Because he has nothing better to do with his time, each Friday, Micah Peters riffs on the most awe-inspiring, confounding, addictive, or otherwise hilarious moments from the week in music.
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September 14, 2019
So Necessary: Sad Future Returns Just in Time for Fall on a Feature With FKA Twigs
"Holy terrain" provides the perfect platform for the king and queen of vulnerable, weirdo R&B to sync up. Plus: Charli XCX mixes styles on "2017," Slowthai’s "Psycho" finally gets a proper release, and Don Toliver’s album will probably be huge.
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September 7, 2019
So Necessary: DaBaby Is the True Star of Post Malone’s ‘Hollywood’s Bleeding’
The "Suge" rapper brings a necessary dose of magnetism to Posty’s "Enemies." Plus: Travis Scott’s doc is beautifully boring, Danny Brown airs some "Dirty Laundry," and Mario thinks twice about thoughts and prayers.
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August 23, 2019
Taylor Swift Shakes Off the Bad Vibes With “Cruel Summer”
The second track on ‘Lover’ is a better rebuke of her personal drama than anything on her last album. Plus: Lana Del Rey is set up for the album of her career, Young Thug and Gunna go to the beach, and Little Brother is back.
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August 17, 2019
Jay-Z’s Curious NFL Gig and Young Thug’s Long-Awaited Studio Debut
Also from the week in music: 3ohBlack’s micro-memed moment, Cousin Stizz’s latest album, and JPEGMAFIA’s best song title yet
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August 10, 2019
Megan Thee Stallion Finally Gives Hot Girl Summer an Anthem
Amid a banner week for content, the Houston rapper drops a new collab with Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign. Plus: Pusha T’s lost Rick Ross verse and new Lil Uzi Vert.
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August 3, 2019
So Necessary: In Which Donald Glover Brings Garth Brooks’s Alter Ego Back to Life
Childish Gambino covered Chris Gaines of all things on ‘Like a Version.’ Plus: Drake breaks out his old Instagram-caption hits and Clairo finds her perfect match with Rostam.
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July 27, 2019
Drake and Rick Ross Deliver the Luxury Goods on “Gold Roses”
Plus: New music from YBN Cordae, Rico Nasty’s cypher-winning freestyle, and Tyler, the Creator invites Funk Flex into his world
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July 19, 2019
Beyoncé Delivers ‘The Gift’ and Charli XCX Is “Gone”
Also in our So Necessary music roundup: new tracks from Maxo Kream with ScHoolBoy Q, girl in red, Baby Keem, and Ed Sheeran with Young Thug and J Hus
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July 12, 2019
So Necessary: Blood Orange Goes to Memphis, Yellow Days Finds Love, and Tyga Pays Homage
Also in music this week: 03 Greedo’s collabo with Travis Barker, ASAP Rocky’s Sweden situation, and Drake’s OVO Fest lineup
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June 28, 2019
So Necessary: Chance the Rapper’s Rereleases, Brittany Howard’s Yowl, and Freddie Gibbs’s Triumph
Also in music this week: Key!’s moment of clarity, Clairo’s captivating voice, and Chaka Khan’s complaint
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June 14, 2019
So Necessary: Octavian Rasps, GoldLink Slinks, and DJ Khaled Pouts
Also this week in music: a posthumous posse cut from Daptone Records, Young Thug’s ad-libs for Lil Keed, and Marika Hackman’s poppy turn
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June 7, 2019
So Necessary: Future’s EP, Channel Tres’s House, and Kelis’s Lost Album
Also new in music this week: GoldLink featuring Tyler, the Creator, Philly’s (Sandy) Alex G, and Skepta’s "Colors" performance
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May 31, 2019
So Necessary: Freddie Gibbs Farms, Skepta Robs, and Lil Nas X Is for the Children
Plus: Key! has a Miami problem, Moby’s misbegotten book tour, and the streaming debut from a legendary Japanese pop-rock group
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May 24, 2019
So Necessary: Playboi Carti’s Viral Hit, Steve Lacy’s Freestyle, and Mannequin Pussy
Also, in our weekly music roundup: J. Cole commits another theft and Valee keeps it slick
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May 17, 2019
So Necessary: Tyler, the Creator’s Playboi Carti Assist, Skepta’s Precision, and Megan Thee Stallion’s Realness
Also: GoldLink’s secret weapon, Pharrell and Timbaland’s compliment battle, and the energy of Stunna 4 Vegas
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May 10, 2019
So Necessary: Toro y Moi on ‘Tiny Desk,’ Ari Lennox’s Soul, and Vampire Weekend’s “Bambina”
Plus: Slowthai’s caustic ode to Britain, another dazzling Pi’erre Bourne beat, and Kacey Musgraves’s wild music video
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May 3, 2019
So Necessary: Logic and Eminem (and Chris D’Elia), Stormzy, and Japanese Breakfast
Also in this week’s music roundup: Taylor Swift appropriates, and OMB Peezy preaches
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April 26, 2019
So Necessary: Rico Nasty’s Appeal, ScHoolboy Q’s “Floating,” and the “Jenny of Oldstones” Cover
Plus: Flying Lotus’s Little Dragon collabo, Young Nudy meets Pi’erre Bourne, and an impenetrable FKA Twigs video
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April 19, 2019
So Necessary: Beyoncé’s Cookout Jam, “Old Town Hoe,” and Blood Orange’s Dream Music
Bey’s best ‘Homecoming’ track, as well as SOB x RBE’s growing pains and Insignificant Other’s earnest breakup song
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April 12, 2019
So Necessary: Kevin Abstract Is Slowly Releasing a New Project, and Lil Uzi Vert Is Standing on His Money
Also in our weekly music roundup: Stefan Babcock’s voice endures, Megan Thee Stallion freestyles, and Kaytranada takes us to outer space
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April 5, 2019
So Necessary: Nipsey Hussle Memories, Anderson .Paak’s Smokey Collabo, and Vampire Weekend’s Best New Single
Also in our weekly music roundup: Juvenile’s Cash Money return with Birdman, indie pop from the Drums, and Billy Corgan rides a roller coaster
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March 29, 2019
So Necessary: Billie Eilish, Cardi B, Flume, and the Week’s Best Moments in Music
Also: Lil Uzi Vert is free (sort of), Tree spits a California quotable, and A$AP Ferg goes electronic with NGHTMRE
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March 22, 2019
So Necessary: New Music From the Cranberries, MorMor, and Chris Crack
Our weekly roundup includes haunting tracks from a Toronto indie star and the late Dolores O’Riordan, as well as rap from a Chicago upstart and a Lizzo-Missy collabo
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March 15, 2019
So Necessary: Stella Donnelly, Schoolboy Q, Juice WRLD, and Dave
Our weekly roundup covers an Australian singer’s breezy vocals, new rap from L.A. and South London, and a Compton rapper’s trip to London
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March 8, 2019
So Necessary: Solange, the National, 2 Chainz, and the Week’s Best Moments in Music
Our weekly roundup highlights chipmunk soul, Kenny Beats’s new web series, emo rock, a Playboy Carti cameo, and a rapper to watch from North Carolina