Just two weeks into 2026 and the music zeitgeist is already moving at rapid speed.
At the centerfold of culture at large this week comes, to no surprise, A$AP Rocky’s universally anticipated fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb. Lexa Gates also unveiled her sophomore studio endeavor, I Am, prefaced with another ambitious performative art exhibition staged in New York City’s Jefferey Deitch Gallery.
A handful of artists from across the genre spectrum also announced imminent projects this week, including none other than J. Cole himself, properly dropping the curtain on The Fall-Off‘s February release date.
The underground continues to cement itself as a formidable force to be reckoned with, accounting for a good portion of this year’s sole Rolling Loud North America Festival in May.
Full monthly playlist below, and all this week’s highlights underneath.
Underground Rap Rules Rolling Loud Lineup
Earlier in the week, an interview clip of Kendall Jenner circulated in which she discusses how she’s “bored” by the current state of rap music. Well, Kendall, I pose you the second through fifth lines of each day’s Rolling Loud lineup. Revealed on Wednesday, the singular U.S-based Rolling Loud festival of 2026– which is set to go down in Orlando from May 8 through 10 – this year’s talent lineup is led by Playboi Carti, Don Toliver, and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. The main insights from the headlining lineup are simple: Carti will play MUSIC again, Don will have dropped OCTANE, and YoungBoy will perform the now-out Slime Cry. Nothing too jarring. However, when you look further down the gray-tinted dump of names, it’s the lower lines that hold down the lineup. Other big names include Sexyy Red, Chief Keef, Destroy Lonely, TiaCorine, and SahBabii, but it’s the underground talent that shines brightest. The first day features EsDeeKid, Nettspend, xaviersobased, SoFaygo, Luh Tyler, 1900Rugrat, Nino Paid, Lazerdim700, Fimiguerrero, Sosocamo, and Lelo. Day 2 sees the likes of Fakemink, Feng, Prettifun, Untiljapan, F1LTHY, and ApolloRed1, with the third and final day closing out with Osamason, Che, Lucy Bedroque, 1300 Saint, Plaqueboymax, and skaiwater.
Don Toliver Breadcrumbs OCTANE On His Burner Account
After leading the Rolling Loud lineup as the first day’s headlining act, the discourse surrounding OCTANE’s release only ramped up tenfold. The rapper has been breadcrumbing the vaguely imminent LP on a new burner Instagram account, @octanemountain. Still no release date, but it seems to be sooner rather than later based on how he’s talking about it.
Added to Playlist: “Fake Jeezy” – Maxo Kream, Denzel Curry, JPEGMAFIA
With Peggy on production, Maxo Kream and Denzel Curry talk their Jeezy-type sh*t over a thumping trap beat.
Harry Styles Announces First Album in Four Years
It was a big week for album announcements, with one of the most surprising and social media-shattering being Harry Styles’ unveiling of his album details. Marking his first album in four years, the project is entitled Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. His first release since 2022’s Harry’s House, the album is confirmed to drop on March 6.
Ariana Grande Shouts Out Mac Miller In New Interview
If you follow along with Ariana Grande’s press circuits, you know she rarely ever mentions Mac Miller. When she references him, it’s a special and highly intentional shout. A sentence he can’t be left out of. So it was only right that she reference him in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter when discussing the evolution of her sound. “I’ve never talked about this, but actually Malcolm, who you might know as Mac, encouraged me to be myself,” she began, saying he pushed her to “embrace my brown hair and make R&B-influenced pop music, and separate, and do the brave thing.”
Added to Playlist: “Fuck It Up” – Master Peace, Declan McKenna
Talk about “the duo you didn’t know you needed.”
Lisa Named KITH Women’s Guest Designer for Spring 2026 Collection
What can’t she do? Now this is how we should be getting celebrities and talent actively involved in the fashion space, rather than figurehead house ambassador roles. That is, if they have the creds. Lisa, for one, surely does, which makes her imminent guest spot at KITH a natural fit. “She was involved through the whole process,” Ronnie Feig revealed of the partnership. “While she was on tour, while she was traveling, she was Zooming in, and we did fittings with her. We ideated with her. She was really involved in every detail along the way.”
Fcukers Announces Kenny Beats-Produced Debut Album
Sorry, I mean Kenneth Blume. Following up on his major 2025 – marked most prominently by his contributions to Geese’s acclaimed, Grammy-nominated Getting Killed, as well as Provoker’s Mausoleum – the producer extraordinaire continues to expand his discography once again while continuing to champion emerging musicians. Blume is teaming with rising electronic duo Fcukers to handle the production on the New York City-based pair’s debut studio album. Dubbed Ö, the LP consists of 11 songs and is set to release globally on March 27, preceded by the new single “L.U.C.K.Y.” After the album drops, Fcukers will embark on a headlining North American tour, which includes a hometown show at Gov Ball in June.
New Visual: “glimpse of you” – redveil
Shot on film, the latest visual lifted from redveil’s sankofa further fleshes out the progressive project’s cinematic world.
Elmiene Kicks Off Debut Album Rollout with “Reclusive”
On the heels of a solid 2025, Elmiene is already prepping for an even bigger 2026. The budding British-Sudanese R&B singer revealed his first solo studio project, sounds for someone, is en route. March 27 is the confirmed release date, with contributions from Raphael Saadiq, Baby Rose, Sampha, and No I.D. throughout. Starting off the lineup of lead singles comes “Reclusive.”
Don’t Be Dumb Drops
After a whirlwind of a rollout that lasted longer than many would’ve liked, I think we can all agree that Don’t Be Dumb was worth every minute of the wait. The chaotic, cathartic, and all-around high-octane album clocks in at an even hour across its 17 tracks. Preceded by solo singles “Helicopter” and “Punk Rocky,” the accompanying features lineup is stacked, spanning Brent Faiyaz, Doechii, Jozzy, Tyler, the Creator, Jessica Pratt, and more. Rocky’s fourth studio album pushes the boundaries of modern hip hop, while also paying homage to its roots with a myriad of samples ranging from Clairo and Brent Faiyaz (he’s both sampled and featured on “STAY HERE 4 LIFE”) to Gorillaz and will.i.am.
Added to Playlist: “One of Them Ones” – Veeze, Lil Baby, Rylo Rodriguez
Hopefully, an indicator that Veeze’s Worst Tape is on the way.
The Fall-Off Is Imminent
J.Cole has finally given an update on his modern-day magnum opus. At last, the long-awaited The Fall-Off has an official release date of February 6, revealed in its official trailer. It’s literally called “THE FALL-OFF ANNOUNCEMENT.” Shortly after the trailer dropped, Cole followed up with the project’s lead single, “Disc 2 – Track 2,” pointing to a potential double-disc format. No other details as of yet.
Lexa Gates Walks on A Wheel For 10 Hours Ahead of Album Drop
Leave it to Lexa Gates to take her album rollout to the next level. Last year, when she unveiled her debut studio project, Elite Vessel, she sat in a clear glass box in the middle of NYC listening to the album for 12 hours before it dropped. I Am’s release was no exception; for this one, she presented “The Wheel,” in which she walked on a hamster wheel for 10 hours leading up to the drop. Starting at 2 p.m, the rapper rotated walking forward and backwards on a life-size hamster wheel in the center of the Jeffery Deitch Gallery until the drop at midnight. Fans could grab a pair of headphones and listen to the album or write notes and leave them in glass boxes scattered about the space.
New visual: “INFATUATION” – Earl Sweatshirt
Earl Sweatshirt continues his streak of Live Laugh Love visuals, introducing one for “INFATUATION,” which goes behind-the-scenes of a restaurant kitchen.
Mitski’s New Album Will Be All About Her Cat
Quoting the press release will be best here. “Supported by a live band and orchestra, Nothing’s About to Happen to Me finds Mitski immersing herself in a rich narrative whose main character is a reclusive woman in an unkempt house. Outside of her home, she is a deviant; inside of her home, she is free.” Nothing’s About To Happen To Me comes fronted by a cat portrait cover art, and is slated to be released on February 27. All 11 tracks include live instrumentation and orchestral ensemble arrangements. Lead single “Where’s My Phone” is the perfect entry point and arrives accompanied by a nostalgic, Noel Paul-directed visual that lifts inspiration from Shirley Jackson’s novel, We Have Always Lived in the Castle.
evilgiane Goes Instrumental on Giane 2
The leading Surf Gang producer has unveiled his latest long-form studio project, a fully instrumental release. Giane 2 features a new collaborator for the enigmatic evilgiane, Rue Jacobs, as well as one former collaborator, Clams Casino.
Arlo Parks Pairs Album Announcement With New Single
A record Arlo Parks says she “danced more than ever” while creating, Ambiguous Desire is dropping on April 3. Parks wrote the project alongside Baird, and drew particular inspiration from queer spaces. “2SIDED” lands as a striking lead single.
Added to Playlist: “NOTHING IS REAL” – DESTIN CONRAD, Terrace Martin
A match made in modern R&B heaven.
