From Naomi Sharon to Zelooperz, Here’s the Best Hip-Hop and R&B You Missed in 2023

Brian Hiatt
·2 min read
Naomi Sharon's Sade-influenced debut, Obsidian, was one of the best R&B albums of 2023 - Credit: Mike Marsland/WireImage
Naomi Sharon's Sade-influenced debut, Obsidian, was one of the best R&B albums of 2023 - Credit: Mike Marsland/WireImage

Anyone complaining about the state of hip-hop needs only to look beyond the top of the charts, as the latest episode of our Rolling Stone Music Now podcast makes clear. In the episode, Andre Gee breaks down some of his under-the-radar 2023 hip-hop picks, from Zelooperz’ experimental Microphone Fiend to B. Cool Aid’s ultra-vibey Leather BLVD to Nappy Nina’s introspective Mourning Due. To hear the full episode, go here for the podcast provider of your choice, listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or just press play below.

Also in the episode, Manakprr Conteh guides you through her selections for some of the year’s best Afropop, hip-hop, and R&B, discussing Mr Eazi’s The Evil Genius, Adekunle Gold’s Tequila Ever After, Naomi Sharon’s Sade-influenced Obsidian, Leon Thomas’s Electric Dusk, and much more.

More from Rolling Stone

Download and subscribe to Rolling Stone‘s weekly podcast, Rolling Stone Music Now, hosted by Brian Hiatt, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts). Check out six years’ worth of episodes in the archive, including in-depth, career-spanning interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, Halsey, Neil Young, Snoop Dogg, Brandi Carlile, Phoebe Bridgers, Rick Ross, Alicia Keys, the National, Ice Cube, Taylor Hawkins, Willow, Keith Richards, Robert Plant, Dua Lipa, Questlove, Killer Mike, Julian Casablancas, Sheryl Crow, Johnny Marr, Scott Weiland, Liam Gallagher, Alice Cooper, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis Costello, John Legend, Donald Fagen, Charlie Puth, Phil Collins, Justin Townes Earle, Stephen Malkmus, Sebastian Bach, Tom Petty, Eddie Van Halen, Kelly Clarkson, Pete Townshend, Bob Seger, the Zombies, and Gary Clark Jr. And look for dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates, and explainers with Rolling Stone’s critics and reporters.

Best of Rolling Stone