20 New Hip-Hop, R&B, & Neo-Soul Albums You Should Be Listening To (Week of July 30)



Robyn Mowatt

Robyn Mowatt is a staff writer at Okayplayer where she…

Isaiah RashadIsaiah Rashad

Photo Credit: Spenser Sease

Our weekly roundup of New Music Friday albums is filled with releases by a crew of talented female acts like Liv.e, Amindi, Emmavie, BbyAfricka, Cookie Kawaii and more.

This week we’re back with a stacked list of options for you to take for a spin on New Music Friday. We’re particularly enthused that there are a bunch of refreshing releases from female rappers/singers including but not limited to Liv.e, Billie Eilish, Emmavie, BbyAfricka, Cookie Kawaii, Bri Steves, Ebhoni and more. 

First up we’re really, really into Isaiah Rashad’s latest The House Is Burning which is his return after a five-year break from dropping albums, singles, etc. A few days ago, Amindi, a hidden gem served up an introspective EP, nice.

Also out today is Toosii’s Thank You For Believing: The Manifestation which features a solid appearance from Fivio Foreign; Young Dolph reveals Paper Route Illuminati; Logic drops Bobby Tarantino III; and Dave East and Harry Fraud roll out HOFFA

As you know, we’re always here for the ladies that have been dominating music despite the pandemic. We’ve been bumping these releases for a bit before they dropped Emmavie’s What’s A Diamond To A Baby, BbyAfricka’s Freak Of The Nile, Bri Steve’s TBH and Lauren Faith’s No Path To Follow. Don’t sleep on Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever. 

For those of you who enjoy live music, kick back and relax to Durand Jones & The Indication’s masterful EP Private Space and Naia Izumi’s stunning release A Residency in the Los Angeles Area.

Keep scrolling to see all of this week’s selections.

Isaiah Rashad — The House Is Burning

Photo Credit: TDE

Amindi — Nice

Amindi Nice EPAmindi Nice EP

Photo Credit: Vinny Nolan

Liv.e CWTTY+

Liv.ELiv.E

Photo Credit: Artist

Skepta — All In

Skepta All InSkepta All In

Photo Credit: Artist

Dave East, Harry Fraud — HOFFA

Dave East Harry Fraud HOFFADave East Harry Fraud HOFFA

Photo Credit: Artist

Young Dolph Paper Route Illuminati

Young DolphYoung Dolph

Photo Credit: Artist

Toosii — Thank You For Believing: The Manifestation

Toosii The Manifestation: Thank You For BelievingToosii The Manifestation: Thank You For Believing

Photo Credit: Universal Music

Logic — Bobby Tarantino III

Logic Bobby Tarantino IIILogic Bobby Tarantino III

Photo Credit: Def Jam Recordings

Emmavie — What’s A Diamond To A Baby

Emmavie Whats A Diamond To A BabyEmmavie Whats A Diamond To A Baby

Photo Credit: Artist

Billie Eilish — Happier Than Ever

Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever

Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever

Cookie Kawaii — Vanice

Cookie Kawaii VaniceCookie Kawaii Vanice

Photo Credit: Artist

BbyAfricka — Freak Of The Nile

Gabe ‘Nandez — Seven

Gabe Nandez SevenGabe Nandez Seven

Photo Credit: POW Recordings

Tink — Heat Of The Moment

Tink Heat of the MomentTink Heat of the Moment

Photo Credit: Artist

Naia Izumi — A Residency in the Los Angeles Area

Naia UzumiNaia Uzumi

Photo Credit: Artist

Bri Steves — TBH

Bri Steves TBHBri Steves TBH

Photo Credit: Atlantic Records

Ebhoni — Good Dick & Weed

Ebhoni Good Dick & WeedEbhoni Good Dick & Weed

Photo Credit: Artist

Durand Jones & The Indications — Private Space

Durand JonesDurand Jones

Photo Credit: Artist

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Lauren Faith — No Path To Follow

Lauren Faith No Path To FollowLauren Faith No Path To Follow

Photo Credit: Artist

Alex Banin — Did I Imagine

Alex Banin Did I ImagineAlex Banin Did I Imagine

Photo Credit: Artist