The Round-Up: Best Songs of The Week - feat. Earl Sweatshirt, Isaiah Rashad, Nick Hakim and More [Playlist]

Updated every Friday, The Round-Up is Okayplayer’s weekly haul of the best new hip-hop and R&B songs. This week’s set features new music from lojii and Swarvy, Quelle Chris and Chris Beats, Earl Sweatshirt, Nick Hakim, Isaiah Rashad, Kali Uchis, and more. Scroll through selections of the best songs from the sequence below and subscribe to Okayplayer’s Spotify channel today.

Quelle Chris and Chris Keys ft. Pink Siifu and billy woods - "Grease from the Elbows"

After weeks of build-up, The Chris' have released a timely sequel to their 2015 collaborative album, Innocent Country. The 16-track project features Earl Sweatshirt, Homeboy Sandman, Denmark Vessey, Nelson Bandela, Big Sen, and more. This selection pairs Pink Siifu and billy woods with a gorgeously gritty production, adding to their respective stockpiles of ace cameos from the last year.

lojii and Swarvy - "B4 da Crownds (Blend)"

The DUE RENT duo returns today with a recalibrated take on their joint 2017 project. On this standout from the remix album, the Philly rapper glides over panning keys, tempered drums, and a burly low-end theory.

Ab-Soul - "Dangerookipawaa Freestyle"

The two-headed campaign starter from a recently dormant TDE is a blitz of dusty soul and razoring penmanship. Ab-Soul's first solo dispatch since 2016, the track proves Ab hasn't missed a step since.

Isaiah Rashad - "Why Worry"

Another one from the suddenly active West Coast camp, Rashad's rapid-fire return is welcomed whatever the circumstance. Hope this means we'll finally be getting new projects from TDE artists not named Kendrick, SZA, or ScHoolboy.

Earl Sweatshirt feat. Maxo - "Whole World"

Earl and Maxo, the Lil Bag Man rapper, reemerge with galaxy brain bars and a psychedelic soul loop from Uncle Al, aka Alchemist.

Vic Spencer - "Bullshit Options"

Back with his second project of the year, Spencer's No Shawn Skemps is a batch of breezy, funk-fueled loops and red-eyed raps. The album's penultimate cut is one of its most potent.

Kali Uchis - "honey baby (SPOILED)"

A floaty and seductive late-nighter off of Kali Uchis' newly-released abbreviated set, To Feel Alive.

Leven Kali feat. Ty Dolla $ign - "Perfect is Boring"

A crawling ballad from two of R&B's most decorated do-it-alls. This is one of the best songs of the week.

Nick Hakim - "Crumpy"

Another shot of warm and hopeful tenderness from the Brooklyn artist's upcoming sophomore album, Will This Make Me Good.

Onyx Collective "Manhattan"

The NYC-based jazz ensemble wrangled a who's who of local prestige for their new project, Manhattan Special. One of the album's only featureless cuts puts a modern glow on Richard Rodgers' timeless jazz standard.