From a 126-song mixtape (I'm looking at you, French Montana) to Tyler Perry's media blitz Mea Culpa starring Kelly Rowland and Trevante Rhodes, this past week has been a particularly busy one for the world of hip-hop and R&B. With awards season firmly in the rearview mirror and the Super Bowl over and done with, we're in a period of relative calm before festival season begins in earnest.
Until then, we've been spending the last week looking at Tyler, the new Creator collection for Louis Vuitton, where Pharrell Williams currently serves as men's creative director. Speaking of the legendary artist-producer, Williams has also teased an upcoming new collaboration with Miley Cyrus, who he previously teamed up with in 2013 Bangerz and 2014 GIRL.
Of course, we can't forget Jeezy's smooth performance at Tiny Desk, which saw the veteran turn his trap anthems into soulful, stripped-down arrangements. And the news cycle hasn't been entirely positive, with Drake taking to his Instagram story early this morning (February 26) to post what appears to be a plea for the release of Tory Lanez – who was sentenced to 10 years for the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion in the foot (August 8, 2023) — from prison.
With fresh options, Advertising sign aims to showcase some of the best and most interesting new sounds in R&B and hip-hop — from Usher's vulnerable new I'm coming home route to Ryan Dugas' thoughtful ode to the cyclical nature of romance. Be sure to check out this week's fresh picks in the Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Marlon Craft & Method Man, “Muggsy Bogues”
Every time Method Man hits a track, it's going to be an event. On “Muggsy Bogues,” named after the shortest NBA player in history, Meth and New York indie rapper Marlon Craft battle over a dark, gritty beat crafted by Arbus and Moo Latte. “I pulled on Muggsy Bogues with the pennies/ 'Cause I'm short on time, so don't miss a dime/ In our New York, they'd envy the taste/ Now it's a bunch of white girls callin' Delis bodegas,” he opens his verse Craft. There's a lot about this track — from the heavy drums to the emphasis on dense, almost understated wordplay from both rappers — that's unmistakably New York. It's local in a way that harkens back to the cutting edge of East Coast rap, while still feeling fresh enough to warrant a place alongside the city's modern iteration of the classic sound.
Usher, “Naked”
So much of Usher's musical and artistic persona is based on his multi-layered relationship with sex that when he subverts that entire concept in a song as disarming as “Naked,” it's a particularly surprising moment. “When we strip down, we can't run away from the real truth/ When we strip down, we gotta face it/ Until I get it right, I won't lie/ I'll need you and me tonight to be naked,” he screams over a rich electric guitar combo wailing, steady percussion and sultry bass. Here, Usher — the man behind bedroom classics like “Bedtime,” “Hey Daddy” and “Trading Places” — tempers the “sex-a-holic” label with an exploration of his youth, a time when he would try to find “His manhood inside a woman's body.” It's heady, sure, but it's also easily the best song on its newly expanded version I'm coming home.
SiR & Isaiah Rashad, “Karma”
Just weeks after the release of “No Evil,” SiR has enlisted his TDE labelmate Isaiah Rashad for “Karma,” a continuation of his emphasis on self-reflection as he ramps up the campaign for his upcoming fourth studio album. Heavy, is expected to be released on March 22. “Oh, I gotta stop treating the hoes like I need them/ I'm too busy making promises when I can't keep them/ Time to slow this 'Llac down to a hunter/ I keep making the same mistakes when I should be learning of it,” he screams over atmospheric piano and skittering drums. Additionally, Rashad delivers a powerful verse that nicely complements SiR's lyrical allusions to a biblical view of karma.
Ray Vaughn feat. Pusha T, “Trouble”
It may only be February, but TDE is on a mission to own 2024. In the second of three entries in this week's column, Ray Vaughn links up with Pusha T for the sparse “Troubles.” Over a synthetic, somewhat mournful beat created by Rayo & WizzleGotBeats, the rappers play the respective roles of rookie and elder statesman. Ray Vaughn spends his verse firing hot shots at those who taunt him as a “backpack rapper” (“Let me be labeled a backpack rapper turned school shooter/ All these top fives get hit, unless they cover the teachers”) . while Pusha exudes a complementary coolness that underscores his advice for longevity in the rap game. “Listen, Ray Vaughan, be clear of your peers/ 'Cause in a few years they'd be musical chairs/ We finished the n—like a panic and showed us they teared up/ Reminiscin' for hits, but the money ain't there.” ” he spits.
SZA, “Saturn”
After debuting this track during the 2024 Grammys, SZA has finally uploaded “Saturn” to digital streaming platforms. An instant fan favorite, “Saturn” — co-written by SZA, Carter Lang, Rob Bisel, Solomonophonic and Monsune — finds the four-time Grammy winner pondering the possibilities of restarting his life on Saturn after facing little but disaster. on earth. “Stuck in this paradigm/ Don't believe in heaven/ This must be hell/ There must be more, there must be more,” she wails over a signature ethereal beat that bridges R&B, pop and alternative.
Hunxho & Summer Walker, “Your Friends”
Atlanta rapper Hunxho is gearing up for a major breakout year, and this new Summer Walker-blessed version of “Your Friends” is sure to keep the momentum going. “Your Friends” was arguably Hunxho's biggest hit For her album, and this new remix with fellow ATLer Summer Walker adds a female perspective to his exploration of the thorny dynamics that emerge when friendships turn to romance and vice versa. “All n— the better, no cheese, no cheddar/ Worry what your friends say, I deserve better/ Busy with your homies blowing me, writing love letters,” warns Hunxho over Avedon & H moody trap of Diego Ave defeated.
Ryan Douglas, “Spin the Block”
The phrase “spin the block” has fallen apart in recent years, so it takes a special artist – like a Rhyan Douglas – to pull something fresh and true out of this trio of words. A love song with two feet firmly planted in the tech-filled romantic waters of the 2020s, Brampton native Ryan Douglas screams about the wealth of opportunities that could arise if he bites the bullet and drops the block on an ex-lover. “But you're turning the block/ If all I did was make up, I'm trying hard/ I'm trying not to give up on you/ I forgot we crossed our lines,” he whispers over dry acoustic guitars reminiscent of the best of Daniel Caesar's stripped down moments .
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/best-new-rb-hip-hop-songs-sza-hunxho-summer-walker-ray-vaughn-usher-1235614893/
