R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: 42 Dugg & Lil Baby, Ovi Wood, Ken Carson & More

Now that the 4th of July holiday is in the rearview mirror, we're officially in the middle of summer. Despite arriving in spring (May 4), Kendrick LamarThe track's “Not Like Us” continues to dominate the cultural conversation, with the track's excellent new music video hitting YouTube on Independence Day, subsequently sending countless cookouts into a Kung Fu Kenny frenzy.

Of course, only an event like Essence Fest could top the mountains of buzz sparked by the “Not Like Us” music video. With impressive sets from Usher, Janet Jackson, Victoria Monet, SWV, Lil Wayne, Charlie Wilson and more, Essence Fest rocked New Orleans with a massive collection of acts that bridged several generations of R&B and hip-hop. Of course, growing hits from recent major album releases — like Megan Thee Stallion & Yuki Chiba's 'Mamushi' and Camila Cabello & Drake's “Hot Uptown” — continue to make waves on the Internet as the summer heat continues to heat up.

With fresh options, Advertising sign aims to showcase some of the best and most interesting new sounds in R&B and hip-hop — from the new hookup of 42 Dugg and Lil Baby to Ken Carson's ode to Emmy-nominated actress Sydney Sweeney. Be sure to check out this week's fresh picks in the Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: SAHXL & Kaash Paige, “Negligent (Remix)”

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, R&B/hip-hop artist SAHXL has been making big waves in R&B circles, and his new Kaash Paige-assisted remix of his moody track “Negligent” is sure to continue that momentum. On the Sid Mallick & CRATER-helmed track, Kaash Paige sings from the perspective of the “beautiful but messy” woman SAHXL waxes poetic about on the opening track. “You're calling me like 4 in the morning/ I don't understand why your ass is so upset/ I'm not answering, your ass is paranoid/ And that's not so cool,” he croons menacingly, deftly playing up the emotional immaturity and overall toxicity that cements the aptly titled song. While the two singers don't actually end up harmonizing together, it's a smart artistic choice that highlights their refusal to move as a unit in a weakly grounded romance.

42 Dugg feat. Lil Baby, “No Love”

42 Dugg's ominous whistle is back. The Detroit native is reuniting with “We Paid” collaborator Lil Baby as the duo looks to make another standout entry in their joint catalog. Baby sets the tone by comparing himself to '06's top Gucci Mane and letting the rap game know he's ready to take action, even with an alleged nine-figure net worth. This number may need to be checked. anyway, sounds good. The 4PF boss then passes the baton to Doug, who is surprised to discover that it's the women – supposedly – ​​who have been cracking loose lips since he's been reassembled in the free world.

Khalil, “Cancer”

In a previous life, Khalil was a close associate of his then-partner Justin Bieber. Now, with his atmospheric new single “Cancer,” the Sacramento crooner emerges as a fully realized artist in his own right. “I can't look you in the eye 'cause I'm blind, girl,” he croons softly over desolate acoustic guitar strums. Less of a full-length song and more of a snapshot of the feeling of being attracted to someone who ends up hurting you, “Cancer” uses its moody guitars to hide the bite of lyrics like, “I want you to stay tonight/ Don't me care if you're not mine anymore.''

Ken Carson, “SS”

Ken Carson decided it was time for more mayhem when he returned to jam another seven tracks on his A big mess album, turning it into A Greater Chaos. “SS” serves as an ode to film and television star Sidney Sweeney, somehow comparing her voluptuous breasts to the drums attached to his gun. X-Man even got in her comments on IG, who is seen filming his shot with the actress. The Opium rapper then goes into detail about his romantic escapades at Paris Fashion Week and ends the trip with Rolex and anyone rocking the luxury Swiss brand. “I can buy 15 Richard Milles, why get a Rolex?” he taunts.

Ovi Wood, “Trouble”

In a hazy soundscape built around hi-hats and synths, Ovi Wood tries to explain the mental torment that prevents him from emerging as the lover he'd like to be. “When my anxiety is through the roof/ I hurt bad and I feel so tired,” he sings, squeezing each word as if he's trying to fit it into the breaths of air that mark a good cry. On the one hand, “Problems” is a song about dealing with stress as it relates to romantic relationships, on the other, it's a disarmingly honest ode to the solace that music provides. “Music the only thing that brings me in/ Music the only thing that heals my wounds,” Ovi sings on the final chorus, perhaps the only time he sounds sure of anything in his life on the track.

Shordie Shordie feat. 03 Greedo, “Ride With You”

Shordie and Greedo's “Ride With You” passes the car test, and Cali's cool bounce provides the perfect soundtrack for a summer sunset cruise in the Baltimore rapper's baby blue Corvette. “Come on over, you can slide too/ I need something I can ride to,” the Warner signee melodically raps with a swagger that overflows his flow. If only the route from Sordy's Baltimore to Grindo's Watch, California was as smooth as their freshest team. The Captain Hook The rapper delivered a pair of projects in 2023 and should have more heat for the second half of 2024.