Jack Harlow leads this week’s New Music Friday lineup with one of the boldest departure albums of recent memory.
Steeped in neo-soul influence, Monica reintroduces the Louisville rapper as a lover boy crooner who wouldn’t sound out of place in the Soulquarians (who, by the way, might be making a comeback). The project was even recorded at Electric Lady Studios, the famed NYC studio where Questlove, D’Angelo, J Dilla and co. called home in the late ’90s and early 00s.
For those wanting a harder soundtrack heading into the weekend, YG sounds the alarm on “State of Emergency,” the speaker-knocking lead single from his upcoming album, while BossMan Dlow, Chief Keef, 42 Dugg and Luh Tyler also serve up new street anthems.
Elsewhere, Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE kickstart the rollout for their sprawling, 33-song joint album POMPEII // UTILITY with the double-sided single “Minty” and “Earth,” while fellow lyricists Ab-Soul, CyHi The Prynce, Joyner Lucas and Samara Cyn continue to keep their fanbases well-fed.
A bonus treat this week is the return of former Neptunes/Clipse affiliate Rosco P. Coldchain, who has teamed up with one of the underground’s most prolific producers, Nicholas Craven, on his comeback song “Benz Sprinter.”
Check out all the best new rap albums and songs below.
Jack Harlow — Monica
Featuring: Robert Glasper, Omar Apollo, Ravyn Lenae, Hollywood Cole, Cory Henry, Rogét Chahayed, Aksel Arvid, Lido, Jermaine Paul
YG — “State of Emergency”
Produced By: DTP & Exulo
Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE & Surf Gang — “Minty” / “Earth”
Produced By: evilgiane & PENTAGRVM / Harrison
Ab-Soul — “Rubber Band Man” Freestyle
Produced By: David Banner
BossMan Dlow — “Motion Party”
Produced By: K6WYA & DB!
Saba & No ID — “Paygrade Demo”
Produced By: No ID
Joyner Lucas — “GTA 6”
Produced By: Leo Son
CyHi The Prynce — “Look What You’ve Done” / “Bouncin Off Me”
Produced By: Mark Byrd & Phil Blackman / Mark Byrd & Phil Blackman
James Blake — Trying Times
Featuring: Dave, Monica Martin, Dom Maker, Jameela Jamil
Samara Cyn — “oooshxt!”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
Chief Keef feat. Ian — “Video Shoot”
Produced By: Chief Keef
Paul Wall feat. Slim Thug & Lil Keke — “Limitless”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
Flatbush Zombies — “Tunnel Vision”
Produced By: Erick The Architect
Thundercat feat. Willow Smith — “ThunderWave”
Produced By: Greg Kurstin
Bruiser Wolf & Sheefy McFly — Push & Paint
Featuring: Sada Baby, BabyTron, Payroll Giovanni, G.T., P-Lo, Akeem Ali
Buddy — House Jam (EP)
Featuring: Guapdad 4000, Kalan.FrFr, KEY!, Huey Briss, CUZZOS, Indigo Boys, FAUCET
42 Dugg & Peezy — “GIA”
Produced By: WristyBoi
Luh Tyler — “So Groovy”
Produced By: Yakree
Mistah F.A.B. feat. T.I. — “Nope”
Produced By: Essay Potna
REASON feat. Eric Bellinger & Isaiah Jaay — “Doin Too Much”
Produced By: REASON, Jordon Manswell, Nabeyin & Andre Denim
Rosco P. Coldchain — “Benz Sprinter”
Produced By: Nicholas Craven
Serial Killers (Xzibit, B-Real & Demrick) — “By Any Means”
Produced By: Scoop DeVille
Jacquees feat. Tink — “Physical”
Produced By: Nash B, KVRIM, Brandon Black, Golden Boy & Maestro
Aesop Rock & Homeboy Sandman — Miami Lice: Season Four (EP)
Featuring: N/A
Leven Kali — LK99
Featuring: N/A
T.F & DJ Muggs — “Star Studded”
Produced By: DJ Muggs
Hoodrich Keem — Slurred Words
Featuring: Key Glock, Curren$y, Babyface Ray, DJ Scream, Que Dawg, Lil Double 0, King Hendrick$, Bally Baby, CEO Trayle
Mickey Factz — The Plague
Featuring: Hitman Holla, Shareef Keyes
Michael Christmas feat. Chris Crack, Lord Sko & GRIMM Doza — “Federal Digital (Remix)”
Produced By: GRIMM Doza
