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For the first time in what feels like a century, the temperature in NYC broke 80 degrees — time to break out Amerie’s “Why Don’t We Fall In Love”! Funnily enough, the Grammy-nominated singer is back this week with her first new song in seven years. But before we get into that track, let’s recount the past week in hip-hop and R&B — one filled with several controversy-streaked MCs making major moves.
The evening before Lyrical Lemonade announced that Young Thug would be headlining the third night of their forthcoming Summer Smash Festival (June 22) — marking his first live performance since his release from jail last fall — the NFL sent out a memo banning the “nose wipe” gesture in touchdown celebrations. Thugger, alongside rappers like Future, popularized the gesture and its accompanying slang, further cementing how central to the culture Young Thug continues to be. The “Digits” rapper has yet to comment on the ban, but maybe he’ll allude to it at Summer Smash.

Last Friday (March 28), Academy Award-winning actor and Grammy-winning rapper Will Smith dropped his first LP in 20 years, on which he addressed his marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith and, yes, the infamous Oscars slap. On the other end of the hip-hop spectrum, Lil Durk dropped a 17-track set as he remains behind bars awaiting trial for murder-for-hire charges related to the 2022 killing of Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson. As Chicago and Philly enjoyed marquee releases from hometown stars, ATL mourned yet another pillar of their iconic 2010s trap scene: According to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and details from Atlanta Police, Scooter died after sustaining injuries while attempting to flee police.

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With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Amerie’s comeback to YG’s silence-breaking triumph. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: YG feat. Buddy & The Gang, “2004”

“When I was young, I got raped by a b–ch twice my age/ Picked me up from school to meet at hers and got laid/ Ever since that day, I never looked at s–t the same/ F—-d up in the brain, p—y what I blame,” spits YG over a jazzy beat built by DJ Swish, Ya Boy N.O.I.S. & SmokeyBeatz. It may only be the tail-end of March, but you’ll likely be hard-pressed to find such a hard-hitting pair of couplets to open a rap song this year. Assisted by Compton rapper-singer Buddy, YG holds ample space for one of the most complicated and nuanced discussions when it comes to Black men, masculinity and hip-hop: the sexual abuse of young boys by older women.

Expertly weaving through the double consciousness that comes with existing as a survivor within a culture that, at times, celebrates the early sexual development of young boys as proof of their manhood, “2004” further cracks open a conversation that’s taken several turns recently — from the backlash Boosie Badazz got for promising to gift his underage son time with sex workers for his birthday to Phonte’s heartbreakingly revelatory verse on Black Milk’s 2023 LP. — KYLE DENIS

NAV feat. Playboi Carti, “Unlimited”

The Opium-XO bond strengthens. Carti pops up to power OMW2 Rexdale’s headlining track as he teams up with NAV for “Unlimited.” The Atlanta native mixes up his deep-voiced flows over the uplifting melody before passing the baton to NAV, who brags about making $10 million from VLONE and jokes he could “go deep-voice just like I’m Carti.” Carti fans might be familiar with the “Unlimited” beat as it was previously Offset’s track, but was missing from the Migos rapper’s last project and somehow ended up in NAV’s hands. The Weeknd pops up to deliver a grand finale, lending his croon to the cinematic outro. — MICHAEL SAPONARA

Coco Jones, “You”

Coco Jones is back with another single from her highly anticipated album Why Not More? “You” is a heartfelt celebration of love that feels like fate. She reflects on finding someone who restores her faith in love, describing the connection as effortless and healing. With poetic lyrics and soulful vocals, she compares their bond to rare and perfect pairings, like “a drink in the Sahara,” emphasizing how refreshing and necessary this love feels. More than just romance, “You” is about gratitude, trust and the joy of feeling truly seen. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON

Crimeapple, “Sabado Gigante”

The lead single off Crimeapple’s latest tape Jaguar on Palisade 3, “Sabodo Gigante” highlights why the Jersey rapper remains one of the game’s most underrated artists. Produced by Loman, the song has an infectious hook and features Crime spitting lines like, “Sous chef, I used to prep the onion,” which could make it into the next season of The Bear. Stop sleeping on Rap Game Don Francisco. — ANGEL DIAZ

Mahalia feat. Masicka, “Different Type of Love”

Between her recent collaborations with Lila Iké and Bayka, Mahalia is prepping what’s sure to be the year’s sultriest dancehall-R&B project — and her new single, “Different Type of Love,” is further proof that she has something excellent in store for the summer. Assisted by Jamaican dancehall star Masicka — who’s enjoying a massive hit of his own right now with “Whites” — Mahalia’s flirtatious tone floats across a beat that blends steady dancehall drums with a synth line that recalls the harp on Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine.” With two verses from Masicka, “Different” feels more like a true collaboration than the scores of rent-a-rapper moments that inundate the mainstream scene; the two artists perfectly match each other fly and capture the energy of a frisky night out. — K.D.

Mynameisntjmack, “Lemon/Ginger”

It’s easy to get lost in the haziness of Mynameisntjmack’s music. The Virginia native returned with his Bookmark 2 project on Friday, which finds him recounting his turbulent journey from the East Coast to Los Angeles while looking to cash in on his music dreams. “Lemon/Ginger” finds him introspectively reflecting on his travels and the pressures of trying to make it from friends and family while stretching a dollar. There’s a certain discipline needed to never get too high from the wins but not too low from the losses along the way. Now on tour with Tommy Richman, it’s all starting to pay dividends for the L.A.-based rhymer. — M.S.

Ivory Scott & Tink, “Control it”

Ivory Scott has been shaping the sound of today’s music, writing for superstars like Beyoncé, Latto and Fabolous. Now, he’s stepping out on his own with his debut album, Mud. A standout track from the project is Ivory Scott and Tink’s “Control It,” a seductive anthem about confidence, power and fiery connection. The repeated line “control it” underscores the track’s theme of dominance and desire, with Scott and Tink asserting their authority in the relationship. Lyrics like “You a boss, you so cold, you a cough” reflect deep admiration and respect for their partner. The track blends sensuality with confidence, capturing an irresistible chemistry that’s impossible to ignore. — C.C.

Amerie, “Mine”

Where there’s springtime, you’ll find Amerie. The DMV crooner is back with her first new music since her 2018 double-single “4AM Mulholland”/”After 4AM,” and it’s a winner. Co-written with Troy Taylor, who also produced the track, “Mine” is a soaring ballad accented by her trademark upper register, twinkling harp-like strings, and subtle bassline peppered with syncopated finger-snaps. “The way your lips fill in tonight, the way they pressed against mine/ The way you pulled me closer, closer, under the moonlight/ This is how it could always be, you and me/ More than friends, we could be everything,” she delicately coos in the intro. — K.D.

Naomi Sharon, “Can We Do This Over”

Naomi Sharon returns with her first single of 2025 to kick off her anticipated follow-up era to Obisidian. Dealing with an emotionally unavailable partner is a tireless obstacle to climb — and the First Lady of OVO vulnerably opens up about her own experience, as her stirring vocals capture what can be a helpless feeling. Still, Sharon remains direct and steadfast in not playing these games and running in a circle, as her silky flow ventilates the warm acoustic production. Even though our hopes of a guest appearance on Drake and PND’s $$$4U didn’t materialize, her sophomore album’s arrival should be marked on every R&B fan’s calendar. — M.S.

Ari Lennox, “Soft Girl Era”

Ari Lennox is fully embracing her Soft Girl Era, and to celebrate her birthday, she dropped her new single, “Soft Girl Era.” The track serves as a celebration of luxury, self-care and embracing a carefree, feminine energy. Produced by hitmakers Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox, The track embodies the idea of prioritizing your own comfort and well-being while indulging in the finer things in life. With playful confidence, Ari declares that she’s here for the “soft girl” lifestyle — pampered, relaxed, and loving every minute of it. Lyrics like “a million dollars in the mirror” and “Ain’t tryna do nothing but look pretty in here” capture the essence of self-worth, while the track’s carefree vibe encourages women to revel in their worth and enjoy the luxury of being unapologetically themselves. — C.C.

Xowié, “Nobody’s Fool”

Recently named Apple Music’s Up Next in South Africa artist for April, rising star Xowié has unleashed the lead single from her forthcoming EP ALLO (A Little Long Overdue). “Nobody’s Fool” finds Xowié using a neo-soul-steeped soundscape to pick up the pieces and build herself up after allowing a disappointing romance to “waster her time.” Frank and vulnerable, her restrained vocal performance is the perfect pairing for Sundae Beats’ lush, ethereal soundscape. — K.D.