Listen to new must-hear songs from emerging R&B/hip-hop artists like AKIA and Praise.
Reggie Becton attends the annual Brunch 2 Bomb celebration at XBOX Plaza at L.A. LIVE on February 27, 2022 in Los Angeles.
Robin L Marshall/Getty Images
Somehow — between Beyoncé kicking off an unprecedented five-night mini-residency at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, Kendrick Lamar bringing out AzChike for his second of three nights at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium, and Joey Badass brushing off more West Coast disses — other things happened in hip-hop and R&B over the past week!
On Thursday (May 22), Kid Cudi took the stand during Diddy’s bombshell sex trafficking trial, prompting Young Thug to label him a “rat,” and that very evening, Detroit rapper Skilla Baby was the victim of a drive-by shooting. The next day (May 23), Sacha Jenkins, a pioneering hip-hop journalist, author, filmmaker and cultural historian, passed at age 54, underscoring a tumultuous end to the week. By Saturday (May 24), Drake crashed Central Cee’s Toronto concert to reveal OVO Fest’s comeback, which is currently set for summer 2025. The Toronto MC last hosted OVO Fest in 2022.
Drizzy, of course, headlines all three nights of London’s Wireless Festival in a few months (July 11-13), and that show doubles as one of the stops on Vybz Kartel’s forthcoming Worl’ Boss Tour. The King of Dancehall officially announced the trek — his first in over two decades — last week (May 21) and mounted its first show at Guyana’s National Stadium on Saturday (May 24).
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from AKIA’s sultry new jam to Big Moochie Grape’s latest banger. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
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Reggie Becton, “Die Young”
R&B singer-songwriter Reggie Becton understands the times. “This 9-5 is too much, and I still ain’t made enough,” he sings at the onset of his new single, “Die Young.” Across chugging, soulful production from Etienne and Khris Riddick-Tynes that slightly nods to Dilla, Becton croons of breaking free from the rat race and basking in life’s lighter moments — whether that’s kicking back and smoking or pouring himself a drink. “One more shot for the nights we’ve spent together,” he continues over the instrumental, which steadily evolves into something that would sound at home on the back half of Frank Ocean’s Blonde. “Because this could be the last summer/ One more time, could we feel this way forever?” — KYLE DENIS
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Praise, “Pilot”
On “Pilot,” enigmatic R&B singer Praise unpacks a turbulent relationship. The song opens with a striking metaphor (“she wanna fly tonight, I’ll be pilot”), casting the narrator as both a willing guide and reluctant participant in a love that constantly veers off course. With a tone that blends vulnerability and exhaustion, Praise explores the weight of unreciprocated effort, miscommunication, and emotional whiplash.
The chorus is a moment of regret, admitting that sometimes retaliation feels right in the moment but leaves a bitter aftertaste. The second shifts into a raw confrontation, calling out double standards and disrespect while still maintaining restraint. The bridge and outro show just how entangled things have become — desire and anger coexist, boundaries blur, and silence becomes a form of self-preservation. “Pilot” feels like the closing scene of a relationship spiraling out, where the only control left is deciding whether to land or let it crash. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
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G-Eazy & Diany Dior, “Outside”
Releasing an album on Friday and celebrating his 36th birthday on Saturday — not a bad weekend for G-Eazy. The New York transplant heads uptown to link with emerging Bronx rapper Diany Dior for Helium standout “Outside.” Built around a catchy chorus and hazy production, Young Gerald recalls a drug-fueled night indulging in the Big Apple’s chic nightlife scene. “I got a model by my side lookin’ at me heavy-eyed/ In a tiny red dress, is she the devil in disguise?” he ponders, before passing the baton to Dior. “Outside” feels like a return to form for G-Eazy while pulling on the nostalgia of the These Things Happen era from a decade ago. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
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YL & Subjxct 5 feat. Starker, “Joy 2001”
The East Coast collectives RRR and 2oo4 are still rolling out their upcoming collab project RRR & 2oo4 Presents… Only Ones Taxin’ with their third single “Joy 2001.” This time, YL brings his right-hand Starker along for the ride to skate over Jersey beatmaker Subjxct 5’s off-kilter production. — ANGEL DIAZ
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AKIA, “Pajamas”
Fresh off her festival debut at this year’s Dreamville Fest, rising R&B artist Akia has kicked off her new era with “Pajamas,” a sultry new jam for her forthcoming Crazy EP, which is due later this summer via SinceThe80s and Human Re Sources. “When I’m in my pajamas/ He just can’t keep his hands off/ He liked it when my booty go switch, switch, switch/ When I’m walking through the house like this, this, this,” she coos over Leather Jacket’s percussive, Y2K-nodding beat. Equal parts confident and intimate, “Pajamas” soars thanks to Akia’s charismatic delivery, her voice switching from a rapid rap-sung cadence to flirtatious falsetto with ease. — K.D.
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Jastin Martin, “Clear Skies”
On “Clear Skies,” Jastin Martin delivers a self-assured anthem about growth, resilience, and rising above the noise. The track reflects on the journey it took for her to find clarity — both in her personal life and her career. In the verses, she brushes off doubters, critics, and distractions with calm confidence, asserting that she never needed outside validation to stay focused. “Took a lil’ time, I was patient, waiting,” she sings, acknowledging the quiet grind it took to reach a place of peace and purpose.
The chorus, with its repeated mantra of “all I see is clear skies,” signals a breakthrough moment — where the struggles behind her only make the present feel more vivid. By staying grounded and loyal to the people she started with, Martin paints a picture of someone who’s evolved but hasn’t lost herself in the process. It’s a song for anyone who’s weathered storms and finally sees their potential unfolding in real time. — C.C.
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Big Moochie Grape, “Patrick Mahomes”
Big Moochie Grape is feeling like a champion in these streets as he pays homage to the three-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. The PRE rapper stiff arms the competition and makes a sprint for the end zone while rapping over thumping 808s and skittering synths courtesy of go-to collaborator King Wonka. “Thursday, got the block hotter than Satan/ Friday and Saturday, we pop out with dem Haitians/ Trappin’ on Sunday, we still goin’ crazy,” he raps while rocking the crimson red No. 15 jersey for the visual. Look for Big Moochie’s Eat or Get Ate 2 deluxe arriving next week (May 30). — M.S.
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DJ Muggs, Kingpin Skinny Pimp & Heartbreak JC, “Stay Dangerous”
In a link up we didn’t know we needed, DJ Muggs connects with the Memphis legend Kingpin Skinny Pimp for an underground banger in “Stay Dangerous,” and they don’t disappoint as the Kingpin delivers some “rich pimpin’ s–t” in his signature flow. The tracks also features fellow Memphis rapper Heartbreak JC and Skinny Pimp’s daughter Gimisum Dee on the hook. Muggs told me that he’s working on another single with the Pimp and an album with JC. Had to hit y’all with a little exclusive info right quick. — A.D.
