.jpg)
9 hours ago
2
Listen to new must-hear songs from emerging R&B/hip-hop artists like Naïka and Luh Kel.
BIA, "One Thing" Courtesy Photo
It’s Tyler, the Creator’s world, and we’re just living in it.
Although the Grammy-winning MC is still in the middle of his arena-conquering Chromakopia World Tour, he still found the time to ideate, record and release a brand new set titled Don’t Tap the Glass, which debuted atop the Billboard 200 with just four days of tracking (dated Aug. 2). The dance-forward set marks Tyler’s fourth Billboard 200-topping effort and arrives the same week he joins Daniel Caesar in conversation for the Hot 100-topping R&B star’s new Billboard cover.
As Tyler surprised the East Coast with an immersive, Brooklyn-set Don’t Tap the Glass pop-up, Beyoncé descended upon the West Coast to wrap her seismic Cowboy Carter Tour in Las Vegas. Assisted on closing night by Jay-Z, Shaboozey, and an Earth-shattering Destiny’s Child reunion, the Cowboy Carter Tour grossed $407 million from just 32 shows, making it the highest-grossing country tour in Billboard Boxscore history. Beyoncé’s latest trek shattered over 30 records across its run, putting an impressive bow on the era that finally notched her that album of the year Grammy.
Outside of blockbuster tours and new music, Memphis rap star GloRilla was arrested, following a burglary that occurred while she was out of town performing at the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday (July 20). She turned herself in on Tuesday (July 22), where she was booked on two charges: felony possession of marijuana and possession of a Schedule I controlled substance.
“CRAZY My House got Home Invaded Saturday while I was in Indianapolis performing for the WNBA all star game,” she clarified via X on Thursday (July 24). “Instead of [focusing] on finding the [suspects], they focus on some cannabis. 1. so no I wasn’t busted 2. My house got robbed 3. I wasn’t home. Long story short, my house gets home invaded, and I’m the only one that gets arrested. So that’s tea.”
Glo posted a $22,260 bond to secure her release, and she hit the stage on Friday (July 24) for her first-ever Glo Bash, which featured performances from Sexyy Red, Rob49 and Muni Long.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Jordan Adetunji’s new drop to Bay Swag and Young Thug’s link-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
-
Lekan, “Make It Right”
Co-produced by Hollywood Cole & Bonxu, Lekan’s “Make It Right” finds the Nigerian-American R&B artist delivering a convincing plea to his proposed lover to finally “make them his.” “All of my mistakes, it just keeps haunting me/ I can’t let you get away from knowing me,” he croons in the second verse, presenting a refreshingly honest version of himself that embraces his flaws and shortcomings in his search for new sparks and connections. From his earnest vocals to the delicate guitars and skittering percussion, “Make It Right” perfectly balances atmospheric instrumentation with the innate gravitational pull of self-surveying introspection. — KYLE DENIS
-
Bay Swag & Young Thug, “Lil Jasmine”
Bay Swag’s anticipated Damaged Thoughts debut album arrived on Friday (July 25), and the Queens native put his full repertoire on display, showing he’s more than a sexy drill pioneer. Among the star-studded cast, Bay recruited Young Thug, who once offered to pay legal fees to help Bay Swag’s incarcerated father, for “Lil Jasmine.” The 25-year-old brags about his titillating escapades, lending credence to him being a “worldwide sniper,” while Thugger flexes his ability to afford the luxurious lifestyle, allowing Jasmine to live her best life. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
-
Luh Kel, Jeremih, Seddy Hendrinx, “Drop Me Tha Lo! 2”
On this globe-spanning love anthem, Luh Kel, Jeremih, and Seddy Hendrinx blend slick melodies with romantic urgency, expressing a willingness to do whatever it takes to hold onto love, from buying flights to crossing oceans. Luh Kel kicks things off with verses about loyalty and longing, Jeremih brings the smooth talk with Paris-and-passport bars, and Seddy rounds it out with emotional clarity and commitment. It’s luxury R&B with a heart and one simple request: drop the location so we can make this work. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
-
Jordan Adetunji, “Drama”
“The type to make your best friends mad/ You know I come with good karma/ If I hit it once, you gonna come back/ Huh, got my own plans for just you,” Jordan Adetunji devilishly croons on the pre-chorus to his latest single. The Grammy-nominated Brit has been on a high since his breakthrough with last winter’s A Jaguar’s Dream EP, and he trades on that project’s dark, seductive, genre-fusing aesthetics with “Drama,” a Danny Casio and Seza-helmed joint that finds Jordan relishing his role as a romantic agent of chaos. — K.D.
-
BIA, “One Thing”
BIA pushed back the release of “One Thing” for a week, and the delay was well worth the wait. In a refreshing change of pace compared to what’s prevalent in rap, the Massachusetts native came through preaching positivity, empowerment and self-worth for the ladies. “He want that one thing from me, don’t think I deserve it/ I know that I’m different, I think that I’m perfect/ Look me in the mirror, I think that I’m worth it,” she raps. Come for the visual shot in the Bahamas and stay for BIA showing off her singing pipes on the outro. — M.S.
-
Naïka, “Bloom”
With breezy island imagery and a confident romantic tone, “Bloom” reflects Naïka’s joy of finding someone who feels like paradise — someone who accepts her fully, baggage and all. The track captures the warmth of mutual attraction and emotional alignment, likening love to a seasonal bloom after the rain. It’s playful yet grounded, with lyrics in both English and French that highlight her multicultural roots and the intimacy of the connection. — C.C.
English (US)