Asset.Radio is a weekly playlist of new hip-hop releases curated by OGM contributor Aidan Werder (@aidantheasset). See last week’s Asset.Radio.22.8.1 here.
Tune in weekly for a freshly 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 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
To kick off Asset.Radio.22.8.2 (August 2022, Part 2), the most exciting rap news of the past week would have to be Lil Wayne’s announcement that the Tha Carter VI would be dropping soon. He did so during one of the stops of Young Money Reunion Tour alongside Drake, who just dropped a big collab with DJ Khaled and Lil Baby “Staying Alive” interpolating the Bee Gees classic.
This week, there were quite a few entries from some of the most compelling artists at the soulful, increasingly popular intersection between hip hop and R&B. TDE’s Doechii dropped a new EP she / her / black bitch which included the intensely catchy, SZA-assisted “Persuasive” that loosely channels the Black Eyed Peas iconic “My Humps.” bLAck pARty also dropped a killer new project Hummingbird featuring the consistently captivating Jean Deaux and a rare Childish Gambino appearance. The always-electric Anderson .Paak teamed up with Kaytranada for a new single “Twin Flame,” and Leon Thomas continues to exceed all expectations and successfully outrun his Victorious past with his confident, laidback sound and a huge new collab with Ty Dolla $ign.
To celebrate his exciting new signing to QC, Detroit’s Icewear Vezzo let loose a new collab with Kodak Black, “It’s All On You” just a few weeks after presumably getting out of his old deal following the release of Rich Off Pints 3.
Ohio-native Trippie Redd dropped “Big 14,” melding his iconic first wave Soundcloud sound with the trap stylings of Offset and Moneybagg Yo for a super successful collab single. Also from the Midwest, Detroit’s slick-talking OG, Peezy continues to tease his delayed album with a new single “I Told Her” feat G Herbo, and self-proclaimed Prince of the Mitten Babytron dropped a new single with fellow Shitty Boyz member, Trdee. Finally, from the unforgiving city of Cleveland, Doe Boy showed a softer side with a love song for the streets with “MORE THAN FRIENDS” off his recent project CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.
For the more boom-bap inclined, Reason and The Game dropped a killer collab in “IMPALAS & HYDRALICS,” The Game backing up all the big talk he’s been doing in recent months. Black Soprano Family’s Benny the Butcher, Rick Hyde, and Heem joined forces for a DJ Premier special, “Times Is Rough.” And Jay Worthy dropped a new Harry Fraud-produced project, one of its standouts being the eerie “Stick Up Kids” featuring the nasally slick-talk of Detroit’s Bandgang Lonnie Bands.
For the Americans in the chat, Headie One and Abra Cadabra are two of the hottest and most American-friendly new rising faces in the UK. Headie and Abz are must-know names, each approaching the UK drill sound with a counterintuitively American feel. This week, they were joined by Bandokay for the color-coordinated music video for “Can’t Be Us” – a hard-hitting drill collab prominently featuring a nod to Louisville’s EST Gee with the hook: “I’m feelin like EST, ‘cause everybody shines together.”
From the west, the ever-likeable Kalan.frfr dropped a new project 222, and the consistently quality Bino Rideaux teamed up with THEY. for “Lonely” – each bringing their own R&B-infused flavor that feels fresh and still unmistakably LA. Not to forget the viral sensation, Lil Seeto, who managed to enlist Blueface for the remix of his viral hit “Internet Shooter,” summing up his brand with the bar: “If you think I’m p*ssy cause I’m white, boy you really are stupid.”
From the east coast, Fivio Foreign once again teamed up with JNR Choi for “AMUSED,” another killer drill-infused collab across the pond. Bronx drill phenom Sha EK enlisted Chicago’s hottest new face, PGF Nuk for a high-energy remix of one of his most popular tracks, “We Droppin.’” And DThang, another Bronx drill phenom current locked behind bars, has finally been able to get some of his most popular tracks like “Habits” onto DSPs following a bit of a stutter-step with his big French Montana collab “Good Night.”
Newark, NJ’s Bandmanrill finally dropped his infectious “Real Hips,” the video for which literally shut down the Jersey Shore as the riot police were called in to contain the chaotic scene.
And finally, the new wave had quite the week. Its golden boy, Lil Tecca dropped a new single “Faster” that debuted at #71 on the Spotify Top 100 (with coverart designed by friend-of-the-show, HuhAlex). Dro Kenji continues to find a sweet spot with his new project Lost in Here, which included an uncharacteristically hard-hitting collab with rising star Mike Dimes, “Step Back.” And Rich Amiri dropped “Can’t Die,” as he continues to cement his place as one of the new wave’s most promising young faces.
ATL’s Tony Shhnow shows no signs of slowing his prolific output as he drops a new single “HA HA HA” and Soundcloud OG D. Savage dropped a rare new single “Joker, PT. 2,” a sequel to one of his early hits from 2016. And Pasto Flocco dropped Walking Glitch, a new project showcasing his chaotic, new wave sound as one of its few NYC representatives.
Lastly, there are several artists bringing a new feel to the underground. Tom the Mailman is going almost full pop-punk on his super impressive new single “NOTDEAD!” DC the Don continues to make noise with his high-energy, punk-rock-infused brand of Soundcloud rap. And finally Pigeons & Planes dropped a new MIKE DEAN-produced compilation album, featuring a solid entry from the refreshingly lyrical Redveil on “Float”.
Listen to Asset.Radio.22.8.2 below and tune in every week for a fresh batch of new releases
