After an explosive start to the year between the Grammys, Super Bowl, SNL 50 and NBA All-Star Weekend, the worlds of hip-hop and R&B have finally given us some time to catch our breath.
On Saturday evening (Feb. 22), the NAACP hosted the 56th Image Awards, where Emmy-winning host, actress and singer Keke Palmer, was crowned entertainer of the year. In the music categories, Beyoncé took home outstanding female artist and outstanding album for her Billboard 200-topping Cowboy Carter. Chris Brown emerged as the most-awarded recording artist of the night with three victories, including outstanding male artist and outstanding soul/R&B song for “Residuals.” Continuing the overlap between 2025 Grammy winners and this year’s Image Awards triumphs, Doechii took home outstanding new artist and Kendrick Lamar scored two wins for “Not Like Us.” Notably, the Cynthia Erivo-led Wicked soundtrack won outstanding soundtrack/compilation album, while Tamela Mann snagged both gospel/Christian trophies.
As the NAACP led a weekend of celebration, the hip-hop/R&B community also had to hold space for moments of mourning. Impressions singer Jerry Butler passed last Thursday (Feb. 20); The Notorious B.I.G.’s mother, Voletta Wallace, transitioned the following day (Feb. 21); and on Monday (Feb. 24), a spokesperson for soul icon Roberta Flack confirmed the Hot 100-topping, Grammy-winning artist died that morning.
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With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Rico Nasty’s comeback to Nardo Wick and 21 Savage’s latest link-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Ayoni, “2”
Built around jazzy piano chords, a pounding bass line and a sultry electric guitar, Ayoni’s latest track is a smoldering warning to those who dare test her gangster. “Simultaneously/ You were seeing her and loving me/ And now you’re here/ Lying at my front door,” she croons at the song’s onset, employing a haunting, almost sinister timbre that amplifies the cinematic nature of the track’s narrative. As the story progresses, Ayoni reserves the chorus for a moment of direct address: “I left the same time as you/ You thought you knew what I’d do/ But two could play too/ I could play you.” The scorned woman trope has gifted us with timeless R&B records going back to the Motown days, and Ayoni has found herself with a worthy addition to that canon. — KYLE DENIS
Jastin Martin, “28 Degrees In Houston”
Rising R&B star and Houston native Jastin Martin is back with her first track of 2025: “28 Degrees In Houston” is a heartfelt expression of longing, vulnerability and emotional dependency, particularly in moments of cold-weather solitude. Her smooth vocals and raw lyricism inject her explorations of relationship-minded emotions — missing someone, needing their presence, and reminiscing about past shared emotions, etc. — with gravity sourced from real-life experiences, ultimately making for a relatable joint that emphasizes the “B” in R&B. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
AzChike, “Whatx2”
Years of grinding have paid off for AzChike, who parlayed his ScHoolboy Q guest appearance and a “Peekaboo” alley-oop from Kendrick Lamar into a recent label deal with Warner Records. Chike continues to build on his momentum with his major label debut single “Whatx2.” The AzCult frontman rides the West Coast bounce in laid-back fashion, and while others are getting hip to the wave, he’s long been a believer in the movement. “She said, ‘You one of them ones,’ I’m like, ‘I’m already knowing,’” he boasts. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
Joy Postell, “Show Me”
Baltimore’s Joy Postell and producer Mighty Mark have a jam on their hands with R&B cut “Show Me.” The song has a ’90s vibe, which goes perfectly with the dating commercial VHS tapes the singer has been posting on her YouTube channel to promote it. First, there’s Vanessa, the Cancer baddie; then there’s Stacy, who’s 100 percent muscle; and finally, there’s Linda, the entrepreneur. If you’re into this song, then you’ll dig “Play Nice (Mighty Mark Remix)” from last year. — ANGEL DIAZ
Durand Bernarr feat. T-Pain, “THAT!”
Back with a new album — and his first full-length project since he earned his very first Grammy nod earlier this month — Durand Bernarr continues his unpredictable, and rewarding, artistic evolution. Featuring collaborations with GAWD and T-Pain, Bloom continues Bernarr’s commitments to exploring the breadth of what progressive R&B can sound and feel like. “That” is a tender duet built around ethereal strings, finger-picked guitar and a distinctly ’00s melody that feels plucked from a Kirk Franklin & the Family arrangement. T-Pain’s trademark Auto-Tune adds some crackling verve to the generally laid-back soundscape, but it’s the way his tone marries with Bernarr’s that makes for a silky-smooth sound whether they’re harmonizing or singing in unison. — K.D.
Busta Rhymes, Akon & Vybz Kartel, “Crazy”
A Busta Rhymes-Akon-Vybz Kartel track was not on my 2025 bingo card! Since The Worl’ Boss made his return to the public, he’s been on a mission to drop the best music possible. Kartel even teased upcoming collaborations with Cardi B, Nicki Minaj and Drake in the near future. When it comes to “Crazy,” the trio goes wild, nearly losing their minds but also celebrating how great life is. The track reflects on freedom and ultimately delivers a bold message — they can’t be stopped. — C.C.
Chxrry22, “Just Like Me”
Chxrry22 is coming through with the female empowerment bops. “Just Like Me” keeps the First Lady of XO’s momentum rolling, following a cameo on The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow album. Riding a bass line mixed with the keyboard-laden bounce of Pharrell’s “Frontin,” Chxrry has no issue boosting her man’s ego, but just know she’s one step ahead of the game. Ultimately, the Toronto singer comes around to realizing she likes them “Just Like Me.” The 23-year-old is primed to deliver her anticipated debut album this year. — M.S.
Rico Nasty, “Teethsucker (Yea3x)”
Rico Nasty has always felt a bit ahead of the times, and this could be the moment the mainstream finally syncs up with her. Introducing both her new Fueled by Ramen era and forthcoming Lethal LP — her first project since 2022’s Las Ruinas — “Teethsucker (Yea3x)” is more of the rambunctious rock-rap we’ve come to love from the DMV MC. After expressing her desire to “pop out like a titty,” Rico spits, “Not with the bull, we not bool/ I keep a tool at your medul, just hit the pool/ He got the best f–kin face, I think I’ma use him for a mule,” effortlessly maneuvering a raucous soundscape courtesy of Rayman on the Beat & Imad Royal. — K.D.
J. Cole, “cLOUDs”
“Just wanted to share,” Cole wrote via his Inevitable blog. “Made this a few days ago, then I added a second verse and was like, ‘Man I got a blog now, I can put whatever I want up there.’ I didn’t have a title 20 minutes ago when I decided to really put this up. But now I got one…” Thanks to his blog, we now have “cLOUDs”— a deep, introspective reflection on aging, change and the state of the world, layered with sharp lyricism and intricate wordplay. The song navigates life’s uncertainties, standing firm in values, and resisting the artificial influences of modern society. It’s a powerful mix of self-awareness and social critique, making it a deeply thought-provoking listen. — C.C.
Nardo Wick feat. 21 Savage, “HBK”
Nardo Wick and 21 Savage spar for the first time since colliding on Wick’s “Who Want Smoke?” breakout hit. Savage steals the show on “HBK” with another menacing feature to continue his potent run of guest appearances. The duo channels WWE superstar Shawn Michaels’ Heartbreak Kid persona, while 21 paints the picture of traveling to rival territory to hook up with a woman but knows he’s still gotta watch his back. “She stay by the opps, so when we f–k, I grip my gun,” he raps. Is there a better ad-lib in hip-hop right now than the Atlanta rhymer’s “p—y?” — M.S.
