It’s mid-March so that means wild temperature changes and St. Patrick’s Day (for those who celebrate). So if you’re feeling particularly lucky this season, some of the hottest tracks dropping this week might have a little something to do with that.
We’ve got new heat from the always-interesting Elucid, plus Jack Harlow dives into his R&B bag. The latest from Earl Sweatshirt announces a major collaboration, and Reason teams up with Eric Bellinger and Isaiah Jaay. Samara Cyn gifts us with her newest single, and we get the highly anticipated album from Ms. Banks.
50 Cent drops a new POWER theme (and T.I. response?). while Nas continues to bask in the glow of the acclaimed Legends Have It… series. We also get an unexpected collaboration from Willow and Thundercat.
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
THUNDERCAT FEAT. WILLOW - “THUNDERWAVE”
The duo wrote this new track with pop superproducer Greg Kurstin, it’s a groovy, atmospheric duet that features some really evocative production. Their chemistry really works creatively.
REASON FEAT. ERIC BELLINGER AND ISAIAH JAAY - "DOIN’ TOO MUCH"
This standout track arrives with the announcement of the rapper’s upcoming project, Moving Towards Love_Pink, which is scheduled for release on April 24. It will serve as the second installment in his four-part color-themed series.
GLENN LEWIS - “PAST TENSE”
A warm, stripped-down new single from the R&B veteran — and released under his own imprint. The Toronto native signals his first solo output in more than 10 years and his official debut as an independent artist.
50 CENT FEAT. LEON THOMAS - “NO ONE TOLD US”
The official theme song for the upcoming Starz prequel series, Power: Origins, also serves as the Queens legend’s official clapback to a certain King of the South.
JACQUEES FEAT. TINK - “PHYSICAL”
He’s still that dude. A sensual springtime jam that proves the singer’s songcraft is still top-notch. A standout track for both artists and perfect for the season.
MANNYWELLZ FEAT. WALE - “HOW IT FEELS”
He’s always melded styles well, and he has a sound that clearly stands out amongst the pack. The Afro-soul singer teams up with fellow Nigerian-American star and DMV product Wale for this stellar single.
MURDA BEATZ FEAT. ZUKENEE - “EAT IT UH”
Their second high-profile collab, the track serves as the latest release in an ongoing run of collaborative singles. Beatz uses his diverse production and genre-less collaboration standards to build an eclectic discography.
CYHI - “LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE”
His new track appears to be a YouTube exclusive, and it drops in the midst of CyHi’s headline-grabbing J. Cole diss, but if he’s attempting to capitalize on the attention he’s getting in the moment, this is exactly how you do it.
EARL SWEATSHIRT & SURF GANG - “EARTH”
After the collaborations on different projects and touring together, Earl, MIKE and Surf Gang have announced the release of their forthcoming double LP, POMPEII / UTILITY, which is due out April 3.
SABA & NO ID - “PAYGRADE DEMO”
This previously unreleased track features the Chicago rap iconoclast and Pivot Gang leader reteaming up with none other than “Godfather of Chicago Hip-Hop,” superproducer No I.D. The track commemorates the upcoming one-year anniversary of their critically acclaimed joint album, From the Private Collection, of Saba and No ID.
ARLO PARKS - “GET GO”
His new album is expected to be a collection of club-centric grooves, and his newest single makes it sound like it’s going to be one helluva party. "It's about the dance floor as a means of healing, understanding yourself and discovering your relationship to love,” he said in a statement.
SAMARA CYN - “OOOSHXT!”
Her new Detour album is slated to drop on March 20. In the meantime, she shares this searing lead single–announcing a new artistic chapter with production by long-time collaborators Sherwyn, Kendo and Pera.
YG - “STATE OF EMERGENCY”
They’ve definitely gotten his attention. Another taste of his upcoming project, The Gentlemen's Club, the Compton rap vet once again proves that, when inspired, there aren’t many that can touch him.
XZIBIT, B-REAL & DEMRICK FEAT. SCOOP DEVILLE - “BY ANY MEANS”
Three West Coast giants unite as the powerhouse trio Serial Killers and drop their latest single — the lead track from their new album, This Thing of Ours. This is that classic, gritty California sound.
MILES MINNICK FEAT. LUL DREDAY - “WHERE HE AT”
The faith-based artist drops his third single and video of 2026, an infectious track complete with a feel-good, high-energy video shot in his Bay Area hometown.
AB-SOUL ‘ “PINEAL GLAND MAN.”
An interesting mish-mash of styles. Rhyming over T.I.’s 2000s classic “Rubberband Man,” the West Coast veteran showcases his lyrical virtuosity while recalling the infectious boastfulness of the original.
ROSCOE P. COLDCHAIN & NICHOLAS CRAVEN - “BENZ SPRINTER”
A team-up that perfectly exemplifies what Coldchain and Craven bring out of each other. And it’s a clear indicator of what’s coming: Coldchain’s new album, Play With Something Safe, is set to drop in April.
JAHMED - “RITUAL”
The Los Angeles rapper has built a name and a sound that showcases he’s masterful as they come. His unique vocal style has served him well here, as the Human Re Sources rapper shows his knack for clever wordplay against sonically rich production.
1SKI OG - “LIFE OF A MAN (L.O.M.)”
The rising Jamaican dancehall artist returns with his new single, anchored by haunting melodies and a steady dancehall rhythm. His latest reflects on the pressures and expectations tied to manhood, delivered through sharp lyricism and emotional honesty.
LOSMOOTHE - “FOOL FOR LOVE”
His latest R&B offering comes on the heels of his recent moves between Houston and Chicago, and the track is a masterclass in modern intimacy and emotional transparency. Contemporary R&B with a gritty, 21st-century narrative, exploring the high stakes of one-sided connections.
MOMO BOYD - “STRONG”
An examination of the emotional imbalance within an on-and-off relationship, the quiet push and pull where one person feels more deeply than the other. Bolstered by gorgeously delicate guitar work and understated production.
TEE GRIZZLEY FEAT. HURRICANE WISDOM - “HARD TIMES”
No frills, no bulls** realness. This marks Grizzley’s first drop since his November mixtape, Street Psalms, and it’s clear that he’s stripping things back and returning to that original Detroit sound.
NEW ALBUMS
ELUCID - ‘I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE’
He remains decidedly in his own lane. With guest appearances from Backwoodz Studioz founder billy woods and U.K. jazz veteran Shabaka Hutchings, the album is produced by the veteran Sebb Bash and features 12 tracks of opaque, slightly sinister and undeniably mysterious music.
JACK HARLOW - ‘MONICA’
Mainstream stardom notwithstanding, the guy has always prided himself on being outside-the-box and defying the conventional. Here he’s diving deep into his R&B jonez, moving him definitively away from rap music.
LEVEN KALI - ‘LK99’
A project that delves into the things that, as he puts it, “make you feel human.” Themes of love, nature, water, breathing, spirituality, and finding God through whatever way are emphasized, as well as being aware of those pillars in life.
MS BANKS - ‘SOUTH LDN LOVER GIRL’
She announced her debut back in December, and the British singer has said that the project is an ode to Black women, and that she wanted to make a project that encapsulated the experience of growing up as a Black woman in the U.K.. After a bit of a dely, the project is finally here.
BRUISER WOLF & SHEEFY MCFLY - ‘PUSH & PAINT’
A stripped-down affair that allows everyone to shine. Produced in its entirety by multidisciplinary artist Mcfly, the new project features guest appearances from BabyTron, Sada Baby, Akeem Ali & Payroll Giovanni.
NAS - ‘LEGEND HAS IT…NAS FEATURE PRESENTATION’
This curated collection highlights the Queensbridge icon’s guest appearances across the critically-acclaimed Legend Has It… album series. It’s a compilation of Nas’ featured verses from the series that also features exclusive commentary from the artist himself.
AESOP ROCK & HOMEBOY SANDMAN - ‘MIAMI LICE: SEASON FOUR’ (EP)
The longest Lice EP thus far, the latest from the duo of venerated underground rap legends features production from Rock, and it’s some of the most infectious, groove-driven music he’s delivered.
JAMAL GASOL - ‘GET ME 2 HEAVEN’
Mostly produced by Griselda affiliate Denny Laflare, the project features the Niagara Falls native manifesting his truth. Reflecting on prayer as a tool to cope while growing up in an environment where poverty, drugs and violence are rampant, he explores many ideologies topically.
