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.
It’s 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 Redd’s 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 — The Fraud Department
Photo Credit: The Fraud Department
When he’s 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$y, and more.
Kelly Rowland — K
Photo Credit: KTR Records
A month ago, Kelly Rowland gave birth to her son Noah Jon. Now, just a couple of weeks later, Kelly is back to work. She just released a new EP called K. Speaking to Essence about the project’s first single, “Black Magic,” she said:
“Every lyric moved me… From relationships to the history of Black people and our Black magic, and how it just showcases us as strength and pride and joy. I also kept thinking about my son… It’s a song he can listen to for years to come which was something that meant a lot to me.”
Kevin Gates — Only The Generals, Part II
Photo Credit: Bread Winners’ Association
Out of nowhere, Kevin Gates dropped Only The Generals, Part II, the sequel to last year’s EP. He also dropped the video for the song “Puerto Rico Luv.”
Sylvan LaCue — Young Sylvan Ep. 1
Photo Creditt: Guin Records
Photo Credit: PellYeah LLC
glbl wrmng, a New Orleans-based collective started by rapper Pell, dropped their first album. The latest single from the album is “What is Love.”Speaking to Consequence of Sound about the making of the song, Pell said:
“I was at the studio with Chad Roby, Pro$per Jones, Kr3w, and a couple of other glbl wrmng affiliates… I was freestyling to a beat that Chad played me and came up with the hook in the booth. I don’t think I even wrote a lyric to it at first… The inspiration for this track was being separated from someone you’re involved with. It’s about not wasting someone’s time and really ‘showing up’ in order to ‘show love.’”
Yelawolf & Caskey — Yelawolf Blacksheep
Photo Credit: Slumerican Records
Music industry vet Yelawolf connects with Florida rapper Caskey for a new album called Yelawolf Blacksheep. Their latest video is for the song “Open,” which features DJ. Paul.
Photo Credit: Warner Music UK Limited
UK rapper Ghetts has released his third studio album, Conflict of Interest. It’s the first album of his released on a major label — Warner Music — and fans are already calling it the strongest of his career. It’s definitely one of the best new albums to drop this week.
Bodega Bamz — El Camino
Photo Credit: 100 Keep It
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 — Neighborhood Hov
Photo Credit: H4 Records
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 isn’t the first time he paid homage to JAY-Z.)
Nef The Pharaoh — Sinsational
Photo Credit: KILFMB
Vallejo, California rapper does not stop working. Just four months after releasing HereYee HereYee, Nef returns with SINsational.
10k.Caash — Public Announcement
Photo Credit: 10k.Caash
Dallas rapper 10k.Caash, who is known for making TikTok and Triller-ready dance hits, has dropped his latest album, Public Announcement.
Photo Credit: Mello Music Group
Photo Credit: 600Breezy
Aggressive Chicago rapper 600Breezy reloads with his new album, Art of War. He also recently dropped the video for “I’m Him.”
Mr Eazi — Something Else EP
Photo Credit: Banku Music
Nigerian star Mr Eazi returns with a quick five-song banger called Something Else.
Lil Zay Osama — Trench Baby
Photo Credit: Warner Records Inc.
Chicago MC Lil Zay Osama just dropped a new mixtape called Trench Baby. Speaking about the album, Zay said:
“My 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.”
Check out the video for “Shooters” here.
Tha God Fahim & Your Old Droog — Tha YOD Fahim
Photo Credit: Mongoloid Banks
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.
Photo Credit: Marathon Artists
“It was made in a transitional period for me. I’d 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.”
Photo Credit: All Attraction, No Cashin’ Co.
Photo Credit: Warner Records
Staten Island rapper CJ had a hit last year with “Whoopty.” Complex recently asked the rapper if he felt any pressure in making a follow-up record. He said:
“No, I definitely don’t feel pressure. I just feel like you got to have fun with it. If you try to chase another hit, you’re going to be so focused on that, and you’re not going to have fun with it. You’re going to lose the fun in it. I don’t think about that stuff. I just go in the studio, lock in, and make great music. If another hit comes, another hit comes.”
Trippie Redd & Travis Barker — Neon Shark vs. Pegasus
Photo Credit: 1400 Entertainment
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.
Photo Credit: Jakarta Records
Norway artists Vuyo and Ol’ Burger hook up for a new album called Dialogue. Check out the video for “Schengen Visa” here.