This week’s new releases represent a wide range of styles and sounds, some really adventurous new music from established acts, and some bold sounds from rising stars. It’s that period of summer when everyone knows people are clamoring for new music, and artists are delivering the goods.
Blxst drops his new album, and we get a new project from Harlem’s own Jim Jones. And we get a stunning new track from none other than, Rapsody; while we also are gifted a pair of collaborations that tie together southern rap royalty.
Ludacris and GloRilla team up for a new single, and we also a luxury rap anthem from icons Rick Ross and T.I. Afrobeats is well-represented this week, with a new banger from Ayra Starr, and Jacquees delivers the goods alongside Juvenile on his newest track.
We also have some high-profile drops from YG, Polo G and a scorcher from Larry June.
Each week, Okayplayer will deliver a roundup of all the latest new heat from some of our favorite artists. Check out the latest offerings in our playlist below:
NEW SONGS
LUDACRIS FEAT. GLORILLA – “REAL HUSTLA”
The three-time GRAMMY winning rapper/actor/entrepreneur teams up with spicy girl from Memphis for a brand new single. Two generations of Dirty South swagger and it marks the first-ever collaboration between these hip-hop titans.
RICK ROSS FEAT. T.I. – “MAHOGANY CASKETS”
Two rap veterans sharing a victory lap. The new track helps set the vibe for Ross’ expected big summer–which includes his upcoming album dropping in July. Luxury rap at it’s finest.
JACQUEES FEAT. JUVENILE – “LICK BACK”
He’s dropped a few singles lately, harkening back to his classic sound. His latest features NOLA rap legend Juvie, with a fun and energetic guest verse. This is a collaboration that works so well you wonder why it took so long.
FOUSHEÉ – “DRIVE”
The eclectic singer-songwriter and guitarist delivers on her newest track. It’s a rollicking bit of garage rock, with a thumping groove that evokes the early 2000s in all the best ways.
YG FEAT. JID & AB-SOUL – “INSECURE”
More and more hip-hop artists are opening up about their anxieties, and emotional struggles–both in interviews and in their music. The Compton superstar delves deep on this powerful collaboration with JID and Ab-Soul–the latest track from his upcoming album.
TREVOR JACKSON, SMINO, LUKE BORCHELT, SADIE ROSE VAN & THE V.C.U. BLACK AWAKENING CHOIR – “GOTTA BE US (BE THE PEOPLE)”
It’s a song about how each of us has an important role to play in our country today. A charge to build towards the future, one community at a time. Produced by Grammy–nominated producer Poo Bear.
AYRA STARR – “TORNADO”
Produced by Skillies, Shizzi, and RiotUSA, it has all the bouncy qualifications to be a summer anthem. It sears itself into your brain and stays there, with Ayra brand of brassy confidence front and center over production that makes you want to move.
ERIC BENET – “WHO’S GONNA SAVE US?”
The veteran singer-songwriter reaches back to an early ’70s funk base for a song with a message that sounds like it was inspired by that era philosophically, as well. Benet himself has acknowledged it’s about searching for answers.
RAPSODY FEAT. KARABO YA MORENA CHOIR – “GOD GOT A AFRO”
A spiritually charged anthem celebrating Black identity, beauty, and divine reflection, it’s a track that finds Rapsody delivering the kind of thought-provoking, culture-shifting artistry that has made her one of the most respected voices of her generation.
POLO G – “WEIGHT ON MY SHOULDERS”
An almost entirely drumless track, it carries a somber but also anthemic spirit, and features Polo at his most melodic. It never lets things get to melancholy, as the artist displays some of the most confessional subject matter we’ve seen.
LALA – “DO BETTER”
An infectious new track from the singer-songwriter out of Hell’s Kitchen. Her New York City upbringing has always shone through her jazz-influenced R&B and pop and her new single is irresistible.
4FARGO FEAT. TY DOLLA $IGN & HONEY BXBY – “POSTED ALONE” (REMIX)
The Decatur, Georgia-based singer/songwriter delivers another simmering track laced with pronounced trap influences. And he’s got two stellar guest stars riding shotgun. Dolla $ign, especially, delivers the goods here.
KAYLEE AMERI – “BETTER THAN DIGITAL $EX”
The New Jersey-based artist has always benefitted from a playful confidence. She shines on this sassy new track, laced with innuendo and benefiting from an irresistible groove.
MAXO KREAM – “TIME OUT”
The rapper’s gritty lyricism and vivid storytelling have always been his calling cards; and his Southwest Houston swagger remains front and center in all that he does. Texas rap is in good hands.
KID INK – “NO PLAY”
Can’t help but respect an artist who pushes himself and his audience to new places. Nonetheless, Ink surprised his fans with the release of this brand new single. Here’s hoping this is a glimpse of what will lead to a new project.
PELL FEAT. KOTA THE FRIEND – “THRU THE LINES”
The New Orleans artist joins forces with Brooklyn rapper Kota for this laid back showcase. An effervescent track that benefits from groovy production married to Kota’s impressive lyricism, it highlights the easy collaborative energy between these two.
KHAL!L – “MY FEET”
The vibrant singer, songwriter, and producer from Milwaukee has always possessed a sound that organically fuses R&B, pop, and electronic influences. He stretches out on his latest.
CHERRELLE – “THIS TIME”
One of the defining voices of post-disco R&B. The veteran R&B star returns with a new single, and she reminds everyone that she has always had a knack for singles that you just can’t shake.
TAY-K – “EVERYWHERE I GO/ERUPT”
From prison, the artist has delivered this new release that features two tracks. One of which is the previously unreleased, “Everywhere I Go,” and the other is “Erupt,” which surfaced online a while back.
MIKE D – “TRUE COLORS”
The veteran emcee and former Beastie Boy has a new solo album coming in August, and this is the third single from the forthcoming project. Can’t help but be excited for what Diamond has got cooking.
LARRY JUNE – “THE MACHINIST”
June delivers a song that sounds built for summer. A road trip anthem of the highest order, it features June also putting forth one of his best performances. Gotta love when an artist sounds truly inspired on a track.
PARALLEL THOUGHT & FATBOI SHARIF – “PARALLEL PARADOX”
The production outfit Parallel Thought will be dropping their new album, The Third Allegory, later this month. The project will be primarily instrumental, except for a few tracks with vocals by Sharif, including this one.
AKTHESAVIOR – “BLESSINGS”
Beginning his career as one half of The Underachievers, he continues his solo streak. Nobody does a better job of blending introspective, boom-bap, and lo-fi hip-hop.
JAY EXODUS, BIG GATES & JAY WORTHY – “SCARED MONEY”
Buffalo to his core, Exodus has distinguished himself with his unique blend of lifestyle rap and versatile sounds; and here, he teams up with two of the realest.
MYCHELLE – “SUNDAY AFTERNOON”
The Hackney singer-songwriter’s new song is an exploration of the the fear that can come with presenting your most vulnerable self. She has a voice that can convey so much emotion.
OPEN MIKE EAGLE & KENNY SEGAL FEAT. HEMLOCK ERNST – “UNFINISHED CONCRETE INITIALS”
Open Mike Eagle is remarkably consistent–as is Kenny Segal. Their collaborative project is coming in August, and the announcement came with this new track with Hemlock Ernst. Can’t wait to hear the rest of what’s coming.
ROY WOODS – “TRUST AND BELIEVE”
The latest from the singer/rapper out of Ontario. Ontario. He has mastered his signature “late-night driving” sound on an effort that seamlessly blends contemporary R&B, hip-hop, and pop-rap.
ARMANI WEST – “BASKETBALL”
Yes, there is a lot going on in the world, but sometimes you just have to appreciate an artist giving you something bouncy and fun. Salute to West’s charmingly catchy single.
PLAQUEBOYMAX – “THONG SONG”
You can tell he knew this was going to get everyone talking. A track that features heavily autotuned vocals and a whole lot of raunchy–it’s a no holds barred anthem from Max.
BBYKOBE – “ERL”
The producer with a knack for basslines, who has also been blessed with a remarkable melodic instinct; he’s nonetheless taken the long road to his own artistic endeavors. This is an offering from his forthcoming mixtape.
LIV EAST – “FEVER DREAM”
Officially announcing her debut album and Jazz Cafe headline show this year – the singer from East Londoner is one of the UK’s rising new voices. She drops this hazy, hypnotic track, that highlights how unique her sonic approach can be–while still maintaining a soulful core.
ERICK THE ARCHITECT – “NO DOUBT (I THINK I’M IN LOVE)”
Brooklyn-born rapper, producer, and founding member of Flatbush Zombies makes his Mass Appeal debut. Part disco, part dub – the song feels like that moment when summer starts: carefree and flirtatious, it captures the rush of being completely wrapped up in someone.
LIL TWIST – “TEXAS RAISED”
The rhymer has always played by his own rules, but he continues to deliver music that pushes him forward. His latest is an ode to his home state, the kind of track that he pours himself into completely.
H3ADBAND – “MOVE YOUR BODY”
The former college bball standout might know what he’s doing. His latest track is the kind of song the rising Baton Rouge star does in his sleep–the kind that has everybody jigging, jumping, and moving.
SUNSHINE BENZI – “WAKO / EASTSIDE”
The former is a no-frills cut that finds the redheaded rapper rhyming over a woozy, shape shifting trap instrumental. The latter? It’s all about affirmation; as she flexes her recent accomplishments as an emerging artist.
NEW ALBUMS
BLXST – ‘LABOR OF LOVE’
Entirely self-written and produced by the artist, his new project finds him reconnecting with the foundation that first inspired his journey in music. Built around themes of love, perseverance, fatherhood, and personal growth.
JIM JONES – ‘THE LANDLORD’
Inspired by his real-life experiences navigating challenges with the landlord while building out his new multimedia facility, Jimmy’s new album reflects both his evolution as an artist and his mindset as a businessman.
MICKEY DIAMOND & BIG GHOST LTD – ‘BLOOD OF THE LAMB’
Diamond has built a name for himself with his signature deep-voiced delivery and a gritty lyricism that could only come from Detroit. His work with the atmospheric boom-bap producer has always delivered the goods.
BABYCHIEFDOIT – ‘RISE AGAINST MY BROKEN ODDS’
The short name for the project is R.A.M.B.O. and that title is wholly appropriate. This is aggressive, unrelenting music that best showcases his growth as an artist. The blistering production makes it perfect for a workout soundtrack.
MELVIN RILEY – ‘NO A.I.’
You know the voice. The legendary singer, songwriter and producer–best known as lead vocalist behind history-making R&B group Ready for the World–drops his new project.
FREDDY STONE & Q NO RAP NAME – ‘REAL LIFE, VOL. 1’
A masterclass in modern, stripped-down hip-hop, pairing Stone’s precise and evocative lyricism and raw vocal delivery with gritty, sample-laced beats. If you love hip-hop with no frills and soulfully rich–with a little dustiness–this is for you.
DON GUNNA – ‘CRACK MUSIC 3’
His hardcore, street rap aesthetic has always positioned him as a torchbearer for a kind of Philly rap that goes all the way back to acts like Steady B and Schoolly D. But he’s also seemed comfortable positioning himself as the voice of the future.
HEADHUNCHO AMIR – ‘ALL MY INTENTIONS REAL’
He’s one of the genre’s great motivators. His latest album showcases how much he knows himself as an artist and can play to his strengths. One part Jeezy street upward mobility, another part Rozay luxury ambition.
HUTCH – ‘ON THE EDGE OF THE EARTH’ (EP)
His mind is grounded yet out of this world. On his new EP, he delves into resilience, emotional awareness, and observation, using the music to come face-to-face with a history shaped by a turbulent adolescence.
LIL RAE – ‘THE GODFATHER 2’
The rising Atlanta-based drill rapper has gained traction for his street-wise narratives and frequent collaborations, but his new project is driven by his own production skills and sharp perspective.
KODAK BLACK – ‘KODAK THE BLESSING’
He delivers a solid trap long player on his new project. And it’s consistent without being limited: Black sounds at home in the club, dropping bars for the streets, and delivering heartfelt introspection in between.
KELS – ‘DIRTY BLUES PRINCESS’ (EP)
A raw, genre-blending debut from the Pittsburgh native. She covers a lot of musical ground across this EP: fearlessly melding blues, alternative, and R&B into a bold, emotionally charged sound all her own.
FLY ANAKIN – ‘(THE) FOREVER DREAM’S NIGHT SHIFT’
The rapper/producer out of Virginia has always had a knack for soulful beats that stay firmly outside-the-box. His unique flow always sounds best against his most ambitious soundscapes, he drops some of his most elastic rhymes here.
G HERBO – ‘LIL HERB: LIL HEROIN EDITION’
The deluxe version of Lil Herb that adds a whopping 17 new tracks to the project. This expanded release features guest appearances from Skilla Baby, Ty Dolla $ign, Polo G, and YK Dee.
ECHSTACY – ‘3 PACK’ (EP)
Skittering rage rap that never stops to let you play catch-up. The underground hip-hop artist frequently comes armed with infectious beats and high-energy samples and this time around, he’s leaning into the noise.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.okayplayer.com ’
