Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Lola Brooke, Jack Harlow, And More Electric New Music Friday Releases To Relax To

Today is Friday, which means there are a ton of new releases to look forward to from some of your favorite Hip-Hop artists. To help you unwind and enjoy the weekend, check out VIBE’s picks of songs and albums you should hear and add to your soundtrack of weekend festivities.

Rick Ross & Meek Mill – Too Good To Be True

Rick Ross and Meek Mill have joined forces on Too Good To Be True, the pair’s anticipated collaborative album that finds them reuniting for a triumphant return and laying to rest any signs of dissension in the MMG camp. Having both jettisoned the major labels and gone grind independent, the Miami native and Philly firebrand make it clear that quality hasn’t been sacrificed in the transition and cap off one of the more riveting rollouts of the year. Musically, the duo are in lock step throughout and waste no time throwing down the gauntlet. Selections like “Star Island,” “Go To Hell,” and “800 Karats” are simply undeniable.

After a slight lull, things get back on track as Rozay and Meek are joined by Wale and The-Dream on “Fine Lines.” They take matters into their own hands on “Iconic” and “Pillow Talk,” two tracks that stand among the superior inclusions on the album. History is made on the “Shaq & Kobe Remix” with Shaquille O’Neal and Damian Lillard lending verses with impressive and effective results, rounding out an album that appears to be a dark horse candidate for Album of the Year debates to come. – Preezy Brown

Lola Brooke – Dennis Daughter

Lola Brooke has finally delivered her debut album. It was initially titled Little Big Mama but she opted for a name closer to her heart with Dennis Daughter. The 12-track LP shows the full range of her capabilities as a bare-knuckle lyricist but also a song maker. “Don’t Get Me Started” featuring Coi Leray and Nija is a standout as it carries house and dance elements. “God Bless All The Rappers” is an important track for her. She reflects on the hardships that come within the Hip-Hop community and how artists can provide comfort for themselves and listeners. The Brooklyn rapper clearly understands the importance of rapping well, making memorable music, and displaying growth. Overall, she’s stuck the landing. – Armon Sadler

Jack Harlow – “Lovin On Me”

Jack Harlow is reminding the world of his pop-rap acumen with his new single “Lovin On Me.” The track samples Cadillac Dale’s “Whatever,” flipping it into an upbeat party bop where the Louisville rapper admits he’s not looking for a relationship but is very open to being loved. He labels himself “vanilla baby” and a missionary aficionado. He also employs a repetitive “your boy” ad lib. Yes, yes, we know the track sounds similar to “The Motto” or “For Free.” Spoiler alert: Jack is influenced by Drake! But the song itself is good, very fun, and catchy. If someone wants to subjugate it to Drake cosplay, then Jack Harlow is the best Drake cosplayer of all of the artists trying to mimic the Canadian superstar. – AS

Larry June & Cardo – The Night Shift

Larry June and Cardi prove to be the tandem that keeps on giving, as the pair drop off The Night Shift, their fifth collaborative project to date. Mellow grooves are present throughout the proceedings, with “Clocked In,” the 2 Chainz-assisted “Ocean Cuisine,” and “Pop Out” featuring ScHoolboy Q among the highlights found on the first half of the album. The Alchemist lends a guest verse to “The Great Escape,” while Too $hort and Peezy lay their mack down effectively on the dripped-out inclusion “GRGP.” Whether its touching matters of the heart on “Sweet Lady,” “Won’t Wait,” and “Let Me Know,” or waxing poetic about his leisurely lifestyle on “The Good Kind,” Larry June is equipped for the task. He and Cardo have added another edition to their collection of efforts. – PB

NBA YoungBoy – Decided 2

YoungBoy Never Broke Again continues his onslaught of releases with Decided 2, the sequel to his 2018 project that finds him brooding in his aggression while keying in on his melodicism. Coming out the gate with a fervor, the Baton Rouge native doles out standouts like “Wrong,” “Bop,” and “My Address Public,” going from more subdued offerings to explosive salvos while keeping listeners on their toes. Contemplative moments on “Bigger & Better” and “Don’t Hurt Me” show YoungBoy’s more solemn side, whereas “Guitar Hero” is a twangy composition that captures the rapper’s more lighthearted side. His fourth full-length release of 2023, Decided 2 extends YoungBoy’s hot streak and shows he has more than enough firepower to keep his listeners locked in at a consistent clip. – PB

Lil Durk & Only The Family – “Smurk Carter”

Lil Durk reimagines himself as a new version of Lil Wayne on “Smurk Carter.” The production is very reminiscent of a mid-2000s Weezy F. Baby track, carrying a somber, instrumental tone. The Voice opts for his more aggressive delivery and reflects on his come-up and experiences in the trenches. It doesn’t stray too far from his formula when it comes to his rapping and makes for an overall solid track. It sounds more inspired than his 2023 album Almost Healed but doesn’t necessarily carry a “wow” factor and that’s okay. Durk can still spit and tell a story. Asking for more after his fiery run from 2020-2022 would be setting yourself up for disappointment. – AS

Kodak Black – When I Was Dead

Some may question Kodak Black’s conduct and the state of his well-being, but one thing that’s rarely in dispute is the rapper’s musical talent. He brings that focus to the forefront with When I Was Dead, an album that has its share of bold declarations. It finds Kodak brandishing his emotional scars while giving listeners a glimpse into his mind.

While requests for celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Ariana Grande to “twerk” to his track “Kylie Grande” show a more brash Kodak, moments like “Close To Me,” “Fu** You Too,” “Scared Of My MoneyB” and “Master Peace” exude a vulnerability rarely seen among street orators of today. “I’m Kodak,” “Burning Rubber,” “Extra Clips,” “Right On Time,” and “My Chest Out” carries on that momentum. The Sniper Gang lyricist presents an impressive longplayer to close out the year. – PB

Busta Rhymes & Cool & Dre – “OK ft. Young Thug”

Busta Rhymes and Young Thug are two names people may have never expected to see next to each other on a track’s title. After hearing the final product, it’s safe to assume many people would be more than okay with it. Cool & Dre lace the lyricists with a stadium-friendly, triumphant, car-rattling beat loaded with laser-like synths, steady drums, and 808s. Thug does his usual word mastery and Busta adds in his signature nimble flow. It’s hard to imagine they weren’t together recording this because their chemistry and passion are equal. This is a pleasant surprise, but it just goes to show just how versatile and sharp they are. – AS

Trippie Redd – Saint Michael

Trippie Redd is in a celebratory mood, as the rapper recently welcomed his newborn son into the world. To commemorate the occasion, Trippie gifts his fans Saint Michael, a surprise EP that’s named after the newest addition to his family and packed with highlights from top to bottom. Led by the previously-released cuts “Van Cleef Island” and “Yo Pi’erre Slime,” Saint Michael finds Trippie shining on joints like “1716 Osage,” “7am in Ohio,” and “Saint Michael Myers.” – PB

Tierra Whack – “Chanel Pit”

Tierra Whack is blending ASMR and trap music on “Chanel Pit.” The Philadelphia native has constantly shown the range that rap can be stretched and does it again on this record. She sings, croons, and raps melodically, shifting between all of those forms of delivery seamlessly over thumping drums and soothing xylophone keys. The highlight of the record comes at the end of the sole verse when she raps “Arm and a leg for this bag/ And I got a bag in the bag/ And another bag inside my bag/ Ask what’s in my bag, it’s just a bag.” Tierra Whack repeatedly makes the most simple things sound so cool. – AS

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