R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh picks of the week: Moses Sumney, FLO, Kitschkrieg and more

The Olympics are still in full swing, so naturally Snoop Dogg and Beyoncé continue to be central figures at this year's Games.

Between cheering for a horse named Gin & Juice with longtime collaborator and friend Martha Stewart and starting an impromptu dance party with Simone Biles, Snoop Dogg would take home the gold medal if there was an Olympic event for best celebrity personality. After introducing Team USA with “Ya Ya,” Queen Bey used another Cowboy Carter track — the Willie Jones-assisted “Just for Fun” — for a special ad commemorating Simone Biles. The Beyoncé-women's fitness crossover didn't stop there. All three women who took the podium in the final floor tribute used Beyoncé tracks in their routines. Gold medalist Rebecca Andrade (Brazil) dropped to “End of Time,” silver medalist Biles (USA) included “Delresto (Echoes)” in her medley, and bronze medalist Jordan Chiles (USA) soared to a medley of ” Black Parade”. 'My House', 'Cuff It', 'Energy' and 'Lose My Breath' by Destiny's Child.

In non-Olympics news, Kanye “Ye” West and Ty Dolla $ign finally came out Vultures 2Drake and Partynextdoor announced a new joint album for release this fall, and The LOX delivered an instant classic performance at the Tiny Desk.

With fresh options, Advertising sign aims to showcase some of the best and most interesting new sounds in R&B and hip-hop — from FLO's latest banger to Moses Sumney's heartbreaking new ballad. Be sure to check out this week's fresh picks in the Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: Moses Sumney, “Love's Refrain”

Ominous choruses, haunting visuals and a range-crushing vocal performance are the staples of “Love's Refrain,” Moses Sumney's stunning new closer Sophcore ER. “I lied/ I'm in love all the time/ I bring for the kiss of death, no reciprocation,” opens the first verse, carefully setting up a poignant tale of unrequited love juxtaposed with these boundaries of heterotypical kisses and the fluidity of platonic and romantic relationships. A master of cold, introspective electronic R&B, Sumney's voice is especially cold here. his longing holds literary longing for centuries.

Mudbaby Ru, “40 Mo' Reasons”

Following the success of his spontaneous single “40 Sum Reasons”, Mudbaby Ru hits the block to double down with the charismatic “40 Mo' Reasons”. Originally from Arkansas, Ru tells racy street stories while comparing himself to legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick and bragging about sleeping with an opp's mom while dancing on his grave. A hilarious exchange with Siri adds a comedic touch to the track's outro. It's about that time for Mudbaby's debut album.

FLO, “Control”

FLO have garnered a lot of love for their Y2K pop&B references, but they keep those allusions to the visuals of their latest single, “Check.” Accompanied by a music video that pays homage to Beyoncé's 'Check on It', the UK girl group lays their raw harmonies over a skittish beat just a little further from Miami bass. It's basically FLO meets PinkPantheress… so don't be surprised if you come across a remix with the top artist ahead of the trio's performances on Kehlani's upcoming Crash World tour.

Sugarhill Ddot & PnB Rock, “Lamborghini Dreams”

PnB Rock was tragically murdered on the West Coast in September 2022, and nearly two years later, his first posthumous guest verse lands on Sugarhill Ddot 2 sides of the story the first disk. Rock's scream opens the lucid 'Lamborghini Dreams', where he eerily touches death. “I almost died behind the whip, I had to slow down,” he sings. The Harlem native colors outside the lines of his melodic world and name drops Soulja Boy and Doja Cat in the same bar. Ddot is the first artist signed to the revamped Priority Records and hopes to make a statement on the drill lane with his new debut LP, featuring Hunxho, Skilla Baby and other big guests.

JPEGMAFIA, “I'll Be Right There”

Introduced by a warped sample of Jade's career-defining hit “Don't Walk Away,” JPEGMAFIA fires several warning shots at his haters with his latest single, “I'll Be Right There.” The soaring harmonies give the illusion of a sinister gospel choir, which plays well with the growl that Peggy uses in his lyrics. Steady percussion and shimmering strings complete the soundscape, over which he spits, “Keep thinking I'm playin' the hand I've been dealt/ Yeah, 'til that same hand takes that bitch/ All I don't want none of this trouble / You want no problem.” Several modes have been removed from the impressive feel of the previous one I lay down my life for you single, “I'll Be Right There” slyly turns classic romantic new jack swing into a chilling warning straight from its gangsta rap roots.

Kitschkrieg Feat. Future, Mariah The Scientist & Fridayy, “Slow Down”

Oktoberfest meets Magic City. German production trio Kitschkrieg invite a star-studded guest crew to storm the raucous “Slow Down” track. Future, Mariah The Scientist and Fridayy join forces to make a melodic rap-R&B cocktail. Pluto's star shines brighter as its syrupy flow has become bulletproof while spanning different genres. He paints a riotous picture while talking about some of his wild escapades – blowing six figures on women, getting fellatio on FaceTime and sipping from his Grammy trophy. Look for more genre-blending collaborations in the next edition of Kitschkrieg German Engineering Zwei album, coming November 15th.