Lil Wayne, “Do It Again (Mastered)”
StreetRunner does it again. At the rate he’s going, veteran producer StreetRunner needs to drop a mixtape/album featuring his vault of unreleased Lil Wayne records. As some fans will remember, many of these songs (“Cry Out,” “Trouble” and “Lets Talk It Over”) leaked online during the pre- Carter III days. However, as of the past couple of months, StreetRunner has been updating these gems with a mastered, CDQ polish. The latest is “Do It Again,” which rides over delicate drums taps and a sweet, infectious sample from New Birth’s classic of the same name. StreetRunner and Wayne are a match made in music heaven. It’s times like these that a return to Weezy’s The Drought Is Over series is in order. On that note, I’m done here … [steps away from keyboard and scrolls over to The Drought Is Over 2]. —Ralph Bristout
Consequence, “She’s My Apollonia (Prince Tribute)”
So Prince is gone and I’m still personally in denial about it but at the very least we as fan have received some really touching covers and tributes. One of the most recent additions comes from rapper Consequence as an ode to Prince’s Purple Rain co-star Apollonia with “She’s My Apollonia.” Cons is joined on this track by Peter Baldwin with the vibed-out platform being provided by Lee Bannon. Check out this rendition to get your mind right as you search for your own beloved Apollonia. —Lawrence Jackson
Trace, “Low”
High, smooth and beautiful: Three words to describe TRACE’s latest single “Low.” Such an oxymoronic way to describe this song considering the title… I know. But, the steady buildup develops a euphoric, musical high. So, while musically you feel as if you are being rocketed up into the stars by the production, her voice calmly lays you back down on the clouds. Floating and drifting throughout a sea of blue and happiness. Can you see it? Can you feel it? Can you hear it? Check out the song above, and maybe you too will feel that high while listening to “Low.” —Erin Ashley Simon