The Listening: New Music From 6LACK, Vince Staples, Lizzo & Sexyy Red, Aja Monet, 38 Spesh & Busta Rhymes and More

We’re heading into Memorial Day Weekend, which means the unofficial start of the summer. Regardless of what your plans are for the next few days, there’s a wealth of great music to keep you bouncing on your road trip or flight. Let’s get into it. 

This week, we get the new album from 6LACK and more R&B greatness from the likes of Aja Monet, as well as a new single from veteran superstar Johnny Gill. For good measure, Adrian Younge also delivers his latest. And Ro James is shifting things on his new single. 

Hip-hop is definitely in the building this week, as Vince Staples has a blazing new track, and two of the game’s best emcees, 38 Spesh and Busta Rhymes, join forces for their latest. The ladies are to be felt, as well, as we get a new anthem from none other than Lizzo and Sexyy Red.

The new album from French Montana and Max B is here. While K Camp teams up with Reese La Flare for his newest drop. 

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

VINCE STAPLES - “WHITE FLAG”

The latest single from his upcoming project, Cry Baby, it’s the Cali rapper in his most topical mode. He addresses the constant presence of wars, police brutality, and inequality for Black people in America. 

CHIKA - “A GAP IN THE CLOUDS”

On her first release since last year’s WISH YOU WERE (T)HERE, she drops this peaceful, synth-driven cut. And she brings her best vocal performance, alongside some impressive, dexterous, mid-tempo flows.

LIZZO FEAT. SEXYY RED - “HOES”

Sometimes you just have to embrace the campy enthusiasm of it all. The sinister vibe and heavy-hitting sonic backdrop is a perfect fit for these two larger-than-life personalities. 

BOLDY JAMES & NICHOLAS CRAVEN - “SUMMER’S EVE”

The latest release from two of the most respected creatives in underground hip-hop. Their consistency is remarkable and their momentum is ridiculous. Another example of gritty storytelling and subdued delivery.

ADRIAN YOUNGE - “FEEL THE HIGH LIFE”

The legendary producer and multi-instrumentalist is prepping his new project, and he’s always been a restless creative. His newest track reveals that he’s willing to push his audience into exciting new sonics and styles. 

GLENN LEWIS - “G.Y.A.M.L. (MY LOVE)”

The acclaimed R&B vocalist drops this smooth, resonant track that showcases his mastery of both classic soul and contemporary R&B. A warm melody and lush arrangements is the perfect palette for this kind of vivid storytelling. 

TIFFANY EVANS - “TREAT ME LIKE A PRINCESS”

A strong single from the singer, and proof positive she’s an underacknowledged talent in the business. She’s been doing her thing for a while and it feels like she’s primed for a major breakthrough. 

RO JAMES - “5TH GEAR”

He’s one of the most exciting R&B artists recording today and he’s always had a sound that could only come from New York City. New album coming soon.

BIG FREEDIA & SOPHIE - “BLAZE THAT ASS”

The new single is from a forthcoming EP dropping June 19. It’s a club track that showcases Freedia’s persona and sets her alongside SOPHIE’s production.

THE CRANK CRUSADERS - “TAMBOURINE”

Formed by Raheem DeVaughn, vocalist YahZarah and singer/producer Bootsy Vegas, as Vegas was undergoing treatment, they come together for this stellar single. 

TERMANOLOGY FEAT. LIL FLIP - “H-TOWN TRIP”

The producer is completely in his pocket, and the rapper out of Texas gets to go off. They complement each other well, and Term gets to flex his muscle outside of his typical comfort zone. 

BOBBY V - “EASY TO LOVE”

The R&B star returns with this gorgeously romantic single. With a lovely combination of guitar and piano, Bobby’s vocal gets to really do the heavy lifting and showcase the singer’s abilities. 

K CAMP & REESE LAFLARE - “GENTLEMEN”

It’s a midtempo banger. The rhymer from ATL teams with the rapper and record producer from Alabama for this bouncy trap single that sounds like it’s set to be a staple at the Blue Flame this summer. 

42 DUGG, SKILLA BABY & KASH DOLL - “THINK ONE” (REMIX)

They work so well together. Everybody gets by with a little help from their friends, as this trio gets together and truly brings out some serious chemistry. 

DEREZ DE’SHON FEAT. MORRAY & T-RELL - “FRFR”

He’s straight up Clayton County and he lets you know. The Atlanta native brings a gritty, hard-hitting flow with a restlessness to his lyricism. His gift is the ability to consistently deliver intensely real street anthems. 

DEVON CULTURE - “HOW DO YOU SLEEP”

A moody, jazzy slice of smooth R&B with sincere, heartfelt lyricism. This is the soundtrack for intimate, late-night get-togethers. 

JOHNNY GILL - “A DANCE, A KISS”

The R&B veteran returns with this seductive new single. Plot twist? It’s co-produced by Snoop Dogg and Soopafly. 

HURRICANE WISDOM & CHANCE THE RAPPER - “BARBIE DOLL”

Florida and Chicago come together on this infectious new track. A playful, piano-driven production proves to be a perfect sonic backdrop, and both emcees get to do their thing. 

38 SPESH & BUSTA RHYMES - “COLD WAR”

Spesh returns with the second single from the upcoming 8 Shots, this one with a guest spot from the legendary Bussa Buss. If ya know, ya know. 

SHEFF G - “EAT, WORK, PRAY”

The storm sounds on the track are a perfect touch. The Flatbush product is back with this somber look at pain and loneliness, but also a testament to resilience. It’s an anthem about bouncing back when you’re counted out.

JON BATISTE - “FACILE-BATISTE”

The multi-talented artist drops his latest, and per usual, he pours a soulfulness into the performance and the composition. The result is a vibrant conversation without words — not about genre, but pure expression. 

JIM JONES, YUNG BLEU & KODIE SHANE - “IN THE CAR”

Built around a smooth, late-night vibe, with raps about luxury cars, and romance under the stars. Shane delivers a melodic hook on a track that feels tailor-made for long drives during the wee hours. 

DAVE EAST & CRUCH CALHOUN FEAT. SUZI & WHOISTEVENYOUNG - “IT GOTTA BE ME”

Their camaraderie has always been evident, so it only makes sense that East and Calhoun get together for a project. This track is guaranteed to make anybody wonder what they’ve got cooking. 

SADBOI - “MONEY TALK”

If you need some hustler motivation–here’s your newest anthem. It’s the perfect soundtrack for anyone about that paper. Get money — because you can’t deposit excuses. 

NE-YO - “MS. TUNDRA”

He’s made it clear where he’s going on his upcoming project. The three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning hitmaker drops his latest. It sets the stage for his forthcoming, country-inspired album, Highway 79.

JAY SEAN - “ALL WE KNOW”

He’s remarkably prolific. Why does it always feel like he is the most underrated artist in R&B? The British singer-songwriter returns with his new track.

FANDOM, KHALID & AHN HYO-SEOP - “SOMETHING SPECIAL”

The rising global star Ahn Hyo Seop teams with superstar Khalid for this track that brings together K-pop and R&B as part of a broader wave of increasingly fluid collaborations between Korean and Western artists.

JOEY BADA$$ - “60 SECOND FREESTYLE”

The rhymer out of New York returns to the Red Bull Studios. He drops a razor-sharp new 60-Second Freestyle that proves exactly why he remains one of the best MCs in the game.

MIKE D - “WHAT WE GOT”

The former Beastie Boy has been busy lately, and now he drops his second solo single. It’s the classic, bombastic, boisterously energetic approach of his old band, as he adds an emotional coda that perfectly fits. 

NEW ALBUMS

6LACK - ‘LOVE IS THE NEW GANGSTA’

The R&B star drops his latest, with guest spots from Young Thug, 2 Chainz and Odeal as well as production by Oz, Reske, Fwdslxsh, Malik95, Sucuki and more.

AJA MONET - ‘THE COLOR OF RAIN’

The album is a compositional masterwork, a musical tapestry of poetry, emotion, and craft. She delivers her most accomplished release, a project that nourishes, blesses, and renews. Guaranteed to move anyone who listens. 

JPEGMAFIA - ‘EXPERIMENTAL RAP’

The latest from rap’s great off-kilter lyricist. He’s built a name as one of the most outside-the-box emcees in the game, and his new album is a testament to his uniquely creative approach. 

FRENCH MONTANA & MAX B - ‘WAVE GODS 2: THE COSMOS BROTHERS’

Fans rejoice. The pair delivers this collaborative effort that highlights how well they’ve always worked together, and just how joyous they sound to be back doing their thing since Max came home. 

DON TRIP & EDDIE VALERO - ‘ARMAGGEDDON’ 

Trip has built his career on consistency and realness, and teaming up with his hometown compatriot for their new project only makes sense. Valero is one of the city’s most remarkable voices. This is some real Memphis ish. 

CHUCK D & JOHN DENSMORE (DO+PE) - ‘NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN’

The legendary PE frontman and the founding member of The Doors team up for this collaborative project. It was originally released on vinyl for Record Store Day, now it’s available to stream. 

MGK & WIZ KHALIFA - ‘BLOG ERA BOYZ’ (MIXTAPE)

The two rap vets are hopping in the DeLorean to revisit the Blog Era, so get ready to party like it’s 2009. This is the best kind of hip-hop nostalgia and we are totally here for it.

FIEND - ‘ROYAUTE DU SUD’

He always does his thing. New Orleans most underrated rhymer returns with his new project. This is that bayou music. The best kind. 

K SUAVE - ‘HIT ME WHEN YOU LAND 2’

With that signature blend of cloud rap and trap, the Midwestern representer showcases the ability to meld melodious hooks with hard-hitting beats on this follow up to his album from 2022. 

LELO - ‘MASTIFF: PINK TILES’ (EP)

Pink Tiles is named after a regional commonality in Detroit homes and serves as an accompanying EP to Mastiff –– showcasing a distinct sonic side of Lelo's ever-evolving artistic identity. 

LG MALIQU - 'ROSE GOLD' EP

After delivering “Mona Lisa” with Dess Dior, the singer out of the Dirty South drops this full EP release. It’s a collection of tracks that highlight his songwriting and that distinctive tenor. 

VEEZE - 'Y'ALL WON' (MIXTAPE)

His sophomore album, Worst Tape, is coming. In the meantime, his new mixtape showcases growth and reflection, channeling raw energy while hinting at a focused artist entering his next chapter.