R&B/Hip-Hop

The rest of the world might still be folding clothes, but Kehlani is looking “Out the Window” — with tears streaking her face, heartstring-tugging production courtesy of ’00s R&B maestro Antonio Dixon and a pen that lives somewhere between smoldering bravado and disarming vulnerability. “Even my mama been asking me ’bout you/ I heard your mama been asking about me too/ But I know I’m to blame/ I played in your face, too little, too late, but,” she croons at the end of the second verse, lacing her plea for reconciliation with equal parts accountability and toxicity. From the whirring gusts of wind at the song’s opening to the key change she flirts with in the bridge, Kehlani is undoubtedly two for two. — KYLE DENIS

Bushy B cooked up his version of a smooth playa’s anthem with “Meet Me in the 305,” where he displays his suave without breaking a sweat and delivers an ode to his hometown. The laid-back Miami native tests his vocals with a melodic chorus and then spotlights a certain love interest, whom he’s looking to play travel agent with and show her everything that Vice City has to offer on a memorable night out. All you gotta do is meet him in the 305. Keep an eye out for his upcoming Lifestyle album. — MICHAEL SAPONARA

I came across detahjae a few weeks back when I was watching s—t on YouTube, and I stumbled upon his music video for “TEST?!” and I thought not only was it great, but the song bangs. “You Ready?!” is another high-energy track with another creative music video attached just in time for him to introduce the world to his sophomore album, FLARE, which he dropped today. The Bay Area rapper is definitely worth checking out. — ANGEL DIAZ

Fresh off their debut single “Top Down,” 3QUENCY, comprised of Brianna Mazzola, Nori Moore, and Wennely Quezada, return with “Once I Was a Good Girl,” a heartbreak anthem co-written by RAYE and Steve Mac, who also handles production. Built around glistening synths, crisp percussion and a hook that feels tailor-made for arena singalongs, the track captures the moment heartbreak turns into self-empowerment. “Once I was a good girl all in love,” the group begins wistfully, before flipping the narrative into triumph. “To freeze my tears, had to put you on ice,” they declare, turning vulnerability into a flex with clever wordplay and icy vocal layering. Each member brings a distinct tone, Nori’s defiance, Wennely’s ache, Brianna’s warmth, blending into harmonies that feel both nostalgic and fresh. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON

For his first solo full-length project since 2024’s Yokozuna Trill, Texas legend Bun B decided to prioritize making music for where he’s currently at in life — and for the fans that have grown up alongside him since his 1987 debut as one-half of UGK. Featuring Cory Mo, Scotty ATL and Monaleo — who recruited Bun B for an “OG Mix” of “We On Dat” last month — “I Can’t Lie” finds each rapper sliding and flexing over Cory’s soulful, luxurious production. “If you don’t work, you don’t eat, and neither do they/ So I gotta get up, get out and get it even today, man,” Bun proclaims at the end of his opening verse, providing valuable context for how he got into a position to truly pop his s—t. — K.D.

Whether he did it ironically or without realizing, 1900Rugrat assembled a couple of the biggest hunchos in rap while joining up with Atlanta’s Hunxho and Dallas newcomer HeadHuncho Amir for “Hard.” Rugrat takes a more tranquil approach on the production side, rather than turning up over the chaotic beats he typically favors. Hunxho handles chorus duties before passing the baton to Rugrat, who calls out the fake demons who are “only killer in their captions.” Amir bats third with a motivational assist, stamping himself as the voice of East Dallas. — M.S.

Armand Hammer, the duo consisting of billy woods and E L U C I D, dropped their second tape with The Alchemist over the weekend, and this beat really stood out for me. Not to mention the fact that Earl left Earth during the opening verse. Also, that flute sample reminded me of something Paul Rudd would be air playing during the end credits of a mid-2000s comedy. That doesn’t really make sense, but it kinda does once you hear it. — A.D.

Across production from Frankie Scoca and Zak Khan featuring gospel-infused keys, delicate strings, and expansive R&B textures, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter rum•gold depicts a collapsing relationship as a natural disaster, capturing love as both miracle and catastrophe. From the first note, “Act of God / Force Majeure” shifts between raw vulnerability and dramatic intensity, with layered harmonies lifting the song beyond heartbreak into something almost sacred. By the final chorus, rum•gold acknowledges his exhaustion: “I don’t wanna fight no more/ It’s the only thing I know for sure,” leaving listeners with a meditation on the sometimes-devastating power of love. — C.C.