#OverloadMondays: Visuals, Projects, News - Oh My!

I know I've been down and out the past few weeks - blame Hov for that - I missed some releases that came out, but the series is back. Tomorrow I'll be covering the Billboard updates on last week's release of Tyler the Creator's Flower Boy and Meek Mill's Wins and Losses. Both albums are amazing and are reported to be neck and neck with sales projections. Well, we'll see how they'll do.

And now, here's what happened within the past week (7/24-30).

HOV! Following his Friday releases, Jay-Z has released his fifth visual offering from 4:44with one of its bonus tracks "Adnis." Of course, it's an exclusive TIDAL release, so I highlighted last week's release of "Kill Jay-Z" that has just become available via his VEVO Youtube channel. Check the full visual of Jay-Z's open letter to his father on TIDAL. Non-TIDAL members can only preview 44 seconds, but worry not the video will be available shortly. Directed by Mark Romanek, the visual stars Danny Glover and Mahershala Ali. Sound familiar? Yes, this is the clip from the album's commercial that had everyone wondering if this would be a movie, an album, or visual album. It is great to see that he is releasing videos weekly. Hopefully, he continues to put out the rest of the album's visuals. I would love to see a visual to the title track, and even "Family Feud." Stay tuned for more greatness.

Kendrick Lamar released his fourth visual offering from his double platinum DAMN., with the track "Loyalty." featuring Rihanna. Check it out here, as I go through all of the visuals from the critically acclaimed album.

Months ago, in the midst of all the Remy and Nicki beef, pictures of Nicki Minaj and Future came out of them shooting a video. Well, here it is - "You Da Baddest."

Dave East teamed up with Chris Brown for the track "Perfect." Straight fire, "Perfect" serves as Dave East's first offering from his upcoming album Paranoia. No release date as of yet but this leading single is a start. I'll take it. Available to stream via Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, Google Play, and Amazon Music. Damn, this boy has all his platforms covered.

Lecrae teams up with Tori Kelly to release a video for "I'll Find You," a track that is in partnership with St. Jude Children's Hospital. Lecrae had this to say about the emotional visual: “For me, this video is my heartbeat. It’s me showing my own pain, hope and passion for others. I want people to see there’s hope in the chaos."

Chris Rivers has released his debut album, DeLorean, earlier this month and now he returns with its first visual for the track "DASAFAC." The track serves as the 21-track album's second single. 21 track, yes - long winded, well have you heard of his father? Lyricism was certainly passed down in those genes. Check out DeLorean via iTunes.

A Joe Budden Podcast sleeper, Shawn Smith is pure and raw magic. I heard him on the podcast's segment a while back, but then recently at their live show, co-host Mal brought Shawn out to perform. Man, this kid is talented. Bars! And that's very rare to say with this generation. This is not a new single, but Shawn is taking the new found recognition and running with it with the powerful visual for his track "Heaven." Check it out, and stay tuned for more. I just want to see this kid perform live again - amazing.

YG shared two new singles for his fans last week, "Fuck It Up" and "Yns." Are we to expect these are part of a promo run for a new project? Or are they standalone singles? Time will only tell. Well, time and social media.

Jaden Smith released a single last month that seemed to draw inspiration from Kid Cudi's early work as well as Kanye's "Black Skinhead. Now, Jaden has released a visual for the track "Watch Me" - check it out.

We also had releases from Lil Purpp "Streets Love Me" featuring Juicy J, SonReal "Who Care," Nina Tech featuring KodiLam "Look At Me," Yung Bans and D Savage on "Motherless Child."

Albums + Projects

Vic Mensa finally releases his highly anticipated debut album, The Autobiography.

"I just wanted to make music that really spoke to the true me, me as a 12-year-old kid falling in love with hip-hop.”

The Roc Nation member racked up 15 tracks with features from the likes of Pharrell, Syd, The-Dream, Ty Dolla $ign, Chief Keef, and more. On the production side, he gets help from fellow Chi-Town native No ID who serves as the album's executive producer. Other producers noted are Mike Dean, Cosign, Smoke Ono and more. He also had Jay-Z advising him on the structure of the album. It is definitely worth a listen. He recently made a visit to Sway in the Morning in his promo run, and dropped a sick freestyle over Kendrick Lamar's "HiiiPoWer" - check it out.

Stalley has finally delivered his sophomore effort, New Wave. Packing some serious heat, the 14-track album includes no features. It's all him on the sound waves. Stream it via Apple Music, show your support for the kid.

The legendary Hip Hop journalist, and my idol, Rob Markman has delivered his debut LP, Write to Dream. He covers everything from his rough start to now taking over the game, this project is not just for writers alike but for any with a dream. It is amazing, inspiring and...I'll stop myself right there - review in the works. Stream it via Apple Music or TIDAL, or simply do yourself the favor and cop it over at iTunes.

Aminè has released his long awaited debut album, Good For You. The XXL Freshman racks up 15 tracks, featuring the likes of Offset, Kehlani, Nelly, Ty Dolla $ign, and Charlie Wilson. On his production team, he has Frank Dukes, Pharrell, Metro Boomin, Mrda Beatz, Pasque, Guy Lawrence and more. Stream it via Spotify or Apple Music - cop it via iTunes.

Jelani Aryeh has made his debut with Suburban Destinesia. The 17-year-old released the EP is available via SoundCloud, definitely check it out. Also check his full interview with Pigeons and Planes, this kid is pretty amazing.

We also have releases from Madchild (The Darkest Hour), and a debut project from Deadman Cyph with ThxUFthr. New age rap, with a twist - it's pretty dope.

Lotto Savage returns with a new project, Don Slaughter 2. The 12-track project features the likes of Loso Loaded and Yung Bans. On the production front, we hear from B Rackz, Quay Beats and more. Available to stream via HNHH.

Public Enemies: Jay-Z and Kanye is a U.K. documentary that premiers tonight that goes into immense detail the relationship between the two rappers. What started out as a friendship and ended up in rivalry, Jay-Z and Kanye West are two of the biggest names in Hip Hop. What began with a rant from Ye, Hov responded back in his 4:44 album. From what I can tell, there are at least three jabs thrown at Ye spread throughout the album, beginning with the very first track "Kill Jay-Z." Everyone has speculated if Kanye will fire back or stand down to his former boss and mentor. In the last two minutes of Episode 121 of The Joe Budden Podcast, co-host Mal shares a moment he had when he ran into Kanye.

"He said he's got a few words in response to what Jay had on 4:44 when his next record is coming out...He said, 'Yeah man, I was next to Jay for years standing right next to him, why he didn't give me them jewels he put on the album?'"

It's discouraging to see the duo separate on such terms, they were such an unstoppable force together. Check out the trailer for Public Enemies: Jay-Z and Kanye above and visit the Channel 4 site for more details. The documentary will share rare footage and exclusive interviews, you can't miss this.

Speaking of Kanye West - earlier this year it was confirmed that Ye is certainly and actively working on his next album, titled Turbo Grafx. He's been spotted in and out of the studio for some time now. The most recent sighting was with none other than Kid Cudi and Plain Pat. YES! Those three in a studio, pure magic and nostalgia. I can't wait.

The HBO series Insecure became a hit last year with only its first season. The show has taken off not just for its amazing and relatable Issa Rae-produced content, but the show's music choices. Hip Hop and R&B are heavily integrated with the show. We have Keir Lehman to thank for that. He is the person responsible for Insecure's soundtrack. In a recent interview with Vulture, Lehman shares that this season will feature a lot of new, unheard of music.

"We have upcoming music from Dreezy this week and Kari Faux, who wrote a song specifically for us. There’s new Jorja Smith in the first episode that’s not released. In episode three, we have a new song from TT the Artist that’ll probably be on our soundtrack. We’ll also have new music from Bryson Tiller, Jazmine Sullivan, and BOSCO. And we’ll be featuring new music from Miguel."

The show is starting to become vital for new up and coming artists. Already two episodes deep, catch episode three next Sunday. If you haven't caught up, I urge you to do so.

Royce Da 5'9 is undeniably a legend, and severely underrated. As one of the greatest lyricists in the game right now, Royce takes to BET's new series, "Rate The Bars," and rates artists from Lil Pump, Eminem, Earl Sweatshirt, Ugly God, Joe Budden, and more. A crazy range of rappers, so it's interesting to see what he has to say. But of course, the lyricist steers towards well the lyricists of the group. Check it out here.

Speaking of Royce Da 5'9, a picture recently went out of him in the studio with J. Cole. Magic. Assuming this will most likely be for Royce's new album, there's is nothing but excitement from this corner. Oh and while we're on the topic of Cole, Kendrick had a tour stop in Detroit and took Cole out on the stage. They further egged on rumors of a collaborative album. While rumors emerged what seems like years ago, the dynamic duo appears to still be working on a little something for their fans.

Big ups to the new generation of Hip Hop, Lil Uzi Vert officially went triple platinum with his hit song "XO Tour Llif3."

The news to end all news - Russell Simmons has announced the come back of Def Comedy Jam. Yes, reboot in progress. I heard rumblings but now it is official, Tony Rock will be hosting the show. Here is what he had to say in a press release:

“I have witnessed firsthand how the most cutting-edge, seemingly alternative comics become the driving forces in mainstream comedy. I’m thankful to HBO for allowing me to give these new voices access to mainstream audiences everywhere.”

As is its counterpart Def Jam Poetry. However, it's reboot will be named All Def Poetry. Say it ain't so. I will be in attendance. Def Jam Poetry was a staple to me growing up and trying to figure out my creative writing ways. This is definitely a blessing.

Coming Soon...

About time, damn! Over the weekend, ASAP Rocky took to Twitter to announce that ASAP Mob's Cozy Tapes Vol. 2 is... well coming soon. Yes, we've been hearing that since earlier this year but now it's officially on the way. Back in February, ASAP Ferg said the album was already recorded just going through the production stages. Now the album is final. All we can do is wait, but I'm sure we'll get an announcement soon enough. In the meantime: ASAP Twelvyy will be releasing his debut album, 12, this Friday (August 4th), Ferg also just announced that he will be dropping his mixtape Still Striving on August 19th.

We also have releases next week from Ugly God (The Booty Tape) and Riff Raff (The White West). And then there's Sean Price who's releasing Imperius Rex on August 8th.

SonReal has announced that he will dropping a new project titled One Long Dream. The Vancouver native will release his latest work on August 11th, as a follow up to his last year's The Name EP.

XXXTentacion took to Instagram to reveal his upcoming album, 17, release date of August 25th.

Stay Tuned

That sums up this past week in Hip Hop. Come back next week for more.