Houston rapper Monaleo has announced her debut project, Where The Flowers Don’t Die, due May 26 via Stomp Down. The 11-song project includes recent singles ‘Beating Down Yo Block’ and ‘Ridgemont Baby,’ plus the just-released ‘Ass Kickin.’ It’s a brash, head-turning song and here’s more background via press release: The accompanying music video delivers a brash all-pregnant girl gang led by Monaleo as the pregnant ringleader as they bring blows to bad guys while literally Ass Kickin’ all over the place. The funk-themed video hosts a guest spot from real-life boyfriend / rapper, Stunna4Vegas posing as her OBGYN while she lays down the law. “Now that my pregnancy and project have been announced, I wanted one of the first singles I put forward to be bold and unapologetic.” says Monaleo. “‘Ass Kickin’ is just that…It’s a carefree record that represents free and liberated women . A perfect introduction to the woman I was while curating [Where The Flowers Don’t Die].” [via Brooklyn Vegan]

ShaSimone, the British-Ghanaian rapper and songwriter, has released her first solo track of 2023, ‘Played Out’. The artist continues to demonstrate her consistency and commitment to creating quality music, as the new song showcases her turbulent flow over a dark and heavy grime-infused production, highlighting her talent as an MC. Speaking on the release, she said, “I just really want people to know that I’m committed to releasing quality music and being consistent in my craft. I’ve learned so much from my last EP and [this song] is just the beginning of what’s coming next.” [via GRM Daily]

Maiya The Don keeps her hot streak going with her new single ‘Keep It Cute.’ The track marks her official follow-up to March’s ‘Dusties,’ which boasted a sample of ‘Magic Stick’ by Lil’ Kim. Directed and executive produced by Jenzar, the freshly released ‘Keep It Cute’ clip takes place in a hottie-filled car repair shop. Maiya then rounds up all her girls for a pep rally, where she delivers her verse about her unwavering confidence: “Keep it cute, keep it cute, keep it sexy/ Don’t play with me, go play with your man, don’t entertain st that might fk up the brand/ Woke up this morning and went straight to the bank, they think they can do what I know that they can’t/ If I hop on it, you know it’s gon’ blow, why they tryna throw dirt on my name?/ B**ches get mad and start doin’ the most, do not compare me, ’cause you not the same” [via Rap Up]

Toronto rap mainstay DijahSB and California producer veggi have teamed up once again, this time to honour a basketball legend. The bouncy, summer-ready track combines DijahSB’s witty and seamless bars with veggi’s taste for house-inflected pop. It follows their 2021 collab ‘EXCEPTIONAL.’ “‘Lisa Leslie’ has been in the tuck for over a year now, it’s another collab with veggi which is cool because our last one is about to hit 10 million,” DijahSB tells Exclaim! “I’m excited to see where this one goes. Lisa Leslie is an icon and I’m excited to give her an anthem.” [via Exclaim]

The post appeared first on She Makes Music.