The weather is finally improving, the yeehaw agenda is in full effect and your favourites have re-emerged from their caves to begin flooding the summer with bangers, slappers and whatever else the kids are saying these days. It is almost as if the warmer it gets, the more “Old Town Road” remixes bless our ears. And if you don’t get that reference, you have probably been living in a literal cave.
Ditch your boring, mainstream Spotify playlists and impress all of your aux cord-hogging friends with all the hot tracks you found on Sidewalk Hustle. Just give us our credit (and follow us on Instagram) and we can call it even. Take a listen to the hottest new tracks of April 2019 below and revisit last month’s feature here.
Lil Nas X – “Old Town Road” Remix (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus)
This might be one of the most controversial songs ever created. Either you hate it or you love it – but you can’t deny that “Old Town Road” has ruffled the feathers of rap and country purists alike. Billboard’s decision to remove the original version from its Country chart sparked newfound energy (referred to as the #yeehawagenda) in the rap world and the Billy Ray Cyrus remix only solidified Lil Nas X’s position as an upcoming genre-bending star. Run this one back one more time for the culture.
Boy Pape x Hudson Alexander – “Lost”
These Toronto-based artists have impressed fans and critics alike with their debut offering and this is clearly the standout track from that project. Hudson Alexander is no stranger to Sidewalk Hustle listeners and Boy Pape is a familiar face as he previously went by the artist name Brick. The two make a deadly combo when it comes to the melodies and Pape’s time spent on Justin Timberlake’s Man of the Woods tour has only thickened the plot for his musical narratives.
Shay Lia – “Dangerous”
Montreal singer Shay Lia has been on our radar for a minute so it was good to hear that she is finally dropping all that music she has been keeping in the vault. Collaborations with Kaytranada, STWO and BADBADNOTGOOD originally introduced us to her voice but her debut EP is on the horizon and we couldn’t be more excited.
The Boyboy West Coast – “U Was At The Club”
This might be one of the best songs ever created but the release for it has been an absolute mess. The viral snippet that put Boyboy West Coast on the map created an immense hype behind the single but the lengthy delay and then release of a remix with RamRiddlz (and it subsequently being removed and replaced with this version) have killed all the love for this cute rap-pop offering.
DijahSB – “Time’s Up!”
We recently premiered this video from rising Toronto rapper DijahSB but we wanted to make sure you got another chance to get a feel for Dijah’s bars. After all, it is #DIJSEASON. She just released a full-length project titled Rap Til I’m Rich and she’s following up her April releases with a May full of music videos to match. Look out for her at Canadian Music Week, Riverfest Elora and more this summer.
Nue – “4AM”
We interviewed Nue back in 2018 after he got off a Canada-wide tour with labelmate Fetty Wap and now the Scarborough artist has returned with his first single of the year, “4AM.” The Dnny Phntm-produced single is a new development of Nue’s wavy, melodic trap sound and a refreshing alternative to the slew of Kenny Beats-inspired distorted 808s that are flooding rap music. Look out for a new project from Nue in the near future.
Schoolboy Q – “Water” (feat. Lil Baby)
Schoolboy Q was on the cover of our last HOTTEST OUT feature because of his fire single “Numb Numb Juice” and now his highly anticipated CrasH Talk album is finally here. This track featuring rising Atlanta star Lil Baby is a fantastic offering from both artists – Lil Baby flexes about the water in his expensive watch and Schoolboy reminisces on the products of street life that used to occupy his time. This one is catchy.
Lil Uzi Vert – “Sanguine Paradise”
Lil Uzi Vert has certainly been going through it. Label drama and conflicts with his managers have caused huge delays for his highly anticipated project Eternal Atake but Jay Z and Roc Nation have negotiated a new management deal for the Philly rapper and the future is looking bright. This track is one of two tracks quietly uploaded to streaming services earlier this month after the release of his protest track “FREE UZI.”
Just John x Dom Dias – “Pull Up”
We have been championing Just John and Dom Dias since the release of their first track back in 2018 and now the Toronto rapper/producer duo has completed their DON series of EPs with the third installment, DON III. The entire project bangs from start to finish (look out for “Bumbaclot” and their DillanPonders collab “Tango Town”) but this is the clear standout. Hopefully this energy can bring John and Dom across the pond to connect with the grimy energy coming out of the UK scene.
Beyonce – “Love On Top” (Homecoming Live)
If you haven’t watched Beyonce’s HOMECOMING documentary on Netflix, we honestly feel sorry for you. The Queen’s Coachella 2018 performance has made for a wonderful film and inside look at her process but the live album is equally amazing as an audio experience. Longtime fans of the H-Town songstress will love original renditions of “Formation,” “Single Ladies” and this standout from her fourth studio album back in 2011.
Lizzo – “Like A Girl”
Lizzo has been taking over the airwaves with her funky, infectious single “Juice” but this new female empowerment anthem from her new Cuz I Love You album is deserving of its own showcase. The references to Lauryn Hill and Sugar Spice are notable alone but Lizzo absolutely runs the hook on this bouncy pop offering. Stream the rest of her album and catch her on tour all summer.
Young Nudy – “Mister” (feat. 21 Savage)
Young Nudy and Pi’erre Bourne have an album coming later this month but this initial drop featuring 21 Savage deserves some attention. Bourne first impressed listeners with a slew of bouncy, innocent trap beats on Playboi Carti’s first two albums (and has been quietly dropping a bunch of his own solo music) but this collaboration with Atlanta rapper Young Nudy should solidify his skill as a producer for any non-believers.
Denver – “Waver”
Scarborough vocalist/producer Denver quietly released his debut project Why Is There A Smile? last month but this track made it onto our radar and has been on rotation ever since. The young artist shows immense potential on his debut and tracks like “Waver” showcase a serious knack for songwriting and bright, moving R&B production. Stay tuned to his Soundcloud for random uploads and demos from the rising artist.
DRIPXXXX – “State Farm”
You are going to want to plug in your big speakers for this one. Toronto rapper DRIPXXXX has been moving and shaking for a minute since his introduction to the scene via some collaborations with Roy Woods’ Unlock The Underground collective but now the rising artist has returned with a serious banger that has constantly been in our rotation. The trippy video serves as the perfect accompaniment to the bass-heavy “State Farm.” Play this one at the party.
Rico Nasty & Kenny Beats – “Mood” (feat. Splurge)
This shit is absolutely fire. Rico Nasty’s collaborative project with producer-of-the-moment Kenny Beats has finally arrived and this track with rising Texas rapper Splurge is a clear standout from the bunch. Rico and Splurge go back and forth over a grimy, driving Kenny beat and let any potential listener (and opp) know that they are not to be messed with. Stream the rest of Anger Management and try not to punch a whole in your wall.
DillanPonders – “GO TIME”
DillanPonders is a longtime friend of Sidewalk Hustle so it was exciting to hear that the underground legend had returned with a brand new single for 2019 and is preparing to drop a new album, KNOWHERE, later this year. Produced by Alex Parham, “GO TIME” is an appropriately titled banger from the Ponders vault and a reintroduction to the sounds that make him the SHROOM DADDY. Give him his flowers now and get ready for a summer full of new music from Toronto’s underground king.