The Weekly Dip 3/1/24
SXSW season is upon us. We started the first day of March today but want to bring some of the last few records of February that dropped near the end that we know y'all will enjoy during the weekend.
Lexa Gates - Lately, Nothing (Single)
In the middle of February, we got to endure the soft tempo sounds of a new single from Lexa Gates titled “Lately, Nothing,” where the Astoria native can be seen enjoying the white sleet of snow and lapped up in her pad where she finally got some bread but no one to invite over. Lexa Gates flows swiftly through the intro, turning the chorus into this melodic break, explaining she sits around her crib feeling the need not to do anything. She then breaks into an explosive rhythm for the second verse, checking off the things she needs to live satisfactorily in the moment while she still feels the world beating on her like a punching bag. But she’s bulking up to accept the hits now, but not for long. She’s going through the motions right now, taking it day by day, practically lolovong carefree, not dealing with the good or the bad but just enjoying herself. The outro performed by Alé Araya concludes this beautiful ballad to becoming one of my favorites releases for the month; I always enjoy seeing new music from Lexa Gates with the hopes that something new follows soon.
Erykah Officer feat Dende - Lowkey Lover (Video)
Fan-favorite record off Erykah Officer’s “Ery’s Diary” got the visual treatment this month where fans from all over got to view the sensational sounds of Erykah dueting with Dende to display another route of love and affection she usually doesn’t show. Still, she allows y'all to witness her release of “Lowkey Lover.” Erykah wants to be your sweet escape, the best-kept secret you can’t share with anyone. No one needs to know what goes on behind the scenes between you and her, locked eyes in the middle of the room, bumping and grinding in the back of the function; they can’t understand what they don’t know, so don’t get them involved. I love the affection she brings to the production; it is almost like she and the beat share the secret of her lover, the only other person she can tell. The addition of Dende spices up the record, and the viewing plays the part of his own secrecy by touching on the details of what goes on behind the bedroom doors with a love interest to seeing out in the open and pretending he doesn’t know her, keeping it low key. I enjoy the viewing very much since it brings the vivid imagery already provided by the single to life in just beautiful essence.
Maya Sampleton - Mind Made Up (Single)
After becoming a fan of Maya Sampleton due to her first single, “Promise,” I anticipated a follow-up single from her would be delivered soon, which looks like my prayers were finally answered. In the middle of February, her latest ballad, titled “Mind Made Up,” where Maya's heartbreaking description of a situation with a love interest instantly stopped without thought. The love started perfect, and the moment felt right; the relationship was there, and the treats and the desires that go with it were fulfilled, but still, in the back of her mind, she felt change was upon them. And like that, it ended; it felt like his mind was made up instantly just to end this love abruptly. She revisited the trauma in this viewing directed by Dan2TheL that endured since she knows it could’ve all been avoided with a conversation. If you asked, she would’ve told you the truth, but now that time is gone. The decision that hurts her the most is that she doesn’t think it was made with them both in mind but just his. The aftermath still lingers, and even though it’s been years, she still feels the wrath of the experience. Will it go away, or will it last forever? Maya Sampleton's heavenly voice is one of the most gifted we heard, and even in such heartache situations, we can hear her pain and passion throughout it all as if we were viewers in this relationship from the start. It takes a true artistic talent to put us in the moment and expose her feelings for us to bear.
Eastside Fish - Crew Freestyle (Video)
The “Crew” beat is sacred. I’ve heard my fair share of artists do it justice, and I’ve listened to those who completely ruined the vibes the original made. Still, I had no doubt on my mind when I noticed earlier in the week that Eastside Fish was hopping on the instrumental, and he was going to float on it with ease which is what we got. He’s AI in his prime on the court, dodging the hate and scoring by any means necessary in a lavish manner. Fish is in clutch mode with the flow, going over the topics of the women who want him, the paper he’s getting, and the luxury lifestyle that he leads, making him one of the realest ever to do on earth’s soil. There's no indication yet on what sparked him to drop this freestyle; hopefully, he’s just testing the waters before making a huge splash soon.
Stiff Barbie - Slut It Out Freestyle (Video)
In the middle of the week, Stiff Barbie released her “Slut It Out Freestyle,” going over the Nardo Wick hit where the “Lick” femcee is dashing in sexual appeal and titillating innuendoes that got your man and your best friend’s man oozing over the looks she brings to the visual. This is a Barbie you can’t play with unless the conversation involves dollar signs; her flow glows with venereal topics, some that can spice up the room whenever she walks in. She cannot love you; she’s sorry; Stiff is leading the class in high fashion due to the designer shit she is wearing and looking good in. It isn’t her fault your man wants her, especially when he is running up the receipts at Chanel while, in return, she’s sending flicks of her dressed in it. Stiff Barbie will get you shaking ass to the freestyle and guarantee it’s something you’ll see on her set list come SXSW.
Jae Miah - Blue (Video)
After the long and intensive journey to perfect her second single’s visual treatment “Blue,” Jae Miah surprised fans with the anticipated video that was well worth the wait since it showed Jae Miah in promising reflections of the ballad’s inner tale of the summer blues. Seeing the moment where the connection was strong to slowly deteriorating is almost way too familiar of a feeling since I’m sure people can relate to the matter. Jae Miah beautifully portrays this experience of heartbreak due to the angelic nature of her vocals feeding off her emotions. We can hear her mood start positive and then decline from the hurt she’s enduring in seconds. All praise to DopeMoneyViews, whose directorial work helped bring Jae’s vivid emotions to life and gave her a comfortable space to vent her experiences to the viewers and see her heart and soul shown in an artistic manner.
Wes Brooks - Payola (Single)
In February, Wes Brooks dropped one of the hardest singles of the month titled “Payola,” which I deem as a diamond in the rough since the listeners who have heard know this is one of those records you play at ignorant levels. Those that are sleeping on the track are going to be kicking themselves in the asses when they start taking notice, but let’s get to the reason at point, which is Wes Brooks making the city streets crumble when the bass is beating on the Big Tex Johnny production. Wes Brooks is running victory laps in the track with how prominent his flow is; even when he has McKenzie doing adlibs for the track, he’s revealing the truth for those who think they are ahead of the curve but are trailing behind. Wes Brooks is on the rise with the raps and making this shit look too easy, from sitting on the bench turned to a role player who’s becoming the face of the franchise. Expect nothing less of greatness from him when these releases come.
Beysul feat Clef God - Body (Single)
Towards the end of January, we started to take notice of songstress Beysul due to her upcoming collaboration with ClefGod on her single “Body.” where the teaser had enough to keep us intrigued before the whole song surfaced and kept us as fans to enjoy this ballad over and over again. Everybody needs somebody to love, so let Bey be that somebody to you; you already feel that temperature rising when she’s around, especially while you're fixated on her hips. Place your phone on DND and follow her lead. Don’t worry; she’s not here to pressure you but to put you in a state of relaxation. The highlight of the record is how softly the record spins, then turns this to the intense energy of zest and draws you in to keep your feet moving. If you are not a fan of Beysul yet, I can guarantee the single will make you one instantly. Trust us.