Offset, Freddie Gibbs, Alchemist, Joyner Lucas, Bay Swag, and more also drop new material.
2025 OVO, under exclusive license to Republic Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.; ℗ 2025 Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment, as exclusive licensee; 1st and 15th too
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.
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Drake Featuring Central Cee – “Which One”
Image Credit: 2025 OVO, under exclusive license to Republic Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. Drake finally unleashed “Which One” featuring Central Cee, a record he teased during the final day of Wireless Festival a few weeks ago.
This record finds him in his full patois bag, wooing the ladies over an island beat. Cench shines in his verse, flipping T-Pain’s name and his classic “I’m Sprung” to describe his feelings on a woman’s body.
Drizzy takes over after the beat changes into something more house-inspired, but still primed for booty shaking. This is nothing to overthink; simply a fun song for the summer and specifically for the ladies.
It will likely inspire discourse about the 6 God being a culture vulture or his standing on the charts, but as long as the people who go outside enjoy it, it’s a win. – Armon Sadler
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Tyler, The Creator – ‘Don’t Tap The Glass’
Image Credit: ℗ 2025 Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment, as exclusive licensee Tyler, the Creator’s surprise drop Don’t Tap The Glass proves once again that he’s not just riding a wave—he is the wave. The album pulses with invention, cementing Tyler’s role as a modern vanguard in hip-hop.
From the Pharrell-assisted “Big Poe” with Sk8brd, to the breezy, sun-drenched vibes of “Sucka Free,” each track offers a distinct flavor. “Stop Playing With Me” is pure chaos—in the best way—sounding like a rampage ripped straight from a vintage GTA radio station.
Features from Madison McFerrin and Yebba add rich texture to an already layered project. Unpredictable yet cohesive, Don’t Tap The Glass feels like another bold stroke in Tyler’s already genre-bending catalog – Preezy Brown
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Lupe Fiasco – “SOS”
Image Credit: 1st and 15th too When Lupe Fiasco drops, it’s not just another release—it’s an event. His new single “SOS” is no exception, showcasing the kind of lyrical precision and depth that has kept him in a class of his own.
Over a sublime, meditative beat crafted by Nicolas Isaiah, Anthony Perkins, and Lupe himself, he weaves razor-sharp bars like, “Try to lock me out like I’m Jason Vorhees/ I just use my sword as the door key,” placing substance over style without sacrificing an ounce of technical brilliance.
With Samurai DX set to drop August 22nd, “SOS” feels like a call to attention—Hip-Hop’s thinking man is back, and he’s moving with purpose. – PB
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Offset – “Professional”
Image Credit: 2025 UMG Recordings, Inc. Offset continued his high vibes and indulgence in the women on “Professional.” This feels like a cousin to “Ten,” albeit not the same BPM or subgenre.
Nonetheless, he brings the bars and punchlines galore as always. It is one thing to get a lot of women, but a whole other bag to refer to oneself as a professional in doing it. Needless to say, he seems to be recovering well from his public, dramatic divorce.
Offset tweeted that his album was done recently, and with this single it feels like it will be coming soon. Once again, if this is the energy he is bringing, he may release his best solo effort yet. – AS
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Freddie Gibbs – ‘Alfredo 2’
Image Credit: © 2025 ESGN LLC And ALC Records. Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist prove once again why they’re one of rap’s most formidable duos with Alfredo 2, a sequel that not only lives up to its predecessor but sharpens the formula.
Gibbs is in rare form, dropping cutting lines like “Took the high road on ni**as, I’m riding over passes / Nothing in your catalog classic” on “1995,” while Alchemist’s production remains equal parts gritty and cinematic.
Tracks like “Lavish” deliver pointed shots and heartfelt tributes, and guest appearances from Anderson .Paak, JID, and Larry June add flavor without crowding the vision.
Alfredo 2 isn’t just a reunion—it’s a reaffirmation of greatness. For fans of intricate bars and lush, textured beats, this is as good as it gets. – PB
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Culture Jam, Wale, Pusha T – “Damage Control”
Image Credit: 2025 CJFM Productions LLC Culture Jam tapped Wale and Pusha T for the upbeat “Damage Control,” a triumphant, horn-laced production that doesn’t sacrifice lyricism for having a bop to it.
Folarin runs the Oklahoma drill in his verse, delivering haymaker after haymaker, whether they be clever metaphors or big flexes. As for King Push, he has been in his zone for seven years now so it’s expected for him to float, and he did.
His verse has some shots at Birdman and Drake, so it may cause some annoying conversation but for those who just want to enjoy good raps, he brought them in spades. – AS
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Bay Swag – ‘Damaged Thoughts’
Image Credit: 2025 Nothing Bout Us Regular/Standard Records under exclusive license to UnitedMasters LLC Bay Swag’s Damaged Thoughts further proves that you can’t box him into the sexy drill, Slizzy movement. The 15-track album surely features his indulgent mindset, but there is also vulnerability, storytelling, and luxurious flexes.
The immediate standout is “Lil Jasmine” featuring Young Thug, the Atlanta rapper’s third appearance of the year; he makes it worthwhile and reminds people how much of a chameleon he can be. “
Idk Why” featuring A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie is also special, creatively flipping Eamon’s “F**k It” into a NY anthem. Bay is more versatile than people may give him credit for, and this was an impressive effort. – AS
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Joyner Lucas – “ROUND 2 K.O”
Image Credit: Twenty Nine Music Group Joyner Lucas pulls no punches on ROUND 2 K.O, a blistering diss track that finds the lyricist continuing his onslaught against his newfound adversary, Skepta.
Calling himself “the Black Eminem,” Lucas channels peak Rap God energy, unleashing rapid-fire bars that target Skepta’s perceived privilege, masculinity, and alleged obsession with OVO. “You started it / I ain’t ducking no smoke…” he declares, opening the floodgates for over three relentless minutes of lyrical heat.
There are no hooks, no breathers—just a surgical takedown that feels both personal and theatrical. Lucas isn’t just throwing shots; he’s crafting a performance.
Whether you’re a fan or just a spectator to hip-hop’s latest feud, this track demands a listen. It’s fierce, technically sharp, and impossible to ignore – PB
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French Montana, Lil Durk – “Big Bag”
Image Credit: 2025 Coke Boys Records French Montana and Lil Durk’s “Big Bag” is a fine record. It’s got your standard drum pattern and a high-energy feel, but nothing to really sink your teeth into. If this were to play in a party, and then seven records along a similar vein, it would be difficult to pick it out. Both are talented and have made standout records, but this one is not that. It’s middle of the road and there aren’t any lines to write home about. Hopefully, they link up another time and get more creative, or have more collaborations on a hard drive somewhere. – AS
(youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq0_9q5DkM0?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281)
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Paul Wall, DJ.Fresh – ‘The Tonite Show’
Image Credit: ℗ 2025 Perfect Time Music Group -
NBA YoungBoy – ‘Masa’
Image Credit: Never Broke Again/Motown Records -
Evidence Featuring The Alchemist – “Rain Every Season”
Image Credit: Rhymesayers (youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agLO3Fp8BGs?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281)
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Apollo Brown – ‘Funeral For A Dream’
Image Credit: © 2025 Escapism -
Lelo – ‘New Detroit’
Image Credit: © 2025 10K Projects -
BIA – “One Thing”
Image Credit: Epic -
Kodak Black Featuring DJ E Money, G6reddot – “By Myself”
Image Credit: Vulture Love/Capitol Records (youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJFaimnt-nY?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281)
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Sada Baby – ‘The Green Tape DX’
Image Credit: © 2025 Big Squad/Hitmaker Distro -
Ovrkast. Featuring MAVI – “MAVKAST!”
Image Credit: James Rockford (youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfmVU0pGuMU?feature=oembed&w=500&h=375)
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OT The Real, 38 Spesh – “Never Saw Me”
Image Credit: T.C.F. Music Group / OT The Real, LLC (youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eelesX5Xe1U?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281)
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Homeboy Sandman – ‘Soli Deo Gloria’
Image Credit: © 2025 Dirty Looks / We Buy Gold -
MARCO PLUS Featuring Smino – “Out My Way”
Image Credit: Roc Nation Distribution -
K Camp Featuring Qiuntellii – “Your Type”
Image Credit: K CAMP -
C Stunna Featuring Baby Mel – “Missy”
Image Credit: MNRK Records LP -
Kurupt – “Special”
Image Credit: Death Row Records / gamma. -
BunnaB – “Fine Shyt”
Image Credit: Virisa Yong -
Rio Da Yung OG Featuring Zillionaire Doe – “What U Spend”
Image Credit: M I N E Entertainment / EMPIRE -
Hanumankind – ‘Monsoon Season’
Image Credit: ℗ 2025 SLDM Enterprises, under exclusive license to UMG Recordings, Inc. -
Hit-Boy – “What’s The Deal”
Image Credit: Surf Club Inc (youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJlevsLG5bE?feature=oembed&w=500&h=375)
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Atmosphere – “Really”
Image Credit: Rhymesayers (youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdq3uWgjw7Y?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281)
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Chow Lee – “Hold It Down 4 Me”
Image Credit: © 2025 TC Music LLC / EMPIRE -
Peysoh – ‘FinallyFed’
Image Credit: © 2025 Peysoh / EMPIRE -
Rich Amiri – “Paranoid”
Image Credit: © 2025 Internet Money Records / 10K Projects -
Asake Featuring Tiakola – “BADMAN GANGSTA”
Image Credit: GIRAN Republic -
OBN Jay Featuring HD4president – ‘Tequila Talk’
Image Credit: MNRK Records LP (youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ7a8L1dUSs?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281)
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MAVI, Niontay – “Jammers Anonymous”
Image Credit: Noble Music -
Iamsu! – ‘IAMSUMMER: Enjoy The Ride’
Image Credit: ℗ 2025 Eyes On Me LLC -
Eddie Valero – ‘Gangsta Blues 2’
Image Credit: ℗ 2025 Eddie Valero -
Jdot Breezy – ‘My Return’
Image Credit: © 2025 Hitmaker Music Group/Hitmaker Distro