Between Election Day (November 5) and the announcement of the 2025 Grammy nominations (November 8), the week ahead promises to be one of the busiest in recent memory. The hip-hop and R&B realms are certainly at the heart of both events, but big cross-generational news has made this week heavy.
28-time Grammy Award winner and entertainment mogul Quincy Jones was surrounded by family at his home in Bel Air on Sunday night (November 3), according to his publicist passed away. Michael Jackson’s historic recordings as well as iconic films such as wizard and PurpleJones’ contributions to music, film, television and music journalism are immeasurable, and his impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.
News of Jones’ death comes just days after the shocking conclusion of Young Thug’s highly publicized criminal trial. The Top 100 rapper was sentenced to 15 years of probation with no jail time after pleading guilty in a long-running case accusing him of leading a violent Atlanta street gang. The decision shocked the hip-hop world, with everyone from Sexy Red to T.I. reacting to the news. Thugger’s girlfriend, R&B singer Mariah the Scientist, even skipped a show on Latto’s Sugar Honey Iced Tea tour to spend time with her man.
Paired with fresh selections, advertising billboard Designed to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds in R&B and hip-hop – from Jordan Hawkins’ upbeat anthem to “Love So Good” to Big Moochie Grape and Key Glock’s latest collaboration. Be sure to check out this week’s fresh picks in the Spotify playlist below.
Latest Discoveries: New York Prince JI, “Getting to Know Me”
Nearly ten years after his first appearance rap gameNew York Prince JI is still cooling down. The Brooklyn-based emcee has always had a knack for seamlessly blending emotional vulnerability with New York braggadocio, and “Get to Know Me” is another award-winning song from his oeuvre. “I know you’re running away from pain, if you’re afraid of falling in love, you can at least try to love me coldly/You used to tell me about your days, now we’re dancing in the rain, do you really want to know me?” ? Raps melancholy over melancholic R&B-style trapbeat with help from DopeBoyz and Buckroll Beats. “Get to Know Me” clearly places JI in the path of A Boogie wit da Hoodie—and, in turn, the legacy of New York rap ballads (shout out to LL Cool J)—but his lengthy hooks and stream-of-consciousness verses propel He was slightly different somewhere. JI’s new songs sound like rambling apologies, sometimes preemptive atonement, sometimes knowing it’s too late.
Nipa “Pride”
London native Nippa has been steadily making waves on both sides of the UK for some time now with his clever blend of rap and R&B. “Pride” is a sultry Afrobeat-influenced ode to letting your guard down and falling in love, and deserves to be his biggest hit to date. Over lovelorn guitar and drums, he implores everyone in the room to start winning, singing “Wonder if I try/Take off my disguise/Wonder what it feels like to be you/Feed my ego, play and choose Two. The Louddaaa-led track is fairly short, which makes it perfect for endless remixes and extended versions to further build on its atmospheric vibe.
Jordan Hawkins “Love Is Good”
Leon Thomas’ amazing moments mutt LP and rumors of an upcoming rock album from Beyoncé growing, the marriage of rock and R&B has been noticeably stronger on a mainstream level this year, and North Carolina native Jordan Hawkins has something to say about it. A brash and raucous fusion of soul, rock and gospel, “Love So Good” is a beautiful breath of fresh air. Starting at the highest point of his falsetto, Hawkins delivers a passionate vocal performance, tearing through his ode to life-changing love, his slight drawl laced with a stilted growl that effortlessly aligns with the song The mid-instruments are matched by the uplifting energy. Not bad for Hawkins’ first solo single of 2024.
Big Mucci Grape and Key Glock, “The Checklist”
The Big Mucci Grape is back. Memphis rapper returns with his eat or be eaten 2 sequel project Halloween day. This is the Paper Route Empire event in Manifest, and BMG invites PRE honcho Key Glock to perform the bombastic Manifest. Big Moochie embodies this lavish lifestyle with a potent “za” in his pocket and $300,000 worth of ice hanging around his neck. For him, it’s all about the dollar signs. “All these rappers are trying to fit in,” he said of Bandplay’s filmmaking. “All I want is money, no friends.” Glock took the baton and slowed down to balance Big Mucci’s enthusiasm.
BabyTron, “Nightmare on Yo Street”
instead of A Nightmare on Elm StreetBabyTron brings a nightmare to your neighborhood. With spooky season in full swing, Babytron’s Nightmare on Yo Street adds to the spooky atmosphere. The Detroit rapper carves out his own style with signature beats that feel like he’s speaking directly to you in every memorable bar. “This horrific shootout/Why did you bring a knife,” he asks in the official visual in the middle of a creepy cemetery. This is a welcome addition to any ghost playlist as BabyTron enters his world Tronics The album will be released on Friday (November 8).
Ella Mai, “One of”
Artists like Ella Mai don’t usually appear in this column due to her popularity on her resume, but “One” is an exception. The British singer may have found her next radio hit with a romantic tribute to boyfriend and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. Mustard mimicked Timbaland’s hollow bounce on CeeLo Green’s “I’ll Be Around,” while Ella Mai implored women to buy “One of These.” “When I wake up in the morning, he puts flowers at my feet,” she sings. However, there are not many NBA stars in their 20s on the planet who can easily enter the Hall of Fame.
