21 New Hip-Hop, R&B, & Neo-Soul Albums You Should Be Listening To (Week of July 30)

Photo Credit: Spenser Sease

Our weekly roundup of New Music Friday albums is filled with releases by a crew of talented female acts like Liv.e, Amindi, Emmavie, BbyAfricka, Cookie Kawaii and more.

This week we’re back with a stacked list of options for you to take for a spin on New Music Friday. We’re particularly enthused that there are a bunch of refreshing releases from female rappers/singers including but not limited to Liv.e, Billie Eilish, Emmavie, BbyAfricka, Cookie Kawaii, Bri Steves, Ebhoni and more.

First up we’re really, really into Isaiah Rashad’s latest The House Is Burning which is his return after a five-year break from dropping albums, singles, etc. A few days ago, Amindi, a hidden gem served up an introspective EP, nice.

Also out today is Toosii’s Thank You For Believing: The Manifestation which features a solid appearance from Fivio Foreign; Young Dolph reveals Paper Route Illuminati; Logic drops Bobby Tarantino III; and Dave East and Harry Fraud roll out HOFFA.

As you know, we’re always here for the ladies that have been dominating music despite the pandemic. We’ve been bumping these releases for a bit before they dropped Emmavie’s What’s A Diamond To A Baby, BbyAfricka’s Freak Of The Nile, Bri Steve’s TBH and Lauren Faith’s No Path To Follow. Don’t sleep on Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever.

For those of you who enjoy live music, kick back and relax to Durand Jones & The Indication’s masterful EP Private Space and Naia Izumi’s stunning release A Residency in the Los Angeles Area.

Keep scrolling to see all of this week’s selections.

Isaiah Rashad — The House Is Burning

Photo Credit: TDE

Amindi — Nice

Photo Credit: Vinny Nolan

Liv.e — CWTTY+

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Skepta — All In

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Dave East, Harry Fraud — HOFFA

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Young Dolph — Paper Route Illuminati

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Prince – Welcome 2 America

Photo credit: Mike Ruiz

Toosii — Thank You For Believing: The Manifestation

Photo Credit: Universal Music

Logic — Bobby Tarantino III

Photo Credit: Def Jam Recordings

Emmavie — What’s A Diamond To A Baby

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Billie Eilish — Happier Than Ever

Cookie Kawaii — Vanice

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BbyAfricka — Freak Of The Nile

Gabe ‘Nandez — Seven

Photo Credit: POW Recordings

Tink — Heat Of The Moment

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Naia Izumi — A Residency in the Los Angeles Area

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Bri Steves — TBH

Photo Credit: Atlantic Records

Ebhoni — Good Dick & Weed

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Durand Jones & The Indications — Private Space

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Lauren Faith — No Path To Follow

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Alex Banin — Did I Imagine

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Robyn Mowatt

Robyn Mowatt is a Staff Writer at Okayplayer where she covers culture, music, and fashion. You can see what's on her mind on Twitter at @robyn_mowatt.