Need another update to your playlist? Once again, you came to the right place. Welcome to the third week of New Music Fridays (on Tuesday) with Dylan. This week, it was all about hip-hop and rap music. We received some new music from a wide variety of rappers, including Lil Peep featuring XXXTENTACION, French Montana featuring Drake and Lil Uzi Vert. Now that those names have you locked in, let’s get to it.
“Falling Down” by Lil Peep and XXXTENTACION (iTunes, Spotify)
“Falling Down” is basically a remix of the song “Sunlight On Your Skin” by Lil Peep and iLoveMakonnen. This version, which features vocals from XXXTENTACION instead of iLoveMakonnen, was made after Lil Peep’s death. At first, Peeps’ team was against the idea of X hopping on the track. They felt X was trying to make money by using Peeps death for attention and sales. However, after X passed away earlier this summer, both Peep and X’s team agreed to release the track in honor of the artists. “Falling Down” was finalized just days before X’s death.
The near four-minute track, from Peeps perspective, is about a relationship in which one person in the relationship feels better when the other person isn’t around. “Sunlight on your skin when I’m not around.” Peep expresses in the first verse. X then later comes in with an interlude dedicated specifically to his friend Peep, who died in November of 2017, “His name will live, brother.” X’s interlude basically expresses his personal opinion that people don’t really care about you until you’re gone, like he felt they did with Lil Peep.
Throughout my first listen, I was very impressed. I never really had listened to Lil Peep, so I was not exactly sure what to expect from him. Said to be a rapper/hip-hop artist, I definitely got more of a rock/alternative vibe from Peep. He provided his audience with more of a rockstar voice guitar instrumental in the background. I could definitely feel the emotion he put into this song before he passed, from both his voice and instrumentals.
I was always somewhat of a fan of XXXTENTACION, so I had an idea of what type of vibe to expect from him. X provided his usual soothing yet impactful vocals, both which add to the song perfectly. His featured interlude was very respectful. Previously stated, he honors his friend Peep, who sadly passed about a year before X himself did.
All in all, I really enjoy the track. It is enjoyable, yet meaningful at the same time, especially because of X’s emotional verse. The raw lyrics make you think to realize that you need to appreciate the people around you, before it’s too late.
Statistically, I do not see this song becoming a hit. I feel it was simply released by both Peep and X’s team in honor of both of these artists and their legacy and also for fan enjoyment.
“Falling Down” debuted at No. 4 on the iTunes Worldwide chart and No. 12 on the Spotify Global Top 200. Play or Nay: Play
“No Stylist” by French Montana and Drake (iTunes, Spotify)
“No Stylist” is a collaboration between rappers French Montana and Drake. Montana and Drake dropped their first collaboration in 2016 with their smash “No Shopping,” which peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Their new collaboration was released as a single on Friday as part of Montana’s new EP No Stylist. The EP only includes two other tracks, but according to rumors, we can expect more new music from Montana later this year.
Montana has definitely had a quiet year so far. He has not seen any major success since the summer of 2017 with his Swae Lee featured track “Unforgettable” which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has over 500 million streams on Spotify. Montana has failed to see any major success since then, even after putting out a full album and being featured on several tracks with other artists such as Ty Dolla $ign and Tinashe.
On the other hand, Drake has had a very good year. Drizzy dropped his album Scorpion in early June, which gave him three smash hits. “God’s Plan,” “Nice for What?,” and “In My Feelings” all reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. “In My Feelings” even went on to receive the title of the Song of the Summer.
The three minute track consists of a short introduction from Montana and Kodak Black, a chorus and verse sung by Montana, then followed by a verse from Drake.
Right from the beginning, I was not very impressed. The introduction sounds the same as any other rap song these days and the chorus is basically Montana bragging about all the name brand items he owns and how much money he has. I am not a fan of French Montana, and Drake is a hit or miss artist. French Montana’s autotune is overly obnoxious, making it hard to understand what exactly he is saying. Drake’s verse was decent; too short, and definitely not well thought out. Definitely not the Drake that fans are use to.
My opinion aside, this track has potential to become a hit on urban radio simply because Drake is on it, and he is extremely popular right now. However, I do not see it performing well on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart unless the general public becomes attracted to it and decides to buy and stream it. This is definitely a track that will take time to gain exposure.
“No Stylist” debuted at No. 53 on the iTunes Worldwide chart and No. 27 on the Spotify Global Top 200. Play or Nay: Nay
“New Patek” by Lil Uzi Vert (iTunes, Spotify)
Uzi has returned to the rap game with his new single “New Patek”, which is the official lead single to his upcoming album Eternal Atake, expected to drop later this year. Lil Uzi has already made his mark in the industry with hits like “The Way Life Goes,” “XO TOUR LIFE,” and “Money Longer.” Uzi is well known for his choppy yet catchy lyrics, and uplifting beats.
The near six minute track proves Uzi to be the ultimate rapper. Uzi gifted fans with not one, not two, not three, but four different verses throughout the track! Not to mention a very catchy chorus that will have fans listening to this song on the daily.
Uzi has officially given us another banger. The beat is extremely catchy as well as the lyrics. The lyrics are far from repetitive, and even with all the auto tune, you can still understand what he is saying.
I definitely see potential with this track, especially on urban radio. Even though it is a lengthy track, with a little radio edit, this song will definitely tear up the airwaves.
“New Patek” debuted at No. 3 on the iTunes Worldwide chart, and No. 26 on the Spotify Global Top 200. Play or Nay: Play
Once again, it was a pretty solid week for new music, especially for hip-hop lovers. Fans were gifted with new music from Lil Peep featuring XXXTENTACION, French Montana featuring Drake, and Lil Uzi Vert. Hip-hop music tends to be one of those genres where songs tend to either be a massive hit, or a complete flop. My opinions aside, I do see future success for all three of these tracks, and I look forward to seeing how well they perform.
I’m Dylan Jahnke, and this is my second year with 42Fifty, which I first joined as a staff member. I am a senior at Oswego High School, and I plan to study mass communications/music management in college. I hope to one day have my own radio talk show or get into artist management. If I’m not writing or editing for 42Fifty, I’m either working at Culver’s, hanging out with friends and family, or doing homework. I am humbled to say I began my 42Fifty career my junior year as a staff writer, then Arts & Entertainment editor first semester of my senior year and now Editor-in-Chief.
