The temps are near triple digits and you can’t beat the heat but you can enjoy some fun in the sun — just be sure to hydrate, and be sure to have this week’s new music added to your playlist.
Benny the Butcher is holding you down for another summer. FKA Twigs drops off the thumping anxiousness of “Perfectly,” as Araabmuzik returns with “3 AM.”
There’s new heat from Ace Hood. And Raekwon, one of the sharpest swordsmen in Wu-Tang Clan, drops his ambitious new album The Emperor’s New Clothes.
Each week, Okayplayer will deliver a roundup of all the latest new heat from some of our favorite artists. Check out the latest offerings below.
NEW SONGS
ARAABMUZIK – “3AM”
The lead single from his upcoming Electronic Dream 2 – a project years in the making. Five-years later, the rapper is finally releasing the sequel to his breakout album.
CHE NOIR – “SMOOTH JAZZ”
This is what growth sounds like. Che and 38 Spesh over an appropriately jazzy instrumental — street lyricism with cerebral, head-nod vibes.
KARDINAL OFFISHALL W/OCEAN BANKS AND ROTIMI – “SOAK”
Offishall teams with music star Rotimi and newcomer Ocean Banks on this new track about freeing yourself from doubts and embracing your sexy.. This is a feel-good anthem and a body-mover.
FKA TWIGS – “PERFECTLY”
She dropped her bold and boundary-shattering album Eusexua back in January and now Twigs is following it with this single that manages to be both aggressive and vulnerable.
LEIGH-ANNE – “BEEN A MINUTE”
An anthem over thumping production. The British singer-songwriter and actress delivers this inspired romp; A BANGER.
HERMANOS GUTIÈRREZ W/LEON BRIDGES – “ELEGANTLY WASTED”
The pairing we didn’t know we needed. This is the group’s first new single of 2025, following their 2024 album produced by Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach.
NIGE – “BITCHES TOO”
The Washington, D.C. Heproduct showcases his knack for melodicism with this confessional track. And SAHXL adds a standout guest spot, giving the song just enough edge.
ANIESZKA – “HOW DO I”
This is how going inward resonates universally and why artists can’t be boxed in. After releasing the sensual “Tender Without You” earlier this year; the singer-songwriter drops this heartfelt ode to loss and resilience.
JOYNER LUCAS w/AVA MAX – “TEAR ME DOWN”
Nobody can channel angst and mine classic rap sounds better. With Ava Max, he makes the vibe feel slightly throwback to the sparkly days of TRL and 106 & Park.
TINIE TEMPAH AND SKEPSIS – “EAT IT UP”
It’s been a while since we heard from Tinie. The British star ends an almost ten-year hiatus with his new song, featuring Skepsis.
RAKIM FEAT. LAZARUS – “NOT TO BE DEFINED”
New heat from the God MC, who has a new album dropping August 29. The legend delivers an anthem in anticipation of his upcoming project.
OXYMORRONS – “BLK SHEEP”
New York’s genre-defying punks return with their new single: a melding of thrash punk and alt-hip-hop. The perfect backdrop for the crew’s critique of corruption, inequality, and layers of hypocrisy.
NEW ALBUMS
BENNY THE BUTCHER, ‘SUMMERTIME BUTCH 2’
Butch returns with another summer project, coming on the heels of last year’s Summertime Butch. The new album features collaborations with Westside Gunn, Bun B, Mike Will Made It, G Herbo and more.
CHE, ‘REST IN BASS’
Che ain’t thinking about a Cooper jinx. He dropped “Hellraiser” with OsamaSon earlier this week as an appetizer, and now Che is giving listeners the full meal.
RAEKWON, ‘THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES’
Rae is back. The Chef stays cooking up some marvelous sh*t, so Wu fans can rejoice that the master swordsman’s skills are still sharp.
GELO, ‘LEAGUE OF MY OWN’
He’s having a pretty dope 2025. After landing on XXL’s coveted Freshman cover, he gave a well-received performance at the BET Awards
And now his Def Jam debut is finally here.
ACE HOOD, ‘S.O.U.L.’
The final installment of his M.I.N.D., B.O.D.Y., and S.O.U.L. trilogy, Ace’s new project is reflective of his personal evolution and sharpened creative perspective as an artist.
JIM LEGXACY, ‘black british music’
His self-produced talents take a backseat to a polished set of outside hands, but thr British rapper-singer’s varied and versatile skill set is still front-and-center on his debut for XL.
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