Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign, Fivio Foreign, Latto, And More New Hip-Hop Releases To Set The Vibe

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.

Kanye West X Ty Dolla $ign – “Talking / Once Again”

2024 ¥

Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign’s “Talking / Once Again” is chaotic, much like many of Ye’s releases over the last few years. North West opening the track over the mid-tempo production and vocal sample is endearing and pleasing to the ear. The transition to Ty is a bit jarring, but he sounds great per usual. Ye’s vocals sound good, too, but it would’ve been interesting to hear them on the first beat.

Speaking of production, the beat switch and second beat overall do a bit too much. It sounds like contemporary gospel fused with a little bit of rock and Hip-Hop. It’s not bad, but some self-control and reduction would’ve made this a potentially great record. – Armon Sadler

Fivio Foreign – Pain & Love 2

2024 RichFish, LLC and Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment

A few years after New York’s platoon of drill rappers deployed their aggressive sound across the airwaves, Fivio Foreign has solidified himself as the scene’s most successful ambassador. Nearly two years after the release of his debut album B.I.B.L.E., Fivio doubles back with Pain & Love 2, the sequel to his 2019 EP. Opening the project with “Who Knew,” the Brooklynite basks in his evolution from the streets to a man of means, boasting about his millionaire status and the trappings of his privileged lifestyle.

Rap crooner Vory joins the party on “No Love,” on which Fivio remembers his fallen friend TDott Woo while shunning the embrace of forces against him. Running ten tracks in length, Pain & Love 2 includes a murderous row of features, with Meek Mill, Swae Lee, Lil Tjay, 41, Sheff G, Rowdy Rebel, and Popcaan appearing throughout the proceedings. Presenting a mix of party-starters and emotive salvos, Fivio Foreign’s sophomore effort proves he’s far from a flash in the pan and built for the long-run. – Preezy Brown

Latto – “Sunday” Service”

2024 Streamcut & RCA Records

Latto’s “Sunday Service” had the recipe for a really good song and slightly missed the mark. It’s clear there is a cold war between her and Ice Spice, but neither are saying each other’s names directly. She slightly raps with the fervor of what someone delivering a diss track would sound like but lacks the edge to really go all the way there. There are cool bars and her flow and delivery are enjoyable. She also meshes well with the mid-tempo production. However, the song lacks an element of excitement and the face-scrunch-worthy punchlines that would make it something that could be called great. – AS

Jermaine Dupri Feat. Ashanti, Nelly, Juicy J – “This Lil’ Game We Play”