Juicy j
Photo Credit: Edgar Daniel
Get full with new albums from Statik Selektah, Juicy J, Tinashe, Madlib and Kareem Riggins, Rylo Rodriguez, Thundercat's mom, Pamela D. Bruner, and more
Even during a holiday weekend, the releases don't stop. New Music Friday is here and it's a doozy. Dozens of new albums dropped on Friday. And unless you have hours of free time, it’s almost impossible to wade through all the sewage out there to get to the good stuff.
That’s where Okayplayer comes in. The biggest album to drop this week is Bad Bunny's new album, El Último Tour Del Mundo — which translates to The Last Tour of the World. But there are a bunch of new under-the-radar releases you should know about. This week we got new releases from Statik Selektah, Juicy J, Tinashe, Madlib and Kareem Riggins, Rylo Rodriguez, Thundercat's mom, Pamela D. Bruner, and more.
So grab some leftovers and tap in while Black Friday shopping.
Statik Selektah — The Balancing Act
Photo Credit: Mass Appeal
Very few producers have been as steady as Statik Selektah, who has been dropping quality compilation albums for more than a decade. His new album, The Balancing Act, features appearances from Black Thought, Nas, Method Man, Killer Mike, Jadakiss, Joey Bada$$, and more. Speaking about he gets so many star rappers to appear on his album,Statik told Audiomack:
“Everybody on my albums is a friend. Literally. Everyone I work with on my albums is someone I’ve hung out with outside of rap. It’s never on no industry shit with these albums. I always work with people I fuck with. There’s been people I wasn’t feeling, and they’ve blown up, and I had a song with them that I didn’t put on my album because I wasn’t fucking with their vibes."
Juicy J — The Hustle Continues
Photo Credit: Trippy Music
Legendary rapper Juicy J has released his fifth solo album, The Hustle Continues. Juicy, who has an Oscar, has one of the most decorated rap careers ever. Juicy J recently spoke to MTV about his legacy. He said:
"My kids’ kids will be listening to Juicy J. I’m gonna be like Tony Bennett around here: 80 years old and still getting Grammys and shit. This is what I love to do and I’m a genius at it — so give me my flowers, man."
Bad Bunny — El Último Tour Del Mundo
Photo Credit: Rimas Entertainment
Bad Bunny might be the most exciting artist in music right now. The best part is that he gives fans quantity and quality. He has just released his third album of 2020, El Último Tour Del Mundo. Speaking to Billboard about the sound of the album, Bad Bunny said:
"I’m very happy with it because it’s completely different from YHLQMDLG. This is a more sentimental album, more chill, the kind of thing you can listen to in your room. I laugh because people told me I kept on releasing perreo at a time when people couldn’t go out and party, and I said, "OK. Now you can’t complain." This is an album for you to stay at home, chill, having a beer, a glass of wine, paying attention to the lyrics. It’s a bit more rock 'n' roll, a lot of guitars — there’s one song that only has guitar — it’s more musical, has more fusions, and also reggaetón and rap."
Jahari Massamba Unit — Pardon My French
Photo Credit: Madlib Invazion
When Madlib and Karriem Riggins join forces they become Jahari Massamba Unit. The duo just released their debut album, Pardon My French. The Bandcamp brief describes the album like this:
"Among all of the projects Madlib presented as part of his Jazz Universe, this collaboration was of particular note to fans, who continued to wonder for years if anything else might come from the collaboration. This album, put together by students of jazz in its myriad and historic corms, and also proponents of jazz’s future, reflects a lifetime of record collecting, musical study, woodshopping, and a reverential respect for one another’s craft."
Jim Jones — El Capo (Deluxe)
Photo Credit: Vamp Life
Last year, Jim Jones and Heatmakers released El Capo, one of the more underrated rap albums to drop in 2019. Now the Harlem rapper added 15 songs to the album. (You have to wonder why he didn't just... drop another album.)
Iman Omari — Ascended Masters
Photo Credit: Iman Omari
Multi-talented singer and instrumentalist Iman Omari has released a new beat tape. On his Instagram, Iman wrote: "These beats arent for your 🗑 mixtape... its for your listening pleasure."
Stunna 4 Vegas — Welcome to 4 Vegas
Photo Credit: Interscope Records
Stunna 4 Vegas just dropped his second release of 2020. Welcome to 4 Vegas features appearances from DaBaby, Atlanta rapper Ola Runt, and Murda Beatz.
EL Camino x 38 Spesh — Sacred Psalms
Photo Credit: Manuel "Cep" Concepcion
Elcamino and 38 Spesh are one of the best duos in hip-hop, period. Sacred Psalms is the duos second album of 2020 and it's awesome.
Curren$y & Harry Fraud — Bous Footage
Photo Credits: Jet Life Recordings
Curren$y and Harry Fraud followed up their The OutRunners album from earlier in the year with a quick five-track EP, Bonus Footage. Curren$y recently spoke to us about the origins of his relationship with Fraud.
Tinashe — Comfort & Joy
Photo Credit: Tinashe Music LLC
Today is the official start of the holiday season. So expect a bunch of Christmas music. We got a goodie from Tinashe, who dropped a quick seven-song Christmas EP, Comfort & Joy.
Willie The Kid & V Don — Deutsche Marks 2
Photo Credit: Serious Soundz
Rap vet Willie The Kid links with one of the most talented producers working right now, V Don. The album is the sequel to their 2018 release and features Vado, Eto, and more.
Rylo Rodriguez — G.I.H.F.
Photo Credit: Four Pockets Full Inc
Rylo Rodriguez is one of the stars of Lil Baby's 4PF label. He just dropped his heartfelt new project G.I.H.F., which features Yo Gotti, Moneybagg Yo, 42 Dugg, and of course Lil Baby.
Pamela D. Bruner — Master of the Universe
Photo Credit: LA Sound Group
Thundercat comes from a talented household. Both of his parents are musicians. Pamela D. Bruner, Thundercat's mother, just released a new EP, Master of the Universe. The project is led by the single "Christine" which features mother, father, and son jamming together.
Sabrina Claudio — Christmas Blues
Photo Credit: SC Entertainment
Sabrina Claudio continues the holiday blues with her own Christmas album. In a recent interview with Fault Magazine, she spoke about what she wants to accomplish with her music:
"I just want to be able to look back, no matter how many years, and know that my art has affected people for the better. It’s honestly the one reason that’s helped me continue to make music."
Flee Lord — No More Humble Fashion
Photo Credit: LordMobb
Flee Lord has not stopped working. The New York City rapper has released his 11th album of 2020. Will he go 12 for 12? Guess we'll find out next month.
Vic Spencer — Rather Be A Real One
Photo Credit: Vic Spencer
Today is Black Friday. And if you want to support a Black business you'll cop Vic Spencer's new album, Rather Be A Real One. If you want to listen to the album, you have to DM the rapper directly and send over $20.
