Listen: Drake – “Started From The Bottom”

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Since releasing his Take Care near the end of 2011, Drake has been keeping his solo material close to the heart, only making occasional appearances with his blistering verses and hooks on other artists’ songs (see ASAP Rocky‘s “F**kin’ Problem”Future‘s “Fo’ Real”, Lil Wayne‘s “Love Me” for examples). So there’s something inherently exciting about “Started From The Bottom,” the Mike Zombie and 40-assisted debut single from Drizzy’s next solo album. It’s a little bit repetitive — probably to help silence everyone who still claims that Drake’s career was gifted to him on a Degrassi-greased plate or that he just somehow stumbled haphazardly onto the world stage, but the bottom line here (no pun intended) is that he’s worked hard for everything he has now and that he’s here to stay.

Here’s what Drake had to say about it on the OVO blog:

My good friends,

It has truly been too long. I assume you’re all keeping well and making the most of this year that has been given to us. Today is the day to begin sharing my newest work with you. This is the first single off of my upcoming album. I feel sometimes that people don’t have enough information about my beginnings and therefore they make up a life story for me that isn’t consistent with actual events. My family and my second family (consisting of the best friends anybody could ever have) all struggled and worked extremely hard to make all this happen. I did not buy my way into this spot and it was the furthest thing from easy to achieve. I am proud of every part of my past and I’m excited for this song to find a place in your life as well. I didn’t feel I needed any interviews or radio or press to launch this song. It felt right to come back to the site that I started on and release it to the people that started here with me. Judging by this post, the tour that we’ve been planning, the conversations about new songs and album artwork…I think it’s safe to say we’re back together again. Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

“You don’t have to ask me how I’m doing…just listen to the music” – K.Samir

Listen: A$AP Rocky – “F*ckin Problem (feat. Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar)”

Wow, this track is a problem. Less than half an hour ago and with no prior warning, A$AP Rocky announced to his Twitter followers that a new track would be released later today. “F*ckin Problem” is that song, which comes loaded with features from Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar, as well as production from Drake’s right-hand-man and producer Noah “40” Shebib. Stream or grab the MP3 below, courtesy of Rocky himself. “F*ckin Problem” is the latest single to drop from PMF’s upcoming album LongLiveA$AP, scheduled for release on October 31 through A$AP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music and RCA Records.

MP3: A$AP Rocky – “F*ckin Problem (feat. Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar) [prod. 40]”

Dates for Rocky’s current LONGLIVEA$AP tour can be found here.

Download: A$AP Mob – Lords Never Die

The A$AP Mob drop off their new mixtape Lords Never Die to tide us over until Rocky‘s highly anticipated debut album drops on Halloween. Not only is the album artwork completely awesome, but we get a chance to sample more music from the lesser known members of the extremely talented group. The best part though? They all take turns over fantastic production from the likes of AraabMuzik and Clams Casino, while also bringing along Danny Brown and Gunplay for the ride.

DOWNLOAD: A$AP Mob – Lords Never Die

Lords Never Die Tracklisting:
01 Thuggin’ Noise [prod. Silky Johnson]
02 Full Metal Jacket [prod. 183rd]
03 Bangin On Waxx [prod. A$AP Ty Beats]
04 Coke & White Bitches: Chapter 2 [ft. Danny Brown, Fat Trel, Gunplay; prod. P on the Boards]
05 Bath Salt [ft. Flatbush Zombies; prod. P on the Boards]
06 Persian Wine [prod. Electro Beats]
07 Black Man [prod. Electro Beats]
08 Dope, Money, and Hoes [prod. AraabMuzik]
09 Work [prod. Chinza & Fly]
10 Y.N.R.E. [prod. AraabMuzik]
11 Purple Kisses [prod. VERYRVRE]
12 The Way It Go [prod. Milo]
13 Freeze [ft. Jim Jones; prod. Clams Casino]
14 Told Ya [ft. Bodega Bamz; prod. DJ Carnage]
15 Underground Killa$ [ft. Raekwon; prod. Simon]
16 Jay Reed [prod. P on the Boards]
17 Gotham City [prod. A$AP Ty Beats]
18 Choppas On Deck [prod. E-Smitty]

Listen: A$AP Rocky – “Ridin’ (feat. Lana Del Rey)”

By now, you’ve probably seen the short film for Lana Del Rey‘s “National Anthem”. Apparently that wasn’t enough for A$AP Rocky and Lana Del Rey, who teamed up once again for the second single off Rocky’s forthcoming LongLiveA$AP LP. “Ridin'” was originally supposed to appear on April’s Follow The Leaders mixtape from The KickDrums, but Rocky liked it so much he wanted to save it for his album.

Lana, who has always described herself as a huge fan of hip-hop, trades verses with Rocky on the new cut, which is literally a tribute to the indie songstress and the Harlem rapper’s apparently budding romance. Rocky repeatedly mentions, “Long hair, Lana, that’s my b**ch. You can tell by the swagger in her lips.” Cute.

MP3: ASAP Rocky – “Ridin’ (feat. Lana Del Rey)”

Video: Lana Del Rey – “National Anthem”

One of this year’s most anticipated short films (I say one because I’m hoping that Kanye‘s 7-screen short film for Cruel Summer will somehow leave Cannes and see a public release) was just released onto the internet. Directed by Anthony Mandler, the video for Lana Del Rey‘s “National Anthem” clocks in at just under 8 minutes and features the singer masquerading as both Marilyn Manson and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Playing the part of JFK? None other than Harlem upstart A$AP Rocky, who does his best impression of the charismatic President, complete with suits, snapbacks, blunts, and more. It’s all rather surreal and, well, it has to be seen to be believed. It’s also probably going to spark quite a bit of controversy… but that’s another topic entirely.

Watch the full video below.