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Quavo – Quavo Huncho

Image credit: Quality Control/Motown/Capitol

Following Culture II at the top of the year, Migos‘ own Quavo has officially stepped out on his own with his debut solo album Quavo Huncho. The project is packed with 19 songs and features from all of your A-list favorites — Drake, Madonna (definitely need to check out the back story on that one), KiD CuDi, Cardi B, 21 Savage, Lil Baby, (his alleged boo) Saweetie and more. Of course, Offset and Takeoff contribute to their mate’s project as well.

Shy Glizzy – Fully Loaded

Image credit: 300/Glizzy Gang

Following last year’s well-received Quiet Storm, Shy Glizzy returns with his new album titled Fully Loaded (whether or not this is what used to be the long-awaited Ain’t For Everybody or a separate release is yet to be seen). Fully Loaded clocks in at 19 tracks with additional appearances from Rick Ross, Young Thug, (“Do You Understand” cohorts) Gunna and Tory Lanez, Q Da Fool, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Lil Uzi Vert, Smokepurpp and more.

Belly – Immigrant

Image credit: Roc Nation

I’m still vibing to Mumble Rap, but I’m happy that Belly has even more music for the masses today (especially that of the socially and politically-charged variety). Check out the 11-track offering Immigrant, which sees additional appearances from Meek Mill, Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, NAV, Yo Gotti, M.I.A. and more. Check that out below, along with a really dope interview Belly did with Hot 97.

Usher – “A”

Image credit: Brand Usher/RCA

Probably the most surprising big release out of the bunch comes from Usher, who — since the release of the sub-par Hard II Love back in 2016 — has found himself in the headlines for non-musical reasons. Now, he teams up with Zaytoven to deliver “A”, an 8-track project that sees appearances from Gunna and Future, making for a presumably more Trap-style release. The artwork looks to take inspiration from Virgil Abloh‘s now-popular Off-White labeling as well.

Ella Mai – Ella Mai

Image credit: 10 Summers/Interscope

After delivering some dope EPs and shattering records with her smash singles, Ella Mai (finally) drops off her self-titled debut album, which contains 16 tracks and appearances from Chris Brown, H.E.R. and John Legend. Check it out below.

WSTRN – DOU3LE 3AK

Image credit: Atlantic UK

From 3 to 2, WSTRN continue to keep it moving with great music. Today, they deliver a new project titled DOU3LE 3AK, which consists of 14 tracks and sees Haile and Louis Rei alonside the likes of Stefflon Don, Tiwa Savage, Mr Eazi and Skrapz. Stream below, along with a new visual for the Skrapz-assisted cut “Round Here.”

Keith Ape – Born Again

Image credit: 88rising

After blasting his way to the top of urban music with “IT G MA” (along with other notable collabs), Korean rapper Keith Ape finally delivers a new project titled Born Again. The 8-track offering sees additional features from wifisfuneral, Chief Keef and Yung Bans.

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Belly. All photos taken by Miguel Crespo for RESPECT.

At Made In America 2018, rapper and songwriter, Belly, made a huge announcement. During his set on the main stage, the XO/Rocnation artist mentioned his new album, Immigrant, will be releasing on October 12th. He also shared merch and the official cover art which is him as a boy in Jordan. 

Immigrant official album cover.

We got up with Belly and talked about his start in music, meeting The Weeknd and Jay-Z, and his new album, Immigrant.

What is RESPECT to you? What is your definition of RESPECT? 

I think RESPECT is leading your life in a certain way that people have to address you. They have to approach you in a certain way.

What was it like growing up in Canada? What was it about where you lived that inspired you to make music?

The first part of my life, my childhood was in the Middle East. That inspired me a lot. Then I moved to Canada and then the states. That inspired me a whole lot more. I think every piece of my life, every chapter of my life inspired me to want more and do better every single day. Once you hit this type of caliber, everybody is great. If you’re not great, you’re not keeping up.

How did you get your start in the music industry?

I used to write poetry when I was mad young. When I first learned how to speak English, the first thing I started to do was rhyme words and piece sh*t together. I used to listen to Ready To Die by B.I.G.. That was my blueprint. From there I started writing raps, you know?

You’re one of the best lyricist out today. How do you feel about the current state of Hip Hop? 

Thank you, man. Thank you for saying that. A lot of people overlook the fact that I could eat their favorite rapper so I appreciate you for that. But to answer the question, I don’t really look at that. As long as I sit down and craft my sh*t the way I’m supposed to. That’s what the market needs. It’s needs a bunch of different sh*t. There’s cheap wine and there’s expensive wine. The sh*t you can’t get in the stores. That’s the type of sh*t I like to have. I don’t care about that cheap wine out there. I’m trying to make that exclusive grape.

What’s your relationship like with The Weeknd and Jay Z? How did you meet them?

Me and Abel have known each other damn near 10 years now. It’s been a long time. It started as a friendship and became a working relationship. Now it’s still a great friendship and a brotherhood. I think with Jay Z, he heard my sh*t and signed me to the ROC based off one project. So idk, man. I feel like that was just the stars aligning for somebody like Jay to hear my sh*t and sign me, you know?

You just announced your new project, Immigrant. Is there any info you can give us? Upcoming singles or any artists you might’ve worked with?

Of course I got my brother Nav and my brother Abel on the album. Other than that I think it’s more like a diary, bro. It’s a diary of my life. It’s the most venerable I’ve ever been on any album. It means the most to me than anything I’ve ever put out. I purposely cut songs off that I felt didn’t relate to the album. To me, even if it was a hit and everybody felt like it was, it didn’t matter. If it doesn’t match the theme of this, this Immigrant sh*t, I don’t want it in my album. We can figure it out. We can put it somewhere down the line.

Who would you like to work with in the future? Artists or producers.

I think Swizz Beatz. Swizz Beatz is dope as fu*k. Swae Lee, my XO brothers 88Glam. We’re overdue. That’s about it right now.

It’s been a big year for you and it’s about to get bigger when the album releases. What’s next for you and what can we look forward to in the future? 

I think we got to take it one day at a time, bro. I love to make music, I love to write music. I make music for a lot of people. I write for a lot of people. I think it’s a blessing in disguise to float around making music living my best life, man.

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Image credit: XO/Roc Nation

UPDATE: New visual for the track added below.

XO’s Belly continues to hit hard with back-to-back releases. For his latest, he teams up with The Weeknd for the melodic, infectious single “What You Want.” The track is said to be taken from Belly’s forthcoming project The Midnight Zone.

Enjoy “What You Want” — produced by The ANMLS, Cirkut and NAV — below.

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Enjoy “Maintain” above and pick up the single here. The track may or may not be taken from the forthcoming album Midnight Zone.

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Just two weeks after he released his YG-assisted track “4 Days,” Belly has returned to our pages with a new record called “Maintain.”

For this song, the Canadian artist joined forces with his XO labelmate — and Perfect Timing artist NAV, who raps about the perks that come with success over a hazy beat, with lines like:

“Stackin’ up, countin’ my blessings
Wedding bands ain’t got no wedding
I just spent a cool 60 on my wristwear
Man, I want 10 plain Janes, wanna be like Ric Flair
My blood diamonds cost me blood and sweat and tears
Now my mind and all my stones are crystal clear…”

The song is a representation of overcoming hardship and celebrating the good times.

You can listen to the song now on Apple Music/iTunes, Spotify (below) or via YouTube.

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