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Peace, Hip-Hop Wired Nation, welcome to our latest CRT FRSH update. As we do around this time, we’re back with 20 songs featuring acts you should know and some we hope you get to know.
I want to explain how I approach curating the CRT FRSH playlist. Most importantly, I don’t segregate my Hip-Hop. Every form of music from the main cultural tree deserves a listen and a look. When I construct the playlist, I want to include all regions across the States and, when applicable, across the globe. I also want to entertain every fan of Hip-Hop, not just those who enjoy one segment of it. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to it.
The CRT FRSH playlist is a labor of love. We don’t take payments, nor do we do favors. We only add joints to our playlist that fit the theme and vision we’re going for and don’t seek to waste the listener’s time. Further, we don’t stick to one lane of Hip-Hop. We believe that all aspects of the music should get some light, whether it’s young lions in the trenches or those hoping for that one shot to blow up to grizzled veterans puffing out their chests with lots more to say. — D.L. Chandler, Lead Curator, CRT FRSH
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For this week’s update, I’m going to admit that I’ve been out of the loop with new music due to life doing what it does. That said, I did some digging and landed on 20 songs I feel capture the pulse of the moment across the entire scope of the culture.
We open up with Cardi B’s “ErrTime” remix with Latto, bringing together two women who always seem to meet the moment. Noname, an act we don’t hear a lot from, delivered “Hundred Acres” featuring Devin Morrison. Moneybagg Yo is back in the mix, tapping G Herbo for the “Feet On Land” single.
Chicago’s Vic Spencer just unleashed his Trees Are Undefeated set, and the track “Repeated Strains” is a standout with a dope verse from Backwood Sweetie. Kodak Black dropped his eighth full-length album, Just Getting Started, and we’re featuring “Mumble Rap” featuring Pharrell Williams. Dave’s newest album, The Boy Who Played The Harp, dropped last month, and the title cut is a banger.
Salute to Wale, Odeal, REASON, WESTSIDE BOOGIE, Gio Genesis, Megan Thee Stallion, Mobb Deep, Clipse, Nardo Wick, Key Glock, Tay Keith, Murda Beatz, Hit-Boy, The Alchemist, Babyface Ray, Big Sean, Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, Gucci Mane, Big L, Joey BadA$$, BVNGS, The Legendary DJ Ron G, PLUTO, NBA YoungBoy, Armand Hammer, Earl Sweatshirt, BIA, Ferg, Denzel Curry, The Expert, and Defcee.
Check us out in two (or more because, life) weeks for the next update where we will bring you 20 all-new joints!
If we missed your track or want to be considered for inclusion, contact D.L. Chandler at [email protected].
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Photo: Getty
CRT FRSH, Hip-Hop Wired’s playlist where we showcase music that we believe is “Certified Fresh,” is back with an all-new set of heat! With our latest update this week, we’re featuring some future legends and rising stars in the game from all over the map.
I want to explain how I approach curating the CRT FRSH playlist. Most importantly, I don’t segregate my Hip-Hop. Every form of music from the main cultural tree deserves a listen and a look. When I construct the playlist, I want to include all regions across the States and, when applicable, across the globe. I also want to entertain every fan of Hip-Hop, not just those who enjoy one segment of it. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to it.
The CRT FRSH playlist is a labor of love. We don’t take payments, nor do we do favors. We only add joints to our playlist that fit the theme and vision we’re going for and don’t seek to waste the listener’s time. Further, we don’t stick to one lane of Hip-Hop. We believe that all aspects of the music should get some light, whether it’s young lions in the trenches or those hoping for that one shot to blow up to grizzled veterans puffing out their chests with lots more to say. — D.L. Chandler, Lead Curator, CRT FRSH
Welcome back to CRT FRSH, and I’m super excited for this week’s update. We open things up with “Welcome To The Carter” from Lil Wayne’s new album, Tha Carter VI (peep the review here). Benny The Butcher dropped off a seven-track EP, Excelsior, and the Black Soprano Family boss taps Styles P for the potent “Toxic” track.
We saw The Clipse tear down the stage at this year’s Roots Picnic, and the Brothers Thorton, Malice, and Pusha T are prepping a new album. Their new single, “Ace Trumpets,” is more of their usual lyrical precision. Ché Noir, who is prepping her latest release, The Color Chocolate 2, taps Detroit’s Elzhi for the booming “Who’s The Greatest?”
Coyote, the duo of Mexican-American rappers Ladies Love Guapo and Ricky Blanco, first appeared on our radar with their dope “Runnin’ All Fades” with Ab-Soul. They just dropped off their new album, yoteLAndia, and the track “Face Tatts” features Lefty Gunplay. The High & Mighty (Mr. Eon and DJ Mighty Mi) have been in the game for over 25 years, and they’re back with their new album, Sound Of Market. The track “The Rose Bowl” features the Yodfather himself, Your Old Droog, with production from The Alchemist.
Salute to Joyner Lucas, Boldy James, Nicholas Craven, GloRilla, T.F, Khrysis, SiR, GELO, 2 Eleven, Jay Rock, Ray Vaughn, KIIIA, Ab-Soul, Python P, Meek Mill, G Herbo, Planet Asia, Cozz, Flee Lord, ETO, Vel Nine, Smoke DZA, Dave East, Mike & Keys, and Jahzae Rose.
We’ll be updating this joint in two weeks. For now, rock with these records and let us know what you think in the comments or on our social media pages. The playlist can be found below.
For consideration to be included, email D.L. Chandler at: dchandler@bhmdigital.com.
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Photo: Barcielaphoto / Getty
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Source: Marleen Moise / Getty
Rapper Joey Bada$$ and his fiancee Serayah are embarking on a new chapter of life together after announcing that they’re expecting a boy. The pair opened up about their relationship in the latest issue of ESSENCE, which features them on their cover. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ9hC3lNfeg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
“There’s a lot of transitional things happening in our lives, and it’s very, very symbolic at this point in time right now,” the Raising Kanan and Mr. Robot actor said in the interview, remarking that he and Serayah are at the “beginning of a new chapter,” as they enter their 30s.For the singer and model, she first revealed that she was pregnant as she walked the runway for AdoreMe during New York Fashion Week in February of this year. “The stars just aligned. We didn’t coordinate or plan anything out,” she said to ESSENCE, continuing: “I disclosed to them that I was, I think at the time, around five or six months pregnant. When they said that they were fine with it, I was like, ‘Okay, well maybe this is the opportunity, and this will be the moment.”Joey Bada$$ also shared how prior to meeting Serayah, he was comfortable being polyamorous. “That was where I was at in my life at the time,” he said. “I was very much living a lifestyle of a bachelor and it just aligned with what I was doing. But I met Ray, I bought a home, and it just changed my perspective. It definitely shifted, and the dynamic that I wanted changed. So I’m very much monogamous now, and I don’t discourage or disagree with anybody going after polyamory or whatever if that’s what you want to do. But this is where I’m at now and this is where I feel secure.”
The Pro Era rapper already has a daughter from a previous relationship, who he said was reluctant about having a sibling at first. “I think she’s like, ‘I got to share my daddy now?’ But I already know she’s going to come around,” he added. “She’s going to be super hands-on.”The interview’s publication comes at a principal time for Joey Bada$$, as he’s currently engrossed in a torrid rap battle with MCs repping the West Coast in Ray Vaughn, Daylyt and AZ Chike. He’s also confirmed that there will be a new album on the way, with an expected release date of Aug. 30.
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Red Bull Spiral, the innovative Hip-Hop series from Red Bull 1520, is back for a third season and is kicking things off with three lyrical heavyweights. Big Sean, Joey BadA$$, and Ab-Soul all hopped into the Red Bull Spiral cypher with their unique, face-melting bars.
Opening up the Red Bull Spiral is Big Sean, with the Detroit wordsmith sounding comfortable over the head-nodding production behind him with some assistance from Joey BadA$$ and Ab-Soul. After Sean Don playfully says that Ab-Soul’s lady told him that he was going to “wash” him in the cypher, the Black Lip Pastor returns the jab but delivers another one of his amazing displays of lyricism as only the Martin Luther King of Carson can. In his verse, Soul-O also shouts out BadA$$’s Pro Era set but still flies the TDE flag high.
On the anchor, the Brooklyn Bad Mon Joey BadA$$ ripped a hole in the multiverse with his bars and backed up all the tough talk he delivered over his blistering “The Ruler’s Back” track, expertly saluting Ab-Soul’s hometown and shouting out Sean. The synergy between the trio makes it appear as if they were an actual group, but this is the first time the three stars have appeared on a track of this sort. And if there was any doubt about Joey’s love for the West Coast, it was squashed amicably at the end of his set.
Check out Big Sean, Ab-Soul, and Joey BadA$$ in the Red Bull Spiral cypher below. Peep the lyrics here.
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Photo: Koury Angelo / Red Bull Content Pool
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Source: Lex Records / Lex Records
Hip-Hop music has embraced and occasionally criticized artists who chase the familiar, as nostalgia is seen as a schtick among some purists. Fly Anakin gently leans into this concept on his latest album, (The) Forever Dream, with the Richmond, Va. native harkening back to the days before Hip-Hop notoriety and the joy of spotanenity.
Executive produced by rapper and producer Quelle Chris, an innovative artist in his own right, the Detroit mainstay’s inventive bent is felt throughout (The) Forever Dream. As the concept of the album seemingly unfolds, Fly Anakin’s usual sharp rapping ability doesn’t have that same whipcrack intensity as heard on his earlier releases on his own or alongside his Mutant Academy collective.
With this album, there’s fluidity in Anakin’s flow that he’s always possessed, but much slinkier as production from Shungu, Quelle Chris collaborator Chris Keys, The Alchemist, and Quelle himself all open varying runways for the artist born Frank Walton.
The widest of those runways is the spirit of the impromptu studio session, and that tone is set early with album opener “Good Clothes” featuring Demae. Anakin’s double-time flow pairs perfectly with Chris Keys’ dreamy backdrop, and as the track builds, so does Anakin’s comfort in the moment. As a warmup, Anakin allows himself a moment of braggadocio but never overdoes it.
Hopping ahead to “My N*gga,” Shungu’s hulking production allows Richmond’s $ilkMoney, and Anakin’s Mutant Academy colleague Big Kahuna OG to set the stage for a strong closing verse for Anakin. Quelle provides the bouncy hook for an early highlight. In the background of the track, you hear laughter, adding to the mystique of the album, and the conditions that inspired its direction.
Micall Parknsun provides the track for “Lil One,” one of (The) Forever Dream’s more inward-looking songs, and Quelle joins in on the mesmerizing hook and outro. August Fanon, a producer with several placements in the sprawling independent Hip-Hop scene, delivers the somber and soulful “Check On Me,” featuring a memorable verse from Philadelphia’s lojii.
The fun starts picking up on “NOTTOOSHABBY” with verses from Quelle Chris, $ilkMoney, and Richmond legend, Nickelus F. The beat from Child Actor sounds like something Quelle would produce himself, hence why he sounds so at home on the track. Anakin and Nickelus both take off on the track as well, even with Anakin missing a lyrical cue, but telling the engineer to keep the session going.
This is what makes (The) Forever Dream the most inviting of Anakin’s releases. There is a vision of relaxation, hazy clouds of good greenery, maybe some libations, and a bunch of friends, new and old, attempting to capture those sparkling moments on wax. Yes, this all existed before, but it is greatly expanded here.
“Lord Forgives, I Hold Grudges,” takes its title from a line from Anakin’s verse and just when it appears he’s going to let us in more into who he is, the lyrics trail off into sincere but largely general sh*t talk. This isn’t a critique, but it’s something that he routinely does across the album. Quelle’s Crown Nation partner, Denmark Vesey, who produced the track, delivers an amazing performance, and Anakin’s FlySiifu collaborator Pink Siifu lends his consistent free jazz-styled lyricism.
All through the album are moments of pure, unbridled joy. This shows up on songs like the summery “The Times” with a beat from frequent Homeboy Sandman collaborator Mono En Stereo, and “Corner Pocket” with The Alchemist on the production and a scene-stealing verse from bbymutha. Quelle’s hook is also another winner.
(The) Forever Dream isn’t a gigantic departure from Frank, Anakin’s 2022 studio album debut. However, it stands apart due to the freedom of taking chances outside the typical lanes Anakin is known for. As a complete listen, the album easily showcases Fly Anakin’s formidable ability, but highlights that he can veer off the typical paths and achieve his dreams in the process.
Check out the album below. Find the album at your preferred DSPs here.
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Kai Ca$h first appeared on our radar by way of his excellent 2021 album, 711 (Deluxe), and has been featured on past CRT FRSH (Certified Fresh) playlist roundups. The Brooklyn native spoke with Hip-Hop Wired about his persistence and consistency as an artist, which has positioned the humble and talented rapper’s career to soar even higher.
Kai Ca$h took time out of his busy recording schedule to talk with Hip-Hop Wired about his early beginnings, finding his voice as an artist, and where he hopes to take his craft now that he recently signed a deal with the stacked Generation Now collective founded by DJ Drama and Don Cannon and distributed by Atlantic Records.
For Kai, his current position was something he honed in on early on.
“I was born into music, and it’s what I’m most passionate about,” Kai explains, adding, “I never really gave myself a second option when it came to what I wanted to do in life. I’m really proud of that because I put my blood, sweat, and tears, everything I have, all into the music.”
Kai credits his mother’s diverse ear for music for increasing his palate as a listener first. His father was a close friend of The Notorious B.I.G. and a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A., giving a young Kai access to meet buzzing rap stars such as Lil’ Kim and Lil Cease, among others.
“Just being around those types of environments and that energy and then going back home with my mom listening to music, it just reassured me that this is the thing I wanted to do,” Kai said.
As mentioned above, Kai’s 711 (Deluxe) was a wider introduction of his sound after dropping his debut in 2019, and he shared what his journey was like between that project to his latest project, CASH RULES.
“At that time [during 711], I was independent. Being an independent artist is one of the hardest things ever, ” Kai shared. “I champion every independent artist that figures it out and develops a system that works for them because you might not see any money from it in a long time.”
Surprisingly, Kai revealed that he was shy and reserved, but the independent grind motivated him to work on his craft and transform his timidity into the ferocity fans witness now during his energetic live performances. He recently performed at this year’s Dreamville Festival alongside his longtime collaborator and friend, Niko Brim, who also hails from Hip-Hop royalty.
Source: Kai Ca$h / Generation Now/Atlantic Records
Our conversation with Kai moved to CASH RULES, his first body of work under the Generation Now imprint. Clocking in at 10 tracks, CASH RULES covers several lanes, including soul sample-driven beats, songs for “outside,” and plenty of moments of self-reflection. Don Cannon’s guiding hand opened the way for production from notable names like Bink, 2forwOyNE (Jack Harlow), Buddah Bless (Travis Scott, Megan Thee Stallion), and more. However, Kai’s already sharp and focused delivery sounds immediately improved.
“I still have a lot of work to do,” Kai said, not content to rest on recent successes. “I feel like a freshman walking through these doors. It’s just as important as everything I did before, and in some sense even more, because now I have eyes on me and a different kind of pressure. But this has been my dream since a kid, so I don’t feel any pressure at all.”
Check out Kai Ca$h online on Instagram here, and keep up with his movement on his site here.
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Photo: Kai Ca$h / Generation Now/Atlantic Records
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Coachella concluded its first weekend on Sunday (April 13), and we covered Megan Thee Stallion‘s dazzling performance shortly after Hot Girl Meg exited the stage. Missy Elliott, one of the many standout performers at Coachella, delivered a powerful performance of her own and donned a Transformers-inspired suit during her set.
As spotted on TMZ, Missy Elliott was among the dozens of high-profile acts in California for Coachella, and the Virginia native put on an epic display of futuristic vibes and delivered some of her many notable hits.
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CRT FRSH, Hip-Hop Wired’s playlist where we attempt to showcase music we believe is “Certified Fresh,” is back again! With our latest update after too many weeks away. We’ve had a lot of catching up to do, so let’s get to the newness!
Disclaimer:
The CRT FRSH playlist is a labor of love. We don’t take payments, nor do we do favors. We only add joints to our playlist that fit the theme and vision we’re going for and don’t seek to waste the listener’s time. Further, we don’t stick to one lane of Hip-Hop. We believe that all aspects of the music should get some light, whether it’s young lions in the trenches or those hoping for that one shot to blow up to grizzled veterans puffing out their chests with lots more to say.
I want to explain how I approach curating the CRT FRSH playlist. Most importantly, I don’t segregate my Hip-Hop. Every form of music from the main cultural tree deserves a listen and a look. When I construct the playlist, I want to include all regions across the States and, when applicable, across the globe. I also want to entertain every fan of Hip-Hop, not just those who enjoy one segment of it. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to it. — D.L. Chandler, lead curator for CRT FRSH
What up, Hip-Hop Wired nation?! We’re back with our latest Certified Fresh playlist, and we hope to add to your weekend vibes. This week, we open up the playlist with “EVIL JORDAN” from Playboi Carti’s latest album, MUSIC. We follow that up with “GRITS” from Erick The Architect’s excellent I’ve Never Been Here Before: Director’s Cut project.
$ome $exy $ongs 4 U is still moving on the charts and “BRIAN STEEL” features Drake in big sh*t talk mode, and that gets followed up by Atlanta’s MARCO PLUS and his “omm” single. Texas spitter BigXThaPlug delivered his Take Care (Deluxe) set earlier this year, and we include the “Life Of A Boss” track. PremRock, one half of the dynamic ShrapKnel duo, dropped off his latest work, Did You Enjoy Your Time Here…?, and the track “Doubt Mountain,” produced by CRT FRSH fave YUNGMORPHEUS, is a standout from the release.
Salute to the rest of the CRT FRSH entrants KenTheMan, Goya Gumbani, SALIMATA, Ken Carson, Niontay, Lil Durk, Future, Young Dro, Zaytoven, Trouble (RIP), Turbo, Gunna, P-Lo, Ovrkast., Micheal Sneed, demahjiae, Lil Tecca, Falamoun, SIDESHOW, Wiz Khalifa, Smoke DZA, Lil Yachty, Veeze, Raz Fresco, and Futurewave.
Salute to all of the artists we’ve included in this week’s update. Tune in in two more weeks and we’ll be back with 20, ahem, Certified Fresh joints for the people.To be considered for inclusion, please contact D.L. Chandler via email here – dchandler@bhmdigital.com in case the link doesn’t open.
—Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CRT FRSH, Hip-Hop Wired’s playlist where we attempt to showcase music we believe is “Certified Fresh,” is back again! With our latest update after too many weeks away. We’ve had a lot of catching up to do, so let’s get to the newness!
Disclaimer:
The CRT FRSH playlist is a labor of love. We don’t take payments, nor do we do favors. We only add joints to our playlist that fit the theme and vision we’re going for and don’t seek to waste the listener’s time. Further, we don’t stick to one lane of Hip-Hop. We believe that all aspects of the music should get some light, whether it’s young lions in the trenches or those hoping for that one shot to blow up to grizzled veterans puffing out their chests with lots more to say.
I want to explain how I approach curating the CRT FRSH playlist. Most importantly, I don’t segregate my Hip-Hop. Every form of music from the main cultural tree deserves a listen and a look. When I construct the playlist, I want to include all regions across the States and, when applicable, across the globe. I also want to entertain every fan of Hip-Hop, not just those who enjoy one segment of it. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to it. — D.L. Chandler, lead curator for CRT FRSH
What up, Hip-Hop Wired nation?! We’re back with our latest Certified Fresh playlist, and we hope to add to your weekend vibes. This week, we open up the playlist with “EVIL JORDAN” from Playboi Carti’s latest album, MUSIC. We follow that up with “GRITS” from Erick The Architect’s excellent I’ve Never Been Here Before: Director’s Cut project.
$ome $exy $ongs 4 U is still moving on the charts and “BRIAN STEEL” features Drake in big sh*t talk mode, and that gets followed up by Atlanta’s MARCO PLUS and his “omm” single. Texas spitter BigXThaPlug delivered his Take Care (Deluxe) set earlier this year, and we include the “Life Of A Boss” track. PremRock, one half of the dynamic ShrapKnel duo, dropped off his latest work, Did You Enjoy Your Time Here…?, and the track “Doubt Mountain,” produced by CRT FRSH fave YUNGMORPHEUS, is a standout from the release.
Salute to the rest of the CRT FRSH entrants KenTheMan, Goya Gumbani, SALIMATA, Ken Carson, Niontay, Lil Durk, Future, Young Dro, Zaytoven, Trouble (RIP), Turbo, Gunna, P-Lo, Ovrkast., Micheal Sneed, demahjiae, Lil Tecca, Falamoun, SIDESHOW, Wiz Khalifa, Smoke DZA, Lil Yachty, Veeze, Raz Fresco, and Futurewave.
Salute to all of the artists we’ve included in this week’s update. Tune in in two more weeks and we’ll be back with 20, ahem, Certified Fresh joints for the people.To be considered for inclusion, please contact D.L. Chandler via email here – dchandler@bhmdigital.com in case the link doesn’t open.
—Photo: Getty
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Source: Westend61 / Getty
CRT FRSH, Hip-Hop Wired’s playlist where we attempt to showcase music we believe is “Certified Fresh,” is back again! With our latest update of the year, we’ve had a lot of catching up to do so let’s get to the newness.
Disclaimer:
The CRT FRSH playlist is a labor of love. We don’t take payments nor do we do favors. We only add joints to our playlist that fit the theme and vision we’re going for and don’t seek to waste the listener’s time. Further, we don’t stick to one lane of Hip-Hop. We believe that all aspects of the music should get some light, whether it’s young lions in the trenches or those hoping for that one shot to blow up to grizzled veterans puffing out their chests with lots more to say.
I want to explain how I approach curating the CRT FRSH playlist. Most importantly, I don’t segregate my Hip-Hop. Every form of music from the main cultural tree deserves a listen and a look. When I construct the playlist, I want to include all regions across the States and, when applicable, across the globe. I also want to entertain every fan of Hip-Hop, not just those who enjoy one segment of it. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to it. — D.L. Chandler
Welcome back to the latest update to your newest and favorite playlist, Certified Fresh (CRT FRSH)! We’ve been MIA for a while so we’ll need to dig deep into the virtual crates as we bring the listeners and ourselves up to speed.
We open the playlist with “NOKIA” from Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR’s collaborative album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, which has been making moves on the charts since dropping earlier this year. Taking it to Montreal, Mike Shabb’s “Crews pop” is one of several standout tracks from his hazy, well-executed album, shabbvangogh. Playboi Carti’s new MUSIC album is doing its numbers and the track “GOOD CREDIT” sounds ready for a stadium performance with Kendrick Lamar appearing for a scene-stealer verse.
MARCO PLUS, one of dopest rappers out of Atlanta, has been on CRT FRSH before and the track “gmfu” is more of his usual strong, hypnotic work. Doechii re-released an extended version of her stellar Alligator Bites Never Heal project and “Anxiety” is one of the bonus tracks of note. We took it back to 2024 and Nappy Nina and Swarvy’s slept-on Nothing Is My Favorite Thing and the track “Omakase” features some extremely dope verses from maassai and Stas THEE Boss.
We want to thank the rest of our CRT FRSH included acts such as GELO, GloRilla, Big Cheeok, Dhani, J. Cole, LORD JAH-MONTE OGBON, Freddie Gibbs, Hidden Renaissance, MACADEN, King Quad, JT, Samara Cyn, Sherwyn, Jack Harlow, Doja Cat, Zelooperz, Real Bad Man, The Alchemist, Wale, IDK, Lil Durk, Jhene Aiko, Pyraminds, Planet Asia, and Guilty Simpson.
We’ll be updating this playlist in two to three weeks with some, ahem, fresh updates and new acts along with a revamped structure to the segment. Stay tuned!
To be considered for inclusion in the CRT FRSH playlist, please email playlist curator D.L. Chandler at: dchandler@bhmdigital.com
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Photo: Getty
