Megan Thee Stallion, Gucci Mane And Sexyy Red, Che Noir, And Other Hip-Hop Releases To Unwind To

Today is Friday, which means there are a ton of new releases to look forward to from some of your favorite Hip-Hop artists. To help you unwind and enjoy the weekend, check out VIBE’s picks of songs and albums you should hear and add to your soundtrack of weekend festivities.

Megan Thee Stallion – Megan: Act II

Megan Thee Stallion dropped off 12 new tracks for the second disc of her self-titled June album and a lot of them hit way harder than the initial offering. Admittedly, this is in large part due to the production and her leaning on samples such as “Like A G6” (“Like A Freak”), “I Think I Love Her” (“He Think I Love Him”), and “Goodies” (“Roc Steady” featuring Flo Milli).

However, she also brings the energy rap-wise and explores some slightly new flows. The feature acts also lift this effort up, especially Twice’s big flexes on the “Mamushi” remix. Meg is always good for one song you never want to hear again and that one is “TYG” featuring Spiritbox. If one can overlook that, there is some good stuff here. – Armon Sadler

Gucci Mane and Sexyy Red – “You Don’t Love Me”

On the same day Megan Thee Stallion unleashed her own flip of “I Think I Love Her,” Sexyy Red linked up with Gucci Mane himself for a version that bridges generations: “You Don’t Love Me.” It is the quintessential production for her abrasive, vulgar bars and big flexes and a nice homage to Guwop.

Even better, he is on the song himself to remind people why he was one of the hottest mixtape acts of the 2000s. Sexyy does the track major justice and continues her run as one of the brightest new acts. A Gucci co-sign never hurt either. – AS

Che Noir – The Lotus Child

There’s something to be said about putting time and care into your craft, which is just what upstate New York lyricist Che Noir did during the creation of her new album, The Lotus Child. Consisting of eight tracks, Che says the project represents purity, rebirth and strength. “I look at it as a metaphor for beauty coming out from the mud; I am a child of that,” she said in a statement coinciding with the album’s release.

“Even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters, the Lotus produces the most beautiful flower.” The Lotus Child conjures shining efforts from Noir, including the standouts “Shadow Puppets,” “Black Girl,” “Guns & Roses,” and “Angels,” and includes contributions by Rapsody, 38 Spesh, Statik Selektah, Brady Watt, The Last Poets and Jack Davey, among others. – Preezy Brown

41, Kyle Richh featuring Cash Cobain – “Closure”

The worlds of aggressive drill and sexy drill clashed on 41, Kyle Richh, and Cash Cobain’s “Closure.” It was the ideal way to blend to subgenres that both have ceilings, as 41 and Richh dove deeper into their lovey bags and Cash got the opportunity to show he is a better rapper than people may give him credit for.

This song has nothing wrong; each act brought their A game and the hook is strong. It is also nice to see unity within NYC in a time where people opt to think they are in competition with one another. “Closure” is it. – AS

Wiz Khalifa featuring Don Toliver – “Hide It”

Wiz Khalifa’s vintage sound somehow still sounds so fresh and Don Toliver adds a lot to it on “Hide It.” This is the quintessential “hotbox your car” type of record. There’s a bop to it, but it is smooth. It’s the type of track that should be on someone’s “Set A Vibe” playlist, but they may not listen to Wiz much these days and end up missing it.

It is especially nice hearing Toliver on this type of upbeat production with a backpack-type essence to it. Wiz and Don both excel at making music for women that the men can also rock to, and “Hide It” hits the bullseye. – AS

Polo G – “S.I.P.”

Polo G’s “S.I.P” is fine but nothing to write home about. He has pushed those signature piano keys to the brink of extinction, his flows haven’t changed, and his narrative is far too similar on every record. He is a very capable artist, but it feels like he rarely steps outside of what is comfortable and what his core likes him for.

And that is fine, but for a guy who was touted as “next up,” he needs to do a little more. Will that happen? Doubtful. And if he is happy making essentially the same tracks over and over then wasting time asking for more is futile. – AS

Lady London – “Brand New”

Lady London‘s latest single, “Brand New,” is an electrifying anthem that perfectly captures the essence of celebration and success. Hailing from New Jersey, the rising star brings her A-game, flaunting her expensive taste and unapologetic confidence over a pulsating beat that’s tailor-made for clubs and parties.

In “Brand New,” London expertly weaves sharp lyrics with a catchy hook, creating an irresistible vibe that’s sure to keep the dance floor packed. Her delivery is both fierce and fun, as she effortlessly dismisses broke boys and embraces the lavish lifestyle she’s earned. The production is polished, with a bass-heavy rhythm that invites listeners to vibe along and feel empowered. – PB

Saba and No ID – “How To Impress God”

As Saba and No ID continue the rollout for their forthcoming album, From the Private Collection of Saba and No ID, the Chicagoans toss fans a teaser in the form of their latest joint-effort, “How to Impress God.” Following up previous offerings “Back In Office” and “hue_man nature,” and, most recently, “head.rap,” “How to Impress God” features a brooding backing track produced by No ID, which Saba uses as a canvas regarding his thoughts on materialism and spirituality.

According to Saba, From the Private Collection of Saba and No ID marks some of the “most honest music” of his career thus far, which he credits to his creative union with his Grammy Award-winning counterpart. “It felt like I had to give myself permission to step into some of these bags,” the rhymer said of the creative process. “We had a lot of conversations about rap and what my goals are as an artist, and I feel like I’ve been challenged to step up to how I see myself.” – PB

Dave East and Araabmuzik featuring Fabolous – “Buss Down”

Dave East and araabMuzik get on grown man timing with “Buss Down,” the pair’s first single from their upcoming collaborative project, Living Proof. Maneuvering over a frantic instrumental, East professes his previous desire for a diamond-encrusted Rolex, a pricey status symbol of wealth among the upper echelon within society. “All I ever wanted was a Rollie, so I went and got it buss’d down,” he drawls on the hook, which precedes fiery verses from the Harlem rhymer and costar Fabolous.

The latter delivers a particularly blistering stanza, as the Brooklyn rep compares his watch faces to Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s complexions. With a tracklist loaded with features from Swizz Beatz, Benny The Butcher, Milllyz, Ransom, Giggs, OT The Real, Quany GZ, Stacy Barthe, and Cruch Calhoun, Living Proof has the potential to be a smoldering collection from East and araab, as both have stamped themselves as capable of presenting praiseworthy material throughout their respective careers. – PB

See More New Hip-Hop Releases Below

Sheek Louch – Gorillaween V.6

Xzibit featuring Jenn Em’ – “Been A Long Time Pt. 2”

Xzibit is back like he never left on “Been A Long Time Pt. 2,” the latest single dropped in the West Coast veteran’s ongoing comeback, which is more than a decade in the making. Picking up where he left off on the Nate Dogg-assisted original from his 2000 album, Restless, Xzibit gets busy over production by Dem Joints, who crafts a snappy thumper of a beat for he and guest vocalist Jenn Em’ to create magic over. Coming on the back of his previously released single, “Play This At My Funeral,” “Been A Long Time Pt. 2 marks the second loose cut from X’s forthcoming album KINGMAKER, his first studio album in over a decade, and is due for release in 2025. – PB

Hunxho – Thank God

Damian Marley – “Banner”

Cochise – Why Always Me?

DC The Don – Rebirth

Valee and Bandland ZZ – Foe Lucy’s, Vol. 8: Oot2lay

Tha Eastsidaz – Still Easty

Lyric Jones – Better Now (Remixes)

Kembe X – It’s Not That Deep

Termanology and Tek – Teknology

Payroll Giovanni – Hustle Muzik

Fat Nick – Tainted Angels

Yatta Bandz – “Work of Art”

Zeddy Will – “Twerkin Wit Ya Friends”

Trigga500K – Forgive Me, I’m Still Trappin

Lord Sko – “Stubborn”

Stonebwoy – Up & Runnin6

Kev Choice featuring Ayo Brame – “Prove”