The Listening: New Music From Ken Carson, Rico Nasty, Nipsey Hussle & Bino Rideaux, Jorja Smith with WizKid, Larry June and More

It's the 4th of July Weekend (for those who celebrate), and folks are prepping for fireworks and firing up the grill. And on the music front, there are some scorching albums and songs to go along with the record temperatures everybody seems to be feeling across the U.S. 

Ken Carson drops his new album xperiment, and we’ve got a new summer-dedicated project from Lil Jon with Tonio Armani. Another rap veteran of a different kind, the “Teacha” KRS-One drops some topical realness; and there’s a new collaborative track from Bino Rideaux & Nipsey Hussle alongside BH. There’s a new heater from Rico Nasty, and Curren$y teams up with J French for their newest track. 

Speaking of collabs; we get a pairing of Jorja Smith and WizKid; and Naisha teams up with Ty Dolla $ign. G Herbo collabs with BJRNK on her new single. We also get new music from Larry June, as well as the latest from Chika. And we also get a new release from the inimitable Adrian Younge.

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
JORJA SMITH FEAT. WIZKID - “ALIVE”

Smith drops her new single ahead of her forthcoming album. Produced by P2J, the track features the R&B singer/songwriter pairing with Afrobeats superstar WizKid, as they celebrate the highs of newfound love.

NIPSEY HUSSLE & BINO RIDEAUX FEAT. BH - “ALL SUMMER”

It’s an L.A. thang. Bino Rideaux teams with the late GRAMMY Award-winning icon Nipsey Hussle and Nip’s compatriot BH. It comes ahead of their eagerly awaited new collaborative album, PROLIFIC, which drops in August. 

NAISHA W/SKRILLEX FEAT. TY DOLLA $IGN - ‘SO THEN’

It’s the kind of appetizer that should definitely pique your interest. The India-born artist returns with this atmospheric club banger, featuring a winning guest appearance from Dolla $ign. It drops ahead of her forthcoming debut EP, 911.

BBYKOBE - "U MISS ME" 

The R&B-influenced track is entirely self-produced, and it’s a record that follows recent singles like "ERL" and “NO HOMEGIRLS”. The release arrives as he continues a remarkable behind-the-scenes run. 

DYLTWOSIX -  “WEST TORONTO” 

On the heels of Lived and I’ve Learned, the Canadian artist/producer Dyltwosix releases his new single and an accompanying music video. An amalgamation of 2010’s digital sounds and the breezy effervescence of the Soundcloud era. 

HOMEBOY SANDMAN & JACK SPLASH - “TWENTYFOURSEVEN”

The acclaimed underground rap luminary Sandman teams up with the multi-Grammy Award-winning producer Splash. It serves as the official announcement of their new collaborative project, Resonance Frequency, dropping in late July. 

CHIKA - “WHO SHINES FOR THE SUN”

An introspective, storytelling-focused single; its emotionally-charged production proves to be the perfect backdrop for a song that could mean so many things depending on what the listener brings to the experience. 

AKTHESAVIOR - “HAVE HOPE” 

Part of Savior Sundays, the ongoing music series and weekly release campaign, AK’s latest track is the sixth entry. Produced by Zoomo, he describes the track as “real food for the soul vibes.”

KRS-ONE - “WHAT IS THE MESSAGE”

“The Teacha” offers a reminder that hip-hop is more than a genre.His new track is co-produced by Mad Lion and Jesse West; and the guru of boom-bap icon proves there still isn’t a better representative of unfiltered, no frills, no b.s. hip-hop.

CRAIG G & JAKE PALUMBO - “BRAWNDO”

Regardless of whether you’re old enough to remember the “Golden Age” of hip-hop or not, it can’t be denied that veteran emcees are doing the damn thing. The Juice Crew legend himself teams up with Palumbo for this cut from their upcoming collaborative album. 

ADRIAN YOUNGE - “SHAKE DOWN”

The second installment from Afro-Disco Makossa. Younge continues to push the genre into new territory. His latest blends the power of Afrobeat with the infectious energy of drum ‘n bass. 

This is going to be a dancefloor staple. 

BJRNCK & G HERBO - “COMING HOME”

She’s baring her soul on this one. It’s the first glimpse of what’s to come on the deluxe version of A Girl Like Me, originally released in October of 2025.A powerfully introspective cut that finds the artist unpacking heartbreak.

PLATO III, ELUCID & BEI BEI - “STAY SANE” (REMIX)

A new remix of Plato III’s undeniable original track, it features a welcome guest spot from none other than East Coast rapper and underground hip-hop icon ELUCID as well as gorgeous sonics from Bei Bei. 

LARRY JUNE - “ORGANIC MOTION”

It doesn’t get more effortlessly smooth than this. It’s the sound of maturation but not complacency, as June contemplates falling into a better place while maintaining a sense of self. This is just feel-good music. 

RICO NASTY - “CUPCAKE”

A fiery new single–produced by Kenny Beats. With sharp punchlines and her bombastic delivery; Nasty lets loose with an anthem about confidence and dominating. A reminder to anyone who needed it that she doesn’t give a f**k.

SHENSEEA - “BRUCKSWEAT”

Get ready to move. The new track is produced by Supa Dups, Cresso and KidSmart, and it’s the kind of high-energy dancehall fans have been clamoring for. That title says what you need to know. 

THIRTEENDEGREES W/TRIPPIE REDD - “EMOTIONLEZZ”

The track combines Thirteendegrees' signature melodies with Trippie's emotional vocal delivery, staying true to Trippie Redd's well-known style of melodic emo-rap and heartbreak ballad.

NEW ALBUMS

KEN CARSON - ‘XPERIMENT’

He pushes his sound into new territory while building on the momentum that's made him the artist who’s already influencing a new generation of rap. 

LIL JON + TONIO ARMANI -  'OUTSIDE FOR SUMMER' 

The project seamlessly merges Armani’s deep, soulful Southern baritone with Jon’s signature crunk-infused production. Primarily produced by Lil Jon, with additional contributions from Flinstone and Charlie Bereal.

A CLASS - 'M.U.S.A.' (MIXTAPE)

One of the most respected producers in the UK rap scene, Class drops his hotly anticipated mixtape. With an all-star list of talent—including MIST, M1llionz, Remtrex, Sox, Jaykae, Mayhem NODB, Mowgs, and more. 

YSN FAB - ‘WAITING 4 MY MOMENT’ (EP)

The rhymer out of Winnipeg wrestles with the costs of fame. Fab explores life’s sudden transitions; finding his voice via an introspective approach and backed by minimalist production. This is a project that leans into storytelling and self-analysis. 

MALIA - ‘IF I’M BEING HONEST’

The Los Angeles-based alternative R&B and neo-soul singer-songwriter raised in Seattle delivers the goods on her latest. Known for her soothing, soulful vocals, her songwriting and vocalizing are all front-and-center on a soul-baring new project.