All of the biggest music headlines in one place and playlist. Updated live throughout the week.
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
Jpegmafia
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‘s 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 droppping.
Vince Staples’ Official Album Announcement
Vince Staples
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.”
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.
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.
