There’s a handful of unforeseen features highlighted in the Friday (May 12) version of the DX Digest. For starters, producer Calvin Harris proves to be an evil genius by pairing Future with singer-songwriter Khalid. We also see Rich Chigga call on Keith Ape and XXXTENTACION. Lastly, Jason Derulo gets sultry on a song on the “Swalla (After Dark Remix),” featuring Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign.
CALVIN HARRIS F. FUTURE & KHALID – “ROLLIN”
Calvin Harris continues to make happy music, and he packaged his most recent work into an album titled Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 1, due in stores June 30. Today, he previews track four, an unconventional collaboration featuring Future and rising crooner Khalid.
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Everything Is Recorded f. Sampha – “Close But Not Quite”
Soulful music has been known to pull listeners in their feelings, but Sampha’s voice takes it a level deeper, tugging on heartstrings even if you cannot directly empathize with the experiences he’s singing about. For instance, the UK singer-songwriter interpolates soul singer Curtis Mayfield’s chorus from his 1970 song “The Makings of You” – giving it new life – on “Close But Not Quite.” In the same way that he gifted Drake with a gem on More Life, Sampha recorded this track for producer/XL founder Richard Russell’s new collaborative EP, Everything Is Recorded. Spoiler alert: yes, it’s amazing. Yes, it’s also emotional.
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Lupe Fiasco – “Coulda Been”
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Buddy – “Find ME”
Here’s a new gem. Buddy and Kaytranada announce a new EP, Ocean & Montana, due out May 19. The duo share the first offering from the project in the form of “Find Me.”
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Rich Chigga f. Keith Ape & XXXTentacion – “Gospel”
Must be two gospels, signed a writer whose elevator wants to go up when the curtain closes. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, Rich Chigga drops his feature-heavy song “Gospel,” featuring Keith Ape and XXXTENTACION. Producer RonnyJ created an audible riot for the trio to rhyme over.
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Banks & Steelz (RZA & Paul Banks) – “Who Needs the World”
RZA has always possessed a rather worldly view on life. He expounds on his thoughts, operating under the confines of Banks & Steelz, his group with Paul Banks, on a new track titled “Who Needs the World.” Here, RZA waxes poetics about the environment, as Banks backs him on the chorus.
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Jason Derulo F. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign – “Swalla (After Dark Remix)”
Nicki Minaj premiered an acoustic version of her verse from Jason Derulo’s “Swalla” on Instagram Live. Fans who’ve been clamoring for the full song are in for a treat. Turn down the lights and light a candle to properly prepare yourselves for what’s been deemed the “After Dark Remix,” featuring Nicki and Ty Dolla $ign.
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XXXTentacion – “looking for a star (CANT GET YOU OUT MY HEAD)”
XXXTENTACION is no one-trick pony, as he delivers “looking for a star (CANT GET YOU OUT MY HEAD),” featuring pop production from Diplo. Yes, you read that right, and yes, this strangely works – with autotune vocals, numerous beat changes and more.
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Daylyt – “The Daytrix”
Red pill or blue pill? You take your choice. The concept made universal by The Cohen Brother’s classic film The Matrix inspires Daylyt’s new track “The Daytrix.” Known for his battle rapping prowess, we see the West Coast artist briefly deviate from contest to work with producer Willie B. The result is a thoughtful anecdotal track that recalls the MC’s childhood.
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Fetty Wap – “Aye”
There’s no shortage of women in Fetty Wap’s gritty visual for “Aye.” It’s also worth noting that the New Jersey native finds his pocket on this track, which bodes well for hopes that he can get back to delivering hit records.
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Machine Gun Kelly – “The Gunner”
“The Gunner” is Machine Gun Kelly, who celebrates the release of his bloomalbum by releasing a visual for the aforementioned track. He doesn’t spare any theatrics as he finds inspiration in The Matrix in this clip.
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Willie The Kid & V Don f. Roc Marciano – “24 Hours”
Michigan has never had a shortage of pure spitters, whether it be in Detroit or neighboring outskirts. Enter Grand Rapids’ own Willie The Kid, as the veteran wordsmith readies his upcoming joint project with Harlem producer V Don, Deutsche Marks. V Don has the horns blowing on “24 Hours,” a smooth tune that’s bespoke fitted for the MCs to trade verses filled with slick banter.
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