Metro Boomin, YG, Juvenile, And More Hip-Hop

Metro Boomin – ‘A Futuristic Summa’

Metro Boomin took things back to the essence. A Futuristic Summa is as much a celebration of Atlanta’s 2010s era origins as it is a fresh reimagining of the beloved sound.

He understood the assignment, tapping acts like Young Dro, Travis Porter, Roscoe Dash, Skooly, Waka Flocka Flame, Rocko, and more. The freshness comes in the modern ATL stars of today, namely Lil Baby, Future, Quavo, 2 Chainz, and BunnaB.

If you love the A, nostalgia, dancing, and celebrating intergenerational collaborations of epic proportions, this is the project for you. A Futuristic Summa is 24 songs and 78 minutes of pure fun. – Armon Sadler

YG Featuring Leon Thomas – “Lovers Or Friends”

YG taps the white hot Leon Thomas for “Lovers Or Friends,” a frantic, inquisitive anthem where both acts seek clarity on their relationship with a woman.

This is a nice production choice for the Compton rapper, sounding almost Michael Jackson-esque and relying less on having a primary West Coast bounce. This is more soul and pop than rap, and leads to one of YG’s best records in a long time.

As for Thomas, he simply does what he does best, as he cannot miss. YG should consider this pocket more often; it shows a new, more mature side of him. – AS

Juvenile Featuring B.G., Jacquees, Trombone Shorty – “Hot Boy Summer”

Juvenile flips the script on Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hot Girl Summer” with his own sizzling anthem, “Hotboy Summer”—an infectious, feel-good track that marks both a rebirth and a celebration.

Produced by C Smith On The Track and built around a buttery sample of DeBarge’s “I Like It,” the song blends nostalgia with New Orleans flair. With lively features from B.G., Jacquees, and Trombone Shorty, it’s a groove-heavy call to dance floors, car trunks, and block parties alike.

“Hotboy Summer” is the ultimate party anthem!” Juvenile boasted in an accompanying statement.  “B.G., Jacquees, and I had a great time making the record and the video.” 

Currently hitting stages on the Cash Money Records 30th Anniversary Tour, Juvenile sounds revitalized and ready to reclaim his spot. “Hotboy Summer” doesn’t just ride the wave—it creates one, teasing what’s to come on his upcoming Boiling Point album due this fall.

Playful, polished, and packed with bounce, this one’s a certified party-starter that’s tailor-made for the season. – Preezy Brown

Curren$y – ‘7/30’

Curren$y’s 7/30 is another smooth victory lap for the Jet Life captain, blending his signature laid-back bravado with crisp storytelling and rich production.

From the very first bar of “Car Talkin (Intro)” — “It’s a parade in my city/ Just my Chevy’s, just my Benz’s” — he sets a confident tone, tipping his hat to Bun B and asserting his place in the game.

“Tug Of War” explores a love triangle with a level of nuance that feels cinematic, while “When Kush Clouds Rain” is one of the most potent cuts on the project, floating over layered production with sharp focus.

The transition into “355 Spider” is seamless, showing off the album’s meticulous pacing. Standout features from Harry Fraud, Fendi P, Jazzy Shavers, and Eastside Kid add extra polish, and on “Talkin sh*t,” Curren$y makes it plain:

“This industry is a maze, independent is the only way.” 7/30 is a highlight of the week’s releases — a sleek, cohesive reminder that Curren$y’s lane is his alone. – PB

Ghostface Killah – “Rap Kingpin”

Ghostface Killah returns in razor-sharp form on “Rap Kingpin,” the lead single from his long-awaited Supreme Clientele 2.

Built around a flipped sample of Rakim’s “My Melody,” the track is a heavy dose of nostalgia sharpened with modern edge. “The most valuable, bars that’ll clap you / Black British Walkers with diamonds in the tassels”—only Ghost could deliver lines this vivid and unrelenting.

As part of Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It rollout, “Rap Kingpin” feels like a rightful coronation, setting the tone for what promises to be a formidable sequel to a classic. – PB

Gucci Mane – “I Need You”

Thugs need love, too. Gucci Mane’s “I Need You” is a tribute to his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir and how she held it down behind the scenes while he was trapping, in jail, or traveling the world working.

She was there when all they had was cornflakes, and now they choose between steaks. It has been easy for Guwop to navigate all of the obstacles in his life because he had a good woman supporting him.

His emotions ooze through the record, especially in the hook where he opts to croon about his love for Keyshia. This is a welcome pivot for the Atlanta legend. – AS

Kalan.FrFr – “Hadju” 

Kalan.FrFr is one of the most talented love song rappers in this modern era. He easily blends the West Coast bounce with autotune-tinged vocals and rap cadences.

“Hadju” is the latest display of this versatility, where listeners find him yearning for a particular woman with magical loins and how she could keep him from navigating the streets. He informs the woman that he’d buy her roses, please her sexually, and support her.

The extra spice here is the celestial feminine background vocals, which take over toward the end of the record. This is a two-minute, 26-second sprint in all of the best ways. – AS

OT The Real, 38 Spesh – ‘Possession With Intent’

With Possession With Intent, OT The Real sharpens his pen and solidifies his place as one of street rap’s most compelling narrators. Over 38 Spesh’s brooding, cinematic production, OT’s bars cut deep—raw, reflective, and rooted in lived experience.

Tracks like “Never Saw Me,” “Streets Alone,” and “Americans” showcase his storytelling in top form, while standouts like “18 Ball Games” and “Warlock” deliver heavy-hitting moments with heart.

Features from Grafh, Dave East, Flee Lord, and Amir Ali provide added texture to Possession With Intent, but OT’s voice is the one that stays with you. – PB

Shorty Jah – “Free Lil Kam” 

Shorty Jah continued his string of strong releases, and “Free Lil Kam” may arguably be his best. The production feels like a darker, male version of Ice Spice’s “Deli” but more sped up.

His delivery is fluid, constant, and cool. This is a record one has to run back a few times to pick up all of his wordplay, but it is so genuinely pleasing to listen to that you may not even want to dig deep into the actual content.

And then by the time you feel like he is about to really take off, the song is over. “Free Lil Kam” is as much a stream of consciousness as it is a play on psychology.

The linear production and flow tricks the listener into expecting a climax, and then, when it doesn’t come, you simply have to replay it. – AS

Buddah Bless Featuring Bossman Dlow, Big Sean, 2 Chainz – “See The World”

Saweetie – ‘Hella Pressure’

Conway the Machine, Conductor Williams – “Se7enteen5ive”

Ski Mask The Slump Gawd – ‘The Lost Files’

24hrs, MadeinTYO – 24HRS in TOKYO 2′

Juicy J – ‘Head On Swivel’

Yeat – ‘Dangerous Summer’

BabyTron – ‘Luka Troncic 2’

Suicideboys – ‘THY KINGDOM COME’

Desiigner – ‘ii’

FattMack – ‘Untreated Trauma’

Rexx Life Raj – ‘In Rhythm’

wolfacejoey – ‘SummerSongs’

Rucci – ‘Dont Kross Tha Bone’

Homixide Gang – ‘Homixide Lifestyle 2’

Lil Poppa – ‘Almost Normal Again’

Young Chop – ‘King Chop 3’

Montana 700 – ‘The Greatest Of All Traps’

AraabMuzik – ‘Electronic Dream 2’

Skylar Blatt – “Keep It P”

TiaCorine – “Fall In Love”