Anybody who thought that hip-hop would somehow slow down in 2026 after its so-called chart struggles last year are sadly mistaken.
This week’s New Music Friday is another stacked one thanks to A$AP Rocky, who wastes no time in adding to Don’t Be Dumb by teasing out a few songs from the upcoming deluxe edition. (Perhaps he’s making up for lost time after the eight-year wait for the album.)
Denzel Curry introduces his rambunctious new supergroup, The Scythe, which includes himself (under the alias Big Ultra), A$AP Ferg, TiaCorine, Bktherula and Key Nyata. Their debut album Strictly 4 The Scythe drops March 6, and the lead single “Lit Effect” is a high-energy preview of what’s to come.
Speaking of all-star lineups, IDK‘s new project Even the Devil Smiles extends not only his incredible (and slept-on) run as a solo artist, but his knack for assembling heavyweight collaborations. Pusha T, Black Thought, MF DOOM, DMX, RZA and Madlib are some of the many big names on the 15-track effort.
Roc Marciano is also back in business with 656, a fully self-produced album featuring a couple of cameos from fellow Rotten Apple rhymer Errol Holden.
Elswhere, Cam’ron airs out his issues with Damon Dash on the aptly-titled “Letter To Dame,” 42 Dugg rounds up a few usual suspects for his hard-hitting new album Part 3, and Curren$y continues to disprove the stoner slacker myth with yet another new mixtape.
Check out all the best new rap albums and songs below.
A$AP Rocky — “Flackito Jodye” (feat. Tokischa) + “I Smoked Away My Brain” (feat. Imogen Heap & Clams Casino)
Produced By: A$AP Rocky & LeoRD / Clams Casino
Denzel Curry feat. Bktherula & LAZER DIM 700 — “Lit Effect”
Produced By: BNYX & Bryvn
IDK — Even the Devil Smiles
Featuring: Pusha T, Black Thought, MF DOOM, DMX, RZA, Madlib, No ID, Conductor Williams, KAYTRANADA
Roc Marciano — 656
Featuring: Errol Holden
Cam’ron — “Letter to Dame (Freestyle)”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
42 Dugg — Part 3
Featuring: Lil Baby, GloRilla, G Herbo, EST Gee, Rylo Rodriguez, Skilla Baby, Doughboy Clay
Curren$y — Everywhere You Look
Featuring: Wiz Khalifa, Trauma Tone, Kino Beats
Ari Lennox — Vacancy
Featuring: Buju Banton, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Elite, BoogzDaBeast, Cardiak, Swiff D
Hit-Boy — “NBA Centel” + “I’m Still Alive” + “Percentages”
Produced By: Hit-Boy
Wiz Khalifa — “Too Blessed To Be Stressed”
Produced By: Big Jerm & LAGUNE
Kai Ka$h feat. Marco Plus — “BADDIEHUB CONTENT”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
Rich The Kid feat. Blueface & DDG — “Vibes”
Produced By: Rich The Kid
Flo Milli — “Flo Jackson”
Produced By: Kid Hazel, Alyx & Splited Stupid
Fred again.. feat. Young Thug — “Scared”
Produced By: Fred again.., Boo & Nate Brazier
Jordan Ward — “Stranger”
Produced By: Lido
What a depressing start to the new year…!
I’m inclined to agree!