Leikeli47 has officially lifted the curtain on her next full-length, Lei Keli ft. 47 / For Promotional Use Only, due June 13, 2025, through her Acrylic/Hardcover imprint in partnership with Thirty Tigers. The 11-song set arrives three years after she wrapped her beauty-salon trilogy with Shape Up and, in her words, functions as a “coming-of-age” document—equal parts playful, melodic, raw, and elevated—co-executive-produced with Grammy-winner Harold Lilly and built by the same studio team that powered her previous LPs. What’s immediately striking is the symbolic clean break from her once-signature anonymity: having first shown her face in last autumn’s “450” video, the Brooklyn rapper now keeps the mask off to underscore what she calls an “aerial perspective,” suggesting broader vision and unfiltered self-presentation.

Early teasers confirm a lean track list sequenced like a mixtape, opening with “Passenger 47,” pivoting through the already-released “450,” and culminating in a title track subtitled “Different Person,” a wink to her unmasked rebirth. Thematically, the record explores the tug-of-war between street-honed bravado and communal uplift; Leikeli says she “only sells out to the moment,” framing success as a fluid performance rather than a commodity.

That ideological split is dramatized in the brand-new single “Soft Serve,” issued on May 6 alongside a video by longtime collaborator Dana Rice. Over a pounding house rhythm laced with ominous synth pops and whispered ad-libs, she toggles between decadent imagery—“taste the fame, feed me more”—and surgical braggadocio, a delivery that’s likened to the ballroom mike-controller tradition that fuels the beat. Visually, the clip plunges into a technicolor ballroom where queer dancers vogue beneath swirling ice-cream pastels, echoing Leikeli’s long-standing devotion to Black and LGBTQ safe spaces first mapped on her Wash & Set and Acrylic eras. The choreography doubles as an emancipation ritual: with no balaclava between artist and audience, every camera swivel telegraphs her insistence that vulnerability can amplify, not dilute, hardcore swagger.

With the calendar locked for June 13, the question isn’t whether she can top her beauty-shop trilogy; it’s how audaciously she’ll redraw the blueprint now that the world can see her face.

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Nick Grant is positioning I Took It Personal as a no-frills, contract-reading manifesto that lands June 13, 2025, and is already foreshadowed by the reflective single “Nothing’s Free” and the bassy-laced teaser “Pass It Out,” slated for May 16th. Together, the two records sketch a full-length concerned with ownership, lyrical supremacy, and Southern perseverance, themes Grant has been drip-feeding across Twitter (now X), Instagram reels, and a steady trickle of grainy studio clips that double as cautionary tales for emerging rappers.

Well before that announcement, he had quietly uploaded “Nothing’s Free” to SoundCloud in mid-March, allowing the cut to marinate in fan circles before its official DSP release on April 4th, where Apple Music lists it as a four-minute single under his Infinity & Records imprint. If the first single is the hard truth and “Pass It Out” the communal prescription, June 13 promises an album that refuses to separate the personal from the professional, reminding fans, and maybe a few gatekeepers, that lyricism can still set the release calendar, not just react to it.

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The Legend Has It campaign, announced in April 2025, is Mass Appeal’s boldest stroke yet—a love letter to hip-hop’s pioneers who took it from the streets to New York City and the world. This ambitious series promises seven new albums from some of the genre’s most revered names, each a titan whose work has shaped the sound and soul of hip-hop.

The campaign kicks off with a list, starting with a long-awaited collaboration between Nas and DJ Premier, a partnership that’s been teased since 2006 and carries the weight of fan anticipation for its potential to deliver genre-defining classics. Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele 2, a sequel to his 2000 masterpiece, and Raekwon’s Emperor’s New Clothes add Wu-Tang Clan’s mythic storytelling to the mix, while Mobb Deep and De La Soul return with their first albums since the passing of Prodigy and Trugoy the Dove, respectively. These projects are poised to be emotional touchstones, honoring fallen legends while reaffirming the groups’ impact.

A posthumous album from Big L, titled Harlem’s Finest: Rise of the Forgotten King, slated for summer 2025, stirs particular intrigue, given the rapper’s tragic death 26 years ago and the rarity of his unheard material. The campaign’s wildcard is a “surprise guest of honor,” a mystery artist whose identity has sparked speculation across social media—could it be a reclusive legend like Slick Rick, as some fans wager, or an entirely unexpected return?

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Yaya Bey is poised to make waves with her forthcoming album, Do It Afraid, set for release on June 20, 2025, via drink sum wtr. The Brooklyn-based artist, known for her soulful blend of R&B, jazz, and hip-hop, has already stirred anticipation with the announcement of this project, which follows her critically acclaimed 2024 album Ten Fold by less than a year. Bey’s ability to channel raw emotion into genre-defying soundscapes has cemented her as a voice of vulnerability and resilience, and Do It Afraid promises to deepen that narrative. In a statement shared on her socials, Bey described the album as a labor of love, born from her most vulnerable self, not rooted in trauma, as some might assume, but in a yearning for joy, love, and freedom. This framing suggests a work that’s as introspective as universal, a balancing act Bey has mastered in her previous releases.

The album’s rollout started with a double single release yesterday, featuring “Dream Girl” and “Wake Up B*tch.” “Dream Girl” is a shimmering, introspective cut that leans into Bey’s signature smoky vocal delivery, mixing a fabric of longing and self-assurance over lush, jazzy production. It’s the kind of song that feels like a late-night confession, equal parts tender and defiant. “Wake Up B*tch,” by contrast, is a bold, brassy wake-up call—its title alone demands attention. The track pulses with a gritty edge, blending sharp lyricism with a rhythm that’s as confrontational as it is infectious.

Bey’s collaboration with Drink Sum Wtr for this release signals a continued partnership with a label that’s championed her eclectic vision. The album also arrives on the heels of her recent single “Merlot and Grigio,” featuring Father Philis, which hinted at the sonic evolution fans can expect. That track’s woozy, conversational vibe is a precursor to Do It Afraid’s emotional depth. A fall tour is also on the horizon, giving fans a chance to experience these new songs live.

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Destin Conrad announces his long-awaited debut album, Love On Digital, arriving April 25 via EMPIRE, marking a point of convergence between early‑2000s R&B nostalgia and a forward‑leaning, digital‑first sensibility. Across 15 genre‑blurring tracks, Conrad reframes the modern love story through the lens of FaceTime calls, voice‑notes, time‑zones and touchscreens—“an ode to the digital age of music,” as he puts it—balancing humor, heartbreak and vulnerability in every hook. The project leans into the nostalgic textures of sparse, late‑’90s/early‑’00s soul—warm chord stabs, intimate vocal layering—while applying a cinematic, diary‑like production that makes the listener feel like a confidant to an online‑only romance

Before this LP, Conrad built momentum with a string of acclaimed EPs and singles—2021’s Colorway (120 million+ streams), 2022’s Satin, 2024’s Submissive × Submissive 2—and co‑wrote on Kehlani’s Billboard‑No. 2 album It Was Good Until It Wasn’t. He’s also honed his live chops: sold‑out headlining runs across Europe and the UK in 2023, followed by a 47‑city, international tour this past year. All of that groundwork sets the stage for Love On Digital to stake his claim as one of R&B’s most magnetic new voices.

His newest single, “Kissing In Public,” surfaced as a playful teaser on TikTok (March 18), where a clip of Conrad planting spontaneous smooches in everyday settings racked up over 2,500 likes. While an official streaming release date hasn’t been announced, the snippet hints at a mid‑tempo groove—warm bass, crisp finger‑snaps, and Conrad’s signature falsetto—celebrating the thrill (and vulnerability) of turning private affection into a public moment, both IRL and online. It feels like a natural extension of Love On Digital’s theme: love lived out loud, in a world where every moment can be screenshotted and shared.

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Alex Isley has released “Ms. Goody Two Shoes,” the latest single from her upcoming major label debut EP (titled When), which is set for release on April 18th through Free Lunch/Warner Records after releasing “Hands.” The track, described as a “dreamy and romantic number,” features Isley's signature velvety vocals layered over soft acoustic instrumentation produced by Camper, highlighting her expressive and confident songwriting.

Isley recently signed with Free Lunch Records, a new imprint launched in partnership with Warner Records. Reflecting on her decision, she stated, “I talked to a few labels, but with Warner, it was about the synergy and the timing. I’m a firm believer in God’s timing.”

The EP When follows her 2023 collaborative album with producer Terrace Martin, I Left My Heart In Ladera, which debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. With two Grammy nominations already under her belt for her work on “Back to Love” with SiR, Isley continues to solidify her place as a rising star in the R&B genre.

Tracklist:

1. Holding On

2. Ms. Goody Two Shoes

3. Mic On

4. Hands

5. Fool’s Gold

6. Thank You for a Lovely Time

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Ledisi is once again proving her artistry knows no bounds by announcing her 12th album, The Crown, set for release on April 25 via Listen Back Entertainment/BMG. With an impressive musical journey spanning decades, the Grammy-winning songstress is back at it with a project steeped in personal significance and cultural celebration.

At the heart of The Crown is a body of work highlighting Ledisi’s unwavering dedication to her craft and community. The album will feature the lead single, "Love You Too," a track that has already made waves by climbing to No. 16 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart. Additionally, the album will include the empowering anthem “BLKWMN,” a song strategically released in early March in honor of Women’s History Month. As Ledisi passionately explains, “‘BLKWMN’ is more than just a song—it’s an anthem. It’s about honoring the brilliance, power, and perseverance that Black women embody every single day.”

Ledisi’s trajectory has been marked by moments of profound cultural and musical impact. Her recent Super Bowl LIX performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” resonated deeply—a move she described as “a deeply personal and historic moment.” It was a moment that captured not just her personal journey but also a broader narrative of strength, resilience, and hope.

Following her critically acclaimed album Good Life—celebrated for reflecting life’s joy and resilience—The Crown promises to be another milestone in Ledisi’s evolving legacy.

But the celebration doesn’t end with the album. Ledisi is launching her headlining Love You Too Tour in support of The Crown, featuring special guest Marsha Ambrosius. Kicking off on May 28 in Baltimore, the tour will span major cities, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, Detroit, and Toronto, concluding on June 29 in Savannah, Georgia. Each performance is set to underscore Ledisi’s role as a musical innovator and a cultural storyteller.

For those who have followed Ledisi’s career, The Crown is a reaffirmation of her commitment to uplifting narratives and embracing the fabric of Black history and excellence. As she continues to create and lead, Ledisi invites us all to celebrate the beauty in our shared humanity—one note and lyric at a time.

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Will Smith is stepping back into the music scene after nearly two decades away from the studio. The multi-talented star revealed his new album, Based On a True Story, which is set for release on March 28, 2025. This marks his first full-length record since Lost and Found (2005) and represents a return to his musical roots, blending the classic elements of his early work with fresh collaborations and personal reflections.

In recent months, Smith teased his comeback with several singles, including the upbeat “You Can Make It” (featuring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir), the reflective “Work of Art” (featuring Russ and his son, Jaden), and the Matrix-inspired “Beautiful Scars” (featuring Big Sean and OBanga). He also dropped “TANTRUM” with Joyner Lucas and shared the heartfelt “First Love” featuring India Martinez. Now, the full project is ready to offer fans a complete listening experience.

Embracing the wisdom of his past and the energy of new ideas, Smith explained in a recent interview that the album is his most personal project yet. He likens the record to a multi-part series, with this release—Season One, titled Rave in the Wasteland—serving as a powerful introduction to what’s next in his creative journey.

Tracklist:

1. Int. Barbershop - Day (feat. DJ Jazzy Jeff and B. Simone)

2. You Lookin’ for Me?

3. The Reverend (Rave Sermon)

4. Rave In the Wasteland

5. Bulletproof (feat. Jac Ross)

6. Hard Time (Smile) [feat. Teyana Taylor]

7. Beautiful Scars (feat. OBanga)

8. TANTRUM

9. First Love

10. Make It Look Easy

11. The Reverend (YCMI Session)

12. You Can Make It

13. Work of Art (feat. Jaden)

14. The Reverend (WOA Sermon)

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Golliwog is a sprawling, cinematic project that sees billy woods digging into his personal mythos while simultaneously curating an expansive soundscape with an all-star production lineup. Releasing on May 9th, the album’s title is a playful, self-referential nod to a story woods penned at age nine—a tale of an “evil golliwog” that his mother dismissed as derivative. That early dismissal now becomes an allegory for transformation and creative reinvention, as woods retools a childhood scribble into a dark, layered narrative infused with horror, humor, surrealism, and Afropessimism.

Musically, the album thrives on its diverse production roster. Familiar collaborators like Kenny Segal anchor the record with tracks such as “Misery,” “Pitchforks & Halos,” and “Born Alone,” while heavy hitters like The Alchemist and El-P lend a gritty, foreboding texture on “Counterclockwise” and “Corinthians” respectively. Other producers—from Shabaka Hutchings with live, jazz-inflected elements on “All These Worlds Are Yours” to the inventive contributions of Conductor Williams, Preservation, Sadhugold, and even Human Error Club—ensure that each track is a distinct sonic journey, yet they all coexist within a cohesive, almost cinematic framework. This production diversity not only pays homage to traditional hip-hop sensibilities but also pushes woods’ sound into forward-thinking territory, reinforcing his place as one of underground hip-hop’s most innovative voices.

In context, Golliwog arrives as woods’ first solo outing in two years, following the reflective travelogue Maps (with Kenny Segal) and the boundary-pushing We Buy Diabetic Test Strips with Armand Hammer. While Maps captured the intimate nuances of life on the road, Golliwog expands those introspections into a broader, mythic narrative—one where personal history and socio-political commentary intertwine against a backdrop of cinematic production.

Tracklist:

1. Jumpscare (feat. Steel Tipped Dove)

2. STAR87 (feat. Conductor Williams)

3. Misery (feat. Kenny Segal)

4. BLK XMAS (feat. Bruiser Wolf and Sadhugold)

5. Waterproof Mascara (feat. Preservation)

6. Counterclockwise (feat. The Alchemist)

7. Corinthians (feat. Despot and El-P)

8. Pitchforks & Halos (feat. Kenny Segal)

9. All These Worlds Are Yours (feat. ELUCID, DJ Haram and Shabaka Hutchings)

10. Maquiladoras (feat. al.divino and Saint Abdullah)

11. A Doll Fulla Pins (feat. Yolanda Watson and Jeff Markey)

12. Golgotha (feat. Messiah Musik)

13. Cold Sweat (feat. Ant)

14. BLK ZMBY (feat. Steel Tipped Dove)

15. Make No Mistake (feat. Messiah Musik)

16. Born Alone (feat. Kenny Segal)

17. Lead Paint Test (feat. ELUCID, Cavalier and Willie Green)

18. Dislocated (feat. ELUCID and Human Error Club)

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Silas Short has officially announced his debut album, Lushland, set to be released on April 25th via Stones Throw Records. The upcoming record is already drawing interest from fans who have followed his work since his early days, and it marks another step in his evolving career as a musician who honors traditional soul and R&B while moving his sound forward.

In tandem with the album announcement, Short has dropped a new single titled “Guy,” which is now available on all streaming platforms. The single, co-produced with noted collaborator Luke Titus, has already caught listeners' attention for its fresh approach and distinctive sound.

We are encouraged to keep an eye out for Lushland, which promises to add a fresh chapter to Stones Throw Records’ legacy of groundbreaking releases. The early pre-order on Bandcamp already offers three tracks for immediate streaming, building anticipation for the complete album when it drops this April.

Lushland:

01 JUSTA DREAM

02 ILIKEU

03 PH0NECALL

04 LUSHLAND

05 L-TRAIN

06 PASS ON BY

07 GUY

08 TIES

09 LIKE A CHARM

10 STRANGE

11 AFFIRMATION

12 WOLF’S BLESSING

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After years of fan anticipation and viral buzz on TikTok, Doechii has officially released her much-discussed track “Anxiety” to streaming platforms. The song, which originally emerged as a raw, home-recorded gem on YouTube back in 2020, reimagines the instantly recognizable hook of Gotye and Kimbra’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” with a fresh, unapologetic twist.

“Anxiety” is more than just a nod to the past—it’s a bold reinterpretation that mixes Doechii’s dynamic blend of alternative hip-hop, pop-rap, and alternative R&B with the unmistakable melody that defined the early 2010s. While Gotye’s original became a ubiquitous pop staple (and later sparked debates over its own controversial sampling history), Doechii’s version infuses the track with a modern urgency and personal flair that speaks directly to today’s listeners. Her verses, which oscillate seamlessly between rap and melody, capture the raw, often overwhelming sentiments of anxiety.

Initially recorded during one of her experimental “coven sessions,” “Anxiety” quickly gained a cult following. Fans and fellow artists clamored for an official release after the snippet’s breakout moment on social media—and even Sleepy Hallow later sampled it on his 2023 track for his album Boy Meets World. Now, under the banner of Top Dawg Entertainment and Capitol Records, Doechii has delivered the full, polished version that many have been waiting for. This re-release not only honors the song’s underground roots but also marks a significant moment in her evolving discography as she reshapes contemporary rap's narrative.

At its core, “Anxiety” is an honest reflection of personal struggle—a theme that resonates deeply with audiences. Doechii’s ability to repurpose a globally recognized sample and infuse it with her own energetic style speaks to a broader tradition in Black music: transforming familiar sounds into vehicles for new expressions of identity and resistance. Now available on all digital platforms, Doechii not only answers the persistent calls of her loyal fans but also reinforces her status as one of the genre’s most compelling voices.

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Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. is stepping behind the camera to direct an intimate, music-forward documentary that looks into the life and legacy of Curtis Mayfield—a true pioneer whose artistry transcended the boundaries of soul, funk, and social consciousness. Titled The Makings of Curtis Mayfield, the film is set to make its world premiere at SXSW 2025, promising an evocative exploration of the Black musical tradition that continues to influence generations.

In this groundbreaking work, H.E.R. not only pays homage to Mayfield’s timeless catalog—from his stirring civil rights anthems to his unforgettable love songs—but also highlights the revolutionary impact of his innovative guitar work and multi-dimensional songwriting. With a conversational narrative that feels as personal as it is expansive, the documentary weaves together archival footage, personal testimonies, and intimate interviews with iconic artists including Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Lena Waithe, and more, offering viewers a panoramic view of Mayfield’s influence on music and culture.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Austin’s SXSW Film & TV Festival—where creative storytelling meets musical heritage—The Makings of Curtis Mayfield is slated for multiple screenings. Its premiere will kick off on March 10, 2025, at the Paramount Theatre, followed by additional sessions at the SXSW Film & TV Theater and Violet Crown Cinema. This multi-venue rollout underscores the documentary’s significance as a cultural event that bridges the past and the present, inviting audiences to celebrate the evolution of Black music in America.

At its core, the documentary is a reflective yet forward-thinking journey. It not only revives the spirit of Curtis Mayfield’s artistic innovations but also speaks to the enduring impact of Black creativity on today’s music scene. By situating Mayfield’s narrative within the broader tapestry of Black cultural history, H.E.R. crafts a story that is ducational and deeply resonant—affirming the legacy of a man who helped shape the soundtracks of social change.

For fans of soulful storytelling and cultural reinvention, The Makings of Curtis Mayfield is poised to be an essential viewing experience at SXSW 2025—attesting to the power of music as both art and historical document. Stay tuned for an event that not only revisits the past but also inspires the future of Black musical expression.

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