Between a uncommon in-depth Jay-Z interview, a brand new Brent Faiyaz LP, and an announcement confirming new music from Megan Thee Stallion, the key gamers throughout R&B and hip-hop stored the scene busy the previous week — however some left-of-center artists additionally had their very own worthy contributions to the dialog. New Music Friday (Oct. 27) handled DSPs to a brand new tidal wave of bangers throughout hip-hop R&B to populate playlists forward of This autumn’s main vacation events and celebrations.
With Recent Picks, Billboard goals to focus on among the finest and most attention-grabbing new sounds throughout R&B and hip-hop — from Destin Conrad and Masego’s blistering duet to Azealia Banks’ long-teased drill anthem. You’ll want to try this week’s Recent Picks in our Spotify playlist beneath.
Freshest Discover: serpentwithfeet, Ty Dolla $ign & Yanga Yaya, “Rattling Gloves”
For the lead single for his forthcoming Grip LP, experimental R&B auteur serpentwithfeet dips his toe into home music influences with “Dam Gloves.” Assisted by frequent collaborator Ty Dolla $ign and South African artist Yanga YaYa, serpentwithfeet makes use of manufacturing paying homage to Travis Scott and Beyoncé’s “Delresto (Echoes)” for a darkish, sensual paean to slow-grinding and wining. “I don’t want no weed, I don’t want no liquor/ I simply wanna maintain grind-grindin’ on my n—a / No matter’s on his leg, good God, it’s gettin’ thicker,” he teases.
Shordie Shordie feat. Child B, “First Kiss”
Taken from the again half of his melodic Murda Beatz-helmed Reminiscence Lane 2 mission, “First Kiss” finds Baltimore rapper Shordie Shordie linking up with rising R&B singer Child B for a young guitar-inflected ode to the dream of your first kiss additionally being your final. It’s a surprisingly heat and heartfelt duet that integrated components of A Boogie Wit da Hoodie and Juice WRLD’s sing-songy circulation with Shordie’s intimate grasp of emotive hooks. “Do you keep in mind your first kiss?/ Not the pretend one, however the one with some objective,” he questions.
Destin Conrad & Masego, “Tremendous Paradise”
Final week (Oct. 27), R&B crooner Destin Conrad dropped off Submissive, his third full-length mission. The sensual set finds its nearer within the Masego-assisted “Tremendous Paradise,” a breezy, string-laden quantity that makes refined nods to dembow because the pair commerce verses about submitting to their lover out of want, not desperation. It’s a really carnal affair.
Skylar Blatt feat. Lola Brooke, “F–okay Fame, Pt. 2”
Within the lead-up to her forthcoming Dennis Daughter mission, Brooklyn rapper Lola Brooke has put out her fair proportion of pop-leaning radio-ready singles to maintain her identify on the thoughts of each customers and radio programmers post-“Don’t Play With It.” On this new collaboration with Cincinnati rapper Skylar Blatt, Lola doubles down on the menacing snarl that garnered her identify recognition. The 2 feminine rappers commerce punchline-packed bars in regards to the frivolity of fame — a sensible selection of subject given hip-hop’s presently tenuous relationship with the apex of the mainstream music scene. Lola effortlessly embodies the gruffness of Skylar’s refrain, ensuing within the (sadly) uncommon collaboration during which each artists are genuinely informing the opposite’s strategy to the music.
Masego feat. Wale & ENNY, “You By no means Go to Me (Remix)”
The unique solo model of “You By no means Go to Me” has been out for almost a yr, however that didn’t cease Masego from calling in some reinforcements for the music’s new remix. That includes Wale and English rapper ENNY, the music’s remix opens up the breadth of views relating to deserted relationships. Wale joins Masego in wallowing over a lover strolling out on him, however ENNY flips the music’s hazy, jazz-informed association to soundtrack the snarky apathy she feels in the direction of her former companion. “However, now I received you on a must know bases/ If I maintain it actual/ I seen the reality and now I can’t face it,” she coos.
42 Dugg, “Go Once more”
For his first single post-prison launch, Atlanta rapper 42 Dugg opts for a biting stream-of-consciousness circulation that mixes his pure knack for catchy hooks with a single gargantuan verse that finds him doubling down on his braggadocio in all areas of his life. “Catch you slippin’, I’m slidin’, inform me I’m good at rappin’/ Y’all good at hidin’, n—a, come out and get lively/ My chopper shoot backwards (B–ch), my b–ches will get pampered / You in all probability didn’t have her, doggie, she callin’ me daddy,” he spits.
Azealia Banks, “Dilemma”
In typical Azealia vogue, the controversial New York rapper has lastly unveiled an official model of “Dilemma” after first teasing the music over 4 years in the past. On the brand new monitor, the “212” rapper retreats from her trademark home and ballroom influences, and, as a substitute, opts to dip her toe into one other section of New York’s music scene: drill. Whereas a lot of drill rappers are inclined to favor animatedly gruff growls, Banks performs with the dynamics of her timbre to retain a way of individuality. That is most clear within the music’s remaining refrain — which arrives after one breathless and spectacular rap verse — the place she whispers the lyrics with a priceless sense of brooding humor.
