IDK and Eminem Open New Hip-Hop Friday With “WELCOME”

Release artwork, from left: “WELCOME,” “GMFU,” “Situation” and “Unfuckwitable 2.”

IDK has the first word on New Hip-Hop Friday. “WELCOME” pairs the Maryland rapper with Eminem over a J Dilla production, a meeting of the DMV and Detroit that takes just two minutes and 42 seconds. Detroit keeps turning up farther down the list, sometimes in company you might never guess from a name alone.

There are three collaborations worth hearing back to back here: 2 Chainz with Erykah Badu among his guests, Babyface Ray with Babyface himself, and Boldy James with Payroll Giovanni. Start at the top or jump to any pairing in the player. All ten selections use the explicit recordings.

IDK, Eminem & J Dilla — “WELCOME”

Listen for the handoff between IDK and Eminem. Apple credits Dilla alongside both rappers on the single, so the name behind the beat gets billing right on the record.

Offset — “I Did”

Offset follows that three-name opener on his own. At two minutes and 26 seconds, “I Did” makes a compact entry point into his album “GMFU.”

2 Chainz — “Situation (feat. Big Sean, Erykah Badu & Aasher Saintt)”

Big Sean, Erykah Badu and Aasher Saintt join 2 Chainz on one of the week’s more unexpected bills. All four names fit inside a track shorter than three minutes.

Babyface Ray & Babyface — “Love 4 Me”

Yes, both Babyfaces are on this one. The Detroit rapper brings the R&B singer and songwriter onto “Unfuckwitable 2.” Look for the numeral 4 in the title.

Boldy James — “Only You (feat. Payroll Giovanni)”

Stay in Detroit for this pairing from “Bentayga Genesis.” Payroll Giovanni joins Boldy James here, making “Only You” a good second stop for listeners drawn in by Babyface Ray.

Benny the Butcher, Black Soprano Family & Fuego Base — “Channel Boots (feat. Elcamino)”

Elcamino takes the featured spot on this cut from “A Friend of Ours 2.” Benny the Butcher, Black Soprano Family and Fuego Base share the main billing.

Connie Diiamond & Symba — “Lay it Down”

Connie Diiamond puts Symba on this selection from “UNLEASHED.” At three minutes and 38 seconds, it gives the two rappers more room than either of the opening tracks.

Conway the Machine — “Sarah!”

Conway gets a track to himself after two guest-heavy selections. “Sarah!” also gives listeners another route through Buffalo rap after the earlier Black Soprano Family cut.

Belly Gang Kushington — “Tellin Ya”

“Tellin Ya” is our way into Belly Gang Kushington’s “GOOD DOPE SELL ITSELF.” He carries this selection alone before the guest list opens up again on the closer.

Skilla Baby & Summer Walker — “Face Card (feat. Chris Brown & Bryson Tiller) [Remix]”

Skilla Baby and Summer Walker bring Chris Brown and Bryson Tiller onto the remix. It makes a natural last stop for rap listeners headed straight to the R&B picks.

For the other half of this week’s listening list, hear all ten selections in New R&B Friday.