All of the biggest music headlines in one place and playlist. Updated live throughout the week.

Action Bronson’s Wheel of Fortune Album Announcement

After announcing his new album Planet Frog via socials last week, Action Bronson took the album announcement to another level – with the help of Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White.

Kenny Mason Fires Up BULLDAWG With FearDorian-Produced Focus Track, “BOUNCE WIT ME”

Yet another Summer 2026 hip hop drop we’re highly anticipating. Kenny Mason‘s third studio album BULLDAWG is just under two weeks away now – unconventionally, the project will drop on a Tuesday – and the alternative-inspired rapper has just presented the project’s lead single. Dubbed “BOUNCE WIT ME,” the cut continues to establish the rapper’s inability to be boxed into just one sound, equipped with production from FearDorian. BULLDAWG drops on May 12th.

Edward Skeletrix’s New Album Features MOWALOLA and XXXTentacion

Rounding out at a lengthy 26 tracks bolstered by a wide range of featured artists is Edward Skeletrix’s third studio album, Body of Work. Preceded by a handful of solo singles, the just-under-an-hour-long project revels in an expansive collection of contributors. MOWALOLA contributes to “Art Is Sucking The Life Out Of Me Ok” and North West on “Let’s Have Some Fun.” Having produced a lot for XXXTentacion under his Cight producer alias, it’s no surprise a posthumous X track finds its way onto the final tracklist as well.

After Her Brent Faiyaz Collab, Ama Ponders “So…”

Following up on her recent collaboration with Brent Faiyaz, Ama has dropped another new single ahead of her summer run of shows as Ella Mai’s supporting act. The new single is called “So…” and hears Ama singing from the male’s POV, reflecting on the downfall of a relationship from his eyes. Ama’s sister, Mahalia, assists with the music video direction.

PlaqueBoyMax Expands His Scope on Crash Dummy

Marking PlaqueBoyMax‘s first project of 2026 is Crash Dummy. The six-track EP hears the streamer expand his sonic scope a bit, pivoting into different lanes of production than on projects past.

LUCKI Delivers a Dr*gs R Bad Prelude, Daysb4bad*

Earlier this week, LUCKI took to socials to pose the question of a potential EP dubbed Daysb4bad*. The next day, he dropped the cover art. Today, the EP is here, and features “BAD Influence Freestyle 2 (FOR THE LOVE),” “BAD Influence 2” – his remix of Future‘s “MADE MY H*E FAINT” – and a Lil Yachty assist on “Sex Mula / Pete.” Drugs R Bad is still set to drop on May 15.

Ariana Grande Announces Eighth Studio Album, petal

Ever since Ariana Grande started sharing photos of herself in the studio on Instagram, fans knew that she was up to something – and we could only hope it wasn’t just another R.E.M. Beauty drop. Earlier this week, the songstress confirmed that it’s far from a product drop, and her eighth studio album, petal, is en route for Summer 2026. Described in a press release as “something that is full of life and growing through the cracks of something cold and hard and challenging,” petal is due out on July 31.

Durand Bernarr’s New Album Features Big Sean, BJ The Chicago Kid, James Fauntleroy, Khalid, and Vic Mensa

For the first release since his Grammy win for Best Progressive R&B Album, Durand Bernarr has done it again. On BERNARR, he gathers a lineup of R&B greats for lyrical and production contributions. Big Sean, BJ The Chicago Kid, James Fauntleroy, Khalid, and Vic Mensa all assist throughout the tracklist, along with songwriting legend Sevyn Streeter. Production comes from a rolodex of hip hip and R&B stars and up-and-comers, ranging from Raphael Saadiq to Miguel to Leven Kali.

Sagan Lockhart Moved Into Shangri-La With The Alchemist and Freddie Gibbs for Alfredo 2. He Made a Film. And Told Us About It.

Sagan Lockhart just may as well have been the third collaborator on Alfredo 2. The photographer moved into Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La studio in Southern California with Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist for the recording sessions, aiming to capture as much footage of the process as possible. Lockhart sat down with us to share more about Shangri-La, which marks his debut film, and why he views it as more than just a behind-the-scenes look at the album creation, but rather rooted in the theme of “boundless creativity” at work. Read the full story here.

North West Drops Debut EP

North West’s formal introduction as a solo musician has materialized. N0rth4evr spans six high-octane tracks, hearing West experiment with different lanes of rage rap and begin to find her sound.

Isaiah Rashad Returns With an Instant Classic: IT’S BEEN AWFUL Is Here

The moment we’ve all been waiting for. Isaiah Rashad has lifted the veil on his fourth studio album – and first in five years – IT’S BEEN AWFUL. The 16-track offering was worth every minute of the wait. Features come from SZA, Dominic Fike, and Julian Sintonia, a TDE affiliate who also contributed ample production to the project as well. Read more here.

Our Don Toliver Cover Story: “Don Toliver Has Tunnel Vision”

This week, we unveiled Don Toliver as our third and final cover star for Hypebeast Magazine #37: The Architects Issue. Read the full story here.

Mariah The Scientist Hops on Chxrry’s “Bottles & Lights”

The ultimate hot girl summer anthem, brought to you by none other than Chxrry and Mariah the Scientist.

JPEGMAFIA Is Going on Tour With redveil and matt proxy

Peggy pulled out all the stops for the album announcement, also revealing that he’s hitting the road this summer on The Experimental Rap Tour. The 20-date North American run kicks off on September 22 in Spokane, Washington, and comes equipped with support from seasoned collaborator redveil and matt proxy.

duendita’s existential thottie Is Overly Relatable

10K’s duendita has delivered on just what might be her most relatable release yet. Billed as existential thottie, the songstress’ latest LP was written and produced between New York City and Berlin, and makes reference to moments such as: “breakups, crying in the club, emotional pain that never leaves, really hot and safe sex, birth control, fights in my hetero ass situationship, my time navigating the state mental health system… and ending with a promise that I will give healing my all.”

Lelo Announces Mastiff EP

On the heels of last week’s “Yoppenheimer” remix with Joey Bada$$, Lelo is in the lab once again. The Detroit rapper revealed that he’s got an EP coming out on May 5th, entitled Mastiff. A tracklist has yet to be revealed.

North West’s Merch Capsule Spans the Entire Color Spectrum

Ahead of N0rth4evr’s drop, North lifted the veil on the EP’s accompanying merch suite, which spans the full range of hues. Including apparel, accessories, and vinyl, the drop’s hoodies and tees feature the cover art and tracklist, the lettering landing in shades of blue, pink, purple, red, yellow, green, and white. Vinyls take a similar color palette, while the punk-inspired accessories – like a key necklace and studded wrist cuff – take to an all-black colorway.

The First Single From Experimental Rap Has Landed

Dubbed “babygirl,” Peggy was quick to drop off the lead single from his imminent new project. The high-octane cut is a classic JPEG offering, fusing rap, rock, and punk, and paired with a cinematic music video.

Little Simz Is Dropping an EP Next Week

Little Simz is staying booked and busy. Less than a year off her latest longform opus, Lotus, and fresh off a packed few months of fashion projects, the UK rapper has announced a new EP set to drop in just eight days. Due out May 8th is Simz’s SUGAR GIRL , her first formal project of 2026. Other details – like a tracklist, features, or cover art – are still under wraps.

JPEGMAFIA Announces Experimental Rap Album

We’re so back – Peggy is dropping experimental rap. Or should we say, Experimental Rap, as it’s actually the title of his next studio album. Described by a press release as “both a display of power and a gauntlet thrown to the industry,” Experimental Rap marks JPEGMAFIA‘s first studio album since 2024’s I Lay Down My Life For You. “The era-defining magnum opus is a masterclass in left-field innovation, blending rap, punk, rock, industrial and gospel music with his signature ‘no-rules” production and sharp lyricism,” continues the press release. Expect Experimental Rap to drop everywhere on May 21.

Isaiah Rashad Ramps Up Final Stages of IT’S BEEN AWFUL Rollout

We’re in the final hours of Isaiah Rashad’s IT’S BEEN AWFUL album rollout, with just a few hours left until the rapper’s third studio project drops on streaming. Zay has stayed busy this week, though, having shared both “EPISODE 3” of his DJ Sonny Roshi TV series, along with a new freestyle that he delivered due to the third episode’s initial delay in dropping.

Max B Is Headlining MIKE’s Young World Festival – Along With MIKE Himself

After its abrupt cancellation last year, MIKE’s completely free, all-ages Young World Festival is returning to Brooklyn’s Herbert Von King Park on July 11, and this week, the two headlining acts were revealed: Max B and MIKE. New York’s Old Guard and New Guard take the stage among a soon-to-be-revealed lineup of other acts, including the stage debut of MIKE’s Band of the Century group that he performed with for his Tiny Desk Concert.

Daniela Lalita Returns with Mura Masa Collab Cut and Self-Directed Video

For the first time in four years, Daniela Lalita has dropped new music. The Peruvian, NYC-based musician has presented her first sonic offering since the release of her Trececerotres LP in 2022, returning in full effect with “Tiroteo,” complemented by a Mura Masa contribution and a self-directed video. Lalita’s main source of inspiration? Caterpillars. “I took inspiration from the way caterpillars liquefy inside their cocoon, turning into a nutrient-rich soup through digestive enzymes that break down their own tissue to rebuild into an entirely different insect,” she said in a press release. Iconic.

Vince Staples’ Official Album Announcement

After dropping off “Blackberry Marmalade” onto DSPs, Staples responded to the “CRYBABY” internet discourse – confirming that the red baseball hat in the music video did, in fact, confirm his next studio album and its release date. In the words of Staples himself, CRY BABY is confirmed to drop everywhere on June 5.

Also, in the words of Vince himself: “As the world burns, I have decided to release this album. Thanks for listening.”​​ Read more here.

Edward Skeletrix and North West’s “Let’s Have Fun” Video Features our Favorite Underground Cameos

North has really stayed busy this week, showing out as a featured artist on one of the lead singles lifted from Edward Skeletrix’s new album, Body of Work. The video though is what takes the cake for this one, featuring a compilation of cameos from our favorite underground artists, including Sophia Stel, Feng, Baby Osama, and jackzebra.

North West’s Debut EP Loading…

North West has been serious about getting into her music bag. After stacking a selection of solid co-signs and production collaborations from the entire hip-hop spectrum – ranging from Ice Spice to Che, and FKA Twigs to skaiwater  –West is ready to make her first longform move. With her first solo single, “PIERCING ON MY HAND,” almost three months old now, the 12-year-old is taking it to the next level with her first-ever EP. Entitled N0rth4evr, the project is slated to drop this Friday, May 1, and spans six new tracks – “PIERCING ON MY HAND” not included. West produced all of it herself.

The Styling In Lady Gaga and Doechii’s “Runway” Video Is Some of the Best We’ve Ever Seen

It was only right that two of the best-dressed musicians of the modern era handle the lead single for The Devil Wears Prada 2. Doechii and Lady Gaga’s “Runway” delivered on every single expectation – sonically alone. Now, the visual is here, and it only makes us love the track even more, in which the duo runs through countless designer outfits.

Kith’s $1,600 Fender Guitar

Under its Kith Records creative umbrella, Kith presented the latest installation in its partnership with Fender: a custom Limited Player Stratocaster. The guitar runs for $1,600 USD. Read the full story here.

Vince Staples Readies Return

About two weeks back, Vince Staples sent out an email blast to fans updating them on his new private Discord server, creating the channel as a way to “improve the fan experience.” He didn’t share too much else in that initial message, aside from the ominous: “Stay tuned, because there will be both hijinks and shenanigans…. I will be back sooner than you think.”

And indeed he was. Over the weekend, the rapper took to Instagram to share his first-ever studio single since he dropped Dark Times in May of 2024. Uploaded to streaming earlier this week, “Blackberry Marmalade” harkens back to Staples’ old sound, leaning into a guitar-heavy beat, and premiered alongside a striking Bradley J. Calder-co-directed music video.

Fans clocked a “CRYBABY” red cap in the visual – resting on Staples’ car dashboard for all of thirty seconds at the start of the video – with “June 5th” etched on the side.