No Hard Feelings

The debut album from rapper and singer Seandrea Sledge followed several mixtapes, a couple EPs, and appearances on tracks by fellow Chicagoans Sasha Go Hard and Common, and U.K. duo AlunaGeorge. On No Hard Feelings, the South Side native adeptly mixes grit and gloss. Enemies and broke admirers alike are nonchalantly flicked away as she affirms her high stature and pleads loyalty to her crew ("Treat my bitches like my holster 'cause they're always on my hip"). Bit parts are filled by Gucci Mane, Wale, and T-Pain, but the standout is easily the one that involves Jeremih, "Body," a candy-coated duet produced by BloodPop. Even when she drops her guard, as on the slinking, Roy Ayers-sampling "Ready," she's in control. ~ Andy Kellman