Music
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CRT FRSH, Hip-Hop Wiredâs playlist where we showcase music that we believe is âCertified Fresh,â is back again! With our latest update this week, weâve added some songs you should know and other joints you need to know, so letâs get into it.
The CRT FRSH playlist is a labor of love. We donât take payments, nor do we do favors. We only add joints to our playlist that fit the theme and vision weâre going for and donât seek to waste the listenerâs time. Further, we donât stick to one lane of Hip-Hop. We believe that all aspects of the music should get some light, whether itâs young lions in the trenches or those hoping for that one shot to blow up to grizzled veterans puffing out their chests with lots more to say.
I want to explain how I approach curating the CRT FRSH playlist. Most importantly, I donât segregate my Hip-Hop. Every form of music from the main cultural tree deserves a listen and a look. When I construct the playlist, I want to include all regions across the States and, when applicable, across the globe. I also want to entertain every fan of Hip-Hop, not just those who enjoy one segment of it. Now that weâve got that out of the way, letâs get to it. â D.L. Chandler, lead curator for CRT FRSH
Welcome back to CRT FRSH, a collection of songs we feel should be on your radar if they arenât already. With this weekâs update, we did our best to put together a playlist that showcases the wide scope of great Hip-Hop music, although weâre sure to have missed some drops.
We open up the playlist with Mozzyâs âWHO WANT WARâ with a guest feature from Polo G, appearing on the Sacramento rapperâs new INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS album. CRT FRSH favorite Raz Fresco links again with Futurewave for their excellent Stadium Lo Champions album, and the track âCyanideâ is one of our top joints.
âDanger Dangerâ is a new track from Swizz Beatz from the Godfather of Harlem Season 4 original soundtrack, featuring verses from Jadakiss and Pusha T on the closeout. Mathematics, the longtime DJ and producer with the Wu-Tang Clan, delivered his new album Black Samon, the Bastard Swordsman, and the track âMandingoâ is a classic Wu banger featuring Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, and a stong anchor verse from Cappadona.
From The Private Selection of Saba and No ID could very well end up being the album of the year for many, and â30seccchopâ featuring Joseph Chilliams and a strong performance from Jane Deaux is just one of the heaters from the project. Ray Vaughn, one of Top Dawg Entertainmentâs newest signees, delivered his new mixtape, The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu, and âEAST CHATTâ features fellow TDE artist, Isaiah Rashad.
Salute to Young Thug, Future, Jack Harlow, Doja Cat, Half-Empty, Partly Vacant, SALIMATA, Khadijat, Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist, KenTheMan, Niontay, MAVI, Sideshow, Shoreline Mafia, Boldy James, V Don, Wiz Khalifa, DJ Quik, Domo Genesis, Smoke DZA, Dough Networkz, Graymatter, Coyote, Ab-Soul, Python P, 2 Eleven, Low The Great, MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng, Shenseea, LaRussell, Busta Rhymes, and Mike G Beatz.
Check out out in two more weeks for our next update. If you wish to be CONSIDERED for inclusion, email D.L. Chandler at: dchandler@bhmdigital.com.
â
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CRT FRSH, Hip-Hop Wiredâs playlist where we showcase music that we believe is âCertified Fresh,â is back again! With our latest update this week, weâve added some songs you should know and other joints you need to know, so letâs get into it.
The CRT FRSH playlist is a labor of love. We donât take payments, nor do we do favors. We only add joints to our playlist that fit the theme and vision weâre going for and donât seek to waste the listenerâs time. Further, we donât stick to one lane of Hip-Hop. We believe that all aspects of the music should get some light, whether itâs young lions in the trenches or those hoping for that one shot to blow up to grizzled veterans puffing out their chests with lots more to say.
I want to explain how I approach curating the CRT FRSH playlist. Most importantly, I donât segregate my Hip-Hop. Every form of music from the main cultural tree deserves a listen and a look. When I construct the playlist, I want to include all regions across the States and, when applicable, across the globe. I also want to entertain every fan of Hip-Hop, not just those who enjoy one segment of it. Now that weâve got that out of the way, letâs get to it. â D.L. Chandler, lead curator for CRT FRSH
Welcome back to CRT FRSH, a collection of songs we feel should be on your radar if they arenât already. With this weekâs update, we did our best to put together a playlist that showcases the wide scope of great Hip-Hop music, although weâre sure to have missed some drops.
We open up the playlist with Mozzyâs âWHO WANT WARâ with a guest feature from Polo G, appearing on the Sacramento rapperâs new INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS album. CRT FRSH favorite Raz Fresco links again with Futurewave for their excellent Stadium Lo Champions album, and the track âCyanideâ is one of our top joints.
âDanger Dangerâ is a new track from Swizz Beatz from the Godfather of Harlem Season 4 original soundtrack, featuring verses from Jadakiss and Pusha T on the closeout. Mathematics, the longtime DJ and producer with the Wu-Tang Clan, delivered his new album Black Samon, the Bastard Swordsman, and the track âMandingoâ is a classic Wu banger featuring Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, and a stong anchor verse from Cappadona.
From The Private Selection of Saba and No ID could very well end up being the album of the year for many, and â30seccchopâ featuring Joseph Chilliams and a strong performance from Jane Deaux is just one of the heaters from the project. Ray Vaughn, one of Top Dawg Entertainmentâs newest signees, delivered his new mixtape, The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu, and âEAST CHATTâ features fellow TDE artist, Isaiah Rashad.
Salute to Young Thug, Future, Jack Harlow, Doja Cat, Half-Empty, Partly Vacant, SALIMATA, Khadijat, Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist, KenTheMan, Niontay, MAVI, Sideshow, Shoreline Mafia, Boldy James, V Don, Wiz Khalifa, DJ Quik, Domo Genesis, Smoke DZA, Dough Networkz, Graymatter, Coyote, Ab-Soul, Python P, 2 Eleven, Low The Great, MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng, Shenseea, LaRussell, Busta Rhymes, and Mike G Beatz.
Check out out in two more weeks for our next update. If you wish to be CONSIDERED for inclusion, email D.L. Chandler at: dchandler@bhmdigital.com.
â
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CRT FRSH, Hip-Hop Wiredâs playlist where we showcase music that we believe is âCertified Fresh,â is back again! With our latest update this week, weâve added some songs you should know and other joints you need to know, so letâs get into it.
The CRT FRSH playlist is a labor of love. We donât take payments, nor do we do favors. We only add joints to our playlist that fit the theme and vision weâre going for and donât seek to waste the listenerâs time. Further, we donât stick to one lane of Hip-Hop. We believe that all aspects of the music should get some light, whether itâs young lions in the trenches or those hoping for that one shot to blow up to grizzled veterans puffing out their chests with lots more to say.
I want to explain how I approach curating the CRT FRSH playlist. Most importantly, I donât segregate my Hip-Hop. Every form of music from the main cultural tree deserves a listen and a look. When I construct the playlist, I want to include all regions across the States and, when applicable, across the globe. I also want to entertain every fan of Hip-Hop, not just those who enjoy one segment of it. Now that weâve got that out of the way, letâs get to it. â D.L. Chandler, lead curator for CRT FRSH
Welcome back to CRT FRSH, a collection of songs we feel should be on your radar if they arenât already. With this weekâs update, we did our best to put together a playlist that showcases the wide scope of great Hip-Hop music, although weâre sure to have missed some drops.
We open up the playlist with Mozzyâs âWHO WANT WARâ with a guest feature from Polo G, appearing on the Sacramento rapperâs new INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS album. CRT FRSH favorite Raz Fresco links again with Futurewave for their excellent Stadium Lo Champions album, and the track âCyanideâ is one of our top joints.
âDanger Dangerâ is a new track from Swizz Beatz from the Godfather of Harlem Season 4 original soundtrack, featuring verses from Jadakiss and Pusha T on the closeout. Mathematics, the longtime DJ and producer with the Wu-Tang Clan, delivered his new album Black Samon, the Bastard Swordsman, and the track âMandingoâ is a classic Wu banger featuring Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, and a stong anchor verse from Cappadona.
From The Private Selection of Saba and No ID could very well end up being the album of the year for many, and â30seccchopâ featuring Joseph Chilliams and a strong performance from Jane Deaux is just one of the heaters from the project. Ray Vaughn, one of Top Dawg Entertainmentâs newest signees, delivered his new mixtape, The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu, and âEAST CHATTâ features fellow TDE artist, Isaiah Rashad.
Salute to Young Thug, Future, Jack Harlow, Doja Cat, Half-Empty, Partly Vacant, SALIMATA, Khadijat, Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist, KenTheMan, Niontay, MAVI, Sideshow, Shoreline Mafia, Boldy James, V Don, Wiz Khalifa, DJ Quik, Domo Genesis, Smoke DZA, Dough Networkz, Graymatter, Coyote, Ab-Soul, Python P, 2 Eleven, Low The Great, MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng, Shenseea, LaRussell, Busta Rhymes, and Mike G Beatz.
Check out out in two more weeks for our next update. If you wish to be CONSIDERED for inclusion, email D.L. Chandler at: dchandler@bhmdigital.com.
â
Photo: Getty
Young Thug has spoken about his relationship with Gunna in a new interview with GQ. The Atlanta rap star finally breaks down everything from his rumored falling out with Rich Homie Quan to his lengthy and chaotic RICO Trial that kept him behind bars for over two years in GQâs video cover story published Friday […]
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard EspaĂąol editors. Check out this weekâs picks below.
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Elena Rose, Camilo & Los Ăngeles Azules, âCarteras Chinasâ (Kira Records/Warner Music Latina)
Collaborating with Los Ăngeles Azules is almost a rite of passage at this point: over the years, the cumbia institution has teamed up with a hefty catalog of both new and veteran artists, and this time, itâs Elena Rose who taps Los Ăngeles and Camilo for âCarteras Chinas.â Itâs a match made in heaven, as Rose and Camiloâs soothing vocals pair perfectly with Los Ăngelesâ hip-swiveling cumbia tune. âThere are so many fake things, there are more Chinese bags than people who love with their hearts, but thatâs what you and I are for,â the pair sing in the song that celebrates real love. â GRISELDA FLORES
Boza, San Blas (Sony Music Latin)
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Boza is ending the month with the release of his new studio album, San Blas, home to nine tracks that best represent his current personal and musical stage. Mainly crafted by his longtime producer Faster, the set stays true to Bozaâs signature reggae plena sound, but incorporates Afrobeat and amapiano rhythms â notably heard on his two collaborations, âOriĂłnâ with Elena Rose and âTodavĂaâ with Greeicy. The former peaked No. 2 on the Billboard Latin Pop Airplay chart last year.
Lyrically, the Panamanian artist sings about falling in love (âenergiaSâ), letting go (âfluirâ), and the life lessons along the way (âyayaâ) â combining into a personal healing process. Moreover, the albumâs name (as well the focus track) was inspired by ManĂĄâs âEn El Muelle de San Blasâ: âI love the woman Iâm with very much, and with this song I wanted to tell her that Iâm only there for her, that I always want to show her off, to show everyone that Iâm with an excellent woman, a beautiful woman,â he said in a statement. â JESSICA ROIZ
Juanes, âUna Noche Contigoâ (Universal Music Latino)
Juanes delivers a magical bolero with his new single, âUna Noche Contigo,â marking his first release in two years. Fusing vintage soul, blues and rock influences from Otis Redding, Juan Gabriel, JosĂŠ JosĂŠ and The Beatles, the heartfelt track serves as a modern serenade that describes the magic of unexpected love: âI wasnât looking for you/And I found you unintentionally/Among the people dancing/I approached without thinking.â The idea for this song began to take shape when producer SebastiĂĄn Krys introduced Juanes to a classic tune by Otis Redding. The Colombian powerhouse later developed the concept with Edgar Barrera and Julio Reyes, culminating in this vibrant tribute to timeless sounds. â INGRID FAJARDO
Adrian Quesada, AngĂŠlica GarcĂa, âNo Juegoâ (Electric Deluxe Recorders / ATO Records)
With âNo Juego,â Adrian Quesada and AngĂŠlica GarcĂa craft a hypnotic bolero that drips in sensuality and analog richness. The song resurrects the romantic decadence of the early â70s crooners â evoking icons like JosĂŠ JosĂŠ and Camilo Sesto â while infusing it with cool, sophisticated beats that feel intimate and cinematic. GarcĂaâs vocals are gripping and unfiltered, a soulful cry that pierces through Quesadaâs lush production, which seamlessly blends psychedelic grooves and subtle nods to hip-hop. As the second preview of Quesadaâs upcoming Boleros PsicodĂŠlicos II, due June 27, âNo Juegoâ confirms his role as a sonic alchemist of unparalleled vision. â ISABELA RAYGOZA
Fariana, Kiko El Crazy, âMe Muevoâ (La Commission)
Following the line of her ultra-viral hit âEl Caballito,â Fariana drops a new merengue tune in collaboration with Kiko el Crazy. Produced by Gangsta, the summer-ready âMe Muevoâ samples La Makinaâs 1999 timeless tropical tune âNo Me Digas Que No.â On her version, Fariana sings from a womanâs point of view whoâs ready to move on and mingle with the men who are after her. âIf you donât want me, Iâll replace you/Itâs your loss and my win/The same way you left, the same way they come,â she boldly chants. Meanwhile, her Dominican collaborator adds saucy rap verses, trying to save the relationship: âRelax, Fariana, Iâm the crazy guy you love.â â J.R.
Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:
Birdman revealed some interesting tidbits about Cash Moneyâs rise from New Orleans street label to mainstream powerhouse.
He sat down with Nick Cannon for the Counsel Culture Show in the episode that dropped Wednesday (April 23) to talk about how he and his older brother Ronald âSlimâ Williams became success stories, and some of the early label meetings they had before signing their historic deal with Universal Records. Baby said he first took a meeting with Warner Bros. and executive Sylvia Rhone, but they werenât really into the independent labelâs music. âSylvia Rhone said our music donât work for them, so we just left,â he said. âI just walked out.â
Cash Money then took a meeting with legendary rap label Def Jam, but was turned down because of their artwork, which still confuses the rapper and music executive. âI went to Def Jam and met with Russell [Simmons], Lyor [Cohen] and Kevin Liles,â Baby told Nick Cannon. âThis nâa Russell said he donât like our artwork. I said, âThis some weird sât. I walked clean out. Nâa donât like my artwork, what about my music? You donât care for the music? So, I left.â
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Baby then said that he and his brother almost had a deal with Priority Records, who just so happened to be in business with fellow New Orleans label No Limit headed up by Master P. However, according to him, things fell apart after the label flew them out to their offices in L.A. âI went to Priority â some weird sât here â I go to Priority, they fly us to California,â he said. âMe and Slim, a couple of the homies, we go out there. Nâa come in there and said, âIâm sorry, we canât do the deal. They said because Master P said, âIf we sign yâall, heâs leaving.â I just jumped on a jet and went back to New Orleans was like, âFâk it, we just gonna grind with it.â
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Finally, Universal came calling and the two sides were able to carve out one of the more historic deals in music history. âAnd then Mel Lewinter and them called and I said this my last trip. I ainât taking no more motherfâking flights to New York or California,â he recalled. âFâk it, weâll thug it out. Iâm still making millions, they gonna come down here and fâk with me, I ainât going back. And that was my last flight.â
Master P and Birdman have seemed to have moved past those early issues, as the New Limit founder gave Lil Wayne key to New Orleans alongside Mayor LaToya Cantrell last year. He also said there werenât any issues between the two camps when he went on No Chill with Gilbert Arenas in 2021, saying, âA lot of people thought, âOh, they got beef,â but, man, we lived right up the street from each other.â
Watch the full conversation below.

âIâm still trying to take it all in,â Gigi Perez tells Billboard of her extended moment in the spotlight. Last July, the singer-songwriterâs âSailor Songâ became a viral hit and Perezâs first Hot 100 hit â and months later, the folksy exaltation of queer flirtation remains in the chartâs top 40, rising up one spot this week to No. 35.
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In the interim, Perez played a slew of shows to growing audiences, released follow-up singles like âFableâ and âChemistry,â and most importantly finished recording her debut album. At The Beach, In Every Life, out today (Apr. 25), finds Perez navigating love, grief and self-possession, as the success of âSailor Songâ has amplified her Island Records debut but not altered its core tenets.
âThis project is as close of a reflection of my experiences over the past five years as I could get,â says Perez of the album, which expounds upon the reflection of her sisterâs passing that became the focus of her single âFable.â âMy grief has shaped the way that I love, in friendships and with family and romantically. On the project, those things exist next to each other.â
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Below, Perez discusses four songs on At The Beach, In Every Life, and what they represent within her debut album:
The Song That Was Finished Last
âTwo days before I was turning the album in, I recorded âSugar Waterâ on my own,â says Perez of the five-minute emotional heavyweight, which looks back on her transition into adulthood with childhood details and a simple guitar-and-vocals arrangement. âI wasnât expecting to put âSugar Waterâ on the project,â Perez continues. âAnd my A&R asked me about the song. I was like, âOh, I love this song.â ⌠I was like, âOkay, Iâm gonna just record and see what happens.â And it ended up being one of my favorite songs on the project.â
The New Song Thatâs Most Fun to Play Live
âThe most excitement that Iâve had playing a new song has been definitely âAt The Beachâ or âSugar Water,ââ says Perez, whoâs been playing a handful of headline shows in the lead-up to the album release. The title track of At The Beach, In Every Life closes the album with an encapsulation of Perezâs worldview, full of passion, disappointment and unruly thoughts that run into each other over the course of the song.
Perez says that testing out her new material on live audiences over the past few weeks has been a thrilling experience. âI just have fun for an hour straight, so itâs hardâ to pick one highlight, she explains. âEvery single song I get the guitar, and Iâm like, âOh my god, Iâm so excited to do this song!ââ
The Song That Was Most Difficult to Finish
ââCrownâ was hard,â Perez says of the searing centerpiece of the albumâs second half, which mixes religious imagery with memories of her late sister. âI think it was letting myself go into that space of my grief and the uglier side of it. Itâs all ugly, pretty much, but a different shade was probably the hardest to do in a specific time constraint.â
Yet that struggle, Perez believes, speaks to the truth of her first full-length. âUltimately, I feel like thatâs part of the album,â she says. âItâs not easy.â
The Smash Single That Set the Tone
âSailor Songâ kicks off At The Beach, In Every Life, and Perez says that sheâll always be thankful for the doors that her breakthrough hit has opened. âEspecially now that there are new songs in the mix and other focuses that I have, to know that sheâs just holding down the fort is amazing,â she says of âSailor Song. âItâs a gift â to know that I was part of the creation of something that has impacted people globally just feels divine.
âAnd itâs exciting to see where the rest of the music is gonna go,â she continues, âbecause in my head, âSailor Songâ and the impact that itâs had are amazing, but Iâve set my sights on personal fulfillment, and what that means is different. As long as thereâs a community there, whether itâs one person or itâs 1 million, every single person thatâs impacted by it matters.â
Alex Warrenâs âOrdinaryâ landed a sixth week at No. 1 on the U.K. Singles Chart April 25, and becomes the longest running chart-topper since Sabrina Carpenterâs nine-week run with âTasteâ in 2024. Last week, Warren broke the tie he held with Lola Youngâs âMessyâ for 2025âs longest running No. 1 in the U.K. âMessyâ had […]

Taylor Swift has returned to the top of the U.K. Albums Chart April 25 with The Tortured Poets Department following a recent physical reissue. A new signed CD variant, released to commemorate the albumâs first anniversary on April 19, propelled the album 23 places to the top spot. Upon release in April 2024 2024, The […]
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After 10 years, Ari Lennox and J. Coleâs Dreamville Records are parting ways. TMZ is reporting that the 34-year-old singer is now signed exclusively to Interscope Records.Â
Ariâs new single, âSoft Girl Era,â an upbeat, bouncy track, doesnât list Dreamville in the credits.Â
The split is reportedly amicable. Earlier this month at the Dreamville Festival, the singer shouted out J. Cole during her curtain call saying, âThank you for making my dreams a reality,â according to HotNewHipHop.Â
Their relationship has been fraught with some clashes over marketing and other support. Last year, Ari wrote on Instagram, âI want out of my contract.âÂ
The âShea Butter Babyâ singer aired numerous grievances, including the release of a video she hadnât approved and a lack of advertising, according to Complex.Â
âIâm saying very clearly Iâm not comfortable with it being out for multiple reasons,â she wrote, and tagged both Interscope and Dreamville in the post, adding: âI just wish I had a label that cared, that would want to protect me. I wish I had a label that wouldnât have me out here trying to explain that I need advertisement.â
âI just wanna be released, itâs that simple.âÂ
In March, Solangeâs Saint Heron shared that the Web Design and Creative Direction of AriLennox.com was being managed by the company.Â
Fans on social media have strong opinions about the announcement. On X (formerly Twitter) one fan wrote, â#Dreamville tried to do with Ari Lennox what #TDE did with SZAâŚand it failed miserably.âÂ
While another fan wrote, âAri Lennox fans blame every else but her.â
Ari Lennox signed to Dreamville in 2015 and released her first major label debut EP, Pho, in 2016. Her first studio album, Shea Butter Baby was released in 2019. The album spawned the singles âWhipped Creamâ and the title track. The Associated Press rated it the No. 1 album of 2019.Â
She also released another EP, Away Message, in August 2022 and her second album, Age/Sex/Location, the following month.
A release date for a new album has not been announced.Â