The past few years have been anything but easy for TDE rapper Isaiah Rashad, but luckily it seems like fans are finally being treated to the album rollout that they’ve patiently been waiting for since 2016. Announced during an Instagram live in 2018, The House Is Burning is finally within reach – but until its release next month, Zay has dropped a new single to tide fans over until then. “Lay Wit Ya” is the newest Texas-flavored release from the TDE artist, featuring none other than Duke Deuce and a mix so southern-inspired it may as well have been made by DJ Screw himself.

To say “Lay Wit Ya” has been long-awaited would be a severe understatement – as Zay’s return to the hip-hop stratosphere has been more of an ‘if’ than a ‘when’ lately. His newest single sees him linking up with Memphis rapper Duke Deuce to deliver what is likely the hottest hip-hop release so far this year. Booming bass signals decorate an ominous and minimalistic trap-infused track with a distinct Houston/Memphis vibe – on which Zay and Duke Deuce spare no expense with their painstakingly polished performances. Even the track’s background vocals harken listeners back to classic Three 6 Mafia deep cuts – making listeners (like myself) feel dumb for ever thinking that Isaiah Rashad may not live up to his near-mythological hype.

Though few rappers are offered the chance to make a reintroduction with a FADER cover story following a five-year haitus, TDE fans are counting their blessings that Isaiah Rashad finally came and delivered. With a high-energy video to match his newest single, “Lay Wit Ya”, all there really is to do is breathe a sigh of relief. For the next month, you can find me blasting Zay’s newest track on repeat, waiting patiently for his next release.

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