March is off to a great start. J. Cole‘s standout “Adonis Interlude (The Montage)” from the Creed III soundtrack is finally out. After a long hiatus, Nicki Minaj is back with the danceable anthem, “Red Ruby Da Sleeze.” Plus, Kali Uchis recently dropped her new album Red Moon in Venus, featuring the sweet track “Love Between.” This week’s list also includes new music from Young Nudy, BIA, Masego, and more.
Check out the best new music this week below. And follow our playlist on Spotify here.
J. Cole, “Adonis Interlude (The Montage)”
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“Adonis Interlude (The Montage)” is a triumphant record that finds J. Cole spitting with an addictive flow over a slow-burning beat produced by Dr. Dre. On the track, Cole establishes his dominance in the rap game, rapping, “Who the fuck want what with me?/Hardest out and I say that reluctantly/‘Cause this should go without sayin’ but y’all playin’ dumb/Far as thеse rappers go, I’m not fearin’ nonе.” His flow throughout the track is poised and effortless. Cole is still getting better with every new record. “Adonis Interlude (The Montage)” appears on the Creed III soundtrack.
Nicki Minaj, “Red Ruby Da Sleeze”
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Nicki Minaj is back. After a long hiatus, Nicki released her first single of 2023, “Red Ruby Da Sleeze.” Over a sample of Lumidee’s 2003 hit “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh),” Nicki unleashes a crazy flow that is reminiscent of her mixtape era. On the track, the rapper takes aim at her opponents, spitting lethal bars like, “I knew these bitches was slow, I ain’t know these bitches senile” and “Dorito bitches mad that they not chose.” On “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” Nicki Minaj proves that she still has the juice. It will be interesting to see how she follows up this new single.
Kali Uchis, “Love Between”
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“Love Between” is a romantic and whimsical track that finds Kali Uchis delivering wispy vocals over a funky and seductive beat (courtesy of Josh Crocker and Leon Moore). On the track, Uchis sings about the magic of two human beings sharing passionate love for one another. “Love between two human beings/Can be so wonderful/ You make me happy/You make my soul smile,” she sings. Kali Uchis has really mastered her lane of creating authentic and mesmerizing music that leans on soul and R&B. “Love Between” is from her new album Red Moon in Venus.
Young Nudy f/ 21 Savage, “Peaches & Eggplants”
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“Peaches and Eggplants” is a hypnotic record with a head-booming bass that unites Young Nudy with 21 Savage. The chorus is simple (Nudy yells repeatedly, “Boaw, boaw”). But on the first verse, Nudy shows his skill, delivering bars about sex and drugs with a controlled flow. 21 Savage is equally smooth on the track as he spits, “Okay, she fine, she sexy, she cool/She from East Atlanta, so she like to get loose.” “Peaches & Eggplants” is a standout collaboration from Young Nudy’s latest project, Gumbo.
BIA, “Sixteen”
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On “Sixteen,” BIA switches things up a little. On the track, BIA turns the pitch of her vocals up a notch to where it almost sounds like she’s yelling. But her cadence is still familiar and on par with her past single releases. On “Sixteen,” the rapper takes listeners back to a time in her life where there was no fame or money. “I came from a place where there’s nobody to look up to/We weren’t broke together, tell me how the fuck I trust you?” She spits. “Sixteen” is a rags-to-riches anthem that many people will be able to relate to.
Masego, “In Style”
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Masego is back. “In Style” is a smooth track that finds Masego delivering soothing vocals about going against the grain. “I wasn’t in style/No, no, I wasn’t in style/I wasn’t on the team, I had not arrived/Ain’t felt like a king,” he sings on the first verse. Masego also splits each verse up with an instrumental break led by his saxophone. “In Style” is one of the standout tracks from his new self-titled album.
slowthai, “HAPPY”
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“HAPPY” is an alternative record that finds slowthai rapping and singing over a fun and energetic beat. On the song, slowthai raps about dark thoughts. “How am I swayed by the demons tellin’ fibs/When the walls cave in, no one’s there/Keep noddin’ “Yeah”, my head’s the rockin’ chair,” the British artist spits. “HAPPY” is the most rock-leaning single on this list and appears on slowthai’s latest project, UGLY.
Maiya The Don, “Dusties”
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“Dusties” is a hard-hitting track that is bound to get listeners fired up. Maiya the Don comes straight out the gate with aggressive bars, dismissing the “dusties” and broke people. Her flow is electric as she skates over the beat with ease while rapping, “If I let you near me then you luckyy/I ain’t fuckin’ with these dusties.” “Dusties” is the new boss anthem for women.
