Everyone will owe J. Cole an apology when this drops. He’s never been moved by award shows or industry praise, only the work. That independence is exactly why he operates on his own terms, and why momentum never really leaves him.

4 years after "Heart On My Sleeve," she's back with another album, and it's giving very much healed and in love. It's very grown and sexy, reflecting on what it's like to be loved healthily.

1 Umbrella is a newly formed five-member rap supergroup bringing together some of the Bay Area’s most recognizable street voices from San Francisco and Oakland. Their project "ALL BLACK" includes recent releases like “The Blueprint” featuring DaBoii (formerly of SOB x RBE), “CODE,” and “Baller Blockin.” The group has also built momentum through collaborations with Larry June, Rexx Life Raj, and 1100 Himself.

Rising R&B star Jaymin just dropped his first full project, "Sweet Nothings," following the viral run of his breakout single “Something Real.” If you’ve been cycling through the same five songs, you can finally give them a break and tap into a full body of work.

Empire's princess Kayla Briana shares her deepest feelings on "Lover Girl." The ups, the downs, and the inbetweens of a woman trying to navigate dating in this day and age. If you haven't heard about her, you're welcome.

Third project in under a year, and he’s still not slowing down. "Not One of Them" is 12 tracks of hits, with beats from OZ, Murda Beatz, GoGrizz, and a few others. Moving past the "For Her" era, he’s reflecting on the streets and the hustle that made him.

Last year, London rapper TKandz caught real attention with “NOW OR NEVER,” a record that moved fast online and put him on radars outside the UK. This week, he’s standing ten toes down on his message and linking with Lil Baby for a second version of the track.

When the South and the West link, you get records like “WOULDN’T HOLD YOU.” Mozzy and EST Gee make for a duo nobody asked for, but everybody needed.

Baton Rouge rapper Fredo Bang is coming through just in time for Valentine’s with “Baby Please.” He steps out of his usual street lane and gets vulnerable, owning his mistakes while asking for another chance, switching between real talk and straight-up yearning.

The single is a full-circle moment for two Atlanta artists who have craved their own lane over the last decade, combining Southern rap, R&B, and internet-era vibes. "Come Back Home" shows a toxic relationship ending, with a woman picking herself back up and heading home to be with K Camp.