Last Week in Music: 4/13-4/17
- Apr 19, 2020
- 3 min read
Last week brought us the best music of the month (so far) with releases from Playboi Carti, Kid Cudi, Westside Gunn, DaBaby, Lucki, 21 Savage & Summer Walker, Kehlani, DVSN, YFN Lucci, and more.
We compiled our five favorite releases and added your takes, too. Keep up with the Burbs Instagram to vote each week. While you're at it, cop yourself a cozy Burbs hoodie.
Let's talk some music:
#5 - BLAME IT ON BABY by DaBaby
His third studio album in the past year, BLAME IT ON BABY further proves that DaBaby has no ambitions of switching up his style or trying anything outside of his sonic comfort zone.
I’m sure you’re familiar with the old adage- “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Once DaBaby found his sauce on last year’s Baby on Baby, he took it and ran with it. It was pretty smart on his end; his once-unique flow and charisma helped him become one of the most in-demand artists on the planet. 2019 was the year of DaBaby; there’s no denying that.
Here we are in 2020 - a year and some change removed from his debut album, yet he is still stretching out the mileage of the style that made him a star. BLAME IT ON BABY is a migraine-inducing snoozefest, with the majority of the highlights coming from his features - Future, Roddy Ricch, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, and Quavo, to name a few.
After last fall’s KIRK, BLAME IT ON BABY is the second strike for DaBaby. If he misses again, he’s bound to fall off just as fast as he blew up.
Our advice? He should take more than six months to work on a project. Not many people are sitting around praying for a new DaBaby album.
Fan Rating: 2/5
Burbs Rating: 2.5/5
#4 - “@ MEH” by Playboi Carti
After an incredible amount of build-up, Carti finally released a lead single that was met with a tepid response from both fans and haters. Not to mention, it incited a field day for his frenemy Lil Uzi Vert.
“@ MEH” is carried by a bouncy, futuristic beat produced by Jetsonmade, Deskhop, and Neeko Baby. While certainly unique, the beat was distracting at times and ended up turning into meme fuel for disappointed listeners.
However, most fans (myself included) still have hope for Carti's forthcoming project, whether or not it is still titled Whole Lotta Red. Thanks to DaBaby, “@ MEH” avoided being the biggest flop of the week.
Fan Rating: 3/5
Burbs Rating: 3/5
#3 - “Faith” by Lucki
Windy City legend Lucki saved the world yet again with another hot single to help us get through quarantine.
After dropping “Role Play” last month, the Yung Icey-produced “Faith” marks the second Lucki single we’ve received during lockdown. Lucki tweeted that he will be dropping a new EP next month, so these are likely the two lead singles.
In typical fashion, Lucki did not miss on this one. His forthcoming EP will be a project to keep an eye on next month; stay tuned to Burbs for coverage.
Fan Rating: 4.5/5
Burbs Rating: 4/5
#2 - “Leader of the Delinquents” by Kid Cudi
Beloved “Leader of the Delinquents” Kid Cudi returned out of nowhere with his first solo release in two years.
Apparently, this track dates all the way back to 2012, which is evident in its rap-heavy, early-Cudi style opposed to his melodic, genre-ambiguous approach we’ve grown accustomed to from recent projects like Passion, Pain, and Demon Slayin’ and Kids See Ghosts.
“Leader of the Delinquents” is produced by Dot Da Genius and Woodro Skillson. It is also a single off of Cudder’s forthcoming album Entergalactic, which he recently confirmed will be releasing summer 2021.
Fan Rating: 4/5
Burbs Rating: 4/5
#1 - Pray for Paris by Westside Gunn
One of 2020’s best hip-hop albums thus far came from Griselda star Westside Gunn and his stellar squad of collaborators.
The cover art, which looks like it belongs in an art museum, was designed by none other than Virgil Abloh. High fashion is a consistent theme throughout Pray for Paris, playing into the album’s title. The features on this album are excellent - Tyler, The Creator, Joey Badass, Freddie Gibbs, Wale, Roc Marciano, and of course, labelmates BENNY THE BUTCHER, Conway the Machine, and Boldy James.
The production on Pray for Paris is the best of any album in recent memory, with contributions from The Alchemist, Daringer, DJ Premier, Jay Versace, Tyler, The Creator, and Camoflauge Monk. The Alchemist really outdid himself on “$500 Ounces”, crafting one of the smoothest beats I’ve heard in years. But, I think we all already knew that Griselda and Alc can do no wrong together.
Pray for Paris is a prime frontrunner for hip-hop album of the year. Not to mention, this album dropped shortly after WSG won his battle with coronavirus.
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