Two albums, an EP, a Wale mix, and a run of African singles worth knowing about. The names you know are Blxst and Rhye. The most interesting listen is one you might not: Joey B's Sexy Highlife.
Mixtape is live. It brings back what streaming killed—the gesture of choosing songs in a specific order for a specific person. A mixtape was never a playlist. It was a letter written in other people's music.
The Uristocrat Headlines for Wednesday, August 28th, 2024. This is an edition of Uristocrat Notes, a newsletter that explores what we are reading as it relates to cultural stories of the day.
The Uristocrat Headlines for Tuesday, August 27th, 2024. This is an edition of Uristocrat Notes, a newsletter that explores what we are reading as it relates to cultural stories of the day.
Quavo has set October 2 for Qrömelife, his first solo album since Rocket Power in 2023, with Pharrell Williams executive producing. Three singles have arrived so far, including Backwards featuring T.I., released September 11.
Jhené Aiko ends a six-year album wait with Westside Whimsy, EST Gee and Rio Da Yung OG drop new albums via major distribution, and This Is Lorelei releases The Singer in My Band on Matador.
Suno pulled an advertisement featuring Mary J. Blige after saying she never authorized it and that the company had struck the deal with someone falsely presenting themselves as her official representative.
Beyoncé's B'Day 20th anniversary reissue anchors a hip-hop-heavy week, alongside new projects from French Montana & Max B, Nemzzz, Karrahbooo, Dizzee Rascal, Mykki Blanco, and Rebecca Black.
Erykah Badu's first album in 16 years leads a stacked New Music Friday alongside Fat Joe, Rod Wave, DJ Dahi, Majid Jordan, Trippie Redd, and Sy'Rai.
Rapsody, Denzel Curry & Kenneth Blume, Jorja Smith, Thirteendegrees, Victony, The Game, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Niniola, Cleo Sol, and Beenie Man all drop projects August 20–21, alongside new Mac Miller and Mariah Carey tracks.
Ayra Starr's Starr Girl, Phoebe Bridgers' Lost Weekend, Trippie Redd's NDA, KATSEYE's WILD, Fridayy's Tension, and Open Mike Eagle & Kenny Segal's DOOMED! all land August 14, alongside new singles from Erykah Badu & The Alchemist and Rema.
Ckay's Banger Boy, Beyoncé and Jay-Z's Morning Dew (Donk) remix, and a Whitney Houston hits collection led a stacked August 7, 2026 release day.
Davido marks 15 years in music with ORIADÉ, Ariana Grande returns with petal, and Shaboozey, Jacquees, Arca, Cautious Clay and Isaiah Falls also released albums on July 31, 2026.
Prince's Purple Rain heads to Broadway's Majestic Theatre with previews starting March 12, 2027, following its fall 2025 Minneapolis premiere and a reworked creative team led by director Saheem Ali.
CVC Capital Partners has agreed to acquire a majority stake in DistroKid, the music distributor that handles 30-40% of new releases worldwide, with existing investor Insight Partners retaining a minority stake. The deal is expected to close in Q3 2026.
Tyla rebrands her sound as pop on A*POP, Rico Nasty reunites with Kenny Beats on RX, and Cypress Hill raps a full album in Spanish — six releases worth your time this New Music Friday.