Lil Wayne, Little Simz, Sada Baby, And More Hip-Hop

Lil Wayne – ‘Tha Carter VI’

Lil Wayne finally released his long-awaited Tha Carter VI. The 19-track project featured 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Kodak Black, Wyclef Jean, MGK, and many more artists. In true Weezy F Baby fashion, there is plenty of funny wordplay and shapeshifting flows. He also gets a bit personal and introspective.

The album landed at a time when Wayne’s legacy and ability are highly in question, especially after he expressed his disappointment in not being picked for the Super Bowl. However, it doesn’t feel like he cares to silence critics; he just simply loves to rap and give his fans the new music they wanted.

You may not love it, but overly hating it may be less about the music and more about narratives. – Armon Sadler

Little Simz – ‘Lotus’

Little Simz’s Lotus is a commanding reminder of her lyrical prowess and artistic range, further solidifying her place among the U.K.’s finest lyricist. Following the bold lead of singles “Young,” “Free,” and “Flood,” the album blooms into a lush, genre-blurring statement piece.

“Thief” opens with crashing percussion that hits like a warning shot, while “Only,” featuring Lydia Kitto, layers strings and keys over confessional verses. “Peace” enlists Moses Sumney and Miraa May for a soulful meditation, and “Lion,” with Obongjayar’s textured vocals, showcases Simz’s sinewy, razor-sharp delivery.

Her declaration—“Understand I’m Lauryn in her prime when you see me”—isn’t just bravado; it’s earned. From the introspective “Lonely” to the emotionally potent “Blood” with Wretch 32 and Cashh, Lotus doesn’t flinch from vulnerability.

The title track, enriched by Michael Kiwanuka and Yussef Dayes, glows with depth, and the closer, “Blue” featuring Sampha, is an aching, beautiful farewell. With no glaring blemishes to speak of, Lotus is a masterful project that’s urgent, poetic, and absolutely worth your time. – Preezy Brown

Sada Baby – ‘Black Tape N.W.O’

Sada Baby’s Black Tape N.W.O. is a chaotic, charismatic ride through the mind of one of Detroit’s most animated voices.

The album thrives on unfiltered energy, with Sada’s vivid, often outrageous bars anchoring each track. On “N.W.O.,” he fires off the memorable line, “Don’t cross the gunline/ My white boy throwing bullets like he Sunshine,” setting the tone for a tape that blends humor, aggression, and raw personality.

“Spint” buzzes with frantic urgency, while “East Side Orkhestra” balances romance and menace—“Yeah, a lover and a fighter, I like gun violence.” Kamaiyah makes the album’s lone guest appearance on “Chuck Money,” but Sada mostly rides solo with conviction.

Tracks like “Blood Kristie” (“Ni**as celebrating lame and I ain’t f**king with it”) reinforce his disdain for clout-chasing, adding bite to the entertainment. Black Tape N.W.O. is unpredictable and proudly off-kilter—a release that reminds you just how fun rap can be. – PB

Lil Yachty – “Murda”

Lil Yachty’s “Murda” is everything one can love about the Atlanta rapper. His autotune-tinged vocals over a mid-tempo beat loaded with soulful vocals, a thumping drum pattern, and electric synths.

Yachty has continually refined his flow over the years, and though the concept of calling him a good rapper seems abominable to some, it has become increasingly true. “Murda” is probably the best record he has put out since 2023’s cult favorite “Strike (Holster).”

It is unclear if he has an album on the way or is just unloading music as he normally does, but his recent string of songs shows he is in shape to put together a solid project. – AS

Che Noir – “Blink Twice”

Che Noir follows up her standout collab with eLZhi on “Who’s The Greatest?” with another heater in “Blink Twice,” the second single from her upcoming project The Color Chocolate 2, dropping June 20.

Produced by Evidence, the track is a moody, deliberate meditation on perseverance, as the Buffalo emcee lays steely bars about staying grounded amid daily chaos.

Noir’s pen remains as sharp as ever, balancing grit with introspection. “Blink Twice” is another strong release that’s left us wide-eyed in awe—and counting down the days until the sequel lands. – PB

French Montana, Trippie Redd – “Outta Here”

French Montana still thrives at making bangers. “Outta Here” is primarily anchored by Trippie Redd in the beginning, but he handles it with ease.

His verse is sharp and the chorus is simple, lending itself to how memorable it could end up being. French jumps in and matches Trippie’s energy, making this track an overall slap. Realistically though, French is already in the legacy act run of his career and him having a hit in 2025 is a hard sell.

Nonetheless, this could breakthrough and it would be nice as people’s discussions of songs of the summer continue to rage on. – AS

Yung Bleu Featuring Sukihana – “Freak Drill”

Yung Bleu and Sukihana clearly had summer on their mind with “Freak Drill.” The triumphant horns at the beginning make it unclear what is coming, but then the beat picks up and it is obvious they’re focused on making women shake something.

The beat is reminiscent of something Uncle Luke would rap over in his heyday and the chorus matches: “Head, shoulders, knees and toes/ One time for the freaky h**s!” Sukihana understands the assignment, shouting out women’s loins and stretch marks.

This is an incredibly fun record, and the right social media marketing could take it to the moon. – AS

Chicken P – ‘Lights, Camera, Action’

Milwaukee’s Chicken P keeps his foot on the gas with Lights, Camera, Action, his second project of the year and a sharp display of consistency and confidence.

While collaborations with Hunxho and G Herbo on the pre-release singles “How It Goes” and “Peter Piper” add weight, Chicken P helms the rest of the tracklist by his lonely, with favorable results more often than not.

Standout songs include the opener “Stop Playin Wit Me,” the syrupy “Pour A Tre,” and additional bangers such as “Weighed It,” “Made It,” “Blowin the Mission,” and the outro song “Like Aaliyah.”

With Lights, Camera, Action, Chicken P proves he’s more than capable of carrying a full project on his own—and doing so with style. – PB

EST Gee – “Take My Time Geeski”

EST Gee is already back with a new single after dropping I Ain’t Feeling You earlier this year. “Take my time Geeski SH Feb 23” is an egregiously long song title, but the song is worth it.

The Louisville rapper gets into an introspective, personal bag over a slow soulful beat. He reflects on his experiences coming up, people who he has lost, and the mixed experience of struggling internally while keeping appearances externally.

Challenges and all, his grind has never fallen off. Gee is an extremely talented rapper who seems unconcerned with where he ranks and it is enjoyable seeing someone make the music they like to. – AS

Santa Fe Klan Featuring Rick Ross – “Diamonds”

Joyner Lucas – “One Of Them”

E-40, JasonMartin – “Too Much”

Statik Selektah Featuring Joey Bada$$, Westside Gunn, Stove God Cook & Rome Streetz- “The Louvre”

Lil Tjay – “Me Again”

Bas & The Hics Featuring Saba – “Erewhon”

Cypress Hill – ‘Black Sunday Live At The Royal Hall’

Kenny Muney – “Nevaaa”

Lexa Gates – “Latency”

1900Rugrat Featuring BabyChiefDoit, BAK Jay – “Ain’t No Love”

Joey Purp, Thelonious Martin – ‘Champagne Seats’

Flau’Jae – “Remember When”

Abstract Mindstate, Slum Village – “The Get Down”

Black Eyed Peas – ‘Monkey Business (20th Anniversary Edition)’

Nasty C – ‘Psychic’

FBLManny – “Airplane Mode”

MRG – “QGTM”

Devine Carama, Amadeus 360 – “MVP (Most Valuable Poet)

King Iso – “Beat Box”