The final Friday of August 2025, August 29th, heralded a significant wave of new music, with the hip-hop genre taking center stage. This New Music Friday saw the highly anticipated releases from prominent artists like Joey Bada$$ and Westside Gunn, alongside notable contributions from R&B star Ella Mai and pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter, rounding out a dynamic week for music lovers. The day’s releases offered a rich tapestry of sounds, from introspective lyrical explorations to polished pop anthems and genre-bending collaborations.
Joey Bada$$ Returns with “Lonely At The Top”
Brooklyn’s own Joey Bada$$ officially dropped his fourth studio album, “Lonely At The Top,” on August 29th, following a slight delay due to label issues. The 11-track project is a deep dive into themes of fame, solitude, and self-awareness, delivered with his signature sharp lyricism and layered production. Originally slated for an August 1st release, the album’s postponement only heightened anticipation among fans eager for the Pro Era co-founder’s latest work. “Lonely At The Top” features a stellar lineup of collaborators, including Ab-Soul, Rapsody, A$AP Ferg, and Ty Dolla $ign, adding significant depth to the album’s exploration of modern success and its inherent isolation. Among the standout tracks is “SWANK WHITE,” where Bada$$ trades bars with Westside Gunn, touching on cultural moments and wrestling icons. The album’s release precedes Bada$$’s fall tour, “The Dark Aura Tour,” which is set to commence in October, further cementing his presence in the hip-hop landscape. Many believe this project solidifies his growth as an artist and his enduring position within contemporary hip-hop.
Westside Gunn Celebrates “Westside Gunn Day” with “HEELS HAVE EYES 2”
In his hometown of Buffalo, New York, August 29th also marked the annual “Westside Gunn Day,” a celebration of the rapper’s impact and artistry. Coinciding with this festive occasion, Westside Gunn released his latest project, “HEELS HAVE EYES 2,” the sequel to his earlier EP of the same name. Available via Griselda Records and Roc Nation Distribution, the 12-track album continues Gunn’s unique vision of merging music, art, fashion, and wrestling into a cohesive, cinematic experience. The project’s striking cover art, featuring a man leaping over a wrestling barricade, pays homage to Gunn’s “4th Rope” persona. “HEELS HAVE EYES 2” delivers 12 new songs and is positioned as a compelling addition to his discography, showcasing his signature soundscapes and gritty street narratives fused with avant-garde beats. This release arrives during a busy week for hip-hop, with Gunn’s project dropping alongside albums from Earl Sweatshirt and Joey Bada$$, highlighting his confidence and status within the modern rap scene. The “Westside Gunn Day” celebration itself featured performances by notable artists including Joey Bada$$, Bun B, and Styles P, underscoring Gunn’s influence and community standing.
Ella Mai and Mustard Deliver Smooth R&B with “Tell Her”
Ella Mai, the Grammy Award-winning R&B singer, made her return with the single “Tell Her,” produced by her long-time collaborator Mustard. Released on August 29th, the track is described as a confident, slow-burning R&B anthem that blends Mai’s soulful delivery with Mustard’s signature understated bounce. The song marks her first release since her 2024 EP “3” and signals an exciting new chapter in her career. Lyrically, “Tell Her” explores themes of loyalty and reassurance in modern relationships, with Mai asserting the need for clear communication and devotion, even interpolating lines from Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name.” The production is noted for its smooth, moody, and laid-back feel, making it suitable for late-night listening and radio play. Fans have responded positively, with many hoping this single signals an upcoming full-length album.
Sabrina Carpenter Explores New Sonic Territories with “Man’s Best Friend”
Pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter added to her burgeoning career with the release of her seventh studio album, “Man’s Best Friend,” on August 29th. The 12-track project, produced by Jack Antonoff and John Ryan, follows the blockbuster success of her 2024 album “Short n’ Sweet.” “Man’s Best Friend” delves into disco-pop, funk, R&B, and synth-rock, showcasing Carpenter’s evolution as an artist. The album’s lead single, “Manchild,” previously charted at number one in several countries, building significant anticipation. Carpenter described the album as a “real party for heartbreak” and a “celebration of disappointment,” characterized by bold, explicit, and often humorous lyrics. The album’s provocative cover art also generated considerable discussion, with Carpenter later releasing an alternate cover. Carpenter also revealed she incorporated live instrumentation, including playing the banjo, on the album, adding unique textures to the pop soundscape.
Other Notable Releases and Collaborations
Beyond the headline acts, New Music Friday on August 29, 2025, featured a variety of other significant releases and collaborations. Erykah Badu and The Alchemist’s highly anticipated joint album, “Abi & Alan,” was unfortunately delayed from its scheduled August 29th release, with both artists citing issues, though the exact timing remains uncertain. The project was initially intended to debut during their collaborative tour.
In hip-hop, DJ Snake and Don Toliver released their collaborative single “Something Wrong,” a late-summer anthem blending hypnotic synths with Toliver’s smooth vocals, offering a glimpse into DJ Snake’s upcoming album “NOMAD.” Additionally, DJ Khaled released “Brother,” a powerful collaboration featuring Post Malone and NBA Youngboy, which serves as a lead single from Khaled’s album “Aalam of God.” The track combines Post Malone’s melodic delivery with NBA Youngboy’s intense verses, exploring themes of family and brotherhood. Other noteworthy releases included Westside Gunn’s “HEELS HAVE EYES 2,” which was highlighted alongside albums from artists like Rakim and D Smoke. Sabrina Carpenter’s “Man’s Best Friend” was also noted as a major pop release of the month, drawing comparisons to her previous chart-topping work.
In summary, August 29, 2025, was a momentous day for new music, particularly within the hip-hop and R&B spheres. The releases from Joey Bada$$, Westside Gunn, Ella Mai, and Sabrina Carpenter underscored the diverse talent and creative output dominating the charts, offering compelling stories and sounds for a wide range of listeners.
