The Hot Music Friday right after 4/20 — let’s keep it buttery since (we’re hoping) some of you are still blazed. Our picks this week are curated to help you take it easy, but not too easy. The weekend’s here, so make sure you keep the fire burning.
With fresh picks from IDK, Cherise, Doja Cat and many more, we wish you a happy 4/21!
Hot Music Friday – April 21, 2023
“Mr. Police” – IDK
As British American rapper IDK gears up for the release of his fourth studio record, he’s given us a taste of what awaits on the other side. F65 drops on May 5, but in the meantime, peep his insightful new single, “Mr. Police.”
Not to give too much away, the following statement from IDK shared at the end of the video below will give you an idea of what the new track is about: “We want to create awareness in order to prompt dialogue and potentially change the narrative around law enforcement misconduct. Not all police officers are bad. This is to shine a light on the ones that are.”
“Elixir” – Cherise
The less we say about Cherise, the better. You’ll have to trust us on this one because you’re going to feel like a million bucks once you listen to this. All you need to know is that her debut record, Calling, is dropping in early July and we have every reason to believe it’s going to be whimsical. After all, we have the same intel as you. Check out her singles, but make sure you begin with her latest. We promise it will not disappoint.
“Tulips & Roses” – G-Eazy
He’s back … not from the dead, but back in his element. “Something in my spirit woke back up,” raps the Bay Area native, and it’s clear from the beginning of the track what exactly he means. Just a fuzzy, beat-heavy instrumental with classic bars, this joint is a throwback to the mixtape G-Eazy. Spark one for our guy this Hot Music Friday.
“Kill Bill (Remix)” – SZA (feat. Doja Cat)
Remember when the cyberspace made the mistake of questioning whether Doja Cat could rap or not? Well, it’s starting to look like she took the criticism to heart, but the good news is we only benefit from it. If you have any doubts about her abilities as an MC, just listen to her go off on the new remix of SZA’s “Kill Bill.” In other news, she also recently announced a project with legendary beatmaker the Alchemist, so her spitting era is most likely far from over and this is probably not the last you hear of her on Hot Music Friday.
“TAKE A CHANCE” – DOMi & JD BECK (feat. Anderson .Paak)
French American jazz duo DOMi & JD BECK should be on your radar if you appreciate virtuosity. This collaboration with fellow instrumentalist Anderson .Paak is just one example of their brilliance, and we highly recommend you peep the rest of their material. The pair is all set to play their second set at Coachella today, so if you happen to be in Southern California with some time on your hands, head over to the Mojave stage in Indio.
“Tequila” – Los Bitchos
Here’s another pick for fans of instrumental music. This UK group consists of four women who can pretty much do it all — from Cumbia to Latin rock, Los Bitchos has no boundaries. High energy and exceptional skill intersect here, and we’re proud to send this incredible force your way.
“Interstellar” – TroyBoi (feat. Hucci)
We chose this one specifically for the Hot Music Friday following 4/20. Wavy and hypnotic, this cut by British producer TroyBoi will help you relax while setting you up to turn up again a little later. Not everyone can accomplish that on the same track, which is precisely what makes it special.
playing w/ fire – redveil
One of the most audacious young artists in the game right now, redviel has made a name for himself by pushing the limits and getting it right on every attempt. The Maryland rapper and producer is only 19 and already has three incredible studio albums to his credit. It’s now time to add another fantastic body of work to his catalog.
Horse – Prof
Minneapolis rapper, singer and producer Prof has been at it for a while, yet his product has never lost its density. On his eighth LP, Prof delivers a 14-piece knockout with features from Redman, Kevin Gates and Method Man, among others. With hard-hitting bars and smooth melodies, this is definitely a tracklist you could get lit to.
Invisibility Cloak – Goopsteppa
Canadian producer Goopsteppa has been making waves over the past decade. He is now back with a six-part studio release titled Invisibility Cloak and it maintains the high standard he has set for himself over recent years. He has delivered every time, so there’s nothing much left for us to ask for. He makes it so easy to be a fan!
