In September, this week's chart-topper, 2 Chainz, will turn 40. He's closer in age (ranging from two to three years younger) to turn-of-the-century hitmakers like Ja Rule, 50 Cent, and Nelly than to those who feel like his contemporaries-- Drake, French Montana, Future, etc. You'd never know it from listening to his music though, which since the beginning of 2016 has felt even more vivid and vital than ever before. In just a couple of weeks he'll release Pretty Girls Like Trap Music, which feels like it'll be his definite make-or-break statement. I, for one, can't wait.
Travis Scott, Quavo, and 21 avage are all tied for most appearances apiece this week with two each. New tracks barely missing out on spots this week include SZA'z "Broken Clocks" (#11), Vacations' "Lovers Smoke" (#12), August Alsina's "Don't Matter" (#13), and Ice Cube's "Only One Me" (#14).
10. Currensy - She Don't Stop
Currensy's career has been a bit tough to keep up with lately, as his output's been ramped up to breakneck pace in the past couple of years, but last week he announced a tape that every day-one fan will be excited about. Smokey's Revenge, a sequel to 2010's Smokee Robinson, arrives soon, and the Don Cannon-produced "She Don't Stop" is our first taste. The new track debuts at #10.
9. PartyNextDoor - Rendezvous
On Friday, PND surprise-dropped a sequel to 2014's fan-adored Colours project, a four-track EP simply titled Colours 2. Despite the short amount of time that those tracks had to establish themselves on our chart, "Rendezvous" managed to climb all the way in to the top ten. In its first week out, the track debuts at #9.
8. Major Lazer Feat. Travis Scott, Quavo & Camila Cabello - Know No Better
Major Lazer's Know No Better EP has only been out four days and already this song has racked up over three million views on Youtube. Thank the combination of star power-- Diplo, Trav, and Quavo-- and buzzworthy new talent (former Fifth Harmony member Cabello, who's recently ridden the high of her guest spot on Machine Gun Kelly's "Bad Things"). The EP's title track makes its debut at #8.
7. Playboi Carti - We So Proud of Him
After a couple years of burgeoning hype, Playboi Carti FINALLY shared his debut project less than two months ago, and in contrast with his usual pace of releasing music, he already returned with a follow-up track last week. "We So Proud of Him" was initially premiered by XXL but since its release it's been taken off of the internet. Whether unofficial or in violation of some other copyright law we're not quite sure, but it ain't here anymore. "We So Proud of Him" debuts at #7.
6. Tyga Feat. Vince Staples - Playboy
T-Rawww seems to be going the guest-heavy route for his upcoming tape #BitchImTheShit2, as this Vince Staples-assisted cut follows a pair of tracks featuring Lil Wayne and Chief Keef, respectively. "Playboy" finds the two Angelinos linking up for the first time, although Staples has expressed fondness for Tyga's music in the past. This one debuts at #6.
5. Migos - To Hotty
It feels like forever since we've had a week in which not a single member of Migos has appeared on our chart, but as the individual members (especially Quavo) begin to step out on their own for guest appearances and even solo tracks, full-group tracks have become more of a rarity than they were in the trio's mixtape-heavy days. Loosie "To Hotty" is the exception, and it's seen greater success than any of Migos' recent solo cuts. In its second week out, the track is down one spot from #4 to #5.
4. 21 Savage - All The Smoke
When 21 twetted out the date "June 1" along with a barrage of knife emojis last month, fans were hoping that it signified the release date for his legit debut, Issa Album. They were wrong, as all that arrived on that date was the Southside-produced cut "All THe Smoke," which seemed to underwhelm most listeners (fittingly a devilish 66% user rating). The track debuts at #4.
3. Meek Mill Feat. Chris Brown & Ty Dolla Sign - Whatever You Need
Vocally contrasting R&B singers Chris Brown and Ty Dolla Sign have been a potent combo in the past, lending their talents to tracks by Big Sean, Kid Ink, and A$AP Ferg, and last week, it was the newly-prolific Meek Mill who called upon their talents for a new track. "Whatever You Need" is the latest in a string of successful cuts from the Philly rapper; next to Migos, it seems like he might be the guy with the longest streak of consecutive top ten appearances. This track debuts at #3.
2. 21 Savage Feat. Drake & Young Thug - Issa
We still don't have a CDQ version of "Issa," the long-awaited track from 21 Savage that'll probably end up being a single on Issa Album, but that hasn't stopped fans for checking for it. In its second week out, the unofficial version of the song only dropped one spot, from #1 to #2.
1. 2 Chainz Feat. Travis Scott - 4 AM
2 Chainz has been riding a pretty crazy high since the beginning of 2016, but although he's dropped three projects and countless guest verses in that timespan, it kind of feels like it's all been building up to Pretty Girls Like Trap music, his album that drops on June 16th. The Travis Scott-assisted "4 AM" is the latest track that lets us know that he's not playing around; odds are this will eclipse both of the B.O.A.T.S. albums. THis track debuts at #1.
