New Music Friday is giving fans plenty to work with this week, from a long-awaited West Coast collaboration to records ready for after-hours playlists. The vibes have officially been set, starting with a long-awaited posthumous release from one of hip-hop’s biggest legends.
More than seven years after Nipsey Hussle’s death, “PROLIFIC” arrives as a 15-track collaborative album with Bino Rideaux, released through All Money In and Out The Blue Records under an exclusive license to Atlantic Records. More importantly, this is not a collection assembled from disconnected Nipsey verses after his passing. His brother, Blacc Sam, previously explained, “This isn’t something that our team compiled together. This is the body of work Nipsey created with Bino top to bottom.” That history gives “PROLIFIC” a different feel. Nipsey and Bino had already established their chemistry on 2017’s “No Pressure,” and this project was developed after the success of Nipsey’s Grammy-nominated “Victory Lap.” Singles “Reckless” featuring the late Static Major, “Sacrifices” featuring James Fauntleroy, and “All Summer” featuring BH helped open the rollout. Now, the complete project lands one day before what would have been Nipsey’s 41st birthday. The Marathon continues, but this time, fans are hearing a body of work Nipsey actually helped build.
Quavo also steps into the weekend with “Trance,” also promoted as “Trance (Walk It Down).” The record gives the Atlanta rapper another solo moment as he continues pushing forward beyond the Migos chapter of his career. Rather than treating his familiar melodic delivery like a throwback, Quavo leans into his own artistry. “Trance” keeps the energy slick and repetitive enough to survive in the clubs and day parties.
Then Tinashe makes sure nobody gets too comfortable with “Melatonin.” The new single follows “Too Easy” and “Crash Out” as she continues building toward her next album, “Popstar.” Fans actually got an early taste months ago when she previewed “Melatonin” during her May set at Lightning in a Bottle. Now fully released, the record plays with pitched-down vocals and electronic club production while flipping the idea of being “slept on” into the song’s central concept.
From the Nipsey Hussle vault being opened to Quavo and Tinashe giving us perfect hang-out vibes, this week’s New Music Friday has range. Take a scroll below to discover more new heat.
Quavo – “Trance” (single)
Tinashe – “Melatonin” (single)
Jorja Smith – “I Lied, You Lied” (single)
Flo Milli – “Too Bo$$y” (single)
Erykah Badu & The Alchemist – “The Witch Doctor” (single)
Trippie Redd feat. Sexyy Red – “Meet The Redds” (single)
Molly Santana – “Live Your Life” (single)
Sleepy Hallow feat. Kyle Richh – “Fine” (single)
E-40 & Busta Rhymes – “Play If You Want” (single)
Nipsey Hussle & Bino Rideaux – “Prolific” (album)
Fridayy – “Tension” (album)
Paul Wall – “Repeat, Repeat, Repeat” (album)
