New Music Friday is stocked full of offerings this week and is the most varied list we’ve put together this year so far.
Coming straight from the pen is Lil Durk‘s Deep Thoughts, an album recorded before he was arrested on murder-for-hire charges.
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This is juxtaposed by Will Smith returning with his first album in 20 years and while he is no stranger to controversy (hi, Chris Rock), the rapper and actor is still someone the whole family can listen to.
NAV is also back with his first album in three years, while Boldy James could not have a more different approach to releasing music as he drops his fourth album of 2025 and it’s not even Easter.
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There is also a surprise offering from superproducer Timbaland who has ventured off into a more experimental and jazzy space.
For those who still love the old school, KRS-One is back with Temple of Hip Hop Awareness.
Check out the best of New Music Friday below.
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Lil Durk — Deep Thoughts
Features: Future, Lil Baby, Jhené Aiko, Hunxho
Production: Metro Boomin, Southside, Lil Yachty, Will A Fool, Benny Blanco
Label: Alamo / Sony
Currently behind bars awaiting trial on serious murder-for-hire charges, Lil Durk isn’t letting his legal woes slow down his music career as he drops his appropriately titled new album Deep Thoughts, which finds him exploring his more introspective side.
NAV — OMW2 REXDALE
Features: Playboi Carti, The Weeknd, Metro Boomin, Don Toliver
Production: Metro Boomin, Wheezy, NAV, Rance, Allen Ritter, OZ
Label: XO / Republic / UMG
Headlined by a standout collaboration with man-of-the-moment Playboi Carti and The Weeknd, NAV’s first album in three years is expectedly moody and made for dark nights alone. OMW2 REXDALE is another example of that nocturnal Canadian sound pioneered by Drake and Abel.
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Will Smith — Based on a True Story
Features: Big Sean, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jaden, Joyner Lucas, Russ, Teyana Taylor, Fridayy, Sunday Service Choir, OBanga, B. Simone, Jac Ross, India Martinez, Marcin
Production: omarr, LeXoskeleton, LastNght, Kyle Townsend, FNZ
Label: Rave in the Wasteland / SLANG
His first album in 20 years, Will Smith is no longer the happy-go-lucky Fresh Prince rapping about high school. Now a 56-year-old Oscar winner, Based on a True Story offers an honest insight into a man that has been a public figure for almost 40 years.
Timbaland — Timbo Progression
Features: N/A
Production: Timbaland, Jordan Mosley, Justin Mosley
Label: Rave in the Wasteland / SLANG
Best known for his futuristic production for A-listers such as JAY-Z, Missy Elliott and Justin Timberlake, Timbaland’s new album veers into a wildly different direction as he explores free jazz, funk and African sounds.
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Boldy James & Antt Beatz — Hommage
Features: Baby Money, Band Gang Lonnie Bands
Production: Antt Beatz
Label: Boldy James / Antt Beatz / EMPIRE
The most prolific artist in the rap game right now, Boldy James has dropped his fourth album of 2025 — with two more already scheduled to arrive before the end of May. Most artists would start to wane in quality with this level of output, but not Moochie.
Reuben Vincent & 9th Wonder — Hit Me When You Get Here
Features: Foggieraw
Production: 9th Wonder
Label: Self-released
Vory — You Made Me This Way
Features: Bay Swag, Tracy T, Swavy, alan vuong
Production: SkipOnDaBeat, Lily Kaplan, BEAM, Yegr, Smash David
Label: Ikonic Global
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Sada Baby — Bridge Kard Blessings
Features: JMSN, Lakeyah, Skilla Baby,
Production: Mia JayC, JMSN, Derrick Milano, Primo Beats, Dux Jones
Label: Big Squad / Groundwerk / BMG
KRS-One — Temple of Hip Hop Global Awareness
Features: N/A
Production: Credits unavailable
Label: R.A.M.P Ent Agency
Babyfxce E — M Block
Features: VonOff1700, Mello Buckzz, YN Jay, Raq Baby, E Monaleo
Production: Almighty Aczavier, JayTheProducer, Pooh Beatz, Go Grizz, Omar Grand
Label: Atlantic
Lord Sko — Piff
Features: Conway The Machine, Curren$y, MAVI, Grand Puba, Del The Funky Homosapien, POLO PERKS <3 <3 <3, Collard Production: Harry Fraud, Statik Selektah, Tony Seltzer, A Lau, Arlo Walker
Label: UPTOWN SH!T / Stimulated / Roc Nation Distribution