March is Women’s History Month and this week, there is an abundance of dope new music from a host of celebrated women in the industry. We’ve got some superstars and some up-and-comers; some indie favorites and some critical darlings–but the ladies definitely brought the heat.
Lizzo is back with the official drop for her new single, as is R&B songbird Coco Jones, who is in a particularly romantic mode. Not to be outdone, singer-songwriters Samara Cyn and Jorja Smith are also bringing the goods, with a new album and new single, respectively.
Mike WiLL-Made-It drops his star-studded new album—complete with a J. Cole-assisted single. 6LACK is prepping you for his new album, and Brooklyn’s own Red Café returns with two new singles. Adding to the fire dropping today is “Minks in Miami,” a stylish new Rick Ross, French Montana, and Max B single that is as opulent as its title suggests.
We also get a new single from Tank and The Bangas, offering a glimpse of what to expect from their upcoming album. Coi Leray teams with NBA Youngboy, and Alex Isley may have dropped one of the year’s absolute best.
Of course, the fellas aren’t to be dismissed this week. Kid Cudi is stretching his sound while connecting with fans in all-new ways on his first official EP; and BigXThaPlug is announcing his 600 Entertainment roster in true boss fashion.
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
Rick Ross, French Montana, Max B - "Minks in Miami"
When Rick Ross was in the process of becoming a superstar 17 years ago, Max B was headed to prison, and French Montana was still a few years from officially breaking out. With Max out of the box, the three were free to link up for a track — and they did. And it was as dope as you'd imagine.
COCO JONES - “LUVAGIRL”
The GRAMMY-winning siren has dropped her new single, which sees her revelling in romance.
A horn-heavy affair, produced by Shae Jacobs, the track arrives as Jones struts into her next musical phase.
MIKE WILL-MADE IT FEAT. J. COLE - “OFG!”
Two of hip-hop’s most venerated names—the critically-acclaimed emcee and the chart-topping superproducer—once again collaborate on this track Mike’s new album. It finds both artists pushing each other out of their comfort zones, as Cole gets clinical over stripped-down production.
LIZZO - “DON’T MAKE ME LOVE YOU”
Fresh off her residency at the Blue Note jazz clubs, the superstar drops her newest. The Grammy-winner previewed her latest single during a February appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers where she sang a snippet of the song a capella.
DURAND BERNARR & JAMES FAUNTLEROY - “PRICE OF IT ALL”
It’s a perfect slice of classic contemporary R&B, an excellent groove and a melody that stays with you. Two of the best vocalists in contemporary R&B come together for a collaboration that makes you wonder what took them so long.
RED CAFÉ FEAT. BENNY THE BUTCHER - “TSA PRE-CHECK”
The Brooklyn representer returns with a new double single, and this track featuring Benny The Butcher is an excellent showcase for both emcees.
RED CAFÉ FEAT. EL CAMINO - “RED RUM”
You can’t see he’s not inspired, and teaming up with El Camino was a masterstroke for this dark bit of East Coast street hop. Café is slated to drop Once In A Red Moon on April 3.
DON DIABLO FEAT. WIZ KHALIFA, CHRISTIAN GATES - “GO HOME WITH A STRANGER”
The Dutch DJ teams up with the stoner rap superstar out of Pittsburgh, and the genre-bending singer-songwriter for this new track. It’s a lush track that sounds like it would be a perfect fit in Euro clubs and just as at home in your car on a Friday night ride.
HERMITUDE FEAT. BOB VYLAN - “LIGHT UP”
A rebel anthem masquerading as a hands-in-the-air party song. This high-energy club banger may not be what you think it is at first, but this duo delivers the goods on this pulsing and defiant dancefloor banger.
RAYE FEAT. HANS ZIMMER - “CLICK CLACK SYMPHONY”
Raye has described the song as “about the sounds that high heels make. It's about those times in our life when you need your best friends or your siblings to drag you out of the house and say 'I know you're not in the best place right now but we need to get outside.’”
JORJA SMITH - “PRICE OF IT ALL”
A cinematic theme for the new series, Bait, Smith’s latest track centers on the heightened emotional stakes surrounding the main character Shah. Expanding from an intimate opening into an intensely emotional production showcasing the singer-songwriter’s unmistakable vocal.
TANK & THE BANGAS FEAT. LUCKY DAYE - “MOVE”
Fresh from last year’s Grammy win, NOLA’S most genre-busting collective drops the first single from the final part of their balloon trilogy, The Last Balloon, which is due to drop May 15. Joyful, and infectious, this track should only raise anticipation for the project.
YAYA BEY FEAT. NESTA - “EGYPTIAN MUSK”
The artist out of Queens drops her new collaboration with Nesta. On the track, she continues her refusal to abide by any genre rules, melding hip-hop, jazz, soul and soca into a breathless, inspired take on contemporary R&B.
DJ MUGGS & T.F. FEAT. GHOSTFACE KILLAH “CLAP”
A cross-generational mishmash in the best way, Muggs’ classic production melds with T.F.’s gritty delivery. He’s become one of Los Angeles’ most compelling emcees and this work with the legendary producer and Wu icon is a perfect team-up.
6LACK - “BIRD FLU”
He returns with what could be his most powerful new body of work. He’s dropping the first song from the beginning of his most personal era yet. A refreshing approach from one of the most forward-thinking artists of the 2020s.
COI LERAY FEAT. NBA YOUNGBOY - “BETTER THAN YOURS”
The two stars each have an undeniable star power that they bring to the table. Their new single is built around an interpolation of Kelis’s classic “Milkshake,” blending the familiar with a fresh, high-energy delivery.
LILNOVI - “KURTGEEK”
Trippier than most trap; more street than most alternative music. The homage to the late frontman of Nirvana–right down to the Nevermind-referencing single art–is a psychedelic dreamscape that allows the artist to fully shine.
ASAKE FEAT. DJ SNAKE - “WORSHIP”
A song built on faith, gratitude, and perseverance, it’s also a strong that emphasizes a real spiritual grounding at it’s heart. Trust the process but believe in yourself to know that you can put in the work to get there. A necessary message.
ARDALAN & MARIEME - “I AM”
Ardalan teams up with the Senegalese-American artist for this, which is the seventh release to come out of the Flight Week writing camp series. An infectious groove drives this standout club record. Her vocals cut through on this dancefloor-ready anthem.
KOCKY KA - “OVER IT”
The Brooklyn rapper is known for raw, emotional songwriting, and his new single is an open-hearted bit of lovestruck vulnerability. He sounds like he’s trying to convince himself he’s done with her. But the pain is too real.
JWORDS - “LUSH”
The acclaimed producer delivers this gorgeous first single ahead of her upcoming album. She is releasing a new solo album in two months, and it marks the first time that the New Jersey native is singing lead vocals on a project. Sound Therapy drops on May 8.
ALOK & KHALID - “DIVE INTO ME”
The duo join forces for their new collaboration, with the world renowned-DJ and the acclaimed singer-songwriter both delivering the goods. The skitteirng, club production never obscures the pure melodicism of the tune–with Khalid’s emotive vocals sitting centerstage.
LEE LEWIS - “YOUR LOVE (WHAT I’M DYING FROM)”
The L.A.-based vocalist is laying it all on the line, delivering the kind of pained vocal that is always wracked with raw emotion–a truly confessional track. It’s a raw piece of alt-soul.
ANIA HOO - “MAKE ME UP”
After teasing the single across TikTok and Instagram, this moment is a defining shift in her artistry. Produced and co-written by okay coleman!, the groove-driven record explores the quiet push-and-pull of a situationship, where attraction blurs into performance and self-expression becomes negotiation.
LIL TJAY - “FIRST TIME”
He’s in a more introspective space, exploring themes of growth, healing, and mental health. It’s a preview of what’s in store on his album They Just Ain’t You, pairing reflection and forward momentum with the melodic storytelling that defines Tjay’s sound.
NEW ALBUMS
KID CUDI - ‘HAVE U BN 2 HEAVEN @ NITE?’
Kid Cudi is in a season of change and the approach is all over this, his first official EP, and it’s rollout. He hosted his “Someone Cooked Here” series of streams to give fans “a ticket into [his] world.” And he’s pushing himself creatively, embracing new sonics and textures across this set of tracks.
ALEX ISLEY - ‘WHEN THE CITY SLEEPS’
She follows her stunning When EP with this major-label debut, a conceptual effort that features immaculate production and strong songcraft from beginning to end. Her confessional approach to the songwriting proves that lyrical specificity can matter as much as mood.
SAMARA CYN - ‘DETOUR’ (EP)
Introducing a new chapter for her, Cyn’s new EP sees her pushing into a new sound and proving that she won’t be creatively restrained. She brings her hard hitting lyricism to songs that are painfully honest about her own journey.
EGO ELLA MAY - ‘GOOD INTENTIONS’
May delivers the rare sophomore record that improves on the debut. This time around, she’s even more confessional and delves into her own consciousness. The music reflects the pained, joyful honesty of her lived experience–like the best art.
BIGXTHAPLUG & 600 ENT - ‘6WA’
He’s putting his 600 Entertainment roster in the spotlight, and across 14 tracks, this project highlights every artist–but never sacrifices a bit of thematic cohesion. This feels like an introduction to a movement.
MIKE WILL MADE-IT - ‘R3SET’
The veteran superproducer balances the trick of reaching back to his classic sound and collaborators while also challenging himself to try new things. It’s an extensive release that shows that he has one of the best ears for contemporary hip-hop production.
HUS KINGPIN - ‘WAVO FOREVER’
This Wu-inspired release showcases razor-sharp rhymes and those signature Shaolin sonics. WIth appearances from RZA, Ghostface, Mathematics, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Killah Priest, Shyheim, Planet Asia, Bronze Nazareth and Big Ghost.
SPINALL - ‘WHEN LAGOS SLEEPS’ (EP)
A truly inspired set of songs that seem to be hinting at a new chapter. The artist himself has acknowledged that he’s entering a new era, and his sound shows it. He’s describe the EP as “not a pivot, but a small left turn.”
NAOMI SCOTT - 'F.I.G'
An artistically-rich, world-building body of work, the album is a clear-eyed and intentional debut. The London-born singer, songwriter and artist delivers a collection of songs reflective of her inspirations from across the landscape of her life.
