Yung Bleu Gets Personal, YG Starts A New Chapter, Coi Leray’s Hits Streak Continues On New Music Friday

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.

Yung Bleu – Jeremy

Vandross Music Group/Empire

Yung Bleu unveils Jeremy, the Alabama native’s fourth studio album that captures him opening up like never before. On the project’s introductory interlude “Everybody Hates Jeremy,” faux news reports placing Bleu at the center of shootings and at odds with former members of his inner-circle, including fellow rap star Boosie Badazz.

From there, the hitmaker presents a mix of thunderous tracks that cast him as the aggressor, with others channeling the stylings of Bleu Vandross. “This that new Bleu, you know this sh*t hot like casserole,” he boasts on “Unlikely,” a standout track salvo that precedes other solo highlights such as “Bi**h Your Sum,” “TARAJI,” and “Heart To Borrow.”

In addition to Lil Wayne’s appearance on the remix to Bleu’s new single “Confirmation,” guests on Jeremy include Leon Thomas (“Is There Someone New”), SABRI (“Reading The Room”), John Legend (“Be Ok”), Jacquees (“Make Me Stay”), Fridayy (“Live Forever”), and JD On Tha Track (“Back From The Dead”). – Preezy Brown

Coi Leray – “Can’t Come Back”

2024 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc

Coi Leray leans on her singing voice on “Can’t Come Back,” and its production blends pop and Hip-Hop. There’s a simple, soft drum cadence with twinkly synths. She talks about liking nice boys because she’s a “bad bi**h,” but also discusses kicking men to the curb in the hook. There’s also an air of uncertainty, as she questions the status of one relationship before resolving that it’s best she cut ties with a partner. Through it all, Coi attempts to affirm herself and push forward by saying that whoever parts ways with her can’t come back. This is a fun track. – Armon Sadler

YG – “Knocka”

BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

After securing a new label partnership with BMG for his 4Hunnid imprint, YG returns with a vengeance with his new single, “Knocka,” which lives up to its name as it’s a bonafide trunk rattler. Produced by LarryJayy, DJ Vision, and KayKay, the track is powered by pounding bass, a continuous vocal sample, and nimble piano keys, which YG saunters atop of in effortless fashion. Accompanied by a riveting visual that captures the Compton native prancing about while surrounded by eye candy, “Knocka” may not be a comeback, but certainly has the feel of the marking of a new chapter for the West Coast vet. – PB

Killer Mike, Offset, Blxst – “Exit 9”

2024 VLNS, LLC., Under exclusive license to Loma Vista Recordings. Distributed by Concord.

After the original version received rave reviews upon its inclusion on his Grammy Award winning album Michael, Killer Mike calls in Offset to help put forth some hometown pride on the track’s remix. According to Killer Mike, it was only right to get a fellow Georgian on the revamped version of the track.

“Exit 9 in Atlanta is the Adamsville Martin Luther King Jr Blvd so when we started talking about doing a remix I knew I wanted to keep it on some Atlanta shit,” he said of the collab. “Offset and I have been running into each over the years showing one another love and respect & talking about working on something. Finally the time was right and the Nawf’West Remix was Born!” – PB

Nardo Wick Feat Future – “Back To Back”

2024 RCA Records, under exclusive license from Flawless Ent.

Upon pressing play on “Back To Back,” the song is immediately calmer than one would expect from Nardo Wick. However, it quickly gets into the frantic, high-energy that he usually brings. Future delivers a simple, repetitive hook as he belts “Back to back” and a spirited feature verse. It is feeling like another one of those major years for the Atlanta rapper, between what he’s done on his two collaborative albums with Metro Boomin and his guest appearances so far. Southside laced them with a beat that isn’t much different from anything popular today, but it’s Wick and Future’s performances that take it to the next level. – AS

Skilla Baby – The Coldest

Geffen

Kicking off 2024 with the release of his We Eat The Most Reloaded project, Detroit rhymer Skilla Baby looks to prove he’s The Coldest on his latest longplayer, which includes a handful of solo outings, but wins big with its star-studded guestlist.

Skilla Baby takes the onus by his lonesome on “Trapped,” boasting of his wealth while reminiscing on failed attempts on his demise. “Man, I’m like two million up and that sh*t still ain’t enough/ When I go to sleep, I think of them shooting up my truck,” he rhymes on the opener, paying homage to iconic drug kingpin Demetrius Flenory Sr. on the subsequent cut “Free Big Meech.”

The Coldest finds Skilla Baby teaming up with Rob49, Mozzy, G Herbo, Moneybagg Yo, Flo Milli, Jeremih, DaBaby, NoCap, Polo G, and Tay B, collaborations that account for some of the album’s more entertaining moments. – PB

JT -“Okay”

2024 Quality Control Music, LLC, under exclusive license to UMG Recordings, Inc.

JT’s “Okay” is a confident offering as she seemingly embarks on a solo career given her recent back-and-forth with Yung Miami. The record immediately gives off an early 2000s feel, both production-wise and her delivery. It sounds like she was in the studio studying Trina or Remy Ma before she jumped into the booth. JT has always had a great rap delivery, though the bars here leave a bit to desire. The variety of ways she uses the word “okay” in the hook to acknowledge other women’s looks, people’s mental states, or her dismissiveness of men not interested in her was admittedly cool. Decent effort, JT. – AS

Bun B – Yokozuna Trill

IITrill Enterprises/2 Tight Music Japan

Bun B brings the Texas heat international with Yokozuna Trill, a project the rap vet recorded in partnership with 2 Tight Music Japan. The elderstatesman comes full force on the project’s intro, on which he warns “In case you didn’t know and if you weren’t told/ I am the trillest O.G. and bi**h, I’m cold” while shunning any notion of competition outside of himself.

Three decades deep into his career, Bun makes it clear he’s fully locked in until the wheels fall off, particularly on behalf of his late partner in rhyme Pimp C. “They ask me, ‘O.G., are you still bout it’/ I said it’s UGK for life until I die and I will kill bout it,” he vows on the album’s title track, featuring OVER KILL.

Running eight songs in length, with noteworthy offerings including “All Night” featuring Jay Worthy, Jack Freeman, and DJ Deequite, and the “Let’s Get To It (Remix)” alongside Cz Tiger and TRIGGABEATZ, Yokozuna Trill is yet another solid project from Bun B.

The Port Aurthur native refuses to show any signs of an imminent fall off despite the tread on his pen and pad. – PB

Anycia – Princess Pop That

Anycia

Anycia has been putting the world on notice for some time and now she’s displaying her skills throughout a full LP. Princess Pop That is a 14-song introduction to the bubbling Atlanta talent and what she can offer. The immediate standout track is “That’s Hard” featuring Cash Cobain, blending her sultry vocals with a hybrid of sexy drill and Atlanta trap production. She also links up with her good pal Karrahbooo on “Splash Brothers,” a nod to Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Latto and Luh Tyler also show up on the previously released singles “Back Outside” and “Call,” respectively. Anycia’s received a lot of high praise over the last year and this album, plus whatever she does next, could validate the many claims people have made about her potential. – AS

Icewear Vezzo – “Cheesecake”

2024 Iced Up Records

Icewear Vezzo’s “Cheesecake” is a smooth record. It leans heavily into trap music with a steady drum pattern and somewhat fast rap cadence, but it isn’t a bass rattling, stadium anthem; rather, it is more of a cool record to drive or dance to. The Detroit rapper lists off many material things he likes and offers an interesting line about women: “I like h**s that’s gon be h**s but I hate h**s that play their role.” That one is a bit confusing to figure out, but it’s provocative, it gets the people going. Regardless, this is an enjoyable track and an impressive rap performance from Vezzo. – AS