Friday Heat: Raye, Yeat, Snoop Dogg and Rick Ross

RAYE (Photo credit: Aliyah Otchere)

By: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre

This week’s Friday Heat brings a strong mix of soulful expression, street energy, and genre-bending creativity across both albums and singles. Raye sets the tone with THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE, delivering a project rooted in vulnerability and musical depth. Elmiene follows with sounds for someone, offering a smooth, introspective listen that leans into feeling and storytelling. Yeat keeps his momentum going with ADL, packed with his signature sound and high-energy production, while Fetty Wap returns with Zavier, bringing a familiar voice back into the conversation.

On the singles side, there’s range and presence across the board. Snoop Dogg slides through with “Stop Counting My Poccets,” keeping it direct and unapologetic. Rick Ross, French Montana, and Max B connect on “Minks In Miami,” delivering luxury talk over polished production. Tank And The Bangas team up with Lucky Daye for “Move,” blending soul, funk, and rhythm in a way that feels refreshing.

Jenevieve continues to carve her lane with “Waiting Room,” while aja monet links with Meshell Ndegeocello and Georgia Anne Muldrow for a layered, poetic offering on “elsewhere.” Momo Boyd brings a lighter touch with “She’s a Sweetheart,” and KAIRO adds a melodic presence with “HALO.”

Closing things out, Desiigner taps back in with “Relax,” Trevor Jackson delivers emotion on “Bleed Next To A Shark,” and Zoe Osama keeps it raw with “BITCH PLZ.” This week’s lineup reflects how wide the sound is right now, with each artist bringing something distinct to the table.

Albums

Raye – THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE


ELMIENE – sounds for someone


YEAT – ADL

Fetty Wap – Zavier

Singles

Snoop Dogg – “Stop Counting My Poccets”

Rick Ross, French Montana, Max B – “Minks In Miami”

Tank And The Bangas – “Move” ft. Lucky Daye

Momo Boyd – “She’s a Sweetheart”

Jenevieve – “Waiting Room” (feat. Jordan Ward)

aja monet – “elsewhere” (feat. Meshell Ndegeocello & Georgia Anne Muldrow)

KAIRO – “HALO”

Desiigner – “Relax”

Trevor Jackson – “Bleed Next To A Shark”

Zoe Osama – “BITCH PLZ

Kendrick Lamar Dominates 2024 With Surprise Album ‘GNX’

Credit; Dave Free

By: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre

Kendrick Lamar has put an exclamation mark on his domination of 2024 with the surprise release of his latest album “GNX.” This release emerges as a seismic cultural moment, quickly becoming the talk of the internet. Inspired by the Buick Grand National he leans on in the cover art, Lamar embraces his “villain era” with unwavering confidence.

The album opener “wacced out murals” sets the tone with production that feels like a stripped-down, bass-driven reimagining of Whodini’s classic “Friends.” Lamar embraces the darker side of that memorable hit and weaponizes the track while highlighting haters, betrayal and self-preservation. “It used to be fuck that nigga, but now it’s plural, fuck everybody,” he raps, sparing no one. He even has a words for Snoop Dogg, whom he called out for sharing Drake’s AI-generated diss track “Taylor Made” during the height of the Drake vs. Kendrick battle.

One of the standout tracks, “reincarnated,” showcases Lamar’s strength as an artist. He demonstrates his keen ability to blend storytelling and introspection. Lyrically, he takes listeners on a journey through three lives experiencing reincarnation. The track is reminiscent of 2Pac’s “All Eyez on Me.” In the first two verses, he adopts Tupac’s cadence before closing the song with his distinctive delivery. The track is layered, as the three people described are reincarnated into different lives, while Lamar’s masterful delivery suggesting that he is the reincarnation of Tupac.

The production across “GNX” captures a minimalist, bass-heavy sound of L.A. and provides space for Lamar’s verses. This is most evident on “tv off,” produced by DJ Mustard and reminiscent of 2024’s culturally relevant anthem “Not Like US.”

The album features Mexican singer Deyra Barrera and rappers, Peyso, AzChike, Dody 6, Hitta J3, Peysoh, Siete, Wallie The Sensei and Young Threat. SZA joined her former TDE labelmate on “Luther” and “Gloria.” SZA’s performance on “Gloria” is hypnotic, her voice floating with ease through the verses before building into a luxuriant guitar solo.

Another standout track, “man at the garden,” evokes the haunting tension of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” along with “One Mic” by Nas and delivers an introspective Lamar. He examines his worthiness, boldly stating “I deserve it all” when discussing his accolades, accomplishments and the work behind them.

“GNX” is a statement during a year when Lamar made it his mission to fully separate himself from his peers. He delivers his honesty with a boldness that compels listeners to dig deeper into their own identity.