Valentine's Day Weekend is a time for love and for lovers, so you’d best believe R&B is bringing it this week. In a season of romance, the crooners and balladeers are definitely delivering, so you have something fresh for your VDay playlists.
Jill Scott is making waves with her first album in a decade, and the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, has a new single that’s perfect for Valentine’s. The multi-talented Jamie Foxx drops off his new track — and we’ve got Brent Faiyaz delivering his new album.
Victoria Monet is bringing it — and so is Justine Skye on her latest.
But hip-hop isn’t coasting or taking a week off. The new EP from Ras Kass is vintage West Coast wisdom; Central Cee drops his “Iceman Freestyle,” as Denzel Curry teams up with Knocked Loose. And we get the new EP from A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.
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
MARY J. BLIGE - “MORE THAN LOVER”
Love feels so good. Just in time for Valentine's Day, MJB delivers an ode to being blissfully smitten.
BABY ROSE W/LEON THOMAS - “FRIENDS AGAIN”
On their latest collaboration, the pair play friends turned lovers who struggle with how intimacy has only complicated their former bond.
CENTRAL CEE - “ICEMAN FREESTYLE”
After the viral Drake livestream in 2025, Cee finally releases (officially) the track as he preps to kick off a tour of Australia next month.
JAMIE FOXX - “SOMEBODY”
The multihyphenate drops his first new song in a decade. The track is classic R&B yearning, as a lover looks to find someone to fill the hole in his heart.
KNOCKED LOOSE & DENZEL CURRY - “HIVE MIND”
The hardcore band and the hip-hop star team up for a new track that brings the best of both worlds. Crushing metal core.
VICTORIA MONET - “LET ME”
It’s her first single in two years, and Monét is in full romance mode — urging a lover to believe in love. A preview of what to expect on her upcoming sophomore album.
SHAE UNIVERSE - “D’ANGELO’S JOINT”
The singer-songwriter pays homage to the late neo soul icon with her latest. A fitting ode to an artist who inspired so much and so many.
MURDA BEATZ FEAT. CASH COBAIN & LOE SHIMMY - “BY MY SIDE”
One of the game’s premier producers teams up with two emcees who both deliver inspired performances here. The atmospheric production is a standout.
ALEX ISLEY - “SWEETEST LULLABY”
The Grammy nominee delivers a new single and announces her upcoming major label debut. The track sways with lilting guitar and showcases her elegant vocals.
JUSTINE SKYE - “THONG”
Skye drops off her first collaboration with Kaytranada. Perfect for the end of a romantic night or the beginning of a raunchy one.
MAYA J’AN - “POCKETKNIFE”
The track explores an interesting question when in a relationship: can love exist without trust or vice versa? Think before you answer.
NLE CHOPPA - “SLUT ME OUT 4”
Speaking of raunchy nights, this is perfect if you prefer your Valentine's Day soundtrack more strip club-friendly.
FLEA - “THINKIN BOUT YOU”
The legendary bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers covers the Frank Ocean classic. The latest single from his upcoming debut solo album.
LARRY JUNE, CURREN$Y, ALCHEMIST - “EVERYTHING ALLOCATED”
A trifecta that works well together. And on this one, everyone involved brought their A game. Spiral Staircases looks to be a heater.
CONCRETE BOYS - “MILLIONAIRE”
The Concrete Boys have a mixtape coming later this month. That’s C2Trill, Camo!, Draft Day and Lil Yachty for the uninitiated. And it sounds like the crew is gearing up for a big drop.
BOSSMAN DLOW - “ACT LIKE MONEY”
The Florida rhymer drops this swag-heavy street anthem. This is Dirty South hustler music backed by Dlow’s delivery and motivational approach. Get to that money, mang.
G HERBO - “SNEAKY LINK NYC”
It’s a Chicago/New York multi-regional affair as Herbo recruits Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, TaTa, 41 and Hxllywood for a posse cut that blends East Coast and Midwest.
MIKE WILL MADE-IT W/NBA YOUNGBOY, CHIEF KEEF - “ROOMS”
When you’ve got his resume, you can take as long as you want. The superproducer is back with a new track featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Chief Keef.
BRUISER WOLF & SHEEFY MCFLY FEAT. AKEEM ALI - “COMMON GOAL”
Some artists just have an effortless chemistry. The trio team up for this infectious — and slightly whimsical — new single.
RAQ BABY - “WDH YOU BEEN DOIN’”
One of his more introspective tracks is also bolstered by heartfelt and uplifting production. The kind of inward-looking track that any listener can relate to.
HUS KINGPIN - “RZA FANGZ”
The underground sensation delivers on a track that is both a collab with and a quasi tribute to the legendary Abbott of the Wu-Tang Clan.
MS BANKS - “SOUTH LDN LOVER GIRL”
Her album got pushed back to March, but on its title track, Banks more than delivers. She mines her hometown experiences for a track that looks at crime and addiction.
XZIBIT, B-REAL, DEMRICK & SCOOP DEVILLE - “HIGH ENERGY”
These individual talents come together as hip-hop supergroup Serial Killers. Classic hip-hop with a modern edge, it’s the fourth single released from their upcoming collaborative album, This Thing Of Ours.
LEFTY GUNPLAY - “WHAT’S MY NAME”
The L.A. product follows up his Grammy win, dropping this West Coast banger produced by Grammy-winner MyGuyMars (of 1500 or Nothin’) alongside JasonMartin and Lefty himself. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with a victory lap when you’re winning.
NEW ALBUMS
JILL SCOTT - ‘TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN’
The neosoul icon makes her return after a decade and she sounds reinvigorated, rejuvenated and revitalized. Bow down to the Queen.
BRENT FAIYAZ - ‘ICON’
He’s a standard-bearer for a reason. The indie soul star drops his latest, a collection executive-produced by none other than Raphael Saadiq. A match made in musical heaven.
TIANA MAJOR9 - ‘NOVEMBER SCORPIO’
Honest, emotionally-naked lyrics drive the core of the songstress’s debut album, as she tackles everything from love to God to money and fame.
A BOOGIE WIT DA HOODIE - ‘BEFORE ARTISTRY’ EP
With appearances from Kyle Richh, Trippie Redd and Zeddy Will, the rap veteran out of the Bronx is celebrating 10 years of making music.
CRIMEAPPLE & EVIDENCE - ‘WAR CASH’ EP
A punchy and powerful extended player. CA’s bars are expertly showcased here, as he explodes lyrically over standout production from Evidence.
RAS KASS - ‘LEOPARD EATS FACE’
The legend from California has always been one of hip-hop’s most thoughtful street poets and his new EP serves as a reminder that his skills have only sharpened with time.
HIT-BOY & SPANK NITTI JAMES - ‘YEAST TALKIN’' (DELUXE)
They already let you know in 2025. The duo drops the deluxe version of their joint album – complete with seven new tracks.
RANSOM, BOLDY JAMES & NICHOLAS CRAVEN - ‘SALVATION FOR THE WICKED’
They just work great together. The trio drops off this stellar set that proves that they are uniquely capable of bringing out the best in each other.
