The Finest New Hip-Hop This Week contains albums, movies, and songs from Nav, Will Smith, and Lil Durk.
Some large comebacks are hallmarks of this week’s hip-hop, with Will Smith dropping his first album in 20 years and Nav returning after three years away. In the meantime, Lil Durk retains his title within the public eye regardless of his enforced trip with the discharge of an album he’s been delaying for months.
That doesn’t preclude contemporary releases from a few of rap’s hottest rising stars, although. Three of these — Anycia, GloRilla, and Karrahbooo — staff up on the woozy “By no means Want.”
In the meantime, Little Simz sparked extra anticipation for her upcoming album Lotus with “Free.”
Rico Nasty stored a fling “On The Low” in her newest Deadly single.
And Compton rappers YG and Buddy united for a bluesy confessional, “2004.”
Right here is the perfect of hip-hop this week ending March 28, 2025.
Le$ — Million Dolla Desires
Earlier this week, I noticed a music fan specific a want for a brand new Larry June and Dom Kennedy mixtape. After clarifying that they meant a joint tape, I supplied the following neatest thing: The most recent tape from their nation cousin Le$, who usually hits comparable relaxed notes vis a vis manufacturing model and laid-back life-style flexes. Like that supremely chill California cohort, L-E-Dolla’s music is greatest for driving and dwelling a low-key luxurious life.
Lil Durk — Deep Ideas
There’s a bit extra soulful stuff on Durk’s newest than listeners is likely to be used to from the Chicago pioneer — however maybe that’s to be anticipated, contemplating his scenario. Not like the inspirational Nearly Healed, Deep Ideas was completed and sequenced as Durk confronted homicide costs which may stand to ship him to jail for successfully the remainder of his profession. If he’s in an introspective temper (and attempting to keep away from drill discuss), not less than it ends in a few of his most beautiful, non secular music so far.
Nav — OMW2 Rexdale
Final week on Twitter, I joked that watching Playboi Carti’s chaotic efficiency from Rolling Loud made me recognize Nav greater than I ever had. With the discharge of the long-awaited OMW2 Rexdale, another clarification reveals itself: perhaps he’s getting higher as an artist. With Drake fumbling for the previous 12 months to get better the steadiness in his as soon as relatable temper music, Nav gives an appropriate placeholder in the intervening time, with equally murky manufacturing, autotuned vocals, and hungover f*ckboy come-ons. Funnily sufficient, Playboi Carti pops up right here too, making Nav sound like Nas compared.
Will Smith — Primarily based On A True Story
Opening with an idea observe modeled after a barbershop debate, Will seems to not solely get again to his roots on his new album, but additionally apparently return some deal with storytelling and lyricism again to rap as an entire. Like lots of the friends with whom he entered the rap enterprise (suppose Nas, LL Cool J, and many others.), Smith broke down his movement to begin from scratch whereas mixing his late-90s cinematic flows along with his more moderen inspirational materials. You would argue it’s just a little tacky (and the manufacturing a bit overdramatic), however that’s all the time been Massive Willie’s model to start with.
Elcamino — “Wire Faucets” Feat. Flames Dot Malik & BSF
Buffalo native Elcamino of Black Soprano Household is conserving the Griselda custom alive with gritty beats, dirty raps, and an unfiltered knack for head-spinning wordplay and harrowing storytelling. “Wire Faucets” options the identical horror movie instrumentation followers have come to anticipate from the collective, whereas the 2 rappers’ sneering bars craft a world that feels lived-in — if not essentially someplace you’d wish to dwell.
G.T. — “FTW” Feat. Massive Sean
Massive Sean’s formally two-for-two in his quest to convey extra mild to his hometown’s underground rap scene. After linking up with the buzzy Icewear Vezzo final week, he burrows even additional below the frozen streets of Motor Metropolis to hyperlink up with G.T., a man who’s equally properly established with solely a fraction of the excitement. That might change with the discharge of “FTW,” a slinky, boastful anthem staunchly rooted within the Motown underground rap sound.
Russ — “Movin”
The unbiased champion’s first single since saying his new album Wild, “Movin” is one other one in all his signature introspective tracks, albeit brighter than traditional. His sing-song will get loads of use however the focus stays on the bars, as all the time.
Rylo Rodriguez — “Deliver Bac Act” Feat. Rio Da Yung OG
The bond between the Michigan underground and the Atlanta lure rap scene — notably, Lil Child’s 4PF imprint and related acts like Lil Yachty — needs to be studied. Ever since Boat got here again from the Nice Lakes with a full-length assortment of {smooth} collaborations, these two areas have demonstrated a steadfast chemistry anytime somebody from the Detroit/Flint space groups up with a Zone 6 flag flier. On this case, Rio and Rylo are two of the extra underrated reps from their respective areas, however right here, they make a strong argument that they deserve extra consideration.
Wiz Khalifa — “5 Star” Feat. Gunna
Wiz’s scorching streak continues with one other smooth-grooving avenue slumper, and wouldn’t you understand it — look who’s alongside for the trip. If there was any rapper who’s the right complement to Gunna, it’s Wiz; with no pretensions towards avenue life guidelines to uphold, he can simply break the unofficial embargo on the YSL outcast, who sounds nice on this G-funk beat. It’s a powerful departure from Gunna’s traditional work and regardless that he solely actually does the hook, it’d be type of enjoyable to listen to up tackle extra post-G-funk cuts like this one sooner or later.
