Even within the midst of the announcement of Beyoncé’s imminent Renaissance World Tour documentary live performance movie, there was nonetheless an onslaught of latest music unleashed upon the world over the weekend. From marquee mainstream rappers to British crossovers, there’s a complete lot of fabric to kind via.
With Recent Picks, Billboard goals to spotlight a number of the finest and most enjoyable new sounds throughout R&B and hip-hop — together with Cleo Sol’s gospel-informed affirmations and Paul Wall’s glossy synthesis of Southern and East Coast hip-hop.
Make sure that to take a look at this week’s Recent Picks in our Spotify playlist under.
Freshest Discover: Cleo Sol, “There Will Be No Crying”
On this gospel-steeped opener to Gold — her second new album in as many weeks — British singer-songwriter Cleo Sol blends gospel, soul, jazz and ambient music for a transformative rumination on the vitality of emotional resilience. Clearly a nod to Revelations 21:1-4, the music’s lyrics are a observe in affirmation, a paean for freedom and launch in a world desperately in want of it. “There shall be no preventing/ In a river stuffed with desires/ Make it higher, one factor that I want, is to be free/ Life’s a battle that don’t scare me,” she coos in one of many music’s verses. The Inflo-produced monitor — which utterly eschews typical music buildings — delicately balances plaintive piano, bass, guitar, and drums for a serene but intentional reclamation of interior energy.
Paul Wall & Termanology feat. Bun B & Deandre Nico, “No Apologies”
Southern hip-hop icon Paul Wall is presently readying his forthcoming collaborative album with Billboard-charting rapper and producer Termanology — due Oct. 13 — and this newest style from the file guarantees a set that celebrates Southern hip-hop traditions whereas pushing the scene in a number of new instructions. “No Apologies,” which options Grammy-nominee Bun B and Texan musician Deandre Nico, finds Paul and Termanology mixing components of drum-heavy East Coast-nodding manufacturing with the slower, extra languid vibe of Hoston rap manufacturing. The result’s a lush ode to the facility of ambition, set towards of backdrop of Static Selektah’s soulful keys and DeAndre Nico’s commanding refrain.
No Guidnce, “Spicy”
One thing of an all-male counterpart to FLO — the British lady group who broke via in 2022 and presently prepping their debut studio album — No Guidnce is looking for to solidify themselves in an analogous method with their new Spicy EP. Three of the tracks on the EP have already been out for months, however their new single — the groovy, mattress squeak-touting “Spicy” — is their strongest try at a correct radio single. On the brand new music, the quartet not solely showcases their spectacular mix, however additionally they promote a degree of camraderie that’s essential to promote the concept of a boy band. Furthermore, the music’s manufacturing retains them in step with a lot of the up to date pop&B panorama with out threatening to be a sound that casts an insurmountable shadow of their future releases.
Kenyon Dixon feat. RL, “2000s R&B”
Grammy nominee Kenyon Dixon launched his new The R&B You Love album final Friday (Sept. 29), and the file is a nuanced, heartfelt tribute to an period of R&B that prioritized soul music above all else. Tucked away within the again half of the album is a duet with RL of Subsequent titled “2000s R&B,” a primary encapsulation of all of the histrionic no-holds-barred journey via the throes of a romance rollercoaster. “Because you left, ain’t been the identical/ Received me singin’ 2000s R&B, all on this f–kin’ rain like/ I want I by no means met her, no/ D–n, I want I by no means met her,” he croons within the refrain.
Sha EK, “Final One Left”
This standalone EMRLD & Wizical Beats-produced monitor finds Bronx rapper Sha EK turning down the bombast and choosing a extra introspective vibe. Over an instrumental that’s nearer to G-Unit’s luxurious avenue anthems than his ordinary dynamic tackle New York drill, the “New Opps” rapper displays on his rise to prominence and pledges to place longevity earlier than low cost thrills. “I be going via s—t, however I’m by no means gonna fold/ N—a, my momma comfortable trigger she see me growin’ ol,” he spits.
Sexyy Crimson, “No Panties”
After making the round-up final week, Sexyy Crimson returns with a fiery new monitor for the forthcoming second season of Issa Rae’s acclaimed Max sequence Rap Sh!t. “I ain’t bought no panties on, gotta let this coochie breathe/ Bend that shit over, contact them toes, seize your knees,” the “SkeeYee” rapper spits over YA & Snacks-produced banger that leans extra Southern rap than her Midwestern consolation zone. From a booming bassline to regular handclaps, Sexyy delivers a bevy of memorable NSFW one-liners all through this ode to going commando.
Philly Goats, PGS Spence & Armani White, “Buckle Up (Remix)”
Earlier than its official launch to streaming companies, Philly Goats’ “Buckle Up” garnered over a million posts on TikTok. Now, the runaway Jersey membership snippet hit has grown right into a full-fledged smash, full with a brand new remix that includes “Billie Eilish” rapper Armani White. Generally, songs that achieve their reputation via TikTok snippets can change into beholden to these thirty seconds — however fortunately, this new remix permits “Buckle Up” to really feel like a stable standalone music, as a substitute of a monitor that you just’d solely encounter whereas watching TikToks explicitly taking part within the accompanying dance development. “Man, now cuz all on his garden and I can’t say I’m not within the automotive / It’s absolutely, rattling / Now I’m in a jawn with a jar and my jawn don’t know I be drawin’ / You are feeling me? Rattling,” Armani raps over the danceable beat.