When Beyoncé drops, people stop and listen. And that's exactly what happened with the release of her incredibly ambitious 27-track Cowboy Carter LP last weekend (March 29). While the record is framed by Queen Bey's exploration of country music's black roots and her own more southern family roots in Texas, Louisiana and Alabama, there are still healthy doses of the R&B we all know and love from her, courtesy of collaborators who they range from Pharrell Williams and Raphael Saadiq to The-Dream and Nile Rodgers.
Remarkably, some hip-hop and R&B artists have been able to overcome this Cowboy Carter drowning. Ye (fka Kanye West) predictably waded into the Drake-Kendrick Lamar back-and-forth, claiming that “there's only one GOAT” and that he “washed” both artists on past collaborations. Tyla, who is currently enjoying the release of her debut studio album, covered the latest Advertising sign print issue and revealed why pulling out of Coachella was “the right decision.” Of course, the Head Barb herself, Nicki Minaj, stayed in the news circle with the announcement of her first sneaker collection, a winning performance at Madison Square Garden, and an appearance at the Knicks game with her family (March 31).
With fresh options, Advertising sign aims to showcase some of the best and most interesting new sounds in R&B and hip-hop — from Beyoné and Shaboozey's thrilling onslaught to Felix Ames' new single. Be sure to check out this week's fresh picks in the Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Tyrese, “I Would Still Say I Do”
A sweeping eight-minute tribute to the longevity of marriage, Tyrese's “I Would Still Say I Do” is also a tender love letter to tasteful, old-school soul. The “Sweet Lady” singer teases this track on his official Instagram account — where he also subtly documents the making of his upcoming seventh studio album — and it was totally worth the wait. Shuffling strings and rich piano serve as anchors for an arrangement that swells into a mini-orchestra, incorporating jazzy bits along the way. “How foolish it would be/ To gamble it all away after you've lost everything/ And nothing here makes sense/ Love is worth whatever the consequence,” he wails in a tone that deftly balances longing with true devotion. The theme is reminiscent of 2015's “I Still Do”. Black Rosebut with even more finesse and gravity.
Beyoncé, Linda Martell & Shaboozey, “SPAGHETTII”
“Genres are a funny little concept, aren't they?/ Yeah, they are,” laughs country pioneer Linda Martell at the start of “Spaghetti,” a gunshot Western soundtrack hosted on Beyoncé's latest project, Cowboy Carter. Here, Beyoncé acts as a bridge between country's past (Martell) and a fearlessly innovative future shaped by notes of southern hip-hop, via herself and rising country star Shaboozey.
With a rap verse bearing the unmistakable dual imprints of both Jay-Z and The harder they fallQueen Bey's soundtrack asserts power and dominance over everything in her path. Within the context of the album, “Spaghettii” is a clever sonic juxtaposition and thematic complement to its previous track, which finds Bey performing a murder fantasy — “I ain't in no gang, but I get shooters and I bang!” The lyric is the bridge between the two — while blending the sounds of country and classical music. Oh, did we mention he does all of this to a Brazilian funk sample?
Doechii featuring JT, “Alter Ego”
An Ayesha Erotica sample + a Tampa-Miami connection + an Azealia Banks-type flow = a bop. The equation is really that simple. Are the synths of 'Show Me Love' a bit predictable? Yes, but that doesn't mean it isn't still a worthy addition to the song. On “Alter Ego,” Doechii and JT join forces for another wicked anthem, but with one foot in the world of house music and the other dipping its toes into historic Miami Bass-infused hyperpop, the track fresh, even if the subject is far from it. Although “Alter Ego” is less directly accessible than “What It Is,” it's still a winning showcase of both female prowess and individuality. “Fuck these n—as and these b–ches/ I come through and they're crickets/ I come through and the moods change”/ I'm the trouble, I'm the bad guy,” JT spits.
Felix Ames, “Mr. Weather”
As Milwaukee's hip-hop scene continues to enjoy its moment in the spotlight, Felix Ames holds the city's soul scene together. With “Mr. Weatherman” — which serves as the lead single for his upcoming deluxe edition JENA, his debut LP in 2023 — sings as much about life's most pointless moments as it does about searching for the reassurance and comfort that there really is a light at the end of the tunnel. “I don't know where I'm going, but I'm going fast,” he shouts before pleading, “Mr. Meteorologist, tell me something better.” For New Yorkers, these verses will have a particular impact, given spring's reluctance to stick around for more than two days at a time. To everyone, “Mr. Weatherman” evokes the solace that people crave in the face of times that are both tumultuous and unprecedented.
Machine Gun Kelly & Trippie Redd, “Beauty”
With this new track, Machine Gun Kelly and Trippie Redd try to navigate finding the “beauty” in the breakdown. The duo from Ohio are back to bring the emo rap for them genre: sad joint project and track two is an early standout from the 10-song project. Built around a layered Frou Frou “Let fall” sample, MGK does most of the heavy lifting in his hook and numb verse, while touching on substance abuse, addiction and depression. “21 days clean that won't break a habit/ 22 days later, I'm addicted/ I lost a real one, so I went and tattooed him/ Can't eat, can't sleep, life don't Never mind,” he raps. MGK and Tripp join forces by looking inward to face their demons and turn these painful experiences into cathartic art.
DJ Premier & Snoop Dogg, “Can U Dig That?”
Pour it into the veins of hip-hop purists. DJ Premier's signature scratches combined with Snoop Dogg's West Coast style make for a laid-back boom-bap rap cocktail here. It's a sight to see when a pair of genre stalwarts are still raising the bar three decades into their Hall of Fame careers. “We did this s–t, mane, ‘round 25, 26/ S–t, I don’t know, we just did,” Snoop reflects on his long relationship with Preemo, in what was typically a young person. sport. The Dog Killer thought about his joint while cruising his lowrider and takes a second to show some love to his Cali peers who also changed the game like 2Pac, E-40, Ice Cube and Eazy-E. Unfortunately, “Can U Dig That?” appears to be a one-off and not the first collaboration project from Snoop and Preemo.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/best-new-rb-hip-hop-beyonce-shaboozey-doechii-jt-tyrese-1235646035/
