Slick Rick, Idris Elba, Wyclef Jean, Thundercat, And More New Hip-Hop For Summer’s End

Today is Friday, which means there are a ton of new releases to look forward to from some of your favorite Hip-Hop artists. To help you unwind and enjoy the weekend, check out VIBE’s picks of songs and albums you should hear and add to your soundtrack of weekend festivities.

Slick Rick Featuring Idris Elba – “Badman Generation”

Image Credit: ALEXJPIPER

Slick Rick enlists Idris Elba to costar alongside him in the music video for their new collaboration “Badman Generation,” a bonus cut from Slick Rick’s visual album, VICTORY, his first studio album in a quarter century.

Directed by Meji Alabi, the clip plays as a short film, with theatrical scenes sandwiched between Elba and Rick the Ruler’s verses. Famous for his work as a thespian, Elba continues to stamp himself as a credible emcee with a glowing performance, while Rick shines while delving deep into storytelling mode.

Paying homage to their London stomping grounds, the two Brits cook up an anthem sure to resonate with “Badmen” across the globe. – Preezy Brown

Wyclef Jean Featuring French Montana, Rick Ross – “Back From Abu Dhabi”

Wyclef Jean returns back from The Middle Eastern hotspot Abu Dhabi on his latest effort, which finds him hopping jets with French Montana and Rick Ross. The former Fugees member leads things off with an opening verse showing love to his Caribbean roots atop booming percussion and jazzy horns.

After a beat switch, French Montana joins the party, lyrically flaunting his wealth before Rick Ross rounds this off with a closing stanza. Fresh off his debut at the Blue Note New York, Wyclef continues to bridge musical borders while repping for his culture on “Back From Abu Dhabi.” – PB

Thundercat – “I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time” / “Children Of The Baked Potato (Featuring Remi Wolfe)”

Thundercat makes a glorious return with a duel release in “Children of the Baked Potato” and “I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time,” a double-header marrying svelte vocals and funky grooves. The first of the two tracks features an appearance from Remi Wolfe, whom Thundercat spoke of glowingly in a statement coinciding with the song’s release.

“She’s a child of the Baked Potato like me,” Thundercat said of the esteemed songstress. “She knew exactly what the song needed. And it was wild to watch her make it happen. The more I listen to the song, it’s clear there was no one better I could have picked.” While “Children of the Baked Potato” ramps up into a frenetic pace, “I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time” leans more mellow, but is equally enticing,.

Premiered earlier today In Tokyo, “Children of the Baked Potato” proceeds Thundercat’s upcoming North American tour, which is set to kick off Oct. 15 in Atlanta. – PB

Nicky Licky – “Checkmate”

As the discord between Damon Dash, Cam’ron, and 50 Cent continues to grow, Nicki Licky, Damon Dash’s new artist, jumps into the fray with her track “Checkmate,” which finds Licky sending shots at Cam and Fif. Beginning the song chanting “checkmate,”

Licky goes on the offensive, making light of Dash’s adversaries atop a pulsating instrumental. Just over one minute in length, “Checkmate” looks to even the score between her CEO’s rivals, accounting for the first diss track in their cold, yet viral, war. – PB