Billboard owned the previous week in R&B and hip-hop with a weekend stuffed with occasions celebrating the movers, shakers and tastemakers of each genres. Things kicked off with Thursday night time’s (Sept. 5) 2024 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players occasion, the place Megan Thee Stallion and Playboi Carti had been each honored as artist of the yr. Rachelle Jean-Louis, supervisor to three-time Grammy winner Victoria Monét, took dwelling government of the yr, and Teezo Touchdown scored rookie of the yr honors.

Speaking of Teezo, the Billboard-charting artist headlined Billboard Hip-Hop Live, a star-studded Friday night time (Sept. 6) live performance held at Xanadu Roller Arts in Bushwick that includes further performances by BigXThaPlug and Bossman Dlow. Later that night time, Ice Spice stopped by Billboard‘s official afterparty for a efficiency of her Billboard Hot 100 prime 40 hit “Think U the Shit (Fart)” (No. 37).

On Sunday night time, R&B obtained a while to shine by the use of an intimate No. 1’s get together at The Box, the place Usher (r&b entertainer of the yr), Tyla (world power award), Lucky Daye (torchbearer award), Luther Vandross (icon award) and Monét (hitmaker award) had been all honored. The R&B celebrations proceed Monday night time (Sept. 9) with a particular one-night-only efficiency by Marsha Ambrosius on the Blue Note Jazz Club.

Of course, the one piece of a R&B/hip-hop information to chop by way of Billboard’s jam-packed weekend was the announcement that Kendrick Lamar can be headlining the Super Bowl LIX halftime present. Cue “Not Like Us”!

With Fresh Picks, Billboard goals to spotlight a few of the finest and most attention-grabbing new sounds throughout R&B and hip-hop — from Powers Pleasant’s epic NY link-up to Laila’s guitar-backed album opener. Be certain to take a look at this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist beneath.

Freshest Find: Powers Pleasant feat. A$AP Ferg & Armani Caesar, “Shmoke”

For his newest single of 2024, Powers Pleasant brings collectively the respective lineages of A$AP Mob and Griselda to ship a fantastically belligerent New York banger that blends shifting gospel samples, a modern Daft Punk flip and hip-rocking Jersey membership breakdown. Even the “You don’t want smoke/ Bet that I do!” call-and-response in hook embodies the menacing playfulness that programs by way of practically each decade of New York rap’s evolution. Powers’ soundscape is a busy one, however his dedication to modernizing the booming, grandiose aura of ’90s hip-hop retains the imaginative and prescient clear. Of course, spirited performances from each Ferg and Armani don’t harm both.

Toosii & Gunna,”Champs Élysées”

It’s been over a yr since “Favorite Song” grew to become Toosii’s first Hot 100 prime 5 hit, which implies it’s time for a victory lap. “Look how I’m reachin’ my goals/ Whip it, uh, whip it, uh/ This here came right off the stove, uh/ Champs, Élysées, uh, she wanna shop for some clothes, uh,” he spits. Produced by Dson Beats, Vision EXE & Anthoine Walters, the music’s shimmering trap-inflected soundscape offers each Toosii and Gunna ample house to wax poetic about pursuing their greatest targets and dream girls. “Champs Élysées” is the most recent style of Toosii’s forthcoming Jaded mission, which marks his first full-length launch since 2023’s Naujour.

Chow Lee & AJ Tracey, “I’m Not Really That Spiritual!”

Chow Lee, one of many torchbearers of the attractive drill sound that has taken over the Empire State this yr, simply dropped off his Sex Drive mission, and his across-the-pond collaboration with AJ Tracey is without doubt one of the standout moments. With “I’m Not Really That Spiritual,” the 2 rappers wholly embraces the innate hedonism that comes with the slizzy way of life. Chow raps, “I’m not really spiritual, I’m still gon’ tell my ex to suck my d–k in my interviews/ I’m not really lyrical, I’m just talkin’ my shit on the beat and it works.” Instead of working the protection to show his sound and elegance worthy of respect, Chow merely presents himself — and he doesn’t actually care if we take it or go away it. It’s the proper quantity of apathy to floor his laid-back supply, which AJ enhances properly on his equally debaucherous visitor verse.

Naomi Sharon & DJ Snake, “Goodbyes (Myrrh)”

Naomi Sharon’s ethereal “Myrrh” caught the ear of DJ Snake and he put his personal spin on the Obsidian standout. Snake pushed the tempo whereas buying and selling stripped-down guitar strings for pulsating synths. The dance-leaning observe has been airbrushed with a extra vibrant aesthetic, which can get hips gyrating on the nightclub. Just don’t fall head over heels as a result of “good times turn into goodbyes” ultimately. Sharon simply wrapped up opening up for Tems on her North American trek and the OVO singer ought to have extra surprises in retailer for followers earlier than the yr expires.  

Laila!, “Talent Show”

Whether you found Laila! by way of a viral TikTok or stumbled upon her Gap Year debut album, she’s comfortable you’re right here for the journey. The 19-year-old introduces followers to her first LP actually with a uncooked efficiency from a expertise present whereas she was in highschool together with her good friend strumming on guitar. Laila! Shows off her vibrato vocals and singing vary whereas ruminating a couple of faltered relationship that’s left her feeling “abused” and “misused.” And that’s simply the tip of the iceberg relating to Laila!’s 17-track album. Mos Def’s daughter’s debut is effectively definitely worth the value of admission for listeners. 

SleazyWorldGo feat. Rob 49, “I Like That”

SleazyWorldGo’s More Than a Shooter album arrived on Friday (Sept. 6) with assist steering the wheel from Gunna’s right-hand man Turbo, who serves as government producer on the LP. The menacing “I Like That” connects Kansas City to New Orleans with Sleazy and Rob 49 narrating their unforgiving environments whereas arising on the turbulent highway to success. “If I squeeze, chopper float like a butterfly, the shots sting like a bee/ Way the choppa knock n—as out, I named this b—h Ali,” Sleazy raps whereas warning his opps. Mixing in some icy keys over thumping drums, this ominous minimize passes the automobile take a look at.