new album from Joey includes features from JID, Westside Gunn and Chris Brown. 2000 also marks the official sequel to Joey’s legendary 2012 mixtape 1999. For more on the Badmon’s triumphant return, click here.
Lil Uzi Vert shocked fans earlier this month by announcing his new EP, Red & White, without a set release date. Low and behold, Uzi blessed us with the project last Friday (July 22). The EP contains five tracks on DSPs, and nine tracks on SoundCloud. Most of the tracks that were left off of the streaming edition were released as standalone singles. The small project is leading to something much bigger, the Pink Tape which will hopefully drop sometime this year. For more on the new EP, click here.
This past Friday (July 22), Mac Miller’s estate officially released his 2011 project I Love Life, Thank You on all platforms. This release marks the third mixtape brought over to DSPs in the past year, with the other being K.I.D.S and Faces. Along with the re-release, the Mac Miller mural in Pittsburgh also reached its completion this past week, which gives fans another way to respect the Pittsburgh emcee’s long-lasting legacy. For more on the re-release, click here.
While just releasing his debut album Who Is Nardo Wick? last December, Nardo Wick is back with a new serving of tracks in the form of a “sequel” deluxe. Nardo has recruited music superstars, Latto and The Kid LAROI to lend their voices to his new tape and shows that Nardo is here to stay and make an impact in the game. With darker themes and a more menacing beat selection, Wickman continues to prove to fans that his skillset is only getting stronger. For more on the deluxe, click here.
