June got off to a slow start, but the release schedules for Hip Hop and R&B have ramped up to close out the month. Last week, major artists such as Teyana Taylor, Wale and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie all dropped new music amid the celebration of Juneteenth.
For the final New Music Friday of the month, another stacked lineup of projects has arrived on digital streaming platforms. G-Eazy, 6LACK, Max B, IDK, CeeLo Green, Lil Durk, Lord Finesse and Z-Ro are among the noteworthy names sharing albums, EPs, deluxe editions and mixtapes for fans’ listening pleasure.
Check out all of this week’s notable Hip Hop and R&B projects below.
G-Eazy – Everything’s Strange Here [RCA Records]
While fans wait on G-Eazy’s These Things Happen Too album, the multi-platinum selling rapper has provided them with a side project titled Everything’s Strange Here. The 10-song set was originally supposed to drop on June 5 but got pushed back due to the Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd.
6LACK – 6pc Hot [Interscope Records]
6LACK has returned with 6pc Hot, his first project since 2018’s East Atlanta Love Letter album. The EP doubles as a promotional tool for his new hot sauce 600 Degrees, which is being offered at Goodfellas Pizza & Wings in Atlanta.
Max B – Charly [EMG]
Max B won’t be getting out of prison until 2021, but incarceration isn’t stopping him from releasing music. After dropping his House Money EP to close out 2019, Biggaveli has delivered a five-track EP titled Charly to heat up the summer of 2020.
IDK – IDK & Friends 2 [Warner Records]
IDK has recruited Denzel Curry, Juicy J, A$AP Ferg, Wale, Maxo Kream and more for a second edition of IDK & Friends. The project also serves as the soundtrack for Kevin Durant’s Basketball County documentary, which IDK worked on as the music supervisor.
CeeLo Green – CeeLo Green Is Thomas Callaway [BMG]
CeeLo Green resumes his solo career with CeeLo Green Is Thomas Callaway, a 12-track album produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. The Goodie Mob member’s self-referential project is his first studio LP since 2015’s Heart Blanche.
Lil Durk – Just Cause Y’all Waited 2 (Deluxe) [Alamo Records]
Lil Durk has joined in the deluxe trend by releasing an expanded edition of his Just Cause Y’all Waited 2 album. The updated version adds seven songs to the LP, which originally dropped in May.
Lord Finesse – Motown State Of Mind [Motown Records]
Legendary producer Lord Finesse has reimagined multiple Motown classics for his new project Motown State Of Mind. The Diggin’ In The Crates member puts his spin on the work of Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, DeBarge and more on this special remix album.
Z-Ro – Rohammad Ali [EMPIRE]
Three years after flirting with retirement, Z-Ro proves he’s got no intention of slowing down with the release of Rohammad Ali. The album marks his fourth project since 2017’s No Love Boulevard, which he once claimed would be his swan song from the rap game.
Kemba – The World Is Watching [Self-Released]
Following a stint on RCA Records, Kemba has found himself back on the independent grind with The World Is Watching EP. Thanks to his label freedom, the skilled lyricist takes an opportunity to address the unrest in the country and share an EP featuring an exact runtime of eight minutes and 46 seconds in honor of the late George Floyd.
Teyana Taylor, Wale, A Boogie, Smokepurpp & More Celebrate Juneteenth With New Projects
Blimes & Gab – Talk About It [B.A.G. Enterprises]
Blimes Brixton and Gifted Gab’s multiple collaborations have finally resulted in a full-length album from the two. The duo’s debut LP, Talk About It, includes 16 tracks and features Method Man, Jay Park and IAMSU!
Yungeen Ace – Don Dada [Cinematic Music Group]
Yungeen Ace follows 2019’s Step Harder mixtape with a 14-song project titled Don Dada. King Von, who is signed to Lil Durk’s Only The Family imprint, makes the lone guest appearance on Ace’s latest release.
88GLAM – NEW MANIA [Self-Released]
Canadian duo 88GLAM reemerges with NEW MANIA after last being heard on 2018’s 88GLAM2. The project is an independent release, raising questions about their status on The Weeknd’s XO Records.
RiFF RAFF – Vanilla Gorilla [From Canada Corporation]
RiFF RAFF’s new project Vanilla Gorilla is brief, containing nine tracks and clocking in at just 28 minutes. Guests include Snoop Dogg, Soulja Boy, Yelawolf and 24hrs, among others.
August Alsina – The Product III: stateofEMERGEncy [EMPIRE]
Former Def Jam artist August Alsina continues his Product series with the third entry, stateofEMERGEncy. The New Orleans-bred singer’s project is an expansive, 27-track effort including collaborations with Lil Wayne, Juicy J and Yo Gotti.
Bankrol Hayden – Pain Is Temporary [Atlantic Records]
Atlantic Records hopes it found another teenage success story in Bankrol Hayden. The 18-year-old artist has released his debut Pain Is Temporary, which boasts guest appearances by Lil Baby and Polo G.
Iron Wigs – Your Birthday’s Cancelled [Mello Music Group]
Vic Spencer, Verbal Kent and Sonnyjim have joined forces to form the trio Iron Wigs. Their debut album Your Birthday’s Cancelled is a showcase for the group but accentuated by contributions from Roc Marciano, Quelle Chris and CRIMEAPPLE.
Max Minelli – Cold Day In Hell [Crushed Entertainment]
Max Minelli said it would be a cold day in hell when he’d released another album, so it’s a fitting name for his new surprise project. The Baton Rouge-bred rapper hasn’t committed to a full comeback just yet, noting he recorded this LP while stuck in the house amid the COVID-19 pandemic.