Chika is back with ‘Requiem for a Dream,’ her first new single since 2021. Produced by Chika with Thurst and Derek Dixie, the track’s instrumental mixes UK drill with a tender vocal sample to match the Grammy-nominated artist’s seamless transitions between rapping and singing over the course of just over two minutes. “The thought of mortality keep me alive,” the Alabama native raps on the first verse. “Game of the fittest/ I wanna survive.” Switching gears for the chorus, she sings, “Darkness can go away/ I’m alright with pretending that all’s well/ My world’s not ending/ We’ll be okay.” [via Consequence]

Haviah Mighty is back with a new single, ‘Huh,’ a dancey, breakup track which places the Canadian rapper’s knack for emotional expression at the center of a ready-for-the-club beat. Taking stylistic cues from dancehall, ‘Huh’ balances Haviah’s hard-hitting flow with moments of bubbling, rhythmic goodness. As the lyrics “It’s a shame you let me down/ the way you did” shine through glitched-out vocal processing, the underlying pulse of the backbeat chugs on, creating a symbolic tension of sorts. “‘Huh’ is a tale of disappointment following the narration of a desperate lover who is losing the love of their life, and vowing to change to reverse it all,” Haviah explained in a press statement. “Desperate to go back to how it was, they’re taking responsibility for the incompatibility, and suffering a mind/body separation of sorts where their mind is wrapped up in the traumatic loss, unable to escape, but their body is free and has been let loose. They are living in two spaces, two worlds, and trying to return to perceived ‘stability,’ where ironically, what they want to return to, is the most unstable thing in their life.”

Next month, Atlanta rapper Mercury will release an EP called heaven — it follows last year’s fear mercury EP. Now, Mercury has shared a NIY5H-directed video for the title track, which was produced by Laila. “‘Heaven’ is basically a song about getting lit, having fun, and being sexy,” Mercury said in a statement about the jittery cut. “I made it for the girlies and the gays but hopefully everyone shake they ass to it.” [via Stereogum]

It’s Kenzo B‘s moment right now. The 19-year-old New York City rapper has attracted accolades (including a GEN F profile) for her charismatic take on drill, chiefly defined by a flow that whirls and slices like a tornado of razor blades. As with every breakout moment, time is of the essence, which is why on her new single ‘BFFR’ (or, “Be Fuckin’ For Real”), Kenzo makes it clear that she’s not going to waste a second by speaking around any touchy subjects. “Yeah I said it, so what?,” a voice repeats as the song begins, with a steady string of handclaps the first indication of its strong bounce influence. Before long, the beat becomes cross-regional with guitar stabs that recall Nas’s ‘Made You Look,’ indicating that Kenzo’s not abandoning the sound of her city just yet. Skipping over the beat with the dexterity of an Olympic jump roper, Kenzo has the ferocity of someone who knows they’ve won the battle before it’s even begun. [via The FADER]

Rising hip-hop star Carla Rae, widely known as “The CEO,” is set to captivate the music world once again with her latest hit single, ‘Been Dat,’ featuring Sonyae Blu. This empowering anthem is making waves across the industry, uniting boss chicks everywhere and solidifying Carla’s status as a force to be reckoned with. ‘Been Dat’ is a powerful track that exemplifies Carla’s signature style and undeniable talent. With its infectious rhythm and captivating lyrics, the song invites listeners into Carla’s world, where resilience and determination reign supreme. This single is undoubtedly a must-listen for anyone who appreciates the essence of authentic hip-hop music. However, Carla’s impact reaches far beyond her music. She has become renowned for her entrepreneurial spirit and her dedication to empowering women in the industry. With her own record label, Carla is on a mission to revolutionize the game and create opportunities for fellow artists. [via Earmilk]

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