Tag: Andy Mineo

  • New Music Friday: Hip-Hop & R&B Drops

    It’s that magical time of the week again – New Music Friday! If you’re looking to refresh your playlist and set the vibe for the weekend, you’re in luck. The Hip-Hop and R&B worlds have delivered a massive wave of new tracks and albums from some of your favorite artists, plus exciting new sounds you need to discover.

    Collaborations and Remixes to Vibe To

    Get ready to groove with some stellar collaborations. Future and Tyla team up on the track “Game Time,” promising a blend of their signature styles. Meanwhile, BossMan Dlow enlists the queen herself, Megan Thee Stallion, for a remix of “Motion Party,” guaranteed to bring the heat.

    Fans of classic sounds will be thrilled to see the release of DJ Screw’s ‘Originals (Volume 1),’ offering a deep dive into the legendary Houston producer’s catalog. And if you’re looking for more from your current favorites, Latto’s highly anticipated album ‘Big Mama’ has officially dropped, along with Ariana Grande’s new single “hate that I made you love me.”

    Diverse Sounds from Across the Spectrum

    The new music offerings span a wide range of sounds and artists. Labrinth returns with ‘COSMIC OPERA ACT II,’ while WILLOW drops a new track titled “Talk On The Hill.” Anderson .Paak is back with ‘K-POPS!,’ and Wyclef Jean collaborates with G Herbo on “2010 – Mr. October.”

    Keep an eye out for new music from Ravyn Lenae (“Handle”), Monaleo featuring Teezo Touchdown (‘Everythang Pinka’), Nia Smith (“High”), YG featuring paygotti (“GANG BIZNESS”), and 38 Spesh (‘8 Shots’). Rome Streetz delivers “Cocaine Coltrane,” and Spice brings the energy with “Volcano.”

    • Future & Tyla – ” Game Time”
    • BossMan Dlow Feat. Megan Thee Stallion – “Motion Party (Remix)”
    • DJ Screw – ‘Originals (Volume 1)’
    • Latto – ‘Big Mama’
    • Ariana Grande – “hate that I made you love me”
    • Labrinth – ‘COSMIC OPERA ACT II’
    • WILLOW – “Talk On The Hill”
    • Anderson .Paak – ‘K-POPS!’

    More Must-Hear Tracks

    The list continues with G Herbo’s “Thug,” Fetty P Franklin’s ‘BET THE BANK ON FRANK,’ Syd featuring Blu june’s “Callin’,” and 1Ski OG’s “Ay Gyal.” MadeinTYO and Young Chris drop ‘Made In Philly,’ while BKTHERULA features Whethan on “I Go Punk.” Young Miko’s ‘Do Not Disturb: Late Checkout’ is also out now.

    Don’t miss out on YG Kaboe’s “Striker,” LMNT 115 featuring French Montana and Sofia Reyes’ “Final Minutes,” Bizzy Crook featuring Leon Thomas’ “Could Be Worse,” and Alewya’s “Maktoub.” Omar Camacho’s ‘Nunca Voy a Morir,’ D12 featuring Xzibit and Ice-T’s “Nightmare Walking,” and Chxrry’s ‘U, Me & My Ego’ are also part of this week’s lineup.

    Rounding out the new releases are Yelawolf’s “Simple,” B Jack$ and BabyChiefDoit’s “Break It,” Cautious Clay’s “Green Screen (1PM),” K CAMP’s ‘GIANT,’ 070 Shake’s “Baby Drama,” Phoenix James’ ‘Teeth,’ Andy Mineo and Wordsplayed’s ‘Get the Tables,’ Jae Stephens’ “Attaboy!,” Son Tung M-TP featuring Tyga’s “Come My Way,” Ayetian’s “Donkey Call,” Aaron Page’s “Mine,” Baby J’s “Fallen Angel,” Black Sherif’s “SWAGGA,” Apollo Red featuring Bryant Barnes’ “#Demon,” reggie’s ‘UNDRA,’ Jorjiana’s “WOKE UP,” Masio Gunz’s “HELLEN KELLER,” and Litty Vuitton’s “1-800-BABEMOTION.”

    Which of these new releases are you adding to your playlist first? Let us know your top picks from this New Music Friday in the comments below!

  • Lecrae: Behind The Music

    Lecrae, a Grammy-winning artist known for his powerful blend of raw honesty and spiritual depth, recently visited the VIBE offices for their ‘Then And Now’ series. He opened up about the personal stories and creative journeys behind some of his most impactful and popular songs, offering fans a deeper look into his discography.

    The Most Personal Tracks

    When asked about the songs that cut closest to his heart, Lecrae identified three deeply personal tracks. “Cry for You” and “I’ll Find You,” both from his album ‘All Things Work Together,’ articulate immense personal pain. The third, “If I Die Tonight” from his ‘Church Clothes’ mixtape, is a poignant reflection on what he’d want to say to his family and fans if his life were to end.

    These vulnerable records underscore why Lecrae’s voice remains so essential, resonating deeply within both the hip-hop and faith-centered music communities. He explained that articulating pain through music requires more than just telling; it demands showing the depth of the experience, which often means reliving difficult moments.

    Collaborations and Unexpected Hits

    Lecrae also shared the stories behind some of his notable collaborations. Working with Tori Kelly on “I’ll Find You” was a blessing, as they shared a common faith and passion for music, aiming to create something that spoke to a global audience. He described Kelly as a ‘little sis’ and expressed immense gratitude for the song’s success.

    The hit song “Coming in Hot” with Andy Mineo was an unexpected success. Originally created for a joint tour, the track unexpectedly took over social media, with celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Will Smith using it. Lecrae recalled driving two hours to San Diego to record it with Mineo, never anticipating its massive popularity.

    Stories Behind the Chart-Toppers

    The story behind “Blessings” featuring Ty Dolla $ign is also fascinating. Initially intended for Jeremih, the track ended up with Ty Dolla $ign after a scheduling conflict. Despite the change, the song became a Top 10 hit, marking a significant moment in Lecrae’s partnership with Columbia Records.

    The Grammy-winning song “Your Power” with Tasha Cobbs Leonard was born from a collaboration with Zaytoven. Lecrae recognized Cobbs’s ability to connect with both gospel and rap audiences, intentionally crafting a song that would resonate across both spaces. He felt the song deserved its own moment, so he held it back from his ‘Church Clothes’ mixtape.

    New Music and Continued Ministry

    Lecrae’s recent track “Still Here” serves as a powerful articulation of resilience, both personally and spiritually. It’s a warm-up for new music, reminding listeners that he and God are still present, even through hardship. He also shared his passion for ministering within the prison system, a calling deeply rooted in his family’s history with incarceration.

    His song “Lift Me Up,” featuring BEAM and Alexxander, was first released to inmates before its public debut. This track, considered an early stage of his ‘reconstruction’ process, explores themes of trust and seeking divine help during difficult times. The song’s journey involved Kanye West before finding its perfect home with Lecrae and BEAM.

    Finally, “Tell the World” with Mali Music came from a shared sense of being ‘hybrid artists’ who defy easy categorization. The song was created to showcase their faith while defying genre boundaries, unexpectedly becoming the biggest hit from that album.

    Watch Lecrae: Then And Now

    Dive deeper into Lecrae’s journey and the stories behind his music by watching the full ‘Lecrae: Then And Now’ feature below. It’s a compelling look at an artist who continues to inspire through his vulnerability and faith.

    Which Lecrae song resonates most with you? Share your favorite tracks and the stories behind them in the comments below!