NEW SINGLES —————————
Following the viral success of “Arike” and his recent Before We Became Strangers EP, Nigerian artist Kunmie returns with “Julie,” a track that highlights his artistic growth. Blending Yoruba melodies with an uptempo Afro-fusion sound, the song explores a more layered sense of attraction. With emotive vocals and vivid storytelling, Kunmie captures longing and intrigue while delivering a polished, radio-ready record suited for both intimate and lively settings.
Chiacgo-based singer Simone Green marks her debut with “Black Queen,” a powerful single that embodies resilience, reinvention, and self-definition. Released during Black History Month, the song honors Black womanhood with authenticity and grace. Inspired by her journey as a two-time breast cancer survivor, Green delivers a moving anthem of strength and visibility, marking the first release from her upcoming Black Queen EP.
NEW ALBUM
Nigerian singer/songwriter's Joeboy and Wizard Chan come together on Agaba Romantic, a cohesive and emotionally resonant joint EP that blends their distinct musical identities. The project effortlessly moves across moods while maintaining a strong, unified sound, merging Joeboy’s heartfelt, romance-driven lyricism with Wizard Chan’s culturally rooted, genre-fusing approach. This collaboration feels both introspective and sonically adventurous, pushing each artist into new creative territory. Adding further depth, the EP features standout guest appearances from Qing Madi and Braye, enhancing its rich, evolving Afrobeats tapestry.
PREMIERING NOW
After her breakout moment alongside Baby Keem on his hit single “Good Flirts,” Momo Boyd is confidently stepping into her own spotlight. The Infinity Song vocalist officially launched her solo career with the critically acclaimed single “Strong” earlier this month, embracing the wave of attention that followed her standout feature. Now she continues that momentum with the release of the video for “She’s a Sweetheart,” a visually striking piece co-directed by Boyd and Emmanuel Porqui. Drawing inspiration from The Substance and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders docuseries, the video explores the “impossible expectations” placed on women while highlighting the pressure to endure sacrifice with a smile, all wrapped in a vibrant, fun visual presentation.
Brooklyn-born singer/poet Aja Monet’s “Elsewhere,” featuring Meshell Ndegeocello and Georgia Anne Muldrow, is a soulful, spirit-led tribute inspired by the legacy of Sly Stone. Created shortly after news of Stone's passing, the song emerged organically, with Monet describing a divine energy guiding the process. Joined by collaborators who responded in perfect timing, the track reflects love, connection, and creative possibility. The official Jesse Boykins III-directed video mirrors this energy, capturing the song’s emotional depth and communal essence.
NOW PLAYING ———————————————————————
Nigerian singer/songwriter Patoranking launches his 2026 run with the commanding single “African Soldier,” featuring dancehall icon Buju Banton. Produced by Jazzwad, the roots reggae track blends powerful messaging with classic influences, reaffirming Patoranking’s foundation in reggae and dancehall. Serving as the second single from his upcoming album, the song champions African pride, unity, and global Black excellence, delivering a stirring call for liberation while celebrating the strength and cultural impact of African music worldwide.
Longtime R&B singer/songwriter Durand Bernarr kicks off a fresh chapter with his new single “Wild Ride,” featuring James Fauntleroy. Arriving after his GRAMMY win for Best Progressive R&B Album, the track signals artistic evolution, blending Bernarr’s expressive vocals with Fauntleroy’s polished songwriting and production. Anchored in themes of clarity and emotional presence, “Wild Ride” explores fully embracing life’s moments, delivering a smooth yet introspective groove that highlights both artists’ creative chemistry and forward-thinking R&B sound.
Keri Hilson makes a long-awaited and deeply personal return with We Need to Talk: Redemption, the final chapter of her trilogy released via Create Music Group. Marking her first full project since No Boys Allowed, the album completes a 20-track journey through love, conflict, and growth. Featuring production from Polow da Don, standout moments like “Who” and “Thankful” highlight Hilson’s emotional depth, closing a powerful era centered on healing, resilience, and self-reflection.
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Coco Jones steps confidently into a bold new era with her vibrant video for “LUVAGIRL,” an uptempo release via Def Jam Recordings. Produced by Shae Jacobs, the track blends silky vocals with playful trumpet riffs, thunderous drums, and regal brass, channeling early 2000s R&B nostalgia. Following her standout performance at Super Bowl LX, Jones delivers a visually striking, emotionally fearless anthem that captures romance, growth, and self-assured energy in her first release of 2026.
Hip-hop super producer Mike Will Made-It returns with R3SET , his first solo album in nearly a decade since Ransom 2. The 15-track project is packed with major features, including J. Cole, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, 2 Chainz, Ludacris, T.I., and CeeLo Green, alongside rising voices. Showcasing his growth and hitmaking legacy, R3SET blends veteran star power with fresh energy, marking a bold, long-awaited return.
6LACK returns with the striking visual for “Bird Flu,” a moody, introspective single that sets the tone for his upcoming album Love Is The New Gangsta , due May 22. The Atlanta singer-songwriter dives into the emotional fallout of a fractured relationship, confronting past mistakes and personal growth with raw honesty. Backed by nimble, atmospheric production, his vocals soar with a haunting clarity. The video mirrors the song’s late-night vulnerability, marking a compelling reintroduction as he builds on the momentum that sparks his comeback.
Ugandan Afrobeat star Azawi unveils her much-anticipated single “Addict,” a vibrant track exploring the intoxicating pull of passionate romance. Produced by Banger Boi, it blends Luganda and English, showcasing her signature style. With high-energy delivery, Azawi captures love bordering on obsession, weaving modern references like calling her partner a coping mechanism and filling her algorithm with them while the track pulses with irresistible rhythm and emotion.
Rising indie artist Crystal Genesis delivers a vibrant visual for “Ego Wars,” a retro-tinged music video she co-directed with RoseVisuals. Moving through colorful rooms with confident flair, Crystal matches the song’s airy production from Entropy47 while unpacking themes of jealousy, authenticity, and self-acceptance. The track calls out imitation and ego-driven behavior, encouraging listeners to remain genuine in a competitive world where originality often gets overshadowed.
Grammy and Stellar nominee Renee Spearman returns with her powerful new single “You Chose Me,” featuring 5x platinum R&B star Montell Jordan and the incomparable Kim Burrell. This uplifting track serves as a moving testimony, reminding listeners that God chose them for a purpose. Blending soulful vocals, rich harmonies, and jazz influences, the song is a follow-up to Spearman and Burrell's joint hit single "Tap Into It (The Source)" from 2023 and delivers an inspiring message of faith, gratitude, and divine calling.
GloRilla’s recent public clash with her sister Victoria “Scar Face” Woods has ignited a familiar and uncomfortable conversation about fame, family, and financial obligation. Since breaking out in 2022 with “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” and quickly ascending to mainstream success with charting singles, awards, and a top-five debut album, the Memphis rapper has become one of hip-hop’s fastest-rising stars. But with that success has come an expectation that she must now serve as the financial backbone of an extended family, a burden that too often gets placed on the first person to “make it” out of difficult circumstances. Scar Face’s claims that GloRilla has abandoned family members in need tap into a narrative that success equals permanent responsibility. Yet the evidence suggests a far more complicated reality. GloRilla has publicly shown moments of generosity toward her parents and loved ones, and other family members have stepped forward to defend her support over the years. Her response (including sharing a message of appreciation from her mother and urging her sister to seek employment) may have felt blunt, but it underscored a necessary point: providing help does not mean surrendering one’s autonomy or becoming an endless source of cash for anyone who asks.
Released in 1993, U.N.I.T.Y. by Queen Latifah remains one of hip-hop’s most powerful anthems addressing respect for women. Featured on her third album Black Reign, the track tackled street harassment, domestic violence, and misogynistic language in both society and rap culture. Built around a sample of “Message from the Inner City” by The Crusaders and interpolating Unity, the song delivered a bold message that resonated widely—so much so that many radio stations aired it uncensored despite its provocative lyrics. “U.N.I.T.Y.” became a defining moment in Latifah’s career, earning her the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance and peaking at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also found success on the rap and R&B charts, solidifying its place as her biggest crossover hit. Critics praised the track’s fearless stance, while audiences connected with its unapologetic demand for respect, punctuated by the unforgettable refrain, “Who you callin’ a bitch?!” The song’s cultural reach extended beyond music, even appearing on Latifah’s hit sitcom Living Single during its original run. The music video added an emotional layer to the song’s impact, with Latifah riding a motorcycle in tribute to her late brother, Lance, who died in 1992. Filmed in Newark, New Jersey, it featured a cameo from Naughty by Nature and showcased the same raw authenticity that defined the track. Decades later, “U.N.I.T.Y.” continues to resonate, recognized by outlets like Pitchfork as one of the greatest songs of the ’90s and standing as a timeless call for dignity and empowerment.
Jack Harlow returns with his fourth album Monica, a project that marks a total departure from the Kentucky-bred rapper’s usual blend of witty bars, introspection, and playful bravado. Best known for rap hits like “Whats Poppin,” “First Class,” and “Loving on Me,” here we find Harlow shifting gears completely for R&B, while aiming for a more vulnerable and emotionally transparent approach centered on past (and present?) relationships. And while the stylistic pivot is ambitious, it has also drawn criticism, with some listeners and critics questioning both its authenticity and creative direction. At just nine tracks, Monica plays like a concise but uneven experiment that often feels underdeveloped as well. A recurring issue is its lack of depth (both lyrically and emotionally) as many moments come across as forced rather than genuine. The production, though smooth and easy to digest, leans toward safe, ambient grooves that feel more like background music for the local mall than fully realized compositions, lacking the dynamism needed to elevate the project beyond surface-level listening. Tracks like “Lonesome,” “My Winter,” and “Move Along” show flashes of relatability, touching on themes of heartbreak, betrayal, and growth, but they ultimately blur together due to repetitive execution. The opening track on Monica (a title that Harlow himself said recently wasn't necessarily a real person as opposed to a name he 'loved' simply due to its sound), “Trade Places,” offers a polished, groove-driven sound, yet feels overly calculated in its attempt to channel neo-soul influences. The track “All My Friends” leans on a corny theme of falling in love too deeply, paired with a melodic yet unruffled hook that should have been left on the cutting room floor. Meanwhile, songs like “Say Hello” and “Prague” hint at greater range, but aren’t strong enough to carry the album’s overall weight. In the end, Monica is an easy listen that struggles to leave a lasting impression, falling short in originality, variety, and the emotional authenticity it aims to deliver. Standout Tracks: "Trade Places", "Say Hello", "Living Alone" Rating: 5/10 - Simon P Williams
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The legendary Oakland collective Hieroglyphics was officially inducted into the National Hip Hop Museum Hall of Fame yesterday in Washington, DC, marking a major milestone for one of underground rap’s most influential crews. Founded by Del the Funky Homosapien, the group includes key figures such as Casual, Pep Love, and the members of Souls of Mischief—Phesto, A-Plus, Opio, and Tajai—along with DJ DJ Toure and producer Domino. Known for their independence and loyal fanbase, the crew built their legacy through grassroots promotion, early internet engagement, and their own “Hierocasts.” At the center of Hieroglyphics’ identity is their unmistakable three-eyed face logo, a symbol that has become synonymous with underground hip-hop culture. Created by Del, the design is based on the Mayan numeral for eight and reflects both artistic influence and deeper consciousness (a “third eye” perspective that aligns with the group’s lyrical themes. Over the years, the logo has appeared across album covers, merchandise, and streetwear, growing into a cult emblem recognized far beyond their core fanbase. Del once noted his surprise at its reach, recalling sightings of the symbol in comics, music videos, and even tattoos worn by devoted fans. The Hall of Fame induction not only honors Hieroglyphics’ music (from albums like 3rd Eye Vision and Full Circle) but also celebrates the cultural power of their branding and message. In an era where major label backing often dictated success, the crew carved out their own lane, proving that authenticity and creative control could build a lasting movement. With their logo now cemented as one of hip-hop’s most enduring symbols, Hieroglyphics’ induction serves as recognition of both their artistic contributions and their influence on independent rap culture.
OUTSIDE THE STUDIO
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Snoop Dogg has officially signed on to star in director Eli Roth’s upcoming horror film, marking a new chapter in their longtime creative partnership.
THE DROP ZONE ———————————————————————
Nas and DJ Premier reunited in New York to film the video for “GiT Ready,” directed by Jean-Charles Charavin. Inspired by architecture, finance, and technology, the visual highlights their talents, with Premier on the turntables and Nas delivering verses while showcasing subtle signs of success. The track appears on their 2025 album Light-Years , released decades after their Illmatic collaborations, and closes Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It… series honoring hip-hop icons.
Norwegian-Nigerian singer-songwriter Tolou released the vibrant music video for “Body,” directed by Rare Chaba, from her debut album Energy . Filmed in Lagos, the visual reflects the song’s joyful, sensual, and uplifting spirit, inspired by Tolou’s connection to her heritage. As the album’s closing track, “Body” brings the project full circle, blending pop, soul, R&B, and Afro-influenced sounds while showcasing her cultural identity, emotional depth, and intention to leave listeners with a powerful, radiant sense of energy.
South African vocalist Rowlene ushers in a new era with her soul-stirring single “Last Seen.” Blending R&B, pop and hip-hop influences, the track explores heartbreak turning into healing and self-discovery. Rooted in honesty and reflection, it captures the moment clarity replaces confusion, signaling a bold chapter defined by growth and emotional awareness and intention moving forward confidently with purpose and renewed artistic vision.
GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum rapper Coi Leray keeps her momentum blazing with “Better Than Yours,” featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again. The mosh pit-ready track showcases her genre-bending versatility, with both artists delivering commanding performances. Built around an interpolation of the hit 2003 single "Milkshake" by Kelis, the single pulses with infectious energy and undeniable hit potential.
Rising singer-songwriter Chelsea Jordan delivers heartfelt vulnerability on her new EP better late than not at all , released via Arista Records. The six-track project traces heartbreak, reflection, and optimism, capturing the emotional journey of outgrowing love. Featuring standout songs like “halfwaythru” and “picky choosy,” the EP blends soulful storytelling with renewed self-prioritization, showcasing Chelsea’s most intimate songwriting yet while marking a powerful step forward in her evolving artistry and emotional clarity.
Netherlands-based singer-songwriter Joya Mooi and Nigerian artist Lady Donli unite on “Only Water,” a fluid, Afrobeats-tinged R&B track blending warm bass, soft keys, and layered harmonies. Inspired by Olympic diver Greg Louganis, the song reflects resilience, healing, and finding sanctuary amid adversity. Released via Unity Records, the collaboration feels intimate yet expansive, as both artists deliver a quietly powerful moment that resonates far beyond its smooth, richly immersive soundscape.
UK DJ/producer Shy One delivers a richly textured homage to London’s club culture with her debut album Mali. Blending house, jazz, and UK breakbeat, the project reflects her creative rebirth while honoring Black British electronic music. Highlights like “I Can Tell” with George Riley and “Driving On Sand” featuring Steve Spacek showcase her dynamic range, while collaborations with James Massiah add depth to this immersive, late-night sonic journey.
France’s coolest young pop star Theodora ushers in her “Sexy music for life” era with the vibrant new single "Miss Kitoko". Delivered in her native French, the track blends drum and bass with Creole folk influences and Caribbean sounds like bouyon, creating a fast, infectious groove built for the dancefloor. Confident and stylish, Theodora (also known as Boss Lady) leans into bold energy, crafting a track that feels both global and club-ready.
“I Won't” marks another bold visual for Chloe Couture, the daughter of Harlem rapper Max B, as she steps confidently into her own spotlight. The Brooklyn-born, Panamanian talent delivers a dance-driven anthem centered on independence, trust, and self-identity, pairing raw authenticity with fearless energy. Set in a studio, the video highlights her sharp choreography and presence, while nodding to her father’s “wavy” legacy, signaling a fresh new wave in music.