The 2024 BET Awards — hosted by Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson — delivered the weekend's big news, with some of the biggest names in R&B, hip-hop, gospel and Afrobeats descending on Los Angeles for the ceremony.
Amid parodies of Kendrick Lamarof “Not Like Us” and countless reminders to vote in the upcoming presidential election, Tyla (best new artist and best international act) and Victoria Monet (video of the year and BET Her Award) took home two trophies each, Megan Thee Stallion opened the show with fiery tracks from her new Megan LP, and Black country stars Shaboozey and Tanner Adell debuted at their respective BET Awards.
Of course, there was that star too Usher tribute — with Monét, Teyana Taylor, Chlöe, Shake it, Keke Palmer, Children's Gambino, Marsa Ambrosios, Summer Walker, Latto and Coco Jones — which had the entire crowd on its feet, as did Usher's 15-minute acceptance speech for the lifetime achievement.
While the BET Awards took up most of the weekend talk, there were still plenty of new releases in R&B and hip-hop. With fresh options, Advertising sign aims to showcase some of the best and most interesting new sounds in R&B and hip-hop — from Lucky Daye & RAYthe new emotional duet of Flau'jae and Lil Waynehis new collaboration. Be sure to check out this week's fresh picks in the Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Lucky Daye feat. RAYE, “Paralyzed”
Lucky Daye and Raye are two of the most talented singer-songwriters in pop and R&B today, so their union was always going to be a winner. “Paralyzed”, a standout track from his new Lucky Algorithm The LP is an exquisite acoustic ballad that allows both artists' voices to take center stage. Lucky's luscious layers of backing vocals during his first verse and chrous are an absolutely haunting color to lyrics that wrestle with the anxiety that comes with living and leaving this life without your other half. By the time RAYE hits her crazy rap beat, the sparse production remains mostly unchanged, with her and Lucky's sizzling, evocative vocal chemistry becoming the song's lifeblood. “I'm not leaving, paralyzed/ Say love's easy, a pair of lies/ You know you see me, terrified/ Couple with mine, come couple with mine,” Lucky croons on the final chorus.
Flau'jae & Lil Wayne, “Came Out a Beast”
The LSU college star checks a dream collaboration off her bucket list when she links up with Lil Wayne for the thunderous “Came Out a Beast.” Flau'jae's powerful bars go toe-to-toe with Weezy for a competitive matchup with one of the best to ever pick up the pen. “I'm a millionaire and I don't have a degree,” he says. Wayne takes the baton and floats with ease, proving that the rap alien really is. “Screaming 'f–k the world' like a virgin,” Weezy says in vintage fashion, a simile we've been used to hearing for over two decades. Flau'jae should be proud of her performance, but there's a reason Wayne is truly unique in this game.
Tinashe, “Getting No Sleep”
Fresh off her biggest solo hit of the last decade with the deliciously delicious “Nasty,” Tinashe has revealed the next single from her upcoming album. Quantum Baby LP. Less in the hip-hop vein of “Nasty” and more in a PinkPantheress drum and bass space, “Getting No Sleep” finds Tinashe continuing her quest to find someone who can “match her freak.” “All week, keep the pressure high/ I got it, all quick answers,” he chills, slyly playing up the tension of time apart, which eventually gives way to passionate sleepless nights. The urgency of the D'n'B beat is the perfect complement to the “we ain't no sleep” hook. lyrically and musically, Tinahse is utterly relentless, and “Getting No Sleep” triumphs because of it.
Wolfacejoeyy, “Finsta (sexy liar)”
The Staten Island native hasn't been slowing down since his release Valentine project via Alamo Records in May. Wolfacejoeyy feels like he's on the precipice of a breakthrough. Joey returns with “Finsta (Sexy Liar)” as part of a two-pack that finds him fusing the worlds of sexy drill, pop-rap and infectious R&B into one crazy cocktail. There are layers to his simple yet complex writing, with “Finsta” serving as a prime example of his talents. Someone's “fake Instagram” is actually a glimpse into their real personality when they're not performing for society and only those closest to them have access to it. “I want to know the real you, can I have your Finsta,” she boldly asks. Our grandparents would be so proud.
Eric Benet & Tamar Braxton, “Something We Can Make Love”
Ahead of his first album since 2016's self-titled LP, four-time Grammy nominee Eric Benét returns with the Tamar Braxton-assisted duet “Something We Can Make Love To.” He opens the slow jam by crooning, “I don't know if he knows what to do when you finally decide to relax/ These moments come far and few/ In between/ I don't mind if I have to be the guy that comes to the front of your mind,” he croons over Laney Stewart's production with his warm, soulful tone. Tamar effortlessly blends Benét's breathy performance with a vocal delivery that helps the song's steady beat, ultimately ending with cathartic vocals and riffs that pay homage to the best slow jams of R&B days gone by.
Jahkoy, “Someday”
Love can be one hell of a drug. Jahkoy's “Someday” evokes a classic '90s R&B vibe that many from that era wish they could bottle up and apply to today's music landscape. The Toronto singer writes checks that he may not be able to cash the line, but he knows he has to do what he can to attract a lover. Jahkoy will do whatever it takes to keep her around, even if he can't live up to her expectations right now – a relatable topic for many out there. “Someday I'll love you the right way/ I'll leave you high in satisfaction/ Girl, I'm high on that action,” he croons while painting the picture of a fantasy life. Even if it doesn't, at least it sounds good. F–k it, we ball!
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/best-new-rb-hip-hop-lucky-daye-raye-eric-benet-tinashe-fresh-picks-1235722200/