The Listening: Wale, Summer Walker, Boldy James, Ice Spice, FKA twigs and More

As we get closer to the holiday season and the end of the year, it’s tempting to switch to autopilot and start phoning it in. But look at what kind of music we have coming as we get close to the end of 2025: great music is being delivered. No phoning it in over here.

This week, two of the most anticipated releases of the year come courtesy of Summer Walker (Finally Over It) and Wale (Everything Is A Lot). And, of course, Boldy James teams up with Nicholas Craven yet again — this time for their fourth collab album. 

Ice Spice gives a shoutout to a “Big Guy” from SpongeBob SquarePants, while Valerie June taps into the richness of Muddy Waters with an inspired cover.

Fans of acclaimed singer-songwriter Van Hunt can rejoice over his latest music with Soulive, and FKA twigs delivers the ethereal and emotional Eusexua Afterglow. And we get some new music from Mario. And if you need your brash hip-hop fix, you’ve also got new projects from Tee Grizzley and OMB Peezy.

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

ICE SPICE - “BIG GUY”

The Bronx bombshell returns with a new single, written and recorded for the upcoming animated sequel The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. In case you missed it, she also dropped off a brand new video. The movie is due in theaters on Dec. 19.

YNG MARTYR - “MILKSHAKES”

Reimagining a 2000s classic. Martyr melds his authentic, unfiltered flow with the raunchy, playful energy of the original, transforming it into a gritty, high-octane trap record with those distinct drums and his signature edge.

WALLIE THE SENSEI FEAT. RODDY RICCH – "BEAM"

He’s been a staple in the West Coast scene, but he's having a huge breakthrough year. Now he’s teaming up with Roddy Ricch as he continues to tease his upcoming album, Mad Dogg. 

MASEGO - “I WIN”

The latest in a string of strong singles (released within weeks of each other, no less), this track is a dedication to the lightness of love. A gorgeous melody driven by the gentle strumming of guitar, it’s a beautiful record. 

RANSOM & CONDUCTOR WILLIAMS - “BOMAYE”

With the release of his collaborative album, The Reinvention with DJ Premier, Ransom remains on a roll. His hot streak continues and he’s on a creative tear this year. 

1SKI OG - “HAVE YOU EVER”

The Jamaican dancehall artist continues his run with a smooth and melodic record featuring producer and artist Sortie. It carries a sultry rhythm, natural groove, and the blend of trap, melody, and Caribbean bounce that marks his sound. 

MS BANKS - “4C”

She brought her A game. Yes, it’s about hair, but it’s about so much more than hair. The British emcee unleashes a passion that would make Lady Of Rage proud. 

TINIE TEMPAH W/ALEX MILLS - “ENERGY”

With an assist from Mills, the British rapper drops his latest. They play off of each other well as the track proves Tempah still knows his way around a hit record. 

VAN HUNT - “FLOWERS AT YOUR FEET”

Since his early '00s debut, he’s been visionary. The beloved singer-songwriter has long been one of the more talented artists in his lane, but his art has matured just as many artists become staid and comfortable. 

LELO - “XP”

He still has his own lane in music and as a person. Bringing his A game on his latest single. The Detroit pioneer is building off the "New Detroit" sound he helped establish on his debut album.

GLOSS UP & DUBBA-AA - “GLOSSY”

The Memphis bombshell talks her sh*t and backs it up. Produced by Grammy-winner Dubba-AA, the track flips Kelis’ classic hit “Bossy” into some 2025 baddie energy. 

WILL A FOOL & BABY KIA - “PURGE”

The new face of “crashout music” lets it all flow on this new single. “PURGE.” With his gritty voice, the rising Atlanta star purges his dark thoughts on the hard-hitting, ominous track. 

VALERIE JUNE - “ROLLIN’ AND TUMBLIN’”

She’s built her career on an undeniable gift for Americana and roots music—and the acclaimed singer-songwriter tackles a Muddy Waters classic and modern blues standard. 

GENA - “CIRCLESZ”

LA-based R&B experimentalist Liv.e and renowned drummer Karriem Riggins have joined forces as GENA. After coming together to perform at a few shows earlier this year under the GENA moniker, they're now releasing their debut single as a duo.

NEW ALBUMS

WALE - ‘EVERYTHING IS A LOT’ 

The D.C. rhymer has said that this album would feel like a reset, and it definitely sounds like he’s inspired. He’s also gone back to the approach that he began with, and the result is his most focused set in years. 

BOLDY JAMES & NICHOLAS CRAVEN - ‘CRIMINALLY ATTACHED’

The pair’s fourth album together continues their storied, critically-acclaimed partnership. This also marks Boldy's ninth LP of 2025. And he’s addressing the challenges of fatherhood and heightened awareness of media attention as a result of his deeply resonant work. 

FKA TWIGS - ‘EUSEXUA AFTERGLOW’

What was originally expected to be simply a deluxe edition of her critically acclaimed Eusexua album has morphed into something closer to a sequel. More atmospheric and vibe-driven than its predecessor. 

SUMMER WALKER - ‘FINALLY OVER IT’

Her Over It series seems to culminate here, as she navigates the wreckage of heartbreak without ever sounding defeated; instead, she’s looking for answers within herself and not allowing the darkness to win. 

ELMIENE - ‘HEAT THE STREETS SOME MO’’ (MIXTAPE)

The British-Sudanese artist is still prepping his studio debut, but in the meantime, he’s delivering so much music that keeps fans’ anticipation at a fever pitch. And he scores on this follow-up to For The Departed and Anyway I Can.

TEE GRIZZLEY - ‘STREET PSALMS’

His consistency is commendable, as Grizzley remains a compelling storyteller and solid emcee. And the production matches his persona: bombastic and versatile. 

APOLLO BROWN - ‘RUN TOWARD THE MONSTER’

Detroit represent. Delving into his 12th LP. he’s put out solo stuff at an insanely prolific rate — 11 mixtapes, all 11 of his previous albums and 4 EPs.

And on his latest, he sounds like he’s at or near the top of his craft. A project with no filler. 

DEEM SPENCER - ‘PAIN & THE PEOPLE AROUND ME’

The artist out of Jamaica, Queens has built a reputation on both ambition and everymanism. As such, he follows in the footsteps of his forebears, but he has the introspectiveness his generation is known for. 

LOLA BROOKE - ‘IIGHT BET!’

The Brooklyn starlet’s journey continues and she now grapples with fame and success. She rides the whirlwind like she rides the beat. This is a call-to-action and a handbook, a reminder to get up, own your narrative, and redefine your own lane.

MARIO - ‘MOOD SWINGS’ 

The eight-track set features contributions from Dre Moon, Anthony Bell and Courtlin Jabrae and includes a feature from Ty Dolla $ign, who previously collaborated with him on 2023’s “Used To Me.” 

THE COLLEAGUES & OCTOBER LONDON - ‘LOVE LANGUAGE (LOVERS DELUXE)

London has become a breakout star for Death Row and this is a continuation of The Colleagues’ R&B-centered projects. This six-track release is an ode to romance – as evidenced by the title. 

NONSO AMADI - ‘TO CRY A FLOOD’ (EP)

To Cry a Flood  has a lush, cinematic backdrop that provides Amadi with the perfect musical bedding. It’s a gorgeous arrangement with atmospheric pull and tender confessions, and the haunting calm of the project flows like a quiet storm.

GABRIEL JACOBY - 'GUTTA CHILD’ (EP)

The EP follows Gabriel’s growth from a young, troubled teen seeking escape from his circumstances into an empathetic, loving Black man who understands the pain others might be going through. 

VALEE & MVW - ‘WHERE WERE WE’

Distinct collaborative energy built on Valee’s unmistakable delivery — unrushed, precise, and quietly disruptive — set against MVW’s focused, minimal, and acoustically driven production. The pair push further into their own lane: controlled, spacious, and built around intention rather than density. 

FATTY P. FRANKLIN - ‘FRANK’ (DELUXE)

This deluxe reissue adds six new solo tracks plus a new feature from Detroit staple Peezy as Fatty continues his breakout year and expands on his gritty, storytelling-first ethos of the original project, told through his deeply lived-in lyrics.

FLAU’JAE - ‘ONE OF A KIND’

The five-track collection showcases the duality that defines Flau’jae — the intensity of an athlete, the soul of an artist, and the confidence of a star in full control of her craft. 

FEARDORIAN & OSQUINN - ‘BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY’

After months of anticipation, Atlanta’s FearDorian and Baltimore’s osquinn unveil their long-awaited joint album. The project blurs the line between melody and distortion, intimacy and chaos.

B.U.G. ANTMAN – ‘Y’ALL 2 UGLY’ EP 

He’s pulled himself to the top of the new Atlanta scene — all the while developing his singular approach across a series of projects. The release comes on the heels of a massive fall for a star on the rise. 

OMB PEEZY - ‘DIARY OF A CRASHOUT’ (DELUXE)

He has always embodied reality rap, living the stories he tells since the start of his career. On his most refined project yet, he reflects on his journey — diving into themes of empty promises and tested resilience with raw vulnerability and unrelenting energy.

WIZ KHALIFA - ‘KUSH & ORANGE JUICE (15TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)’ 

Wiz Khalifa's 15th anniversary deluxe comes equipped with two new songs, including "Champagne" and "Over Here." 

LIL GNAR - ‘IN MY GLORY’

Following his debut studio album, the Atlanta rapper has built his name on relentless energy. He fought his way up from SoundCloud infamy a long time ago, and now sounds like a seasoned professional.