Fans of the golden age of Gangsta Grillz mixtapes have more reason for celebration; this week’s edition of New Music Friday is dominated by the sounds (and adlibs) of the esteemed DJ Drama.

The Philadelphia-born DJ is all over this list, from his contributions on Jeezy’s latest album, SNOFALL, to Snoop Dogg’s Gangsta Grillz: I Still Got It. Those two albums are enough for any reasonable Hip Hop Head to be satisfied through the weekend, but this Friday packs a special punch.

Adding to the fun this week is Griselda’s Armani Caesar with The Liz 2, the follow-up to her 2020 album THE LIZ, Duckwrth’s Chrome Bull, CONNECTIONS from MVW and many more.

Jeezy & DJ Drama – SNOFALL

Jeezy and DJ Drama coming together feels like the meeting of titans. Though it has been ten years since the pair last met for their 2012 album It’s Tha World, their latest project, SNOFALL, feels just as fresh.

Jeezy, one of the seminal founders of trap music, is no stranger to working with an elite cast of artists. His most recent tape is certainly no exception. As fans caught ahead of the project’s release, Jeezy and his host amassed a particularly legendary cast around him for SNOFALL, including Rihanna, Kanye West, 42 Dugg, DJ Khaled, Post Malone and more.

Snoop Dogg & DJ Drama – Gangsta Grillz: I Still Got It

The reign of Gangsta Grillz Boss DJ Drama continues through his joint project with Snoop Dogg titled Gangsta Grillz: I Still Got It. Not that there was much doubt of the two artists’ remaining potential, as both of them are in the midst of a career renaissance, but I Still Got It is extra proof nonetheless.

Spanning 13 tracks, Gangsta Grillz: I Still Got It also includes features from the likes of Dave East, Kurupt, Juicy J, Trinidad James and more.

Armani Caesar – THE LIZ 2

Armani Caesar joined Griselda Records, the Buffalo, NY-based home to Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine and Westside Gunn in 2020, but she has been rapping with the record imprint when she was just 15-years-old.

THE LIZ 2 picks up where her 2020 Griselda debut left-off. Teased with lead single “Diana” featuring Kodak Black, THE LIZ 2 is ripe with boom-bap raps tweaked for a contemporary audience.

Duckwrth – Chrome Bull

As we steadily approach the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, one thing has become very clear: genres have become blurred rendering them largely obsolete. Every rapper breaks boundaries, but still, listening to Duckwrth serves as a refreshing reminder of Hip Hop and R&B’s boundlessness.

The Chrome Bull EP is the California artist’s most recent offering, a small EP which packs a punch along with features from Odd Future’s Syd, Shaun Ross and more.

MVW – CONNECTIONS

Composer-producer MVW is known for infusing sounds from his past in classical music with contemporary trap. It’s something we’ve seen previously on his debut Hip Hop CLASSIC$, and now with his follow-up album CONNECTIONS.

Adding to the dynamic world of MVW are new and old faces alike. Frequent collaborators Valee and Lex Luger both make appearances, as do leaders of rap’s new vanguard including TiaCorine, Zelooperz, Warhol.SS and more.

So Icy Boyz – So Icy Boyz 22

Over the years, the 1017 Records imprint has grown from being the home of Atlanta legend Gucci Mane’s music to becoming a formidable rapper-helmed label. Gucci, who has continually showed his prowess as an A&R, managed to recruit a promising group of young MCs, from Pooh Shiesty and Big Scarr to Foogiano and Enchanting.

The collective’s latest release arrives with a whopping 56-tracks which run nearly three-hours long. But don’t let the length intimidate you: consider So Icy Boyz 22 as a playlist and let it run in the background of your weekend festivities.

Loyle Carner – hugo

U.K. rapper Loyle Carner first broke into rap’s mainstream with 2017’s Yesterday’s Gone which contained lo-fi tracks such as “The Isle Of Arran,” “Ain’t Nothing Changed” and the smash-hit “Damselfly” with Tom Misch. He continued to gain steam through 2020’s Not Waving, But Drowning which featured the likes of Jorja Smith and Sampha.

He’s now returned with his latest effort, hugo, led by singles “Georgetown” with John Agard, “Hate” and “Nobody Knows.”

Xavier Wulf – Blood Shore Season 3

Hard-spitting Memphis rapper Xavier Wulf is no stranger to blending the dichotomous sounds of his city. Memphis is home to Crunk music through Three 6 Mafia and Lil Jon, as well as its new, darker breed, helmed in large part by Xavier Wulf.

Through songs such as “Psycho Pass,” “Kid Cudi – Remix” and “Akina Speed Star,” Wulf forged his own path through Memphis’ rich history. He’s now back with 10-track album Blood Shore Season 3.

Archibald Slim – Worldly Ways

In 2021 Atlanta-native rapper Archibald Slim dropped Fell Asleep Praying, his first release since the Awful Records-stamped Last Days in the Barrio from 2015. After his half-decade departure from music, one thing has become clear: Archibald Slim is back and aiming for your head.

Worldly Ways, released on POW Recordings, has now arrived and presents Slim as sharp as ever. From the woozy titular track with New York MC Gabe ‘Nandez to the booming maximalism of “Mental Health,” Worldly Ways is a masterclass in underground rap.

Be sure to stream Ether Rocks by Rockness Monsta and Ron Browz, Elcamino’s Gold Bricks and SwaVay’s ALMETHA’S SON, this week’s Honorable Mentions.