Everybody is back to work.
It’s a week that feels like the industry is finally awakening from its holiday hangover and the new music is getting hot even as most of the East Coast is dealing with some serious cold.
Ari Lennox drops her highly anticipated third album, and she sounds like a woman inspired by a new chapter. Speaking of which, the “Kang” is back, as T.I. drops a hot new single.
It’s a week of veteran activity, as Jason Derulo delivers his new EP, signaling a shift. And New Orleans legend Juvenile is getting fans ready for his forthcoming album. Looks like DaBaby has pushed his album back again — but he gave fans a new single.
Flo Milli name-drops Joe Jackson, Denzel Curry embraces the darkness, and we get the new album from Nija. Add to that Roc Marciano going full Marci and Wiz Khalifa’s cinematic new single and you’ve got a busy week!
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
T.I. - “LET ‘EM KNOW”
The King of the South made headlines by cutting his locs and then dropping this track produced by Pharrell that recalls classic Tip. The Atlanta legend sounds like he’s having fun getting back to what he does best.
WIZ KHALIFA - “TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED”
After dropping his new album Khaotic, the vet out of Pittsburgh releases this new single, from the Moses The Black soundtrack, which also co-stars Wiz alongside Omar Epps.
FLO MILLI - “FLO JACKSON”
She teased a snippet back in the fall. A catchy track with punchy wordplay, the new single from the Alabama-born rapper is a strong start to her year.
DENZEL CURRY FEAT. BKTHERULA AND LAZER DIM 700 - “LIT EFFECT”
This rock-tinged anthem serves as a preview. Curry has announced his crew, The Scythe, alongside Ferg, Bktherula, TiaCorine, and Key Nyata. Their debut full-length project, Strictly 4 The Scythe, arrives March 6
JUVENILE - “BBB”
With a guest appearance from Genesisthegawd, Juvie’s latest is classic NOLA. The Hot Boy legend announced his new album, Boiling Point, drops in March.
BLUEFACE FEAT. STUNNA GIRL - “BETTER”
He’s been busy since his November 2025 prison release. He teams with his (alleged?) girlfriend on a track that sometimes sounds like solidarity — and sometimes sounds like the exact opposite.
SUMMRS - “YESSA”
Infectious trap-lite that sounds like a smoky lounge as the party winds down. Over a bed of smooth synths, his melodic style gets plenty of space to shine. A catchy single that sounds tailor-made for radio play, it’s one of his more distinctive singles.
JOJI - “LAST OF A DYING BREED”
A dark and propulsive track that never loses momentum even as its emotional core doesn’t waver. The song is hypnotic; the sound of going inward and reaching depths you didn’t know were there.
HIT-BOY - “PERCENTAGES”
He’s really been on a tear for the past 6 months. A smooth instrumental and bars that remind you that he could be setting us up for a seriously scorching ‘26.
MOONCHILD FEAT. PJ MORTON - “FEAR (HEY FRIEND)”
The GRAMMY-nominated Los Angeles trio frames fear and self-doubt not as obstacles, but as necessary companions on the path toward growth. Addressing fear directly as an old friend, the song captures the moment when anxiety no longer signals retreat.
OCTOBER LONDON FEAT. TONIO ARMANI - “TOUCH ON ME” (REMIX)
An inspired new twist on the original track. The duo serves up contemporary R&B with a splash of southern soul. Also: London is prepping for a run of live dates in the U.S. and Europe.
JOYCE WRICE - “BREAK ME IN”
Produced by Malik Ninety Five and Mike Baretz, the smooth, hypnotic track features Joyce delivering vocals that are equal parts vulnerable and commanding. She's not playing games, she's asking for what she wants.
DABABY - “POP DAT THANG”
The fans were expecting to get DaBaby’s Be More Grateful this week, so — following another delay — maybe everyone should just be grateful folks got something new. Album coming soon.
FRED AGAIN… - “SCARED”
Repurposing an old track from Thugger, Fred drops the latest in his evolving USB series. Thug sounds in his bag for a reason.
NAOMI SCOTT - “LOSING YOU”
The London-born singer-songwriter-actor drops her latest single, with her songwriting skills on full display and production that sounds somewhere between Kate Bush and Janet Jackson.
NEW ALBUMS
ARI LENNOX - ‘VACANCY’
Lennox’s new project is a collection that balances her classic sound with a genre-blending wild side. The acclaimed singer-songwriter delivers her first full-length since departing Dreamville.
JASON DERULO - ‘THE LAST DANCE (PART 1)’ EP
Derulo has said the project signals a final curtain for the first part of his career. While not a departure, he certainly sounds reflective while also looking forward.
NIJA - ‘WHAT I DIDN’T SAY’
The follow-up to her 2022 debut Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You finds her in a raw, personal space. But her gift for hooks remains intact.
IDK - ‘E.T.D.S. A MIXTAPE BY .IDK.’
He’s hard and it’s been hard, and those two realities are driving the entirety of the project. A gritty and unfiltered look at a life that has been anything but easy.
DJ HARRISON - ‘ELECTROSOUL’
He gets by with a little help from his friends. The Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist recruited a wide array of musicians for his most ambitious release. Featuring Kiefer, Pink Siifu, Fly Anakin, Yazmin Lacey, Yaya Bey and more.
ROC MARCIANO - ‘656’
After dropping two team ups with Alchemist and Premier, Marci returns to doing his own thing. Sometimes dark, sometimes hilarious. Gotta love consistency.
WIZKID AND ASAKE - ‘REAL VOL. 1’
There’s no denying that this is a musical partnership that has creatively inspired both of them. The Afrobeats stars join talents again for their highly anticipated joint EP, featuring four tracks, including lead single, “Jogodo.”
BUSHY B - ‘LIFESTYLE’
The album is an ode to Miami and it captures the city in all of its ambiguities and contradictions. But it’s also the sound of an artist finding himself.
42 DUGG - ‘PART 3’
Ten tracks that make it sound like he’s ready to tear through 2026. With feature appearances from GloRilla, G Herbo, Skilla Baby and Doughboy Clay.
LIL GOTIT AND LIL KEED - ‘FRATERNAL (GOTIT EDITION)'
Following the tragic murder of Lil Keed, this posthumous reunion is undeniably and understandably bittersweet. But their chemistry and melodic talents are evident on a release that celebrates their brotherhood.
ELCAMINO & ILL TONE BEATS — ‘GOD IS LOVE’
If you like your hip-hop with no bulls*** baked in, this is a set you definitely want to bump. The eight-track project features gritty, no frills production and holds true to the classic East Coast sound they’ve both cultivated.
