R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Latto, Jvck James, Savannah Ré, Rome Streetz & More
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 below.This 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. — K.D.Sabrina 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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
43 minutes ago
- Forbes
Cardi B's New Single Dominates Multiple Charts As It Debuts
Cardi B's 'Outside' debuts at No. 1 on five U.S. Billboard charts, becoming both a strong seller and ... More a huge hit on streaming platforms simultaneously. WEST ALLIS, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 01: Cardi B speaks during a campaign rally for Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center on November 1, 2024 in West Allis, Wisconsin. With four days until election day, Vice President Kamala Harris is campaigning in Wisconsin. (Photo by) Fans of Cardi B have been waiting years for the rapper to deliver her sophomore album. Since she released Invasion of Privacy seven years ago, they have continued to support every tune she has shared – and there have been quite a lot of them. The Grammy winner recently dropped the brand new single "Outside" and finally announced that her second full-length effort, Am I the Drama?, is coming in September. All the excitement around not just a just-shared cut, but also a forthcoming album has helped "Outside" become a powerful seller and streamer, bringing Cardi back to No. 1 on multiple U.S.-based charts this week. 'Outside' Debuts at No. 1 on Five Charts In America, the star rules five Billboard tallies as "Outside" opens in first place on rankings dedicated to both pure purchases and streaming activity, as interest in the tune was incredibly high from the moment it arrived. "Outside" leads the Digital Song Sales, R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales, and Rap Digital Song Sales charts, as well as both the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs and Rap Streaming Songs tallies. Cardi' B's History of Hitting No. 1 Cardi has already reached No. 1 on all of these lists in the past – multiple times, in fact – though the number of leaders she has accrued differs widely from one ranking to the next. She has earned half a dozen rulers on the streaming tallies, eight No. 1s on the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart, 13 No. 1s on the Rap Digital Song Sales ranking, and 16 smashes on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales roster. The Bestselling Song in America Luminate reports that in its first tracking frame, "Outside" sold a little more than 13,600 copies. It is the only song in America this week to have sold 10,000 or more copies at once, easily becoming the standout bestseller in the nation. Several New Top 10 Starts In addition to the five Billboard rankings where "Outside" opens at No. 1, the single also launches on nine other lists, and begins its time inside the top 10 on several of them. That roundup includes both the Streaming Songs chart and the Hot 100, where Cardi B earns her lucky thirteenth top 10 as "Outside" comes inside at No. 10.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Katy Perry And Orlando Bloom Break Silence Amid Split Rumours
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have spoken out amid rumours that they have called off their engagement. The Grammy-nominated singer and Lord Of The Rings actor have been in an on-off relationship since 2016, and announced that they were engaged in 2019. However, last month, it was widely reported that the pair were parting ways after around nine years together. Katy and Orlando had initially remained tight-lipped about the rumours for the last two weeks, but confirmed on Thursday evening in a joint statement that they were 'shifting their relationship over the past many months to focus on co-parenting' their four-year-old daughter, Daisy Dove Bloom. Revealing that they wanted to set the record straight amid the 'abundance of recent interest and conversation' about their relationship, the former couple's statement added: 'They will continue to be seen together as a family, as their shared priority is – and always will be – raising their daughter with love, stability and mutual respect.' The California Gurls singer recently wrapped up the Australian leg of her Lifetimes world tour, in support of her divisive latest album 143, which was released last year. Earlier this week, a video recorded at Katy's concert in Adelaide went viral as it appeared to show the performer fighting back tears amid rumours that she and her fiancé were no longer together. 'Thank you for always being there for me, Australia. It means the world,' she told the crowd, before composing herself and beginning a rendition of her signature hit Firework. Orlando, meanwhile, recently shared a moody Instagram post meditating on 'loneliness,' 'sadness' and 'darkness' amid the speculation that he and Katy had split. The Pirates Of The Caribbean star has a 14-year-old son, Flynn, from his previous relationship with the model Miranda Kerr. He has also dated the actors Kate Bosworth and Nora Arnezeder. Katy has previously been in relationships with musicians Travie McCoy, Diplo, Josh Groban and John Mayer, and was married to Russell Brand from 2010 to 2012. People Are Saying The Same Thing As Katy Perry Returns From Her Trip To Space Katy Perry Opens Up About Feeling Like A 'Human Piñata' Because Of Online Hate Orlando Bloom Responds To Keira Knightley's Pirates Of The Caribbean Comments
Hypebeast
an hour ago
- Hypebeast
Things We Loved in Music This Week: July 4
As the week in music comes to a close, Hypebeast has rounded up the most notable music-related headlines – new releases, live performances, merch drops, fashion collaborations, and more. The latest to land a collaborativeErewhonsmoothie is none other thanTravis Scott– who tappedDon ToliverandSheck Wesfor the shoot. Cop a Storm Storm Smoothie, curated byCactus JackHead Honcho, at all Erewhon locations now. JIDsurprised us during the week with the latest installment in his series of numeric freestyles, '32,' only to follow it up with a full mixtape a few days later. Serving as the predecessor to his long-awaited new album,God Does Like UglyisGDLU (Preluxe) –a straight-to-the-point mixtape spanning just four songs and featuringLil Yachty,6lackandEminem. Spotify | Apple Music As eyewear continues to become an unavoidable sector of the fashion space, another new collaboration surfaced this week;Warby ParkertappedMARKETfor a new pair of frames inspired by a chessboard. And who better to front the campaign than certified chess connoisseurWu-Tang'sRZA? It seems to beStar Line Galleryseason, at last, might be approaching …Chance the Rapperhas shared his first new music of the year with none other than two of A-list seasoned collaborators,SminoandLil Wayne. The trio shared 'Tree,' which arrives with a music video directed by Chance. Spotify|Apple Music We're now just a week out fromClipse's first studio album in over 15 years, and the duo continues to drop off more details surrounding the anticipated new project. This week,Pusha TandMaliceoutlined the full tracklist (features included) and sat down withJerry LorenzoforSpotify'sCountdown Toseries. Earlier this week,Brent Faiyazrevealed he has not just new music in the pipeline, but an entire new album. With Icon set to drop on September 19, Faiyaz unveiled the first two tracks from his first new LP sinceLarger Than Lifein 2023, entitled 'Peter Pan' and 'Tony Soprano.' Spotify | Apple Music After dominating the streets of Paris as two of today's most fashion-forward rappers,ASAP NastandDestroy Lonelyhave shared their first-ever collaborative single, 'AMG Music.' Spotify | Apple Music Following up a consistent run of singles thus far,NBA Youngboyhas dropped off his latest full-length studio endeavor,MAKE AMERICA SLIME AGAIN. Spotify | Apple Music New Shelly is always a nice surprise, because it rarely ever happens. On July 1, theClairo-led group shared two new songs entitled 'Cross Your Mind' and 'Hartwell,' packed into a two-packed dubbedShelly 2. Spotify|Apple Music Another week, moreJACKBOYS 2footage and still no release date … This week, Trav dropped off what appears to be the album's trailer along with some cover art. Possibly outshined by the viral Instagram photo of him andJustin Bieberworking out together is Gunna's new visual. Wunna revealed more gym footage in the high-energy music video for his most recent studio track, 'Won't Stop.' WhileWestside GunnandSauconyhave been quiet in their partnership for a minute now, the duo made quite a stamp onParis Fashion Week. The pair debuted a new collaborative colorway: the Grid Jazz 9 'Scorpion.' The latest collaborative offering betweenSkeptaandPUMAhas surfaced, and it takes the form of a full new 'Ice'-themed Skope Forever colorways.
