ON WAX: ARI LENNOX DEBUTS WITH ‘SHEA BUTTER BABY,’ MAXO KREAM DROPS ‘SHE LIVE,’ & THE RETURN OF UGLY GOD

FROM DREAMVILLE: ARI LENNOX RELEASES SHEA BUTTER BABY

Dreamville songstress, Ari Lennox, has dropped her debut album, Shea Butter Baby. The project is a mixture of modern and old school, along with some tracks being soulful and others nice and current with 808s and trap hi-hats. Ari’s ability to transcend genres is definitely one to her advantage. Whether she’ll break into the mainstream, time will tell, but for a debut album, Ari Lennox does not disappoint.

DJ SNAKE FLEXES HARD WITH HIS “ENZO” MUSIC VIDEO

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, DJ Snake dropped a video for his most recent track, “Enzo,” featuring hip-hop titans, Offset, 21 Savage, Gucci Mane, and Sheck Wes. There isn’t too much to say about the track that it doesn’t do for itself. However, it’s definitely rare to see a video that works with the song so well. It knows what it is, and it doesn’t aim to be anything else. It’s flashy and works with Sheck Wes murdering the hook.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE WITH MARY J. BLIGE AND NAS

After announcing a tour together, Mary J. Blige and Nas dropped a track together. “Thriving” is more of a Mary J. track, and that’s not a complaint. While the beat is lacking, it gives room for both artists to do their thing. Hopefully, more music from the two will surface soon.

UGLY GOD IS LOST IN THE SAUCE

Returning after what at first seemed to be a hiatus, but it turned to an early retirement, Ugly God finds his way back. Hip-hop’s number one self-deprecating troll, Ugly God releases “Lost in The Sauce” with calmer video effects, but a message that most fans most likely got behind immediately— considering it seemed as though he wasn’t going to be releasing music anymore. It’s good to see Ugly God back in action.

DA$H DROPS “DON’T ASK ME WHY” MUSIC VIDEO

Live and uncut, Da$H released a music video for his track called “Don’t Ask Me Why.” For those who know of Da$H, it’s refreshing to see him get some light in this current age of hip-hop. For those who aren’t familiar, maybe you’ve heard a certain Playboi Carti song that will jog your memory. Regardless, Da$H stands on his own two as an artist. Now, watch him evolve:

JHENÉ AIKO COMES BACK WITH A “TRIGGERED” FREESTYLE

After a musical absence, Jhené Aiko returns with a freestyle “Triggered.” Jhené riffs over a piano beat that is reminiscent to the production of her early days. The song is heavy, focusing on her emotions of an ex-lover. While the Internet was quick to assume the song was about Big Sean, she cleared it up on Twitter, saying the song is not a diss and the track was just a reflection of what she was feeling at the time. After the song dropped, Jhené posted a photo of her with Sean on Instagram, making us believe all is well between them. Nonetheless, it’s great to hear Jhené do what she does best.

SAUCE GOTTI’S “HOW MANY”

What’s an On Wax without a new Sauce Walka track? Few are as fun to listen to as Sauce Walka, as he keeps it playful with the beat— returning to let us know who the Drip God really is.

SKEPTA SHARES “BULLET FROM A GUN”

What is there not to love about Skepta?! “Bullet From A Gun” literally starts with one of the hardest opening lines:

“Like a bullet from a gun, it burns

When you realize she was never your girl,

 It was just your turn”

The track plays out more like a heartfelt poem, and you’d be a fool not to feel it. Though it can seem short, there is no doubt that you will leave with nothing less than gold.

HEY! IT’S LOGIC…AGAIN…

I feel like I just talked about Logic’s last album. He’s over saturated at this point and it is almost sickening, especially because his quality has dropped since his debut, Under Pressure. I’m not one to hate, but at this point, I think it’s fair to say that Logic needs to chill. With Confessions of a Dangerous Man, we have some of Logic’s worst singing, which seems to be a focus of his lately. We also all know at this point he can rap, and there’s still some decent tracks on the album. “Homicide” with Eminem is pretty alright, and “Mama/Show Love” with YBN Cordae is worth a listen. However, much of the album is just braggadocios crap, which lacks the cleverness of his first project, Bobby Tarantino. At this point, all I can say is I hope Trick Daddy comes out with some heat this year.

DENZEL CURRY DELIVERS WITH “RICKY”

I’m going to come straight out and say that only a few people are going to get Denzel Curry’s “Ricky.” If you aren’t familiar with Curry, then you probably are unaware that the video pays homage to Curry’s older brother, who was gunned down as a result of police violence. Tree was a well-known backyard fighter who fought under the promoter Dada 5000 and eventually would enter the MMA world for a short amount of time. The video is solid, and the lyrics are solid. There isn’t much to say other than Curry delivers per usual– and it seems now that we’re just waiting for Curry to press that button and take over…The Question is: When?

A$AP FERG AND ROCKY CONJURE THEIR INNER DOG FOR “PUPS”

After some time since his last project and a few features, A$AP Ferg has reemerged for “Pups” featuring fellow Mob member, A$AP Rocky. The track has this hard late 1990s/early 2000s gangster style that highlights what separates them from other rappers currently. These two have the ability to adapt and nearly murder any beat they get on. While the track isn’t everything, it gives you something from the group (especially after not hearing from Ferg on his own track in awhile), it’s a good teaser.

MAXO…MAXO ON THE RISE WITH “STILL” 

Moving smoothly on a beat meant for a predator, Maxo Kream makes his mark this year, letting people know that little has changed regardless of his rising fame. Revealing to have recently signed with RCA, it would appear that this Southwest Houston representative is not going anywhere anytime soon.

MAXO KREAM & MEGAN THEE STALLION “SHE LIVE”

Thought the Maxo info was over? Nope! Maxo hops on a lighter beat with Megan Thee Stallion for a flirtatious trap track. Question, though? Where has she been? More importantly, where have I been? Megan flips the track with vibes of Trina, putting listeners on their knees. As a Houston native, in November she became the first female rapper signed to 300 Entertainment. For those who want more, her first album is set for release on the 17th of this month.

SPOTLIGHT ON: BUBBY BANKS

Sometimes you never know what or who you’ll run into, but Long Beach resident, Bubby Banks, is putting in work to be sure his “Ona Dead Homies: The Come Up” doesn’t go to waste. Although, with tracks like “Flex on a Bitch,” it isn’t hard to find yourself still listening to the entire project at first glance. Expected to be dropping a video soon, who knows what is next for this upcoming rapper.

Until next time, it’s On Wax.

-Dyllan E & Hiram