With Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us” having fun with a Billboard Scorching 100 No. 1 debut — alongside an ever-extending stint on the high of the zeitgeist due to Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott — the Compton rapper’s musical scuffle with Drake continues to solid an unmistakable shadow over R&B/hip-hop and popular culture discourse.
Nonetheless, the previous week has seen the trade collectively start to select its jaws up from the bottom and return to repeatedly scheduled non-Kendrick/Drake-centric programming. Each Vince Staples and Lupe Fiasco introduced new albums — Darkish Instances and Samurai, respectively — whereas Lil Wayne headlined Travis Kelce‘s Kelce Jam 2024, which additionally featured performances from 2 Chainz and Diplo. In fact, a harrowing 2016 surveillance video showing to point out Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a lodge surfaced by way of CNN, successfully corroborating Ventura’s account of the 2016 assault in her now-settled lawsuit towards the Dangerous Boy mogul.
With Contemporary Picks, Billboard goals to focus on among the greatest and most fascinating new sounds throughout R&B and hip-hop — from Lila Iké & H.E.R.’s sultry “Boy Is Mine”-esque duet to Elijah Blake’s nostalgic reflection on two lovers who simply can’t appear to make issues work. Be sure you take a look at this week’s Contemporary Picks in our Spotify playlist beneath.
Freshest Discover: Lila Iké & H.E.R., “He Loves Us Each”
The legacy of Brandy & Monica‘s seminal “The Boy Is Mine” is well-documented, and this seductive new duet from reggae star Lila Iké and R&B dynamo H.E.R. showcases simply how far that ’90s Grammy-winning tune has traveled. “I do know you in all probability judgin’ what I did/ I do know you in all probability hopin’ I forgive/ He don’t make it straightforward to stroll away/ I do know as a result of he make me really feel the identical,” they croon backwards and forwards, effortlessly emulating the tug-of-war that anchors Brandy & Monica’s authentic. Iké’s soulful, intentional phrasing performs properly towards H.E.R.’s riff-laden efficiency. Each of their voices wrap across the plaintive guitars and regular percussion, prioritizing selective restraint over bombastic belts which drives residence the strain between the place of every vocalist. That is how crossover collaborations ought to sound.
2Rare feat. Skilla Child & Rob49, “C4”
Almost 4 a long time later, Eazy-E’s basic single “Boyz N the Hood” is as soon as once more being revitalized in rap’s mainstream — however right here, 2Rare flips the hardcore West Coast anthem right into a raunchy membership banger, with assist from Skilla Child and Rob49 seeking to warmth up simply in time for the summer time. As a substitute of Eazy’s ‘64 Impala, Uncommon performs off of the explosive C4: “She the sort to blow identical to C4/ Fiending for the D like I used to be giving her dope,” he raps on the refrain whereas mimicking Eazy-E’s circulate. This yr is slated to be one other busy marketing campaign for the Warner Information signee, and the Philly native has loads of extra energetic tunes on the best way with a challenge additionally on the horizon.
Elijah Blake, “Sugarwater & Lime”
Elijah Blake has spent the higher a part of the final decade writing on hits for R&B heavyweights — together with Usher (“Climax”) and Rihanna (“No Love Allowed”) — however, just lately, he’s shifted his focus to his personal output. With “Sugarwater & Lime,” the most recent single from his forthcoming eponymous LP, Blake explores the frustration of attempting to make one thing work with out having all the proper elements. “Child, we are able to’t make lemonade/ From sugarwater and lime/ However we tried/ We couldn’t make lemonade/ However perhaps we are able to heal from heartbreak/ In due time,” he sings over a brassy association accented by warbling bass, symphonic strings and ’70s-esque drum licks. Blake’s voice ranges from tender falsetto to nimble rap-sung cadences and dizzying riffs, tracing the inevitably convoluted route of an almost-there love.
Your Outdated Droog, “Mercury Thermometers”
Traditional boom-bap rap may need taken a backseat in comparison with the power it was a long time in the past within the tradition, however Your Outdated Droog remains to be doing the sub-genre justice. The New York rapper related with Conductor Williams for “Mercury Thermometers” and Droog’s shrewd wordplay over the dusty manufacturing and cymbal drums doesn’t disappoint. “That is Bob Dylan with out the harmonica/ This some iconic bars and a tough moniker,” he raps. Y.O.D. boasts about taking the laborious path to fame with no handouts or stimulus packages, however nonetheless with the ability to persevere. Search for Droog to work with loads of acclaimed hip-hop producers on his upcoming album, Film, which arrives on June 21.
Deb Fan, “Girl”
With “Girl,” the primary single from R&B artist-producer Deb Fan’s forthcoming sophomore EP, the Hong Kong-raised, L.A.-based singer challenges restrictive stereotypes and outdated portrayals of womanhood in Asian tradition. “There’s some magnificence in made-up guidelines/ King of my world with none to lose,” she coos in an ethereal tone over sparse, atmospheric manufacturing paying homage to up to date R&B stars like Kali Uchis, whereas nonetheless discovering room for the slinky bass of ’90s R&B. With a vocal efficiency that concurrently mourns the constricting nature of expectations positioned on ladies and rings with the hope of a concerted rebirth, Deb Fan makes some actual magic on “Girl.”
BIG30, “Come Save Me”
BIG30 paints his hood love story with the primary verse of “Come Save Me.” This isn’t precisely Romeo and Juliet, however the Memphis native admits he’s been “in search of love in all of the unsuitable locations” just lately. He realizes how poisonous this love is, however he’s not attempting to cover it anymore and even needs her to have his child. “Ain’t talkin’ ’bout with no image, child, come out with my youngster,” he raps. Including one other layer to the chaos, the wind instrument loop hilariously sounds prefer it recollects the Austin Powers theme tune. Be taught extra about BIG30 as his Nonetheless King album is full of gripping road tales from the NLess rapper.