new album

Timbaland Confirms He & Justin Timberlake Have Finished A New Album

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Timbaland has confirmed that he and Justin Timberlake have finished work on a new album together. Timbaland spoke about working with his long-time collaborator on the new project during a new interview for Variety. He also discussed Timberlake’s polarizing 2018 album, Man of the Woods.

“I just left working with him, we just finished up and everything sounds great. Now it’s really on him how he plans to wrap it up and how and when he envisions it to come out. With an artist of his caliber, everything has to be aligned, but it’s done and it’s coming,” he shared.

Justin Timberlake & Timbaland Perform Together

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Musicians Justin Timberlake and Timbaland join mPowering Action, a global mobile youth movement at Grammy Week launch, featuring performances by Timbaland and Avicii at The Conga Room at L.A. Live on February 8, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

“It’s fun Justin — it’s like FutureSex /LoveSounds but nothing too heavy, just giving you what you’d expect from us: not overthought, the lyrics are not so deep, it’s bob-your-head, dance-to-it music. Music is a young sport, and you have to keep it fun — fun and young. We’ve both seen a lot of life, but you can’t overthink it because of that, you have to bring out the 13-year-old, 18-year-old again, you know? If not, you can get into the old-fogey stage real quick. (Laughter) That’s just the world we live in,” Timbaland explained. “So you have to know how to be authentic and true to the art and understand it, and that’s what this album is. We took our time. We had songs that maybe were too complicated, but we said ‘We want it to feel like FutureSex part two,’ so we picked songs that will fit that.”

Timbaland and Timberlake have collaborated many times over the years. He produced the hits “SexyBack,” “Cry Me a River,” “Summer Love,” and “My Love” as well as the entirety of Timberlake’s 2006 album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, and his 2013 album, The 20/20 Experience. Timbaland didn’t provide details regarding a release date for his next effort with Timberlake.

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Lil Durk Confirms New Album Is Finally Complete

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It looks like Lil Durk may have been cappin’ over the past few months when he teased the release of his next album. The rapper continued to keep fans on their toes for his follow-up to 7220 as he rolled out his new sneaker line. In the past few weeks, he’s ramped up anticipation. He hinted at collaborations with J. Cole, while suggesting that Drake could possibly feature on his next album. All in all, Durk’s apparently pulling out all of the stops for his next studio album.

Despite all of the hints and suggestions on the ‘Gram, the Chicago artist hasn’t necessarily delivered on his promises. He provided fans with a few updates over the past few months, including potential release dates, though nothing came of it. Most recently, he hinted that Kodak Black will be on his next album following the success of records like “Benihana” and “Take You Back.” He didn’t appear to have the tracklist finalized but it’s an indication that he’s well on the way to delivering new music soon.

Lil Durk Completes Album

It sounds like Durk might actually be popping out with new music in the near future. Although he might’ve had some struggles behind the scenes, he took to Instagram and provided a promising update for his fans. “This bi$ch done without half the help I been asking for,” he wrote. “Let’s goooooo sorry I ain’t been connecting to fans I’m almost healed.” From the sounds of it, Durk is aiming to have the summer on lock with his next album. 

He shared a handful of snippets over the past few months that garnered significant attention. One of them, specifically, includes what sounds like a shot at Gunna. After the ATL rapper copped a deal in the YSL case, Durk released a snippet where he seemingly denounced Gunna. “What happened to Virgil? He probably gon’ tell,” Durk raps in the teaser. “I can tell you what I did for the streets / you got the paperwork, did it and reached / I got on Clubhouse and got in the beef.” While we won’t get a part 2 of “What Happened To Virgil,” Durk appears to have plenty of other star-power to rely on for his next outing. 

Saba & No I.D. Deliver New Collab “Back In Office”

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Chicago’s Saba is entering a new phase in his career and he’s enlisted No I.D. for some assistance. The Pivot Gang rapper emerged on Wednesday, April 12th with his new single, “Back In Office,” a collaborative effort with the iconic producer. No I.D. pairs his signature drums with electrifying guitar loops that serve as the perfect canvas for the “Come By Way” rapper’s vibrant flows and sharp wordplay. 

Saba’s latest single is a refreshing entry in his catalog that finds him puffing his chest and asserting himself as one of the coldest rappers in the game. He weaves through No I.D.’s production with a fiery flow that sets the tone for what’s to come later this year. Though he’s certainly showcased how good of an MC he is in the past, “Back In Office” is one of those songs that will put you on notice if you’ve been sleeping on him. However, it’s also a testament to No I.D’s timeless sound and his ability to find his place with a younger generation of artists from his hometown.

The song is actually part of a “private collection,” signaling that a project could be on the way soon. Though there isn’t a timeline of when that might be, he previously told Apple Music that their project will likely consist of 10 songs. However, No I.D. sent him over 100 beats to choose from. “He was like, ‘You hear that little beat in the background, that’s just number 80 this week, don’t mind me,’” Saba revealed. “So when I got up with him, he told me he did 120 in a two-week span. He was like, ‘I got 120, how many of them you want me to send you?’ I was just like, ‘Bro, I’m about to go on tour, send me all 120.’ I didn’t expect him to actually do it, but he did it.”

It looks like Saba is aiming to deliver another AOTY contender for the second year in a row. Last year, the rapper emerged with Few Good Things, his most successful project to date. The album consisted of 14 songs in total with appearances from Black Thought, Foushée, Krayzie Bone, Smino, 6lack and more. Check out “Back In Office” above.

Billy Woods Reunites With Kenny Segal For New Single, “FaceTime”

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New York rapper billy woods has reunited with Los Angeles producer Kenny Segal for a new song titled “FaceTime.” It’s the first single from their upcoming collaborative album, Maps. The project is scheduled for release on May 5.

“I started writing this song at a festival in Tucson in 2023,” woods revealed in a press release. He added: “I was staying in this old classic Southwestern hotel in the center of town, and the festival was actually taking place inside and directly outside the hotel. I had been on the road for a long while at that point, and the song had been brewing inside me, but I got it written during the two days I was there. Then I finished it and recorded it at Kenny’s when I got to LA. Both of us know Sam and once I finished it I just knew his voice would be perfect. I also knew that with as much as he has been on the road over the years, Sam would be able to bring some personal experience to the collaboration”

The First Single From “Maps”

The Sam that woods is referring to is Samuel T. Herring of Future Islands. Of working on the song, Herring said in the press release: “It was late summer 2022 and most days I was stuck in my hotel room wondering what was happening with my life. All of that being on the road and living remotely, feeling alienated, alone, missing people back home, but also feeling at home living that way—I understood it deeply…. That song is my life and I was living in it.” Herring previously featured on billy woods’ 2017 track “Illegal Tints” under the moniker, Hemlock Ernst. He also worked with Segal on the album, Back at the House, in 2019.

Maps will be billy woods and Kenny Segal’s second collaborative album, following 2019’s critically acclaimed, Hiding Places. Across the tracklist for Maps, the two team up with Danny Brown, Quelle Chris, Aesop Rock, Elucid, and more.

In the press release, woods also reflects on his experiences working with Segal throughout his career: “Kenny and I made more songs together before Hiding Places than we did after. I think we only collaborated once over the last four years and although we didn’t talk about it, I think we wanted to let that energy build again. Neither of us wanted to make Hiding Places 2. We needed to go on other journeys, artistic and otherwise, to come back and do something fresh.” Check out “Facetime” below.

Quotable Lyrics:

Continental breakfast, stick and weave, tuck and roll
I can’t take you with me, but I be on your phone

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Fly Anakin Drops New Album “Skinemaxxx (Side A)”

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Fly Anakin has dropped his latest full-length effort, Skinemaxxx (Side A). The release comes a little over two months after he released the old-school lead single, “Blicky Bop.” The single release was accompanied by a trippy music video. In the video, Anakin raps on a 60s-inspired set with insane editing that makes the entire video look like a shroom trip. The rapper teased the album when he dropped the single. Now that it’s here, it certainly doesn’t disappoint.

The entire album is produced by Foisey, and features dreamy production reminiscent of the golden era of hip-hop. Jazzy basslines, brass, and keyboards all shine through in the instrumentals. Anakin flows effortlessly over the beats, with a flow that’s both aggressive and somehow calming. Skinemaxxx (Side A) is an exciting new album from one of the best rappers in the underground.

Anakin Carves Out His Own Niche

There are several standouts on the album, but the entire thing really deserves a listen. It showcases Anakin at his absolute best, and it’s the kind of album that makes you excited about underground rap again. He really feels like he’s in a class of his own, with a tone and flow that doesn’t really sound like anyone else out right now. He mixes the old school with the new school to create a truly unique experience.

One of the most memorable tracks from the album is Suppression. A flurry of jazzy drums, saxophones, and keyboards lay the scene. In the song, Anakin speaks about not being able to express himself and his mother’s struggle with drugs. “Told me I was way too loud / I start suppressing shit,” he raps on the song’s refrain, “Mama chose the rock over power / we got a deficit.” Have you checked out Anakin’s new album? Let us know what you think in the comment section.

Quotable Lyrics:

Bitch wanna talk finance, you should get to know me
Sticks in the car, we line dance with the blickies homie
Thinking ’bout my uncle, he the fool, he left niggas lonely
Not to glorify but this the school, we rooted for Tony

Quavo Details His Mindset Going Into Next Solo Album: “No Interviews”

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Quavo’s ramping up for the release of his next solo album. The former de facto frontman of the Migos has been slowly rolling out his next studio project. Though there isn’t a release date yet, he’s dropped off a string of promising records dedicated to Takeoff, who passed away shortly after they released their joint project. However, Quavo seems to be preparing to take on the world with his next opus as he slowly returns to the fold.

Following Takeoff’s death, Quavo didn’t really pop out for months. He spoke at the funeral but only in early January did he break his silence with the release of “WITHOUT YOU.” The single served as a heartbreaking tribute to his nephew and he later performed the song at the Grammys during the In Memoriam segment. Still, he hasn’t necessarily dealt with the media directly or really popped out for celebrity-laden affairs.

Quavo: “No Interviews”

It seems as though Quavo is laser-focused on the release of his follow-up to Quavo Huncho. The Atlanta rapper took to Twitter where he shed light on his mentality going into his next project. With Takeoff on his mind, he suggested that he’s pouring out every single thought and emotion into his next project. “#RocketPower [rocket emoji] All My Emotions In This Album No Interviews,” he wrote, along with the infinity symbol and a lock emoji. Unfortunately, he didn’t share a release date for when we could expect the project.

Things have been particularly active for Quavo in the past few weeks. He unleashed the single, “Greatness,” followed by “Honeybun,” which contains an interpolation of Drake and 21 Savage’s viral “Rich Flex” hook. Over the weekend, he made an appearance in the film Praise This starring Chlöe Bailey while also announcing that he’ll be hosting his annual celebrity football game (Huncho Day) in Atlanta with Gucci Mane, Ochocinco, Ronnie 2K, Taylor Rooks, and many more. Hopefully, he’ll share a title or a new single before Huncho Day on April 29th. Check out his tweet above and sound off with your thoughts on Quavo’s latest singles in the comments. 

Lil Durk Teases Feature On Doja Cat’s New Album

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Lil Durk teased that he’s got a collaboration with Doja Cat in store for her highly-anticipated upcoming album. Durk shared a screenshot of an audio file with the caption, “@dojacat rap album,” on his Instagram Story, Monday afternoon. The video clip contains no audio of the unreleased song.

The new information comes as Doja has been teasing details about her fourth studio album in posts on Twitter throughout the weekend. She previously confirmed that three songs on the project will be titled “Wet Vagina,” “Balut,” and “Agora Hills.” Doja also stated that the album will see her focusing on rap. She explained, “pop isnt exciting to me anymore. I dont wanna make it.” A fan had shared their concern with Doja’s choice writing, “I hope these comments are not the only thing that pushed you to go full rap…if doing pop and rap is what you like you shouldn’t stop simply because of them.”

Doja Cat At The Grammys

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 05: Doja Cat attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

When fans criticized her rapping talents, Doja responded: “i also agree with everyone who said the majority of my rap verses are mid and corny. I know they are. I wasnt trying to prove anything I just enjoy making music but I’m getting tired of hearing yall say that i can’t so I will.” She also went back and forth over the decision to retire from music. “jk i quit im done with this music shit its only making me sadder every day. i cant take it anymore,” she wrote before clarifying, “jp ima finish this album yall dont worry.”

It was far from the first time Doja has flirted with the end of her music career. During an interview with Elle in 2022, she remarked: “I want to finish this tour up, kill it, and see my fans happy. And then I want to start writing again. I’m going to finish this next album, and then I’m going to get the f*** out for a second.”

Lil Durk’s Instagram Story

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Noname Reveals New Album Details

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Noname has shifted her focus to activism in recent years, putting her admired rap career on the back burner. She has fought for causes such as Black Lives Matter and women’s rights at every turn, even if it meant public feuds with hip-hop greats. In 2021, the focus moved further from her rhymes when she and Talib Kweli exchanged words after publicly defending women he’d been accused of harassing. That same year, she and J. Cole had a beef over her calling out rappers for not speaking out about police brutality. Now, it appears that Noname has been back in the studio and is ready to release her latest work to the world.

On Sunday, Noname shared a post to her Instagram account, confirming that an album was en route. “My new album is called ‘Sundial.’ It will be released in July 2023,” she announced before thanking her fans “for everything.” Her followers swarmed her comment section, celebrating the news that is years in the making. One wrote, “Go ahead and release a single so we know it’s real.” His calling for confirmation was written with good reason. Noname has previously left her listeners starved, abruptly stalling projects in the past.

Noname Hasn’t Released An Album In Five Years

After the J. Cole and Talib Kweli debacle, Noname chose to cancel her highly anticipated album, “Factory Baby.” The LP was slated to be a follow-up to her 2018 debut, “Room 25.” She canceled “Factory Baby” in December 2021, pointing to several reasons. Noname explained that she couldn’t find quality producers that aligned with her sound. Furthermore, she confessed that she was trying to rekindle “the spark” that helped launch her career to no avail. At the time, she sparked retirement rumors, telling fans she may step away from music for good. “I don’t want to keep lying and saying there’s an album on the way when there’s not,” she stated.

Luckily, it appears that Noname has rediscovered some inspiration. She’s likely connected with the right producers, though details on who she collaborated with are unknown. However, fans are skeptical, and careful not to be let down yet again. With July just three months away, it won’t be long before fans find out if Noname is serious or if she’ll pull another disappearing act.

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Doja Cat Teases Track Titles For Next Album

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Doja Cat shared the names of several songs she’s working on in a post on Twitter, Saturday night. In a screenshot of the audio files, three songs are titled “Wet Vagina,” “Balut,” and “Agora Hills.” The post comes ahead of Doja’s long-awaited fourth studio album.

In a subsequent post, Doja also admitted her haters are correct about her rapping ability. “i also agree with everyone who said the majority of my rap verses are mid and corny. I know they are,” she wrote. “I wasnt trying to prove anything I just enjoy making music but I’m getting tired of hearing yall say that i can’t so I will.”

Doja Cat At The 2023 iHeartRadio Awards

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Doja Cat accepts an iHeartRadio Titanium Award for “Woman” onstage during the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

In more tweets responding to fans, Doja gave away several other tidbits about the project. She added that it has “very many” cuss words, will be 10 tracks with 5 bonus songs, and that the album isn’t pop music. Of the last point, she explained “pop isnt exciting to me anymore. I dont wanna make it.” A fan had shared their concern with Doja’s choice writing, “I hope these comments are not the only thing that pushed you to go full rap…if doing pop and rap is what you like you shouldn’t stop simply because of them.”

The upcoming project will be Doja’s first album since 2021’s Planet Her. She’s been teasing the effort for many months at this point. During an interview with Elle in May 2022, she confirmed that the project will be mostly rap. “I’ve rapped since the beginning, and I really couldn’t even sing that well to begin with — I got a lot better,” she told the magazine. “I use my voice as a tool to create these worlds, and it’s fine if people think that I can’t rap.” Last month, she hinted that the album will be titled, Hellmouth. Check out the latest posts from Doja below.

The Album Details

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Daniel Caesar Taps Omar Apollo, Ty Dolla $ign, And Others For “NEVER ENOUGH” Album

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While his debut album, Freudian, found sweeping success upon its arrival, Daniel Caesar’s second studio release, CASE STUDY 01, didn’t receive nearly as much support. As you may recall, this is chiefly due to the Canadian’s polarizing comments about race relations back in 2019, at which time he suggested that white people didn’t deserve the hate sometimes put onto them by the Black community. His career took a seriously strong hit as a result, though he’s coming back stronger than ever this New Music Friday (April 7) with his long-awaited NEVER ENOUGH project.

The 15-track release was led by singles such as “Do You Like Me?” “Let Me Go,” and more recently, “Valentina,” all of which find Caesar operating solo. However, the rest of the album boasts some impressive collaborators, such as Mustafa on “Toronto 2014,” serpentwithfeet on “Disillusioned,” and Ty Dolla $ign on “Homiesexual.” Additionally, the R&B crooner tapped Omar Apollo for “Buyer’s Remorse” following their previous work together on “Invincible.”

Daniel Caesar and Omar Apollo Reunite on “Buyer’s Remorse”

Reflecting on the making of NEVER ENOUGH with GRAMMY.com, Caeser shared, “I go into an album thinking I know what I’m gonna sing about or write about, and then ¾ of the way through the album, it always changes. Every time I pick a title starting an album, I know it’s gonna change, but I pick it so that I have a bearing. I can’t stick to a program, so I know it’s gonna tell me what it is. With songs, too, I learn about myself by writing.”

Stream Daniel Caesar and Omar Apollo’s “Buyer’s Remorse” collab on YouTube above, and check out the full NEVER ENOUGH album on Spotify/Apple Music. Afterward, tell us what your thoughts are on the Canadian’s highly anticipated return in the comments. For more release recommendations, tap in later this weekend for our R&B Season update.

NEVER ENOUGH Tracklist:

  1. Ocho Rios
  2. Valentina
  3. Toronto 2014 (with Mustafa)
  4. Let Me Go
  5. Do You Like Me?
  6. Always
  7. Cool
  8. Disillusioned (with serpentwithfeet)
  9. Buyer’s Remorse (feat. Omar Apollo)
  10. Shot My Baby
  11. Pain Is Inevitable
  12. Homiesexual (with Ty Dolla $ign)
  13. Vince Van Gogh
  14. Superpowers
  15. Unstoppable

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