Some high-profile releases this week from some of the biggest veterans in the game. That doesn’t mean the upstarts aren’t doing their thing, there is definitely no shortage of hot new drops from the youngsters. But the established names are really showing they are still hungry right now–and this week has plenty of evidence that they can still eat.
Bronx superstar Cardi B finally delivers her sophomore album, Am I The Drama?; and we get “God Save Me,” the new single from Kaash Paige. The highly-anticipated thriller HIM is soon to hit theaters, and the soundtrack features names like Denzel Curry. Meanwhile, Joell Ortiz drops his new project, Love, Peace & Trauma.
Erick Sermon is still makin’ dollars and still dropping heat; as he teams with his old buddies Redman and Method Man for his new latest. Fellow East Coast legend Lil Fame lets you know he’s “Bout That Life” on his new track; with G Herbo giving you a “Reason” and Dave East taking you to “Havana.” And Thundercat returns with “I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time.”
And the lyrical legend Jay Electronica is back with a surprise album.
Each week, Okayplayer will deliver a roundup of all the latest new heat from some of our favorite artists. Check out the latest offerings in our playlist below:
NEW SONGS
ERICK SERMON FEAT. METHOD MAN AND REDMAN - “LOOK AT ‘EM”
Sermon’s new project: Dynamic Duo Vol. 1 will be released in November and he’s getting you ready with this reunion alongside his compatriots Red and Meth.
LIL YACHTY FEAT. SAUCE WALKA - “SILVER LINING”
Georgia and Texas connect on the new heat from Yachty; further evidence that Lil Boat is uninterested in staying in any musical box you may want to slide him in. He’s almost gone full boom bap.
FETTY P FRANKLIN - “SINBAD”
Produced by Mike Mixer, the latest track from the indie rap star out of Charlotte is a great indicator of what he does best: vivid, lived-in narratives delivered with the precision of a craftsman. Embodying the hustle and heart of his hometown.
SHERWIN - “CAN’T GET ENOUGH”
The singer/songwriter/producer is currently on tour with Duckwrth, but drops this follow-up to his track with Samara Cyn “Pop n Olive.” Early 2000s vibes always feel good.
ELCAMINO FEAT. BOLDY JAMES AND DOUBLE DEE - “MAGIC”
The Black Soprano member is putting in the work. WIth the release of his new single with Boldy, Elcamino is prepping fans for his upcoming album MINO, which will be released on Oct. 25.
LIL FAME – “BOUT THAT LIFE”
He knows his strengths as an emcee and artist and plays to them well. Produced by DJ Skizz, this track from the MOP vet infuses infectious party vibes with Fame’s signature energy.
NAÏKA – “BLESSINGS”
The acclaimed R&B/pop diva delivers a powerful new single in this soulful and intimate track. A life-affirming celebration of gratitude, resilience, and the light that carries us through life’s journey.
KENT JAMZ - "RENEGADE"
An emotional, hypnotic banger. He’s collaborated with Anderson .Paak and Buddy, and he first broke through as part of OverDoz. Now he builds on that momentum as he builds toward his upcoming EP.
DAVE EAST - “HAVANA”
The Harlem-bred rapper has announced the highly anticipated fourth installment of his Karma series,and this new single. The announcement comes on the heels of Dave’s recent appearance on Kai Cenat’s “Mafiathon 3.”
PARDISON FONTAINE - “NO EXES”
The follow-up to “Better Than Me” is produced by none other than the legendary Timbaland, and features raw emotion over an irresistible bounce. A track that makes you feel and makes you move.
SPIFFY THE GOAT FEAT. SADA BABY - “MAKE IT MOVE” (REMIX)
He’s always had a knack for tunes that get you on the dancefloor, now Spiffy links with Detroit’s own Sada Baby for the official remix of another club anthem. The original has already generated over 20 million TikTok views. It’s The Goat’s world.
YAZMIN LACY - “WALLPAPER”
This is a gorgeous, lovely track. With her wistful lyrics and emotive delivery, Lacy drops an undeniable ode to the romance and the beauty that forms between two lovers.
KAASH PAIGE - “GOD SAVE ME”
Following the high-energy release of her hip-hop-leaning EP KAASHMYCHECKS, the genre-bending Paige returns to her R&B roots. A new song that sits with her rawest and most vulnerable music to date.
THUNDERCAT - “I WISH I DIDN’T WASTE YOUR TIME”
He’s always been your favorite musicians’ favorite musician, and the bassist/songwriter/producer drops an ethereal, Greg Kurstin-produced synth masterwork. You’ve been warned.
SHORELINE MAFIA - “OUT MY MIND”
Since reuniting last year, the Los Angeles natives haven’t let up at all. And with their new single, it’s obvious they have no plans of taking their foot off ya neck anytime soon.
HUNXHO FEAT. 21 SAVAGE - “IF ONLY”
This is heart-on-my-sleeve regret. Digitally crooned pain about what it means to recognize that you have lost someone who truly cared about you.
MIGUEL- “EL PLEITO”
He’s been steadily building buzz for his upcoming album with a string of strong singles.
WYCLEF JEAN FEAT. FRENCH MONTANA, RICK ROSS - “BACK FROM ABU DHABI”
A musical flex from three artists who know a thing or two about platinum plaques. Sometimes it really is just about having a good time.
NEW ALBUMS
CARDI B - ‘AM I THE DRAMA?’
She has been everywhere this year and she’s had quite the rollout, folks. Back like she never left. Cardi drops her long-awaited second album.
JOELL ORTIZ - ‘LOVE, PEACE & TRAUMA’
The title alludes to the three forces that coexist in his life — his love for music, family, and friends, the peace he’s found through his faith in God, and the trauma that lingers in the background informs his lyrics.
KENDRA MORRIS - ‘NEXT’
It’s her fifth album, but it’s the first that she’s self-produced, and her ambition is rewarded with this confident, assured set. She goes for a stripped-down, no b.s. classic soul sound and her band has never sounded better.
JAY ELECTRONICA - ‘A WRITTEN TESTIMONY: LEAFLETS’
The acclaimed rhymer returns on his 49th birthday with a surprise album and an announcement: two of his most acclaimed projects are also now available on streaming for the first time.
HALIMA - ‘SWEET TOOTH’
Her debut album is a bold declaration of power from an undeniable talent. Seductive, restless, and deeply assured, the record is a creatively restless musical statement.
CKTRL - ‘SPIRIT’
The title is appropriate for this collection of tracks. The gifted musician has already announced his return with recent single "Balance," now he drops his full-length project.
ATMOSPHERE, SLUG AND ANT - ‘JESTURES’
The trio is about as hip-hop as it gets and they aren’t trying to be people pleasers or chart darlings; this is unapologetic music designed for those who truly appreciate it. And everyone brings their A game.
‘HIM’ (ORIG. MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK)
The soundtrack for Jordan Peele’s highly anticipated film features a bevy of artists, including Denzel Curry who delivers a helluva theme song.
KOJEY RADICAL - ‘DON’T LOOK DOWN’
The rapper delivers a project that breaks down his own experiences with fatherhood and rejection and doubt. It’s truly one of the best you’ll hear this year.
REGGIE BECTON - ‘THE LAST GREAT AMERICAN SUMMER’
The Los Angeles-based R&B singer returns with his sophomore album and evidence that he’s grown by leaps and bounds. It’s an album dedicated to freedom, presence, and owning your life.
LÉA THE LEOX - ‘YOUANDME’ (EP)
The singer-songwriter is set to join Ayoni's Isola Tour before supporting The Arti$t's tour in November, and she’s been co-signed by Stevie Wonder and Elton John. Nuff said.
BAKAR - ‘BEASTIE’
This eight track set is proof positive that this guy has big sounds for his big ideas. How big? The title is an acronym for “Boys Entering Anarchistic States Towards Inner Excellence.”
DESTROY LONELY - ‘</3³'
The third installment in his signature Broken Hearts series featured a rollout that included billboards across NYC; and the 18-track project showcases some stellar production from Clayco, Cxdy, Cade and Bugz Ronin.
