R&B/Hip-Hop

We made it! Awards season is finally over. With the Brits and the Academy Awards holding their respective ceremonies last week, the 2025 awards cycle has ended. Whether you’re still not over Beyoncé‘s Cowboy Carter victory or reeling from Wicked’s Oscar losses, you have a few weeks to grieve and celebrate before we start all over again.
At the Brits (March 1), Charli XCX swept with five wins, capping off her career-shifting Brat era. Raye took home best R&B act for a second consecutive year, Stormzy won best hip-hop/grime/rap act and singer-songwriter Myles Smith was named Rising Star. The following night (March 2), Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande opened the Oscars with a goosebump-inducing medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, “Home” from The Wiz and “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, honoring the staggering legacy of the classic American story. Erivo’s rendition of “Home” previewed Queen Latifah‘s performance of “Ease On Down the Road” later in the ceremony. The hip-hop legend and Oscar-nominated actress played The Wiz anthem in honor of the late Quincy Jones, the first Black composer nominated for best original song.

And, of course, Oscar host Conan O’Brien found a way to joke about the Kendrick Lamar–Drake beef.

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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 RealestK’s heartfelt new ballad to Fridayy and Meek Mill’s emotional collaboration. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: Avenoir, “Art of War”

South African-born, Alberta-raised R&B singer-songwriter Avenoir is yet another rising Canadian star looking to pick up the $$$4U torch and run with it. Teaming up with longtime collaborator and fellow producer YMC, “Art of War” finds Avenoir settling into a sparkling alt-R&B fantasia complete with ebullient synths and lush keyboard chords cradling his breathless falsetto. “Don’t use a soft tongue when you speak of love/ Curse the mouth that speaks the flame on us/ Show devotion, never hide the truth/ Love is war and that’s just principle,” he croons at the end of a single stream-of-conscioussness verse, which quickly gives way to a Prince-esque instrumental breakdown in the outro. — KYLE DENIS

Fridayy & Meek Mill, “Proud of Me”

Fridayy and Meek Mill are bonded by the loss of their fathers. While Meek’s dad passed when he was a kid and Fridayy lost his pops over FaceTime last year, the pain never subsides. Even when his album was turned in, the Philly-bred singer pulled up on Meek in NYC at the 11th hour, and greatness came out of that 12-hour studio session with the powerful “Proud of Me.” Meek broke his writer’s block and delivered an early guest verse of the year candidate. “Scared to show up at your grave ’cause I might try dig you out/ Like you know I did this shit for you/ Never heard you say it back, still be like, ‘I miss you too,’” he raps, sending shivers through the spines of every listener around the globe. — MICHAEL SAPONARA

Jaz Karis & Kenyon Dixon, “LYTM (Remix)”

South London R&B star Jaz Karis dropped “LYTM Remix,” featuring multi-GRAMMY nominee Kenyon Dixon. Originally produced by Camper for her debut album Safe Flight, “LYTM” — which stands for “Love You That Much” — is about knowing when to love someone from a distance. Kenyon Dixon adds a new layer to the track, reflecting on his verse, “Sometimes the best way to love someone is to step back, even when it hurts.” The song captures the bittersweet pain of letting go when love still lingers but staying would mean repeating the same mistakes. From the start, there’s a sense of powerlessness — “It’s out of my hands, it’s out of the question/ ’Cause you were the one who made the decision.” A mature, soul-stirring take on heartbreak, “LYTM Remix” is a reminder that sometimes walking away is the ultimate act of love. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON

Wiz Khalifa & LaRussell, “I Might Be”

Wiz has been back in his blog era bag lately with all the music he’s been dropping. This track is no different, as he and the Bay’s LaRussell go off about their come-up and consistent hustle, over this smoothed out Mike G Beatz production for all the playas with popped collars and good weed out there. Make sure to play this in the morning when you’re getting to the money. — ANGEL DIAZ

1900Rugrat & Lil Yachty, “Bussin Baby”

Well over a decade since changing the rap game as a pioneer of Chicago drill, Chief Keef’s influence traveled south to burgeoning rhymers like 1900Rugrat. 19 teams up with Yachty for “Bussin Baby” and with Lil Boat being an artistic chameleon, he has no issue meshing with the eerie trap production. Rugrat bats second, and references his turbulent relationship with his mother, who kicked him out of the house while growing up. “Ma dukes kicked me out soon as that money hit, swear she miss me,” he raps. South Florida got another one. — M.S.

Johnny Venus & 6LACK, “So Beautiful”

“So Beautiful” paints a vivid picture of infatuation and deep attraction, blending romantic admiration with an almost addictive longing. Johnny Venus sets the tone with a chorus that expresses an overwhelming desire to stay connected, comparing love to a drug he can’t resist. His verses reinforce the urgency of living in the moment, emphasizing that time is fleeting and there’s no point in holding back feelings. 6LACK’s verse builds on this theme, exploring the intensity of a relationship that feels both exhilarating and consuming. He acknowledges the risks of falling too deep but embraces the possibility of something extraordinary. His lyrics balance vulnerability with confidence, expressing a willingness to commit while letting his partner choose their own path. The song’s repeated hook reinforces the sheer admiration felt for the subject, describing them as “so, so beautiful,” both physically and emotionally. — C.C.

Fatboi Sharif & Driveby, “Battlestar Galactica”

I once watched Driveby do some s–t during a beat set on a Jersey City rooftop that I’ve never seen before. It’s still hard to describe, but he was building a beat live, and had this motion sensor machine that allowed him to speed up and slow down the beat without touching it. So, when I peeped that he was doing a project with fellow Jersey native Fatboi Sharif, I had to show love. I’ve never watched the show, but I’m positive this is what the space in Battlestar Galactica sounds like. — A.D.

RealestK, “Deja Vu”

Toronto native RealestK delivers a downcast, plaintive reflection on the phenomenon of seeing and recognizing your true love for who they are at multiple points throughout your life. “Is it me, or is it parts of me that I can never understand?/ Too many things in life where I might need a helping hand/ And all you wanna do is play all these games/ And put it all on me,” he coos over an ethereal soundscape of swirling synths and strings. His gentle voice plays well against how spacious the mix feels, but his haunting ad-libs truly round out his disarming introspection. — K.D.

Juhovah, “Rooftop Dinner”

You never know when you’re going to meet “the one” in life, but preparation is key. Juhovah ruminates about the woman of his dreams and wants to make sure his paper is properly stacked before it’s go-time. “Don’t reach for the check, lady, I’m a big tipper,” he raps. The North Carolina native can switch lanes with ease between trunk-rattling bars and moody R&B. After pressing play on “Rooftop Dinner,” make sure to check out his impressive 2024 project Soft Girl Era. — M.S.

Aqylia, “Wolf”

“Wolf” captures the emotional exhaustion and betrayal in a toxic relationship. Aqylia calls out their partner for manipulative behavior, stating, “You playing in my face now/ Don’t pull me on your way down.” The chorus uses the “crying wolf” metaphor to describe how the partner’s lies make trust impossible, with lines like, “You and truth are incompatible.” In the second verse, the partner’s actions are so unreliable that they would “leave me for dead” if Aqylia let her guard down. The bridge exposes how the partner craves drama and attention, creating emotional strain. By the end, Aqylia refuses to fall for the lies, making a final statement of strength. The song is a powerful declaration of self-worth over manipulation, a track that everyone dealing with a tough relationship can use as motivation. — C.C.

Ray Vaughn, “Cemetery Lanterns”

Back with a hard-hitting, percussive cut helmed by The Rayo and Kyu Steed, rising TDE star Ray Vaughn has delivered yet another knockout single ahead of his forthcoming The Good, The Bad & The Dollar Menu EP. “What’s the point of a rep if you dead by a summer?/ You think them n—as gon’ love you like momma or brother, huh?/ You think the hood gon’ cry for you like your niece will?/ Your big homie cold if he telling you you should keep still,” he venomously spits, positing tough questions about the dark underbelly of gang culture amidst a gripping narrative that furthers his progression as an MC and writer. — K.D.