February has finally come to an end. You can throw away the stale heart candies, put away all those 90’s R&B albums you pulled out for the occasion and get back to regular life. While you were cuddled up in your blanket listening to Aaliyah and Maxwell all month, music came out just like it normally does – but you don’t have to feel bad. We have done you a favour and rounded up all the hottest new releases into one convenient list.
Sink your teeth into the hottest tracks from February 2019 below and get acquainted with the music you have may missed while you were enjoying all the pleasures of the year’s shortest month.
Chromazz – “WaterPaste”
The infectiously arrogant feeling of this song (among other viral hits on her YouTube page) has attracted the rising Toronto artist a seriously divided new audience. Love her or hate her, Chromazz has the Drake seal of approval and is here to stay. You may have heard him shout out “Chromin Gold” after his Grammy win and call out “Are you stupid? Are you dumb?” Take in this track and get ready for the summer of Chromazz.
Just John x Dom Dias – “Off Rip”
This Toronto duo has been a favourite of ours since their debut and the Warner Music Group signees continue to impress on their single, “Off Rip.” John delivers a series of flows like boxing moves, ducking and dodging and switching up before coming back to the hook. Fans of Dom Dias production will instantly fall in love with the single – just make sure you stick around to the end for a special surprise.
Snoh Aalegra – “I Want You Around”
This track is like a Sunday. Aalegra’s angelic voice takes you to a dreamy state every time but there is something about “I Want You Around” that embraces you and holds you until the piano melody and drums slowly fade out at the end. The A$AP Twelvyy intro is a nice touch too. Dive into her newest single above.
Juice WRLD – “Robbery”
It’s a new Juice WRLD song and the video was done by Cole Bennett. Do you even need to watch it to know if it’s fire? Either way, dive into the newest offering from Chicago’s own Juice WRLD – the rising rapper/singer who took over the summer and plans to do so again with his upcoming project, A Deathrace for Love, due this month.
Planet Giza – “You Wasn’t Lyin'”
The funky Montreal trio just released their debut album, Added Sugar, with some select features from KAYTRANADA and Mick Jenkins and this video is just too dope for us to not highlight on this list. Get familiar with Planet Giza and stream their new project here.
Sean Leon – Hi Life
With five singles out this month and many to follow, Sean Leon has been “feeding the fiends” as he would say – a parallel between the potency of his music and human substance addiction. It’s a crude description but his fanbase (the Black Sheep Army) crave the unorthodox from Leon and want him to surprise them with each new release. Enjoy “Hi Life” above and check out the rest of Leon’s “Gold Mouth” playlist here.
Lil Gotit – “Da Real HoodBabies”
You can’t not fall in love with this song. The promising young duo of Lil Gotit and his equally charmismatic brother Lil Keed has taken over the Atlanta scene and subsequently the underground rap discussion. His debut project Hood Baby was an exciting project to emerge from the scene last year (as well as Lil Keed’s Keed Talk to ‘Em) and we’re looking forward to more from them throughout 2019.
Young M.A – “Thotiana” Remix
The top track from last month’s list has prompted several remixes – some good, some bad – but Young M.A’s really stands out. The Brooklyn rapper flows over the West Coast beat with ease but still leans into the funkiness and dances around it in a way her New York OG’s may have not in the past. Give Young M.A her flowers and run her streams up.
Pvrx – Know Me
This Rexdale artist has been attracting some serious with his bright street anthems and “Know Me” is just as infectious as the last. OVO affiliation and a Def Jam deal are proof that Pvrx is headed in the right direction so we are patiently awaiting more from this unique vocalist and talented songwriter.
SahBabii – “Green Eggs And Ham”
There is so much to be said about SahBabii. Some may refer to him as just another entry on the list of Young Thug offshoots but cult fans would tell you a different story – one of a carefully curated experimental and intelligent take on the contemporary southern sound. The dreamy, forward-thinking Atlanta talent just released a new three-song EP appropriately titled 3P following his 2018 project Squidtastic and this is one of the standouts. Take a listen above.
ANKLEGOD – “FANTASIA, PART 2”
The rising Vancouver artist returns with an impressive follow-up to the track that put him on the map. The original “Fantasia” was touted by many Vancouver rap scene devotees as a purported inspiration Travis Scott’s Astroworld but we digress. The sequel is a heavy, spacey autotune track that features production from 905beatz. Stay tuned for ANKLEGOD’s second mixtape coming later this year.
Nipsey Hussle – Racks in the Middle (feat. Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy)
It was a good day when legendary West Coast rapper Nipsey Hussle announced he was working with upcoming artist Roddy Ricch. The rising Compton vocalist has been making serious waves with his Feed the Streets projects and this new collaboration with Nipsey is a great introduction for any West Coast OG’s that may still be doubting the new torch bearer. Hit-Boy production makes this a serious California heater and an important part of rap history.
DijahSB – “Run My Money”
Rising Toronto rapper DijahSB has been getting all the love recently and has been on our radar since she impressively joined Jay Electronica on stage and freestyled for the massive crowd. She has been teasing an upcoming project and this new single is a groovy reintroduction to Dijah’s honest storytelling since last year’s Looking at Space From a Submarine.
TOBi – “Sweet Poison”
We can’t get enough of rising R&B/soul vocalist TOBi. His voice is reminiscent of something you’ve probably heard before but the Toronto singer brings a contemporary spin on traditional R&B themes and ideas. Plus he’s got that Ebro seal of approval. Immerse yourself in this visual and enjoy “Sweet Poison.”
Blueface – Thotiana Remix (feat. Cardi B)
Will this song ever die? Is it doomed to the same fate as “Sicko Mode” and “Mo Bamba.” Either way, Cardi B did her thing all over this track and Blueface just stuck to his usual bars. We can’t hate on Blueface for riding this one out but hopefully next month can bring some new music from the rising California export. Cole Bennett got the chance to direct this video which means we might be able to see another collaboration from Bennett and Cardi in the near future.
Tierra Whack – “Only Child”
It has been a minute since we heard from promising Philadelphia rapper/singer. Her debut project, Whack World, was a bright and impressive highlight of 2018 and showcased her diversity and strength as a musician across fifteen carefully curated one-minute songs. Oh – and the whole thing was accompanied by a equally curated fifteen-minute short film that matched the album to a tee. This new track is a cute vibe perfect for summer and a sign that new Whack is on the way.
Ebhoni – “TGM”
Speaking of summer, can it just come already? It’s hard to dance to new music from Ebhoni in the snow. This new offering from the rising Toronto singer has us out of our seats and wishing for beaches and fruity drinks. The VHS video showcases a night-out in the life of Ebhoni – riding around with friends, getting her nails done and generally keeping the vibe a positive one.
NLE Choppa – “Choppa Flow 2”
If you haven’t heard about NLE Choppa you need to get out from under your rock. His debut single “Choppa Flow” racked up several million streams last month and attracted a number of record deals into a bidding war leaving the rising Memphis rapper to sign with United Masters that would allow him to own the masters of his music unlike most challenging record deals in the genre’s past. Enjoy the follow-up to his viral single and stay on the lookout for more from NLE Choppa.
Yung Tory – “Mike Jones”
This collaboration between Yung Tory and producer KTOE is both an ode to Mike Jones’ “Back Then” and a standout from the rising Toronto rapper’s new project, Rastar, so we couldn’t leave it off this list. “I see UFOs. Alien shit, I smoke too much dope,” he raps over the infectious and blown out beat. Check out the rest of his project with features from Fetty Wap, Valee, UnoTheActivist, Fenix Flexin of Shoreline Mafia and more.
Header artwork by Javier Santos (@Javtropic)