What makes the soundtrack stand out is the wide range of artists and styles it brings together. Big names like Earth, Wind & Fire and MF DOOM sit side by side with newer acts such as Little Simz, Turnstile, Denzel Curry, Scowl, and Skegss. Tracks like ‘New Heart Design’ by Turnstile, ‘Mood Swings’ by Little Simz, and ‘Hit The Floor’ by Denzel Curry and Ski Mask the Slump God show how different the moods can be. From punk rock to hip-hop to indie and beyond, the list reflects the mix of sounds that shape skate culture. It feels less like a single genre and more like a playlist built by a community of skaters with varied tastes.

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The way the music appears in the game is also different from what players might expect. Instead of being limited to menus or radio-style playlists, songs will come from the world around you. As you skate through San Vansterdam, you might hear music coming out of a passing car, a street speaker, or a local hangout spot. This design helps the soundtrack feel like part of the city itself rather than something separate. EA has also promised that new tracks will be added each season, meaning the soundtrack will grow and change just like the game world.

Of course, there are some challenges with such a big and varied playlist. Licensing songs from so many artists and genres isn’t easy, and some tracks might not be available in every region.

Even with these challenges, the soundtrack already looks like one of the strongest parts of the new Skate. It manages to honor the older games, which were famous for their memorable playlists, while also moving forward by shining a light on fresh talent. By combining classic songs with new voices and making the soundtrack feel alive inside the city, the developers are turning music into an essential part of the skating experience.

The developers have not announced a release date for the full game, but early access is available to players in the meantime.

Lupe Fiasco released his tribute through a freestyle rap, in which he shared sorrow for MF DOOM’s passing, the contributions the departed artist made to the music industry, and the impact he has on Lupe Fiasco personally. Emotional and expressive, the closing lyrics captured the impact of MF DOOM’s passing; “Crying like a grown man… we’ll take it from here, look how far you brought us.”

To whom it may concern:

I ask and propose that from this point forward all rappers from everywhere and from every style and every level in the craft refer to “Similes” as “Dumiles”
Pronounced “Doom-ah-lays”

A small gesture for a fallen master.

MF DOOM

Can I get a 2nd?

— TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) December 31, 2020

Alongside the rap, Lupe Fiasco expressed his grief through a series of tweets.. “To whom it may concern: I ask and propose that from this point forward all rappers from everywhere and from every style and every level in the craft refer to ‘Similes’ as ‘Dumiles’ […] A small gesture for a fallen master. MF DOOM Folded hands,” the artist wrote in his first tweet.

Thanx DOOM…I learned so much from you about the art of rapping. Studied and analyzed you for years as recently as a few days ago. I wish I could’ve met you to tell you that. …here’s some raps…rest easy…Amin… pic.twitter.com/1njyEArfzT — TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) January 1, 2021

He went onto express his personal gratitude to the departed rapper. “Thanx DOOM…I learned so much from you about the art of rapping. Studied and analysed you for years as recently as a few days ago. I wish I could’ve met you to tell you that. Folded hands…here’s some raps…rest easy…Amin…”

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MF DOOM’s departure was announced publicly through Instagram by his wife Jasmine. “To Dumile. The greatest husband, father, teacher, student, business partner, lover and friend I could ever ask for. Thank you for all the things you have shown, taught and given to me, our children and our family. Thank you for teaching me how to forgive beings and give another chance, not to be so quick to judge and write off. Thank you for showing how not to be afraid to love and be the best person I could ever be,” she wrote.

“My world will never be the same without you. Words will never express what you and Malachi mean to me, I love both and adore you always. May THE ALL continue to bless you, our family and the planet.”

‘Cookie Chips’ is Rejjie Snow’s first release since his critically acclaimed, debut album, ‘Dear Annie‘ (2018). The track shatters Snow’s two year silence. His trademark retro flow rolls effortlessly over a funky instrumental, which resembles a beefier, faster, younger cousin of The Beatles’s classic ‘Strawberry Field’s Forever‘ (1966). Stylistically, the collaboration with MF Doom is natural, despite Doom’s Super-Villain iconography clashing with Snow’s desire to rhyme about rainbows and childhood sweethearts. The two rappers have etched careers out of a similar, laid-back, funky Hip-Hop sound. The result is a track seeped in an up-beat, subtle, nostalgia. This is inline with Snow’s intentions, with the rapper stating that ‘It feels good to bring out this song in such an unaccustomed time and being this new chapter in a solid and happy place‘.

Rejjie Snow also released the single’s visuals. The four and a half minute clip maintains the singles positive psychedelia. The video depicts Snow strolling around the countryside, clad in bunny ears and red cardigan as a quasi-Mad Hatter. He clasps a bunch of balloons with a hapless grin on his face, before taking off into the sky in true Pixar fashion. The enduring image is that of Snow ascending into the sunset as his final line echoes, ‘I know we are gonna see the light of day‘. It is an affirming message, conjured by alternative means.

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REJJIE SNOW & MF DOOM 2020 ⠀

A post shared by @ rejjiesnow on Jul 12, 2020 at 11:07am PDT

Rejjie Snow, following the release of ‘Cookie Chips‘, has teased a joint album with MF Doom. He took to Instagram to upload the not so subtle message, ‘Rejjie Snow and MF Doom 2020 Album season baby oh yeah‘. Their natural chemistry makes further collaborations very possible. MF Doom has six studio albums to date, released under a variety of stage names.

‘Cookie Chips‘ is a heart-warming return for Rejjie Snow. The combination with MF Doom is effortless and a subsequent album is now in the works. Fans will be overjoyed, having gone two years without any new content from Snow. They will also take heart from the rapper’s overwhelmingly positive message. The Irish rapper will be equally as pleased to know that ‘Cookie Chips‘ undoubtedly leaves a spring in the step.