Will we survive the let out? 🤔
"The Fall Off" is here.
THE BEAT DROP 🥁
A pulse of the culture.
If you’re reading this, it’s another Sunday in Hip Hop — Super Bowl Sunday to be exact. And this week, J. Cole released The Fall Off as a double-disc to much fanfare, Mozzy and EST Gee revealed that they have a collab project in the chamber and so does Meek Mill.
THIS WEEK’S TRACKLIST 💿
The most important news items of the week.
J. Cole dropped The Fall Off and sold physicals out the trunk of his Honda Civic, this weekend.
Mozzy and EST Gee are coming together for their collab effort Not A Chance In Hell due out February 20.
Meek Mill said he was planning on releasing 3-4 albums this year and to expect the first one real soon.
BigXThaPlug starred in a new campaign for the adidas Originals adistar XLG.
Pooh Shiesty gifted his mom a $1.1M dollar home.
Doechii revealed that she almost wore Beyoncé’s custom Roberto Cavalli archive dress to the Grammys, but it was too hard to move in!
Drake bet $1M on a Patriots win for the Super Bowl.
Speaking of Drizzy, a few ICEMAN snippets circulated online this week.
Lil Jon’s son, DJ Young Slade, passed away. He was 27.
Oh yeah, Hip Hop won big at the Grammys last week, as well. Kendrick Lamar and SZA took home Record of the Year for “luther,” which meant that Dot broke JAY-Z’s record for the most Grammys. And since Bad Bunny’s beginnings started with trap music, we’ll acknowledge his well-deserved Album of the Year win for DtMF.
BARS OF THE WEEK 🎤
Notable quotes or lyrics that made waves.
“I'm the future of this rap shit, nigga, fuck everything that I did in the past.” — J. Cole popping his shit on “Two Six.”
“We know your shit is droppin', we ain't coppin' what you sellin' us / Bitch, you was good in school, why you hidin' your intelligence?” — Another Cole bar of him spitting that real off “Two Six.”
“You can't ignore how niggas up the score / From less fortunate to touchin' more.” Mozzy with the inspo on “WOULDN’T HOLD YOU UP” with EST Gee off the forthcoming NOT A CHANCE IN HELL.
“I’m supposed to drop 3-4 albums this year. I’m independent…Give me 30 days and we gon’ put it right in the streets.” — Meek Mill on what’s to come in 2026.
“And the Grammy goes to…Luther Vandross.” — Cher announcing Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther” win for Record of the Year.
“I'm addicted to this money, I won't never go to rehab / Every time I sit down for too long I tend to relapse.” — Hunxho keeping it honest on “Stone Cold” with G Herbo off his surprise mixtape Not One Of Them.
“No friends, just fans, you wouldn't understand.” — North West snapping on “PIERCING ON MY HAND.”
“Delete or I will sue …immediately” — Cardi B playfully to TMZ for posting a robot falling on her while she gave it a lap dance.
CHART TOPPERS 📈
Notable top-performing rap and R&B tracks on streaming platforms and charts.
Megan Thee Stallion’s “Lover Girl” hit #1 on US Rhythmic Radio, which makes sense because it’s all I hear when I turn on the radio.
A$AP Rocky’s DON’T BE DUMB landed at #10 on the Billboard 200, this week, with SZA’s SOS holding it down at #9. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny’s Grammy Award-winning album DtMF shot up to #2.
And at #1, landed Don Toliver’s Octane with 162k units moved.
SOUND WATCH 🎧
Upcoming releases and recent drops worth noting.
J. Cole’s The Fall Off arrived in the form of a double-disc project, 24 songs deep. It’s “Bunce Road Blues” featuring Future and Tems and “Bombs in the Ville/Hit the Gas” for meeee. Nevertheless, check out the music video for “Two Six” here.
Hunxho surprised fans with his mixtape Not One of Them.
Stove God Cooks collaborated with Swizz Beatz for “Welcome To My Garden.”
Omah Lay delivered the music video for his song “Don’t Love Me” off his forthcoming album CLARITY OF MIND.
Montana 700 unleashed the official music video for “LL Da Wizard.”
Ella Mai unveiled her long-awaited third studio album Do You Still Love Me?
Ahead of their collab project NOT A CHANCE IN HELL, Mozzy and EST Gee dropped off the music video for “WOULDN’T HOLD YOU UP.”
Super group 1 Umbrella, with Bay Area’s ALLBLACK, 22nd Jim, Zay Bang and Lil Bean, dropped their debut project.
North West officially dropped “Piercing on My Hands.” Mind you, she produced and wrote this herself.
R&B singer Jaymin released a debut EP in the form of Sweet Nothings.
Hurricane Wisdom’s music video for his loving “Over Now” is out now.
B. Howard released the visual for “Beautiful Nightmare.”
Chief Keef and Ballout teamed up for “Talking Ish.”
EsDeeKid is back with another banger called “Omens.”
MarcLo shared a video for his latest “Interest.”
Black Fortune released Road to Osshland III.
Fredo Bang shared “Baby Please.”
Feng’s “J*b” is out.
TKandz tapped Lil Baby for “NOW OR NEVER II.”
Loe Shimmy traveled to Lagos for “Purple Magic.”
BEHIND THE MUSIC 🎵
Industry news.
Apple recently shared with Bloomberg how important iTunes is. They revealed that 80% of iTunes users not are Apple Music subscribers, unveiling an untapped market.
STEAK REPORT 🥩
Feuds, diss tracks and social media spats.
T.I. called out 50 Cent, challenging him to a Verzuz battle.
"I said who I wanted I called out 50 that's what I said but he doesn't want any smoke though he's ducking me,” Tip said on Nightcap with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson.
The New York rapper responded with a Reel of T.I.’s old crime stopper commercial and by telling the ATL icon to keep his name out his mouth.
Well…let’s see how this goes!
TOUR BUS 🚌
Concert and festival announcements, tour updates and live performance highlights.
DaBaby officially announced the BE MORE GRATEFUL Tour with Zeddy Will, H3adband and Bri3.
FREESTYLE 🎙️
Memes and viral moments.
Shakepeare wishes.
RAP HILL ⚖️
Legal matters affecting the music industry.
Real Boston Richey was acquitted of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
TRENDSETTERS 🔥
Updates on key figures who are driving the culture.
Chicago-based cannabis brand 93 Boyz announced the launch of its Free Smoke Medical Program with Vic Mensa. It’s a community-centered cannabis assistance initiative created to support individuals who rely on medicinal cannabis during periods of medical, physical and financial hardship.
OUTSIDE 📸
Sightings and appearances.
J. Cole popped up at a Fayetteville listening event and surprised fans.
Lil Uzi Vert was spotted in a vintage Micheal Jackson varsity jacket while performing “What You Saying” on Jimmy Fallon.
Good news! Future was spotted in the studio with YTB Fatt, ATL Jacob and Ty Dolla Sign. 😈
BIRTHDAYS 🎉
Celebrating artists and industry figures born this week.
Big Boi, K’naan, Lola Brooke, Tego Calderón, RXK Nephew, That Mexican OT, OMB Peezy, T-Mo, Lil Debbie, Sean Kingston, Daddy Yankee, WC, Bobby Brown
OUTRO ✌🏽
A final thought.
I just feel like, The Fall Off is the J. Cole album I always wanted. I would consider myself a casual listener of Cole — someone who respects his craft and what he offers, including the handful of hits he’s given us throughout his career. I must say The Fall Off is living up to all the hype and that is rare in this day and age. What I respect the most, is Cole staying true to habit by giving his fans a truly immersive experience with this roll out. Showing up in person to the listening event in Fayetteville, pulling up to NCAT, selling physicals out the trunk of his Civic Honda…that’s the kind of experience (and hope) Hip Hop needs right now. I’m looking forward to the tour.
xx