PXXR GVNG – OGs
PXXR GVNG are a bit like an edgier Spanish One Direction or a really well-behaved Iberian Odd Future. They are hawking a brand of “Spanish trap” that isn’t a world away from Yung Lean’s sad-lad shtick. They wear bucket hats, smoke weed in their videos, use pitched-up vocals and aren’t scared of discussing the more romantic end of things (their Soundcloud avatar is of a kitten and a puppy embracing). The group are from Madrid and Granada in Spain, while their producer Steve Lean is from Barcelona where the group are based, he provides the bass-filled backdrop over which the group’s MCs – Yung Beef, Khaled and D Gómez – flow. They’re playing Sonar festival on 20 June, and apparently Waka Flocka Flame is a fan. Lex Luger (not the wrestler) might be producing for them in the future. The language barrier, which often stops non-English speaking rap groups from crossing over, will probably mean they’ll remain a Spanish concern, but that insular connection with one country isn’t necessarily a bad thing – just look at French hip-hop in the 90s.
Rome Fortune – Leaders
Rome Fortune wants you to talk to him. Well, text him. He’s got a new eponymous app where you can send him instant messages and get replies. As well as growing his interest in fan interaction, the Atlanta rapper has also made pals with Four Tet. The producer, otherwise known as Kieran Hebden, provided beats for Rome Fortune’s last album and they worked on Leaders together, creating a sound closer to the boom-bap/DJ Shadow-style beat-making Four Tet was originally known for. It’d be interesting to see what they could do over the course of a whole album or mixtape, as Four Tet’s more cerebral take on hip-hop production adds an edge to Rome Fortune’s sculpted verses.
A$AP Ferg – Water
Nothing says modern rapper more than a collaboration with a fashion designer. In his hook up with Danish menswear boss Astrid Andersen, entitled Water, A$AP Ferg created a Wu-Tang-esque martial arts fight scene in a wood. Andersen told the New York Times: “When this opportunity presented itself, we looked to Missy Elliott’s videos for inspiration. She was never about doing what was cool. She would create her own universe and ultimately create ‘cool’.” The track itself sounds like a ballroom track with a four-to-the-floor beat and Ferg flowing like ballroom MC Jay Karan. Whether or not it created cool, or merely tried to steal a bit of Missy’s inherent aceness, is up for debate.
Young Thug – Paradise
After the release of his Lil Wayne baiting/appreciating album Barter 6, the king of rap croon is back with a “leaked” single. Paradise is a love song of sorts with Allen Ritter – who produced Kanye West’s All Day – providing a skittish, synth backing while Thugger raps about getting married and, well, anilingus. There’s not a lot else you can say after that really.
Raury – Devil’s Whisper
Easily the most contentious inclusion in XXL’s always controversial Freshman edition was Raury. He isn’t even a rapper, the internet scoffed. You can see why people were annoyed: Raury doesn’t sound like a rapper on this new single. It could be a Mumford and Son’s song for the first couple of minutes until the 19-year-old drops a verse with less than a minute left. But he’s been singled out by some as a singular talent, who traverses genres (Devil’s Whisper has a house-style breakdown), has a hint of Andre 3000’s sartorial flair and isn’t really one thing or the other. He’s recruiting what he calls a band of “indigo children” to his movement, and in a genre that’s dominated by so many from-the-mould soundalikes he’s someone worth talking about.
