R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh picks of the week: PARTYNEXTDOOR, Maiya the Don, Kalan.FrFr and more

That's right, the year of beef is still raging. Just like they did a few weeks ago with the Billboard 200-top We Don't Trust You album, Future and Metro Boomin set the tone for the weekend in hip-hop and R&B with a massive collection of new collaborations that include a few more shots at a dude named Drake — or “BBL Drizzy,” if you're Rick Ross .

Alongside We Still Don't Trust You — 2024's second joint album from Future and Metro — a pair of diss tracks from Drizzy and Rozay titled “Push Ups” and “Champagne Moments,” respectively. Both songs were worthy additions to the ongoing back-and-forth between Drake and Future & Metro, which rose to prominence with the Billboard Hot 100, Kendrick Lamar-assisted “Like That.” In other beef-related news, J. Cole kept his promise to remove “7 Minute Drill,” his response to Lamar's “Like That” verse, from streaming services and Uma Thurman is offered on her Kill Bill jumpsuit for Drake to be truly battle ready.

While we wait for Kung Fu Kenny's response, let's break down this week's new drops. 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 latest preview of PARTYNEXTDOOR's upcoming album to Maiya the Don's funky come-here pop-rap banger. Be sure to check out this week's fresh picks in the Spotify playlist below.

The Freshest Find: Jean Deaux feat. Destin Conrad, “Thinkin”

It is taken from her Nowhere, Quick Destin Conrad's new Jean Deaux duet EP, “Thinkin',” is a gorgeous piece of slinky, sultry R&B. “I'm thinking, thinking, thinking, thinking/ But if it's wine, how will your touch feel with mine?/ I've been/ I'm drinking, thinking”/ I'm reminded, we'll never know if we “try,” he croons over ethereal guitars and synths. As he does with virtually every duo he features, Destin Conrad brings a wonderful, idiosyncratic dimension to the track, providing a warm vocal complement to Deaux. The record's atmospheric energy helps bring to life the escapism that springs from intimacy, which the pair judge throughout Lido's output.

Kalan.FrFr, “Everybody”

Los Angeles rapper Kalan.FrFr delivers a sneak attack of an anthem based on a Bankroll Got It production that is infused with his trademark West Coast bounce. “Everybody got a house that's Blood/ Got a house that's undead/ Got a familiar that's ab–h/ Got a house that's a pimp/ Got a house that's a trick/ Got a house that's a f—y/ I got a house p—y whip,” he spits in a flow that is as loose as the tongue. Aside from how catchy the track is, “Everybody” is an unlikely ode to how much we all have in common — even if those commonalities are the sordid activities that our friends may or may not be up to.

BBG Steppaa, “Bisexual Glock”

“Glock's bisexual, he was targeting women too/ Niggas said, what do you mean what your friend doin'?” / It's all with the whole town, and with kin,” growls Newark rapper BBG Steppaa on “Bisexual Glock,” his defiant new single. While the message isn't to be taken for granted, the new track – which features production contributions from AyyoLucas, Spaceman and EMRLD – finds Steppaa proclaiming his toughness when it comes to protecting himself and those most loyal to him. The contrast of the high-drama string embellishments juxtaposed against the drill snares create a perfect high-octane listening experience.

PARTYNEXTDOOR, “Lose My Mind”

Now that the dust has settled around PND's NSFW new album cover, it's time to get back to the music. For the latest taste of his upcoming project, Party relies on a sample of DMX's classic “Party Up (Up In Here).” In fact, the entire hook is reworked from DMX's original, with Party providing the first line — “Y'all gonna make me lose my mind” — as he sings about the borderline tragic allure of beautiful women. The fuzzy trap&B ballad that grounds the track is also quite reminiscent of classic PND.

Maiya the Don, “Mean It”

“Show me that you need it, that you need it/ Say it like you mean it, like you mean it,” Maiya challenges a potential lover on “Mean It.” The track with Bankroll Got It taps into the up-and-coming New York rapper's seductive edge, her rough tone developing into something particularly appealing against the funky left-field pop/rock production. Showing no signs of slowing down after exploding with “Telfy” and “Dusties” the past two years, “Mean It” could turn into a nice spring hit for Maiya the Don.

Future & Metro Boomin feat. The Weeknd, “All About Me”

Metro turns the clock back a few decades with some vintage babymaking R&B production setting the candlelit scene. Motown Future continues the evolution of Future Vandross entering his lovers era. The Weeknd and his falsetto make another appearance. However, his assist has been soured by speculation that he was adding to the flavor of the month by knocking out Drake. “They never could chase my brothers, baby/ When they got leaks in their function/ Thank God I never signed my life away/ And we never make the big talk/ They shoot us, they make TikToks,” she sings.

Tinashe, “Nasty”

Tinashe leans into her Nasty Nashe alter-ego for her sultry new single. The R&B singer-songwriter's robotic hook casts a hypnotic spell on listeners and will have them on repeat within seconds. Nashe has been known to paint in the studio while recording and paints an evocative picture with her sensual second verse depicting a perfect date night. “Snap, my thighs on his seat/ Got nothing underneath/ Looks like you're gonna spend the night/ Crazy side, I'm gonna change your life,” he promises. 2024 is shaping up to be a busy campaign for Tinashe with 'Nasty' being the first single headed her way BB/ANG3L PT. 2 – QUANTUM BABY work.

Key Glock & Young Dolph, “Let's Go (Remix)”

Key Glock is one of rap's reclusive stars, so when he reveals that a collaboration is on the horizon, fans' ears perk up. With the “Let's Go” remix, Glizzock surprised the Paper Route Empire family with a posthumous appearance from his mentor Young Dolph. Dolph's verse fit like a glove over the torso-rattling production so well that fans thought it was created by artificial intelligence, a theory Glock quickly put to rest. His helping of braggadocios embodied everything people loved about the Memphis rapper — full of raucous boss talk and a glimpse into his boisterous romantic ways. A fitting tribute to one of rap's great voices gone too soon. RIP Young Dolph.