Clipse and Travis Scott’s Jackboys took over the hip-hop scene last weekend, while established and emerging artists such as Awich, Abrina, Dorrough, and Fordo weathered the storm. As the “Song of the Summer” race heats up, more of hip hop’s biggest stars prepare to join the battle royal. Summer 2025 is quickly becoming the season of seasoned artists. The legends and established acts continually prove how to create impactful music, while new artists struggle to maintain their relevance or find their unique sound. However, there are numerous new artists establishing their cult followings with unique new music. As the debates begin, blockbuster tours continue, and anticipated albums arrive, there’s still a lot of amazing new music that has gone overlooked this week. From Awich’s continued takeover to Tay Money and Rob 49’s surprise collab to Fordo doubling up, here’s all the new music you might have missed this week. Awich Proves Her Skills With FERG & Lupe Fiasco In “Wax On Wax” The rising female rhymeslayer sharpens her skills against credible master craftsmen such as the Trap Lord and Fiasco. The song is a sensual, confident anthem blending Japanese and English lyrics to explore empowerment through intimacy. She asserts control in both romantic and artistic expression. Abrina & DCMBR Show Us That “Good Love Forever” Inspired by San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs, a place in her hometown for clarity, reflection, and personal growth, the “Actin Up” hitmaker transforms her favorite escape into a bold, musical state of mind. The collaboration delivers undeniable chemistry and sensual energy. It re-enters the singer and her amazing talent into today’s music, while reuniting her with loyal fans who have been supporting her through all the ups and downs. Tay Money & Rob49 On The Search For A “Snow Bunny” More “Baddie Music” from the popular Dallas rap star. Linking with Rob for the infectious new party anthem, Big Tay brands herself the baddest with obligations of being dripped with the finer things and nothing less. The single promises an exciting new album from the “Assignment” hitmaker later this year. Dorrough Music Takes Us On A Wild Night Through “Uptown” The Legendary Dallas rapper blends swagger and Southern charm, contrasting past struggle with hard-earned rewards. It’s not just a party track—it’s a reflection of perseverance, elevated living, and the triumph of Southern rap resilience. Fordo Makes Moves To The Top Like “Nobody’s Watching” From his debut album, 2001, the Milwaukee rap star addresses public appearances and how the world perceives you. It is an anthem for anyone ready to drop the masks and be unapologetically themselves. Young Dro & K Carbon On “I Go” Bonding the past with the present in a bold anthem of confidence, hustle, and Southern bravado. Over a hard-hitting beat, both artists trade verses packed with swagger, flexing street credibility and lyrical dominance. The track celebrates relentless ambition, fast living, and unshakable self-assurance in the face of doubt. Kaash Paige Got “2BadBitches” The bona fide hit takes fans into Kaash Paige’s life after-dark. Surrounded by a crew of alluring women, the Dallas recording artist embraces her “toxic alter ego” in full form. It marks her return with a big bounce back to the top of music on the way. Da’Ville Is Ready For “Sunshine Days” Making a triumphant return after over a decade’s absence, the Reggae superstar picks up where he left off with the high-energy single. “This is the most personal and spiritual chapter of my journey,” he said. “Sunshine Days is about gratitude, love, and walking through life with your head up. The world needs that energy right now, and I’m here to give it.” Da Deputy & Big A Show Off Their Wheelpower The Fort Worth, Texas rapper takes us on a ride in his vibrant, quick tape that connects his love for car culture with his love for hip-hop. The tricked-out wordplay blends perfectly with Big A’s bass-driven production. It’s a go-to soundtrack for those long rides or meet-ups.

Steph Curry addresses now viral video of him saying he’s tired of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” During a recent interview with Complex, Curry spoke on his friendship with Drake and reflected on the viral video captured during the Olympics USA Basketball, last summer.  In the viral video Curry could be heard saying, “dammit with this song. It’s not the only song in America.” When asked about his friendship with Drake he expressed, “we go way back though and it’s actually kind of a family thing too. One of Ayesha’s cousins is from Toronto and the whole deal. So, we’re all in the same boat,” the ball player expressed.  When asked about the viral clip, Curry explained he was both sick of the song and he’s loyal to Drake. “Oh, it was both,” he said. “Everywhere we went, it was all I heard. And, the fact that they know who I was with. You can’t do nothing about what the DJ’s playing. But I was like, I got sick of it at a certain point. It’s funny the cameras caught me because that was from the soul. View this post on Instagram A post shared by COMPLEX (@complex)

GloRilla speaks out after she was arrested Tuesday for felony drug possession. According to TMZ, the rapper was arrested on Tuesday in Forsyth County for possession of a “scheduled controlled substance and possession of marijuana over one ounce,” which are felony offenses under Georgia law. She was reportedly taken into custody and released later that day after posting a $22,000 bond. Following the arrest, GloRilla’s attorney shared a statement with TMZ. “The arrest of Gloria Woods is a disturbing window into how warped law enforcement priorities have become.” The statement continued, “Ms. Woods was out of town when her residence became a target for a group of home invaders who most likely knew she wasn’t there. What they didn’t know was that she had family staying with her that were traumatized by the violent entrance of this group who grabbed high-value jewelry before taking off once they realized the home wasn’t vacant.” GloRilla also addressed the situation. “CRAZY.. My House got Home Invaded Saturday While I was in Indianapolis performing for the WNBA all star game & instead of Focusing on finding the Suspects , they focus on some cannabis..” “1. So no I wasn’t  busted 2. My house got robbed 3. I wasn’t home Long story short my house gets home invaded and Im the only one that gets arrested. So that’s tea.. CRAZY My House got Home Invaded Saturday While I was in Indianapolis performing for the WNBA all star game & instead of Focusing on finding the Suspects , they focus on some cannabis 1. So no I wasn’t  busted 2. My house got robbed 3. I wasn’t home Long story short my… — GloRilla (@GloTheofficial) July 24, 2025

LL COOL J is not only one of the GOAT rappers but he coined the term. During an appearance on Late Night With Seth Myers, LL brought all the receipts for introducing GOAT into the pop culture lexicon. When Meyers said that LL claimed to be the first to use acronyms he was quick to correct him. “Claim? Claim? Claim? Interesting way to phrase that — claim,” LL responded, evidently perturbed by the host’s phrasing. “I’ll tell you where I got it. I got Greatest of All Time from Muhammad Ali, and I got G.O.A.T. from Earl Manigault who was a street basketball player in New York. I took the two together and I made the acronym G.O.A.T. — Greatest of All Time, and then it just kind of spread throughout the world,”  LL continued He went on to explain  that “the first time it appeared in the world” was when he released his eighth studio album, G.O.A.T. featuring James T. Smith: The Greatest of All Time. On “4,3,2,1,” from his 1997 album Phenomonon which featured Method Man, Redman, and DMX, with Canibus and Master P on the remix, LL dropped the lyric that changed how we view the best in every field forever. He rapped, “Watch your mouth, don’t ever step out of line/LL Cool J, ni**a, greatest of all time.”

Tyler, the Creator revealed that his ninth studio album, Don’t Tap The Glass, was made while he was on his “Chromakopia” tour. According to Tyler, creating the project allowed him to keep his sanity. “I’m so tired,” Tyler said in a clip shared by Complex Music on Instagram. “Mentally, physically, I’m f*cking beat. But making this sh*t on tour, this album, this 10-song, 30-minute thing … Was giving me so much life on this motherf*cking tour … I just wanted to make sh*t.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Complex Music (@complexmusic) After the release of the album, Tyler shared on Instagram what inspired him to create the album and it was sparked by some friends who were discussing why some people don’t like dance in public anymore. “I asked some friends why they don’t dance in public and some said because of the fear of being filmed. I thought damn, a natural form of expression and a certain connection they have with music is now a ghost,” his post read in part. “It made me wonder how much of our human spirit got killed because of the fear of being a meme, all for having a good time.” “I just got back from a ‘listening party’ for this album and man was it one of the greatest nights of my life. 300 people. No phones allowed. No cameras. Just speakers and a sweatbox,” Tyler continued. “Everyone was dancing, moving, expressing, sweating. It was truly beautiful. I played the album front to back twice, it felt like that pent up energy finally got released and we craved the idea of letting more of it out.”

Daniel Caesar recently shared how he survived being canceled. In an interview with Billboard, the Toronto born singer recalled the events the kept him on the margins. “I was canceled for, you know, speaking my mind,” he says, before choosing his worlds more carefully: “I was canceled for being drunk and foolish in public. But that was something I was always allowed to do. No one gave a s–t [until I started to get famous].” I’m literally my father’s son,” he continued. “My dad was the guy at sabbath lunch talking about how the government was going to put microchips in our arms. And I’m the same. If you get me riled up at a party, I’ll start talking about some crazy s–t. People roll their eyes, but that’s just the way we are.” The incident in question was when Caesar came to the defense of YesJulz who faced several accusations of cultural appropriation and insulting Black women, namely Scottie Beam and Karen Civil. Julz also caught heat on social media for tweeting out a t-shirt that read, “Ni**as lie a lot. While intoxicated, Caesar supported Julz and criticized Black people for being, “so mean to white people.” “Why is that we’re allowed to be disrespectful and rude to everybody else and when anyone returns any type of energy to us…That’s not equality,” Caesar explained. “I don’t want to be treated like I can’t take a joke.” “People are allowed to say what the f**k they want. I’m allowed to feel what I want, but at the same time am I going to fight them or am I going to accept what they have to say and keep it f**king moving?” he continued. Speaking at Apple Music’s Nadeska  in 2023, Caesar apologized for his words. “I completely understand the response. And in time, after taking time to get over myself and to really honestly look at myself and everything that was happening, I was wrong,” he said. “ I was wrong, and I’m sorry about that. For a long time, I was like, ‘You can’t do anything, you can’t say anything without whatever.”

Pharrell Williams is taking Joopiter’s auction experience to the next level with a fresh sale called “The Art of Time: Rare & Coveted Watches.” Launching on July 16, this event features nearly 30 exceptional watches spanning almost 100 years, offering collectors something truly unique beyond the usual auction staples. Building on Joopiter’s past standout moments—like auctioning Kid Cudi’s wardrobe and a car sale that closed down a New York street—the new watch auction aims to surprise enthusiasts with an unconventional mix. Caitlin Donovan, Joopiter’s global head of sales, curated the collection with a clear goal: to showcase extraordinary pieces that break away from the familiar Paul Newman Daytonas dominating the market. “Our first watch auction is a natural evolution, driven by the enthusiasm of our international collectors and our commitment to curating what’s truly exceptional,” Donovan said. Among the highlights are a Patek Philippe Gondolo featuring an onyx dial, three vibrant Franck Muller models from the ’90s including the quirky Crazy Hours, and a striking all-blue Richard Mille RM030 designed for Paris Saint-Germain. Rare entries from Japanese maker Otsuka Lotec also make an appearance with two ultra-limited editions. The catalog of 27 watches ranges from accessible to extraordinary. On the entry level, there’s an Ebel Sports Classic Chronograph with Zenith’s renowned El Primero movement. Mid-tier pieces include a Rolex Air-King engraved with the Omani khanjar and an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept skeleton. The top-tier selections showcase remarkable gems such as a platinum Rolex Day-Date with a lapis-lazuli dial, a gem-studded Audemars Piguet Bamboo “Black Diamond,” a one-of-a-kind Cartier Tank Cintrée crafted under Cartier’s “New Special Order” program, the original solid-gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 5402 BA, and leading the pack, a coral-dial Piaget for Cartier Tank 9200. For watch collectors tired of seeing the same models over and over, Pharrell’s Joopiter auction offers a refreshing and sophisticated alternative. Bidding is live now on Joopiter’s website, with worldwide shipping and estimates ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Tory Lanez’s legal battle continues to draw national attention, with prominent figures now stepping in to advocate for his release. The Canadian artist, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence following his 2023 conviction for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in 2020. Despite the verdict, many supporters believe he deserves clemency, including former New Jersey Assemblyman Jamel Holley and White House appointee Jack Brewer. Holley recently took a formal step by sending a petition directly to California Governor Gavin Newsom, urging him to grant Lanez a pardon. “I humbly implore you to exercise your authority…to grant clemency, correcting a grave injustice and safeguarding a life,” Holley wrote, insisting that “Mr. Peterson’s conviction rests on unstable foundations.” Brewer has also made his stance public, using social media to highlight what he believes is an unjust situation, especially for Lanez’s son. “As an advocate for 2nd Chance Fathers, I can’t stay silent about Tory Lanez,” Brewer wrote on X. “This is another broken case that points to someone else, another father is lost to a system that rewards headlines over truth. Fatherlessness is destroying our nation.” Brewer didn’t stop there, calling on Governor Newsom to take action. “If Tory was an illegal alien there would be protests in the streets,” he added. “It’s not right. Governor Gavin Newsom, you have the power to right this wrong. This is bigger than one man, it’s about every child growing up without their dad, every family torn apart by injustice. I’m asking you to lead with courage, compassion, and fairness. Bring a father home.” Lanez won’t be eligible for parole until November 2029, but if denied, he could remain behind bars until 2033.

The Power Universe is expanding with a new Power: Origins prequel being green lit by Starz. The new show is the fifth installment of the ongoing series. According to Deadline,  the new series chronicles the lives of Ghost and Tommy as “ambitious young entrepreneurs on the rise, determined to make their mark on the streets of New York City.” The premiere season will be 18 episodes long starring MeKai Curtis, star of Power Book III: Raising Kanan, as Kanan Stark.  Sascha Penn, showrunner, writer and executive producer, expressed her excitement about the new series in a statement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sascha Penn (@pennsascha) “I’m excited to continue to explore the origin stories of the Power Universe’s founding fathers,” said Sascha Penn, showrunner, writer and executive producer, in a statement. “Ghost and Tommy’s backstories have fueled years of constant fascination and speculation among fans, and I’m thrilled to be able to answer some long-held questions and share new layers of the story that viewers won’t see coming.”  “Our fans have been asking for Ghost and Tommy’s origins story since we first met them in Power — and with the launch of this series, we’re delivering in a big way,” Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming for Starz added. “This marks an electrifying new chapter in the franchise’s evolution as we dive deep into the legacy of these iconic characters and the explosive moments that shaped their path.” The “Power” Universe series is executive-produced by the creator and showrunner of the original Power, Courtney A. Kemp, through her production company, End of Episode, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, through G-Unit Film and Television.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, are suing right-wing political pundit Candace Owens, who said that the First Lady of France is a man, the New York Times reports. Filed in Delaware Superior Court on Wednesday, the suit accuses Owens of making false claims to “promote her independent platform, gain notoriety and make money.” In March 2024, Owens “told the world” she would stake her “entire professional reputation” that Ms. Macron is, in fact, a man.” She made the claim on her podcast the claim on her podcast abd in a post on X. This episode is blowing up so I just want to say—After looking into this, I would stake my entire professional reputation on the fact that Brigitte Macron is in fact a man. Any journalist or publication that is trying to dismiss this plausibility is immediately identifiable as… — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 12, 2024 Any journalist or publication that is trying to dismiss this plausibility is immediately identifiable as establishment. I have never seen anything like this in my life. The implications here are terrifying,” her post read. In a lawsuit totaling 200 pages, the Macrons are suing for “22 counts of defamation and related claims, and are seeking actual and punitive damages (the amount was not specified), as well as legal costs.” Ms. Owens “disregarded all credible evidence disproving her claim,” the filing says, and “rather than engage with President and Mrs. Macron’s attempts to set the record straight, Owens mocked them and used them as additional fodder for her frenzied fan base.” “Because Ms. Owens systematically reaffirmed these falsehoods in response to each of our attorneys’ repeated requests for a retraction, we ultimately concluded that referring the matter to a court of law was the only remaining avenue for remedy,” the Macrons’ statement read. Mitchell Jackson, a rep for Owens,  said his client has not been served and heard about the suit through the news media. “Candace Owens is not shutting up,” Mr. Jackson said. “This is a foreign government attacking the First Amendment rights of an American independent journalist.”  In addition to Owen’s, her media company and the company that runs her website are named in the suit.