What we’re listening to this week at The Shift

Albums! On this week’s installment, we’re listening to some new long plays and EPs by some big names like Joey Bada$$, Rico Nasty, and Lil Uzi Vert along with a sick new single by Lil Durk and Southside.

And as usual, you can keep up with what our team is vibing to at the official THE SHIFT playlist on Spotify. We don’t mess around when it comes to good tracks. Now let’s get to the music, shall we?

Joey Bada$$ - 2000

We’ve been waiting for this one for a while. 

It’s been a long time, but Joey Bada$$’ third studio album, 2000, is finally here. It’s the Brooklyn rapper’s first album since 2017’s ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ and the sequel to his debut mixtape, 1999, which recently turned 10 years old. After some delay, the 14-track project finally dropped and includes some previously released singles such as “Head High,” “Survivors Guilt,” and last week’s release, “Zipcodes.” The album is described by Bada$$ as having “that authentic Joey” feeling, and boasts features by Diddy, Westside Gunn, Larry June, Chris Brown, Capella Grey and JID.

Rico Nasty - Las Ruinas

Rico Nasty may be one of the most diverse artists in the game right now, and that’s proven in her latest mixtape, Las Ruinas. Across the 17-track album, Rico switches between rap and hyperpop, to full-on emo and even straight-up dance music and house pop various times. She’s kept the features minimal this time around, only seeing contributions by BKTheRula, Teezo Touchdown and Marshmello that complement her “in-your-face” style verses. Rico has dubbed Las Ruinas as her “most experimental and vulnerable body of work yet.”

Lil Uzi Vert - Red & White 

In the last few weeks, Lil Uzi’s been slowly going back to their roots and quietly dropping new tracks on SoundCloud before adding all them into their latest EP, Red & White. That includes the four teasers - “Space Cadet,” “I Know,” “Flex Up” and “Hittin My Shoulder.” It’s Uzi’s first song collection since 2020’s Eternal Atake in his new, sonic-flow era as we await his upcoming LP, The Pink Tape, sometime this year (hopefully). Red & White features production by Sonny Digital, Maaly Raw, Mustard, Bally, ShaunGoBrazy and Brandon Finessin.

Southside & Lil Durk - “Save Me”

Atlanta producer Southside links with Chicago’s own Lil Durk for “Save Me,” a song that brings all the hard-hitting, street vibes that have made 808 Mafia one of hip-hop’s top producer collectives. The tandem come together and build off of their strengths in this track; Durk is amazing at making emotional bangers, and Southside is the best at making beats for someone to get their emotions off on. The melodic rap and hook carry the track, while the accompanying music video sees the two cruising through the block in a convertible as Durk brings his street tales from the hood to life.