This week’s New Music Friday brought new projects from Joyce Wrice, Dawn Richard, Tobe Nwigwe, Johnny Venus and more. The releases move between R&B, rap and genre-blending sounds, with fresh singles from Gunna, Rick Ross, Offset and Don Toliver. Keep reading to see our roundup from the best new releases from October 9.
New Music Friday Picks
Joyce Wrice – MACHIKO (Album)
Joyce Wrice returns with her second album. MACHIKO takes its title from her middle name and opens up a brighter chapter for the Los Angeles singer. MACHIKO follows 2021’s Overgrown, with a 14-track lineup that includes J.I.D. on “Catch Me If You Can” and Ty Dolla $ign on “Crack the Code.” Rio Da Yung OG also appears on a brief interlude. With production from D’Mile, Jay Versace, Lido and Mack Keane, Wrice’s latest brings R&B into conversation with pop, hip-hop and club sounds.
Dawn Richard – creole culture (Album)
Dawn Richard brings New Orleans to the center of creole culture, an 11-track album that continues her exploration of the city’s music and history. The project completes a trilogy that began with New Breed and continued on Second Line, blending R&B, soul, jazz and electronic influences. Big Freedia appears on the intro, Tank Ball of Tank and the Bangas joins “l v r,” and Durand Bernarr returns on “baby, can we?” One of the album’s most personal moments comes on “groove city,” where Richard’s father, Frank Richard of Chocolate Milk, plays alongside her.
Tobe Nwigwe – THE BRIDGE (Album)
Tobe Nwigwe’s latest project brings his Houston roots and Nigerian heritage together across a 12-track album shaped by hip-hop, R&B and Highlife. THE BRIDGE features a wide-ranging guest list, including Sia, Busta Rhymes, Labrinth, Jay Electronica, Scarface, Paul Wall, Flavour and Adekunle Gold. The mix of artists reflects the album’s focus on connecting sounds and backgrounds. Nwigwe has long brought those influences into his music, and this project makes that connection a central part of the record.
Johnny Venus – THE 11TH HOUR (Album)
Johnny Venus steps out on his own with THE 11TH HOUR, his debut solo album. Known as one half of Atlanta rap duo EARTHGANG, Venus delivers 12 tracks with executive production from The-Dream. The album includes “So Beautiful” with 6LACK, “Sarahtonin” with Alissia and INK!, and “Can You Pray for Me,” featuring Spillage Village and Asha Imuno. The project gives Venus space to explore his own perspective while keeping his Atlanta collaborators close.
Ovrkast. – STRIKING (Album)
Oakland rapper and producer Ovrkast. returns with STRIKING, a 12-track follow-up to While The Iron Is Hot. The new album brings together Joey Bada$$ and Nali on “STATIC,” Samara Cyn and MAVI on “KNOCK,” and Niontay on “Wata.” Ovrkast. has built his name as both a producer and a rapper, and STRIKING keeps those roles connected across the project. It’s one of the week’s rap releases for listeners looking for a more independent, collaborative sound.
More New Singles
Friday’s singles included Gunna’s “Pop It,” Rick Ross’ “Loaded” and “Every Night,” a new collaboration from Offset and Don Toliver. Jessie Reyez and Samara Cyn also teamed up for “FOR SIXXX IN THE MORNIN,” while KaMillion shared new single “Wus Up.”
Other rap releases on the Friday list included KA$HDAMI’s “BLUEPRINT,” Ray Vaughn’s “Set It Off,” Almighty Jay’s “when?,” Devstacks’ “Soul” and KaMillion’s “Wus Up.” ARDN and Devkota teamed up on “SUPERNOVA,” while LaRussell, ReeceBeats, Tietta and Splash joined forces for “It’s All Love.”
