This week’s New Music Friday has arrived, ushering in a significant wave of new material from a variety of artists, marking both triumphant returns and fiery confrontations within the music landscape. The releases span genres and moods, offering something for a broad spectrum of listeners, from introspective reflections to aggressive lyrical battles.
Isaiah Rashad’s Highly Anticipated Return and the Genesis of a New Era
After a notable five-year hiatus, Grammy-nominated artist Isaiah Rashad has re-emerged to herald the beginning of a new chapter in his career. His latest single, "Same Sh!t," dropped this Friday, serving as the initial rollout for his forthcoming album, It’s Been Awful. The track is characterized by its "southern-fried trunk-rattler" sound, a sonic signature that has become synonymous with Rashad’s work. Lyrically, the song delves into a sense of cyclical repetition and stagnation, a theme that resonates with the feeling of being caught in a "Groundhog Day" scenario. This release marks the first new music from the Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) artist since his critically acclaimed 2021 project, Cilvia Demo, and his 2016 album The Sun’s Tirade. The impending arrival of It’s Been Awful, slated for release on May 1, has generated considerable anticipation among his dedicated fanbase, who have eagerly awaited new material following his extended absence. The hiatus, while lengthy, has seemingly allowed Rashad to cultivate a refreshed artistic vision, with early indications suggesting a deeply personal and introspective body of work.
DJ Khaled Rekindles His Signature Formula with a Star-Studded Single
In parallel, DJ Khaled is also ending a significant break between album releases. He has unveiled "One of Them," the lead single from his long-delayed fourteenth studio album, God of God. The track exemplifies Khaled’s established formula for success, featuring a potent collaboration with trap titans Future and Lil Baby. This pairing brings together two of the genre’s most prominent figures, known for their distinct yet complementary styles. While the single aims to reignite the excitement surrounding Khaled’s discography, the question of whether this particular offering truly lives up to the "one of them ones" moniker, a phrase often used to denote exceptional quality, remains a subject of discussion among listeners and critics. The album God of God has faced numerous delays, adding to the anticipation and scrutiny surrounding its eventual release. Khaled’s career has been built on his ability to curate high-profile collaborations and create anthemic tracks that dominate the airwaves, and "One of Them" appears to be his latest attempt to capture that magic.
Snoop Dogg Continues His Prolific Output with a Themed Album and Film Tie-In
Snoop Dogg continues his remarkably prolific streak since acquiring Death Row Records, releasing his new album, 10 Til’ Midnight. This project is intrinsically linked to his recently released film of the same name, suggesting a symbiotic relationship between his musical and cinematic endeavors. The album sees Snoop reuniting with a constellation of familiar collaborators, including Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz, Erick Sermon, Rick Rock, and Soopafly. This assembly of talent evokes a sense of nostalgia while also promising fresh creative chemistry. The album’s title, 10 Til’ Midnight, hints at a thematic exploration of time, late-night vibes, and perhaps the enduring legacy of West Coast hip-hop, a genre Snoop Dogg has profoundly shaped. His acquisition of Death Row Records has signaled a new era for the iconic label, and his continued output underscores his enduring influence and entrepreneurial spirit within the music industry.
Gucci Mane Ignites Controversy with a Defiant Diss Track
Arguably the most explosive release of the week comes from Gucci Mane with his new single, "Crash Dummy." This track is not merely a new release but a direct and defiant diss aimed at fellow artists Pooh Shiesty and Big30. The context for this lyrical assault is deeply rooted in recent legal troubles. Both Pooh Shiesty and Big30 are currently facing federal charges stemming from an alleged incident earlier this year where they are accused of kidnapping and robbing the 1017 Records boss, Gucci Mane himself. The release of "Crash Dummy" serves as Gucci Mane’s public response to this alleged betrayal and criminal act. The track, produced by the legendary Zaytoven, is expected to carry the signature aggressive and confrontational tone that Gucci Mane is known for. This situation highlights the volatile nature of certain elements within the hip-hop community, where personal disputes can quickly translate into public lyrical warfare, often with significant repercussions. The legal proceedings against Pooh Shiesty and Big30 are ongoing, adding a layer of real-world gravity to the lyrical content of "Crash Dummy."
A Spectrum of Releases: Freestyles, Star-Studded Projects, and Unexpected Collaborations
Beyond these prominent releases, New Music Friday has delivered a diverse array of other notable tracks and projects. Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, has shared a rare freestyle over the hit track "Like That" by Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar. While the full freestyle was shared via his Substack channel, snippets have circulated, showcasing Bey’s enduring lyrical prowess and his ability to engage with contemporary hip-hop trends.
BossMan Dlow and Joyner Lucas have both dropped ambitious projects filled with guest appearances. BossMan Dlow’s Chicken Talkin Bastard features a lineup including G Herbo, DaBaby, and Trey Songz, among others, suggesting a project that blends his signature style with a range of popular artists. Similarly, Joyner Lucas’s ADHD 2 Reloaded boasts an impressive roster of features, including Big Sean, Chris Brown, NBA YoungBoy, and Kodak Black, indicating a comprehensive and potentially genre-bending body of work.
The week has also seen some surprising and exciting cross-genre collaborations. Doechii has teamed up with pop icon Lady Gaga for a track titled "Runway," which is slated to be featured on the soundtrack for The Devil Wears Prada 2. This unexpected pairing hints at a fusion of R&B and pop sensibilities, with production credits from Bruno Mars, Andrew Watt, Cirkut, and D’Mile. In another notable collaboration, Kehlani has joined forces with the legendary Missy Elliott for the track "Back and Forth." This collaboration between two powerhouse female artists promises a dynamic blend of R&B and hip-hop, with production helmed by Khris Riddick-Tynes and The Stereotypes.
An Extensive Catalog of New Music
The breadth of releases this week extends even further, with a multitude of artists contributing to the vibrant sonic landscape. Lupe Fiasco’s "Crash Out" adds to his consistent output, while Fergie Baby’s remix of "Harlem River Drive (Remix)" featuring Cameron offers a fresh take on a classic sound. Marco Plus delivers "Windows 98," a track produced by himself, Wulf Morpheus, and IK-EY. Buddy’s Simmie Sims III project is a star-studded affair, featuring Jay Rock, Kalan.FrFr, and Guapdad 4000, among others.
Nelly Furtado and Boi-1da have united for "Electric Circus," designated as the Canada Soccer 2026 World Cup Anthem, produced by Boi-1da and ZALE. Lil Tjay’s "First Time," produced by whywhiteshine and rigasbeats, adds another track to his growing discography. Ovrkast. offers "Wata" featuring Niontay, with production by Ovrkast. himself. Skrilla teams up with NBA YoungBoy for "Free 40," produced by Solo Wolf Beats UK.
The veteran AZ collaborates with Mume Fresh on "So High," a track produced by the renowned Bink!. REASON and CUZZOS join forces on "Humble’Em_PINK." Blxst & Big Sad 1900 present "Day After Day" featuring Lori Perry. Your Old Droog & Tha God Fahim release "MESHUGENA," produced by J-Es. BunnaB marks their return with "We Back Outside," a collaboration with 10kjake and Sammy Haig. Sir Michael Rocks teams up with Valee for "In Solace," produced by Geeohhs. H3adband and DaBaby link up on "She Can Get It," produced by SayyDuke.
Tink’s new project, Fuck, Marry, Kill, is packed with features from G Herbo, Tee Grizzley, Bryson Tiller, and Rob49, showcasing her versatility. DJ Muggs and T.F. present their collaborative album, Don’t Call Me Lucky, featuring heavy hitters like Ghostface Killah, Roc Marciano, and Boldy James. Serial Killers (Xzibit, B-Real & Demrick) release This Thing of Ours, with contributions from Chuck D and Scoop Deville. Blade Brown & Benny The Butcher drop "Blue Marlin," while Jason Derulo’s "Sexy For Me (Remix)" features Kevin Gates and is produced by Phil Greiss. Fetty P Franklin offers "Zelle Money," and Deante’ Hitchcock presents "Electric Revival." Finally, El Costeau rounds out the releases with "F U," produced by twelveAM & Coco Costeau.
This extensive array of new music underscores the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the contemporary music scene, offering a rich tapestry of sounds and narratives for fans to explore. The releases range from established artists continuing their legacies to emerging voices making their mark, ensuring that New Music Friday remains a pivotal moment for music discovery and consumption.
