It’s another stacked New Music Friday, and this week’s releases bring a little bit of everything. Major rap albums, smooth R&B records, melodic street rap, and experimental production all landed at once, making this one of the busiest release weeks of the year so far.
From Drake’s massive ICEMAN rollout to Giveon expanding BELOVED with new tracks in ACT II, artists across genres are stepping into the summer with serious momentum. Whether you’re looking for late-night R&B, festival-ready production, or introspective rap, this week’s lineup has plenty worth adding to rotation.
This week’s edition of New Music Friday features new releases from Drake, LUCKI, Giveon, BNYX, Quando Rondo, Adanna Duru, and more.
New Music Friday Picks
Drake – ICEMAN / Habibti / Maid Of Honour (Albums)
Drake completely took over the conversation this week by not only releasing ICEMAN, but also revealing two additional projects titled Habibti and Maid Of Honour. The release immediately sparked nonstop reactions online as fans dissected lyrics, surprise shots at former collaborators, and the sheer scale of the rollout. ICEMAN in particular finds Drake revisiting old relationships, flexing his commercial dominance, and blending introspection with competitive energy across the project. ICEMAN is the rap record, Habibti has more melodic, R&B vibes, and Maid Of Honour is definitely filled with club-ready anthems. Overall, Drake is giving the listeners plenty to dissect this summer.
Giveon – BELOVED (Act II) (Deluxe Album)
Giveon expands his BELOVED era with five new songs on BELOVED (Act II). Collaborations with Kehlani, Leon Thomas, and Teddy Swims help round out the deluxe while continuing the cinematic R&B atmosphere of the original project. Moreover, “JEZEBEL” is a standout in this deluxe, and is a more upbeat energy song that leans into a different sound for Giveon.
LUCKI – DR*GS R BAD (Album)
LUCKI returns with one of his most personal and atmospheric projects yet on DR*GS R BAD. The Chicago rapper dives into themes surrounding escapism, addiction, emotional exhaustion, and self-reflection while continuing to evolve his signature hazy production style. Tracks like “Not So Virgo Of You” and “Free Mr. Banks” helped build anticipation leading into the release, while features from artists like Lil Yachty, Lil Baby, and Veeze add even more depth to the project.
BNYX – GENESIS FM (Album)
Super-producer BNYX officially steps into the spotlight with his debut artist album GENESIS FM. The project blends electronic music, hip-hop, experimental production, and futuristic sounds across a guest-heavy tracklist featuring Yeat, Peso Pluma, Kid Cudi, Don Toliver, and more. The album feels ambitious and unpredictable in the best way possible, showcasing why BNYX has become one of the most in-demand producers in music right now.
Quando Rondo – Until I Return (Album)
Quando Rondo returns with Until I Return, his first full-length release since 2024’s Here For A Reason. Across the project, the Savannah rapper blends melodic street rap with emotional storytelling and themes of loyalty, survival, and isolation. The album arrives while his name continues circulating heavily online due to the ongoing federal case involving Lil Durk, but the project itself keeps the focus centered on Quando’s personal reflections and melodic strengths.
Nick Grant – Smile (Album)
Nick Grant returns with Smile, a deeply personal and lyrically focused project that further solidifies his reputation as one of hip-hop’s most technically skilled MCs. Across the album, Grant reflects on his experiences in the streets, personal growth, and the emotional highs and lows he’s faced over the past several years. Despite the heavy subject matter, the project centers around perseverance and continuing to push forward through adversity.
Adanna Duru – “One on One” feat. Bas (Single)
Adanna Duru delivers one of the week’s smoothest warm-weather records with “One on One” featuring Bas. The Nigerian-American singer-songwriter blends breezy pop-R&B melodies with subtle Afrobeats influences, creating a song that feels built for summer playlists. Bas slides through with a laid-back verse that perfectly matches the song’s relaxed energy and flirtatious atmosphere.
Bryant Barnes – “Apollo” (Single)
Fresh off a sold-out headline tour across the U.S., Europe, and the U.K., Bryant Barnes returns with his cinematic new single “Apollo.” The alternative R&B singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist leans into emotional vulnerability once again. Furthermore, he delivers a dramatic love song that feels tailor-made for late-night drives and hopeless crushes.
Ben Reilly – “Hero Complex” feat. Zyah Belle (Single)
Ben Reilly leans into vulnerability on “Hero Complex.” It’s a reflective collaboration with Zyah Belle centered around emotional exhaustion and the pressure of constantly needing to be strong for everyone else. Built around the question, “What you gone do when a hero needs saving?.” Moreover, the record blends introspective songwriting with moody production and expands the narrative world surrounding his SAVE! era. Check out the cool video below.
We hope you enjoyed this week’s picks!
If this week’s releases prove anything, it’s that summer music season is officially here. With major albums, viral singles, and experimental collaborations all landing at once, May is already shaping up to be one of the biggest months for music in 2026.
