Fresh Picks
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Buju Banton’s viral Afrobeats-lambasting Drink Champs appearance (Aug. 28) previewed a particularly contentious month for reggae and dancehall music, and September did not disappoint.
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After announcing the removal of the reggae recording of the year category from the forthcoming 2025 JUNO Awards, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has reversed its decision, allowing a new crop of competitors to join past winners like Leroy Sibbles, Exco Levi and Kirk Diamond. The news came just a few weeks before an update in the curious removal of Drake‘s “Blue Green Red” from streaming services. The dancehall-inflected track — which peaked at No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 as a part of the rapper’s 100 Gigs EP — allegedly lifted elements from Tiger’s “When” (1991) without proper clearance. Later disputes about who actually serves as Tiger’s publishing representative continues to keep the song off streaming services, but producer Boi-1da asserts that the song could “possibly be back up” once those issues are resolved.
In live performance news, R&B icon Usher brought out a pair of Jamaican powerhouses for his Past Present Future Tour: Grammy-nominated reggae star Barrington Levy delivered renditions of “Here I Come,” “Black Roses” and “Tell Them A Ready (Murderer)” at the trek’s final Brooklyn show (Sept. 10), while Caribbean Music Award winner Masicka performed “Fight For Us” at the final Toronto Show (Sept. 3). At the latter stop, Canadian rapper and producer Kardinal Offishall also joined forces with Usher for a special cover of Chaka Demus & Pliers’ “Murder She Wrote.”
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Naturally, Billboard’s monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks column will not cover every last track, but our Spotify playlist — which is linked below — will expand on the 10 highlighted songs. So, without any further ado:
Freshest Find: Azato, “Disconnect to Connect”
As a global society, we’re probably past the point of no return when it comes to the unhealthy amount of time and energy we collectively give to technology and social media. With “Disconnect to Connect,” a warm, full-bodied mélange of soulful roots reggae and notes of soft rock and jazz, Hawaiian reggae band Azato deliver something greater than a finger-wagging “get off your phones” anthem. “Are we truly free, or just followers of likes?” he questions us, urging us to detox, if only for a moment. Roots reggae has proven to be rich soil for sociopolitical commentary for decades, and Azato offers up a distinctly 21st-century lens through “Disconnect to Connect.”
Runkus, Royal Blu & Kush Arora, “No Long Talking”
“Life In the Jungle” might be the main attraction, but “No Long Talking” is a much more intriguing offering from Jamaican artists Runkus and Royal Blu and Bay Area producer Kush Arora. A fiery amalgam of drill and dancehall, complete with machine gun sound effects, rapid fire flows, and a promise to get “straight to the action, don’t wanna play.” Built around Kush’s “Desi Cowboy” riddim, both Runkus and Royal Blu embody the lawless spirit of the Wild West with this slinky gun chune.
Morgan & Byron Messia, “Wheel Up”
It’s been over a year since “Talibans” dominated the summer across the Caribbean diaspora, and Byron Messia still stands as one of the biggest dancehall breakout stars in recent memory. On his new collaboration with U.K. pop/R&B arist Morgan, Messia proves himself a surprisingly strong supporting player. A sleek fusion of R&B and dancehall, “Wheel Up” is a sultry ode to Jamaican sound clash culture and the heated nights of passionate dancing and flirting that follow. “One more sin inna mi cup/ Dis ting we affi wheel up,” Morgan croons in the chorus of the Slim Typical-helmed track. Ain’t nothing with rewinding those fleeting moments of connection to make them last a little while longer!
Gyptian, “In the Dark”
Gyptian has been cranking out love and lust-minded dancehall classics for years now, and he’s showing no signs of letting up anytime soon. With his latest single, “In the Dark,” the Billboard chart-topping star zeroes in on the love affairs that thrive when the night falls. “She said, ‘I can come over tonight’/ ‘And do with you whatever’/ Wait till it’s dark outside/ And just make your way over,” he sings over the guitar-inflected reggae-pop beat, painting a thrilling narrative of a secret relationship that can only live in the darkness. It’s a less heartwarming story than the one he tells on “Hold Yuh,” but it’s equally enthralling because of the forbidden spaces it pushes his songwriting to.
Shenseea, “Dating SZN”
It’s wild to think that in 2024, people still (figuratively) clutch their pearls when women speak about balancing different partners, but leave it to Shenseea to render that faux outrage null and void. “You a nuh mi man, mi nah haffi explain/ Mi nuh have no obligation/ Journey might be slow/ But mi haffi sure say you’re the one/ So mi have couple a unuh inna rotation,” she explains in the first verse, letting it be known that she sets the terms of all these arrangements — nobody else. The Supa Dups-produced track references the iconic instrumental hook from TLC’s Hot 100-topping “No Scrubs,” an increasingly rare instance of a newer song referencing a classic track and building on that song’s narrative and concept. These guys are scrubs, why would Shenyeng ever lock herself down like that?
Jahmiel & Minto Play Da Riddim, “Self Worth”
Always good for a poignant, introspective track, Jahmiel delivers yet again with “Self Worth,” a tender collaboration with Minto Play Da Riddim. Emphasizing themes self-empowerment, the track balances somber piano keys, a spoken interlude, and an undercurrent of gospel melodies to create a sonic comforter of hope and reassurance. “A user nah go ever love you like you love yourself,” he croons, reminding us all that our sense of self should always be grounded in an intimate understanding of our own individual self-worth.
Popcaan, “Show Me”
The Unruly Boss is back with a new drop. “Show Me,” the dancehall icon’s latest offering is standard sexed-up dancehall fear, and that’s perfectly fine. Produced by Teejay of TJ records, “Show Me” is as playful as it sensual, with Popcaan begging his prospective lover to “show me what you can do.” His smooth delivery offers a nice complement to the hip-hop-inflected riddim, but there’s just enough fire in his exclamations and ad-libs to make sure the flame never dies.
Vybz Kartel, “The Comet”
As the whole world knows by now, Vybz Kartel is finally free. He’s already dropped off a collection of new bangers since his release and in a wholly characteristic move, he’s given us some more. If anything, “The Comet” feel like a foreboding prelude to a new set of bangers ahead of his highly anticipated return to the stage in Jamaica later this year. “Mi f–k yuh madda thru di prison grill/ Mi f–k yuh gyal thru di prison window/ Wet up ‘e p—y wid mi middle finger/ Then mi dig it out hard wid di timber,” he snarls in trademark badman fashion before chanting, “I thought I told you that the comet is comin’” in the chorus. Who knows what “The Comet” is warning for, and, honestly, it doesn’t even matter — it’s a heater all on its own.
Bamby, “Guyane”
Guyanese dancehall and shatta singer Bamby infuses those two Jamaica-indebted genres with a healthy dose of her own Creole roots. Complete with a video shot in her home country, Bamby sings in both French and Creole as she waxes poetic about the beauty, strength and virtue of Guyana. “Yé ka mandé pou kissa nou fâché (They ask why we are angry)/Babylon pa pé rété (Babylon can’t stay)/ Malè ki zot voyé (This misfortune they sent)/ Lanmè ké fine pa chariél (The sea will no longer carry it),” she croons over a sparkly, thumping dancehall beat.
Amanda Reifer & Sean Paul, “Sweat (Part II)
A sequel to the opening track from her Island Files project earlier this year, “Sweat (Part II)” finds Barbados’ Amanda Reifer joining forces with Jamaica’s Sean Paul for a sexy reggae-pop jam. The new version of the song changes very little from the original, but Sean Paul’s mellow guest verse offers a nice male perspective to complement both Amanda’s POV and her loftier vocal register. “You waan me touch it girl/ Me well conscious me want you trust it girl/ The stars and the moon shine for us girl/ You are my Isis , I am Osiris girl,” he proclaims to close out his verse. Who said the breezy reggae love jams have to stop when the weather gets chillier?
It’s officially fall, and these African artists have plenty of new music to usher in the new season with.
Oxlade transcends the continent’s borders with a vibrant combination of old-school African music and modern-day Afrobeats — and an international array of guest artists, from Jamaican dancehall star Popcaan to U.K. rapper Dave to legendary Nigerian singer-songwriter Wande Coal and Congolese icon Fally Ipupa — on his long-awaited debut album OFA (Oxlade From Africa). And Fireboy DML puts his heart on his sleeve and stays true to the sounds he grew up listening to on his self-titled fourth studio album Adedamola.
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 our latest Spotify playlist below.
Mofe., “Good Day”
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Mofe. fuses Afrobeats and disco for his self-branded Afrodisco jam “Good Day.” The Nigerian American artist behind the viral track “Prince of Egypt” – which Destroy Lonely sampled on “Cadillac,” from his latest Love Lasts Forever album – adds a funkier groove, assisted by shimmering synths, to Afrobeats’ syncopated percussion and overall feel-good vibe. It’s kind of impossible to not have a good day while listening to this song.
Fireboy DML feat. Seun Kuti, “ecstasy”
Fireboy DML craves a woman’s body like “ecstasy” on this erotic number from his eponymous fourth album Adedamola. Producer Bassiqally’s ebullient percussion occasionally dotted with log drums and chanting ad-libs, paired with featured artist Seun Kuti’s sexy and soulful saxophone melodies, make “ecstasy” sound as addicting as the real deal. “It’s a song that sounds like sex – I always have a record like that on every album, because it’s somewhat a part of my personality,” he told Apple Music, adding that he “had an image of [Kuti] on the sax for the record…. He’s an amazing person with a very crazy and colorful personality that resonates with me.”
Odunsi (The Engine), “BACK IN OFFICE”
Odunsi (The Engine) makes being “BACK IN OFFICE” much more amusing in the opening track of his latest EP Nigerian Boyfriend. The alté artist assumes the position of a boss who entices women with his “tune and bounce,” this time with a swelling orchestral intro and outro that bookend the song’s polyrhythmic production (courtesy of OTE, who’s also the sole songwriter). And with its corporate-themed visualizer, “BACK IN OFFICE” would’ve been the perfect campaign song for I AM GIA’s new Gia Office.03 collection.
Minz, “mo de ma [by any minz]”
Minz becomes a soothing voice of reason on his “mo de ma [by any minz]” single that dropped ahead of his debut album By Any Minz, due Oct. 4. He reflects on his journey to the spotlight, including the “dark days when man never glow,” over Puffy Beatz’s relaxed production. Grammy-winning singer Angélique Kidjo is heard in the outro, calling out his album title within seconds of meeting Minz. “This felt like a revelation…. Sometimes, the signs show up exactly when you need them, and they make everything make sense,” he wrote on Instagram underneath a clip that captured the kismet moment.
Oxlade, “RMF”
Oxlade is “all about that life” on “RMF” from his debut studio album OFA (Oxlade From Africa). “RMF,” which stands for “Rich Motherf—er,” finds the Nigerian hitmaker relishing in his new luxe lifestyle while going back to his rapping roots. “When I was in secondary school, I stopped singing because of peer pressure. I had to learn how to rap to fit in. I’m grateful now cos [sic] it’s affected my pen!” he told Wonderland. And its Fela Kuti-inspired Afrobeat production, from the grandiose horn melody to the dizzying saxophone outro, pays homage to the vintage African sound.
Fireboy DML, “Change Your Life”
The YBNL crooner gets into the groove on “Change Your Life,” off his latest album adedamola. Propelled by an insistent backbeat, an adventurous bassline and a track-opening trumpet solo — that’s right — producer Bassiqally quickly sets a tone that makes “Change Your Life” stand out from the rest of the project musically, even if it remains firmly within the romantic love-life stories that populate the album. But “Change Your Life” continues to surprise throughout, with Fireboy bringing melody on top of melody and proving adept at riding the rhythm.
Oxlade feat. Sarkodie, “OLOLUFE”
There are plenty of standouts on the latest Oxlade album OFA, which essentially serves as a clearinghouse for his best singles of the past 18 months. Oxlade himself is adept at setting the vibe, with his vocals soaring over the production, a mix of doubled-melody and falsetto that reaches into the stratosphere. This track really shines, however, with the forehand punch that is Sarkodie’s verse, which punctuates the ambiance and brings a renewed energy and a swagger to the track that sets it apart.
Morravey, “Ifineme”
One of the breakout stars of Davido’s phenomenal Timeless album from 2023 on the track “The Garden,” Morravey — also signed to David’s Davido Music Worldwide label — is a dynamic singer with a gorgeous voice, and this new cut “Ifineme” is another from a similar mold. The song came hand in hand with another single, “Upstandin,” that also showcases her vocal prowess, but it’s “Ifineme” that truly feels transcendent: a track that builds organically with its feeling of the early days of love, until reaching a soaring hook complete with a full choir that fills to the rafters. It’s a great song, and her winking metaphors demand repeat listens.
LADIPOE & taves, “Compose”
A low key intro and a reverb-soaked background quickly give way to a tight groove on this latest collab, with LADIPOE flowing effortlessly over the beat, bouncing in time, as he raps about his latest romantic interest. Featured guest taves makes little more than a cameo, but it’s really the hook that makes the song such an earworm — “You wan make my head explode” — with a catchy melody that burrows into the brain. There’s a joy to this one that bubbles under the surface but comes through nevertheless, and which stamps itself on the listener.
Khaid feat. Olamide, “Way Back”
Few young singers have made as much of an impact in the past two years as Khaid, who despite his string of infectious singles is still just a teenager. But this track sees him linking up with one of Nigeria’s OGs, as Olamide comes through with a verse in his classic style — cocky, on and off the beat, always dripping with swagger and effortless cool — before ceding the floor back to Khaid and his penchant for crafting melodies that seem timeless, despite his years. It helps that the music video is pure fun, too, with the duo clearly enjoying themselves in the studios. Khaid hasn’t missed yet.
Method Man may have a different point of view, but the past week in hip-hop and R&B was utterly dominated by the latest news in the federal indictment against embattled music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
On Tuesday (Sept. 17), less than a day after his arrest in New York, federal prosecutors unsealed a criminal indictment against Combs, revealing sweeping allegations of sexual abuse and running a racketeering conspiracy that included forced labor, sex trafficking, kidnapping, arson and bribery. The new development in Comb’s case comes months after both Cassie Ventura‘s bombshell November 2023 lawsuit and a reported raid of Combs’ Miami and Los Angeles Homes on March 25. As a vile hurricane of gossip, misinformation, and victim-blaming continues to surround this case, it was nearly impossible to think about the worlds of hip-hop and R&B without landing on this culture-rocking indictment.
Nonetheless, a few musicians were able to stake a small claim for themselves in the news cycle — including Future, who dropped off a new mixtape called Mixtape Pluto, marking his third full-length project of the year so far. Grammy-winning rapper Eve also found herself back in the news as she promoted her new memoir, which included heartfelt memories of working with Nicki Minaj on the set of 2016’s Barbershop: The Next Cut and conversing with Jay-Z amid the release of her Billboard 200-topping 1999 debut album, Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady.
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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 Jae Stephens’ new Y2K fantasia to 4batz and Lil Baby’s smooth new duet. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Jae Stephens, “PDA”
After cutting her teeth as a songwriter and signing a deal with Raedio, in partnership with Def Jam, Jae Stephens is ready to fully step into her spotlight as the world’s favorite new pop girl. Cheekily titled Sellout, Stephens’ new EP runs a tight six tracks, all of which hone in on her funky, R&B-steeped take on the percussive pop fantasies of the late ’90s and early ’00s. While recent singles “Wet,” “Girls Don’t Cheat” and “Body Favors” have made the rounds on socials, it’s “PDA” that stands as the project’s crown jewel. “Does anybody in here have a problem with us acting up?/ Ain’t you ever seen a baddie and her baby bad in love?” she questions at the song’s onset. She’s not really asking us for permission to love on her baby, but it’s that combination of devil-may-care swagger and tongue-in-cheek cockiness that makes “PDA” such a nifty encapsulation of Sellout’s vibe and sound. From sultry electric guitar licks to sneaky trips to her fluttery falsetto and spunky spoken word breakdowns, “PDA” is a surefire song of the fall.
Jean Dawson, “Houston”
For the latest taste of his forthcoming Glimmer of God LP (due Oct. 18), Jean Dawson turns up the heat on his flirtations with pop and dance for an atmospheric new joint titled “Houston.” Over a beat that sounds like a distant cousin of the soundscape The Weeknd curated with 2020’s After Hours, Dawson picks up where the Canadian pop icon left off by localizing his balance of life’s most epic highs and lows in an American city with its own lore and mythology. For The Weeknd, that city is normally Los Angeles, but Dawson opts for Houston as he croons, “Ima lose my soul tonight/ Only for the moment right I/ Sink into the lonely night/ Dancing with my own desire higher.” He tempers the song’s synth-pop skeleton with a vocal delivery that exposes the melancholy that courses through his desire to get “higher,” making for a worthy lesson in lyrical and melodic tension.
Jaz Karis, “Talk About It”
Last week (Sept. 20), South London R&B singer-songwriter Jaz Karis dropped her debut full-length album, Safe Flight, and “Talk About It” is one of the project’s most impressive cuts. Produced by contemporary R&B architect Camper, “Talk About It” finds Karis trying her best to convince her partner of the merits of talking through issues rather than shutting down when conflict arises. “Know these ain’t the goals you see online/ It ain’t picture perfect, it’s real-life/ We don’t stand a chance, if we don’t fight/ I don’t wanna give up, not this time,” she coos in the second verse, over a twinkling arrangement equally supported by lush R&B chords and gorgeous vocal stacks. In her embrace of sonic signifiers of past eras of R&B, Karis can root her explorations of the feasibility of Internet Age “relationship goals” in a different context, making for some truly effective songwriting despite the tried-and-true nature of the song’s concept.
4batz & Lil Baby, “Roll Da Dice”
4batz adds another superstar collaborator to his decorated resume that already includes tracks with Usher, Drake and Kanye West. Lil Baby brings the Atlanta trap to the Dallas crooner’s doorstep for the woozy “Roll Da Dice.” As a gambler, Baby is always down to test his luck and take another spin at the wheel. 4batz brings that same mentality to romance while doing whatever it takes to win over a woman so he’s not left love sick. “I roll the dice, make sure there’s no babies,” 4batz reveals of his unguarded nature. But when it comes to intoxicating love-drunk anthems, the elusive R&B singer-songwriter already is impossible to defeat like he was dealt ace-king on the blackjack table.
TiaCorine, “Different Color Stones”
Imposter Syndrome can be an exhausting battle for artists when it comes to releasing music. Luckily for TiaCorine, her friends and team reportedly pushed her to deliver “Different Color Stones.” The bubbly tune finds Tia collecting infinity stones in the form of different flows as she plays hopscotch mixing in speedy 100 MPH rhymes with a slower-paced hypnotic pocket. “Listen baby/ If you got some money goin act up/ Shawty throw yo ass up/ We ballin’ baby,” she raps while saluting the self-made women winning across the globe. FreakyT’s elevation continues while moving into the post-Almost There era.
Ray Vaughn & NLE Choppa, “FNBM”
With Cuffing Season just around the corner, don’t expect Ray Vaughn or NLE Choppa to get involved. The TDE rapper and Memphis native connect for the explicit “FNBM” as they’re going to be outside for quarter four. The brash duo doesn’t care about women’s ties to previous partners to complicate their own love lives. “Excuse me, I’m from Los Angeles/ Just f–k the homie, b—h, cause I’m scandalous/ Afterwards she puttin’ chips on my sandwiches,” Vaughn raps. Choppa takes the baton and brings his raunchiness and “SLUT SZN” energy to the track. The visual is worth a watch as well, where an ex pulls up to Vaughn and Choppa’s estate and he’s met face-to-face with an assault rifle.
After Wednesday night’s (Sept. 11) VMAs ceremony treated viewers to performances by Megan Thee Stallion, Eminem, GloRilla, DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, and a special Def Jam 40th Anniversary medley featuring LL Cool J and Public Enemy, the past weekend in hip-hop and R&B had a lot to live up to.
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Playboi Carti and The Weeknd both launched their new eras with the release of their lead singles “All Red” and “Dancing In The Flames,” respectively; Nicki Minaj announced a forthcoming third installment of her Pink Friday album series; and NYC banded together at the Apollo Theater to honor the life of Grammy-winning Harlem native Fatman Scoop (Sept. 12). It’s been a heavy few weeks for the world of hip-hop and R&B, with the losses of Scoop, Rich Homie Quan, Frankie Beverly and Tito Jackson hitting the community in quick succession.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Leon Thomas and Ty Dolla $ign’s scorching new duet to Jdot Breezy’s emotional new track. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
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Freshest Find: Leon Thomas & Ty Dolla $ign, “Far Fetched”
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Is it really toxic if you’re up front about it? With their latest collaboration, Leon Thomas and Ty Dolla $ign lay all of their cards on the table, and that commitment to honesty ultimately trumps the darkest parts of those cards. “She got dreams of love and marriage/ But that’s far-fetched, far-fetched/ ‘Cause if we don’t work out, girl, that’s a large check,” Thomas explains over a heavily percussive beat peppered with electric guitar and morose piano, courtesy of Oshi and Thomas himself. Ty smoothly slides in with a verse of his own that recounts all the money he’s put up for this lady, but there’s a hint of exasperation in his tone that calls back to Thomas’ overarching message: anything beyond the current state of this relationship isn’t feasible. “Far Fetched” follows “Mutt” as the second single from Thomas’ forthcoming Mutt LP, giving him two standout singles in a row.
Jay Swishes, “Mona Lisa”
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On this Afrobeats-infused hip-hop joint, Ontario-born, Brooklyn-raised rapper Jay Swishes sings the praises of a woman so beautiful her only point of comparison is the Mona Lisa. “Melanin hit her like the sun, her complexion/ 5’2,” one not the two, no contestant/ She a lil freak, we Minaj with her best friend,” he sing-raps before dipping into a more dancehall-adjacent cadence, with X-rated bars like, “Make her suck pon di c–ky like breadfruit/ Put mi wood inna her belly, don’t run.” Accented by shimmering synths and fingerpicked guitar, “Mona Lisa” combines different elements from the year’s hottest sounds into one sultry banger.
Yolanda Adams, “On God”
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Last week (Sept. 13), gospel icon Yolanda Adams dropped off Sunny Days her first studio album in 13 years, and she wasted no time to get things started with the terrific opener, “On God.” A sleek mélange of contemporary R&B and gospel, “On God” finds Adam honoring the Man Above for all of the times he showed up for her — even when times looked especially dark. “That’s my God, that’s my Rock, that’s my King, my Messiah/ Gave His all for mе/ He made a way out of no way/ That’s on God, on God, on God, on God, on God,” she croons over a sparkling R&B-infused arrangement crafted by John Jackson and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
Ray Vaughn & SiR, “Everybody Dies”
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The Top Dawg Entertainment rapper wastes no bars with his layered messaging. “Everybody Dies” is a sobering reality and Ray Vaughn confronts a cross-roads in his life while internally grappling with if the juice is worth the squeeze when attempting to conquer your dreams. SiR takes the baton and angelically croons on the soulful chorus as he asserts his legacy will live on long after his physical existence on earth is over. With a handful of singles under his belt in 2024, it’s gotta be album time for Vaughn.
Babyface Ray & Hunxho, “Delusional”
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Babyface Ray is The Kid That Did It. The Detroit spitter narrates his rags to riches story with his fourth studio album. “Delusional” serves as a project standout and the first team-up between Ray and Hunxho. A certain woman in Babyface’s life is using him, but he doesn’t even care at this point as he’s blinded by her beauty. Love can make you do crazy things and Hunxho promises to ink her name on his body so she knows it’s real. “I’m stuck on you, get a new b—h and look for you underneath/ I don’t even put names on my body, but I put you on my neck,” he raps with a heavy dose of AutoTune.
Jdot Breezy, “Heart of Flames”
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It’s a game of fire and ice. If Rod Wave has his “Heart on Ice,” Jdot Breezy flips the script with “Heart of Flames” to serve as his apologetic Sorry I Took Long project opener. The Florida rapper vulnerably opens up about going to great lengths to win over a potential girlfriend. While he fits into the melodic rap landscape, Breezy has an old soul with shout-outs to Phil Jackson and shrewd wordplay referencing Morgan Freeman’s 1989 film Lean on Me. Look for Jdot to hit the road with his woozy tunes for the Straight Madness Tour next month.
Billboard owned the past week in R&B and hip-hop with a weekend full of events celebrating the movers, shakers and tastemakers of both genres. Things kicked off with Thursday night’s (Sept. 5) 2024 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event, where Megan Thee Stallion and Playboi Carti were both honored as artist of the year. Rachelle Jean-Louis, manager to three-time Grammy winner Victoria Monét, took home executive of the year, and Teezo Touchdown scored rookie of the year honors.
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Speaking of Teezo, the Billboard-charting artist headlined Billboard Hip-Hop Live, a star-studded Friday night (Sept. 6) concert held at Xanadu Roller Arts in Bushwick featuring additional performances by BigXThaPlug and Bossman Dlow. Later that night, Ice Spice stopped by Billboard‘s official afterparty for a performance of her Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit “Think U the Shit (Fart)” (No. 37).
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On Sunday night, R&B got some time to shine by way of an intimate No. 1’s party at The Box, where Usher (r&b entertainer of the year), Tyla (global force award), Lucky Daye (torchbearer award), Luther Vandross (icon award) and Monét (hitmaker award) were all honored. The R&B celebrations continue Monday night (Sept. 9) with a special one-night-only performance by Marsha Ambrosius at the Blue Note Jazz Club.
Of course, the only piece of a R&B/hip-hop news to cut through Billboard’s jam-packed weekend was the announcement that Kendrick Lamar would be headlining the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. Cue “Not Like Us”!
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Powers Pleasant’s epic NY link-up to Laila’s guitar-backed album opener. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Powers Pleasant feat. A$AP Ferg & Armani Caesar, “Shmoke”
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For his latest single of 2024, Powers Pleasant brings together the respective lineages of A$AP Mob and Griselda to deliver a beautifully belligerent New York banger that blends moving gospel samples, a sleek Daft Punk flip and hip-rocking Jersey club breakdown. Even the “You don’t want smoke/ Bet that I do!” call-and-response in hook embodies the menacing playfulness that courses through nearly every decade of New York rap’s evolution. Powers’ soundscape is a busy one, but his commitment to modernizing the booming, grandiose aura of ’90s hip-hop keeps the vision clear. Of course, spirited performances from both Ferg and Armani don’t hurt either.
Toosii & Gunna,”Champs Élysées”
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It’s been over a year since “Favorite Song” became Toosii’s first Hot 100 top five hit, which means it’s time for a victory lap. “Look how I’m reachin’ my goals/ Whip it, uh, whip it, uh/ This here came right off the stove, uh/ Champs, Élysées, uh, she wanna shop for some clothes, uh,” he spits. Produced by Dson Beats, Vision EXE & Anthoine Walters, the song’s shimmering trap-inflected soundscape gives both Toosii and Gunna ample space to wax poetic about pursuing their biggest goals and dream women. “Champs Élysées” is the latest taste of Toosii’s forthcoming Jaded project, which marks his first full-length release since 2023’s Naujour.
Chow Lee & AJ Tracey, “I’m Not Really That Spiritual!”
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Chow Lee, one of the torchbearers of the sexy drill sound that has taken over the Empire State this year, just dropped off his Sex Drive project, and his across-the-pond collaboration with AJ Tracey is one of the standout moments. With “I’m Not Really That Spiritual,” the two rappers wholly embraces the innate hedonism that comes with the slizzy lifestyle. Chow raps, “I’m not really spiritual, I’m still gon’ tell my ex to suck my d–k in my interviews/ I’m not really lyrical, I’m just talkin’ my shit on the beat and it works.” Instead of working the defense to prove his sound and style worthy of respect, Chow simply presents himself — and he doesn’t really care if we take it or leave it. It’s the perfect amount of apathy to ground his laid-back delivery, which AJ complements nicely on his similarly debaucherous guest verse.
Naomi Sharon & DJ Snake, “Goodbyes (Myrrh)”
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Naomi Sharon’s ethereal “Myrrh” caught the ear of DJ Snake and he put his own spin on the Obsidian standout. Snake pushed the pace while trading stripped-down guitar strings for pulsating synths. The dance-leaning track has been airbrushed with a more vibrant aesthetic, which will get hips gyrating at the nightclub. Just don’t fall head over heels because “good times turn into goodbyes” eventually. Sharon just wrapped up opening up for Tems on her North American trek and the OVO singer should have more surprises in store for fans before the year expires.
Laila!, “Talent Show”
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Whether you discovered Laila! through a viral TikTok or stumbled upon her Gap Year debut album, she’s happy you’re here for the journey. The 19-year-old introduces fans to her first LP literally with a raw performance from a talent show while she was in high school with her friend strumming on guitar. Laila! Shows off her vibrato vocals and singing range while ruminating about a faltered relationship that’s left her feeling “abused” and “misused.” And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Laila!’s 17-track album. Mos Def’s daughter’s debut is well worth the price of admission for listeners.
SleazyWorldGo feat. Rob 49, “I Like That”
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SleazyWorldGo’s More Than a Shooter album arrived on Friday (Sept. 6) with help steering the wheel from Gunna’s right-hand man Turbo, who serves as executive producer on the LP. The menacing “I Like That” connects Kansas City to New Orleans with Sleazy and Rob 49 narrating their unforgiving environments while coming up on the turbulent road to success. “If I squeeze, chopper float like a butterfly, the shots sting like a bee/ Way the choppa knock n—as out, I named this b—h Ali,” Sleazy raps while warning his opps. Mixing in some icy keys over thumping drums, this ominous cut passes the car test.
With carnival season coming to a close, it’s time to let go of the summer and ease into the cooler half of the year. Lucky for us, the world of Caribbean music closed out summer with a bang. During the annual West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn, NY, on Labor Day (Sept. 2), the Queen of Dancehall, Spice, joined forces with BK rap star Lola Brooke for a special parkway performance of “Cry,” from the Jamaican superstar’s new Mirror 25 album.
The week prior, Brooklyn once again played host to the Caribbean Music Awards, which featured hours of celebrations of the past year in Caribbean music and culture. Fresh off his stellar Stateside comeback performances earlier this year, Buju Banton took home album of the year (reggae) for Born for Greatness, which featured collaborations with Victoria Monét, Stephen Marley and Snoop Dogg. Masicka’s Generation of Kings — which reached No. 2 on Reggae Albums last December — was crowned album of the year (dancehall), while fellow Jamaicans Shenseea (artist of the year female – dancehall), Lila Iké (artist of the year female – reggae), Valiant (artist of the year male – dancehall) and Dexta Daps (performer of the year – dancehall).
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Two 2023 Billboard-charting hits — Teejay‘s “Drift” and Byron Messia & Burna Boy‘s “Talibans” — earned trophies as well. Teejay’s joint took home video of the year (dancehall) while Byron took home a pair of honors: collaboration of the year (dancehall) and song of the year (dancehall). Other notable victors included Shaggy & Kes (collaboration of the year – reggae) and Romeo Santos (artist of the year – Latin Caribbean). On the honorary side, Marcia Griffiths received a Lifetime Achievement Award, Cedella Marley received a Legacy Award and Spice was honored as Artist of the Decade.
Naturally, Billboard’s monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks column will not cover every last track, but our Spotify playlist — which is linked below — will expand on the 10 highlighted songs. So, without any further ado:
Freshest Find: Mortimer feat. Kabaka Pyramid & Lila Iké, “Bruises”
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For the latest single from his forthcoming From Within LP (due Sept. 20), Mortimer, one of contemporary reggae’s guiding lights, recruits Kabaka Pyramid and Lila Iké for a solemn, reflective track that deals with the bleak state of the human condition and the global Black struggle. Keeping the tradition of speaking truth to power while injecting a distinctly modern, almost hip-hop-inflected groove to its reggae foundation, “Bruises” is a winning collaboration. Between Kabaka’s sizzling verse and Lila’s tender timbre, “Bruises” is a wholly dynamic listen that balances the hurt and hope that ground the trio’s powerful lyrics.
Chronic Law, “Dark Up Di Place”
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Chronic Law is on a seemingly endless hot streak, and his run continues with “Dark Up Di Place.” Operating in the trap dancehall lane, the St. Thomas star adds another solid gun chune to his arsenal with this ominous banger. “How you fi shoot up a yard weh nobody nuh live, come on” he taunts in a tone that’s equal parts apathetic and snarky, underscoring how comfortably he rests in his own proclamations of dominance and power. The chugging riddim feels as dark as the song’s title suggests, but it’s Chronic’s menacing delivery that really brings the whole song together.
Capleton, “Jah Guide My Step”
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For the deluxe version of the Brimstone Riddim album, reggae legend Capleton made a characteristically moving appearance with “Jah Guide My Step.” “Jah, guide my step/ Jah, guide and protect” he opens the song, immediately matching the triumphant energy of those opening horns by grounding his vision for his future in the hands of the Almighty. Some of the best reggae songs blend their blistering political commentary with reverence for the endless possibilities of a future buoyed by steadfast faith and holy guidance, and that’s exactly what Capleton achieves on this poignant new track.
Skillibeng feat. Tokischa, “Boom”
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Ahead of his stint as a support act on Nicki Minaj‘s historic Pink Friday 2 World Tour, Skillibeng angled himself towards a reggaeton crossover moment with his new Tokischa-assisted track, “Boom.” Built around a sample of the iconic “Bam Bam” riddim, the Yeti-produced track finds Skillibeng doubling down on his trademark X-rated lyrics. “It nuh matter, baby gyal, yuh hot, look how yuh proper/ Waan fi plow yuh like a farmer, wi fi f–k inna da car yah,” he spits to close out his verse, with Dominican rapper and singer Tokischa effortlessly matching his energy with the lines, “He call my p—y, say, ‘Miss fatty-fatty’/ P—y so tight, gon’ make him a murder.” From bilingual verses to an iconic sample, “Boom” is tailor-made for some kind of crossover success — even if this is the second time Skillibeng has put out a song with that name!
Spice, “You Are Worthy”
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To kick off her career-commemorating Mirror 25 album, Spice brought herself to the church doors with this gospel-steeped opener. “When I look at what You carry me through/ Who could it be? No other one but You/ I stand on your word in Psalms 92/ And Psalms 35, the words in Mark 2,” she sings in the song’s emotional second verse. In a conversation with Billboard, Spice explained that she opened her album with a gospel song to give God praise for helping her through a near-fatal health scare. “I’m supposed to be here because God saved my life for a reason,” she said. “I escaped death. I don’t take that lightly.” With the way her voice soars with gratitude over the evocative amalgam of organs, piano, drums, and guitar, it’s clear that Spice meant every word of that explanation.
The Wailers, “Sins”
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It’s been a major year for the Marleys, but The Wailers have something to say too. On Aug. 30, the Grammy-nominated band launched their Evolution album featuring the excellent closer, “Sins.” Across an earthy mixture of guitars, bass, and horns, the Aston Barrett Jr. warns people to not use the Bible to justify themselves and to not “be a hypocrite,” two proclamations that inadvertently (maybe intentionally!) set them in opposition to the way quite a few artists across genres, including reggae and dancehall, use the Bible to justify positions that can be extremely harmful and downright heinous. It’s a ballsy closer, one that pushes the album further into conversations at the intersection of religion, music, and politics — a true testament to the enduring legacy of both Bob Marley and reggae music at large.
Peetah Morgan & Zion I Kings, “Who Run the World”
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Earlier this year (Feb. 25), Peter “Peetah” Morgan — the lead singer of Morgan Heritage — passed away, but his moving voice is still as powerful as ever on “Who Run the World,” his take on Zion I Kings’ “Full Bloom” riddim. “Who run di world and who call di shots/ Yuh think a you just because you hold a glock,” he sings before shouting out Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, and Thomas Sankara among other “African fathers who fight for our liberation.” In a way, the song is a smart answer to those who think being armed automatically equates to having and securing power. It’s also a timely reminder of the interconnected struggles of the global Black diaspora — especially in light of the frenzy Buju Banton’s take on Afrobeats caused a few weeks ago.
DJ Cheem, “She Getting On (Never)”
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Bajan-American soca artist DJ Cheem delivers a sunny end-of-summer jam with “She Getting On.” By all accounts, it’s a standard soca track that praises a lady’s posterior and recounts wicked wins over a jaunty combination of groovy drum patterns. What takes “She Getting On” to another level is the chorus melody. It’s relatively straightforward, but when Cheem’s voice soars on “know” just as the whistles and horns come in, your waist will probably start moving on its own accord — and that’s exactly how you know that you have a real soca hit on your hands.
Tina (Hoodcelebrityy), “Lover Man”
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Fresh off her Tina vs. Hoodcelebrityy project from earlier this year, Tina is back with a new single that pulls from two dancehall classes. “Lover Man,” a song that flips the script on dancehall’s male-dominant explorations of romance, takes notes from Dave Kelly’s 1994 “Pepperseed” riddim, as well as the hook from Nadine Sutherland & Terror Fabulous’ classic, “Action.” With her voice floating between different registers and lyrics that champion a woman’s right to be selective with who she crowns her “lover man,” Tina’s new single is a sweet synthesis of all of her sonic influences and both of her personas.
Chip & DJ Frass, “Gyalis Pree”
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For his take on DJ Frass’ “Party Bus” riddim, Tottenham emcee Chip steps into his dancehall bag with a sexy combination of his British rap foundation and his Caribbean roots. He effortlessly switches between spitting debaucherous bars (“Weed and tequila/ Standard procedure”) and employing a melodic, AutoTune-assisted cadence that allows his voice to try on different textures to play up the subtle percussiveness and vibrant synths of Frass’ riddim. Of course, that callback to 50 Cent’s “In da Club” (“Find me in the club…”) is the icing on top.
Like clockwork, as soon as the West Indian Day Parade rounded its final Brooklyn block, the temperature dropped to unambiguously autumn levels. The teasing is done. Brat summer is over, and fall is here.
After dominating both the spring and the summer with Kendrick Lamar‘s string of Drake disses, TDE’s current roster is gracefully ushering us into the fall. Led by Doechii‘s dazzling Alligator Bites Never Heal mixtape, TDE undoubtedly dominated the long weekend’s cultural conversation amid marquee releases from Big Sean, Muni Long and Destroy Lonely.
The biggest story of the past week has been the heated Billboard 200 chart battle between Sabrina Carpenter‘s star-cementing Short n’ Sweet LP and the ten-year anniversary wide release of Travis Scott‘s debut mixtape, Days Before Rodeo. Coming down to just a few hundred units, Carpenter ultimately trumped Scott, but not before the rapper put up the second-biggest pure sales week of the year across all genres (331,000 copies sold). The Houston-born rapper also debuted atop Top Album Sales and earned 2024’s biggest opening week for any rap album (361,000 units shifted).
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Few stories were able to break through that nail-biting chart showdown, but the ones that did were equally arresting. Buju Banton, Masicka, and Spice were some of the bigger winners at the 2024 Caribbean Music Awards last week (Aug. 29). Ice Spice found herself embroiled in an imploding friendship and working relationship with fellow Bronx rapper and Y2K! Tour opener Cleotrapa, and Playboi Carti graced Billboard’s latest cover.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Tyrese and Tamar Braxton’s heart-melting new reimagining of an R&B classic to Erica Banks and Skilla Baby’s sultry new collaboration. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Doechii, “Denial Is a River”
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Real ones have been locked in with Doechii for a minute now, and after she got a taste of top 40 success with 2023’s Hot 100 hit “What It Is” (No. 29), now the whole world has no choice but to get on the train. Alligator Bites Never Heal, her first mixtape under Capitol/TDE, won the weekend, arriving as one of the year’s best hip-hop projects — with its sleek blend of boom-bap and house-inflected melodic rap. Boom-bap reigns supreme on “Denial Is a River,” the tape’s buzziest cut, in which Doechii recounts a head-spinning tale of betrayal. In short, she found out she was being cheated on… while she was in the middle of a therapy session. “Took a scroll through his IG, just to get a DM from his wifey/ I was so confused, what should Doechii do?/ She didn’t know about me and I didn’t know ’bout Sue,” she spits over a crisp, Iain James & Joey Hamhock-helmed beat. The track is a masterclass in both hip-hop storytelling and the infinite powers of shifting intonation to denote different characters and timelines. It’s one of the best rap performances of the year, plain and simple.
Tyrese & Tamar Braxton, “Neither One of Us”
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For those who have been paying attention, Tyrese has been dropping small teases of that good ol’ soulful R&B with each pre-release single from his new Beautiful Pain album. Now that the full set is finally available on DSPs as of last Friday (Aug. 30), the standout cut is undoubtedly his and Tamar Braxton’s moving rendition of Gladys Knights & The Pips’ 1972 classic, “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye.” Tyrese buttery timbre marries with Tamar’s piercing soprano to deliver a luscious blend of goosebump-inducing harmonies that beautifully color their dynamic interpretation of the track. The best thing about “Neither One of Us” is that neither artist’s vocal performance sounds labored; their takes have an ease and earnestness that add some earthy elements to complement their sometimes superhuman riffs and belts.
Syleena Johnson feat. Twista & Shawnna, “Burning in My Soul (Just a Freak)”
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Just a few days after Billboard and Tres Generaciones counted down their top Chicago “get up anthems,” R&B diva Syleena Johnson has a late entry of her own. Recruiting fellow Chicago music stars Twista and Shawnna, Johnson delivers a crash course in Chicago music history. For the first half of the track, Johnson’s voice sits at the intersection of soul and rock n’ roll, with voice ripping through the line “I’m on fire baby,” just as raucous guitars crash into the arrangement. Twista gifts her a characteristically rapid-fire voice before Shawnna comes in on the song’s back half — parenthetically titled “Just a Freak” — with a Beenie Man-referencing verse that blends hip-hop and soul with a small dash of reggae. In one of the lighter moments on her moving Legacy album, Johnson still finds time to speak to R&B’s preoccupation with love and pain while giving her late father a well-deserved send-off.
Erica Banks & Skilla Baby, “One Wish”
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Erica Banks returned with her Cocky on Purpose 2 EP, and as always, the Dallas-bred rapper is unapologetically expressing herself with brash rhymes. However, she takes a more gentle approach for the pensive “One Wish,” which finds Banks opening up about a temporary fling, but she’s here for a good time not a long time. “Could I f–k you out here on the spot/ Could I smoke while you giving me top/ He gon’ think I’m in love but I’m not,” she softly raps. The ball bounces to Skilla Baby, who helms the guy’s perspective. He’s had an affinity for making romantic records the ladies enjoy, and adds another to his resume here. “I’m not playing when it come to you/ I just want to see you comfortable/ Spit in your mouth when I’m f–king you,” he flows in his raunchy assist.
YTB Fatt, “Free Bank”
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YTB Fatt kicks off his On Zai deluxe EP with a jail phone call recording featuring his friend Bankroll Freddie, who is popping his s–t from behind bars. Fatt reflects on signing to Moneybagg Yo and the vultures surrounding him like a cousin who wants him dead. Trust means a lot to the Arkansas-bred rapper. He brushes off the women who deaded his messages, and vows to bless anyone who lent a helping hand in his journey to stardom. “I was down bad on my d–k, every b—h I wanted, they left me on read/ My broke days over, I put a chain on every n—a that gave me a bed,” he raps over the thrilling production, which could score an action movie scene.
Diany Dior & Fivio Foreign, “Sex Love Demons”
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There’s something in the water in The Bronx, because the charisma of any BX resident will change the temperature of any room. Diany Dior can attest as one of the queens of the sexy drill movement led by fellow Bronxite Cash Cobain. Brooklyn drill sergeant Fivio Foreign tangoes with the “Favorite Lady” rapper for their hedonistic “Sex Love Demons” collab. “I could f–k you in Paris but I’m not a French kisser,” Fivio cheekily raps. Dior grabs the mic and boasts about flipping the script on an ex. “I made him leave his side b—h/ First I was his baby, now I made him my b—h,” Dior brags. Check out the rest of The Bronx firecracker’s Big Dior debut project, which arrived via GoodTalk.
The summer may be coming to a close, but the high-profile releases from some of the giants of African music don’t appear to be slowing down at all.
Asake continues pushing his own sonic boundaries, tapping an array of international collaborators — including Travis Scott, the UK’s Stormzy, and Brazil’s Ludmilla — for his third studio album, Lungu Boy, a triumph of both expanding musical horizons and fully embracing your status as an innovator on the scene. The Nigerian hitmaker scored his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart with “Active,” featuring Scott.
And renowned British-Nigerian producer London, whose artist name is Thisizlondon, has been behind some of the biggest Afrobeats hits in recent years, from Rema‘s Billboard Hot 100 No. 3 smash “Calm Down” to Ayra Starr‘s “Bloody Samaritan.” Now, he’s getting in front of them by recruiting Starr and 6LACK for his refreshing debut single “PINACOLADA,” and collaborating with Olamide and Alpha P on the latter’s “W.”
But those are just a few of the artists who have released big tracks in August. 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 find your new summer soundtrack with our Spotify playlist below.
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Asake feat. Wizkid, “MMS”
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Asake waxes philosophical on “MMS,” a highlight from Lungu Boy which stands for “Mr. Money Sound.” Asake chants “O ye ọlọun” in the chorus (meaning God understands in Yoruba) over P.Priime’s jazzy production, as he restores faith in listeners who feel overwhelmed with life’s twists and turns by reminding them about the path God has already put them on. Meanwhile, Wizkid reflects on losing himself, especially after the death of his mother last August, and finding his purpose as one of Afrobeats’ brightest stars. “As a young striving artist in Lagos, I have always been waiting for the right song, so when the opportunity came it was a no-brainer,” Asake told Apple Music about collaborating with one of his “musical inspirations.”
JayO, “Suns Out”
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JayO reworks the “suns out, buns out” summer slogan for the hook of his latest seasonal anthem. Skittering hi-hats and hypnotic synths, courtesy of producers WHOSDAT and RZ, underline the British-Nigerian AfroR&B artist’s smooth melodies. “Suns Out” is sure to soundtrack the last day parties of the summer (ugh, don’t remind us it’s almost over).
Efosa, “FEEL IT”
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After co-writing Darkoo’s summer smash “Favourite Girl” – which features Rema on its recent remix – British-Nigerian singer-songwriter Efosa drops his own sensual number. On “FEEL IT,” Efosa makes the case for why a woman should be with him, with his suave vocals doing most of the convincing. The drill-esque syncopated drums mimicking his heartbeat (“Do you feel it?” he repeatedly asks her) give the ballad’s woozy synths an upbeat edge.
Omah Lay, “Moving”
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Omah Lay pursues happiness while struggling with hardships on his latest single “Moving,” from his sophomore album Clarity of Mind, which is slated for release this winter. The propulsive percussion and resonant rhythms drive the track’s sense of urgency, which reaches a fever pitch at the bridge when he chants, “You can tell that I ran out of time/ Unavailable a lot of times.” And the affecting music video gives “Moving” a more profound meaning. “I am telling the story of how illegal immigrants travel to Europe through the desert, through Sahara…. Home is really bad where we can’t stay at home,” he said in a recent Billboard News interview. “I’m telling the story of the whole world, where everybody’s looking for some place to find peace of mind, some place to just call home and feel relaxed.”
Thisizlondon, Ayra Starr & 6LACK, “PINACOLADA”
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Thisizlondon taps frequent collaborator Ayra Starr and 6LACK for his debut single “PINACOLADA,” crafting a tantalizing concoction of Starr’s self-confident, vibrant delivery and 6LACK’s laidback R&B vocals that he’s lent to plenty of other Afropop records, like the remixes of Omah Lay’s “Damn” and Spinall and Fireboy DML’s “Sere.” “I wanted to create a vibe that captures the essence of summer — something that’s both chill and energizing,” Thisizlondon said in a press release.
Asake feat. Ludmilla, “Whine”
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Mr. Money Worldwide has finally arrived at the peak of his powers — and he’s clearly having fun. No song off his excellent new album exemplifies that better than “Whine,” in which producer Sak Pase flips Mary J. Blige’s 1992 classic “Real Love” into a joyful celebration of the ecstasies of love, and Brazilian singer Ludmilla adds a South American flair and a largely Portuguese verse to a track that is positively bursting with vibes. It’s the most euphoric track of his career so far.
Asake feat. Stormzy, “Suru”
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This isn’t the first time Asake has linked up with a British rapper — and not even the only instance on this album — but this collaboration with Stormzy is a deeply emotional appreciation of how far each of them have come to reach where they are, and an acknowledgment of the sacrifices that were made by those around them along the way. It’s summed up by the first line of Asake’s hook — “My mama tell me say surulere,” surulere meaning “patience is rewarding” in Yoruba — and each of their verses, which center on their families’ role in their success. But maybe the best line is in the outro, when Stormzy acknowledges the hard work, too: “This was not a dream, it was more like a plan I believed in.”
Darkoo feat. Rema, “Favourite Girl”
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We featured Darkoo’s original version of “Favourite Girl,” which featured Dess Dior, back in May. But this new remix with Rema brings the track to even greater heights, as the Afro Rave leader adds his own flavor with an exuberant verse that oozes self-confidence. The remix transforms what was already a great song into one that will fill dance floors to capacity for years to come — and is one of the best songs of the summer.
Oxlade & Fally Ipupa, “IFA”
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Oxlade has always had a great ear for melody, and a talent for engaging with unexpected harmonies and layers in his vocals. “IFA” is very much in that lineage, as he croons over a laid-back Afrobeats drum pattern. But it’s the Congolese icon Fally Ipupa who comes through and takes this song to the next level, with his distinctive tenor bringing an entirely different flavor as he croons in French of a woman he would love to keep. It’s a great team-up, and a reminder that Oxlade remains one of the more creative hitmakers of his generation.
Alpha P feat. Olamide & Thisizlondon, “W”
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The young Nigerian singer Alpha P taps two of the biggest names around for this wistful love song, in the YBNL chief Olamide and the in-demand producer Thisizlondon, the latter of whom crafted the perfect vibe for Alpha’s soaring melodies. And Olamide, known for so long for his hip-hop roots, perfectly meets the moment with his verse, both melodic and filled with his patented punch lines. The track is one of the best earworms of the year by far.
As the first gusts of autumn begin, it’s time to accept that we are now closer to sweater weather than the peak of summer vacation.
Although summer is nearing its end — with Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us” sitting comfortably in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 for a 15th consecutive week, no less — Drake seems to be alluding to a round two of their world-stopping feud. On Friday (Aug. 23), Drizzy self-leaked a second batch of unreleased content and music from his 100 Gigs franchise, this time featuring a collaboration with Playboi Carti. Notably, the 100 Gigs update also featured footage of Kanye “Ye” West giving Drake his flowers while onstage at OVO Fest 2013. It’s a smart play that complements Ye’s recent shoutout to Drake during a blockbuster Goyang Stadium Vultures II listening party in South Korea (Aug. 23).
Outside of the Kendrick-Drake beef and its supporting characters, Travis Scott‘s beloved breakthrough 2014 mixtape Days Before Rodeo finally hit streaming services in time for its 10th anniversary, Macklemore accidentally brought a fan onstage who was being looked for by the Slovak Republic Police (she is now in jail), and A$AP Rocky graced Billboard’s latest cover and talked everything from his forthcoming Don’t Be Dumb LP and the differences between his and Rihanna‘s parenting styles.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Chxrry22’s new girls-night-out anthem to Luh Tyler’s swaggering new banger. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
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Freshest Find: Hamzaa, “25!”
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Heavy percussion and a buttery timbre that sneakily traverses the border between mezzo-soprano and contralto introduce “25,” the heartfelt closing track from Hamzaa’s EP of the same name. “Made it to 25 on my / Made it out alive on my / Now I’m on my A-game / We’re not on the same page, no,” she croons in the chorus, finding a hard-fought peace of mind in light of a pivotal birthday year. Countless songs explore the myriad fears, hopes and anxieties of different stages of your twenties, and Hamzaa stake a claim for herself in that conversation as it relates to the age of 25. Often the age that makes your thirties feel particularly real and near, 25 can get a bad rap because many people feel as if they have to have accomplished something major in their lives by that age. Those anxieties aren’t the primary concern of “25”; Hamzaa is more focused on the stability, growth and self-sufficiency that comes with finally trusting yourself after surviving the abyss that is your early twenties.
Luh Tyler, “Mr. Skii”
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The Tallahassee wunderkind dropped his debut album last week (Aug. 23), as the Bossman Dlow-assisted “2 Slippery” continues to explode across socials — but that’s not the only song from the project worth adding to your playlists. The title track, “Mr. Skii,” finds Tyler employing a laid-back flow through which he effortlessly skates across OhYeaCris’s trap-indebted beat, which smartly plays on the sweet melody of Earl Klugh’s “Living Inside Your Love.” The song’s lone verse is typical braggadocio rap fare, but Tyler’s cavalier delivery and humorous punchlines make it all feel fresh. As he says himself, “P—y capping, that’s a cat in a hat, yeah/ Real shit, ain’t no cap in my rap.”
Ye Ali & Ant Clemons, “All Summer”
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To put it plainly, “We f–king all summer,” even if summer is basically over. R&B maestros Ye Ali and Ant Clemons join forces on this slinky ode to steamy summer nights. Sultry saxophone, sparse 808s, and subtle harmonies all coalesce for a particularly immersive soundscape that conjures up just the allure and mystique the duo’s X-rated lyrics forgo. At just under two minutes, this is more of an overgrown interlude than a full-bodied song, but “All Summer” sources its charm from its brevity. Not only do they get straight to business, but they also stand on it without coming off as aggressive or overly eager; their joint suaveness is the song’s superpower.
Kanii, “Same Stories (Come and Go)”
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Kanii is tired of running in circles for a toxic relationship, but he’s not ready to completely cut her off and close the book on things possibly turning around. The D.C.-bred singer leans into his pop&B bag for the brooding “Same Stories (Come and Go),” with pulsating synths pacing the dance-leaning track as he falls in and out of lust. “I’m tired of the same stories, the same games, the same lies / The tricks that you playing think I won’t realize / The same outcome again I waste my damn time,” he laments. Watch Kanii clear his head and explore what NYC has to offer in the track’s grainy visual.
Chxrry22, “Poppin Out (Mistakes)”
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Kendrick Lamar said something about needing to pop out and show the haters what’s good. The perfect pre-game playlist for girls night, Chxrry22 crafted an awfully fun bop to reverse a heartbreak. And rule No. 1 for Chxrry: there’s no crying over any boys inside her nightclub. But for the guys looking to win her attention, it’s going to be pricey – starting with sending her over six figures because someone has to pay for her mistakes. The best part might be the First Lady of XO living out her raps, as she enjoyed a not-so-demure girls’ night out last week turning up and celebrating “Poppin Out”’s arrival with her friends.
Free Party, “Eyespy”
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Free Party returned on Friday (Aug. 23) to drop off their anticipated Cut Your Teeth EP. It’s an appetizing sprint clocking in at 10 minutes, with “Eyespy” finding the DMV-bred duo showing off their rapping versatility and seamless chemistry in the booth. Jay Veno comes out of the gates blazing with a speedy flow as Free Party looks to make a leap. “They better never let us see a crevice/ Better keep it zealous or we looting the s–t,” he raps. MoCo takes the baton and the plug gets pulled before the AUX cord melts, leaving listeners wanting more. When is that full-length LP coming again?
It may be the week of the Democratic National Convention — where Vice President Kamala Harris will reiterate that “we’re not going back” — but hip-hop is pretty into nostalgia right about now.
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Travis Scott’s iconic 2014 mixtape Days Before Rodeo is finally set to hit streaming platforms (Aug. 23), and Pitbull and Kesha’s 2013 Billboard Hot 100-topping “Timber” came back to the news cycle after Kesh’a name mysteriously disappeared from the title of the track’s accompanying music video on YouTube. With “Team Pitbull” on the case, that was quickly rectified, which is all anyone can really ask for, right? Dale!
In other news, Future & Metro Boomin showed NYC that they really are “Like That” with their We Trust You Tour which featured a Big Apple showcase of special guests and a Travis Scott cameo for “Type S–t” and his “FE!N” anthem.
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Houston mourned homegrown “Scream” rapper and producer BeatKing, while Nicki Minaj announced Tyga, BIA and Skillibeng as the openers for the second leg of her Pink Friday 2 World Tour kicking off in September.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Cash Cobain & Laila’s monster “Problem” collaboration to Kalisway’s witty new jam. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Skylar Simone, “Permission”
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An R&B hidden gem radiating in the same neighborhood of the genre as Victoria Monét. Skylar Simone impresses with her robust Def Jam debut project SHIVER, which arrived packaged into an appetizing five-pack last week. Any of the EP’s tracks could make the cut here, but we’ll spotlight Simone’s angelic vocals engulfing a guitar riff on the racy “Permission.” “Every day of the week, get me weak in the knees/ Can you do that for me? Cus’ I want your addiction,” she begs while schooling her love interest in a game of chess in the official visualizer clip. At 22-years-old, the Florida-born singer is just coming into her own as a woman, indulging in all that life has to offer. Although, Simone isn’t the typical wet behind the ears early 20-something looking to find their way. She’s been calloused with the release of three albums and another three EPs, which have her well-prepared for a quantum leap to stardom.
Lord Sko & Statik Selektah, “Lesson Learned”
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Much has been made recently about emerging white rappers and their place in hip-hop. As for Lord Sko, he tastefully pays homage to the classic New York City rap scene that raised him and the 20-year-old recruited Statik Selektah’s attention in the process. “Lesson Learned” is the latest offering from the Newport Lord’s upcoming 14-track PIFF project (arriving in October). He’s brushed off flow comparisons to A$AP Rocky, and continues to graffiti his own path out of the Big Apple. Certain jarring yet witty bars like Sko’s plans for “saving up to buy the devil’s soul” have listeners doing a double-take while skating over Statik’s knocking production. Keep an eye on him heading down the stretch of ‘24.
Jean Dawson feat. Lil Yachty, “Die for Me”
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Jordan Peele just found the perfect fit for another ominous song to soundtrack the trailer to his next thrilling blockbuster. Menacing piano keys send chills up your spine as a possible score to a horror film, while Jean Dawson welcomes fans to the Glimmer of God era with fresh co-signs from SZA and A$AP Rocky. “Don’t show up at my funeral If you won’t die for me,” Dawson delivers as a sobering truth. Enter Lil Yachty, who shows off his chameleon-like artistic ability when matching the diabolical themes Dawson sought out. Look for Glimmer of God to land this fall when JD hits the road for his North American headlining trek.
Cash Cobain & Laila!, “Problem”
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Move over Busta Rhymes (“Touch It”), the posse cut has returned to the Big Apple. Cash Cobain and fellow NYer Laila! heat up ahead of their highly-anticipated projects on the way with “Problem,” which is built around a mash-up of a Cash sexy drill beat and Laila!’s “Not My Problem” single. 14 different artists hop onto the conga line in total with Big Sean, Fabolous, Rob49, Anycia, Kenzo B, Flo Milli, 6LACK, Lay Bankz, Luh Tyler and more spanning the near eight-minute gauntlet of a track. The Slizzy Summer continues for CC leading into his PLAY CASH COBAIN album later this week.
Xenia Manasseh, “Bad Side”
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Ahead of her forthcoming sophomore album, Love/Hate, Pt. 2, L.A.-based, Kenyan-Ugandan singer-songwriter Xenia Manasseh has one simple message: don’t get on her bad side. “I don’t want you getting on my bad side, don’t suffer for nothing/ This here is my warning to you,” Xenia proclaims in a chorus that layers chugging kick drums, snappy snares and tasteful synths, making for the perfect soundscape for her voice to lord over. There’s a distinct ’00s R&B vibe going on here, but Xenia doesn’t fall into the trap of pastiche, instead using different vocal filters and snazzy descending melodies to add some dimension to the largely understated production.
Kalisway, “Sex”
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Kalisway’s got the funk! On this standout cut from her new A Kid From Toronto album, she reminds us that “Sex/ Is not everything.” She employs a tone that starts off somewhere between bratty and brassy before she lifts into a dizzying falsetto in the song’s second half, her journey through her vocal range perfectly mirroring the limitlessness of funk music. It’s no secret that sex is one of the most covered topics in R&B for a reason — it’s the genre of love and pain for a reason! But R&B, and its sister genres of funk and soul, can cover much more, and sex is indeed not everything.
“Covered emotions could make you feel blind/ You might not see it that way, then you might as well sleep tight/ Who cares if I’m feeding my fears? I’m wanting desire/ Having a way with life filled with power,” she croons. When we treat sex as everything it strips it of the elements that make it such a transformative experience. Everything is sex, except sex, which is power — but what good is that power if it doesn’t truly satisfy what you most desire and crave?