La pride 2019
Photo Credit: Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)
We have the best new rap and R&B album releases of the week, featuring artists like Ty Dolla $ign, Junglepussy, Xavier Omär, and more.
There is an overwhelming amount of music that drops on New Music Fridays. 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 come in. On Friday morning, we are out here listening to as much new music as humanly possible. This week, we have a number of great releases from artists like Dej Loaj,Ty Dolla $ign, Chuck Strangers, Xavier Omär, Kiana Lede, and more.
Ty Dolla $ign — Featuring Ty Dolla $ign
Photo Credit: Artist
Ty Dolla $ign has been teasing his latest album — his first solo project since 2017 — for years now. But it's finally here, in all of it' glory. And there's appearances from basically every rapper and singer you care about. Featuring Ty Dolla $ign is a very different project than what he initially had in mind. In a New York Magazine profile, you learn that he reworked most of the album that was initially supposed to come out in 2019. About the process, he said:
“I kept recording, and I accidentally did another album... I’ll still probably drop that other one sometime later during the year, or … Who knows? Maybe I won’t. When you make seven songs a day, you get a new playlist.”
Dej Loaf — Sell Sole II
Photo Credit: Artist
Despite being a rap veteran, and one of the most mimicked rappers of the decade, Dej Loaf has finally released her debut album, Sell Sole II. The album features appearances from Big Sean, Benny the Butcher, Lil Uzi Vert, Gunna, Rick Ross, Sada Baby, and more.
Xavier Omär — if You Feel
Photo Credit: Artist
R&B singer Xavier Omär has returned with a follow-up to last year's collabo with Sango, Moments Spent Loving You. if You Feel, Omär's third studio album, features 11 sultry new tracks and appearances from R&B favs like Masego and Mereba.
Chuck Strangers — Too Afraid to Dance
Chuck Strangers, who cut his teeth as Pro Era's go-to producer, has dropped a quick, tranquil-sounding new EP called Too Afraid to Dance. With appearances from Brooklyn's Ka and The Bronx's Caleb Giles, the New York City vibes are strong with this one.
DJ OG Ron C — 21 Savage and Metro Boomin’s SAVAGE MODE II [CHOPPED NOT SLOPPED]
Photo Credit: Artist
The spookiest album of 2020 just got a bit spookier. DJ OG Ron C works his chopped — but not slopped — magic with 21 Savage and Metro Boomin's latest album Savage Mode II. This is some real Halloween shit right here.
Junglepussy — JP4
Photo Credit: Artist
There is no style or genre that Junglepussy won't attack — from punk to pop to rap. Get into JP4, the sequel to her 2018 album, which features appearances from Gangsta Boo and Ian Isiah.
BKTHERULA — Nirvana
Photo Credit: Artist
Atlanta rapper BKTHERULA is all over the place — in a good way. Her new project Nirvana, her first project under the Warner Bros. label, is like a euphoric hit to the chest. She spoke a bit about her style in an interview with HipHopDX:
“[My vision] changes so fast, bro... I’ll literally be like ‘this is my sound, guys,’ and then two weeks later I have a completely new sound. It’s just crazy. I feel like I will never stop evolving.”
Dave East — Karma 3 (Deluxe)
Photo Credit: Artist
Harlem rapper Dave East adds eight new tracks to Karma 3, his effort from earlier in the year. He gets some good features from Jeezy, G Herbo, and Dej Loaf. And Dave East has a meat and potaes rap style that gets the job done.
Luh Kel — L.O.V.E.
Photo Credit: Artist
At 18, St. Louis-bred singer Luh Kel is still a baby. But he's already so accomplished, racking up a number of gold and platinum plaques. L.O.V.E. is the first project from the singer to drop this year. In an interview with PopDust he spoke about what the title meant:
It stands for "love out values everything" and "loss of valuable emotion." I think of different stuff every day for it. It means a bunch of things you feel me? I'm just trying to find out what love means to me.
Kiana Lede — KIKI (Deluxe)
Photo Credit: Artist
First Look Friday alumni Kiana Ledé dropped her debut album,KIKI, earlier in the year. It was a balm during a turbulent time (She dropped it during the beginning of quarantine.) The deluxe version of KIKI has some new features from Ari Lennox, Jacquees, and Ant Clemons.
Fat Tony — Exotica
Photo Credit: Artist
Witty Houston rapper Fat Tony dropped his first solo release since 10,000 Hoursin 2018. On Exotica, Fat Tony puts the focus on his pen, calling the album “an ode to the art of storytelling." The Bandcamp description reads:
“Picture records like The Great Adventures of Slick Rick. Artists like Neil Young, Bob Dylan, or Bob Marley. Every lyric was carefully considered to make sure we properly conveyed each character’s narrative and motivations. I wanted to create a world of unique stories with room for each to be interpreted in distinct ways.”
THEY. — The Amanda Tape
Photo Credit: Artist
They., a R&B duo consisting of singers Drew Love and Dante, have released their sophomore album, The Amanda Tape, which features standout appearances from Juicy J and Wale. Speaking about the release on their Instagram, the duo wrote:
"... thankful to be able to release music on our own terms. thankful for good people in our corner. and most of all, i’m thankful for you guys for continuing to ride with us through this whole journey."
Joyner Lucas — Evolution
Photo Credit: Artist
This album is called Evolution. But if you are a fan of Joyner Lucas, and his dexterous, verbacious, rapid-fire style, than this album should be familiar territory for you.
