09.10.2026
FX Original Series The Drop: A Snowfall Saga Releases Two Songs From Its Original Soundtrack, “Rydah” and “Officer Blackman,” to DSPs
The Team Behind the Music of The Drop Goes Deep Into the Creation of the Tracks for “Behind The Beat,” a Companion Series, Live on the FX Networks YouTube
The Premiere Episode of The Drop: A Snowfall Saga Aired on Tuesday on FX and Hulu and Is Available To Stream on Hulu
Produced by Larrance “Rance” Dopson of 1500 or Nothin’, With Lyrics by Jason “Problem” Martin, and Performances by Buddy, Who Plays Aspiring Rapper Artillery, the Show’s New Songs Bring New Life to Classic West Coast Sounds
The Music:
FX‘s new original series The Drop: A Snowfall Saga follows characters from acclaimed series Snowfall as they attempt to elevate their circumstances by entering the world of West Coast rap. In order for the series to succeed, the show’s creators needed to create music authentic enough in its sound and cultural references to seem like lost classics of the early 90s era, and engaging enough to exist as bangers outside the context of the show itself. Enter lyricist Jason Martin, the rapper formerly known as Problem, producer Larrance Dopson, of L.A.’s famed 1500 Or Nothin’ collective, artist Glasses Malone, an invaluable cultural consultant, and Simmie “Buddy” Sims, acclaimed L.A. rapper who plays Artillery in the series, an unimpeachable crew with the skills to make this tall task seem easy.
Today, FX and 20th Century Studios released two songs from The Drop‘s official soundtrack, “Rydah” and “Officer Blackman,” onto all streaming services. Both songs featured prominently in the premiere episode of The Drop, propelling the story of entrepreneurs Wanda and Leon, and aspirational rapper Artillery as they attempt to use the rise of West Coast rap to change their circumstances.
The first song, “Rydah,” flips the indelible bass line and horn section from “Cutie Pie,” by One Way, into an effortlessly confident and danceable banger, created with retro equipment to perfectly recreate the kind of music that streamed out of low-riders in the crack era. Lyrically, the song is an effective theme for Artillery, dramatizing his struggle to make ends meet while staying true to the streets: “The mission may seem deceivin, to save a few souls you gotta drop a few demons, on Jesus,” he spits.
The second song, “Officer Blackman,” plays with narrative, commenting on the racial profiling and gun violence committed by the Los Angeles Police Department in the early 90s. In the song, Artillery takes aim at a Black police officer, who was once a rebellious youth and switched up when he got his badge. Buddy acts out both sides of the conversation, Artillery claiming that he does more to protect and serve his block than the officer, and the officer alleging that he committed a robbery in the neighborhood. When the situation gets violent, the tables turn, and the officer finds himself at the mercy of the citizen he was “tryin’ to son.”
Stream “Rydah” and “Officer Blackman”: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon Music
As the series airs, FX will provide an inside look at the music of The Drop: A Snowfall Saga with Behind The Beat, a short-form companion series that unpacks the music and cultural influences behind The Drop. Using the show’s original soundtrack as a jumping-off point, each episode blends artist conversations, behind-the-scenes access, and documentary storytelling to explore the people, places, and creative forces that shaped early ’90s Los Angeles hip-hop. The result is an immersive journey into the sounds, stories, and community at the heart of the series. FX has released episodes for both “Rydah” and “Officer Blackman,” each available to watch on FX Networks’ official YouTube.
Watch “Rydah: Behind The Beat”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8ppU_Falq0
Watch “Officer Blackman: Behind The Beat”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW0cr5fzzyA
In addition to the original music, The Drop features a rich soundtrack of classics from the era, adding to the show’s atmosphere. Below, find the full list of songs used in “Click Pop,” the premiere episode, which aired on Tuesday night night.
- “Born and Raised in Compton” by DJ Quik
- “Can You Feel The Beat” by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
- “Cutie Pie” by One Way
- “Life Is…Too $hort” by Too $hort
- “m.A.A.d. city” by Kendrick Lamar feat. MC Eiht
- “The Cisco Kid” by War
- “Gangsta Gangsta” by N.W.A
- “This Is For The Lover In You” by Shalamar
Links:
Watch the Trailer HERE
Visit The Drop at FX’s website HERE
Keep up with The Drop by following the official Snowfall Instagram and @FXNetworks
Overview:
FX’s The Drop: A Snowfall Saga follows Snowfall characters Wanda Bell (Gail Bean) and Leon Simmons (Isaiah John) as they fight to reinvent themselves in ’90s Los Angeles, where the fallout from the crack epidemic is fueling a new game: the rise of West Coast rap.
Wanda starts the series driven by the clear belief that West Coast rap has the power to reshape American culture. She will work to put together a ragtag group of geniuses and lead them to the realization of all their dreams. To do it, she must navigate the dangerous overlap of music and street politics, pulling in those closest to her including her cousins Lamar Kinsey (Asante Blackk) and James Kinsey (Peyton Alex Smith), and pursuing volatile local rapper Artillery (Simmie “Buddy” Sims III), who is already in a tangle with law enforcement.
Her internship with former D-boy-turned-label-owner Darryl “DG” Grant (Brandon Mychal Smith) creates opportunities but also deepens tensions between Wanda and Leon, who has vowed to leave the streets for good and chase down his own atonement through his free legal clinic.
As ambition, loyalty and survival collide, how much is everyone willing to risk in order to build something lasting in a world that threatens to pull them down?
Joining the series regulars are Mykelti Williamson, Nicki Micheaux, Brandon Mychal Smith, Isidora Goreshter, Eric Balfour, Zaire Adams, Demetrius Grosse and Quincy Chad, who also returns from Snowfall.
The Drop: A Snowfall Saga features original music, written by Jason Martin, the rapper formerly known as Problem, and produced by Larrance “Rance 1500” Dopson of 1500 or Nothin’. Los Angeles native and Rapper Glasses Malone served as a cultural consultant for The Drop and its soundtrack.
Larrance Dopson, Jason Martin, Glasses Malone are all available for interviews to discuss the music and soundtrack of The Drop.
The series is executive produced by Malcolm Spellman, Thomas Schlamme, Dave Andron, Michael London, Trevor Engelson, Julie DeJoie and Paul Garnes. The series is produced by FX Productions and premieres on Tuesdays only on FX and Hulu.
For inquiries regarding The Drop and to request episode screeners, please contact:
Kevin Grossi, Audible Treats
Michelle McDevitt, Audible Treats
Follow The Drop on social media:
Facebook: @SnowfallFX
Instagram: @SnowfallFX
Threads: @SnowfallFX
Official Site: https://www.fxnetworks.com/thedrop
The Background:
About FX Networks
FX, a division of Disney Entertainment, is a global multiplatform brand that develops, produces, commissions and markets original programming for Hulu and the FX and FXX linear channels in the U.S., and Disney+ in all other international territories. Over the past two decades, FX has been responsible for some of the most-critically acclaimed and award-winning shows on television. Some of the brand’s current and legacy titles include the dramas “Alien: Earth,” “American Crime Story,” “American Horror Story,” “The Americans,” “The Beauty,” “Clipped,” “Damages,” “Dying for Sex,” “Fargo,” “FEUD,” “Justified,” “Love Story,” “Nip/Tuck,” “The Old Man,” “The Patient,” “Pose,” “Rescue Me,” “The Shield,” “Shōgun,” “Say Nothing,” “Snowfall” and “Sons of Anarchy;” the comedies “Archer,” “Atlanta,” “The Bear,” “Better Things,” “DAVE,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “The Lowdown,” “Reservation Dogs” and “What We Do in the Shadows;” and a slate of docuseries and documentary films including “Welcome to Wrexham,” “The New York Times Presents” and “Dear Mama.”
About Larrance “Rance” Dopson:
Larrance Dopson is a GRAMMY‑winning producer, community leader and co‑founder of 1500 or Nothin’, known for his work with luminaries from Kendrick Lamar and Nipsey Hussle to Usher and Jay‑Z. His credits span Kendrick Lamar’s “These Walls,” Sam Smith’s “Pray” and Justin Timberlake’s “Filthy.”
About Jason “Problem” Martin:
Jason “Problem” Martin, the lyricist for the soundtrack to FX’s The Drop: A Snowfall Saga, is a GRAMMY-nominated rapper, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur from Compton, CA. A respected voice in West Coast hip-hop, he has collaborated with artists including Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, E-40 and Nipsey Hussle, while building his own independent imprint, Diamond Lane Music Group.
About Glasses Malone:
Glasses Malone is a Los Angeles-born rapper, entrepreneur and storyteller whose music blends street-level perspective, sharp social commentary and cinematic lyricism. Raised between Watts and Compton, he turned early experiences with gang and street culture, and family hardships into a distinctive creative voice that has made him a respected figure in West Coast hip-hop.
Known for provocative, conversation-starting work, Malone reached a wider audience with “2Pac Must Die,” a viral song and video told from the perspective of Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson that generated millions of views and sparked interviews with major platforms including The Breakfast Club and Los Angeles radio host Big Boy. His acclaimed mixtapes, label ventures and endorsements from icons such as JAY-Z, Dr. Dre, Birdman and Mack 10 have cemented his reputation as both an artist and cultural commentator.