We have the best new rap and R&B releases of the week, featuring artists like Open Mike Eagle, Omar Apollo, T.I, and more.
There is an overwhelming amount of music that drops on New Music Fridays. Unless you have hours of free time, it’s almost impossible to wade through all the sewage out there to get to the good stuff.
That’s where Okayplayer come in. On Friday morning, we are out here listening to as much new music as humanly possible. This week, we have a numbeer of great releases from artists like Open Mike Eagle, Omar Apollo, T.I., María Isabel, Price from Audio Fresh, and more.
The versatile Open Mike Eagle returns with his new album, Anime, Trauma and Divorce. The title is fitting — this is some of the most personal music of Mike’s career. Speaking to the New York Times about the album, Mike said:
I’ve listened to a lot of rap and heard deeply vulnerable songs but I ain’t never heard nothing like this…It’s terrifying because I don’t know if people necessarily want something like this. Rap is such an escape.
Homeboy Sandman & Quelle Chris — Don’t Feed The Monster
Labelmates, Homeboy Sandman and Quelle Chris have released their first album together, Don’t Feed The Monster. The album features Sandman supplying the raps while Chris handles the production. In a press release, Chris talked about the album, saying:
As a producer, it’s just a joy to see your sonic canvases given greater and new life. To be a part of and witness to the story as it was written and to share the story with the world in album form is one of those priceless gifts that come with this “job” we chose. There’s a certain magical power in this album. Raw, pure, organic magic.
Omar Apollo — Apolonio
Singer Omar Apollo is getting ready to release his debut album next year. Until then, Apollo holds fans over by releasing Apolonio, a new mini-album of sexy jams that he recorded while under quarantine in Glendale, California.
T.I. — The L.I.B.R.A
T.I.’s new album, The L.I.B.R.A., is a family affair. Domani, T.I. ‘s son, appears on “Family Connect, one of the standouts from the album, while his daughter Deyjah appears on the album closure. In an interview with New York Magazine, T.I. called the tracks his two favorite songs on the album. What a good pop.
Eli Sostre — Emori
After dropping a number of songs over the last couple of months, Eli Sostre has released his album, Emori. Writing about the album on his Instagram, Eli said, “BLOOD, SWEAT, & TEARS. HOPE YOU ENJOY.”
María Isabel — Stuck in the Sky
Queens-bred singer María Isabel has dropped a quick seven-track EP to hold off R&B lovers out there. Stuck in the Sky is perfect October music.
Price — CLRD.
Price, one half of Audio Push, has dropped his debut solo project, CLRD. Speaking about the album with VIBE, Price said:
I just wanted to show the beauty of being Black. It’s a greatness that never gets showcased. We always just talk about the struggle, but I wanted to show something different. Things that aren’t making The Shade Room.
James Blake — Before
Over the last couple of years, James Blake has been trying to ditch his “Sad Boy” label. On his new EP, Before, which dropped earlier in the week, Blake drops a quick project of club jams.
Serial Killers — Summer of Sam
Serial Killers, the rap supergroup consisting of Xzibit, B-Real, and Demrick, reunite for their latest album, Summer of Sam. The album features appearances from Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg and production from Rick Rock and Dem Jointz.
Shootergang Kony — Still Kony 2
Shootergang Kony — one of the more aggressive rappers to come out of Sacramento — has released the sequel to his breakout mixtape, Still Kony. The tape, one of the best new rap projects to drop this week, features appearances from Teejay3k, 1takejay, and Lil Poppa.