The Listening: New Music From Tyla, Victoria Monet, Rakim, Shaboozey w/Leon Bridges, Willow, Chad Hugo and More

Those summer temperatures are reaching scorching levels and the only thing hotter is the lineup of new music we have for you this week. The ladies are clearly running things in late July, as we have no shortage of powerhouse drops from some of the most creative female artists in popular music. 

Tyla releases her red-hot project A*POP, and we get the new album from Willow. As far as hot singles go, you get a new banger from Victoria Monét; and Flo Milli drops off her latest–not to be confused with FLO–who are also delivering their new track. Plus we get some new heat from noname. Plus: we have the latest album from the always-engaging riot queen Rico Nasty. 

The fellas aren’t resting on their laurels, however. Far from it: Quavo drops his new collab with superstar French DJ Hugel, and we get a team-up from Shaboozey and Leon Bridges. And as always–the veterans are coming with it! We get new tracks from Rakim, Inspectah Deck and Juvenile – plus a solo offering from the legendary hitmaker and half of the Neptunes, Chad Hugo!

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

VICTORIA MONET - “REACH OUT”

We are not worthy. She announces her new album Frequency Of Love and collaborates with D'Mile and Kaytranada for this smoking, sultry single. 

CHAD HUGO FEAT. TIERRA WHACK & LEIKELI47 - “JUMPUPW!NYA”

The track marks Hugo's first major solo release in years and signals the beginning of a new creative era. Never truly having left music, he’s been actively crafting, collaborating and re-invigorated.

INSPECTAH DECK - “DAY IN THE LIFE” 

The Inspectah is a true lyrical swordsman and has always been one of one. The Wu-Tang Clan legend and Czarface co-founder returns with the first single, “Day In The Life,” from his forthcoming solo album, Dragon’s Breath. 

RAKIM - “A DIFFERENT KIND”

On his first solo, self-produced track in fifteen years, The God MC is offering fans an intimate look at the artistry of a man widely regarded as one of the genre's most influential voices. But it precedes his collaborative album with Masta Killa and Kurupt, The Godbody.

CHIP FEAT. IDRIS ELBA, SPICE, KEYS N KRATES - “RISE UP”

The UK rap veteran once again serves a reminder why he’s known for bars and he sounds right at home over the beat from Keys N Krates — the Canadian duo delivering heavy drums and plenty of space. Spice brings dancehall energy—with Idris riding shotgun. 

FLO - “REMEDIED”

The trio wrote their new single with Amy Allen (Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Dean) and they’ve described the song as a response to feeling stuck and deciding to reconnect with yourself. Another indicator of what’s coming on their sophomore project.

FLO MILLI - “HOT AS A BIC”

It’s getting to a point where nobody does this kind of catchy track better than the Alabama rapper. She’s definitely fully in her bag  on this hard-hitting production, always delivering confidently playful southern swagger.

PITBULL W/JASON DERULO - “PRIVACY”

It’s a good time and it’s not meant to be at all subtle. The duo get together for this club-centered groover that sounds like the perfect soundtrack for a Friday night of bad decisions in South Beach. 

SHABOOZEY FEAT. LEON BRIDGES - “BURN IT DOWN”

On the heels of Shaboozey’s recent singles "Born To Die" and "Cowgirl," he teams up with Bridges for this, the latest release from the forthcoming concept project, The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales.

NONAME FEAT. DRAM - “SQUATTER”

The pair join forces for this quirky tune about–a squatter. No seriously, it’s about finding someone in your house after you come from a tour. Gotta love the Chicago star’s penchant for off-kilter ideas. 

SY’RAI - “BULLSEYE (NICE SHOT)”

The R&B songstress drops yet another smoldering single. She’s been delivering the goods as of late. If you’re still tossing around “nepo baby” dismissals, you clearly have not been paying attention. 

KATORI WALKER - “TIGHTEN”

He’s been sharpening his lyricism and honing his craft for a while now. The Pasadena representative drops this stellar track that highlights how well his unique perspective can push his lyrics in unexpected directions.

BOBBY V - “KISS”

He’s kind of on a semi-hot streak lately. It’s not exactly a throwback track, but it definitely evokes the spirit of grinding in a club circa 2009, with a bottle in your hand and something sexy whispering in your ear. 

MAYER HAWTHORNE - “ICE WATER”

From the soundtrack for Camp Snoopy, AppleTV’s series follows Snoopy and the Beagle Scouts, along with Charlie Brown and friends, enjoying an adventure-filled summer outdoors. Who knew Snoopy could be so soulful?

VITA - “PLEASER”

Who says navel-gazing has to be boring? An emotional tug-of-war between surrender and self-indulgence. It’s a track that speaks to the artist’s earlier version of herself, a love letter written in vulnerability. 

JUVENILE FEAT. ROB49 - “I DON’T WANT TO DIE YET”

A collab that brings out the best in both. The marriage of classic Nawlins bounce with 2020s skittering trap production should be studied. Juvie’s resurgence has been one of the year’s best stories. 

DAVE EAST & HARRY FRAUD FEAT. BENNY THE BUTCHER - “EVERYTHING IS UP”

You already know what it is. Two of hip-hop’s most prolific have yet to take a break from delivering the goods; ridiculous consistency between the two of them. And oh yeah–it’s heat. 

TRIM, MONALEO & G HERBO - “NOBODY” (REMIX)

The part two remix of Trim’s popular hit with some guest bars from both Monaleo and G Herbo. A strong collaboration that gives a shot in the arm to the uber-catchy original. 

HUGEL W/QUAVO AND MURDA BEATZ - “WHERE SHE COME FROM”

Hey, we’re here for it. An infectious meshing of house, dance and hip-hop, it’s a track that featured heavily in HUGEL's live DJ sets, including EDC Mexico and at Coachella earlier this year. 

FATTMACK - “ALL LOVE, LIFE GOES ON”

The rising talent out of Alabama is known for his raw, melodic rap style and emotionally charged storytelling, and here, he delivers smoothly melodic trap that still manages to convey the kind of gritty perspective he’s known for–as he pines for love. 

VORY & RICH THE KID - “SIAMESE”

Vory has quietly developed a career that rarely misses. His talent is evident on this new track featuring Rich The Kid, and the song serves them both well. It’s a stellar collaboration from two of music’s most assuming creatives. 

AG CLUB & BABY BOY - “ST. CHARLES”

Featuring Mikey MU and Rittybo, the melodic single blends reflective lyricism with an infectious hook, continuing the genre-blurring creative approach that has become synonymous with the Bay Area collective.

DDG – "CALLING MY PHONE"

The multi-platinum artist DDG drops his latest. He’s earned more than two billion global streams in a career spanning music, content, and entrepreneurship, and his latest is an infectious bit of studio songcraft. 

CHENAYDER FEAT. DETAHJAE - “THE BEGINNING”

A fitting track within the context of her current trajectory as an artist, where she’s been steadily expanding her comfort zone. Serving as support for all 23 dates of redveil’s Sankofa Tour – which led to collaborations with both detahjae and Vayda.

NEW ALBUMS

TYLA - ‘A*POP’

The fans were waiting for this one. Her second studio album is a collection of vibrant, bouncy Afropop. She showcases the breadth of her influences in her infectious brand of amapiano-influenced R&B.

WILLOW - ‘THE THREAD’

A spiritually-driven album of ambitious jazz-rock, it’s a project that signifies more than just growth, it affirms that Willow has a grasp of her creative voice that few others can claim. Even at this relatively young age, she knows her musical strengths. 

CYPRESS HILL - ‘DIOS BENDIGA’

The legendary group’s debut Spanish-language album serves as a cultural touchstone bridging generations and communities seeing the members collaborate with some of the most exciting artists in Latin music today across genres.

LOE SHIMMY - ‘PRETTY GIRLZ RUN THE WORLD’

The new album from the South Florida rapper features Brent Faiyaz, Sexyy Red, and Summer Walker, and arrives after a breakout stretch for Shimmy. The release is set to lead into a multi-city U.S. tour scheduled to begin July 29 in Toronto.

RICO NASTY - ‘RX’

She’s still the best there is at what she does. After flexing her genre-bending muscle over the past couple of years, the riot rap queen returns with this all-killer, no-filler release that re-embraces her classic sound. 

KAI CA$H - ‘BARS NOT DEAD. VOL. 2: HE’S ON FIRE!’

A great collection of songs that can serve as your motivational mixtape on any given day. The multi-talented rapper, songwriter is proof positive that pain and hardship can bring out the best in anyone. 

NEMS & RON BROWZ - ‘I SHOULD BOOM YOU TOO’ (EP)

Brooklyn and Harlem join forces again on this sequel to the duo’s earlier mixtape from the spring. Built around outtakes and unreleased tracks from that project, it’s proof you can never have too much of a good thing.

DJ SPINZ & TRAVIS PORTER - ‘PARTY PACK’

The new collaborative project from this duo truly only has one job: get the people moving. If it doesn’t get you off your feet, something has gone terribly wrong. 

SHEFF G - ‘WEIGHT ON ME: THE ALBUM’

Holding NYC down in an epic summer for the city, the East Flatbush native delivers a project that’s both personal and an appropriate soundtrack for one helluva summer. 

APOLLO BROWN - ‘NO PRESSURE, NO DIAMOND’

The title is described as “Four words that carry the weight of struggle, perseverance, sacrifice, pain, discipline, and ultimately reward.” The producer out of Detroit retains his gift for soulful, hard-hitting boom-bap. 

BOOTSY COLLINS & BUCKETHEAD - ‘METAL HEALTH’

Bootsy's unmistakable bass-driven sound with Buckethead's signature guitar work. The 16-track project brings together an eclectic lineup of collaborators including Robert Trujillo, Victor Wooten, Samuel L. Jackson, Eric Gales, Jennifer Batten, Billy Sheehan and more.

THEHONESTGUY - ‘DON’T DISTURB THE GROOVE: AFROSOUL’ (EP)

The Toronto-based artist is a conduit for classic soul and funk sounds; and this EP is evidence of how well he’s mastered his craft as a songwriter. 

An immaculate collection that should inspire his peers to step it up.

EVENSON - ‘EVE’

On this debut project, the sonic and visual journey embodies his own experiences while examining identity, love, family, heritage, masculinity, and the lifelong process of self-realisation and forgiveness. 

REAL BOSTON RICHEY - ‘S.O.S.’ (EP)

The rapper from Tallahassee, Florida drops his new 10-song EP following lead single "Played First" and marking his first project since 2024. Spreading moments of triumph, pain, regret, braggadocio, and aspiration across a versatile tracklist, it's a project that showcases every version of his artistry.

COREY KING - ‘CHANGE THE WIND’

Written across a period that moved between pandemic isolation and constant international touring, the album reflects a search for stability and meaning within motion. At its emotional center is King’s relationship with his daughter, whose birth and early health challenges shaped the record.

12K GOTTI - ‘MADLIFE’

The Cleveland rapper first teased this project with lead single "CLIMAX" early in July. His new release expands on the sharp, hardened storytelling he’s known for, with a consistency that shows he knows how to craft a long player with clarity and intentionality. 

ZAYALLCAPS - ‘MY UNCLE TOLD ME SOME REAL A** S**T ON THE PHONE YESTERDAY’

The Cali rapper/singer/producer has built his name with a quirky, upbeat approach but he delves into less sunny territory here. Nonetheless his humor and sonically ambitious trademarks remain intact. 

CAKES DA KILLA - ‘NEW B*TCH’

An eight-track EP that began as zip file of beats with DJ Miss Parker. Melding rap, electronic, new wave and house, this is a window into a world of underground club nights that dares you to stay for a while. 

BABYDRILL - ‘STILL DANGEROUS’

A clear-eyed sonic statement. High-energy rhymes and aggressive production make it clear across this 15-track project that the Atlanta upstart has earned his spot as one of his city’s most buzzed-about artists.

POINT 5VE - ‘TAKE A LOOK AT ME NOW’ (EP)

The West Coast veteran embraces a more melodic and soulful direction while staying connected to the foundation that made him a standout voice in West Coast music. The project serves as a testament to his ability to evolve with time.

MIDWXST - ‘SOLITUDE IN SILENCE’

This album was built for the loudest room you can find. When you listen to the lyrics, you realize the loneliness is louder. He's rapping about being ditched at the party, losing track of the night, and watching the people you thought were friends drift past.

YATTA BANDZ - ‘ONE & THE SAME’

A deeply personal 15-track album that explores the emotional highs and lows of love, loss, perseverance, and growing through hardship. Building on the introspective songwriting that has become his trademark.  

RYÉLLE - ‘LED ME TO YOU’

A spiritually grounded, five-track project that serves as the R&B singer’s personal testimony, tracing her journey from doubt and confusion to surrender and gratitude. It signals the beginning of a new chapter for the singer/songwriter — and her most honest one yet.

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