The end of August 2025 ushered in a wave of highly anticipated music, with New Music Friday solidifying its status as a pivotal date for artists and fans alike. This particular Friday, August 29th, saw major album drops from hip-hop heavyweights Joey Bada$$, Westside Gunn, Rakim & Big Ghost Ltd., D Smoke, and Key Glock, alongside pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter and R&B star Ella Mai making significant single releases. The week’s releases also coincide with Billboard’s unveiling of its Top 10 Hip-Hop Songs of the 21st Century, adding historical context to the current musical landscape.
Hip-Hop’s Monumental Week: Bada$$, Gunn, Rakim, and More Drop New Projects
Joey Bada$$ makes his triumphant return with his fourth studio album, Lonely At The Top, released via Columbia Records/Pro Era/Cinematic Music Group. Clocking in at approximately 40 minutes with 11 tracks, the album delves into themes of fame, solitude, and self-awareness, featuring collaborations with hip-hop stalwarts like Westside Gunn, Ab-Soul, Rapsody, A$AP Ferg, and Ty Dolla $ign. Produced by a roster including Statik Selektah and Boi-1da, Lonely At The Top marks Bada$$’s first full-length solo effort in three years, following his 2022 project 2000. The Brooklyn native is set to support the album with “The Dark Aura Tour” this fall.
Meanwhile, Westside Gunn continues his prolific output with Heels Have Eyes 2, the follow-up to his earlier EP in the series. Released on August 28th, the album features notable artists such as Benny The Butcher, Stove God Cooks, and MIKE, with production from industry heavyweights like DJ Muggs and Harry Fraud. Gunn, a noted wrestling enthusiast, continues to infuse his projects with themes and references from the wrestling world.
Legendary MC Rakim, alongside producer Big Ghost Ltd., has released The Re-Up, a remixed and reimagined version of Rakim’s 2024 album G.O.Ds NETWORK – REB7RTH. The project boasts new beats and a curated selection of guest verses from artists like Lazarus, Hus Kingpin, Planet Asia, and Method Man, among others, breathing fresh life into the iconic rapper’s latest work. Rakim’s enduring influence was recently highlighted by his acceptance of a Peabody Medal, underscoring his status as a pivotal figure in hip-hop.
D Smoke, fresh off his Grammy nominations and win on Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow, delivers his third studio album, Wake Up Supa, on August 26th via WoodWorks Record & Death Row Records. This introspective collection features collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Lucky Daye, and BJ The Chicago Kid, exploring themes of awakening, resilience, and cultural reflection. Smoke is also set to embark on an 18-city North American tour this fall.
Adding to the hip-hop onslaught, Key Glock has dropped Glockaveli: All Eyez On Key, a deluxe edition of his earlier project, featuring ten new tracks. The album pays homage to hip-hop icons with its title and cover art, continuing Glock’s signature Memphis sound.
Pop and R&B Dominance: Carpenter and Mai Deliver Compelling Releases
On the pop front, Sabrina Carpenter has released her highly anticipated seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend, on August 29th. Following the massive success of her Grammy-winning album Short n’ Sweet, Carpenter’s latest project, produced with longtime collaborators Jack Antonoff and John Ryan, explores themes of loyalty, sexual power dynamics, and relationships with her signature witty and often provocative lyricism. The lead single, “Manchild,” has already garnered significant chart success, topping charts in Ireland, the UK, and the US. The album’s artistic direction, including its initial controversial cover art, has sparked widespread conversation.
Grammy-winning R&B artist Ella Mai makes a powerful return with her new single, “Tell Her,” produced by her frequent collaborator Mustard. Released on August 29th, the soulful track finds Mai setting clear boundaries in a relationship, asserting her self-worth with a confident and direct delivery. The song interpolates Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name,” adding a nostalgic yet fresh feel to Mai’s evolving sound. “Tell Her” serves as the first taste of a new era for the beloved R&B singer.
Adding to the week’s diverse offerings, DJ Snake has teamed up with Don Toliver for their first collaboration, “Something Wrong.” This smooth, synth-laden track serves as a preview of DJ Snake’s upcoming album NOMAD, due September 26th. The single captures a hazy, late-summer vibe, blending Toliver’s distinctive vocal presence with Snake’s signature production style.
Billboard Reflects on Hip-Hop’s Defining Moments
Adding a layer of historical perspective to this packed release day, Billboard has unveiled its ranking of the Top 10 Hip-Hop Songs of the 21st Century. Based entirely on chart performance, the list celebrates the genre’s most impactful tracks, featuring an array of artists who have shaped modern music. Topping the list is Lil Nas X’s “Industry Baby,” followed by Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop,” Post Malone and 21 Savage’s “Rockstar,” Travis Scott and Drake’s “SICKO MODE,” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” rounding out the top five. The inclusion of these top tracks serves as a reminder of hip-hop‘s constant evolution and enduring cultural significance, setting a high bar for the new music being released today.
This “New Music Friday” has proven to be a landmark event, showcasing the continued vibrancy and diversity of the music industry, with established legends and burgeoning stars alike delivering compelling stories that are sure to resonate with fans for months to come.
