Latto Quenches Your Thirst, LL Cool J And Saweetie Get Raunchy, Quavo And Lenny Kravitz Rock Out, And More Hip-Hop Releases

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.

Latto – Sugar Honey Iced Tea

Earlier this year, one of Latto’s foes questioned if she thought she was the “sh*t.” On her new album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, she let the music speak for her. The 21-track LP displays an elevation in her rapping ability, song creation, and confidence. She taps into her introspective bag on the outro “S/O To Me,” showing that she can do more than ride trap beats and get into actual storytelling.

She dives into her emotions on records like “Look What You Did” featuring Mariah The Scientist and “Copper Cove” featuring Hunxho. Most enjoyably, she gives fans a small taste of nostalgia by sampling Mike Jones’ “Back Then” on “There She Go” and Black Eyed Peas’ “My Humps” on Squeeze featuring Megan Thee Stallion. Whether you’re a baddie or a bro, there is something here for everyone to enjoy. – Armon Sadler

LL Cool J Feat. Saweetie – “Proclivities”

LL Cool J has been in effect mode as he prepares for the release of his highly-anticipated album, FORCE, the legend’s first full-length in more than a decade. However, don’t call it a comeback, as the teaser cuts dropped over the past few months have shown that his skills have yet to betray him. The Queens native connects with Cali girl Saweetie on “Proclivities,” a song with a sound as unpredictable as its title, but has the makings of a sleeper hit.

Living up to his moniker, Uncle L shows love to the ladies on this cut, as he fantasizes about going to the deep end with a female companion, while Saweetie purrs remnants of his ’80s smash “Jingling Baby” and turns in a verse of her own. According to LL, “‘Proclivities’ is a fun song about the inner secrets we all have” and stands as one of the veteran’s personal favorites on the album, not to mention one of his more entertaining offerings from his ongoing rollout. – Preezy Brown

Quavo & Lenny Kravitz – “Fly”

Quavo links with legendary rocker Lenny Kravitz for a remake of his 1998 smash “Fly Away,” which finds the Migo stunting and shining over a revamped take on the original’s instrumental. Flexing his vocals on the hook, Quavo does his usual bidding while delivering his lyrics, as mentions of jet planes and butterfly doors on his luxurious vehicle are mixed with persuasive advances toward the ladies. Bolstered by Kravitz’s rollicking strings, the Atlanta rapper’s attempt at hijacking a classic proves successful, as this modern-day version is a fitting compliment to its predecessor. – PB

Polo G – Hood Poet

A full three years removed from the release of his third studio album, Hall of Fame, Polo G makes a triumphant return with Hood Poet, the Chicago rapper’s latest long-player. Having spent the past few calendars making headlines for legal troubles and familial drama, Polo G puts the focus back on the music as he turns in one of his strongest showings to date over the album’s 18 tracks. Wasting little time, the spitter comes out with a vengeance on the intro track, declaring, “Feel like I’m God’s favorite/ They tell me I made it” while running roughshod over an epic backdrop.

Perseverance amid life’s tragedies and lowlights is extolled on “Barely Holdin’ On,” whereas the avoidance of fake love is examined on “Detox,” two of the project’s standout solo offerings. When cast to his own devices, Polo G is often in a contemplative state on Hood Poet, as “Distraction,” “Darkside,” and “Father’s Day,” a heartfelt open letter to his dad, finds him pouring out his emotions. Featuring guest appearances from G Herbo, 42 Dugg, Fridayy, Offset, Lil Durk, The Kid LAROI, Hunxho, GloRilla, and Future, Hood Poet shows that the conflict within his personal life hasn’t impacted his musicality, as the artist shines from beginning to end. – PB

Real Boston Richey Feat. GloRilla – “Get In There”

Real Boston Richey was one of the “next up” in 2021, and while that has tapered off, he is still bringing the energy. “Get In There” is a banger in every sense of the world, from the booming drums to the smooth hi-hats. In typical Richey fashion, he raps exceptionally. And he made a genius decision to tap GloRilla for a feature verse.

She can’t seem to miss lately, and “Get In There” was another 30-point game for the Memphis star. She also digs into her sensual bag and has a hilarious moment where she answers a phone call in the verse. This is a collaboration some may not have booked, but it works quite well. “Get In There” is a victory for both acts. – AS

Benny The Butcher – Summertime Butch

Benny The Butcher locks in for Summertime Butch, a project that captures the Buffalo heavy lyrically prancing across ten tracks filled with plug talk and nods to his opulent lifestyle. Set off by “One Verse Butch,” a grimy tune that finds Benny scoffing at the competition, Summertime Butch is more of a showcase than a focused effort, providing him with the opportunity to simply brandish his rhyme skills.

Mixed amid a pair of interludes and additional solo fare in “Knightfall” and “Kitchen Table” are collaborative numbers “The Most” (featuring Ray Moon), “The Blue Building” (featuring Amber Simone), “Warehouse 3” (featuring Rick Hyde, ElCamino, Fuego Base), and “Higher” (featuring Lindsay Niccs), resulting in a well-balanced listen to tide fans of the Butcher over until further notice – PB

Sheff G – “Own Lane”

Sheff G has set himself apart from his peers for years and fully leans into that status on his new track “Own Lane.” As one of the early adopters of Brooklyn drill, this record blends a calm, calculated flow with hard-thumping drums and woozy synths. Lyrically, it’s all about how much bread he makes and the women who obsess over him.

The true gem of this song is his delivery and the space he leaves between bars to truly let the listener appreciate the production. Sheff has all the makings of a star, and it’s all about continuing momentum with records like these. – AS

Larry June – Doing It For Me

Riding high off a pair of collaborative projects—one with The Alchemist (The Great Escape) and another with Cardo (The Night Shift), Larry June took a reprieve for the first half of the year, save for the occasional random one-off. Now, the Bay Area luminary steps back up to the plate with Doing It For Me, a collection of tracks suitable for cruising and grooving while enjoying the evenings of summer’s end.

While not restricted to seasonal listening, the timing of the album’s arrival couldn’t be more apt, as June’s chill, nearly lackadaiscal flows bring to mind wind breeze and sunsets. Of the ten selections on this offering, joints like “Magnum P.I.,” “A Little While,” “Stinson Beach,” and “Money Bag” are among the main attractions, but ultimately pale in comparison to the firewater presented on those aforementioned 2023 releases. – PB

Kodak Black – “Hit Stick”

Kodak Black’s “Hit Stick” couldn’t have come at a better time. The NFL preseason is underway, and college football is starting soon, so a song about a big tackle is ideal for all highlight videos. He matches the hard-hitting production with haymaker delivery, turning this into an upbeat track that will be on repeat in locker rooms before football games. His last few releases have been somber and pensive, so this is a night shift in sound and energy.

It is also a three-minute single, which is refreshing in this era of short songs that end by the time a listener fully gets into them. Kodak continues to remind fans that while there may be bigger stars than him in his 2016 XXL class, he is undeniably one of the best artists from that pivotal year. – AS

Trippie Redd – “LGLG”

Trippie Redd “LGLG” sounds like a haunted orchestra was in the booth with him and another man’s girlfriend. He repeats, “I’m with your bi**h, I’m with your boo,” before describing how they fornicate, and he leaves her in the dust. The Canton, Ohio artist often leans into various alternative sounds, but this was a pure trap-influenced rap track. These are some of the sharpest flows he’s gotten off in some time, and his autotune croons soar above the production.

The question is, will Trippie continue this momentum? It feels like he has fallen behind the pack a bit, but a song like this is a sign that he can easily remind people of his mettle from a few years ago. – AS

See More New Hip-Hop Releases Below

Phonte – Pacific Time 2

Toosii – “Fuk You Mean”

38 Spesh Feat. Method Man – “Speshal Methods”

Russ – “Fendi Bucket”

Logic – Ultra 85

Rockness Monsta & Ruste Juxe – “Sean Lives On”

Ray Vaughn – “Ray Wop”

Southside – Break The Silence

Doodie Lo & Tee Grizzley – “HOODBACHI”

Erica Banks – “H*e Please”

Neek Bucks – UNIQUE

Wais P & Khrysis – Hocaine

Slegdren – Blue Hill Zone

Mavi – shadowbox

Skylar Blatt – “Hold Me Down”

Lil Mosey – Love U Forever

BIGBABYGUCCI – Baby 5