Has anyone had a better week than Kendrick Lamar? To cap off one of the best years for any artist, the Compton MC delivered one Beyoncé and released his sixth studio album, GNX. Upon its release, the album immediately dominated the new cycle, with Lamar's latest record serving at once as a love letter to West Coast hip-hop, a treatise on integrity, hypocrisy and celebrity, and a triumphant rap about the ruthless 2024. SZA, Roddy RichAzChike and many more, wait GNX to shake it up Bulletin board charts in the coming weeks.
Aside from Kung Fu Kenny's new drop, the Big Three continued to play their respective hands. J. Cole continued its circulation Inevitable audio series along with a streaming release for 2009 Hot mixtape, while Drake used XQC's feed to announce an Anita Max Wynn tour kicking off in Australia on February 9 — the same day K. Dot headlines the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Last weekend also brought a 10 year anniversary reissue Nicki Minaj'small The pink print, WRLD Juicehis last posthumous album (The party never dies) and new releases from Ice cube (Man down), Wizkid (Moragio) and Kenny Mason (Angel eyes).
With fresh options, Bulletin board aims to showcase some of the best and most interesting new sounds in R&B and hip-hop — from VEDO's new bedroom to Lila Iké and Joey Bada$$' sultry new duet. Be sure to check out this week's fresh picks in the Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: PxRRY, “Hideaway”
Hailing from Hartford, Conn., rising R&B singer PxRRY returns with an eerie, atmospheric new single titled “Hideaway.” With haunting piano keys and '90s-evoking melodic choices, PxRRY epitomizes the Enter affects as she sings, “You loosen up and let me take control/ 'Cause I know you like it nice and slow,” nodding to the R&B icon's 1998 Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Nice & Slow.” PxRRY's honest voice is wrapped in filters that accentuate the dark synths that adorn Richbreed's prolific output. For his first solo single since its reissue in May of this year FairXchangePxRRY is laying a very strong foundation for 2025. — KYLE DENNIS
Yoshi Vintage & Ab-Soul, “Short Temper”
Yoshi Vintage has come a long way from Flint, Michigan. Starring in the second season of Netflix Rhythm + FlowYoshi capitalized on her racing appearance with her release Alpha plan. An early standout features one of her mentors, Ab-Soul, testing out one of rap's sharpest pens on the hard-hitting “Short Temper.” Don't let the butterfly neck tattoo fool you, as Yoshi goes toe-to-toe with lyrical wisdom while detailing her explosive rage. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
Lila Iké & Joey Bada$$, “Fry Plantain”
Jamaican queen of new reggae Lila Iké offers another look at her upcoming album with the release of “Fry Plantain,” a track that surprises listeners with a solid '90s-style feature from Joey Bada$$. Together, Iké's smooth reggae flow and Joey's hard-hitting lyrics create an exciting mix. 'Fry Plantain' is a joyous, sensual celebration of connection, love and cultural roots, centered around the image of frying plantains on a Sunday morning. The lyrics combine food and affection, using cooking as a metaphor for love and care. Throughout the piece, Lila and Joey celebrate traditional meals as a symbol of a relationship based on warmth and mutual appreciation. Their combination of playfulness and emotional depth add richness to this soulful and heartfelt track. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
VEDO, “Take It Slow”
VEDO have a new album out next year and “Take It Slow” is the first taste. “Baby, what if time stopped?/ Would you hurry? Is this lust or love?/ And if none of this is true/ Don't wake me up, I want to feel your touch forever, baby/ Can we take it?” he coos seductively on the chorus over AKel, Vontae Thomas & Keyman flashing the production. Obviously created with bedroom activities in mind, “Take It Slow” also serves as a reminder to enjoy life's most beautiful moments, as they tend to be the most fleeting. — KD
Bossman Dlow, “The Biggest Pt. 2″
If you're someone who needs a physical dose of motivation, the Bossman Dlow are the headphones for you. The Florida rapper looks to close out his 2024 Rookie of the Year campaign with “The Biggest Pt. 2” follow-up. “I ain't giving kudos for nothing but to get paid,” Dlow raps about his single mission in life. Well, if he keeps rhyming, he'll have no problem stacking paper or buying more mink fur coats and frosted watches AP, like the ones he shot at the original track party. — MS
Zefaan & Timbaland “If It Wasn't Up to Me”
Who would have expected the legendary Timbaland to collaborate with rising star Zefaan? This partnership wasn't on my Bingo 2024 card, but it's just the unexpected pairing we didn't know we needed. The duo's new track, “If It Wasn't Up to Me,” is a Timbaland-produced exploration of a tumultuous relationship, teetering between tension and reconciliation. Zefaan's moving lyrics tell the story of someone holding a fragile relationship together, clinging to hope despite constant challenges – a sentiment many can relate to. With Timbaland's signature beats driving the narrative, this track is as emotionally compelling as it is sonically captivating. — CC
SKEETE, “Don Dada”
With “Don Dada,” Skeete has created the perfect song to keep the festivities slowly whining as the coldest of winter approaches. A sleek mix of dancehall delivery, Afrobeat-inflected drums and R&B-tinged falsetto, “Don Dada” is a slinky, sexy ode to boozy nights of passion and lust. “Yo, real good from the front, from the back/ Bend it to the wall, right next to the board/ Make the seh 'Wooiii'/ He calls me 'Don Dada,'” he wails over PB's slow guitar. production. Colder weather doesn't mean the party has to die, it just has to slow down for a while. — KD
Amine & Cardo Got Wings, “Wingz”
Silent, Aminé has come alive to heat up the fourth quarter of the year. Never one to brag out loud, but like true Gs, Aminé moves quietly. The Northeast Portland natives have been working with Cardo, and we'll be in for more collaborations from the prolific duo in the future. Cardo's sinister production aided Amine's syrupy chorus and led to more braggadocios bars from the 30-year-old. “Literally put my city on the map/ I feel like I'm Gucci without all the straps,” she boasts in a shout-out to the Rose City. — MS
Mack Keane, “All Talk”
“ALL TALK” is one of two tracks from Mack Keane's mixtape Y? / ALL DISCUSSIONS, inspired by personal journal entries, as shared in his Instagram teaser. The track showcases Keane's continued evolution in R&B, combining his velvety vocals with dynamic production elements. Lyrically, it delves into the complexities of relationships and self-esteem, capturing an inner struggle characterized by fear, indecision and pressure to meet the expectations of others. “Try to please everybody, probably 'cause I was frozen,” Keane sings, reflecting the emotional toll of external demands and the hesitation they create. The song's interplay of gratitude and sadness adds depth, making its message both introspective and universally relatable.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/best-new-rb-hip-hop-fresh-picks-vedo-amine-1235838228/
