Labor Day is almost here and that means fall is right around the corner. But as bittersweet as the end of summer can be, there’s still no shortage of great music as we say goodbye to the warmer months. Earl Sweatshirt drops Live Laugh Love and fans are already buzzing about his growth and maturity; and of course, the legendary Ghostface Killah finally delivers the sequel to his iconic Supreme Clientele. Escape Room from Teyana Taylor is here; and Offset bares his soul on his new project, KIARI.
Meanwhile, Kid Cudi is finally Free. When it comes to generating pre-release buzz, very few did it better than BigXThaPlug this summer, and he consummates it with his new country-inspired album, I Hope You’re Happy. ATL icon Ciara is back with CiCi, one of her most bossed-up projects to date. And Flo Milli is delivering the goods with her new single “Perfect Person,” featuring Coop.
Each week, Okayplayer will deliver a roundup of all the latest new heat from some of our favorite artists. Check out the latest offerings in our playlist below:
NEW SONGS
JOEY BADA$ – “DARK AURA”
The Brooklyn rapper is fully activated; there’s been a flurry of activity alongside his latest single release. And he announced a headlining tour ahead of the full album dropping.
BABY PRINCE – “AI WENA”
The Australian emcee has always been heavily influenced by southern hip-hop, but his background makes his art uniquely compelling. And this is the anthem you need.
DANIEL CAESAR – “CALL ON ME”
He’s going for something different. The singer-songwriter shifts musical gears with his latest single; a nod to grungy, alt-rock sounds of yesteryear while still retaining his knack for personal lyrics and singsongy melodies.
FLO MILLI FEAT. COOP – “PERFECT PERSON”
It’s not her first single of 2025, exactly–(she teamed up with K-pop stars AespaFor their hit single “Dirty Work”)–but it’s the first to offer a glimpse of what she’s got cooking…and what’s coming next.
RON E. FEAT. HONEY BXBY AND BAY SWAG – “ JUST US”
The chemistry is off the charts between these three. This dynamic collaboration highlights their soulful energy in a fresh, fun, slice of late-night R&B.
RAAHiiM FEAT. BEAM – “WIICKEDEST”
The Canadian-born, LA-based star is one of R&B’s most compelling new voices. And he’s tapping into his Jamaican roots with a smooth, reggae-infused track that sees him teaming up with Beam.
TOIAN – “FREAK”
The singer/songwriter drops this sultry bit of island fusion that highlights her Montego Bay upbringing in a gender-flipping reworking of Lil VIcious’ 90s dancehall classic.
BUN B FEAT. SCOTTY ATL AND MONALEO – “I CAN’T LIE”
Produced by Cory Mo and Ray Murray, this laid-back bit of southern rap greatness connects three musical generations. It also offers a glimpse ahead to Bun’s upcoming album Way Mo Trill.
OMB PEEZY – “MAGIC”
Peezy gets to tap into his inner Destiny’s Child on his new single; as he flips their classic love song “Cater 2 U.” But it’s about choosing between his girl or the streets
Nali – “All Day”
Nali pulls up with a track that’s frenetic, dreamy and tender all at once. Tap in.
PHIL ADÉ – “M.I.A.”
His latest single is the first release from his upcoming independent eponymous album, philip.The project is set to drop in October via Seenic/UnitedMasters.
FRENCH MONTANA W/CASH COBAIN – “PACK U UP”
The Bronx is absolutely in the building on this track that revisits Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s uber-classic “T.R.O.Y” but transports the familiar sax loop to a ballerific album about giving a lady what she wants.
BUDDY RED – “SOLD HIS SOUL”
He’s getting there on his talent–not his famous family. He’s ready for his breakout moment. Drawing from a wide palette of influences — his music can be deeply rooted but also freshly modern.
KEM – “ROCK WITH ME”
The singer-songwriter drops his follow-up to “Give My Love.” Produced with Industry veteran Rex Rideout, it’s a sweeping and emotional tune that sets the stage for his forthcoming album.
NEW ALBUMS
EARL SWEATSHIRT, ʻLIVE LAUGH LOVE’
After a somewhat strange listening party, Earl drops his latest and shows he’s still one of rap’s most outside-the-box creatives. It’s his first project since the Alchemist-produced Voir Dire in 2023 and his first solo album since Sick! the year prior.
OFFSET, ʻKIARI’
He knows what you’re expecting to hear. High profile fatherhood, as well as his heavily-publicized divorce and his lingering grief. Does the ATL rapper have a lot to get off his chest? You bet he does.
GHOSTFACE KILLAH, ʻSUPREME CLIENTELE 2’
The long-anticipated sequel to Ghostdini’s most acclaimed album is finally here. It features collabs with Nas, Raekwon, Method Man, Redman, Conway The Machine, Styles P. and M.O.P.
BIGXTHAPLUG, ʻI HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY’
Most genre-hopping projects can feel like calculated pandering. This ain’t that at all. He makes blending country, hip-hop and soul so effortless and easy on his new album.
CIARA, ʻCICI’
The woman who invented Crunk’nB is back with her latest. The album expands on her EP of the same name—with a full drop on her own independent label. Boss lady moves.
KID CUDI, ʻFREE’
The Midwest rap superstar has never been known to stay in one place, musically. He’d been dropping hints about the overall poppy vibe of the project, so fans should’ve expected a push into a new direction for the rap vet.
TEYANA TAYLOR, ʻESCAPE ROOM’
After five years away from recording–during which it was initially reported that she was altogether retired–the multi-talented entertainer returns to the game with this set that celebrates womanhood and motherhood.
J.P., ʻTOOK A TURN’
EPAfter breaking through last year with his viral Milwaukee hit “Bad Bitty” and his subsequent Coming Out Party project, he took a brief pause. But he’s ready to get back to it with his latest EP.
KALAN.FRFR, ʻCALIFORNIA PLAYER’
A study in modern hustle and street savvy—an album that serves as the ultimate handbook on how to keep it player at all times in love and life. And the 15 tracks are split into two distinct sonic landscapes—Side A and Side B.
KAIRO KEYZ, ʻNEW JAZZ’
EPKairo taps into the experimental trap and gets to showcase his impressive creative range; across flex-heavy anthems and introspective musings. All bolstered by his status as an undeniably electric rising star.
STACY EPPS – ʻFLOWHEART’
The ATL songstress makes her long-awaited return. Boasting features from Madlib, Talib Kweli, and Karriem Riggins, and it’s being released independently through Stacy’s nonprofit LOVElikeWATER, with proceeds going towards “research and development of land where we can build a loving community.”
CASABLANCA THE GAWD & COTOLA – ʻSIP TEA IN THE TRAP’
EPCas recently dropped the music video for “A Selfish Prayer,” and his new EP is rooted in real-life survival stories and sharp lyricism. He sounds right at home over Cotola’s sinister boom bap production.
LEELA JAMES – ʻ2B HONEST’
This six-track collection showcases what it means to keep it real in love, life, and music. James has always been a powerhouse vocalist, and with over two decades of consistently strong artistry, she still knows how to break through trends to deliver compellingly personal music.
MARIAH THE SCIENTIST – ʻHEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY’
Y’all better start paying some real attention to what she’s been doing. Earlier this year, “Burning Blue” set her on the path for a major leap forward. It was just a taste of the impressive set that is her new album.
KWN – ʻWITH ALL DUE RESPECT’ EP
The R&B singer out of East London R&B is dropping her second EP during Pride Month — and that doesn’t feel incidental. With guest spots from Kehlani and British girl group FLO and American R&B star Kehlani, her new EP is a statement of identity as well as a collection of inspired R&B love songs.
LUPE FIASCO – ʻSAMAURI DX’ (DELUXE EDITION) EP
The expanded version of last year’s Samurai has arrived—and it comes on that album’s one year anniversary, no less. This deluxe edition features reworked instrumentals and, most notably, added bonus tracks.
ADAM BLACKSTONE – ʻHUMBLE MAGIC, VOL. 1’
The acclaimed bassist presents a celebration of jazz, soul, R&B, gospel, and Black excellence across 9 songs. With guest spots from Questlove, Queen Latifah, Estelle and more, the project boasts some serious star power.
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