21 New Albums You Should Listen To Right Now (Week Of Feb. 19)
The best new albums of this week include releases from Jim Jones, Kelly Rowland, Lava La Rue, Jansport J, and more.
Itβs New Music Friday and once again, we here at Okayplayer have sifted through the noise to find the best new albums you can spin this weekend.
A lot of new, good rap music dropped this week. You have a new album from Jim Jones and Harry Fraud; a surprise tape from Kevin Gates; the major label debut from Ghetts; and a deluxe version of Trippie Reddβs 2020 album.
Outside of the rap world, you have new releases from Kelly Rowland, Mr Eazi, Lava La Rue, and more.
Scroll down to see the best new albums you should check out this weekend.
Jim Jones & Harry Fraud β The Fraud Department
When heβs not dishing out the weather, Jim Jones is recording music. He just hooked up with producer Harry Fraud for The Fraud Department, an album that features Maino, Conway the Machine, Curren$y, and more.
Kelly Rowland β K
A month ago, Kelly Rowland gave birth to her son Noah Jon. Now, just a couple of weeks later, Kelly is back to work. She just released a new EP called K. Speaking to Essence about the projectβs first single, βBlack Magic,β she said:
βEvery lyric moved meβ¦ From relationships to the history of Black people and our Black magic, and how it just showcases us as strength and pride and joy. I also kept thinking about my sonβ¦ Itβs a song he can listen to for years to come which was something that meant a lot to me.β
Kevin Gates β Only The Generals, Part II
Out of nowhere, Kevin Gates dropped Only The Generals, Part II, the sequel to last yearβs EP. He also dropped the video for the song βPuerto Rico Luv.β
Sylvan LaCue β Young Sylvan Ep. 1
glbl wrmng, a New Orleans-based collective started by rapper Pell, dropped their first album. The latest single from the album is βWhat is Love.βSpeaking to Consequence of Sound about the making of the song, Pell said:
βI was at the studio with Chad Roby, Pro$per Jones, Kr3w, and a couple of other glbl wrmng affiliatesβ¦ I was freestyling to a beat that Chad played me and came up with the hook in the booth. I donβt think I even wrote a lyric to it at firstβ¦ The inspiration for this track was being separated from someone youβre involved with. Itβs about not wasting someoneβs time and really βshowing upβ in order to βshow love.ββ
Yelawolf & Caskey β Yelawolf Blacksheep
Music industry vet Yelawolf connects with Florida rapper Caskey for a new album called Yelawolf Blacksheep. Their latest video is for the song βOpen,β which features DJ. Paul.
UK rapper Ghetts has released his third studio album, Conflict of Interest. Itβs the first album of his released on a major label β Warner Music β and fans are already calling it the strongest of his career. Itβs definitely one of the best new albums to drop this week.
Bodega Bamz β El Camino
Spanish Harlem rapper Bodega Bamz just dropped his latest project, El Camino. Bamz thinks this album is one of the 10 best of the year so far.
Neek Bucks β Neighborhood Hov
Speaking of Spanish Harlem. Neek Bucks is another young rapper coming out of the neighborhood. His latest album is Neighborhood Hov and it features appearances from G Herbo, Benny the Butcher, Lil Tjay, and more. (This also isnβt the first time he paid homage to JAY-Z.)
Nef The Pharaoh β Sinsational
Vallejo, California rapper does not stop working. Just four months after releasing HereYee HereYee, Nef returns with SINsational.
10k.Caash β Public Announcement
Dallas rapper 10k.Caash, who is known for making TikTok and Triller-ready dance hits, has dropped his latest album, Public Announcement.
Aggressive Chicago rapper 600Breezy reloads with his new album, Art of War. He also recently dropped the video for βIβm Him.β
Mr Eazi β Something Else EP
Nigerian star Mr Eazi returns with a quick five-song banger called Something Else.
Lil Zay Osama β Trench Baby
Chicago MC Lil Zay Osama just dropped a new mixtape called Trench Baby. Speaking about the album, Zay said:
βMy mindset when I was recording Trench Baby was I had to give my fans the real me again, so they feel it in their heart.β
Check out the video for βShootersβ here.
Tha God Fahim & Your Old Droog β Tha YOD Fahim
A couple of weeks after releasing, Tha Wolf On Wall St., Your Old Droog and Tha God Fahim connect for another album. Tha Yod Fahim features production from Nottz, DJ Preservation, and Fahim himself.
βIt was made in a transitional period for me. Iβd fallen head over heels in love and I felt like I had cut off all the negative things in my life. And I was surrounded by really nourishing and caring people.β
Staten Island rapper CJ had a hit last year with βWhoopty.β Complex recently asked the rapper if he felt any pressure in making a follow-up record. He said:
βNo, I definitely donβt feel pressure. I just feel like you got to have fun with it. If you try to chase another hit, youβre going to be so focused on that, and youβre not going to have fun with it. Youβre going to lose the fun in it. I donβt think about that stuff. I just go in the studio, lock in, and make great music. If another hit comes, another hit comes.β
Trippie Redd & Travis Barker β Neon Shark vs. Pegasus
Trippie Redd hooked up with Travis Barker for the deluxe version of his Pegasus album released last year. Neon Shark vs. Pegasus is massive, featuring 40 songs.
Norway artists Vuyo and Olβ Burger hook up for a new album called Dialogue. Check out the video for βSchengen Visaβ here.