Between Megan Thee Stallion's “Hiss” and Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar's “Like That,” hip-hop sounds like war in 2024. Now, as Halloween approaches, peace may be the new name of the game.
On Friday (October 18), Young Thug wrote on X, “@Drake @1future @MetroBoomin we all bruddas. Music isn't the same without us working together.” The Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping rapper — who has collaborated with all three of the rappers he mentioned — appeared on We Don't Trust Youthe joint Billboard 200 album between Future and Metro, which sparked the Lamar-Drake feud via “Like That.” Future didn't respond to Thugger's post, but shared it on his own page, prompting fans to speculate about a truce that would mark one of the most shocking battles in modern hip-hop.
Lamar, for his part, didn't acknowledge the post — but sat down with SZA for an interview in his latest issue Harper's Bazaarin which he details what 'Not Like Us' means to him. Megan, whose “Hiss” also took aim at Drizzy, announced its release Megan: Action IIa deluxe reissue of June's self-titled LP, which topped the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. On October 25, the revamped set will arrive just six days before that In Her Words The documentary premieres on Prime Video on Halloween (October 31).
In legal news, Diddy was hit with another round of lawsuits on Sunday (Oct. 20), including a shocking allegation that he “drugged and raped a thirteen-year-old girl at a house party” in the presence of unnamed celebrities (who also participated in the assault) after the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000.
With fresh options, Bulletin board aims to showcase some of the best and most interesting new sounds in R&B and hip-hop — from Dajah Dorn's '90s ode to Jordan Adetunji and Lil Baby's new connection. Be sure to check out this week's fresh picks in the Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Dajah Dorn, “90s Fine”
The current era's obsession with the 90s is already intolerable, but if it gives us more records like Dajah Dorn's “90s Fine,” then by all means, keep it going. “They love my southern attitude/ Doing what I want, I'm an R&B diva, alright/ I just got my way/ Nothing weighs me down, I'm up now,” she raps over a laid-back drum-heavy hip-hop soul beat reminiscent of the subtle sensuality of the 90s Mary J. Blige. As the pre-chorus kicks in and morphs into the hook, Dajah sharpens her straight-singing delivery, her honeyed tone and soft vibrato complementing the indifferent soundscape of Buda and Grandz & Saint Cassius. It's not often that a '90s-inspired song doesn't sound like a creation of a track from that era, but leave it to Dajah to really deliver.
Nija, “Unruly”
In between writing Hot 100 hits for Ariana Grande (“Positions)” and tracks for Grammy-winning Beyoncé Renaissance LP (“Cozy”), New Jersey multi-link Nija still finds time to write some beats for herself. “Unruly,” her first solo offering since 2022's “Love Like This,” extends her residency in the moody drill-meets-R&B lane she helped cultivate with 2022 Don't say I didn't warn you. “Rude, unruly/ They don't come as bad as this, no/ One by one,” she proclaims over a swaggering beat that nods more to sexy drill than its hideous ancestor. With her lyrical embrace of raucous freedom when it comes to her love life—and life in general—Nija offers a worthy female perspective in the still-rabid era of NYC practice.
Ari Lennox, “Smoke”
Back with her first solo song of the year, Ari Lennox is throwing it back to Motown. Lennox has been open about both her struggle with social media and her journey to sobriety, and she lets all her frustration out on “Smoke.” “Speak now/I might just slap a bitch in the face/ She might blow up/ You're lucky I just light my wise,” he promises on the second verse of his doo-wop-infleceted, BongoByTheWay- caravan. Driving “Smoke” is Ari's impassioned vocal delivery, her piercing timbre ringing out across the track and nailing the sense of urgency that anchors the hook. “Save all your f— for me/ I want all the smoke,” she proclaims — and gives us no choice but to believe her wholeheartedly.
Lexa Gates & Zeelooperz, “Sweet.. Time”
Lexa Gates is here with her Elite boat debut album after spending the last 12 hours until the project arrived in a glass box in the middle of a New York park. Brassy woodwinds create a jazzy backdrop for Gates to weave her way through a timeless beat that could have come from any of the past few decades. “Sweet.. Time” showcases Gates' full repertoire as a talented singer-rapper, and she doesn't waste a second punching listeners in the chest. “I love you so much I want to kill myself,” he pleads, before finally passing the baton to Detroit's Zeelooperz for some spicy help.
Jordan Adetunji & Lil Baby, “Choices”
If something ain't broke, don't fix it. Jordan Adetunji builds on the smash hit Billboard Hot 100 hit “Kehlani” with “Options,” featuring an appearance from Lil Baby. JA continues to experiment with melodies, but installs a similar bass drum pattern that was drummed into fans' heads on “Kehlani.” Mates are only as loyal as their choices and Adetunji has many avenues to explore but prefers to hone in on a specific love interest. Lil Baby is making it two for two when he linked up with singers recently after his 4batz collaboration last month.
Sofia Ly, “Needy”
Romance and an acoustic guitar has been a cathartic formula for R&B success throughout the genre's existence. Sofia Ly returns with her second single “Needy,” as the Cambodian-Canadian singer peels back the layers of a tumultuous relationship while vulnerably sifting through her insecurities. “I wanted Needy to feel like having a conversation with myself,” she says of the poignant track. “It's fighting that inner voice when you're not sure if someone's still interested, and how easy it is to second-guess everything when they start to drift away.” Essentially, love fades but scars last forever. The 19-year-old recently signed a deal with LiveHelpLive/Pulse Records and is a name to keep an eye on.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/best-new-rb-hip-hop-songsjordan-adetunji-nija-ari-lennox-1235806815/
