Latest news with #FreshPicks
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Cynthia Erivo, Lexa Gates, Josh Levi, Sammy Virji & More
The 2025 BET Awards dominated the weekend with a remarkable — but incredibly long — show that featured standout performances from breakout stars like Leon Thomas and Ravyn Lenae, as well as stirring tributes to Ultimate Icon honorees Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and Kirk Franklin. More from Billboard Forever No. 1: Sly & the Family Stone's 'Everyday People' DJ Akademiks Denies Taking Payola From Drake During Kendrick Battle Raekwon and Ghostface Killah Release Trailer for 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx' Documentary Kendrick Lamar was the night's biggest winner, taking home five trophies from 10 nominations, including album of the year for GNX and best male hip-hop artist. The Compton MC surprised everyone by showing up in person to accept his album of the year award, making for one of the ceremony's most thrilling moments. Chris Brown was the only other artist to win multiple awards at the BET Awards' 25th iteration, taking home best male R&B/pop artist and the viewer's choice award for his hit single 'Residuals.' In addition to the four sprawling Ultimate Icon tributes, BET also opted to split their in memoriam segment into thirds. For the first section, Sinners star Miles Caton joined Grammy winner Lucky Daye and Grammy-nominated crooner Luke James for a soulful Quincy Jones tribute. Shortly after, Andra Day delivered a haunting rendition of 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' to honor the late Roberta Flack. Near the ceremony's close, rising country star Brittney Spencer took to the stage for a show-stopping cover of the late Angie Stone's 'No More Rain (In This Cloud).' Both performers at Monday night's show (June 9), Lil Wayne and Amerie made headlines for non-awards-related news. Weezy, who recently dropped a remix of 'Banned From NO' with Nicki Minaj, dominated the weekend's music conversation with his new Tha Carter VI album, which was largely met with a tepid reception from fans and critics alike. Amerie also faced a bit of the Internet's wrath thanks to her spotty NPR Tiny Desk '1 Thing' performance, which she quickly came back from via two performances of her signature hit during BET Week. With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Cynthia Erivo's big solo swing to Sammy Virji and Skepta's eclectic new collaboration. Be sure to check out this week's Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below. Somehow, between racking up Oscar nominations as Elphaba in Wicked, guest-starring in Poker Face and hosting the 2025 Tonys, Cynthia Erivo found the time to craft her lush, 20-track sophomore studio LP, I Forgive You. A remarkably subtle record given her reputation for rafter-rattling belts, I Forgive You reaches a scintillating peak about midway through with the soulful standout 'Play The Woman.' Co-written by Erivo, Justin Tranter and Will Wells, 'Play the Woman' finds the Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winning powerhouse opting for a more restrained vocal performance as she paints the guitar-inflected soundscape with vivid pictures of queer love and desire. 'I could run these hands of mine down the map of your spine/ Feel how your heat against my fingertips could make the blood in me rush,' she coos, injecting in each phrase with healthy doses of vulnerability and flirtatiousness. — KYLE DENIS Garage producer Sammy Virji samples Brandy's 'I Wanna Be Down' and Kid Cudi's 'Day & Night' and taps the legendary Skepta to provide a barfest to give us an absolute banger for the summer. Big Smoke's hook is infectious, and his sharp verses show why he's one of the most versatile rappers doing it today. What an absolute banger. — ANGEL DIAZ After spending the last few years pouring into other artists as a writer, Sabrina Claudio turned the mirror back on herself with her freeing Fall in Love With Her project. 'Detoxing' finds Sabs looking to flush away the toxins of an ex who cut her deep. Guitar strings flood the background as Claudio's potent vocals shine through, compared to the more airy texture displayed on other parts of the LP. She told Forbes that 'Detoxing' invokes feelings of nostalgia tied to Coldplay and Avril Lavigne tracks. — MICHAEL SAPONARA A silky, heartfelt ode to infatuation and emotional intimacy, Jon Vinyl's 'Dopamine' is drenched in warmth and sensual energy. From the jump, he lays it all out — this is about being captivated not just by physical beauty, but by a connection that feels both grounding and euphoric. With lines like 'She's a masterpiece, I swear I need it all' and 'My dopamine, the fix I'm looking for,' Vinyl positions this love interest as both his muse and medicine. Lyrically, he blends vulnerability with reassurance, promising presence and protection. 'Dopamine' feels like a late-night conversation wrapped in candlelight, where both people are letting their guards down and simply feeling. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON Fresh off his run as an opener on FLO's recently wrapped Access All Areas tour, rising R&B star Josh Levi has unleashed 'Don't Go' from his forthcoming debut studio album, Hydraulic. Built around an interpolation of Destiny's Child's 'No, No, No,' Levi pays tribute to his Houston roots while offering fresh, uptempo R&B across Tone's sleek production. 'Them other n—as can't hold her/ She like her kisses down low, Kelly Rowland/ She got my game controller/ She wanna rewind, never fast-forward,' he sing-raps in the second verse, riffing on DC4's staccato vocal approach and name-checking OG member Kelly Rowland. — K.D. Produced by Chrissianity, Far Rock and Upstate connect for this unorthodox street single with a hook that pays homage to OJ da Juiceman. Flee Lord, Conway and Eto all deliver stellar verses for this track dedicated to digital scales. Make sure you tare it before weighing up. — A.D. Billboard's Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month for March jets into her next era with the piano-driven 'Latency.' Gates taps into how people are lusting for love, but don't dive in to save face and risk being embarrassed — even when they think the connection is palpable. The 24-year-old described the intoxicating track as a 'sexy fantasy of a love left on delay,' which was born out of a situation of her being surrounded by rich old men. 'It's a tale as old as time,' she says. Watch Lexa live out the fantasy of a true romance, taking her from NYC to the Hamptons in the visual. — M.S. 'All Wins All Year' is a triumphant anthem designed to fuel confidence and ambition. Teaming up with R&B heavyweight Eric Bellinger, rising stars SYX, Steven G, and Dom Belli trade verses with ease, showcasing a collective hunger for success and a refusal to settle for anything less. The track radiates self-assurance and camaraderie as each artist boasts about their come-ups while uplifting their circle along the way. 'All Wins All Year' is more than a flex: It's a celebration of perseverance, loyalty and the unstoppable momentum that comes when you move with purpose and surround yourself with winners. — C.C. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Justine Skye, Molly Santana, J.P., Leon Thomas & More
Though Taylor Swift's victory in the years-long fight for ownership of her masters dominated last week's headlines, there were also a slew of head-turning news items in the R&B and hip-hop worlds. More from Billboard Cardi B & Stefon Diggs Go Instagram Official With PDA-Packed Snaps 2025 Truth Awards Ceremony Starring NLE Choppa, Sheryl Lee Ralph & More to Air on KTLA 50 Cent Says He's Going to 'Make Sure' Trump's Aware of 'Really Bad' Things Diddy Said About President Clipse — comprised of Pusha T and No Malice — made its grand return on Friday (May 30) with 'Ace Trumpets,' in which the duo name-dropped former frequent collaborator Ye (formerly known as Kanye West). 'Sold ecstasy and disappeared, I am Whodini/ Look at them, him and him, still waitin' on Yeezy/ I hope you got your squeegees/ At your interviews, I just ki-ki,' Pusha spit. In response, Ye took to X, writing, 'I miss me and Pusha's friendship' — just one of several tweets in a routine social media rant from the controversial rapper. The same day, Donald Trump, one of Ye's favorite politicians, sounded off on whether he would consider pardoning Diddy, who's currently in the midst of a highly publicized sex trafficking trial. 'Nobody's asked, but I know people are thinking about it,' he said. 'I think some people have been really close to asking. First of all, I'd look at what's happening, and I haven't watched it too closely.' In lighter news, Cardi B made things Instagram official with her new boo, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, on Sunday (June 1). With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from J.P.'s gospel-informed comeback to Justine Skye and Kaytranda's summer-ready banger. Be sure to check out this week's Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below. Last week (May 30), Leon Thomas dropped Mutt Deluxe: Heel, an expansion of his 2024 sophomore LP, whose title track has become his breakthrough hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Alongside guest appearances from Big Sean, Halle and Kehlani, Heel also houses 'Catch a Stray,' a cheeky, introspective cut that dials up the rock influences that pierce every pocket of the Mutt album. Produced by an all-star team featuring key Mutt collaborators Freaky Rob and D. Phelps, as well as Thomas himself, 'Catch A Stray' trades on a breezy guitar melody and steady percussion. Thomas spends the song balancing the tension between giving in to love and maintaining money as the apple of his eye. By the song's end, he finally lands on: 'Oh, I'm loyal to the money 'cause it's loyal to me/ And I don't wanna lose it/ So if I have to choose between you and the money/ You know what I'm choosing.' While he's slowly and surely making progress, Thomas is still a mutt at heart on the closer for his deluxe LP. — KYLE DENIS Benji Blue Bills teamed up with versatile producer BNYX for their Out the Blue joint project, where they take viewers on a sonic voyage exploring various 808-laden spacey sonics dominating rap's underground. 'MORGAN' finds the duo at their best while Benji navigates bouncy 808s with Benny's guidance. The Power Rangers-themed visual packs on the nostalgia as BBB transforms into the Blue Striker – hilariously laced in a navy Nike Tech sweatsuit – to save the city from the twerking villain, but don't look the giant seductress in her eye or you'll meet your demise. — MICHAEL SAPONARA With a video straight out of Severance and with a beat produced by Hollywood Cole that flips the same sample in the rare B-side 'Exhibit B' from Yasiin Bey and Jay Electronica, these two prove to be a couple of barbarians that the late, great Sean Price would be proud of. Mavi and Earl go back and forth, much like Jada and Styles, as they rap circles around each other and the competition. — ANGEL DIAZ Justine Skye and Kaytranada's 'Oh Lala' is a sultry, groove-heavy anthem about the irresistible pull of late-night chemistry and lingering desire. Over Kaytranda's signature bounce — a mix of house, funk, and soul — Justine floats with effortless cool, painting a picture of two people who just can't quit each other, no matter how many times they say they will. The chorus's repetition ('If you bring that ooh, I'll la-la-la-la') feels like a flirtatious loop, echoing the cycle of temptation and surrender. Lyrically, the song leans into sensuality with a playful tone. Justine isn't trying to define the relationship—'Don't think I'm in love/ But I can't let you go tonight'—but she's fully present in the physical tension. The pre-chorus and bridge highlight a mutual understanding: this isn't about labels, it's about energy, rhythm, and a connection that's hard to shake. 'Oh Lala' is a sleek, late-night vibe with a wink —charming, indulgent, and impossible not to move to. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON After breaking through with 'Bad Bitty' last year and facing the full gamut of the Internet's opinions on his life and artistry, rising Milwaukee rapper J.P. is back with his new single, 'My Peace.' Serving as his first release of 2025, 'My Peace' finds J.P. leaning further into his gospel influences and delivering an inspirational number dedicated to the force that grants him stability in his most turbulent times. 'Lately I've been out my head/ And my patience is thinning out/ You're my peace when I'm in trouble/ Calm me down before I blow up,' he croons over pensive production, courtesy of Keylime. — K.D. Molly Santana perfectly set the table for her album with the Molly and Her Week of Wonders short film, which is seemingly inspired by the 1970 Valerie and Her Week of Wonders horror-fantasy film. In a time where artists' rollouts seem lazy, Santana's lead-up felt refreshing with an accompanying visual. The 17-track project hit streaming services on Friday (May 30), and her repertoire was on display with futuristic songs like 'BRB' featuring Showjoe. Molly's take on starry rage-rap shines as she promises to turn her creative gifts into a lucrative career. 'I'm comin' back rich, promise that I'll see the cash,' she raps. — M.S. The Oakland rapper and producer links up with Long Beach MC Vince Staples to give fans an unexpected westside connection. Produced by Ovrkast. himself, he and Vince provide a plethora of bars about the strange times we find ourselves living in over a somber yet hard beat. — A.D. Lil Tecca's 'OWA OWA' is a hypnotic blend of flex-heavy bars and carefree energy, wrapped in a woozy, melodic beat. The track centers around Tecca's signature lifestyle: fast moves, luxury items, and casual entanglements. The repeated 'owa-owa' refrain, borrowed from The Buggles' new wave classic 'Video Killed the Radio Star,' adds a playful, almost psychedelic rhythm to the song, acting as a quirky response to everything from sex to success. Tecca delivers lines with a cool detachment, balancing brags about Chrome accessories and packed rosters with moments of self-awareness — 'A lot in my head, it's just replayin'.' The bridge briefly hints at emotional tension, but it never lingers long, instead returning to the vibe-driven momentum that fuels the track. 'OWA OWA' doesn't overcomplicate things — it thrives on mood, movement, and melody, offering a snapshot of Tecca coasting through life, fully immersed in the now. — C.C. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Latto, Jvck James, Savannah Ré, Rome Streetz & More
As Joey Bada$$ handles California cats like Ray Vaughn, Reason, AzChike and Daylyt on his lonesome, it looks like the West Coast isn't giving up last year's 'Not Like Us' and GNX-feuled momentum without a fight. Over the past few months, Joey has been heralding his return to the rap game with slick boom-bap tracks that have given way to a legitimate coast vs. coast battle. Although his real target is Kendrick Lamar, Joey — and his West Coast adversaries — have helped maintain the competitive, bars-focused spirit of hip-hop at the forefront of the genre as 2025 rages on. More from Billboard PinkPantheress Responds to Critics & Says She 'Doesn't Do Music to Perform' Bow Wow Reveals Beats He Passed On - Including Rick Ross, Drake & French Montana's 'Stay Schemin' SZA Says She's 'Actually So Shocked' by the 'Bullying' Megan Thee Stallion Is Facing in Tory Lanez Shooting Case While that battle has largely been kept on wax and in good faith, other hip-hop/R&B stars have courted more sinister controversy over the past week. On Thursday (May 15), a court granted Grammy-nominated singer and actress Halle Bailey temporary physical and legal custody of her son Halo, whom she shares with her streamer-rapper ex-boyfriend DDG. The ruling came one day after Bailey secured a restraining order against DDG, alleging physical and verbal abuse. On Friday (May 16), Drake shared a petition urging Calif. Governor Gavin Newsom to pardon Tory Lanez, who's currently serving a 10-year prison sentence after being convicted on three felony counts tied to his shooting of Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020. That same day, Chris Brown was denied bail during a court hearing for his assault charge in Manchester, England; he remains in police custody with an 'inflicting grievous bodily harm' charge, which has been tied to a February 2023 London nightclub attack allegedly involving the Grammy-winning singer. In other news, Trey Edward Shults' Hurry Up Tomorrow, a psychological thriller film that serves as a companion piece to The Weeknd's Billboard 200-topping album of the same name, opened with a paltry $3.3 million at the domestic box office. With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Latto's new summertime banger to Jvck James' first release after a two-year hiatus. Be sure to check out this week's Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist time last year, we were a month and a half away from Latto gifting us a summer anthem with her now-Grammy-nominated 'Big Mama.' This week, the ATL MC is back for round two. 'Somebody,' produced by key Sugar Honey Iced Tea collaborator Pooh Beatz, finds Latto infusing her Drake-esque melodic rap cadence with the sunny spirit of Jamaica, which is where her younger sister, Brooklyn, directed the track's official music video. 'You make it so hard to be P/ Got me wearin' my heart on my sleeve/ I be missin' you soon as you leave/ Damn, really missin' you soon as you leave,' she spits in the second verse, oscillating between a Big Mama-fied lothario and girl who's simply catching feelings. — KYLE DENISR2R Moe is the next drill artist to blow up out of New York. The Harlem native puts his angelic spin on sexy drill while taking the next step in his ascension with the arrival of his sophomore mixtape Road 2 Riches, Vol. 1. Moe separates himself from Cash Cobain's sexy drill lane with moody tracks such as 'Midnight Club,' which showcases sonic versatility while staying true to himself. The entire project is well worth a listen for drill savants looking for a breath of fresh air. — MICHAEL SAPONARA'Easier Done Than Said' is a sensual tug-of-war about proving love through action instead of talk. Jvck James opens the song acknowledging that lavish gifts still leave his partner doubting his love for her, so he offers something more convincing: physical presence and demonstrable care. The hook insists that showing beats telling, because words breed hesitation while deeds silence second-guessing. Stormzy's verse deepens that theme; he flips between playful bravado and genuine vulnerability, confessing he ditched his pride and 'took the wrong approach,' yet is now ready to kneel and 'make a pledge.' His string of cheeky innuendos covers a core admission: months of emotional cat-and-mouse have proven words unreliable, so commitment must be felt, not argued. Together, the pair contrast flashy promises with tangible devotion, concluding that love's credibility lies in lived experience: it's easier done, held, touched and shown than endlessly said. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTONRome and Conductor dropped off the lead single and video for their upcoming album Trainspotting. Based around Industry Rule #4080 that record company people are shady (first introduced by A Tribe Called Quest in 1991 on their song 'Check the Rhime'), the independent Brooklyn MC puts us up on game on how to maneuver the rap game in 2025 — and he's doing it over majestic loops provided by the Conductor. — ANGEL DIAZFor her first independent full-length project, Canadian R&B star Savannah Ré pays tribute to the divine feminine across 11 tracks that deepen and expand the soulful sonic profile she established with her Opia album and previous EP. 'Go' Head,' a Western-infused party anthem produced by her husband, Yogi the Producer, and Boi-1da is an instant standout on the three-time Juno Award-winner's new project. Built around a finger-picked guitar loop, Savannah delivers a party anthem that's a welcome deviation from her midtempo comfort zone. 'She ain't never lied, she a real one/ Bust it open wide in the middle/ Make that shit bounce, let it jiggle/ All my bitches live and they with it/ Acting like they need love/ I'm just tryna get some,' she croons in the chorus. — Claudio is gearing up for the release of her Fall in Love With Her album (out June 6), and she gave fans a final taste of the project with the LP's poignant closer 'Memory Foam.' Claudio's feathery vocals glide over guitar strings as she reflects on leaning on a best friend to fill up her cup and recharge after being drained by toxic relationships. 'My heart's like a blade of grass/ You can cut it to pieces, but it keeps growing back,' she resiliently sings. — M.S.'We Don't Have to Be Alone' finds Thee Sacred Souls gently dismantling the idea that companionship must be wrapped in declarations of 'I love you.' Over buttery horns and unhurried drums, lead vocalist Josh Lane tells a potential partner that wanting each other tonight is reason enough to close the gap between two lonely hearts; no grand labels, vows, or lifelong promises are required. By repeating that 'lonely days lead to lonely nights' but 'we don't gotta be alone,' he reframes intimacy as a simple, honest choice made in the present moment. For them, authenticity is measured by honesty and mutual warmth, not by conventional milestones. 'We Don't' offers a comforting invitation to share tenderness without pressure, reminding listeners that genuine connection can thrive outside the rigid boundaries of traditional romance and titles. — C.C.'Let's get fly and smoke some chronic/ That sh— be so ironic.' Lines like that, combined with her delivery, are what make TiaCorine one of rap's most unique artists. You never know what you're going to get when you hit play on one of her songs, but one thing is for certain — shorty is gonna get some bars off. Produced by Kenny Beats, her latest single and video is a testament to the Carolina MC's commitment to being different, interesting and creative. Hopefully, this means we're getting a new project this year — maybe she and Kenny have talked about doing a tape together. — A.D. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
