Future Goes Mixtape Mode, MC Lyte Reigns Supreme, Meek Mill Pulls Up, And Other Hip-Hop Releases

Preezy Brown and Armon Sadler

Fri, September 20, 2024 at 7:30 PM UTC

8 min read

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Today is Friday, which means there are a ton of new releases to look forward to from some of your favorite Hip-Hop artists. To help you unwind and enjoy the weekend, check out VIBE’s picks of songs and albums you should hear and add to your soundtrack of weekend festivities.

Future – Mixtape Pluto

Future’s Mixtape Pluto, his third project of 2024, was an ambitious endeavor based on the sheer volume of music he has put out this year. It was also an attempt to recapture the sound that catapulted him into stardom. The issue is that it is impossible to replicate something so unconventional and groundbreaking when the music landscape shifted.

What we got here are 17 solo songs, half of which could be deemed passable, but most of them feel uninspired. Tracks like “Ocean” and “Aye Say Gang” stand above the rest, but even those are lackluster when looking at his catalog in totality. The production is middling, his raps are boring, and this felt more like an obligation than a passion project. – Armon Sadler

MC Lyte – 1 of 1

There are legends and then there are monuments of culture, the latter being a distinction applicable to Hip-Hop icon MC Lyte. Approaching her fourth decade of entertaining the masses, the Brooklynite returns with her new album, 1 of 1, a collection that rivals her best work and finds her sounding lyrically spry as ever.

Led by a brief intro and the single “Thank You” featuring Muni Long and Mary Mary, 1 of 1 gets off to a hot start, as Lyte gets in her groove on the early outings “Life & Luxury,” “To RockThe Mic,” and “All Day All Night.”

Those solo offering are admirable in their own right, but prove to only be the tip of the iceberg, as the veteran raptress came with a handful of esteemed guests to join along for the ride. Queen Latifah sits shotgun on the regal “King King,” while Big Daddy Kane, Raheem DeVaughn, and Cheryl “Salt” James appear on the empowering anthem “Woman.”

Ghostface Killah and Lil Mama provide added reinforcement on “Lyte Ghost Lil Mama,” whereas Stevie Wonder and Common help uplift and conjure hope on the inspiring number, “Change Your Ways.”

With a resume above reproach and nothing to prove, MC Lyte’s love for the sport of emceeing and her efforts to use her platform for progression make 1 of 1 a can’t-miss release from one of the culture’s most revered legacy acts. – Preezy Brown

Meek Mill – “Cyber Truck”

Meek Mill’s “Cybertruck” is everything one can love about Meek. Though his yell-like delivery and flex bars don’t change, he continues to find new types of beats to spit them over. This production was menacing, feeling as if it was the score for a film about gang warfare and grand larceny. One can imagine Meek driving to do a stakeout while this record is playing.

He may have become the butt of the joke over the last few years, deservedly for some of his antics, but one thing to never doubt with Meek is his music being solid. He has more than mastered his signature sound and delivers it just enough to where fans can be satisfied, but doesn’t overdo it so that it overstays its welcome. – AS

GloRilla – “Hollon”

GloRilla’s “Hollon” is magnificent. She has found a way to revive early 2000s energy in her music but it hits in 2024. She oozes confidence in her lyrics, gets playful with her lines, and has a real feel for the triumphant production she continually spits on.

“Hollon” has an earworm hook and the backing vocals help to elevate it even further. It is scary that one can see she releases new music and know that it’s going to be really good after the year she had in 2023. She is truly on fire. Those women rapper rankings at the end of 2024 will be very interesting. – AS

Rome Streetz and Daringer featuring ScHoolboy Q – “Sage”

Rome Streetz and Daringer spark up on “Sage,” the second single from the pair’s forthcoming collaborative album Hatton Garden Holdup. Arriving on the heels of their previous release, “Starbvxkz,” “Sage” finds Rome and Daringer’s east coast stylings meshing effortlessly with guest ScHoolboy Q’s Cali cool.

That chemistry results in a spellbinding effort that only heightens the anticipation surrounding Hatton Garden Holdup, which is due at the top of October and will likely yield an additional preliminary cut or two prior to its realese. – PB

4Batz and Lil Baby – “Roll Da Dice”

4Batz & Lil Baby “Roll Da Dice” cover art

4Batz and Lil Baby’s “Roll Da Dice” is a refreshing offering in Baby’s case. He fully gets into his singing bag and it works here in 4Batz’s soundscape. The track is extremely downtempo, veering into the bedroom anthem arena. The hook is simple but memorable, the verses work and the track is fulfilling at just over three minutes.

At first glance, this collab seemed disjointed but after hearing it, they nailed it. Lil Baby has always been good for a slow, emotive type record and it’s nice hearing him in this bag when he’s been pretty silent musically this year. – AS

The Alchemist – The Genuine Articulate

The Alchemist is one of rap’s more understated double threats, as he mainly focuses on allowing his rap friends do the rhyming while he supplies the fire power. Yet, ever so often, he dustes off his trusty rhymepad and catches lyrical wreck of his own, as is the case with The Genuine Articulate, an eight track project that alternates between collaborative efforts and solo fare.

ScHoolboy Q helps commence the ceremonies on “Ferraris in The Rain,” a brilliantly titled cut that finds th boardsman taking the initiaitive before his Hoover counterpart swoops in for the kill. “Scientology” featuring Havoc, and the Conway the Machine-guested “Diego Maradona” also do the tracklist justice, while the closing number, “Seasons Change,” is a cut tailor made for the everyman, ending the EP on a quaint, relatable note. – PB

TiaCorine – “Different Color Stones”

TiaCorine delivered a banger in “Different Color Stones.” Her autotuned vocals sit beautifully on top of the trap drums and hi-hats. Her baby-sounding voice is endearing and the abrasive lyrics present a nice contrast.

She picks the perfect spot to sing, which is the hook. It is something that one can easily imagine hearing in a TikTok or Instagram reel. Tia is very locked into what works for her and has been delivering at a high level for a few years now. “Different Color Stones” may not be a “Freaky T,” but it is definitely up there in her catalog so far. – AS

BEO Lil Kenny and Key Glock – “Whoopty Woop”

Quality Control artist BEO Lil Kenny continues to make his rounds with his latest single, “Whoopty Woop,” as he saunters over a backdrop powered by terse piano keys and persistent 808 drums. Reveling in his street glory and fast-paced lifestyle, BEO Lil Kenny goest from jet-setting to doling out idle threats.

“Fresh up out the jet, ni**ga landed at the Louis store / Pockets like this clip, ni**a, both of ’em on overload” he brags amid nods to his harem of female companions. Accompanied by a guest appearance by fellow Memphis rapper Key Glock, as well as a strip club friendly music video, “Whoopty Woop” is a brooding salvo from BEO Lil Kenny sure to resonate in the clubs and the bricks. – PB

Blu and Exile – Love (the) Ominous World

Blu & Exile is a tandem which never dissapoints. The duo lives up to their penchant for excellence on their latest offering, Love (the) Ominous World, a project that’s billed as their most unique body of work to date.

Beginning with “Hello LA,” the Georgia Anne Muldrow-assisted ode to Hollywood Boulevard and the surrounding City of Angels, the album scores early wins with the standout offerings “Undisputed” and “Suga & Buttaz,” the latter a breezy offering featuring Rae Khalil and Ahmad Anwar.

Predicting the globe’s last days on the titular track, Blu conjures scenes from Revelations, warning, “When the f**king world blow up/ You gon’ see enough stuff to make your girl throw up” atop a frantic track scored by his costar.

Containing additonal guest spots from Aloe Blacc, Kurupt, KXNG Crooked, RBX, Fashawn, Tamara Blue, Cashus King, Pistol McFly, and Nana, Love (the) Ominous World is rounded out by the late highlights “Valley Of Kings” and “Love Is Blu.” Both songs contain pieces of the man that overcame uncertainty to find a new lease on life, personally and creatively. – PB