15 New Hip-Hop & R&B Albums You Should Listen To Right Now (Week Of April 2nd)

Music – 2 days ago

This week’s new albums features an R&B comeback after 20 years and a set of debut EPs.

Every week here at Okayplayer, we round up the best albums of the week for your listening pleasures. We understand that it can be hard to keep up with all the projects being released with the live music industry on hold in the States.

This time around, we’ve got projects from Canarsie drill MC Quelly Woo, Bronx crooner Lil Tjay, and a compilation from Mello Music Group. Canadian rapper Charmaine, as well as Bay Area collective AG Club drop their debut projects. Find all your favorites on your preferred digital streaming platform below.

Lil Tjay — Destined 2 Win

Bronx MC Lil Tjay drops his second album, Destined 2 Win, after the success of his duet with 6LACK, “Calling My Phone.” On the 21-track project, fellow crooners like Toosii and Polo G tag along for an hour’s worth of lovesick ballads.

VHOOR & Sango — Ritmo Novo

Washington-via-Michigan producer Sango teams up with Brazilian producer for Ritmo Novo, their second collaborative project. The project pays homage to the northeastern Brazilian rhythm Samba de Coco. The region is home to a large Afro-Brazilian population, which influences the broader region’s rhythm of Coco.

Sylvan LaCue — Young Sylvan Ep. 2

Miami MC Sylvan LaCue broke his latest EP, Young Sylvan Ep. 2, into episodes, each recounting traumatic childhood experiences. The album begins with “Penal Code 182.5,” featuring a county jail-call verse from then-incarcerated Drakeo the Ruler.

Stik Figa — Stik Figa EP

 

Kentucky-born, Topeka, Kansas-raised MC Stik Figa explores his travels around the South and Midwest, his musical influences, and family on a laidback and level-headed yet engaging three-pack of tracks.

Bruiser Wolf — Dope Game Stupid

On his Danny Brown executive-produced project Dope Game Stupid, Bruiser Brigade signee Bruiser Wolf doesn’t rap as much as he does preach in a flow reminiscent of West Coast legend Suga Free. Bruiser head honcho Danny Brown makes a guest appearance on “I’m A Instrument.”

Bankroll Freddie — Big Bank

Next in line at the Quality Control/Motown hit factory is Helena, Arkansas native Bankroll Freddie. His latest offering Big Bank, features guest appearances from Megan thee Stallion, EST Gee, and Gucci Mane.

Charmaine — Hood Avant-Garde

Zimbabwean-Canadian rapper Charmaine’s debut EP features the raunchy “Woo!” and her bass-heavy debut, “BOLD.” The five-track project reflects the full range of her influences, as the Toronto native bounced around the Midwestern United States and Nashville, Tennessee throughout her childhood.

 

AG Club — Fuck Your Expectations Pt. 1

Bay Area collective AG Club follows up an impressive set of singles with their debut effort, Fuck Your Expectations, Part 1. The group drops the project along with a Warriors-esque short film for the track “UGUDBRU.”

Ruff Endz — Rebirth

R&B vetrans David Chance and Dante Jordan drop their fifth album, just over 20 years since their debut. The group says the album “embodies elements from the classic era of R&B” with a “2021 perspective.”

Mello Music Group — Bushido

The Mello Music Group roster consists of veterans like Kool Keith, B-Real, and Murs, as well as core members like Quelle Chris, Skyzoo, Joell Ortiz and Oddisee. Their latest compilation album, Bushido, also features newcomers like Solemn Brigham and Namir Blade.

Rockie Fresh — Slide Thru Part 2

 

Rockie Fresh teams up with a wide spectrum of guest MCs for his latest project, Slid Thru Part 2. Fellow Chicagoans Vic Mensa and Tobi Lou make guest appearances, as well as 24hrs.

BandGang Lonnie Bangs, Good Gas, & FKi 1st — Street Dream Team

Atlanta producer Fki 1st teamed up with Good Gas and Detroit MC BandGang Lonnie Bands for Street Dream Team. As the title suggests, the collective recruits a star-studded lineup featuring Boldy James, Rob Vicious, and YSR Gramz.

Zo! & Tall Black Guy — Abstractions 

Detroit producer Zo! teams up with Tall Black Guy and Little Brother frontman Phonte for a soulful nine-track project. Guests like Elzhi, Darien Brockington, and Black Milk stop by for the album.

Quelly Woo — Tactical Pressure

Brooklyn drill MC Quelly Woo drew support from multiple outlets as well as fellow New York artists like Sheff G and Lil Tecca before even dropping an EP. Off the success of “Bacc Out,” he drops a nine-track offering with no features, showcasing his own gruff delivery over the course of a quick 23 minutes.

Kreayshawn — World’s Biggest Idiot

Extremely polarizing Bay Area MC Kreayshawn returns with World’s Biggest Idiot, a four-track project featuring singles titled “Beat My Ass,” “Bone Zone,” Glizzy McGuire” and “The Mom Song.”