New Music Mondays: 2 Chainz, Kirk Franklin, Mariah Carey And More
A jet-setting single by 2 Chainz, inspirational new LP by Kirk Franklin and an anniversary release from Mariah Carey make this week's roundup.
Black News 
A new month, a new standard time as of yesterday and some new music kick things off for a very fresh-feeling start to the week.
2 Chainz has a way of flowing effortlessly over the silkiest beats, so working alongside veteran beat master Statik Selektah makes for the perfect pairing. On December 4, we’ll hear the two collaborate over a full-length project on the upcoming release of Playaz Only Live Once, with Statik handling production and the Southern rap icon dropping bars over boom-bap. The lead single, “A Week In Paris,” is a great testament to the synergy they have in the booth. The languid instrumental loops with a nostalgic melody as 2 Chainz raps about the luxuries that come with being one of the biggest and most consistent emcees of his generation. The accompany video has a similar slow pace with a backdrop that brings the song title full circle.
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Kirk Franklin delivered a true blessing this week with the arrival of his latest album, I Am What I Am. Ever since his breakout 1997 hit single, “Stomp,” the gospel pioneer has become the prototype for adding a modern edge to Christian music. He stays true to fashion this time around, highlighted by an experimental collab with country rap star Jelly Roll, a lead single with GloRilla that shows the female emcee in a holy new light, Afrobeats alongside Davido and a headbanger with Tobe Nwigwe. A second disc comprised of live recordings is where he gets back to basics, bringing us to church with a choir in tow, an appearance by Tim Rogers and the album’s standout duet with Karen Clark-Sheard.
Mariah Carey is getting back justice for a decent album in her catalog that drastically suffered during its initial run due to an ill-fated release date on September 11, 2001 and the poorly-received film it was attached to. As Glitter turns 25, MC decided to preempt her annual holiday takeover with an anniversary re-release that includes a whopping 15 additional tracks — rares, unreleased, remixes and collabs with Channel Tres and Rochelle Jordan are sure to keep the Lambs satisfied. Getting a 4K restoration of her music video for the fan-favorite single, “Loverboy,” was a treat all on its own.
Also in the mix includes Coi Leray linking with Lucky Daye, a new album by BigXthaPlug, Conway the Machine coming through with a haunting new single, Curren$y and Harry Fraud at it again with help from Rome Streetz, a new project from BKTHERULA, a touch of gold from Yung Bleu and a serenading single by Snoh Aalegra.
