Ivorian Doll, the esteemed “Queen of Drill,” takes a bold step forward with her latest single, ‘Big Bad IVD’. Shedding her drill persona, she embraces a fresh pop-leaning era that showcases her versatility as an artist. This captivating release flips a sample from the iconic 50 Cent hit, ‘P.I.M.P.’, infusing it with her infectious energy and distinctive style, marking a significant entry into her evolving discography and demonstrating her ability to seamlessly transition between genres while maintaining her signature charisma. [via GRM Daily]

June 8, City Girls released ‘I Need A Thug,’ a track that interpolated LL Cool J‘s ‘I Need Love’ and kept the Miami duo in their lyrical comfort zones, outlining exactly what they need out of a partner and what they can offer in return. Less than 24 hours later, another single, ‘Piñata,’ arrived. The new track is far more sonically aggressive than ‘Thug,’ thanks chiefly to the beat from 808 Mafia’s Southside. The bass is peaking red, distorted, and relentless, an effect that’s underlined during the chorus of JT’s breathy entreaties. The constantly ascending aggression of the instrumental helps distinguish it from City Girls’ previous single, another song where JT and Miami run up a check and run through a list of what man should do for them. [via The FADER]

We already know Doja Cat is good at getting attention. Now we get to find out if she’s good at making ‘Attention.’ Her new single marks the start of a new era, presumably leading to her first album since 2021’s Planet Her, though she’s trickled out one-off tracks like the Elvis soundtrack single ‘Vegas’ and an appearance on SZA’s ‘Kill Bill’ remix that helped push the song to #1. In February, Doja said she wanted to make a hardcore album and that her next record would lean in a “more masculine direction.” In the case of ‘Attention,’ it seems that means a focus on rap over pop. “Look at me, look at me!” she instructs us. “You lookin’?” See for yourself below via director Tanu Muino’s music video. [via Stereogum]

Dreya Mac makes a powerful return with her first release of 2023, a new heater that she’s called ‘Better Off’. The hard-hitting track, produced by The Elements, enters with a bang, grabbing listeners with its bold energy and a pulsating trap sound. Lyrically, Dreya fearlessly expresses her love for all kinds of women, delivering impactful lyrics that celebrate her identity and those women around her. Amidst this, she makes sure to showcase her flexing prowess too, adding an extra layer of confidence to the track. [via GRM Daily]

Detroit rap phenomenon Kash Doll returns with a hypnotic new single entitled ‘Ridin’ via MNRK Music Group. On the track, a nostalgic R&B loop underlines Kash’s hard-hitting and emotionally-charged bars. Between thumping 808s, sizzling hi-hats, and lively snaps, she unleashes three incendiary verses punctuated by her nimble flow and quotable punchlines. Alternating between deft rapping and dynamic singing, she ponders the ups and downs of a turbulent romance with a chantable chorus as she warns, “Don’t have me ridin’, ridin’, ridin’, ridin’, ‘round for you.” About ‘Ridin’, Kash Doll commented, “This record is fun and true. Guys start acting up in the summer! I love this record because I got a chance to test my range by singing and rapping. I hope you all love it too!” [via Broadway World]

Little Simz has unveiled the highly anticipated official music video for her hit track ‘Gorilla’, a fan favourite from her recent album No, Thank You. Directed by the renowned Dave Meyers, known for his work with music industry icons like Jay-Z, Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Notorious B.I.G., the video is nothing short of extraordinary. Leveraging AI technology and Microsoft Cloud, the visuals offer an interactive experience, altering colours, effects and more with each viewing. This innovative approach adds a fresh dimension to the video, making it an interactive and unique encounter for fans of the Islington artist and beyond. [via GRM Daily]

Lil Westside has come through with a new visual for her song ‘I Am Not Them’. With back to back bangers under Burke’s new label 50/40 Records. Having kept the new signee in heavy rotation, Lil Westside returns with new raved release ‘I Am Not Them’ following up her fire From The Block performance. Now, she returns with a video for ‘I Am Not Them’ which serves as the opening record for her upcoming project Underdog: A Westside Story. Furthermore, the 12-track project serves as Lil Westside’s first installment of 2023. ‘I Am Not Them’ is a hard-hitting cut that builds captivatingly, with a blazing energy that keeps the listener on their toes throughout. Featuring bassy, raw production consisting of ominous synths, heavy, throbbing bass, and crisp percussion, the instrumentation creates a sleek, stylish backdrop for Westside as she builds intense, powerful vocals with a commanding tone that cuts through the mix. The new video captures the song’s invigorating pace and energy with rapid, exciting editing and a charismatic performance from Westside. [via Earmilk]

Discover more rising talent in hip hop via the playlist below!

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Cardi B still hasn’t followed up her 2018 debut album Invasion Of Privacy, but it hasn’t stopped her from making hits. Her latest contender for the Hot 100 throne is ‘Hot Shit,’ a track that assembles some big names around the South Bronx’s finest. The invincible Memphis beat-maker Tay Keith co-produced the track with BanBwoi, and it has guest features from Chicago superstars Kanye West and Lil Durk. It also samples ‘The Electric Slide’? That part comes in the context of these lyrics: “I’m connected/ I don’t know what’s longer, man, my pockets or my checklist/ I don’t know who’s colder, man, my heart or my necklace/ Pretty when I wake up, I’m a bad bitch at breakfast/ Too much slide on the op, it’s electric.” [via Stereogum]

Hip hop artist PollyHill aka Paloma Schneideman has dropped a fresh cut in collaboration with production heavyweight Dera Meelan. The pair’s second single together in just under a month, the deeply vibey, introspective track launches today with a stylish emerald green studio vid directed by Schneideman and Frankie Berge. PollyHill says: “There was more retrospective and brooding energy on this night, as a handful of my close-knit collaborators and loved ones, consumed substances, played Nintendo, listened to mixes and pondered the meaning of life. Static is about when you go home, after socialising, and you take your ‘skin’ off, and you’re not making yourself more palatable for anyone, and you’re left alone with your truest self”. [via Under the Radar]

Miami rap duo City Girls follow their 2021 tracks ‘Twerkulator’ and ‘Scared’ with ‘Good Love,’ a new single that’s definitely a bid for summer-jam status. To that end, City Girls have recruited the ageless R&B king Usher. On ‘Good Love,’ City Girls and Usher team up to ride a joyous electro beat. City Girls are brash, and Usher is smooth; the combination almost makes too much sense. Director Daps shot the song’s video at the famous Atlanta roller rink Cascades, and it gives Usher, Yung Miami, and JT a chance to show off their moves. [via Stereogum]

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