Fresh Picks
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As per usual, it’s been a busy week in the world of hip-hop and R&B. In the first full week of December, myriad artists got their announcements and releases out to avoid the Christmas lockdown in the coming weeks. On Sunday (Dec. 10), SZA celebrated the one-year anniversary of her blockbuster SOS album with the announcement of LANA, the forthcoming deluxe version of her nine-time Grammy-nominated sophomore studio album. Of course, the weekend’s most high-profile release was from none other than Nicki Minaj, who unleashed her long-awaited Pink Friday 2 — her fifth studio album and sequel to her 2010 Billboard 200-topping debut LP — on her birthday, Dec. 8.
Elsewhere in the hip-hop and R&B worlds, Cardi B confirmed that she is no longer with Offset, 2 Chainz is thankfully in stable condition after landing in an unfortunate car accident, and Will Smith rocked the house at the star-studded A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop telecast.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop. From Tokischa and Sexyy Red’s cross-genre collaboration to Usher and H.E.R.’s stunning Color Purple duet, get into these seven new picks and be sure to check out the rest of our recs in the Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Usher & H.E.R., “Risk It All”
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As the highly anticipated Color Purple movie musical draws nearer, the promotion for the flick’s two related soundtracks is kicking into high gear. Usher and H.E.R. started off the weekend — which ended in a pair of Golden Globe nods for lead actress Fantasia Barrino and supporting actress Danielle Brooks — with the release of “Risk It All,” their gorgeous new duet for The Color Purple (Music From and Inspired By), due Dec. 15. Co-written by Oscar winners H.E.R. and Jimmy Napes, Usher and the “Damage” singer harmonize beautifully across the ethereal piano-backed arrangement. “People are cryin’ for it, people are dyin’ for it/ Always the reason we still believe it/ Somethin’ that leaves us hurtin’ is worth it,” the pair croon.
Tokischa feat. Sexyy Red, “Daddy”
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How do you cap off a breakout year that found you opening up for Drake and collaborating with Nicki Minaj? With an infectious cross-genre collaboration, of course! For the latest release in her string of fiery collaborations, Sexyy Red links up with Latin Grammy-nominated Dominican rapper Toksicha, for a sultry, sex-positive reggaeton-meets-house number that plays around with gender in the realm of kink. Across the thumping Yeti Beats- and El Guincho-helmed beat, Tokischa assumes the role of Sexyy’s sugar daddy as they trade hilarious verses, including some tongue-in-cheek bilingual lines from the “Pound Town” rapper herself.
Nicki Minaj, “Fallin 4 U”
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Of course, the Queen scores herself a slot on this week’s round-up. Her gargantuan Pink Friday 2 LP — 22 tracks and counting — features several tracks for every side of her musical personality, but most pale in comparison to “Fallin 4 U.” Placed several songs deep into the album, “Fallin 4 U” is, in many ways, the defining synthesis of Minaj’s creative hallmark. There are her impassioned, high-octane, wordplay-laden bars, emotional Auto-Tuned ad-libs and hooks, a penchant for both the introspective and the braggadocious (often at the same time), and a healthy dose of melodrama via those background strings. If there’s any track on Pink Friday 2 that truly makes the album feel like a descendant of its predecessor, it’s this one.
SXMPRA feat. Juicy J, “Business Man”
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New Zealand rapper SXMPRA combines his ominous underground phonk sound with that of ’90s Memphis rap pioneer Juicy J on the hard-hitting “Business Man.” The pair trade punchline-packed verses asserting their dominance at break-neck speed. “Stand and fight/ Folding chairs and/ Throwing them hands/ Would’ve been the best time of my life,” quips Juicy. The collaboration features production from Juicy J and HitKidd, who put out his own Renegade album this week.
James Fauntleroy, “Sleigh”
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Holiday music seems to be a genre that knows no bounds given how its consumption only increases with each passing year. Four-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter James Fauntleroy took a daring stab at holiday originals by making his debut studio LP a Christmas album. A compilation of two previous holiday EPs featuring ten tracks, The Warmest Winter Ever is chock-full of steamy between-the-sheets anthems for the Christmas season. “Sleigh,” is one of the album’s instant standouts, with its waterfall of layered harmonies and cheeky Beyoncé shoutout: “She gon’ sleigh like Beyoncé.”
Tems, “Not An Angel”
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For her latest release, Tems subverts the gospel-bent of her preceding “Me & U” single and opts for a rhythmic take on Biblical imagery, rejecting the role of being an “angel” or “savior” for someone who isn’t quite yet ready to be saved. “‘Cause I’m not an angel/ I’m just a girl that knows the truth/ And I couldn’t save you/ You couldn’t see what I’ve been through,” she croons sorrowfully over the Sarz co-produced Afrosoul beat.
Q Da Fool feat. Ot7 Quanny, “Rich Droppaz”
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It’s a bit ironic that a link-up between a DMV rapper and a Philly rapper sounds so far removed from the dominant contemporary sound of either region, but it undoubtedly makes for a banger of a record. A slinking street anthem that coasts on both the duo’s chemistry and their individual charisma, “Rich Droppaz” finds the pairs trading hilarious bars like, “Yeah, I love the money, go me boo’d up/ I can’t do no Ella Mai, I ain’t ‘Boo’d Up.’” Unassuming but still urgent, “Rich Droppaz” is a promising lead into Q Da Fool’s forthcoming Art of Ambition album.
Did anything else happen in the past week besides the premiere of Beyoncé‘s Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé? The music icon’s latest concert documentary vogued to the top of the weekend box office with $21 million — the biggest opening for a film on this historically sleepy first weekend in December in 20 years. With a pair of star-studded (Taylor Swift! Lupita Nyong’o!) premieres in Los Angeles and London, Queen Bey dominated all things music last week.
Nonetheless, the hip-hop and R&B worlds had plenty happening outside of the Renaissance rush. Debates around who belongs on the “mixtape Mount Rushmore” dominated social media, while other conversations continue to deal with the barrage of high-profile lawsuits filed under New York State’s recently-expired Adult Survivors Act.
On the music side, Sexyy Red repackaged her breakout Hood Hottest Princess tape with a tracklist that doubled the size of the original, Lil Wayne joined forces with Shabba Ranks and Buju Banton for the lead single for the forthcoming Book of Clarence soundtrack and Usher commemorated the close of his Las Vegas residency with his appearance on the remix of Jung Kook‘s “Standing Next to You.”
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop. Get into these seven new picks and be sure to check out the rest of our recs in the Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Antha Pantha feat. A$AP Ferg, “Catwalk”
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Harlem native Antha Pantha unleashed her debut album, Feline Season, last week, with guest appearances from A$AP Ferg (twice!) and HuntDawgg. Ferg lent his talents to the album’s second track, “Catwalk,” an electric tribute to the late ’90s New York hip-hop. He interpolates DMX‘s iconic “meet me outside” chant from “Party Up,” and uses it to evoke the brash energy of the late rapper and his era of high-octane party-rocking crossover hip-hop hits. Antha Pantha skates across the track with the flirtatious charisma of classic-era Lil Kim, always tempered by her own comedic idiosyncrasies in her lyricism and tone. New York’s female rappers just keep on winning.
Beyoncé, “My House”
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Would it be a Beyoncé film event if we didn’t get a new song? Just like the Queen’s winning cover of Frankie Beverly & Maze’s “Before I Let Go” accompanied her Homecoming documentary, “My House” arrives as Beyoncé’s bonus treat for the Renaissance doc. Equal parts marching band-infused dirty South trap and ballroom-ready house, “My House” is Beyoncé’s signature (and somewhat literal) take on house music. Between her animated vocal delivery and those ridiculously lush vocal stacks, the track is unmistakably Beyoncé despite featuring the singer at arguably her most experimental.
BigXthaPlug, “Back on My BS”
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On Friday (Dec. 1), BigXthaPlug capped off his banner year with the release of a new EP titled The Biggest. “Back On My BS” opens the project with a swaggering combination of jazz brass and skittering bass. “The one who put all this together/ They gave me somethin’ good and I made that s–t better/ Turnt up the notch, my watch changed up the weather/ I’m bigger and better, shit bigger than ever,” he spits on the single-verse track. Between his charismatic cadence and Tony Coles’ smooth beat, “Back on My BS” is a knockout opening track.
Dee-1, “Lines Drawn”
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Hip Hop 50 has been wracked with conversation regarding the current scope of the genre’s messaging, the state of hip-hop culture at large and the alleged precariousness of its current position in the music industry. Dee-1, a NOLA rapper, has been vocal about his opposition to the redundancy of mainstream contemporary rap and its glorification of violence. On his new track “Lines Drawn,” which will is presently exclusively available on Audiomack, Dee-1 demands more from both consumers and creators in hip-hop: “I said that glorifying murder in our music is bad/ Now people saying ‘Stop speaking up, we like to hear that!’/ If that’s your preference, that’s cool, but when you get on the defense/ That lemme know my spirit irritatin’ your demons,” he spits over a chugging trap-infused instrumental.
Flo Milli, “Never Lose Me”
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The Alabmama rapper’s long-gestating “Never Lose Me” is finally here — and it was, in fact, worth the wait. A snippet of this song went viral on TikTok, amassing over 100,000 posts in just under two months. The new track, and latest taste of her forthcoming Fine Ho, Stay album, finds Flo delivering smooth, sultry bars over a sample of Babyface Ray & 42 Dugg‘s “Ron Artest.” “Yeah, he my man, he was never your type/ If you try me, ho, it’s on sight/ He totin’ the Uzi, but he actin’ real bougie/ I like to fight over d–k, ho, don’t get hit with the two-piece,” she spits over the synthy instrumental, using her sweet tone as a Trojan horse for hard-hitting barbs.
Tyla, “Truth or Dare”
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As the newly Grammy-nominated South African breakout star continues to rides the waves of “Water” to new commercial heights around the world, she’s already racing to her forthcoming eponymous debut studio album. She released three strong new tracks last week (Dec. 1), including the sensual standout “Truth or Dare.” On the mellow new Afropop-infused track, Tyla employs a staccato delivery in the verses to glean the truth from a lover who got away, ultimately delivering subtle riffs and ear-candy harmonies in the chorus. “Truth or dare? Is it true you care?/ Now that you can see the love from everyone,” she croons.
Hillari, “Blind Then”
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Backed by mournful acoustic guitar, rising Filipina-Norwegian artist Hillari spends “Blind Then” parsing the difficulties of prioritizing music over certain relationships in her life. “Wish I would’ve noticed I was/ Blind then, silenced/ But I never noticed you was/ Right there, beside me,” she sings. It’s a simple arrangement — mostly reliant on a soulful collage of guitar and drums — but it’s Hillari’s weighty voice that illuminates that simplicity. Each quiver of her vibrato rings with the doubt, frustration and yearning she describes in her lyrics.
As the penultimate month of the year comes to a close, it’s time to start reflecting on the past year in music and culture. This month, Billboard unveiled the 2023 Year-End charts across genres, including five rankings celebrating the year in reggae. Greatest hits sets from Bob Marley, Shaggy and Sean Paul ranked as the first, second and third biggest reggae albums of the year, respectively, while 2023 breakout star Byron Messia made an appearance in the top 10 with his No Love album (No. 8). Messia also made an appearance on the 2023 Year-End Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart thanks to his Burna Boy-assisted “Talibans II” (No. 26).
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Although our general focus has shifted to previewing the new year and reflecting on the current one, 2023 is far from over. To close out the year, Messia, Teejay, Shenseea, Jada Kingdom, Ding Dong and Nadg will perform at Hot 97’s Winter Jam on Dec. 30. There’s still one month to go before that concert, so let’s take some time to sort through the best November releases across reggae, dancehall, soca and their cousin genres and scenes.
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: Duane Stephenson, “Golden Nights (in December)”
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On the day after Thanksgiving, VP records dropped a holiday covers album titled Reggae Christmas Classics. Among the selections — which include a cover of “This Christmas” bv Christopher Martin and a Thriller U rendition of “Feliz Navidad” — is Duane Stephenson’s original track “Golden Nights (In December).” Built around a jazzy intro that launches into a blissful rocksteady groove, Stephenson’s honeyed voice croons about the irreplaceability of his lover on the coldest December nights. “If you’re not here with me in December/ There are no golden nights to remember/ If you’re not here with me in December/ Such a lonely, it’s a lonely time of year,” he coos.
Farmer Nappy, “How ah Livin”
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Relentless optimism and hope in the face of a world that seems hellbent on snuffing the light out of nearly every part of life is not just welcome, it’s vital. That’s part of why soca continues to resonate after so many decades, and it’s also the driving force behind Farmer Nappy’s “How ah Livin.” With joyous percussion sourcing accents from the ebullient background horns, “How ah Livin” is a purposeful reclamation of joy. “How ah livin’?/ Better than them!/ How I lookin’?/ Better than them!” Nappy sing-chants.
Chronic Law & Ireland Boss, “Still Dark”
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Alongside “Talibans” and “Drift,” Ireland Boss and Malie Donn’s “V6” was another summer dancehall hit that dominated the year. After letting that track enjoy months of success, Ireland Boss has unveiled the latest take on his V6 riddim with some help from Chronic Law. “We nah love talk, yeah we popular fi dark/ Them ya gun ah go fi blood like Dracula mi dawg/ When we ah go ah school, have mi ratchet and mi dark/ Know mi and mi matic affi charge,” Chronic spits over the slinky, laid-back instrumental, opting for an approach that brings the riddim closer to the gun chune lane than the sexually charged braggadocio of the original.
Gbmnutron & Jus Jay King, “When Last”
Let’s face it: life has been different since the pandemic no matter how hard a “return to normal” is pushed. With “When Last,” Gbmnutron and Jus Jay King hold space for the feeling of longing for the fetes and parties of years past, infusing both the instrumental and lead vocal with an unmistakable dash of wistful nostalgia. “When last you been to a party?/ Plenty women looking so nice, we must be in paradise/ When last you had a time to remember?/ It’s only bumper to fender, and the drinks cyah done. big up di bartender,” he sings.
Protoje & Zion I Kings, “Jah Deliver Me”
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A delectable slice of more traditional reggae stylings, “Jah Deliver Me” is housed on In Search of Zion a remix album based by Zion I Kings based on Protoje’s 2020 release In Search of Lost Time. In the verses, the two-time Grammy nominee employs a hip-hop-influenced cadence, while the chorus finds him opting for a more legato, melodic approach in his singing. A solemn, introspective track, “Jah Deliver Me” is the perfect soundtrack for the darker moments of the winter months; “I hold my order, give my praises/ Oh, Jah, deliver me through these days/ Sometimes really hard to go and face this/ Oh, this life can truly be amazing,” he sings over hopeful brass.
DSL, “I’m High”
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A dancehall and reggae artist hailing from Ghana, DSL balances atmospheric guitar-tinged arrangements with a languid vocal delivery to embody the greened-out energy of the aptly titled “I’m High.” “Who are these people doing much good to we/ Why do you want to spoil my melody/ So what do you want from me/ The herb is my remedy,” he explains. It’s a simple song, but DSL creates an incredibly immersive sonic space through the attention he pays to the relationship between his rasp-accented vocal and the saccharine female voice in the background.
Darryl Gervais & Fryktion, “Over & Over (Cyah Stop It)”
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On this gospel-indebted selection from Fryktion’s The Rub-a-Dub Project EP, Darryl Gervais sings praises to the Most High over an instrumental pulls equally from modern reggae and soca. “It ain’t nothing that you can do to stop my blessings come through/ Yuh cyah stop it, no, yuh cyah block it,” Gervais proclaims. He delivers his lyrics with the gravity of a person who is unshaken in their face, completely wrapped in their trust in the Lord. Between a catchy melody and that irresistible hook, “Over & Over” achieves the perfect balance of being both a universal anthem of praise and a personal moment of thanks.
Ding Dong, “Rebel”
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Dance is, of course, one of the key cornerstones on dancehall, so it’s no surprise that Ding Dong’s new single celebrates Christina Nelson, also known as Dancing Rebel, one of the most popular Jamaican dancers and choreographers in the world. Already complete with a dance combination courtesy of Nelson, “Rebel” rests on Ding Dong’s commanding voice and engaging ad-libs to morph into what could very well be the next viral dance track from the dancehall scene.
Lyrikal, XplicitMevon & N.M.G. Music, “Fetin’ Mayor”
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XplicitMevon and N.M.G. Music’s resurgence riddim is one of the best riddims of the year, and everyone from Ricardo Drue to Preedy delivered electrifying takes on the accompanying Resurgence Riddim EP. Lyrikal’s version, however, reigns supreme: His magnetic voice booms across the track as proclaims himself mayor of “the nation/ the fetin’ congregation/ the party population.” He cheekily expresses his selflessness in making sure that everyone, not just himself, is having the time of their lives at whatever function they’re at. While the rest of the world is slowing down as winter takes over, Lyrikal is square in the middle of the dancefloor, beckoning us to join.
Viking Ding Dong, “Harder”
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In addition to the Resurgence Riddim EP, November also gifted us the Saying Something Riddim EP. With “Harder,” Viking Ding Dong delivers an anthem of resilience and gratitude. “Life hard but we harder!/ Life hard, but we harder!/ But we haffi give thanks to di Father,” he declares over the thumping percussion and cheerful guitar strums. Obviously we’re in a season of thanks, and Viking Ding Dong doesn’t take that lightly as he skates across the track with sanctimonious reverence.
Bonus Pick: Samory I feat. Lila Iké, “Outside”
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Over thumping, militant drums and a thumping bassline, Samory I and Lila Iké flex their vocal chemistry across “Outside,” an ode humility, perseverance, and faith. Lila’s dulcet timbre rings throughout her voice, providing a gorgeous contrast to Samory I’s soulful tone. When those rock-tinged guitars kick in, however, “Outside” evolves into something different: a genre-smattering love letter to the different sounds styles of the Black diaspora that find a common thread in their musical displays of Black tenacity. “Jah Jah we call upon your name/ Pray you lantern all our days/ When it gets dark, we know you’ll always make a way,” Lila croons. Existing while Black is a task that demands a certain level indefatigability, and the community that can be sourced through that is the backbone of “Outside.”
As the year winds down to a close, the hits keep coming, as big singles from Victony, Oxlade and P Prime, Minz and Young Jonn have kept the worlds of Afrobeats, Afropop, Afrofusion and genres beyond moving through November. And that’s before even mentioning the new album from Teni, Tears of the Sun, which might just be one of the best albums of the entire year, from any genre.
In short, the month of November has produced some of the best songs yet. (And yes, we know, it’s the first of December — but hey, things get busy at the end of the year.) Here, 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.
Teni feat. ODUMODUBLVCK, “Devil Dance”
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Teni’s sophomore album Tears of the Sun is stuffed full of great songs, and as a whole is a confident statement from a performer, artist and person who knows exactly who she is and isn’t going to apologize for it. On “Devil Dance” she delivers one of the best tracks on the project, with a catchy guitar line, sassy melody and confident, swaggering hook, complete with a trademark ODUMODUBLVCK verse, which demands repeat plays, and is a thesis statement that stands out on an album that’s overflowing with them. A landmark song for the year for sure.
Teni, “Jalingo”
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Following reports that she had been kidnapped during a performance gone wrong last year, the Nigerian singer-songwriter set the record straight and recorded “Jalingo” from her sophomore album, Tears of the Sun. “I was actually at a show where a fight broke out. A lot was happening and everybody was fighting,” she told Apple Music. “It was deep inside one place in Port Harcourt and, for us to leave there, our security officers were shooting. It was chaos in the middle of the night….” Teni touches on a heavy subject but gets right back on her feet (and gets everyone on theirs, too) for a lighthearted club banger.
Boj & Ajebutter22, “42”
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The feel-good duo dropped the third installment of their Make E No Cause Fight EP series – off Boj’s own label Action Boyz under Moves Recordings – and the sumptuous blend of jazz, R&B, highlife, palm wine and alté is filled with tropical vibes and laid-back flows. The first track, “42,” isn’t a typical party anthem about getting f–ked up on Don Julio, but a reflective, toast-worthy ode to how far the two have come (and how much money they now have), which instantly draws in listeners with its cascading guitar licks.
Oxlade & P.Priime, “PIANO”
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The “KU LO SA” star teams up with fellow Nigerian hitmaker P.Priime on the scintillating “PIANO” track from Oxlade’s KATIGORI/PIANO two-pack, which he said in a statement is meant to show off his two sides: “the cautious Oxlade and the party Oxlade.” The pitter-patter of the log drums mimics his heartbeat when he’s with that special someone, but his falsettos scattered throughout the love song could woo just about anyone. “‘PIANO’ is the strongest song I’ve dropped this year MUSICALLY,” Oxlade added.
Minz, “BLESSING$”
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The “WO WO” artist soulfully reflects on his “BLESSING$” and encourages others to count theirs in his latest uplifting track. The soothing piano melodies and introspective percussion strike a chord with listeners, but his “I’m out of your league so you can’t touch, MC Hammer” lyric adds a nice sprinkle of braggadocio.
Ratii Rsa, Tyler ICU & Catzico feat. Katarina, “Mnandini”
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At 17 years old, Ratii Rsa is demanding the world’s attention with her ultra-bubbly amapiano single “Mnandini.” She taps fellow South African DJ/producers Tyler ICU and Catzico to transport listeners on a tranquil eight-minute journey, where they can easily lose themselves in the sweet-sounding arpeggios, while Katarina’s breathy vocals build tension for the song’s most exhilarating moments.
Victony feat. Crayon & Bella Shmurda, “Ohema”
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The song may be credited to these three artists, but more than a dozen appear on the track — OkayAfrica called the all-star cast “The Avengers of Afrobeats” — including Rema, Ayra Starr, ODUMODUBLVCK, Blaqbonez, Lojay, Oxlade, YKB, Bloody Civilian and more. All together the crew create a layered tapestry that pulses with energy, an anthem for this generation of established and budding stars of the genre.
Young Jonn, “Disconnect”
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Young Jonn hasn’t missed this year with a string of excellent singles, from “Currency” with Olamide, “Stamina” with Tiwa Savage and Ayra Starr, to “Aquafina” and “Sharpally.” “Disconnect” is the next entry into that lineage, as the superproducer continues to establish himself as one of the best hitmaking artists out there right now. And, as he promises on this track, this string of singles portends plenty of “better days ahead.”
YKB & King Promise, “This Must Be Love”
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Both YKB and King Promise have enjoyed breakout years in 2023, with the former’s “komplete riddim” a standout hit and the latter’s “Terminator” making waves around the world. So their collaboration on this sweetly catchy single is a welcome joining of forces, as the two go back and forth in both English and Yoruba opining about a girl changing their minds about love and affection, with production that absolutely pops.
Qing Madi, “Vision”
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Young Alté singer Qing Madi may be relatively new to the scene, but she’s burst out with a string of singles that clearly articulate her artistry and showcase her arresting, effortless vocals. “Vision” is just the latest, with an understated R&B groove over which she sings about the distraction of someone she can’t get out of her mind. Still just 17, her range is impressive.
Thanksgiving week is historically a pretty slow week for new music, but that didn’t stop the hip-hop and R&B worlds from chugging through the rest of the calendar year. On Sunday night (Nov. 26), Keke Palmer hosted an intimate edition of the Soul Train Music Awards featuring performances by Muni Long, Dante Bowe, legend award winner T-Pain, Spirit of Soul award winner Janelle Monáe, SWV and Keke herself. SZA was the night’s biggest victor with four wins, including album of the year for her nine-time Grammy-nominated SOS, and fellow 2023 Grammy nominees Victoria Monét (two) and Coco Jones (one) also took home some hardware.
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Even as the Thanksgiving weekend forced everyone to prioritize leisure, a bevy of artists seized the opportunity to unleash some new music upon the world. With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Coco Jones’ aptly-tiled new Christmas anthem to Senth’s shape-shifting amalgam of Afrobeats and R&B.
Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Senth, “Bend It”
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Placed directly in the middle of Senth’s Wayyy Saucy EP — his first body of work this year — “Bend It” achieves peak sensuality with a tantalizing mixture of booming brass, pounding drums, and a lead vocal that morphs from whispery mumble to impassioned exclamations of sexual tension. Between notes of house, soul, hip-hop, and a rhythm that pulls from both Afrobeats and dancehall, “Bend It” traverses the musical multitudes of the Black diaspora with startling ease.
Otis Kane, “Closer”
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Steeped in the same reverence for the warmth of soulful old-school R&B that permeated 2023 records from the likes of October London and Lucky Daye, Otis Kane’s “Closer” channels the steady grooves of Marvin Gaye for a tender ode to the never-ending process of growing closer to your lover. There’s a levity to “Closer” that immediately separates it from the murkier contemporary R&B scenes; Kane’s slight rasp adds some dimension to his vocal performance, but it’s the way he floats over the instrumental that truly encapsulates the track’s dynamism.
Luh Tyler, “Change My Wayz”
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A year removed from the viral success of “Law & Order,” Florida rapper Luh Tyler takes a moment to reflect on his whirlwind rise with the introspective “Change My Wayz” — from his growth in relationship to his transition to real chains and jewelry. Unlike some of his most popular tracks, “Change My Wayz” does not rely on a quirky sample or a familiar hook-reliant song structure. Instead, Luh Tyler delivers a singular stream-of-consciousness verse over a mellow CashCache-produced beat. “Know I got to stay on ten, I got to keep my head on/ She mad cause I done fucked her friend, she like, ‘You know you dеad wrong’/ Damn, I gotta change my ways,” he spits.
Tink, “40x”
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Tink has helped shape the sound of R&B for close to a decade now, and her new single “40x” offers yet another dose of morose, guitar-inflected balladry. “Real bitches can’t be bought/ So tired of being strong/ Someone come keep me soft,” she croons. By the time she reaches the chorus, Tink has attached the “40” quantifier to everything from the number of nights since she’s cried to the amount of lies her ex-lover told her. Here, Tink balances her lyrical focus on the “blues” part of R&B with a melodic cadence that brings her closer to contemporary hip-hop while still showcasing the different shades and capabilities of her voice.
Adam Blackstone & Boyz II Men, “Greatest Gift”
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Mere weeks after adding two more Grammy nominations to his belt, Emmy-winning music director Adam Blackstone has gifted fans A Legacy Christmas, his first holiday album and second solo LP. Of the project’s 11 tracks, Blackstone’s collaboration with iconic R&B vocal group Boyz II Men was the instant standout. In characteristically pitch-perfect fashion, the trio delivers their trademark ear-melting harmonies with all of the wide-eyed earnestness that holiday music requires. Blackstone’s twinkling jazz-rooted arrangement offers the group a playground of pockets to play around with, making for a winning original Christmas collaboration in a year filled with them.
Coco Jones, “A Timeless Christmas”
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Coco Jones’ recent momentum is borderline unstoppable. As if securing five Grammy nominations and a Soul Train Music Award victory for best new artist wasn’t enough, the “ICU” singer also dropped off a terrific new original Christmas song, aptly titled “A Timeless Christmas.” Co-written with Tiyon “TC” Mack, the new holiday tune smartly employs Jones’ rich voice over lyrics that paint a gorgeous winter pastoral. “There’s laughter in our hearts, a special kind/ Sharing love and kindness in every rhyme/ Every rhyme/ We gather ’round with friends by our side/ And feel all the magic in the sky/ In the sky,” she coos. Complete with chugging percussion that offers a sleek sonic contrast to the background strings and jingle bells, “A Timeless Christmas” is yet another home run for Coco Jones.
We are officially in awards season, folks! On Sunday night (Nov. 19), Billboard announced the winners of the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, with Beyoncé, Drake, The Weeknd, SZA, 21 Savage, Nicki Minaj and Metro Boomin reigning victorious in the rap and R&B categories. The 2023 Soul Train Music Awards were also taped last night; Keke Palmer will host the R&B-centric awards ceremony, which is set to air on Sunday, Nov. 26, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and BET Her. SZA, Summer Walker and Usher lead the nominations with nine nods each.
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In the midst of all of the celebratory extravaganzas, New Music Friday (Nov. 17) proceeded with business as usual, dumping a plethora of new tracks to listen to over the holiday break. With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from ScarLip’s fast-rising new hit to Inayah’s tender, Fantasia-nodding R&B jam.
Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Inayah, “For The Streets”
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Since its release back in 2007, Fantasia’s “When I See U” has become a certified R&B classic — the kind of song everyone covers for fun but no one would dare try to truly make their own. Enter Inayah, a rising R&B star who flips an interpolation of the song’s lyrics and instrumental into a no-holds-barred takedown of ain’t s–t men. “I had your picture on my mirror/ I took that s–t down/ Finally see that you been a clown/ Been holding us down while you f–king ’round,” she opens the song. Inayah smartly delivers each line with a sneaky wink, nodding to the sublime amalgam of the unmistakably iconic aura of Fantasia’s original and the tongue-in-cheek gems of truths sprinkled throughout her own track.
41 & Jenn Carter, “Problems”
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One of the new tracks from 41’s “11-track EP” 41 World: Not the Album, “Problems” is a Jenn Carter solo cut that is yet another reminder that she’s one of the most captivating voices coming out of the Brooklyn drill scene right now. The Touchamill-produced tracks find her getting a bit introspective as she waxes poetic about a relationship in turmoil. Sonically in a lane most similar to the most lovelorn snap-laden ballads of A Boogie wit da Hoodie and Lil Tjay, “Problems” proves just how versatile Jenn is. “Takin’ all my еnergy, tryna’ keep you next to me / Wе been through the worst, but I know you want the best for me/ Why you keep on testing me?/ Like, you know these bitches texting me?” she spits.
Jay Rock feat. Bongo ByTheWay, “Still That Way”
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It’s been five years since Redemption, but Jay Rock has been making up for the lengthy wait between studio albums with a steady stream of new music this year. His latest offering is the Bongo ByTheWay-helmed “Still That Way,” a booming anthem that treads the familiar ground of celebrating success while still maintaining the grounding and authenticity of your roots. Triumphant brass and skittering hi-hats provide most of the instrumental’s background while Jay Rock’s commanding voice supplies the momentum.
ScarLip, “Blick”
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Since becoming one of this year’s biggest new stars with her rousing late-summer anthem “This Is New York.” ScarLip has maintained a consistent musical and online presence. Last week (Nov. 15), the Bronx rapper unleashed “Blick,” her catchy new single that combines the raw intensity of her DMX-nodding breakout hit with the dance-facing rhythmic qualities of Jersey club-inflected drill. Already soundtracking a TikTok dance challenge, “Blick” is looking to become a sizable hit — one that smartly reveals the different shades of her artistic ethos.
Mannywellz, “Be Alright”
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Appearing on his new Mr. Oúlala EP, Mannywellz’s “Be Alright” is a no-frills guitar ballad heralding peace and security in the knowledge that everything will eventually work out as it needs to. With a sweeping melody to add some weight to the simple lyrics in the chorus (“It’s gonna be alright”), Manny relies on the warmth of his tone and the idiosyncrasies of his enunciation and phrasing to add some dynamics to the song.
Terrace Martin & Gallant, “Tandem”
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In this subtly funky slow jam, Terrace and Gallant use an extended metaphor of a tandem bike to croon about how they and their respective lovers fit perfectly together. “We’re in tandem like bikes, why don’t you take a seat?/ You’ll be riding all night, I’ll be rocking in sync/ We might fuss, we may fight, never lose chemistry/ We’re in tandem like bikes, why don’t you take a seat?” Gallant sings. Terrace’s lush production, which features notes of funk and doo-wop, provides a sensual backdrop for Gallant’s come-hither coos, but it’s the restraint in his vocal performance that’s most impressive.
No Guidnce, “Long Walk”
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Rising British R&B boy group No Guidnce continues their ascension with a reflective new cut titled “Long Walk.” Sitting on the opposite end of the hip-hop-inflected R&B spectrum from “Spicy,” the quarter opts for a soulful drum-heavy beat courtesy of Ben Billions and Terrence Rolle. It’s a simple story about meeting someone new for the first time, but the contrast of the chugging drums with their yearning harmonies makes for a particularly immersive listening experience.
Nothing stops New Music Friday — not even Grammy nominations.
Although 2023 MVPs like Ice Spice, 21 Savage, Drake and Nicki Minaj racked up the rap field nominations for the upcoming 66th annual Grammy Awards, last Friday (Nov. 10) offered a litany of music beyond those four 2023 Billboard Music Awards finalists. Last week saw new albums from the likes of Brandy, YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Kodak Black, but those weren’t the only notable releases to update your weekly playlists with.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from BADBADNOTGOOD’s gorgeous rework of an Elmiene standout to BJ the Chicago Kid and Chloe Bailey’s sultry, synthy link-up.
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Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Sinkane feat. Tru Osborne, “Everything is Everything”
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For his first new song since 2019’s Dépaysé album, Sudanese-American singer Sinkane chose to ground his lyrics in the harsh realities of the Black living experience. Written and composed by bandleader Ahmed Gallab with vocal contributions from Harlem-bred artist Tru Osborne, “Everything Is Everything” is an amalgam of free jazz, Sudanese pop, gospel, funk and rock. A hearty choir provides a strong anchor for the arrangement, while Sinkane and Tru’s harmonies add splotches of color throughout the track. “The tides of change / Serve great purpose in our every day / My people, we will find our way,” Sinkane sings, with a hopefulness that consistently permeates the darker truths that the song explores.
Elmiene, “Marking My Time (BABDBADNOTGOOD Edit)”
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Elmiene dropped off his debut major label EP, Marking My Time, last month, and to continue his promotion of the project, he’s released a reworked version of the title track, helmed by Canadian experimental jazz collective BADBADNOTGOOD. Here, the group reimagines Elmiene’s original with heavy splashes of R&B and psychedelic, specifically of the ’70s persuasion. Elmiene’s vocal is predicated on allegiance to subtle dynamism, and it’s that steady build that grounds the winning remix.
Rick Ross, Meek Mill & Cool & Dre feat. BEAM, “Go To Hell”
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Hip-hop heavyweights Rick Ross and Meek Mill unleashed their highly anticipated Too Good To Be True joint album last week (Nov. 10), and this collaboration with BEAM and Cool & Dre is an immediate standout. Heavily nodding to Tears for Fear’s “Shout,” “Go To Hell” finds the two rappers deep in their braggadocio as they trade bars about their wealth, their escapes from the feds, and how much status and clout they have in whatever room they choose to walk into. “Bitch boys run to social media / Rich n—a, name in Wikipedia / If I f–k her once, she wanna f–k me twice / All the real n—as clique up, let’s get rich tonight,” Rozay raps.
Kevin Gates feat. B.G. & Sexyy Red, “Yonce Freestyle”
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In a way, Kevin Gates and Sexyy Red are perfect foils: two devil-may-care rappers who are unafraid to embody and celebrate the grimiest parts of sex and sexuality, with a healthy dash of humor to add some levity to the whole affair. On “Yonce Freestyle,” the pair’s new collaboration which also features NOLA rapper B.G., the two maximize their similarities — even if the end result is a bit tamer than what some may expect. “Yonce Freestyle” is a well-crafted club banger, with a murky Southern hip-hop beat courtesy of ProdByJM, EJ Grimes and Juko, and a perfect laid-back ratchet tone from Sexyy.
BJ the Chicago Kid feat. Chlöe, “Honey”
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BJ the Chicago Kid also released an album last week (Gravy), and that project featured loads of collaborations for R&B lovers. Among those impressive duets is the Chloe Bailey-assisted “Honey.” Landing squarely in the disco-tinged pop that has dominated mainstream top 40 for most of the young decade, BJ and Chlöe deliver a sexy, synth-laden collaboration that balances come-hither euphemisms with some outstanding harmonic choices. Between a surprisingly smooth vocal blend and a bright, clean mix, this just might be Chlöe’s best release of the year.
Ben Hughes, “What Was It For?”
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For the opening track of his forthcoming Manha EP, UK musician Ben Hughes opts for a breezy guitar and drum-forward groove. “What Was It For” fits nicely in the landscape of contemporary British R&B, and Hughes’ careful vocal approach works alongside the instrumentation instead of towering over it. It’s a very soft and lush number — an air that offers a smart counterbalance to the melodrama of the lyrics. “Bring me peace / And heal my wounds / I’m bleeding out / Just for you,” he croons.
As we await both the fate of Kanye West’s long-teased comeback and Friday’s Grammy nominations announcement, the biggest names and fastest-rising stars across hip-hop and R&B have maintained a steady stream of new music for our listening pleasure. As per usual, last Friday (Nov. 3) flooded DSPs with a host of new tracks — including some fun takes on contemporary holiday music — to usher us into the final two months of the calendar year.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Destin Conrad and Masego’s blistering duet to Azealia Banks’ long-teased drill anthem. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Rapsody, “Asteroids”
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“My insecurity is the fear of being rejected / When you this raw they listen with an erection / Niggas pull the Drac’ before they rap about affection / There I go, hard to rap without a message,” Rapsody spits in the first verse of “Asteroids,” her new Hit-Boy-helmed single. With jazzy, percussive production, Hit-Boy provides Rapsody with ample room to lob some “asteroids” at the rest of the rap game. These aren’t direct, petty shots, but astute observations as to where the rap game is in relation to where it could and should be. Rapsody’s flow continues to be virtually peerless; she effortlessly switches between different pockets in the beat without ever making her transitions feel clunky or sloppy. From her slick punchlines to Hit-Boy’s wailing guitar, “Asteroids” is a winner.
UMI, “Why Don’t We Go”
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Over a breezy, dream-pop-inflected instrumental, UMI delivers a summery song about escaping into a physical and emotional space of intimacy with her special partner. “Why don’t we go somewhere we only know / Climb into me, into my waterfalls / Up in the clouds, yeah, we’ve been there before,” she croons. She opts for a no-frills vocal delivery, which allows for a greater focus on the heartwarming simplicity of her songwriting and the track’s overarching concept — it doesn’t actually matter where UMI and her lover are going, as long as they’re going together.
Ye Ali feat. RyFy & Dcmbr, “Zodiac”
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Joining a long line of horoscope-minded R&B joints, this new link-up between Ye Ali, RyFy and Dcmbr is a worthy addition to the lexicon. Steeped in neo-soul with a dash of alternative rock, “Zodiac” finds the three artists not-so-radically flipping the script on the star sign concept. Instead of whittling down the different signs and eventually landing on one that is inherently incompatible with them — they land on them all. “Virgos in LA, Capricorns make me stay / Leos can’t be tamed, but I like it that way / Taurus what I want, Scorpio’s what I need / Every damn day I need a zodiac freak,” Ye sings over the slinky arrangement, just barely reaching the deepest points of his breathy lower register in the process.
Doeboy, “Ain’t Bout Nun”
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For the latest taste of his forthcoming Ignorant EP, Doeboy joins forces with Tay Keith for a blistering warning to all his ops with “Ain’t Bout Nun.” Over skittering snares, Doeboy balances a carefully ambivalent main vocal, with ad-libs that add flashes of character dynamism, for a rap performance that captures every emotional shade of the taunting process. The hook is direct, but it’s that just-shy-of-monotone delivery that makes it feel all the more menacing. “You want war, b–ch, I want duck, it ain’t ’bout none / My ice on, you ain’t gon’ touch, it ain’t ’bout none / If I want her, then I’m f–kin’, ain’t ’bout none / What you want? Ain’t got no budget, ain’t ’bout nothin,’” he spits.
41, Kyle Richh & Jenn Carter, “Stomp Stomp (feat. TaTa & Dee Billz)”
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Having already scored some of the year’s defining regional hits in “Bent” and “Jenn Jenn Jenn,” 41 — the fiery Brooklyn drill collective comprised of TaTa, Kyle Richh and Jenn Carter — continue their real-time documentation of hip-hop’s evolution with “Stomp Stomp.” Drawing on elements of Soulja Boy’s eternal “Crank That,” 41 combines the brash, no-holds-barred delivery of DMX with the quick-based bullet point flow of contemporary New York drill stars like Fivio Foreign, for a track that sits at the center of sample drill’s danceability and genuinely impressive bars — an area in which Jenn Carter routinely shines brightest.
Lucky Daye, “That’s You”
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The D’Mile Musical Universe just keeps getting more intertwined: “That’s You” — the new single from Grammy-winning R&B star Lucky Daye — finally marks the union of two D’Mile disciples, Daye and Bruno Mars. With the “Leave the Door Open” singer on co-production and co-writing credits, Lucky dives headfirst into ’70s-informed R&B songcraft — a notable departure from the more contemporary stylings of Candydrip, his most recent LP. “I been numb, so numb / Spendin’ every dime to gеt everything I want / Therе’s only one thing missing in life / That’s you,” he croons, positioning himself squarely in the “sing-pleading in the rain” era of male R&B.
Shenseea feat. Lola Brooke, “Beama”
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Just as rap is a child of rock-n-roll, it’s also a child of reggae, as Shenseaa reminds us with her new Lola Brooke team-up, “Beama.” It’s a smart collaboration, considering that Brooke already has some West Indian-adjacent inflections in her voice thanks to her hometown of Brooklyn’s position as a major Caribbean immigration hub. With production contributions from London On Da Track, Dready and Philip Cornish, “Beama” finds Shenseea and Brooke getting serious. While both artists have dropped party tracks this year, “Beama” — with its hard-hitting drill-inflected beat — is all about putting the opps on notice. “VVS so cold, straight out of my freezer / Me nuh play, like the dealers, top shottas and squeezes / Me nuh talk to bum bitch bottom feeders / Hot head fever, top model diva,” the Jamaican dancehall artist spits.
Between Teejay and Bryon Messia’s ongoing beef, a brand new From the Block live performance video from Shenseea, and the passing of dancehall star Gully Bop, it’s been a packed month for the West Indian music scene — and most of these things only happened within the past week!
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To help sort through all the new Caribbean music released in October, Billboard’s monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks columns returns with a host of new selections for your listening and wining pleasure. Of course, as is the case across genres in today’s age, there’s an overwhelming amount of new music released every day, let alone every month. Naturally, this column will not cover every last track, but our Spotify playlist — which is linked below — will expand on the 10 highlighted songs.
Without any further ado, here are 10 tracks across reggae, dancehall and their cousin genres that are heating up both our personal playlists and late-night functions from Kingston to Queens:
Freshest Find: Teejay, “Unwanted Child”
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Although it’s still unclear what exactly sparked the beef between Teejay and Byron Messia, the new-school dancehall stars are continuing to fire off diss tracks. This week, Teejay sent some more direct hits to the “Talibans” singer with the blistering “Unwanted Child,” a scathing diss track that alleges that Byron is a literal unwanted child (“Act like a we mek him madda disown him”) who doesn’t live the life he raps and sings about in his music. The dark, grimy beat is a smart complement to Teejay’s sinister delivery; his voice drips with equal parts disdain and haughtiness, two of the most important feelings for a proper diss track.
Khalia feat. Shaggy, “Double Trouble”
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On this selection from Stay True, Khalia’s debut project, the Westmoreland singer joins forces with Shaggy for a conversational duet that traces the story of two partners with undeniable sexual chemistry who simply cannot work in a proper relationship. She employs a cadence reminiscent of contemporary R&B as she recounts this roller coaster of a relationship over the slow-burning dancehall-inflected beat. “Anuh any any man can win da spot ya inna my heart/ Keep it premium on a level affi inn a path/ You affi show me all your cards before let dung my guard/ And den I work it and reverse it so I’m keeping him sharp,” she croons.
Valiant, “Beer & Salt”
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When you reach the top of of the food chain, there are always going to be those people waiting for you to slip up — even Valiant can’t escape that phenomenon. After a less-than-impressive performance at Miami Carnival and a subsequent social media backlash, Valiant uses “Beer & Salt” as way to respond to his detractors and reflect on his tumultuous past few months. “And if a badness, just talk, make me load me strap/ I see them lurking on my IG/ I know your profile private/ All of this was a dream but you can’t ketch the flows I’m finding,” he spits over the slinky DJ Mac-produced beat.
Mavado, “No Sorry”
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Taking a similar approach to Valiant, Mavado uses “No Sorry” to champion his lack of regrets for the way he has chosen to live his life. Backed by a skittering trap dancehall beat, Mavado sings, “A ghetto youth pon the top of the mountain ah di greatest story,” once again reaffirming that his intentions are genuine and pure, even if his actions may garner mixed reactions from some. He’s unapologetic in who he is and where he comes from as he reflects on his life and success across the self-affirming track. After all, “Don’t make excuses, we make sacrifice,” he sings on “No Sorry.”
Chronic Law, “War Cycle”
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Moving away from the self-motivating introspection of Valiant’s and Mavado’s new tracks, Chronic Law opts for despondent piano to anchor his stab at trap dancehall — a solemn reflection on the emptiness he sometimes feels in spite of his success, likening the dynamic to the ongoing violence that plagues his home country. “What a cycle/ The likkle scheme warm than Grove Street turf/ Me a drink and pretend mi don’t feel hurt/ Cyaa describe mi pain with no real words,” he croons.
Mystic Marley, Nailah Blackman & Walshy Fire, “Jump”
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This new track from the granddaughters of Bob Marley and Lord Shorty, respectively — with production contributions from Walshy Fire of Major Lazer — combines bits of dancehall, reggae and soca for one of the most undeniable party records of the year. With bubbly brass stitching together elements of Marley’s “Rainbow Country” (1971) and Shorty’s “Endless Vibration” (1974), Mystic and Nailah balance the familiarity of old-school reggae guitars and infectious soca percussion as they implore their listeners to, well, “jump!”
Intence, “Lesson”
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Rising Jamaican dancehall artist Intence delivers a heartfelt reflection on the most pertinent lessons life has taught him. Staunchly within the modern trap-inflected dancehall arena, Intence offers up several nimble flows as he recounts various life-altering experiences that remind him of both his mortality and his divine protection. “Just another ghetto youth and if you ask me I would have tell you from the start the amount a times them double cross me/ Me a real youth me don’t need to tell you that so let them talk cause me don’t care as long as God see,” he spits in an impressive rapid-fire delivery.
Zagga, “Believe & Pray”
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Released near the top of last month (Oct. 13) as the penultimate song on his Energy Never Lie album, “Believe & Pray” finds Zagga both talking with God and encouraging his listeners to have faith and trust in the power of prayer. “Prayer move mountain, prayer with faith, dawg/ Jah Jah eva on time, never yet late, dawg/ Whula we a sin but mi no ready fi graveyard/ Conscious, but the world mek mi behave bad,” he sings over the solemn, uplifting beat, which is part of a new riddim produced by Shane Creative.
Talia Goddess, “Forever Young”
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Guyanese-British multi-hyphenate Tayahna Walcott, aka Talia Goddess, perfectly captures the buzzing sensuality of hot summer nights during the prime of your youth with this smooth dancehall and R&B-inflected banger. In the hook for “Forever Young,” which is built around a thumping dancehall riddim, she reaches for high-pitched, Amaarae-esque tone as she sings, “Tell me is you really mine my lover?/ Cah you make me feel alive, so true/ I can take you to the light my darling/ I just wanna live my life with you.” Both the track and its globe-trotting music video are testaments to the rich global legacy of West Indian music and culture.
Roze Don, Countree Hype & Konshens, “Unch It Remix”
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Some of the best dancehall tracks are the instructive ones; they’re inherently interactive and personable. For the official remix of their function-rocking “Unch It,” Roze Don and Countree Hype recruit dancehall star Konshens to add his own spice to the steady, percussive beat. Their tones are calm, just shy of nonchalant, but glimpses of staccato flows and the sneaky sensuality of a whisper add dynamics that elevate the song nicely. From the booming bass to irresistibly danceable melody, the “Unch It” remix is nice update of the August orignal for the autumn season.
For good measure, here are two bonus Fresh Picks that are only available to stream via YouTube.
The year is winding down, but the hits have kept coming. And the month of October has seen some quality ones, from both established African artists and newcomers dropping new EPs, as soulful singles from the likes of Mr. Eazi and the Soweto Gospel Choir (“Exit”) and the two super producers Pheelz and Young Jonn (“JELO”) mix with edgier cuts from the likes of Rema (“DND”) and ODUMODUBLVCK, Bloody Civilian and Wale (“Blood on the Dance Floor”) for real estate in our monthly roundup.
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Tems returns with “Me & U,” her first solo single since “Free Mind” (which was originally featured on her 2020 EP For Broken Ears and, in May 2023, broke the female record for most weeks at No. 1 on Billboard‘s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart with 17 weeks) and first new music release since her 2021 EP If Orange Was a Place. Gunna getting in his Afrobeats bag was not on our 2023 bingo card, but he nailed his verse on the remix of Victor Thompson and Ehis ‘D’ Greatest’s “THIS YEAR (Blessings),” which he first teased during his L.A. show (as seen in the official music video). And the remix helped catapult the song to No. 1 on Hot Gospel Songs chart last week (dated Oct. 28) and No. 3 on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.
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 accompanying Spotify playlist below.
Tems, “Me & U”
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Tems’ first new solo release in two years lands somewhere between a poignant pop ballad and a high-spirited Afrobeats record, but more importantly, it serves as the Nigerian star’s self-reflection observed through her relationship with God. Regardless of all the triumphs she’s had in the last few years – a Grammy award for her appearance (along with Drake) on Future’s Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Wait For U,” and an Oscar nod for co-writing Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up,” to name a couple – Tems reminds those marveling at her journey that she couldn’t have accomplished all of this on her own. When a fan compared the singer-songwriter to the Yoruba water spirits Yemoja and Oshun in one of the single’s promo photos, she replied, “It’s about Jesus Christ teaching me how to walk on water, to trust Him and not in human understanding. He changed my life. And if you seek Him He will fill you up too.”
Gwamz feat. Tay Iwar & Skeete, “PAMELA”
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Gwamz, Tay Iwar and Skeete individually compose sultry blends of R&B, dancehall, Afrobeats, rap and grime in their music, so it’s no surprise that their collaboration “PAMELA” embodies just that. Twinkling piano keys, bubbling log drums, enticing guitar riffs, suave melodies and lustful verses all come to play on “PAMELA,” who represents a woman all three men can’t resist (which is also how we feel about this song).
Victor Thompson & Gunna feat. Ehis ‘D’ Greatest, “THIS YEAR (Blessings) [Remix]”
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Nigerian gospel singer Victor Thompson and his brother Ehis ‘D’ Greatest inspired the masses (through TikTok) at the top of 2023 with their aspirational anthem “THIS YEAR (Blessings).” Then Gunna came and blessed the record even more with a new verse about how he’s a “walking testimony” after everything he’s endured and worked toward (“They say, ‘Young GunWunna is the G.O.A.T.,’” he sings), seamlessly blending his melodic superpowers with those of the original artists.
June Freedom, “Diana”
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“Diana” has become an incredibly common song subject in pop music history, from Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana” to Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj’s “Princess Diana.” But June Freedom’s “Diana” — off his latest album, 7 SEAS — is a vibrant, sumptuous ode to the familiar leading lady. The echo of her name on Freedom’s lips, paired with a sexy saxophone and rousing percussion, is the sound of a man who won’t let “Diana” dance alone for much longer.
Muzi, “Timer”
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While the South African artist and producer takes listeners on a vivid, vulnerable trip down memory lane on his latest album uMUZI, he explores his tumultuous relationship with his father on the LP’s closer “Timer.” “Our time is not through,” he pleads constantly over twinkling ‘80s synth chords and slow-burning electronic beats. Despite its easy-going production, “Timer” provides an important reminder that even when things are tough now, looking back in the rearview mirror and wishing for more time with someone won’t be any easier.
Mr. Eazi feat. Soweto Gospel Choir, “Exit”
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Life doesn’t always move smoothly, and it’s in those moments when it can be most difficult — but also when perseverance is the most important. Those are some of the themes Mr. Eazi addresses in this song, with a gorgeous assist from the Soweto Gospel Choir, as he addresses hardships that have come along the way through his life and career. It’s a propulsive and positive track, and perfectly closes out his latest album, The Evil Genius.
Mayorkun feat. Blxckie, “Lose Control”
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Mayorkun has one of the best pure voices making music right now, and the uplifting production on “Lose Control” provides him a perfect backdrop to spin this tale of the beginnings of a relationship alongside South African MC Blxckie, whose verse follows Mayorkun’s melodic lead. It’s a standout of the singer’s new Love… For Free EP, and one of his best songs in recent years.
Rema, “DND”
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On his latest EP, RAVAGE, Rema is making music that sounds like nothing else out right now, a melting pot of styles and genres that fits nowhere — but is just as compelling as the simplicity of “Calm Down,” though in entirely different ways. “DND” is a standout on the five-track project, but is by no means the only track worth checking out. For someone who could’ve followed the same formula to repeat success, credit to Rema for continuing to push his own creative limits.
ODUMODUBLVCK feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale, “Blood on the Dance Floor”
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ODUMODUBLVCK has been steadily building his profile this past year with a series of hits (“Declan Rice,” “FIREGUN”) that owe their success to his particular uncompromising style. On this track off his latest EP, he links up with fellow Def Jam signees Bloody Civilian and Wale for a song that combines his trademark intensity with a driving production that comes together with all three in the final hook, creating a compelling mix of different styles that mesh incredibly well.
Pheelz feat. Young Jonn, “JELO”
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Two of the more prolific Afrobeats hitmakers on the production side that have earned their stripes with big hits as artists themselves in the past few years, Pheelz and Young Jonn certainly know their way around a hook and a catchy beat. This collaboration furthers each of their reputations with a breezy feel-good song that slides seamlessly into each of their catalogs, with a soulful element that elevates the track as a whole.