Young Thug, Future, Megan Thee Stallion, Ray Vaughn

Young Thug, Future – “Money On Money”

Young Thug is officially back with his first single since getting out of prison and he called on the ever-so-reliable Future to cement the momentous occasion.

The track is backed my menacing trap production, a steady flow from Thugger, and a few snitch bars, naturally making many question the state of his relationship with Gunna.

After a brief interlude featuring his classic “She belong to the streets” clip with Hendrix, the Atlanta kingpin pops in for a brief but smooth verse over a beat switch.

This is far from their best collaboration, but honestly it’s just good to hear new Thug music. With an album on the way, one can safely assume there is real heat on the way. – Armon Sadler

Megan Thee Stallion – “Whenever”

Megan Thee Stallion’s “Whenever” is her signature high-energy, nimble flow record. Though she does not deviate from her typical output, there is a sharpness and precision to her flow that has sometimes sounded a bit rougher and off-beat.

Content-wise, it’s also a lot of the same stuff: sensual, dismissive of other women, and confident in the number of men who want her. The chorus is better than some of the previous hooks on her last few albums, but that comes primarily due to its simplicity.

The song’s peak is coincidentally the end, where she raps nearly a cappella in a muffled tone. “Whenever” is overall a solid record. – AS

Ray Vaughn – ‘The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu’

Top Dawg Entertainment has churned out various talents that have parlayed their creative mastery into successful careers, and Ray Vaughn appears to be following that trajectory, as the newcomer impresses with his debut project The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu.

Comprised of 11 selections, the tape is rife with transparency, as Vaughn gives listeners a raw glimpse into his life and makings of a man, from coping with financial struggles to overcoming bout of depression and uncertainty.

Vaughn’s hunger is felt on the opening salvo “FLOCKER’S remorse,” a string and piano laden composition perfectly complimented by Germaine, and the defacto titular track “DOLLAR menu,” that latter finding him lamenting relying on sleep for nourishment.

Packed with strong lyrical contributions from the likes of Isaiah Rashad (“EAST CHATT”), Jay Rock (“KLOWN dance”), and LaRussell (“LOOK @ God”), as well as vocals by Ash Leone (“FLAT shasta”), Samara Cyn and Sydney Leona (“JANKY moral COMPASS”), there’s nothing ugly or negative to say about The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu.

It’s simply that superb of a longplayer, one that has the Cali native squarely on our radar, and hopefully yours, moving forward. – Preezy Brown

Flo Milli Featuring T-Pain – “Gripper” 

Flo Milli tapped into some mid-2000s nostalgia on “Gripper,” flipping her guest star T-Pain’s “I’m N Luv (Wit A Stripper)” to salute all of the women without mystical loins.

Flo has long been known as a great rapper, but her willingness to deviate to more sexy, slower, melodic music has worked well for her, much like her 2023 hit “Never Lose Me.”

This one, conjuring memories of the past with lingo of the present makes for an enjoyable listening experience and T-Pain’s vintage verse is just the icing on the cake. “Gripper” might give Flo another run of virality for a few months like “Never Lose Me.” – AS

Key Glock – “The Grinch”

Key Glock’s “The Grinch” is a fiery standout that blends Memphis soul with icy swagger, delivering one of the week’s strongest drops.

The track rides a haunting beat laced with Southern grit, while Glock’s effortless flow and sharp confidence remind us why he’s a force in modern rap.

The accompanying video adds visual punch, with stylized nods to villainy and independence that match the track’s rebellious tone. With a new album on the horizon, this single proves Glock is only getting sharper. – PB

Russ – ‘Pent Up In A Penthouse’

The weather isn’t the only thing heating up as of late, as Russ has been on a recent tear, which we now know is in anticipation of the young vet’s sixth studio album W!LD, which is set to arrive this summer.

After dropping the previous efforts “April 7” and “Movin,” the New Jersey export returns with “Pent Up in a Penthouse,” a cut balanced by thoughtful contemplations and cocksure boasts that finds Russ airing his thoughts.

“I can’t get sucked up in your emotional vortex/ On the frontlines of my fears, I’m a war vet/ Weathering the storms, I don’t even wear gortex/ I ain’t understand the game, ESPN Deportes,” he rhymes on the opening stanza, flexing his lyrical dexterity and wit amid vocal wails and plush keys.

A precursor to his forthcoming album and INTO THE W!LD TOUR, which is set for July and will include appearances by Big Sean and Sabrina Claudio, “Pent up in a Penthouse” is further indication that Russ season is officially upon us. – PB

Tee Grizzley – “Jalen Hurtski”

Tee Grizzley is feeling triumphant, so the “Jalen Hurtski” title was appropriate. The true gem of this song was the Detroit rapper opting for a more mid-tempo beat, as opposed to his usual bop-like production.

This allowed him to get off different flows and even lean into a more melodic tone thanks to autotune. Content-wise, it is his usual topics of his hustle, getting money and women. What this shows, enjoyably, is Grizzley evolving his sound a bit.

Seemingly, that has him appropriately feeling like a Super Bowl MVP, similar to Hurts. It’s simply just a matter of what he has coming next at this point. – AS

Trae Tha Truth Featuring Vory – “The Gathering”

Trae Tha Truth’s new single “The Gathering” featuring Vory is a powerful collision of grit and soul.

Trae anchors the track with his signature Southern realism—raw, reflective, and unfiltered—while Vory adds emotional weight through his melodic trap-soul delivery.

Together, they craft a brooding yet beautiful meditation on pain, perseverance, and purpose. As a preview of Trae’s upcoming Angel album, dropping in June, this track sets a high bar and signals something special is on the horizon. – PB

Knowledge The Pirate – “Eating Etiquette”

Knowledge the Pirate primes listeners for the arrival of his upcoming album The Round Table with “Eating Etiquette,” which finds the wordsmith dining in the midst of bosses.

Produced by Roc Marciano, the boardsman behind the entirety of The Round Table, “Eating Etiquette” showcases The Pirate’s off-kilter flow and gravelly voice, as he conjures visions of truck jewelry, Cali mansions, and lobster spreads.

More of a warning shot than a targeted strike with its lone verse and brisk runtime, “Eating Etiquette” is a welcome treat for rap heads that like their Hip-Hop raw, with no preservatives. – PB

Shorty Jah – “Diamonds Bright”

Shorty Jah capitalized on the momentum of rage rap with his new single “Diamonds Bright.” The muffled, high-pitched vocals are reminiscent of alternative rock and point to Playboi Carti influence.

Fortunately, Jah raps a bit more than the Atlanta star does. There are memorable bars here, in addition to quick tone switches and vocal crescendos. This is something the fans can mosh to, but also rap along to.

The best part of the track is it falls just under three minutes, prompting listeners to hit that replay button and catch a different element of the record each time. Keep your eyes locked on Shorty Jah in 2025. – AS

Young Miko – “WASSUP”

OMB Peezy, FBL Manny – “HOW U FEELIN”

Dram, Ellis Quinn, Khi Infinite – “Money Calling”

Weather Park Featuring Chey – “Yah Yah”

Malibu Miitch Featuring Jeremih – “Benjamin Crew”

BabyChiefDoIt – ‘ZOO LIFE’

HotBlock JMoe, Fresco Trey – ‘Dreams Never Die’

Chow Lee – “B2A”

Chuckyy – “My World”

Belly Gang Kushington – ‘The Streets Is Yours’

Tre Loaded – ‘Loaded (Deluxe)’

Lord Sko – “Lungz”

MRG – ‘It’s MRG, Not Mr. G’

Lil Double O – ‘IOU1’

WhyDee – “Pronto”

Niontay – ‘Fada

Randy Savvy – ‘Rank Hours’