Listen to new must-hear songs from emerging R&B/hip-hop artists like Khalil and Spencer Diamond.
Ski Mask The Slump God “Catch Me Outside 2”
Courtesy Photo
Last week housed both the midpoint of 2025 and Independence Day — so, naturally, the stars were out.
On July 4, Beyoncé graced Maryland’s Northwest Stadium with her blockbuster Cowboy Carter Tour, featuring a flashy new American flag fur coat and the continued absence of “16 Carriages” and its flying car. The same day, Drake kicked off his Iceman album era with his scene-surveying new single, “What Did I Miss?”
The day before the holiday (July 3), however, featured an admirable display of class solidarity from Grammy winners LL Cool J and Jazmine Sullivan. Both artists were scheduled to appear at last Friday’s Wawa Welcome American Festival in Philadelphia, but they pulled out of their performances in support of a strike by nearly 10,000 city workers. “There’s absolutely no way that I can perform, cross a picket line and pick up money when I know that people are out there fighting for a living wage,” LL Cool J said in a video posted to his official Instagram page.
Of course, this weekend took place in the shadow of the verdict in the Diddy trial, which was delivered on July 2. The disgraced mogul was found not guilty on the two most serious charges (sex trafficking and racketeering), but was convicted on two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution. Judge Arun Subramanian has yet to set a firm date for sentencing.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Ski Mask the Slump God’s new sequel to Benny the Butcher’s summer anthem. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
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Khalil feat. Alice Aera, “Insecure”
After linking for last year’s “Emotionally Unavailable,” R&B rising stars Khalil and Alice Aera join forces once again for “Insecure,” a dry, acoustic guitar-based track that finds the two crooners trading verses about the push-and-pull between finally accepting the love you desperately crave, but secretly feel you don’t deserve. The smoky undertones of Alice’s timbre play well against Khalil’s falsetto, as they opt for a conversational structure over traditional duet harmonies. “Feeling insecure, I never need you more/ Then you give some more, and now I need you gone,” he croons in the chorus. “Tell me, ‘put you on,’ and now I feel like I showed you too much/ Tell me what you want, ’cause now I don’t think it’s gon’ be enough.” — KYLE DENIS
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Tommy Genesis, “Loops”
Tommy Genesis faced backlash surrounding the religious symbolism in her “True Blue” video, and she addresses the critics head-on, digging into her ancestral trauma with the poignant “Loops” as a South Indian whose family converted from Hinduism to Christianity. “How can I explain?/ Blood in my veins Like liquid pain, ancestral shame/ How women were tamed, how men behaved/ My lineage, cyclical rage,” she intones on the chorus over stripped-down guitars. TG will continue to traverse this vulnerable journey when her Genesis album arrives on July 25. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
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Benny the Butcher, “Summer ’25”
There are only a handful of rappers that can stack up to Butch when he’s rappin’ like this. The Buffalo rapper’s last couple solo projects have received mixed reviews, but this right here is him setting off the summer right. Hopefully, we get more of this high-level s—t talkin’ on whatever he’s planning on dropping next, because the streets need it. I feel like the new Clipse album will set the bar, and will inspire everyone to talk that talk — with raps sponsored by Pyrex. — ANGEL DIAZ
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Kota the Friend feat. Samara Cyn, “It’s a Good Life”
Kota the Friend and Samara Cyn’s “It’s A Good Life” is a warm, introspective track that celebrates gratitude, growth and living life with purpose. Kota reflects on the joy of simple pleasures such as his garden, good food and authentic friendships, while staying grounded despite success. Samara Cyn brings sharp, confident bars, embracing her self-worth and pushing past fake friends and negativity. Together, they encourage listeners to appreciate life, embrace the hard days and keep moving forward. The song reminds us to find peace outside of the rat race and stay focused on what truly matters. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
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Mello Buckzz, “Super P”
Unfortunately, Chi-Town MC Mello Buckzz’s Hollyhood release party was overshadowed by a drive-by shooting that left four dead and another 14 injured in Chicago’s River North neighborhood (July 2). If there’s such a thing as a silver lining in a moment so obviously tragic, it’s that Hollyhood is a very strong project. Among the set’s standouts is “Super P,” a Hitkidd-helmed joint that finds Mello stressing how real and how “P” she’ll always be, regardless of what fame and success come her way. “I never change on a game for the peso/ Too real, I ain’t nothin’ like you fake h—s/ I be super P on a b—h, like a urinal,” she spits with a tone laced with disgust at those who betray their morals for a bit of clout. — K.D.
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BabyChiefDoIt, “Went West”
Fresh off being highlighted on the 2025 XXL Freshman Class cover, BabyChiefDoIt also performed at Lyrical Lemonade’s SummerSmash recently, and took the opportunity to film the video to this absolute banger as he ran around backstage and linked up with Nardwuar, in a visual that’s almost reminiscent of Wayne’s “A Milli” video — all of which were smart moves. Then there’s also the fact that he produced the beat, and he makes sure we know about it when he raps, “They gon’ be surprised when they see I made this beat/ BabyChief went Kanye West.” Pay attention, because BabyChiefDoIt is next up out of Chicago. — A.D.
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Spencer Diamond, “My Desire”
Packing on the nostalgia for ’90s R&B with a modern twist, Spencer Diamond is a needle in a Kentucky haystack. Diamond delivered his soothing “My Desire” single last week ahead of the holiday, as the Bluegrass State native showcases his D’Angelo inspiration while crooning through his romantic stresses. “If I call your name, will you match my desire?” he repeatedly asks over a punchy beat that feels like something Timbaland could’ve produced for Aaliyah. — M.S.
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Ski Mask the Slump God, “Catch Me Outside 2”
A high-energy sequel to his 2017 breakout hit, “Catch Me Outside 2” once again finds Ski Mask flipping Missy Elliott’s “She’s a B—ch” into a rapid-fire, playful showcase of punchlines and pop culture references. His wordplay is sharp and unpredictable, comparing himself to everything from Darth Vader to the Loch Ness Monster while flexing his originality and success. He leans into his signature chaotic flow, balancing humor with braggadocio as he raps about money, copycats and his untouchable style. The song is packed with anime, cartoon and gaming nods, creating a vivid listening experience that further cements Ski Mask’s one-of-one artistry. — C.C.
