June is lastly hitting its stride, and with Juneteenth (June 19) and the BET Awards (June 30) on the horizon, the worlds of R&B and hip-hop are buzzing with pleasure.
The previous week in R&B/hip-hop has introduced us main updates on extremely anticipated new albums, in addition to enterprise strikes which have left followers puzzled, amused, and offended. On Saturday (June 8), Megan Thee Stallion debuted the alternate paintings for her upcoming self-titled LP, which is slated to drop on June 28. The announcement got here the identical day the H-City Hottie broke down in tears whereas performing “Cobra” on her Scorching Lady Summer time Tour in Tampa, FL; earlier that day, nefarious social media customers circulated specific AI-generated movies to resemble Megan’s likeness.
On the flip facet, Rihanna wore an “I’m Retired” shirt, sending her followers right into a tailspin as they debated whether or not or not the “Diamonds” singer would ever drop one other album.
For one of many week’s extra amusing enterprise offers, Nick Cannon insured his much-discussed “household jewels” for $10 million. It was a obligatory reprieve from the talk Jay-Z spurred when Roc Nation introduced their participation in a marketing campaign to safe $300 million in scholarships for underprivileged youngsters to non-public and spiritual establishments, leaving tons of of wounding public faculties within the mud.
With Recent Picks, Billboard goals to focus on a number of the finest and most attention-grabbing new sounds throughout R&B and hip-hop — from BIA and JID‘s new late-’00s-esque banger to summery new singles from Amanda Reifer and Money Cobain. You’ll want to take a look at this week’s Recent Picks in our Spotify playlist beneath.
J.P., “Deliver ‘Em Right here”
After bringing Milwaukee lowend to the nationwide stage along with his hit single “Dangerous Bitty,” J.P. has stored his foot firmly on the fuel, providing up his new album, Coming Out Occasion. The brand new report primarily consists of extra bite-sized “Dangerous Bitty”-esque bangers that mix J.P.’s soulful vocals and the rattling bass of Milwaukee lowend, nevertheless it’s “Deliver ‘Em Right here” that instantly stands out among the many new joints.
“S–t, I bear in mind being broke/ Needed to ration all my s–t, n—as thought it was a joke/ However now they see me dwelling/ And now they wanna ask me for my digits,” he muses within the intro, using a rap-sung cadence that turns into the right framework for his later proclamations of being a “freak” who’s “tryna f–ok you and a plus one.” Produced by Ibn Farmacia & Tombo, there’s a fragile guitar buried far within the background of the combo that picks up the markedly morose tone J.P. sings with throughout the sultry midtempo jam — and it’s that sonic quirk that makes the observe one of the crucial attention-grabbing ones on the rising rapper’s new challenge.
BIA & JID, “Lights Out”
It’s already been a extremely memorable June for BIA, and we’re solely 10 days into the month. Sandwiched between dissing Cardi B and performing in her hometown at Sport Two of the NBA Finals, BIA collaborated with JID for the primary time on “Lights Out.” The StarGate-produced tune landed on the Dangerous Boys: Trip or Die soundtrack, however packs extra of a punch than typical digestible soundtrack music that may really feel monotonous at occasions. The “Complete Lotta Cash” rapper delivers a catchy hook and JID will get tagged in late for an help, which finds him recalling T.I.’s “Prime Again” anthem. “I acquired my high method again and my beat down low/ We put a lot within the grind ’trigger we was on the bottom flooring,” the Dreamville resident proclaims.
Amanda Reifer, “Colonize”
After choosing up a pair of Grammy nominations due to her work on Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & the Huge Steppers, Bajan singer-songwriter Amanda Reifer is moving into her personal highlight. Constructed round a carry from fellow Bajan artist Rupee’s timeless “Tempted to Contact,” “Colonize” arrives as an evocative, sensual ode to remaining steadfast in your personal existence and rejecting the imposition of outdoor beliefs or expectations. “Aw, bless you, I ain’t saying I ain’t glad that I met you/ I ain’t saying what I’m saying simply to vex you/ However you’d mark territory if I allow you to,” she warns over Dahi’s shimmering dancehall-inflected beat. Followers who had been instantly captivated by Reifer’s heat, alluring tone on “Die Onerous,” will completely love the best way her voice takes heart stage on “Colonize.”
Doechii, “MPH”
The stress between the acutely aware and the business — which is way more complicated than that binary suggests — is likely one of the longest-standing debates in hip-hop. With “MPH,” a high-octane continuation of the raucous dance and house-rooted hip-hop of her JT-assisted “Alter Ego,” Doechii affords a easy reply: “Yeah, I might provide the acutely aware s–t, however I’m too busy supplying you with c–t.” It’s actually that straightforward. “MPH” finds Doechii combining camp, humor, and an irresistible just-short-of-bratty timbre to make a tune that heralds her personal greatness and, in flip, spurs listeners to experience their very own. She well anchors the tune’s extra quippy moments with a primary verse that recollects her come-up story; “I inform you what it took to get me right here, however I don’t suppose you actually perceive it/ Went from bitches attempting to name me out my identify, to calling my identify within the stands,” she spits over the Deameanor-helmed beat.
Money Cobain, “Rump Punch”
From “Fisherrr” to “Perspective” — “Grippy” not included — Money Cobain has been taking his slizzy summer season vibes from NYC to the world. “Rump Punch,” his newest addition to the “horny drill” lexicon, finds the Bronx rapper-producer evaluating his girl’s style to the always-satisfying drink that’s rum punch. “Hеnny acquired you bent, however I’ma bend you too/ For those who acquired a person, we might bеnd the foundations/ If I used to be your man, I’d be tender too/ For those who actually wanna carry a buddy or two,” he spits in a fast-paced circulation that matches the marginally sleazy vibe of his lyrics. Money is conscious that he’s a little bit of a canine, and that’s why he’s flying via lyrics that acknowledge his indifference to pre-existing relationships. Then once more, why would that be of any concern to somebody who’s actually partaking in a slizzy summer season?
Isaia Huron, “Circle”
Whenever you intention for perfection, you uncover that it’s a shifting goal. In a showcase of inventive transparency, Isaia Huron’s “Circle” was left deliberately unfinished. The burgeoning R&B singer narrates the trials and tribulations of a sure lady in his life whereas displaying off his vocal versatility which climbs to a falsetto. Icy piano keys kick off the 90-second dash earlier than a stark halftime change to brooding drums with a pulsating bass reaching a crescendo together with an outro that appears like one thing out of the Frank Ocean playbook. “Circle” is the South Carolina singer-songwriter’s first single of 2024, and Huron has a challenge slated to reach this summer season.
Ski Masks the Stoop God & Future, “Monsters Inc.”
Ski Masks the Stoop God returned along with his first challenge in three years, because the darkish eleventh Dimension hit streaming companies. An early standout from his sophomore LP finds Ski going through off with Future on “Monsters Inc.” Simply don’t anticipate any references to Mike Wazowski, Sully or any ties to the Pixar basic for that matter. Future does the early heavy-lifting and floats over the menacing ATL Jacob manufacturing, whereas the sniper admits he’s nonetheless acquired Jennifer Lopez on his want checklist. “Actual spill, I’m nonetheless goin’ after J. Lo, uh-huh/ Can’t return on my phrase,” he raps. Pluto’s syrupy ad-libs function an interlude of kinds with Ski Masks taking the baton and his skittering rhymes bringing “Monsters Inc.” throughout the end line. “Y’all n—-s simply the benchwarmers, I can’t take you critical,” Ski spews.