Between Drake flaunting his abs on Instagram and Beyoncé tippin’ on 44s while mid-air during her first hometown Cowboy Carter Tour stop in Houston, Texas, June certainly went out with a bang in the worlds of hip-hop and R&B.
Drizzy’s and Queen Bey’s late-stage entries were the perfect closer to a month that also included the announcement of Brandy and Monica’s forthcoming first-ever co-headlining tour (alongside Kelly Rowland, Muni Long, and American Idol champ Jamal Roberts), a fiery Glastonbury debut from Doechii and a puzzling new EP from Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) and King Combs, Diddy’s eldest child.
This week, the news cycle’s biggest story will undoubtedly be the jury deliberations — which began on Monday (June 30) — in Diddy’s ongoing sex trafficking trial. Last week (June 24), the disgraced mogul opted not to take the stand in his own defense, telling the judge, “That is solely my decision… I wanted to tell you, thank you, you’re doing an excellent job.” No one can claim to know how long it will take the jury to land on a unanimous verdict, but Monday’s proceedings confirm that this month-long legal and cultural saga is nearing its end. Diddy, who maintains his innocence, could face a potential life sentence if convicted on all counts.
The end of the Diddy trial could also coincide with another major hip-hop moment. On July 11, Clipse will release their highly anticipated Let God Sort Em Out album. Serving as their first new set in 16 years, Let God Sort Em Out has routinely dominated social media with each new single — and Kendrick Lamar’s much-buzzed-about guest verse.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Tink and Bryson Tiller’s new duet to Dess Dior’s new summer anthem. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
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Sasha Keable, “Feel Something”
Just a few weeks after dropping the rousing “Act Right,” British-Colombian rising star Sasha Keable is back with some more soulful, roof-raising vocals. Built around a gripping backing choir composed entirely of her own vocal stacks, Keable yearns to “feel something” other than the discombobulation and conflict of her current romance. “Feels like I’m drivin’ 95 with no lights on/ No seatbelt on a terminated licence/ Last week, I was tangled up with a python/ Double back on my ex, I was tryna heal something,” she sings in the second verse, listing off pockets of chaos that are akin to her current emotional state and she searches for something — and someone — that better serves her. — KYLE DENIS
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Evidence, “Different Phases”
The second single from his upcoming project, Unlearning Vol. 2, the L.A. veteran raps over production by Beat Butcha & Coop the Truth about personal relationships while dealing with an independent artist’s grueling schedule. “Best friends don’t become strangers/ Nowadays they watch you at a distance and they trippin’ from a different angle,” and “Graffiti writer never dreamed to be famous/ The goal was that they never knew the face, not being nameless,” are a couple of lines that stood out for me. This might be something you play on a late night while you’re rolling up and just thinking, something that Ev’s basically doing in the video during hazy late-night hours. — ANGEL DIAZ
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Tink & Bryson Tiller, “Can We Talk?”
Tink and Bryson Tiller’s new duet is a vulnerable conversation about love, communication and emotional support. Tink expresses her desire for a partner who can truly understand, protect, and motivate her, while also being patient during her tough moments. She questions whether her love interest is genuine or just there for the perks. Bryson responds with sincerity, making it clear that open communication is all he needs to feel connected. The track captures the tension of wanting to fix a relationship but struggling with pride and distance. Together, they create a back-and-forth that feels honest, emotional, and relatable for anyone navigating love’s complexities. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
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Pi’erre Bourne, “Rapunzel”
At times, it can feel like Pi’erre Bourne is being overlooked as one of the modern trap architects and fluent rap dual threats in the game today. The South Carolina native headed across the pond to the French capital for his Made in Paris album, with the pipe organ-tinged “Rapunzel” serving as a standout from the project. Filled with raunchy bars, Pie’rre brings his sexual escapades to life, but makes sure to keep ‘em humble: “She want Ocean Prime, yeah/ Lobster and crab legs/ B—h, you lost your mind/ Red Lobster, got bisque instead.” — M.S.
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JWalt, “Graduation”
All eyes have been on the West Coast since last year’s Kendrick-Drake knockout, but that side of the country has talented artists who weren’t involved in that beef — or Joey Bada$$’s crusade against the West. JWalt, an Oakland-bred MC who recently graduated from New York University, dropped his sophomore album last week, and its aptly titled closer (“Graduation”) is an instant standout. “I’m at the label, they like, ‘Tell me how it feel?’/ I said, ‘Amazing, but I got a paper still’/ And I can’t be late for real,” he spits over classic boom-bap production, dipping into his storytelling bag as he recounts signing his first deal during his second year of undergrad. A winning finale to the 13-track, Sway Calloway-produced set, “Graduation” is a worthy conclusion to Every Version of Me that doubles as an interesting preview of JWalt’s next moves. — K.D.
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Lil Double 0 feat. LUCKI, “Ace V2″
Someone from a label needs to explain to me what an official visualizer is because most of the time it’s just a music video, however, Lil Double 0 has been rolling out his latest project with his songs soundtracking clips of the 2005 James Bond video game, From Russia With Love, and it’s brilliant. The Memphis rapper is joined by Chicago’s LUCKI for the remix of his song “Ace,” where they spit lines like, “Slidin’ with three choppеrs and these b—ches from Russia” and “In Too Deep, my main slime probably J. Reed.” Come for the gameplay visuals, stay for the LL Cool J film reference. — A.D.
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Dess Dior, “Single Summer”
It’s a “Single Summer” for Dess Dior, and she’s providing the anthem for the girls outside looking to pop bottles. Dior assembles her girl gang for a tropical poolside party, while making sure her exes know the deal as they’re kept at bay. She had to look inward and do some healing following a recent relationship, but she’s back shining now, just in time for the summer season. “Guess them prayers in the meantime worked/ Bae, I had to put me first/ I was in my feelings stuck up in that house/ Just know that I’m single when you see me out,” she raps, while leading into a delectable chorus. — M.S.
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IDK & Cordae, “Prince George”
IDK and Cordae’s new link-up is a sharp, reflective track where both rappers explore themes of success, loneliness, and trust. IDK sets the tone with gritty bars about street life, paranoia, and the cost of wealth, all while navigating the risks that come with fame. He questions loyalty and highlights how quickly people can turn against you when you’re winning. Cordae follows with a confident yet introspective verse about his financial growth, complicated relationships, and the emotional isolation that can accompany success. Despite the flashy lifestyles they describe, both artists reveal that being on top can still feel incredibly lonely. The track is raw, personal, and a reminder that recognition doesn’t always equate to connection. — C.C.