Fresh Picks
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Hip-hop officially turned 50 years old late last week, but it’s never too late to celebrate the genre that has soundtracked Black life in America over the past five decades. With Fresh Picks, we intend to highlight those next up in R&B and hip-hop, and this week we have a range of sounds to do so — from R&B rhythms by frex, UMI and Elmiene to rap anthems by DavidTheTragic (with Kenny Mason), Devin Malik and Headie One.
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Don’t forget to check out our August picks so far in the Spotify playlist, linked below.
Freshest Find: frex, “Hoodie Back”
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frex wants her hoodie back ASAP. The Pennsylvania native details a situation that’s all too familiar — the classic story of someone keeping a memento following the end of a relationship. “When the love dries up, I want my s–t back,” she shared on the inspiration for the new single. “I made ‘Hoodie Back’ with [artist/producer duo] Mulherin and [producer/songwriting duo] Trackside. I wanted something with open instrumentation, and they were in the mood for early 2000s drums, so we meshed it together.”
UMI, “happy im”
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“I wrote this song to remind myself to stop running from love — that life is meant to be sweet. Think less, love more,” wrote UMI. On “happy im,” gentle acoustic guitar glides over a stripped-back drumbeat while the Seattle native’s emotionally charged delivery enchants as her lyrics seamlessly flow between Japanese and English. “Happy I’m falling for you. Happy I love myself too,” she sings, serenading her partner and herself.
Äyanna, “Say You Love Me”
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“Say You Love Me” is an anthem for love. The R&B/pop fusion relishes in Äyanna’s knack for combining those sounds along with soul and beyond. “‘Say You Love Me’ is my favorite song in the project. To me, it feels like the perfect stadium love song to sing,” she shares. “I wanted to know what an R&B ballad would sound like if it was inspired by ‘Sunflower’ by Post Malone, which was one of my favorite songs at the time. Every time I hear or sing this song, it takes me back to where I was when I wrote it — experiencing love for the first time.” “Say You Love Me” will appear on her upcoming EP.
Elmiene “Mama”
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Elmiene returns with a new confessional track, “Mama.” Co-written and produced with Sampha the track sees the Oxford-based singer baring his soul as he reckons with his imperfect existence, asking: “Would you mourn a sinner mama? Could you love my demons mama?”
DavidTheTragic feat. Kenny Mason, “Let’s Play”
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DavidTheTragic and Kenny Mason are a dynamic duo. The two linked again for their new single “Let’s Play” where the former raps about playing the game when it comes to modern hookup culture. Mason slides in around the 35 second mark, rapping about being on a mission to go out with the money.
Devin Malik, “LINK DUCKER”
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Devin Malik is a link ducker, or one who ducks links. On the self-produced hi-hat and clap heavy new track, the California rapper/producer sounds off for two and half minutes about not taking s–t from anybody and getting money. “Barely touch my phone because it always be something/ Unless it’s ’bout some bread, then like Miss Tubman, I’m running,” he raps.
Headie One, “More Money More Problems”
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Produced by long-time collaborator M1OnTheBeat and Deggzy, “More Money More Problems” is the embodiment of Headie One’s street-smart lyrics. On the drill track, he recounts his journey from the streets of Tottenham to rap superstardom, while paying homage to The Notorious B.I.G. and Nipsey Hussle.
Happy August! The Sunday of summer months is here, but the heat persists. This week, we have an array of sounds from soothing R&B songs by Alina Baraz, LOONY and No Guidnce to genre-fusing tracks by midwxst, Lucy Park and KayCyy. And if you’re a fan of booming 808s and hi-hats, Rob49, Skilla Baby and Tay B’s new single is the one for you.
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Per usual, don’t forget to check out these songs and stay tuned for the rest of our August picks in our Spotify playlist, linked below.
Freshest Find: Alina Baraz, “Keep Me In Love”
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This week’s Freshest Find is a swooning R&B gem, and Alina Baraz’s first single in a while — detailing a modern take on love that showcases her relatable songwriting. “We pour so much time, love, and energy into ourselves, effortlessly and indefinitely,” she shares in a press release. “The idea [for the song] came from wondering if someone could ever do that for you. It’s easy to fall in love but to keep me in love, I long for that.”
midwxst, “warning”
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On “warning,” midwxst effortlessly blends rock and rap. The 20-year-old shared the new single ahead of his debut album, E3 (out Sept. 1), which “illustrates his recent internal challenges, but also underscores profound growth and maturity.” “I just want people to understand that I went through a lot of the s–t I am expressing on this album,” he reveals in a press release. “It made me grow and become who I am today. And I wouldn’t trade any of that pain or any of that loss for anything.”
No Guidnce, “Let It Rain”
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According to No Guidnce, the boy group is “bringing singing-in-the-rain R&B back” with their new single, “Let It Rain.” The U.K newcomers are proving to be a major force in R&B having only released their first ever song back in March. “Let It Rain” arrives on the heels of their debut EP, Is It a Crime?, and is lined with their thrilling, signature style that’s rooted in rousing nostalgia — similar to that of their counterparts, FLO. The boys also recently headlined their first show in Los Angeles back in July.
LOONY, “Old Friends”
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Scarborough singer-songwriter LOONY sees the beauty in a relationship gone wrong. Created during a spontaneous and intimate jam session in Los Angeles, her new single, “Old Friends,” leans into this experience, displaying her soulful vocals and timeless songwriting for a mature but playful song that feels like a one-sided conversation or voicemail. “There’s something really sweet and singular to me about those moments, about those relationships,” LOONY says in statement. “When relationships can often go so ugly, it’s a privilege when it ends to gain an old friend.”
Rob49, Skilla Baby and Tay B, “Mama”
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Following his guest feature on “TOPIA TWINS” off Travis Scott’s UTOPIA, Rob49 teamed up with Skilla Baby and Tay B for blistering new single, “Mama.” The New Orleans newcomer’s thick accent and deep, aggressive flow pair well alongside his collaborators who match his energy. “I heard you got a man, but it’s alright mama/ Let’s go to the mall, I’m about to buy you what you like, mama,” Skilla Baby spits.
KayCyy, “My Jeans”
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With “My Jeans,” KayCyy is proving that he’s “not no background singer.” Earlier this week, a fan on X (fka Twitter) pointed out that the Kenya-born artist was left uncredited for his vocals on “THANK GOD” off Travis Scott’s UTOPIA. KayCyy responded to the post and proceeded to prove that he can hold his own with the new song. The Minnesota-based artist is also known for his work on Ye’s Donda, though he is gearing up to release his debut album, Who is KayCyy?.
Lucy Park, “All Roads”
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With alluring vocals and an infectious dance rhythm, Lucy Park has created the perfect summer track to help close out the season on a high note. Park wanted “All Roads” “to feel like a summer night out in London,” she shares. “The song is sort of a dance back and forth between them. It’s about building up a romance in your head while you are still strangers in real life. This is a really new sound for me and I’m so excited for people to hear it!”
The Sunday of summer is right around the corner and as the season begins to wind down, we’ve got a mellow roundup of Fresh Picks this week to help usher you into August. There’s an even mix of rap and R&B this week with Amindi, tobi lou and Frsh Waters representing the former while Tyla, Hamzaa and Josiah Bassey slow things down a bit. Regardless, you’re bound to have at least one of these songs on repeat to help power you through the week.
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Don’t forget to check out our July picks in the Spotify playlist, linked below.
Freshest Find: Frsh Waters feat. Ohana Bam & Benjamin Earl Turner, “Grace look good”
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Frsh Waters has been giving himself grace. Sampling Omar Apollo’s “Evergreen,” the Chicago rapper recruits Ohana Bam and Benjamin Earl Turner for a boom-bap rap song about “a combination of overdue compassion and damage control,” Frsh tells Billboard. “It’s checkin’ to let folks know we all need grace. Benjamin set the perfect scene [and] me and Ohana took up the challenge to fill in the details.”
Amindi, “diddy crop”
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Amindi’s new single “diddy crop” is inspired by her fondness of the mogul’s habit of cropping people out of photos. “P. Diddy is notorious for skillfully editing people out of his photos, and I think it’s hilarious and valid,” she shares in a press release. The Inglewood rapper-singer describes her sound as “pastel rap” due to how she pairs songwriting with her soft sound. “Diddy crop” is a perfect example of this and will appear on her upcoming mixtape Take What You Need.
tobi lou, “Some Things”
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“I am a problem, and I feel like this song reflects that,” says tobi lou. Combining an uptempo beat with witty bars, the Chicago artist releases “Some Things” a week after his Rolling Loud Miami performance, where he previewed the song.
Tyla, “Water”
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South African musician Tyla blended R&B and amapiano for her new track “Water.” “Make me sweat, make me hotter/ Make me lose my breath, make me water,” she sings. The new song is the perfect backdrop to a rooftop day party or tropical vacation.
Hamzaa, “Rush”
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Hamzaa is on her healing journey. “I don’t wanna rush/I don’t wanna get into a fuss… Can’t scream anymore, can’t feel anymore,” she sings. Produced by 1SRAEL, the song appears on her new 5-song EP of the same name. “This project was born out of a discovery phase,” she writes on X (fka Twitter). “I needed to learn about who I was all over again. I needed to understand what it is I really care about… But the one thing I knew is that as urgent as getting my life together is, I cannot rush the healing process.”
Josiah Bassey, “Here”
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According to his Instagram bio, Josiah Bassey is a sincere romanticist — and his new song “Here” is proof. The single is stripped back with soothing guitar undertones that compliment his soulful singing voice. “Who cares if the stars don’t align?/ And even if the sun stops shining/ When it gets harder to try, we’ll be just fine/ ’Cause, I’ll be right here,” he sings.
New week, new Fresh Picks! From drill love songs by J Hus and Maiya The Don to rap rhythms by Atlanta heads SwaVay and KEY!, we have a wide range of sounds to help you power through another steamy week.
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And of course, check out this month’s Fresh Picks (so far) in our Spotify playlist, linked below.
Freshest Find: J Hus feat. Jorja Smith, “Nice Body”
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J Hus is the latest addition to the streak of U.K. rappers (following Dave and Central Cee) who have crossing over and dominating the scene as of late. Last Friday (July 14), the Gambian-British rapper released his long-awaited third album, Beautiful and Brutal Yard, with a handful of features including big names like Drake, Burna Boy and Jorja Smith. Hus and the lattermost teamed up for a slowed down heater, “Nice Body,” a track about being with your lover through thick and thin. Hus and Smith duet, finishing each other’s sentences — making for a rather steamy track.
Alex Mali, “DinnerTime”
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Brooklyn native Alex Mali knows her self-worth and with “DinnerTime,” the singer is giving fans a taste of her upcoming debut album, Trust the Process (out August 16). With the hard-hitting new single, Mali explores the concept of women comparing themselves to “a snack” or “a meal,” delving into her own perspective and redefining what it means to be sexy. “Finding yourself is a journey and you should allow yourself the grace to find the beauty in every phase, every setback and every triumph,” she shared. “Go through those emotions with confidence in knowing that all will be as it’s meant to be because you have appreciated the evolution and trusted the process. Keep going.”
SwaVay, “UH”
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“I don’t need no cosign, p—y, I’ll just get my own bag,” Swavay raps. The Atlanta rapper released the deluxe version of his 2022 album Almetha’s Son on which includes two new singles, “UH” and “DUBLIN” featuring Ben Reilly and NASAAN. SwaVay gravitates towards mid-song beat switches, with “UH” being a prime example. The song laces a thumping bass line and 808 claps with orchestral loops as SwaVay stomps all over the beat with fiery bars.
Maiya the Don feat. Shawny Binladen, “Luv U Better”
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Maiya The Don recruits Shawny Binladen for a drill flip of Mary J. Blige and Lil Kim’s 1997 hit, “I Can Love You.” The Brooklyn rapper declared her song, “Luv U Better,” a track to post your man to — as she took to socials to hard launch her boyfriend, Wu-Tang: An American Saga actor Siddiq Saunderson, as part of the song’s promo.
Mack Keane, “Chances”
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On “Chances,” Mack Keane is feeling all the feels. The L.A.-based singer learns to let go and take a chance on love with the sultry, conga-driven song that went through 12 iterations before Keane landed on the final product. “It’s a real story and a timestamp of that period of my life, which is always the intention of my music,” he shares in a press release. “The lyrics in the second verse are my favorite because it’s something that I’m still learning to do in my life today: letting go, accepting the things that I can’t control, and staying present and grounded in this reality. I’m really happy to finally get this one out in the world.”
KEY! & Redd Smash, “Crank Dat”
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Like its title suggests, KEY! and Redd Smash pay homage to 2000s Atlanta hip-hop with their new single “Crank Dat.” Sporting vintage ATL sports team jerseys and fitteds, the song’s video sees the two and their crew cranking dat, hitting the folks and hitting the woah. “Crank Dat” will appear on KEY!’s upcoming project, Marquis.
Happy Monday! With new R&B/hip-hop releases dropping left and right, it can be quite overwhelming navigating the newcomers in the genre. But that’s why Fresh Picks exists! This week, we have an eclectic array of sounds, from alt-R&B and Jersey club to jazz rap — everything you need to get you through this second week of July.
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And of course, don’t forget to check out this month’s Fresh Picks (so far) in our Spotify playlist, linked below.
Freshest Find: Dominic Fike, “7 Hours”
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This week’s Freshest Find goes to alt-rock/rap/pop straddler, Dominic Fike: last Friday (July 7), the multi-hyphenate released his second album, Sunburn, a collection of older songs that explores themes related to his past. Fike explores his alt-R&B side with standout album cut, “7 Hours,” where he sings about driving seven hours to see his lover, only for them to not give him the time of day.
FendiDa Rappa feat. Cardi B, “Point Me 2”
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Cardi B is continuing her outstanding feature run by hopping on FendiDa Rappa’s “Point Me 2.” The collab comes after Fendi’s viral Jersey club-inspired single, “Point Me to the Sl-ts,” where she calls out her male counterparts (“N—-as dissing when they rap, should we call it drill?/ N—-as capping in they raps, should we give ’em deals?”) and proudly showcases her lust. Here, Cardi checks in around the 2:20 mark and wastes no times matching Fendi’s energy, rapping, “B—hes talkin’ all that rah rah, I don’t feel it though/ Like the Plan B didn’t work, baby, I’m in this hoe.”
LUCKI, “2021 Vibes”
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The Cash Cobain-produced track “2021 Vibes” sees LUCKI delving deeper into his world of hazy hedonism. Through a drowsy delivery, the Chicago rapper calls himself the “codeine cowboy in the flesh” — which makes sense given the title of its parent album, s*x m*ney dr*gs.
Mick Jenkins feat. JID, “Smoke Break-Dance”
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Mick Jenkins and JID linked to take a smoke break: this bass and piano-driven jazz rap song is particularly introspective, with an accompanying video that shows scenes of Jenkins unbothered amongst chaos and young Black men succumbing to societal pressures. “Smoke Break-Dance” acts as a conversation piece about Black male plight in America, with the end of the video including a bell hooks quote that reads, “The first act of violence that patriarchy demands of males is not violence toward women. Instead patriarchy demands of all males that they engage in acts of psychic self-mutilation, that they kill off the emotional parts of themselves. If an individual is not successful in emotionally crippling himself, he can count on patriarchal men to enact rituals of power that will assault his self-esteem.”
Avenoir, “WHO DO U LUV”
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Slowing things down a little, Avenoir goes deep in his bag on his new single, “WHO DO U LUV.” The Canadian singer questions his lover’s feelings towards him, but also assures that the two can rekindle their emotions by making love, before the four-minute song concludes with an electric guitar solo.
AntsLive, “Ooh La La”
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UK rapper AntsLive is practicing his French on “Ooh La La.” With his (not actual) grandfather in tow in the video, the rising rapper shows a chic side to his repertoire, with his trademark tongue-in-cheek vocals about ongoing relationships and international love interests.
Marques Martin, “Butterfly”
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Brooklyn-based musician Marques Martin collides synths and deep bass lines for a chaotic, yet somehow cohesive, new offering called “Butterfly.” “The beat at most points feels heavy, but then the synth floats euphorically in and out of the song,” he told Billboard about the song’s productions. “The combo gives the track gravity and lets it sit in a middle ground of aggressive/assertive but uplifting.” “Butterfly” appears on his new EP, sex on the first.
We’re back with a certified-fresh round of picks from the best acts in emerging R&B and hip-hop. Victoria Monet is spicing up the summer with her latest single, “On My Mama,” while Amindi and Ambré are digging into our deeper side with their introspective and smooth new offerings. On the hip-hop side of things, alternative duo Paris Texas are keeping us on our toes, while SoFaygo leans into his inner rock star.
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Freshest Find: Forest Claudette, “Pool Boy”
On his soulful new EP, Everything Was Green, Forest Claudette shines across genre spaces. On “Pool Boy,” the 23-year-old singer dips their toes into funk and hip-hop, delivering a timeless cut with a worthy message. “If I apologize with heart in hand/ With heavy eyes/ Will that absolve me?” he contemplates within the groovy track’s opening lines.
Victoria Monét, “On My Mama”
Victoria Monet is on a roll. The R&B rising star dips into her vicious rap flow on the Chalie Boy-inspired “On My Mama.” Interpolating the Texas rapper’s breakout single, Monet adds a feminine edge, breathing new life into the confident 2009 cut.
Amindi, “green house”
Boasting one of those timeless tones and cadences, Amindi can’t go wrong. “Green house” is no exception, as the Inglewood native paints a pretty picture of romantic wonder, singing, “Thinkin’ ’bout that green house you said that we’d buy when/ We get at all these millions that we get from ridin’.”
Paris Texas, “Everybody’s Safe Until…”
You can always be sure that Paris Texas will do things their way. On “Everybody’s Safe Until,” the pair dig into the intrusive thoughts about their own insignificance atop bouncy live drums, as they run away from themselves in an artfully simplistic visual. The single comes ahead of their debut album, MID AIR.
Foggieraw, “Psalm 62”
Foggieraw used the power of social media to secure Alicia Keys’s blessing for the use of her 2003 hit “You Don’t Know My Name” for his new track “Psalm 62.” In March, the DMV artist teased the song on Twitter, asking his followers, “okay guys I’ve tried everything in my power to get this out… maybe y’all could kindly ask miss alicia on my behalf lol.” Three months and nearly 60,000 likes later, Foggieraw met Keys, she cleared the sample (her first time doing so for this song) — and “Psalm 62” got its official release, via Republic Records.
Ambré, “Muse Freestyle”
The intro to her new EP, who’s loving you?, “Muse Freestyle” sees Ambré posing the title question of the five-song project. “who’s loving you? is a question I’m asking myself and asking the audience,” the New Orleans artist said in a press release. “What does it feel like? What does it sound like to be loved? I wanted to create something that felt like b-sides or deep cuts, almost like a mixtape. Still very intentional but it was very easy to make.”
SoFaygo, “BEAUTIFUL ROCKSTAR”
“I am a beautiful rockstar/ I got some folks in my life I love, so I do this s–t with my heart in it,” sings the beautiful rockstar himself, SoFaygo. The Atlanta artist delivers this high-energy song as a bonus track on his latest EP, GO+, though he first teased it on Instagram Live in December 2021. “Beautiful Rockstar” also samples Jhené Aiko and H.E.R.’s 2020 hit “B.S.”
JAHKOY, “Man On Fire”
JAHKOY is a walking flame. On “Man On Fire,” the Toronto singer exaggerates his emotions and likens them to a fire. “[The song] is about when a guy feels a spark with a woman, but not only is there a spark, it slowly turns into what becomes a full-fledged fire,” he told Billboard. “The feelings become so ignited that he is now a walking flame.”
The sky is clear and Fresh Picks is here. This week, we’ve got an array of sounds to get you through the week and beyond — from the R&B stylings of Maeta and Col3trane to rap anthems by Sexyy Red and Statik Selektah. Don’t forget to share the wealth and check out our June picks so far in the Spotify Playlist, linked below.
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Maeta, “Cool Cat”
Maeta includes a cover of Queen’s 1982 cut “Cool Cat” — recently given a bump in exposure by an Amazon Prime ad — on her new EP, When I Hear Your Name. The Roc Nation newcomer adds her falsetto to the funk-rock song, making for a standout track alongside other impressive album cuts, including “Sexual Love” with James Fauntleroy, “ASMR” and “See You Around.”
Sexyy Red, “SkeeYee”
When Sexyy Red hollers “SkeeYee,” that means pull up. The St. Louis rapper has another hit on her hands with the track from her new mixtape, Hood Hottest Princess. She also shared a video to the song, in which her and GloRilla get lit at a strip club.
Sam Tompkins, “Time Will Fly”
After making a splashy entrance alongside Jnr Choi on the 2022 Hot 100 hit “To the Moon,” U.K. singer-songwriter Sam Tompkins blitzes listeners with his poignant single “Time Will Fly.” Tompkins aims for heartstrings as he ruminates about his humble beginnings over the melancholy soundscape. Up against the shot clock, Tompkins’ determination fuels his musical dreams, as he looks to take the next step in his burgeoning career.
Statik Selektah feat. Conway, Ab-Soul & Bun B, “Ain’t Too Much to It”
For this 10th studio album Round Trip, Statik Selektah loads up 20 tracks for his ravenous hip-hop fanbase. Armed with a crew of heavy bar-spitters (Logic, Joey Bada$$, Russ, & Benny The Butcher), Statik Selektah’s lush production and funky soul samples anchor the lyrical collection. Statik’s knack for clever pairings makes Round Trip an even better ride, as he puts together Ransom and AZ on “Historic” along with Conway the Machine, Ab-Soul and Bun B on “Ain’t Too Much To It.”
Tay Iwar, “Summer Breeze”
The title is self-explanatory, and boy, does it not disappoint. Tay Iwar captures the essence of summer on this recent offering, the trailing saxophone melodies and reverberating keys wrapping around Iwar’s perfectly wispy vocals.
Col3trane, “Moderation”
According to many, moderation is the key to a balanced life. On his latest R&B-pop cut, Col3trane agrees. The U.K. artist dips medicine in honey, delivering an important life lesson amidst summertime production and a relatable storyline.
It’s the last day of May, which means summer is around the corner. As the hottest season of the year approaches, we’ve got you covered with the very best of emerging R&B/hip-hop talent. This week sees the return of rap standouts J Hus and Kenny Mason, while blossoming acts like grouptherapy. and Khamari are making their way to the R&B centerstage.
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Check out all of this month’s picks with our Spotify playlist, linked below.
Freshest Find: Khamari, “Cherry Picking”
Boston-made artist Khamari has made a splashy album debut with A Brief Nirvana. The 11-track project is the multi-instrumentalist’s gripping introduction to the world, with cuts like “Cherry Picking” embracing the quiet and vulnerable. Centering songwriting and the texture of his brain-tickling voice, Khamari is captivating, eliciting emotion and forgotten memories with each track.
J Hus, “It’s Crazy”
J Hus returns with a vengeance on his new drill-adjacent track “It’s Crazy.” Released with a frenetic video, the U.K. rapper peers directly into the camera, questioning, “Why you wanna see the evil in me when I wanna live my life peacefully?” The new song marks a new era of music for J Hus — and is hopefully the precursor to a new album.
grouptherapy., “Nasty”
L.A.-based best friend trio grouptherapy. are reveling in their youth. On “Nasty,” the collective is embracing their resilience and self-acceptance: “We all felt a need to let our id speak and embrace our nastier side; whether that be sexy and seductive or slick like an oil spill,” they share in a press release. “This is grouptherapy. on our pimp shit.”
Cochise, “Hydroplane”
“Hydroplane” is the climactic intro to Cochise’s new EP No One’s Nice to Me. He enunciates more than usual on the opener track, rapping, “I’m counting out this money, while I’m counting up my blessings,” over cinematic strings and glimmering keys.
Kenny Mason, “Dracula”
Kenny Mason’s new Coupe-produced track “Dracula” further proves that he is one to watch. The Atlanta artist likens himself to the infamous vampire, but with platinum teeth and thirsting for bags of money. Mason went full rapper mode for “Dracula” though his knack for effortlessly fusing rap and grunge is what makes him a standout amongst the next class of artists.
audrey mika, “satuRday”
Thank god for Saturdays: the day of the week that lacks the scaries of Sundays and the anticipation of Fridays. Audrey Mika agrees, the cheery singer embracing the beauty of the weekend feeling being spread throughout less exciting days of our lives. The cut is uplifting and perfect for those lazy summer afternoons, equipped with a bouncy percussion line and Mika’s soft rasp.
$NOT, “Easter Pink”
An ode to Cam’Ron and Y2K style, $NOT delivers “Easter Pink”: a perfectly summer single, made to be blasted with all the windows down. The MBWAV instrumental is perfectly nostalgic as $NOT coolly raps, “Wanna be my friend again? Ride around up in the Benz/ Drivin’ up into night ’til we hit the mornin’.”
It’s come to the end of May, which can only mean one thing: Summertime has arrived. And with it, we have a new crop of songs by a slew of African artists that are set to dominate playlists across several continents for the next few months.
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Whether it’s amapiano, Afropop, R&B, neo-soul, highlife or just uncategorizably beautiful music, there’s more that’s come out this month that we could include here. But to try to help you cut through that flood of feel-good vibes, there are a few songs that have particularly caught our ears — by the likes of Teni, Tyla & Ayra Starr, Asake & Olamide, Kizz Daniel, Kwesi Arthur and Oxlade & Flavour.
We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite new Afrobeats (and related) songs that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and catch a vibe with us by listening to our Spotify playlist below.
Tyla & Ayra Starr, “Girl Next Door”
Africa’s Gen-Z It-girls Tyla and Ayra Starr come together to caution their wandering lovers not to leave them for the “Girl Next Door” in their first collaboration. Both artists somehow keep their cool, as Tyla touts her many options and Ayra warns, “And you know I won’t waste no time/ I can have another you by 9.” But their passionate plea in the repeating chorus (“Don’t you leave me for the girl next door, girl next door”) revs up the sizzling amapiano-meets-R&B beat (courtesy of producer P.Priime) that’s prime for getting any party started this summer.
Tay Iwar & Twelve XII, “Undercover Lover”
Tay Iwar injects his silver-tongued, neo-soul sound into “Undercover Lover,” which finds him and fellow Nigerian artist Twelve XII detailing their dalliance with a beautiful woman. Lyrics like “Somethin’ good for the moment/ Just for the moment” and “Her personality no matter at all/ ‘Cause she’s lookin’ so fine” make it crystal clear they’re not looking for anything serious, and the groovy, atmospheric production further emphasizes the chill vibes.
Teni, “No Days Off”
Teni has taken “No Days Off,” as evident by her latest single. The Nigerian artist raps about her homies (Tobi, Bunmi, Brenda and Wale), hometowns (Lagos and Atlanta) and everything else in her life that she’s had to leave to the sidelines for her career. In a press release, Teni explains that “No Days Off” started as a freestyle and “was made everywhere in the world – that’s why it really is called ‘No Days Off.’ It was made in Lagos, it was made in LA, some parts of it were also made in Cape Town.” She invites listeners to her own world by enveloping them in a kaleidoscopic sound comprised of airy synth melodies and frenetic Afropop percussion that will have anyone yelling, “Motherf–ker, will you come on play that sh– back!” by the end of the track.
Asake & Olamide, “Amapiano”
Asake links up with his YBNL Nation boss Olamide on this scorching “Amapiano” club banger. He salutes the South African house genre for being a “big vibe” while adding his own spin to it, from the lively violin and saxophone to the larger-than-life crowd vocals. Meanwhile, Olamide flexes his mesmerizing flow when he raps, “One thing I know, I’m happy I know/ Amapiano, all of my P I know.” “Amapiano” will accompany Asake’s previously released singles “Yoga” and “2:30” on his upcoming sophomore album, Work of Art, due June 16 via YBNL Nation and EMPIRE.
Nonso Amadi, “Paper”
Amadi reflects on his personal and artistic growth “from seeds to a flower, uncoiling naturally for you,” according to a press release, on his debut album When It Blooms. On the highlight track “Paper,” the Canadian-based Nigerian singer makes the case for why he deserves a bigger bag. And regardless of renowned Nigerian producer London’s scintillating, playful percussion, Amadi’s clearly not playing when it comes to his paper as he sings, “Tell me why the hell you calling/ I don’t wanna know what you’re talking/ When I see the cash am all in.”
Iyanya & BNXN, “Sinner”
A seductive song in both lyric and feel, this collab between Iyanya and BNXN has an alluring aspect to it that is hard to get out of your head — and a falsetto hook that is somehow even more of an earworm than the verses, perfect for a late night vibe that still keeps you moving. Also check out BNXN’s single “Pray” — its choral and orchestral feel fills the soul, and it just barely missed out on inclusion here.
Oxlade & Flavour, “OVAMI”
Oxlade already landed a huge hit this year with “Ku Lo Sa,” and “OVAMI” is in a similar vein, with his soulful vocals soaring above the production. Bringing in veteran vocalist Flavour to add a different element to the second verse was another smart move; Flavour had another great song in the last two years with “Levels,” and he fits in seamlessly here. Essentially a love song, it transcends with its irresistible melodies.
Kwesi Arthur, “Penny”
This one from the Ghanaian rapper is a laid back groove about the come up, thinking back to the days when he didn’t have any cash and now looking around and realizing that not only are those distant memories, but that there isn’t really a limit to how far things can go. What makes this one stand out is that the sentiment doesn’t feel flamboyant or boastful, but more matter-of-fact — this is going to happen, but let’s just keep in mind how far we’ve come.
King Promise, “Terminator”
An ode to finding peace in life — despite what the title may imply — “Terminator” is a melting pot of styles and languages, with a simple overriding message clearly articulated in the second verse: “And my happiness comes first/ I never come life to stress, yeah.” The Ghanaian nails the mix of production and lyricism that gets the feel across almost effortlessly — that being the goal, in the end, of course.
Kizz Daniel, “Shu-Peru”
The perennially upbeat Nigerian Afropop singer came through with another fun groove for the summertime, flipping Salt-N-Pepa’s “Shoop” in the process. As a thesis statement for an artist, does it get more appropriate than Kizz singing: “We are the happy people / We are the world”? It fits him perfectly.
We’re well into May, and the summer heat just keeps coming. From electronic and house-tinged cuts by Overmono and Emotional Oranges to irresistible rap songs by way of Monaleo and Jermtown, we’ve got everything you need to start off the warmer months right with indie and emerging artists from across the globe.
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Check out our Spotify playlist that includes all our fresh picks from this month, and don’t forget to share the wealth.
Freshest Find: Victoria Monét feat. Buju Banton, “Party Girls”
Victoria Monét is on a roll. The cult-favorite singer joined forces with dancehall mainstay Buju Banton on a single that packs more than enough heat for a summer filled with nights out. The multi-hyphenate flaunts her plethora of talents, unfurling routines of hypnotic moves from scene to scene in the visual dedicated to the “party girls lightin’ up the world.”
Overmono, “Cold Blooded”
If electronic music isn’t really your speed, Overmono is here to ease you in. On “Cold Blooded,” the UK duo builds on an Afrobeats-esque drum pattern and R&B melodies, combined with gritty synths and a classically electronic instrumental bridge with chopped and filtered vocals.
Jermtown feat. FELIX!, “2002”
Michigan’s Jermtown comes together with Massachusetts rapper FELIX! on the carefree “2002.” The Sara Kawai and Ayeitsnate-produced beat carries Detroit sensibilities while the two rappers do their part by staying true to the city’s laidback cadence. In a black and white video reminiscent of Pusha T and Kanye West’s “Diet Coke” the up-and-coming pair stroll around a white-washed studio firing off punch-line filled verses.
Emotional Oranges feat. Nonso Amadi, “Not Worthy”
“I’m the reason we fell through,” declares “A.” of Emotional Oranges on the opening line of “Not Worthy.” The beautifully self-depricating cut is a series of admissions set to a smooth house-infused instrumental as “V.” delivers a string of harmonies throughout the three-minute cut.
Obongjayar, “Just Cool”
Wanna feel cool? Obongjayar has the perfect thing. This groovy cut is perfect for that iconic movie scene where the awkward teen protagonist embraces their true self, as the London-based artist declares, “Do what you want/Just leave me be/Do what you want/Just give me peace.”
Aaron May, “Stay Humble”
It’s May season, both literally and figuratively as Houston artist Aaron May has returned with his new single “Stay Humble.” The boom-bap rap song finds the rapper spitting about hustling and grinding his way to success. “Stay Humble” is the first glimpse into May’s upcoming project which is slated to release later this year.
Josh Levi, “Birthday Dance”
Josh Levi will bust a move at any given time. On his new single “Birthday Dance,” the singer slows it down, urging his lover to dance for him. The song is an addition to his 2022 EP Disc Two.
DD Osama, “Better Days”
Channeling Y2K romantic rap by way of warm guitar chords, NYC drill rapper DD Osama delivers a tender moment on his debut project, Here To Stay. The 16-year-old artist taps into his poetic side, showing a knack for introspection far beyond his age.
Monaleo, “A– Kickin’”
Despite announcing her pregnancy last month, Monaleo is showing no signs of slowing down. “Monaleo, big bully/taking names, a– kickin’,” she raps. The track will appear on her upcoming album Where the Flowers Don’t Die.
Bandmanrill, “Mr. D.C.T.”
Bandmanrill adds a Jersey Club spin to Crystal Waters’s 1991 track “Gypsy Woman.” The Newark native has been a rising voice and is helping bring the genre into the mainstream with his youthful energy and uptempo tracks.