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Ab-Soul — Soul Burger

Two years after his acclaimed album Herbert, Ab-Soul unleashes his newest project, Soul Burger. The new offering is an ode to his longtime friend, the late DoeBurger, who “encouraged him to create more upbeat music,” according to a press release. Doe, who passed away in 2021, narrates the album.

The project opens up with “9 Mile,” a heartfelt homage to Belly and 8 Mile. On it, he points the lens at himself the way Eminem’s B-Rabbit does in the latter film. “I’ll take a 7.62 for Top Dawg / I did jump off a bridge on Del Amo Boulevard,” he raps. “I’m blessed but questioned when God would have mercy on a junkie / Biggest lie I ever told is that it ain’t about the money.”

Vince Staples, Doechii, JID, Lupe Fiasco, Ty Dolla $ign, Jason Martin, Thirsty P, and Punch are among the LP’s features. Meanwhile, 9th Wonder, ScHoolBoy Q, Kal Banx, Terrace Martin, TaeBeast, Devin Malik, and Beat Butcha are among the album’s producers.

Soul says this LP is a push towards a more upbeat sound that Doe encouraged him to find. “I’ve been the underground emperor for so long,” Soulo told Effective Immediately. “In a lot of ways, I feel like I’ve done what I came to do. It’s not over. But I came and wanted to be in the conversation with the dopest to ever do it. [I’ve] touched people that I may not ever get the privilege to meet. [They] tell me, all around the world, that I’m the best to do it or that I touched them and changed their life just as Hip-Hop has done for me. I’ve gotten the respect from my idols even and my peers. Now, it’s like, I’m in it. Let me challenge myself to do it all. Let me not stay in my comfort zone.”

Cordae f. Joey Bada$$ — “Syrup Sandwiches”

Cordae is planning to release The Crossroads next week. But before dropping the new album, he taps in with Joey Bada$$ for his newest single, “Syrup Sandwiches.”

Cordae mans the song’s first verse with some personal reflections. “The sun is shinin’, my daughter is gorgeous / Our bond is beautiful / I love her and it’s more than mutual,” he raps. “Funds are stacked, killin’ tracks, runnin’ rap / When I hear these n—s talk, it’s a ton of cap.”

Joey follows up with a second verse shouting his partner-in-rhyme out. “Me and Cordae back-to-back, identical Vs / Two Ms on the keys, so she ready to leave / And do whatever I please,” he raps. “Wear her heart on her sleeves / I got a God complex so she down on her knees.”

Up next, Cordae plans to release The Crossroads next week. The rising star recently spoke with ESPN about the project. “Personally, I just felt like I was in a crossroads in my life at the time,” he said. “Just so many things going on. I had a sense of urgency that what I do, like, my next move is so important. If my next move is the correct move, then I’m shooting for the moon. If my next move was a bad move, then I’m not great. So it was a sense of urgency.”

Ice Cube f. Killer Mike & Busta Rhymes — “Ego Maniacs”

Ice Cube is already an icon but he’s still breaking records. His newest single, “It’s My Ego,” became the “biggest solo hit of his career on multiple charts,” according to Forbes. Now, Killer Mike and Busta Rhymes jump on the remix.

Mike uses the opportunity to give one of his greatest influences his flowers. “My hero was a n—a wit’ an attitude, leader of Da Lench Mob,” he raps on the song. “Told the teacher, ‘I’ma grow up and make hardcore Hip-Hop / And b-tch, I did it, big bank made big knots.”

Busta also reflects on his history with Cube during his verse. “I remember to this day / Cube and N.W.A / was beefin’; the group was in a disarray,” he raps. “Couldn’t believe who pulled up to 510 South Franklin / P.E. Headquarters…Chuck and Hank pulled up with Cube while a n—a looking like Thanos.”

He continues to paint the picture. “They knew what was about to happen like they had Dracos in their hip line, curating and strategizing AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted.”

Cube also adds his own verse. “My ego’s the cheat code,” he raps. “Think twice before you go beast mode / N—a kill a demon in a hurry / You the G.O.A.T. I make curry / Steph Curry will bury / Them threes like Tom, Dick, and Harry / Leave them colonizers in the cemetery.”

MiLES. — Lost Within The Disco

Atlanta’s MiLES., a 19-year old singer from Quality Control Music/Solid Foundation Management, is unveiling his newest body of work, a 5-song EP titled Lost Within The Disco.

This is a follow-up to the singer’s Life Thru The Lens EP, which came out earlier this year. To go along with the new project, MiLES. also unleashes the “Rick James” music video. The Daniil Demichew directed visual features a cinematic portrait of MiLES. with boxing and motorcycle vignettes.

MiLES. also spoke about the new material in a press release. “Being able to say how you feel honestly, loudly, and proudly to the ones you care about is scary, but it’s really important to me, especially as I’m getting older,” he says.

Watch the “Rick James” video above and listen to the Lost Within The Disco EP below.