Music

It may have been Easter Weekend, but Kendrick Lamar didn’t wait until the third day for his return. After rocking the Super Bowl LIX halftime show with a visually striking set built around his Billboard 200-topping GNX LP, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Compton MC mounted the first show of his sprawling, SZA-assisted Grand National stadium tour. Kicking off the trek in Minneapolis, Minn., K.Dot and SZA treated fans to a nearly three-hour show packed with hit collaborations like their Billboard Hot 100-topping “Luther” and fan favorites from their respective catalogs.

As if launching a stadium tour wasn’t impressive enough, Lamar began the weekend as the first musician featured in a Gatorade commercial (April 18). He ended it as Chanel’s new brand ambassador (April 21). Talk about a victory lap!

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Outside of Kung Fu Kenny, the hip-hop and R&B worlds enjoyed winning returns to form from Wiz Khalifa and Keri Hilson, and Ryan Coogler’s Michael B. Jordan-led Sinners — which includes a new original song from Rod Wave — packed theaters across the country.

With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Leon Thomas and Halle’s heart-wrenching new duet to Sault’s latest inspirational offering. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: Leon Thomas & Halle, “Rather Be Alone”

With “Mutt” continuing to scale the Hot 100, Leon Thomas’s foot remains squarely planted on the gas pedal. For his latest single, the Grammy-winning multihyphenate tapped Grammy-nominated singer and actress Halle, whose bright, ethereal tone provides the perfect complement to his bluesy timbre. “I’d rather be alone, rather be alone/ Than in a broken home/ I’d rather be alone/ Tryin’ to do this for the both of us on my own,” they harmoniously croon in the song’s chorus. Deepening Leon’s bag of sultry, soulful, rock-infused R&B, “Rather Be Alone” trades specifically on psychedelic influences; the hazy mix accentuates the emotional turmoil both vocalists embody in their retelling of the monumental choice of personal peace over past traumas. — KYLE DENIS

Naomi Sharon, “The Only Love We Know”

Naomi Sharon is coming to grips that true self-love comes from within. “The Only Love We Know” finds the First Lady of OVO exploring that journey with an ethereal island-tinged tune, which serves as the title track of her upcoming EP. Sharon’s seductive vocals are amplified by a powerful choir. “All I got is pride, do it better/ But this love is a lie/ We can’t hold together,” she sings with clarity. When things don’t work out, the 30-year-old says it’s okay to let go and see the other side. A soothing outro feels like water washing over listeners, getting a new lease on life. — MICHAEL SAPONARA

Estee Nack & al.divino feat. ???, “American Graffiti”

Repping Lawrence and Lynn, Massachusetts, respectively, Estee Nack and al.divino let off their first single from their collab tape Coldest Combo Ever with producer Grubby Pawz, and they brought along ??? (aka The Hidden Character) along for the ride. All three of them of go crazy over Grubby’s production as they spit stream-of-consciousness street raps. — ANGEL DIAZ

Davido feat. Victoria Monét, “Offa Me” 

Davido and Victoria Monét link up on “Offa Me” to deliver a sultry, hypnotic Afro-fusion track that blends romantic tension, desire, and emotional openness. It’s a flirtatious conversation between two lovers who want to explore each other on a deeper level, both physically and emotionally. Victoria leads with vulnerability and seduction, singing, “Come and show me what it is that you’ve got to offer me.” She’s asking for more than just surface-level energy, she wants her lover to be fully present. The repeated line “take this off of me” is a metaphor for emotional layers and a literal request for intimacy. The chemistry between Davido and Victoria Monét is heavy, the beat is breezy, and the vibes are all about mutual love, respect, and attraction—a perfect track for the impending warm weather. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON

Statik Selektah feat. Westside Gunn, Joey Bada$$, Stove God Cooks, & Rome Streetz, “The Louvre”

Westside Gunn and his Griselda imprint have made posse cuts a thing again, so we can thank him for this Statik Selektah cut, essentially featuring three of the Buffalo label’s artists and Brooklyn’s Joey Bada$$, who has been getting back to rapping more consistently as his acting career has taken off. And shout out Lawrence, Massachusetts, once again, because they’re getting a lot of love on Fresh Picks today with Statik hailing from there as well. This cut is expected to be on the producer’s upcoming project Expensive Taste, due out later this year. — A.D.

Jae Stephens, “SMH”

Ahead of her stint as an opener for FLO’s Access All Areas Tour next month, rising R&B-pop star Jae Stephens has finally shared her highly anticipated “SMH” single. Building on the funky, percussive, Neptunes-evoking sonic template she opted for on 2024’s “Body Favors,” Stephens delivers an anthem for everyone juggling a roster as the summer approaches. “I got Chris, I met online/ Sean ain’t s–t but he so fine/ I might be theirs, but they ain’t mine/ I got so so so so, so many/ Hoes” she sings, nimbly moving from falsetto to conversational talk-singing cadence. Accompanied by a video featuring fellow R&B darlings Maeta and TA Thomas, Jae Stephens is ready for her takeover. — K.D.

Mozzy & Polo G, “Who Want War”

After Mozzy’s “Sleep Walkin” played a role in Black Panther, it’s fitting that the Sacramento native’s Intrusive Thoughts album arrived the same weekend Ryan Coogler released his Sinners blockbuster. A standout from Mozzy’s set narrating his street tales came in the form of a collaboration with Polo G titled “Who Want War,” which found the Chicago resident turning back to the clock with his cinematic assist. Polo gets candid about how even with his lucrative career changing his surroundings, he still can’t escape loss. “Thirty M’s in, still paying for these funerals,” he raps. — M.S.

Planta Industrial, “Oi”

This blew my mind the first time I heard it. Hailing from the Bronx, Planta Industrial is a couple of Dominicans mixing rap with punk rock, and it sounds different and refreshing. The one thing that stands out to me about their music is how Saso and AKA the Dark Knight go from rapping in English to Spanish, so effortlessly. They’re definitely carving out a lane all to themselves. Check out their other bangers “That’s My B—ch” and “Anormales.” — A.D.

Sleepy Hallow, “Girls Like Girls” 

 Sleepy Hallow’s “Girls Like Girls” dives into the emotional confusion, trust issues, and miscommunication that often come with modern relationships. In the pre-chorus, he admits he bottles up his feelings: “I might tell her I’m not okay but never tell her what’s wrong.” It’s a relatable moment of emotional distancing, fearful that if he opens up, he’ll be judged or misunderstood. Meanwhile, the girl finds her escape by partying with friends, using music and sisterhood as her coping mechanism. “Girls Like Girls” is a moody reflection on how people cope with emotional pain — some through withdrawal, others through escape. It’s a commentary on love in a time where trust is fragile, communication breaks down easily, and the healing process is often messy and personal. — C.C.

Sault, “K.T.Y.W.S.”

Four months after Mercury Prize winner Little Simz sued Grammy-nominated producer and longtime studio collaborator Dean “Inflo” Cover — which she opened up about in a recent Billboard profile — Sault (led by Cover and his wife, Cleo Sol) unleashed their 12th studio album, 10. Released just in time for Easter, the 10-track set is a sumptuous fusion of soul and Christian music, delivering heartfelt affirmations and words of inspiration at every turn. With a blend of disco, gospel and R&B on “K.T.Y.W.S” (a backronym for “Known That You Will Survive”) that recalls Kirk Franklin and the Clark Sisters’ most dancefloor-leaning offerings, 10 certainly isn’t lacking in the bop department. — K.D.

Wiz Khalifa & RMR, “Just to See You Smile”

It’s rare Wiz Khalifa gets vulnerable on melodic tracks, and he wears his heart on his sleeve with the poignant “Just to See You Smile.” Wiz dedicates the first verse to his mother as he opens up about her working two jobs to provide and the times he had to hide dealing weed from her. They’ve come a long way from the days of her driving him to his first shows. Pieced together by a sparkling chorus from RMR, Khalifa then moves into a tribute to his late older sister, who passed away in 2017. “You always showed me love, plus made me tougher/ And now that you gone, I realize I won’t get another,” Khalifa raps. While it won’t gain the mainstream acclaim of Ye’s “Hey Mama” or 2Pac’s “Dear Mama,” it’s one of the most powerful songs in Wiz’s Hall-of-Fame career, and speaks to his maturity and perspective as an artist who’s stood the test of time. — M.S.

Ovrkst. feat Samara Cyn, “Small Talk”

Two of rap’s youngest shining stars, Ovrkast. and Samara Cyn come through with a banger produced by the Bay Area MC himself. “Small Talk” puts their talents on full display as they both bring their unique flows and perspective to Ovrkast.’s laid back production in anticipation of the rapper slash producer’s upcoming project, which some are speculating is entitled While the Iron Is Hot. — A.D.

bLAck pARty, “Distant Lover”  

On “Distant Lover,” bLAck pARty delivers a dreamy, nostalgic ode to a long-distance romance that’s heavy on longing and light on drama. The track floats with smooth vocals, as he tries to bridge the gap between himself and someone who’s physically far but emotionally close. In the first verse, pARty paints the picture of an ideal connection — white wine, slow moments, and affection. “Distant lover” is both a term of endearment and a signal that this connection hasn’t fully blossomed because of the space. “Distant Lover” is about that almost-love, that “what if” connection you can’t quite shake. The track wraps that feeling of wanting someone who feels just out of reach into something beautiful and soothing.  — C.C.