The Listening: New Music From Lizzo, Isaiah Rashad, Chris Brown & Leon Thomas, Mya, Durand Bernarr and More

May is here, which means spring is finally in full swing – and right on cue, we’ve got a ton of great music dropping this week as folks get outside and get into the first weekend of the month. Cinco De Mayo is right around the corner–as is Mother’s Day–so there will be a lot of get-togethers. We’re here to help you set the soundtrack.

Lizzo drops her pointedly titled new single ahead of her upcoming album, and Isaiah Rashad makes his return with his new release. R&B stars Chris Brown and Leon Thomas team up for a new single from Brown’s forthcoming album dropping later this month; as the lovely and talented Mya links with Too $hort himself for her new track. 

Fresh off his Grammy win, Durand Bernarr drops his hotly-anticipated new album, as does hip-hop upstart Lil TJay. 

And we get new music from some established hitmakers: a stellar new freestyle from Philly’s own Meek Mill, Bryson Tiller giving fans a glimpse of what he has cooking. On top of that, the ATL is well-represented this week with two veterans delivering the goods: a sultry new track from The-Dream, and B.o.B. drops his new EP. 

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

LIZZO - “BITCH”

The Grammy winner on her new single and upcoming album: “Reclaiming the word Bitch is power - it’s taking a label once used to diminish women and turning it into a declaration of confidence, and unapologetic self-love.”

AZ - “UNIQUENESS”

Over plush and luxurious production from Mike N Keys, the NYC legend shows and proves why his reputation as a lyricist is well-earned. The single arrives one week before the release of the highly anticipated album, Doe Or Die III.

BRYSON TILLER - “IT’S OK”

Tiller knows when he’s got a heater on his hands. Produced by Charlie Heat and Thurdi, the new single has an aggressive beat paired with melodic rap delivery, which he offsets with a yearning, emotive plea in the chorus. 

CHRIS BROWN W/LEON THOMAS - “FALLIN’”

A soulful, downtempo track that highlights both singers well. It features emotional lyrics about navigating complex, imperfect love, with smooth vocal synergy between the artists. A song that is intimate, bluesy and has a vulnerable tone

38 SPESH & DAVE EAST - “HEAVY BURDEN”

The rapper out of Rochester and the emcee from East Harlem have both been at the forefront of a New York City renaissance for several years, and they both deliver the goods on this hard-hitting single. 

THE-DREAM - “BRING THAT BODY”

It’s a smooth, persuasive single, and a confident track about pursuing someone in a stagnant relationship. Serving as the lead for Love/Hate 2, it features a distinct production style with a late-night atmosphere. And it’s a great showcase for his vocal control. 

S!MONE - “THE WORST PART”

The emerging R&B/soul singer-songwriter delivers the goods on her latest single. She’s at her best with gorgeous melodies and inward-viewing lyrics, and this is a perfect example of her at her most vulnerable and poetic. 

MYA FEAT. TOO $HORT - “JUST A LITTLE BIT”

Two veterans of R&B and hip-hop get together for a standout single. The electrifying new track is the latest preview from her upcoming tenth studio album.

MEEK MILL - “IN MY EYES” (FREESTYLE)

The Philly rap superstar has been on a tear as of late, dropping online tracks and freestyles as if something is coming. He’s said as much: back in March, he made it clear that an album is on the way. But when? 

DABABY FEAT. GLORILLA, YUNG MIAMI & YK NIECE - “POP DAT THANG” (REMIX)

With the original track becoming a viral sensation via TikTok, DaBaby recruits a high-profile trio of guests for the remix. It almost guarantees a hit. 

BIG K.R.I.T. - “SUNSET VET”

The Mississippi superstar has an early contender for song of the summer. A song made for cruising, hot weekends and long nights. 

NAV FEAT. QUAVO - “MUTT”

Trunk rattling production that features both rhymers delivering some of their most bombastic, gritty performances. And their bars are front and center on this banger. 

CALVIN RICHARDSON - “RADIO RODEO”

The Grammy-nominated R&B and soul singer/songwriter seems to channel generations of rich musical heritage virtually every time he drops new music. His new single could cross cultural boundaries and showcase him to a new audience. 

LA REEZY - “MELANATE IT”

An honest outlook into the community that raised him, moving from humor to critique to affirmation in a way that mirrors how people actually process the world around them. He pulls from vivid, everyday moments — and places them alongside larger societal tensions shaping daily life.

CHXRRY FEAT. MARIAH THE SCIENTIST - “BOTTLES & LIGHTS”

Set to appear on Chxrry's debut album, U, Me & My Ego, and featuring production from Believve, the new single proves to be a perfect showcase for both ladies, as Chxrry makes it sure that everyone knows her love shouldn’t be taken for granted. 

NICK GRANT FEAT. BJ THE CHICAGO KID - “BACK UP”

Grant recruits the Grammy-nominated BJ for this banger of a single. He represents as a true MC — a metaphoric craftsman whose attention to detail and dedication to the art form have set him apart since his arrival. 

LORD SKO & STATIK SELEKTAH - “HANGMAN”

Sko returns with a powerful new single and video alongside Selektah. Their forthcoming collaborative project drops May 15, produced entirely by the incomparable Selektah, and marking a major new chapter for one of New York’s most exciting young voices.

FETTY P FRANKLIN - “GRIND IT UP”

He embodies the hustle and heart of Charlotte's rap culture. This new single keeps the momentum going, following a recent run opening for DaBaby on select cities of his Be More Grateful Tour, and the release of their collab album in December.

REAL BOSTON RICHEY - “B*TCH YOU WEIRD”

A post-romance, stream-of-consciousness record that finds him at an intersection he often thrives in: vulnerable and vengeful. Driven by raw reflection and his signature delivery, the track captures the emotional aftermath of betrayal, a recurring theme across his catalog.

JON KEITH & DANILEIGH - “NEW ME”

Produced by the West Coast vocalist's go-to instrumentalist Enzo Gran, and featuring DaniLeigh, it’s a single that successfully blends genres; taking elements of R&B, Hip-Hop, and pop and swirling them together into one seriously engaging single. 

JPEGMAFIA - “BABYGIRL”

Grimy guitars and scrappy rhymes highlight the latest single from Peggy, who makes it clear he’s not softening his style or switching up his sound to be more palatable for anyone outside his base. 

NEW ALBUMS

LIL TJAY - ‘THEY JUST AIN’T YOU’

His fourth studio album and the follow-up to 2023's 222, the new project from the Bronx native has been described as a personal statement and a career and musical reset. An honest look at an artist in evolution. 

THE NTH POWER - ‘NEVER ALONE’

Drummer Nikki Glaspie, guitarist Nick Cassarino and bassist Nate Edgar converged on a farmhouse studio to record their new album. The project is a testament to band chemistry and creative focus. 

CURREN$Y, WIZ KHALIFA & HARRY FRAUD - ‘ROOFLESS RECORDS FOR DROP TOPS: DISC 2’

The trio has built a catalog that feels timeless, pairing elevated rap with music made for late-night drives, top-down cruises, and high-end escapes. No guest appearances. No distractions. Just all three in peak form, trading bars and reflecting the lifestyle they helped popularize.

ISAIAH RASHAD - ‘IT’S BEEN AWFUL’

After slowly teasing the album with several tracks, the TDE star finally returns. His third album and his first in three years, the 16-track project features collaborations with SZA, Dominic Fike and Julian Sintonia.

ASAKE - ‘M$NEY’

Grounded in the artist’s unique musical perspective and ever-evolving creative spirit, it’s an album that reaffirms the Afrobeats powerhouse as a defining voice in music today. A spiritual, immersive soundscape that draws from a palette of global influences while staying rooted in African rhythms. 

DURAND BERNARR - ‘BERNARR.’

The Cleveland singer’s fourth album arrives on the heels of his high-profile Grammy win, and he balances wit and pain on his newest effort. A great showcase of his diversity as a songwriter, with an inspired slate of guest stars. 

JARROD LAWSON - ‘JUST LET IT’

He’s one of music’s most underrated talents and his new project proves it. His musicianship sits front and center, his songwriting deserves a lot more acclaim, and his vocals are impeccable and soulfully rich. 

ODDISSEE & HENO - ‘FROM TAKOMA WITH LOVE’

The Ethiopian-Eritrean rapper and a Sudanese-American producer bring out the best in each other. Their pairing is truly inspired, and this project should be an instant favorite of anyone whoever considered themselves an outsider. Or anyone from the DMV. 

SKRILLA - ‘Z’

The Philly native has already said that this project represents a new beginning and a new chapter, moving past his druggy, reckless persona and towards something more refined and focused. He sounds like he’s ready to take things up a notch. 

ZIGGY MARLEY - ‘BRIGHTSIDE’

The reggae superstar has spent the better part of four decades delivering infectious anthems that champion human connection. His latest project embraces spirituality and goes inward, for what could be his most personal album yet. 

INDIA SHAWN - ‘SUBJECT TO CHANGE’ (EP)

After four years of evolution, introspection, and self-discovery, the R&B songstress returns. A sonically lush and deeply personal body of work, the six-track project explores the uncertainty that surrounds life’s major transitions.

TIARA THOMAS - ‘MAKE IT MAKE SENSE’ (EP)

The R&B songstress has built a career defying expectations and daring to not sit comfortably in anyone’s box or resting on her laurels. Her new EP is a strong set of tracks that chart an artist moving into an even more assured era. 

SHORELINE MAFIA - ‘BIDNESS IS BOOMIN’’ (EP)

The 8-track project features high-energy party rap, and showcases their signature style. Their vibe is intact–with production from Sean Momberger, Hitmaka, and others, and the EP is continuing their streak of L.A.-based releases.

NORTH WEST - N0RTH4EVR (EP)

She’s been building up to this moment, if you’ve been paying attention. You kind of had to know this was coming. The firstborn child of Ye drops her debut EP, and she produced the entire thing herself. The 12-year-old might have something here.

PLAQUEBOYMAX - ‘CRASH DUMMY’ (EP)

He began as a Twitch streamer and from there, he's grown into one of the more consistent artists in his lane. On this six-track project, he makes it clear why he’s developed one of the most rabid fanbases in the underground. 

ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO - ‘HOPE!!’

The new album from the five-time Grammy winner is a groove-heavy, galvanizing body of work that channels unbridled joy as a unifying force — an antidote to despair and a conduit for healing in troubled times. Dedicated to Kidjo’s late mother, Yvonne.

B.O.B. - ‘THE MORNING BANG’ (EP)

He’s been a strong songwriter and producer for almost twenty years, and even now, he still knows how to put together a strong release. An EP that serves as a reminder that this guy has always known how to deliver the goods.