Charli XCX’s Substack, a possible Choker resurgence, and new Jean Dawson music.
This week belongs to one person and one person only: Max B.
Other contenders include Charli XCX for launching a Substack, Choker for showing a sign of life, and Summer Walker for serving up a Grade A album rollout like it was second nature.
Charli XCX Launches Substack
The Letterboxd aficionado is adding another platform to her pillars of influence over the zeitgeist And what better way for her to kick it off with a 1,500-word essay entitled “Running on the spot in a dream.” None.
Tyler, the Creator’s Fortnite Outfit
Fortnite isn’t my forte, but Fortnite fashion surely is – or can be. Tyler, the Creator’s long-awaited Fortnite Skin is here, which includes two outfits. One of which is his current signature, his CHROMAOKOPIA green suit, and the other pays homage to what still holds true as one of his most iconic moments, so many years later, his Odd Future Cinnamon Waffles cooking show episode. The Fortnite skin features the rapper wearing a GOLF box label shirt with a big waffle with butter graphic on the backside.
After a Class Act Rollout, Summer Walker Is Finally Over It
Summer Walker smartly curated a whole world for Still Over It in such a short period of time. As the album rollout continues to take on a life of its own (an imminent awards show category, anyone?), the R&B songstress made a masterclass of a rollout look effortless. It all started with a soft launch of her relationship with an older man, which eventually turned into a wedding photo on the album’s cover reveal later down the line. Walker cleverly detailed more about the project in a lie detector test, revealed the features formatted as a wedding seating chart, and casually dropped the tracklist as shared tea between two workers at the wedding. She also closed out with a Pac-Man-inspired video game dubbed “No Whac-Man,” in which you are the bride who is constantly running away from “whack men.” No notes.
Wale’s Nike Air Max Goadome Ad
On a similar note, Wale got creative with his feature reveal for his everything is a lot album. A few days before the album drop, he tapped Smino to lead a new Nike visual that revealed his Friends and Family, everything is a lot-inspired Nike Air Max Goadome sneakers. As Smi boxes up the sleek, scaled sneakers to ship out, he tapes the names of the album’s featured artists on the tops of the shoe boxes. Leon Thomas, Shaboozey, Ty Dolla $ign, Odeal, and BNYX should all be receiving a pair shortly.
New Release: Jean Dawson – Rock a Bye Baby, Glimmer of God
Ghetto pop’s Prince presents what he calls “the end of the story,” closing out the trilogy of Pixel Bath, and CHAOS NOW* on a particularly well-penned note.
Is Choker Coming Back?
I never thought I’d be writing this one, as I’d kind of figured our Choker days were over permanently. A six-plus hiatus might indicate as such. However, in a subtle move this week, the elusive artist hinted at a potential comeback. Per Pigeons and Planes, fans began receiving “mysterious postcards from the artist with short, cryptic poems, a message at the bottom,” with a link to the website and “Ghosts disappear when you let them.” The homepage includes five dated cassette tapes and a cassette player in the middle. Four of the tapes play conversation and raw background noise when played, but one of the five is password-protected. No one has cracked it. Yet…
Jim Legxacy x dexter in the newsagent Shut Down New York City’s SOBS
Jim Legxacy selling out two nights at SOBS was pretty iconic, period. His doing it for the first time ever stepping foot in the U.S., is another level. He also brought along first-time visitor dexter in the newsagent for the second night. The only thing missing here was me.
New Release: Feardorian x osquinn – Before You Press Play
This duo – both independently and as a unit – is one of the most consistent in the current underground climate right now.
Killer Mike Co-Signs Kenny Mason
Kenny Mason has been a quiet force in the contemporary rap space for a while, maintaining a somewhat IYKYK status despite his A-list features and co-signs. He’s adding another one to his belt – that got clipped tenfold on Instagram, so maybe it’ll actually do something? Killer Mike. On his recent podcast episode with Big Boi, he named Mason as one of his current favorites, comparing him to Outkast. “Kenny reminds me of a young Outkast,” he said. “He can get up there and do one of the flyest raps ever, and then do a cover of Nirvana.”
New Release: Charli XCX – “Chains of Love” / “House” ft. John Cale
RIP Emily Brontë. You would’ve loved Charli XCX.
Max B’s Triumphant Return
Talk about a victory lap. The Harlem legend was released from prison after 18 years on Saturday, and spent his first day out the only way he knew how to: by spinning the entire block. He hit the Jets Game and saw Method Man (and they won…), linked up with French Montana (and even started making music already), and closed out with a performance at one of his favorite Manhattan clubs, the Harbor. He also revealed he wants to work with Cash Cobain.
reggie Announces Debut Album and Signs with RCA
Debut albums from monte booker and reggie – our two favorite lowercased, lower-key legends. Both behind-the-scenes pioneers in shaping the underground lo-fi hip-hop ether, Reggie is following suit on monte’s recent debut album, announcing his first solo studio project is in the pipeline. Entitled UNDRA – named after the musician’s middle name, a unique spelling of “André” – the LP is confirmed to drop on January 23. The announcement of the project also coincides with reggie’s signing to RCA Records, aka the alma mater of SZA, Steve Lacy and Dev Hynes. While we still have a few months to wait, it’s more than enough time to get yourself reacquainted before his major label debut.
Ken Carson’s Hot Streak Continues
Is Ken Carson okay? It’s rare we get a casual single from the Opium rapper, who typically tends to drop based on a project basis. Well, the last three weeks, we’ve been graced with three consecutive high-octane one-off tracks from Carson. Not complaining, just surprised.
New Release: Navy Blue – The Sword & The Soaring
Skater Sage Elsesser’s sonic alias takes a soulful shift on the almost fully solo new LP, elevated with one feature: Earl.
New Release: FKA twigs – EUSEXUA Afterglow
Reaffirming just how snubbed its predecessor was in this year’s Grammy cycle…