While everyone else is listening to shitty Christmas music or shittier Eminem music, we got you covered with That New New!

N.E.R.D. – NO ONE EVER REALLY DIES

When N.E.R.D. first released “In Search Of…” fifteen years ago, the Neptunes’ productions were all over hip-hop radio (Jay-Z, Nore, Kelis, Usher, etc etc etc), but Pharell wasn’t a star yet. Post-“Happy” and The Voice, his profile is a million times bigger, but that hasn’t had much of an effect on N.E.R.D.’s sound, which is as soulful and weird as ever. “No One Ever Really Dies” is definitely not for everyone, but even die hard rap heads will want to give it a listen for the features (Andre 3000, Kendrick Lamar, Gucci Mane, Future) you might be surprised! https://open.spotify.com/album/54OXaFd0PtGtAgauTmARkD

BROCKHAMPTON – SATURATION III

On the subject of weird rap shit, BROCKHAMPTON definitely fits that bill as well, and his new record is all over the place in the best way. https://open.spotify.com/album/5c2AzoNyr46fCQM5d8mxE0

Jeezy “American Dream” feat. Kendrick Lamar & J Cole

Less-Young Jeezy may not be at the peak of his powers, but he still has some heat on his album, and “American Dream” immediately jumped out at us. Listen to the whole record at https://open.spotify.com/album/4IJsz38bUJjUXkFBhU8icl

J HUS – Bouff Daddy (Dre Skull Remix feat. Popcaan)

“Bouff Daddy” sounds like some jail shit but thankfully it means something else in patois. Dre Skull brings his magic to this remix, with an infectious verse by Popcaan. https://open.spotify.com/album/4qNrQbpmzmWJxWyhF9m0B1

Listen to all of these and more from DJ Equal & Gyptian, Angelica Bess & Machinedrum on our TNN playlist:

We had some tracks lined up for today and then Brent Tactic sent four absolute heatrocks for consideration so we’re highlighting those instead! As always, you can stream these in our That New New Playlist at the bottom of this post, or click the links below for each individual track.

Statik Selektah – 8

Statik’s the rare producer who has his roots in the MPC era of 90s rap but also has impeccable taste in new hip-hop, and his new album reflects that balance. The list of features is crazy, like a true school version of a DJ Khaled album: Run The Jewels, Raekwon, Action Bronson, 2 Chainz, G-Eazy, The Lox, really too many to list… Sean Price and Prodigy make appearances from beyond the grave, and Malice of The Clipse even comes out of retirement for a verse.

Stwo – Over U

My god, this one is just gorgeous. Stwo is a French producer who found a home at OVO after coming to Noah “40” Shebib’s attention. We highly recommend digging into his catalog, especially “Neither Do I” ft. Jeremih, “Haunted,” and Drake’s “Western Road Flows,” which he coproduced. But back to “Over U,” the bassline reminds us of The Streets “Blinded By The Light” progression, but played on a layered sub / pretty synth combo, while UKG percussion shuffles along and R&B vocal samples bring on the feelings – but words can only do it so much justice, so the thing to do is listen right now.

Bekon – Cold As Ice

Bekon sort of reminds us of Tuxedo, with classic 60s-style R&B harmonies, over a more contemporary, yet dreamy, sound pallet. A quick google reveals Bekon to be Dan Tannenbaum, who contributed to several tracks on Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. Maybe it’s because we’re listening on a freezing Monday morning, but “Cold As Ice” is more or less a perfect song.

Ravyn Lenae – Sticky

What if there was a TLC tribute group that changed all the lyrics to be about marijuana, and they were called THC? Ravyn Lenae’s influences are probably more like Erykah Badu and Georgia Anne Muldrow with a little Santogold, that quirky weirdo R&B lane, but her love song to the sticky icky is just what the dispensary doctor ordered. The off-kilter beat is provided by Steve Lacy, another Kendrick Lamar colloborator (http://www.thefader.com/2017/04/14/steve-lacy-kendrick-lamars-damn-pride), and the youngest member of The Internet.

All these and more from OBillz, Sharon Jones, Big Sean & Metro Boomin: