Between Election Day (Nov. 5) and the unveiling of the 2025 Grammy nominations (Nov. 8), the week ahead promises to be one of the busiest in recent memory. The worlds of hip-hop and R&B are sure to be central to both of these events, but major intergenerational news has already made this week heavy.
Quincy Jones, a 28 Grammy-winning entertainment giant, died Sunday night (November 3) at his home in Bel Air surrounded by his family, according to his publicist. The producer behind Michael Jackson's landmark LP as well as iconic films such as The Wiz and The Color PurpleJones' contributions to music, film, television and music journalism are immeasurable and his impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.
News of Jones' death comes just days after the shocking conclusion of Young Thug's highly publicized criminal trial. The top Hot 100 rapper was sentenced to 15 years of probation and no prison time after pleading guilty in the long-running case that accused him of leading a violent Atlanta street gang. The decision shocked the hip-hop world, with everyone from Sexyy Red to TI reacting to the news. R&B singer Mariah the Scientist, Thugger's girlfriend, even is bypassed one of her shows on the Latto's Sugar Honey Iced Tea tour to go spend some time with her husband.
With fresh options, Bulletin board aims to showcase some of the best and most interesting new sounds in R&B and hip-hop — from Jordan Hawkins' ode to a “Love So Good” to Big Moochie Grape and Key Glock's latest hookup. Be sure to check out this week's fresh picks in the Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: JI, New York's Prince, “Get to Know Me”
Almost a decade after its first appearance The rap gameJI, the Prince of New York is still hot. The Brooklyn emcee is always up for a track that seamlessly blends emotional vulnerability with New York braggadocio, and “Get to Know Me” is another winning addition to his catalog. “I know you're pushing your pain away, if you're afraid to fall in love, you can at least try to love me cold/ You've been telling me about your day, now we're dancing in the rain, do you really want to know me?” he sings wistfully in a depressing R&B-inflected trap beat, courtesy of DopeBoyz and Buckroll Beats.''Get to Know Me'' clearly places JI in the lane of A Boogie wit da Hoodie — and, in turn, the legacy of New York rap ballads (shout out to LL Cool J) — but his heavy-hitting hooks and stream-of-consciousness lyrics push him somewhere a little different. JI's new track plays like a maddened apology, at times a preemptive atonement, and at other times he knows it's already overdue.
Nippa, “Pride”
London native Nippa has been steadily making waves on both sides of the pond with his hard-hitting blend of rap and R&B for quite some time now. “Pride,” a sultry Afrobeats-influenced ode to letting down and falling in love, deserves to be his biggest hit. Over a loving guitar and drum pattern that begs every waist in the room to start winking, he sings “I wonder if I try/ Take off my disguise/ I wonder how it feels to be you/ It feeds my ego, play and pick two.” The Louddaaa-helmed track is quite short, which positions it perfectly for endless remixes and an extended version to further build its atmospheric vibe.
Jordan Hawkins, “Love So Good”
Among Leon Thomas' impressive Mutt LP and ever-growing rumors of an impending rock album from Beyoncé, the union of rock and R&B has gotten noticeably stronger this year in the mainstream — and North Carolina's Jordan Hawkins has something to say. 'Love So Good', a brash, raucous fusion of soul, rock and gospel is a beautiful breath of fresh air. Launching from the top of his falsetto, Hawkins rips through his ode to a life-changing love with a passionate vocal performance that combines his light drawl with histrionic growls that effortlessly match the rousing energy of the track's instrumentation. Not too shabby for Hawkins' first solo single in 2024.
Big Moochie Grape & Key Glock, “Manifest”
The Big Moochie Grape is back. The Memphis rapper is back with his own Eat or Eat 2 sequel project on Halloween. It's a Paper Route Empire affair on “Manifest” with BMG calling on PRE honcho Key Glock for the proud “Manifest”. Big Moochie flaunted this life of luxury with some serious 'za' in his pocket and $300,000 worth of ice around his neck. For him, it was always about the dollar signs. “All these cap-a– rappers trying to fit in,” he raps over Bandplay's cinematic production. “All I want is money, I don't need no friends.” Glock takes over and slows down the pace to balance Big Moochie's fervor.
BabyTron, “Nightmare On Yo Street”
Instead of Nightmare on Elm StreetBabyTron brings a nightmare right to your block. With spooky season in full swing, Babytron adds the spookiness with “Nightmare On Yo Street.” The Detroit rapper has carved out his own lane with a signature flow that feels like he's speaking directly to you as he jams through every haunted bar. “That fight af–king gun/ Why you bring a knife,” he asks from the middle of a creepy graveyard in the official visual. It's a welcome addition to any fantasy playlist as the BabyTron comes into its own Tronics The album is released on Friday (November 8).
Ella Mai, “One of Them”
An artist like Ella Mai wouldn't normally appear in this hit column on her resume, but “One of These” is an exception to the rule. The British singer may have found her next radio crush with her romantic tribute to boyfriend and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. Mustard samples Timbaland's hollow bounce from CeeLo Green's “I'll Be Around” while Ella Mai begs the women to get them “One of these.” “Wake up in the morning, got flowers at my feet,” he sings. Although — there aren't many 20-year-old NBA stars walking the earth who could already waltz into the Hall of Fame.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/rb-hip-hop-fresh-picks-j-i-ella-mai-babytron-key-glock-1235819429/
