Zeus32
Featuring Tee Grizzley, Anderson .Paak, Smokepurpp, Teyana Taylor, and plenty more.
Music is a versatile vessel. Sometimes artists decide to elicit euphoric emotions by imparting songs primed for soundtracking parties. Other times, they try to help the wounded heal by capturing poignant feelings though distilling societal frictions and frustrations into cathartic anthems. Given the acute emotional weight burdening the disenfranchised, coupled with today being Juneteenth, both avenues serve a distinct purpose: the former, an escape; the latter, a reassuring hand on the shoulder.
For today’s Forever Cold❄️ playlist, not only is there a ton of heat from an eclectic artist grouping, but the specific tracks also pose a musical dichotomy that embody this musical and emotional spectrum.
This week’s Forever Cold❄️ edition is headlined by: Tee Grizzley, Smokepurpp, Anderson .Paak, Teyana Taylor, and Tyga.
Kicking things off, Tee Grizzley has returned today with his third official mixtape, The Smartest. The Detroit rappers’ latest is a 17-track effort, adorned by features from Big Sean, Meek Mill, Lil Baby, Lil Keed, and Queen Naija. Emblematic of the title, The Smartest demonstrates Tee Grizzley’s cerebral thinking and introspection, as he tackles a range of issues from an insightful perspective. The Big Sean-assisted “Trenches” and his solo “Timeless” have made this week’s list.
Next up, leaning into the partying side of music, Smokepurpp has delivered his sophomore studio album, Florida Jit. The successor to his 2019 rookie album, Deadstar 2, released six-months ago, Purpp’s latest finds him continuing to live the fast life while simultaneously honing his craft. The two tracks that made this week’s list both feature fellow Floridian rappers: “I’m Him” with Denzel Curry; “Big Dawg” with Rick Ross.
Following in the same vein as Purpp’s escapism, Tyga has come through with a single poised to soundtrack the summer with “Vacation.”
Pulling a 180° from Purpp and Tyga’s more carefree approach, Anderson .Paak released an emotionally-charged single, “Lockdown,” that astutely captures these current harrowing times. Focusing primarily on police brutality and systemic racism, .Paak also deftly weaves in narratives about COVID-19, and how this coalescence has compromised America for the time being.
Last but not least, GOOD Music’s Teyana Taylor has delivered her third studio album, The Album. Following 2018’s Kanye-produced K.T.S.E., Teyana’s latest endeavor is a therapeutic expression for and a celebration of Black life; it’s no coincidence that she selected Juneteenth for her release day. The drop comes at a particularly emotional time for Teyana, as not only is she dealing with this perpetual racism as a Black woman, but she’s also pregnant, supplementing her sentimentality. Her Missy Elliot- and Future-assisted “Boomin” has made this week’s list.
Other artists to be included in today’s Forever Cold❄️ are: RMR, Joey Fatts, Noname, A Boogie, Swae Lee, Casey Veggies, Marlon Craft, and more.
Check out the 6/19 Forever Cold❄️ playlist below:
