The best new hip-hop this week includes albums, videos, and songs from Future, Metro Boomin, Big Sean, and more.

Poor Big Sean. He’s got a new single out, his first in two years, and it’s really good, but once again, Kendrick Lamar stepped on his moment with a world-shaking, competition-baiting verse.

Now, it seems a lot of the oxygen is being taken up by discussion about Kendrick’s declaration of war against Drake and J. Cole — even for the album on which it appears, Future & Metro Boomin’s We Don’t Trust You. Still, there were other notable releases in hip-hop this week.

Bryson Tiller made his comeback with “Calypso,” the first single from his upcoming self-titled album.

J. Cole teased his new music (and his upcoming sneakers) with another installment of his “Might Delete Later” vlogs.

Lil Yachty continued his global takeover with Nemzzz on “It’s Us.”

Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending March 22, 2024.

Albums/EPs/Mixtapes

Cakes Da Killa — Black Sheep

Sometimes, catching a wave in rap is just a matter of timing — and the timing is working in Cakes Da Killa’s favor. A longtime advocate of the hip-house subgenre, his latest 11-track offering has arrived in a much more receptive climate than his early mixtapes, as the dance music space has turned once again to the inner cities where the genre was founded. Hip-hop and house have long been linked but as the bond has strengthened in the past year, Black Sheep sits in a prime position to skyrocket Cakes to stardom.

Future X Metro Boomin — We Don’t Trust You

Once you get past the elephant in the room, the long-awaited joint album turned out to be well worth the wait. In addition to standout guest turns from the likes of Playboi Carti, Rick Ross, Travis Scott, and of course, the devastating Kendrick Lamar verse. Metro and Future push each other in ways unique to their working relationship, even beyond the great stuff they’ve turned out alongside other artists. We Don’t Trust You is one of those rare moments everything comes together.

Joyner Lucas — Not Now I’m Busy

The Massachusetts rapper put a few years of distance between his last full-length album, ADHD, and the growth is evident right away. While he has spent the past four years releasing sporadic singles to show off his creativity and rhyme acumen — notably, through tracks with A-listers like J. Cole, Future, Lil Baby, and Lil Durk — he’s clearly taken the lessons learned since then to build a more cohesive creative sensibility Not Now is the first real indication that Eminem’s anointed has a long and consistent future in front of him.

Singles/Videos

Kash Doll — “Pressin'” Feat. Tee Grizzley

Two of the hottest names in Detroit team up for a straightforward street stomper. Kash Doll hasn’t been super prolific since releasing her debut album Stacked in 2019, but with her DJ Drama mixtape Back On Dexter last year and now this new single, it looks like she could be warming up for a strong comeback — just in time to rub metaphorical elbows with fellow rising women rappers like GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and more.

Lil Mosey — “Life Goes On”

Second chances don’t come along often in the music business. Lil Mosey’s current attempt at a career reset comes after some uncomfortable implications but he hopes to bounce back and regain some of the momentum he accrued early in his career with “Blueberry Faygo.” “Life Goes On,” with its somber, reflective lyrics and grunge-rock leanings, is a nod toward the growing up he’s had to do in such a short time.

Roc Marciano — “Gold Crossbow”

Roc Marci has long been one of underground rap’s premiere wordsmiths, and he’s got a new album, Marciology, on the way. “Gold Crossbow” is a solid first single that deftly sets the stage for the full project, which will feature Jay Worthy, Larry June, and more.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. .