Mick Jenkins previews Kaytranada-produced “What Am I to Do” from forthcoming Pieces of a Man project. “What Am I to Do” follows the Chicago rapper’s “Bruce Banner” from early last month and wins on its cool juxtaposition of Jenkins’ pointed rhymes to Kaytra’s vocal sample-driven midtempo instrumental.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
The latest iteration of the B3 Top 12 features a summertime viber from Germany-based MC (and cover artist) Serious Klein plus new ones from Godmode king Channel Tres, 37 Adventures’ Burhou, and an excellent late-night cooler from Drinker. Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music
Tracklist:
Serious Klein / Romeo – Should’ve Known
Channel Tres – Jet Black
Burrhou – 38 Degrees
ESCHES – Nomads
Shagabond / Noah – Arouse
Free Love – Pushing Too Hard
A Beacon School – It’s Late
Island Fox – Comrade
Childcare – Magazines
Inflo – No Fear
Drinker – Fragment II
Asal Hazel / Mndsgn – U Say U Do
AU rapper Manu Crook$ adeptly rides a faraway guitar-tipped instrumental to his strongest track to date on the appropriately called “Fuego” (heater! heater! heater!).
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
Drawing on influences from 90’s era hip-hop, the Swiss duo Conscious Presence has dropped a self-titled album produced entirely on a tape machine, meaning each track was recorded all in a single take. And wow, love and attention is paid to every moment. “Steadfast Stillness (Outrolude)” may be the closing track to the album, but it packs quite a punch of expertly crafted beat-making. What’s wrong with something simple and sweet?
The latest iteration of our favorite 12 streams of the week is fresh off the press and out now. This week’s cover is UK newcomers APRE and their funky new one “All Yours”. The full list is included below as well select samples from Nick Dorian and Bakar.
Listen here: Spotify
APRE – All Yours
Davina Oriakhi / Preye – Vanity
Nick Dorian – Yawn
Eli Way / Cehryl – Papercut
Bakar – All In
Patrick Paige II / Syd / Kari Faux – On My Mind
Drake – Nice For What
Ravennas – Washed Away
Llovers – A Second With You
HalfNoise – She Said
Jon Hassell – Dreaming
Avid Dancer – Echoes
Self-described as an ethnomusicologist, Balkan Bump has put out “Aymo,” an incredible fusion of hip-hop, house, and non-western instrumentation. As you might guess from his name, the single features a Balkan horn and string section that Talib Kweli raps over with ceaseless swagger and passion. Combine all that with some expert production value, and you’ve got something worth holding onto.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
The week’s best hip hop comes to us from Belgium in the form “Swangin'” from Blackwave. We’ve had this Marvin-sampling heater on repeat for nearly a week so best wishes not getting addicted to “Swangin'” in a hurry.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
If you’re looking for a track to take you on a silky smooth journey, look no further. When I first heard this track, I was entranced. I honestly stopped everything I was doing and just listened. Kali Uchis’ r&b styled vocals paired with funky, soulful rhythms and bass tracks builds the most beautiful duo.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
The five-member group Optimystical has released “Heaven,” a new single with flavors of experimental hip-hop, alternative R&B, and indie pop. Frontman Nutter Tut raps over a laid back drum track and dense synths skating back and forth between a buoyant and forewarning atmosphere. Nutter Tut ends his vocal blasting with a punch. “Will you learn to grow / heaven only knows / you grew up too fast / stop and smell a rose.”
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
Midsplit has released “Same Life,” the Montreal producer’s first single of the year. Driving guitar, scattered and panned beats, and warm synths sway from the background to the foreground. The EDM track is an upbeat mix featuring Wiz Khalifa. It’s a pop-infused bouncy house meant for fuzzy, sweaty nights.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
New York-based duo Memba have just dropped “Middle Man,” their first single to be released independent of any label. Chopped and screwed hip-hop gives a dark and misty feel when spun around bass-heavy electropop. Vibrant synths bounce atop vocals from British rapper Asher Don, the track’s featured artist. Bursting with battery-powered drive, the lyrics speak to the corruption of an industry of middle men profiting off hardworking artists.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
Hip hop and R&B seem to be scooting closer and closer together these days. Lando Chill has dropped “Fwm,” and you can barely classify it as rap. Dreamy kaleidoscopic synths stream in and out of awareness. Maya Vera slides in under Lando’s refrains with her sweetly tranquilizing voice. We’re ready to be snowed in with our significant other, trapped in a mountain of blankets by the fire.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
