Sexyy Red, Bruno Mars, Central Cee, Ice Cube

Sexyy Red, Bruno Mars – “Fat, Juicy & Wet”

Sexyy Red and Bruno Mars may have not been on anyone’s wishlist, but it’s 2025; anything can happen. “Fat Juicy & Wet” blends Bruno’s musicality and slight penchant for vulgar lyrics with Sexyy’s unfiltered raw sexuality.

Many listeners have said they’ve never heard Bruno say these words before, and they’re right. However, once one gets past the content, there is an undeniable bounce to the song.

One may not go out of their way to play it, and definitely won’t recite the lyrics in any normal setting, but you might catch yourself nodding and moving your shoulders without realizing it.

Sexyy Red is doing her best to maintain her staying power, and who better than one of the most enduring pop stars of the last almost 20 years. – AS

Central Cee – ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’

Central Cee hit the nail on the head titling his newest album Can’t Rush Greatness. After a huge Drake co-sign, anyone else may have gone full steam ahead and thus ran out of gas.

The UK drill rapper, however, took his time, put out another hit (“BAND4BAND” with Lil Baby), and now is ready to show what he can do with the attention solely being on him.

He nails it, delivering his signature style in tracks like “St. Patricks” and “CRG” with Dave, but there is heightened introspection and vulnerability from a guy who often doesn’t peel back the layers.

“Now We’re Strangers” and “Truth In The Lies” with Lil Durk reveal his softer side, providing more touchpoints for his core fanbase and inevitably new fans. This is a strong 17-song set. – AS

Ice Cube featuring Scarface – “It’s My Ego 3Mix,”

Ice Cube settles into the new year with another remix of his single, “It’s My Ego,” only this time, he joins forces with fellow rap legend and past collaborator Scarface.

After announcing he and his costar as “two of the best to ever do it,” Da Lench Mob leader hands off the mic to Facemob, who lays down an introductory stanza in which he runs through he and Cube’s history with one another while boasting of his rap prowess.

“I put the G in the ghetto/ Boy in the hood like Ren, Eazy, Dr. Dre, Cube, and Yella,” the Houston native rhymes, as the hook and one of Cube’s verses from the track’s original version completes the cipher.

Breathing further life into the standout offering from Cube’s Man Down album, “It’s My Ego 3Mix” marks a historical pairing that’s an example of the power in and longevity, as he and Scarface bask in their own greatness. – Preezy Brown

Travis Scott – “4×4”

Travis Scott hyped up “4X4” for a while, with syncing it for the Monday Night Raw debut on Netflix and delivering a performance at the College Football Playoff National Championship.

The anticipation wasn’t there, but the song is fine. Quavo joins the fun, opening with a solid verse and manning the hook. It is nice hearing Trav have this type of energy, but the song is ultimately empty with nothing conceptual or catchy lyrics to latch onto.

It’s hard even to say “Oh, this will hit outside!” or determine an environment outside of his rabid live shows. Scott peaked years ago and his journey to find a new mountain has been rocky. – AS

Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist – “Bad Choices”

The Alchemist cooks up a steely soundscape powered by guitar plucks and chopped vocals for Larry June and 2 Chainz to litter slick musings over.

The inventive rhyme slingers bask in the essence of their opulence, with 2 Chainz setting the tone with a brilliant opening verse, harkening back to less prosperous days while marveling at his evolution into a self-made mogul.

On the other hand, Larry June makes lyrical fashion statements after picking up where Tity Boi left off, namedropping various designer wears and styles amid recollections of narcotics and cash transactions.

Accompanied by a music video rife with luxury cars, gourmet cuisine, and banter amongst the fly guys, “Bad Choices” is as hypnotic as it is addictive, sparking a sudden desire for 2 Chainz to potentially turn June and Al’s dynamic duo into a trio. – PB

Tyga, Lil Wayne – “Pop It Off”

Okay so at this point, anyone can know what a Tyga song is going to sound like before pressing play but they can also admit they like them more often than not.

“Pop It Off” is the quintessential T Raww track; West coast bop, smooth flow, hard-hitting punchlines, and sexual innuendos. With all of that in mind, who better to bring into the mix than his mentor Lil Wayne?

Weezy F. Baby’s verse could’ve been a bit longer, but it worked nonetheless. This is a cheat code collaboration at this point, but it will always be welcome. YMCB forever. – AS

Fivio Foreign – “PlaqueBoyMax”

Who could have predicted that an online beef with a streamer would inspire one of Fivio Foreign’s best songs in years?

“PlaqueBoyMax,” named after the popular personality, packs everything the Brooklyn drill rapper does best into a one-minute, 53-second sprint – catchy punchlines and new lingo (“Get off my deezly”).

The true gem of the song is the fact that it capitalizes on Fivi’s real name Maxie. He dubs himself the “real PlaqueBoyMax” because he has platinum and gold plaques; can you really argue that truth?

This song is especially enjoyable because it lived up to the leaks and snippets circulating the internet the week before it came out. This may be another flash-in-the-pan moment for Fivio, but it’s better than nothing. – AS

BigXThaPlug – ‘Take Care (Deluxe)’

BigXThaPlug was one of Hip-Hop’s biggest breakout stars in 2024, as his Take Care album entrenched him as a face to watch and and a voice to listen out for on a national level.

The Dallas native has tacked on a few new recordings for the deluxe version of the project, including a new solo song and a pair of collaborations.

The anthemic “Life of a Boss,” which samples KC and The Sunshine Band’s “I Don’t Wanna Make Love,” is a welcome addition, as is the Tommy Newport-assisted number, “Comes and Goes,” and “Holy Grail” featuring Jessie Murph.

The deluxe version of Take Care is a timely offering meant to keep BigXThaPlug at the top of mind, as he prepares to build upon the strong foundation he set last year. – PB

REASON featuring Bas – “Not What You Think”

West Coast spitter REASON hasn’t allowed his departure from Top Dawg Entertainment hinder or temper his grind.

Jumpstarting this new phase of his career with last year’s collaborations “I Thought You Loved Me” with Cozz & Buddy, and “Stuck” featuring Oswin Benjamin, REASON drops off “Not What You Think,” his first single of 2025.

Attacking the track with a subtle fervor, REASON delves into his zone, tumbling bars about rendezvous’ and missteps past amid recurring vocals wails, as Dreamville’s Bas appears to even the odds with a closing verse of his own.

The first single from his forthcoming album, I Love You Again, “Not What You Think” is a strong precursor to the looming longplayer, evidence that REASON’s music continues to be worthy of an ear, regardless of his backing. – PB

Boldy James – ‘Permanent Ink’

At this point, a Boldy James album release is as expected as the weather report, as he seemingly has a fetish for force-feeding his listenership with fresh material.

After premiering the teaser “Single File Line,” James presents his latest full-length offering, Permanent Ink, a tape comprised of thirteen songs, in which the Detroit rapper gives a bird’s eye view of the underbelly of his Midwestern habitat.

Led by its title track, with features courtesy of Jai Imani and Sir Michael Rocks, Permanent Ink‘s best moments come via the songs “Jacksonville,” “Stop Signs & Yields,” “It Hit Different,” and “Gargoyle Pelle.” – PB

Uncle Murda – ‘Murda He Wrote’

Zillionaire Doe featuring Bossman Dlow – “Pull Up”

NoCap – ‘Before I Disappear Again (Deluxe)’

Hunxho – ‘For Us’

NLE Choppa – “444”

BabyDrill – “Scared Of The Pu**y”

1900Rugrat featuring Kodak Black – “One Take Freestyle (Remix)”

DeeBaby – “Mírame Baby”

OhGeesy – “Paid N Full”

Cory Gunz featuring Whispers – “Count”

Kirko Bangz – “Deep Inside”

STAR BANDZ – “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”

Richie Rich featuring E-40, V White – “We Different”

Ant – ‘Collection of Sounds: Volume 3’

King Kobi & 24hrs – ’24hrs on Saturn’

B.U.G Antman – “Make Sense”

Charlie Bereal – ‘Walk With The Father’

OsamaSon – ‘Jump Out’