The Listening: Slick Rick’s ‘Victory,’ New Leon Bridges, Kehlani and More

This week’s new music Friday also features Gunna, Kehlani and Will Smith.

Father’s Day is coming up and even though this week’s new music may not exactly have a dad-friendly theme, it’s still the perfect soundtrack for any poppa that can appreciate good music.

The legendary Slick Rick the Ruler has returned! The rap icon is back with Victory, his first album in over 25 years. The legendary Slick Rick the Ruler has returned! The rap icon is back with Victory, his first album in over 25 years. Then, we’ve also got a bunch of new songs to check out. Kehlani releases her newest single “Folded” this week and Will Smith is showing love to “Pretty Girls,” with an assist from O’Banga.

Each week, Okayplayer will deliver a roundup of all the latest new heat from some of our favorite artists. Check out the latest offerings below.

NEW SONGS

CUPCAKKE - “ONE OF MY BEDBUGS ATE MY P***Y”

Leave it up to Cupcakke to go there. Its her first solo release since her 2024 album Dauntless Manifesto—and she is most definitely in her bag.

KEHLANI - “FOLDED”

Classic “we are over” music. The Grammy-nominated singer gets raw and real on her latest single – a complete departure from her previous “Think Of Me.”

JAMAICA MOANA - “LIVIN’ OUT WEST”

She’s definitely an artist blazing her own trail. Her upcoming EP BUD & DENI is set to drop August 1.

JOONY - “NO CHILL”

The triple threat (rapper, songwriter, and producer) is delivering the goods on his newest single. The melodic groover is definitely a song for the summer.

JUNIOR SIMBA - “TRAPPED IN SILENCE”

The sound of losing yourself when you “can’t find your way home.” The DJ/Producer’s latest is a moody and sultry track that effectively captures what he’s always done well.

LEON BRIDGES - “HOLD ON”

The latest from the acclaimed singer-songwriter has had a long gestation period: it was originally written for his debut album back in 2015.

JUNE FREEDOM - “SPIRITUAL”

Sweeping instrumentation conveys June’s seamless blend of English and Cape Verdean Kriolu. The AfroFusion star returns with this commanding single—just ahead of his performance at AfroNation Portugal.

RAYE AND MARK RONSON - “SUZANNE”

The superproducer teams up with the songbird for this one. And the Grammy nominee said she couldn’t be happier to team with the hitmaker.

ELIJAH BLAKE - “WORK IT OUT”

Following up on his critically acclaimed album elijah. and ahead of joining Keyshia Cole on tour, Blake drops this feel-good track—channeling the timeless energy of classic R&B.

KIRBY - “THE MAN”

This bluesy stroke of brilliance is from one of the more accomplished songwriters in popular music. Channeling generations of soul.

CORY GUNZ F/GRAFH - “BAG”

Produced by Black Saun and Qui3t., this slightly throwback track features some killer wordplay from the two emcees–and enough bombast to level a house.

RODDY RICCH - “UNDERDOG”

From the soundtrack for the summer blockbuster F1: The Movie, the Cali rapper drops his first new music of 2025. Produced by d.a. got that dope.

LOE SHIMMY - “KILL THE SCENE”

He’s opening for Lil Baby on the WHAM Tour, and he’s dropped this ridiculously infectious track. With wavy steel drums and knocking 808s, the track makes plenty of room for Shimmy’s woozy, melodic bars.

WILL SMITH AND OBANGA - ‘PRETTY GIRLS’

Grown man club music. Big Willie is back with a new single that seems like a perfect soundtrack to a party for the more “seasoned” listener.

LIL DOUBLE O - “JOHNNY TEST”

The song title pays homage to the iconic Cartoon Network series –– and the Memphis product delivers cold, laid-back bars over gritty trap production that highlights that Tennessee swagger.

LELO - "BATHING APE"

After announcing that his long-awaited debut album New Detroit will arrive later this year, he’s dropped his latest single, on the heels of selling out his first-ever headline show in Los Angeles last week.

BLP KOSHER - "JACK & JILL”

The Florida rapper is back with his follow-up to 2024’s Scarecrow–and the lead single from his upcoming album, Brackish.

RAQ BABY - “GOODBYERZ”

Following the release of his Childish Gambino-sampling track “Stick Up,” the Atlanta rap upstart is back with an introspective look at the price of fame.

SKYLER BLATT - “I LOOK GOOD”

The soundtrack to some bad decisions–in the best way. The Cincinnati-bred rhymer delivers the goods on this chest-thumping single.

GUNNA - “WON’T STOP”

Re-teaming with longtime collaborator Turbo, the Atlanta trap star is dropping his first new music of 2025. And it’s a boldly ambitious track he recorded while in Johannesburg, South Africa.

ACE HOOD - “THAT MODE”

Produced by ISM, the newest track from Ace delves into his own personal growth, while jumping life’s hurdles and maintaining his spirit and focus as he’s bombarded with d’evils. His new album is set to drop on July 18.

INDIA SHAWN ‘ “KILL SWITCH”

The Los Angeles-born singer-songwriter is moving into new sonic territory on her latest; a fearless reinvention produced by D’Mile.

CASH COBAIN FEAT. ONLYHEAVEN, “SICK N TIRED”

A smooth single that features Cash teaming up with NOLA product OnlyHeaven for a glimpse of what to expect from his forthcoming sixth album.

New ALBUMS

SLICK RICK, ‘Victory’

The legendary emcee teams up with actor/deejay Idris Elba for this ambitious new visual album–his first release since 1999s Art Of Storytelling.

LEIKELI47, ‘lei keli ft 47 / For Promotional Use Only’

One of music’s most mysterious and engaging acts, the rapper delivers an 11 song set that proves she’s just getting started.

ONEFOUR, ‘Look At Me Now’

Coming on the heels of some well-documented legal woes, the Australian drill group returns with an album that captures all of their frenetic energy.

LIL TECCA, ‘Dopamine’

Lil Tecca continues to be one of the most reliable rappers around with Dopamine, an album laced with dynamic slaps just in time for summer.

CYMARSHALL LAW & SLIMLINE MUTHA, ‘The Peaceful Warrior 2: Raw Self Expression’

The follow-up to last year’s The Sorcerer’s Art Supplies, the project features some of the emcee’s most engaging, personal songs– as well as production that effectively captures classic rap vibes from the ‘90s.

YAMÊ, ‘ÉBĒM’

Emotional and evocative. The French Cameroonian singer and rapper has an undeniable flair for melody on his latest set.

MAIYA BLANEY, ‘A Room With A Door That Closes’

NYC’s Blaney says her new album is designed to speak to her teenaged self who needed to hear it. Her debut project, it’s a beautiful blend of alt-R&B vibes and electronica flourishes.

NATANYA, ‘Feline’s Return’ EP

She refuses to be boxed in. The London-based artist is proving to be one of music’s most unbridled creatives and charting a new direction with a more pop-styled release.

DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER & BILL CHARLAP, ‘Elemental’

A dynamic collection of 8 jazz standards that showcase the variety of styles that reflect the breadth of the musicality and experience of this pair of super-talents.

EST GEE, ‘My World’

Coming on the heels of reflective leadoff single, “Take my time Geeski SH Feb 23,” the Louisville rhymer delivers 14 tracks of raw raps with almost zero guest stars (Yo Gotti makes an appearance.)

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