This New Music Friday, August 29th, 2025, has delivered an exceptionally robust slate of releases, significantly shaping the contemporary hip-hop and R&B landscapes. The day’s offerings include highly anticipated albums from Joey Bada$$, Sabrina Carpenter, and Rakim, alongside new singles from Ella Mai, DJ Khaled, Post Malone, and NBA YoungBoy. This wave of new music arrives as Billboard also dropped its definitive list of the Top 10 Hip-Hop Songs of the 21st Century, providing a comprehensive overview of the genre’s most impactful tracks.
Joey Bada$$ Ascends with ‘Lonely At The Top’
Brooklyn’s own Joey Bada$$ has officially released his fourth studio album, ‘Lonely At The Top,’ on Columbia Records/Pro Era/Cinematic Music Group. This project marks his first full-length release in three years and delves into themes of fame, solitude, and self-awareness, delivered with his signature sharp lyricism and layered production. The album boasts an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Westside Gunn, Bri Steves, A$AP Ferg, Kelz2busy, Ty Dolla $ign, Rome Streetz, Kai Ca$h, and CJ Fly, with production credits from industry heavyweights like Statik Selektah, Chuck Strangers, Hitmaka, Boi-1da, and Jay Versace. Tracks like the lead single “DARK AURA” and the collaborative effort “STILL” with Ab-Soul and Rapsody have already generated considerable buzz, setting the stage for his upcoming “The Dark Aura Tour” this fall.
Sabrina Carpenter Explores ‘Man’s Best Friend’
Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter has also graced fans with her seventh studio album, “Man’s Best Friend,” released via Island Records. Following the immense success of her 2024 album “Short n’ Sweet,” Carpenter teams up again with acclaimed producers Jack Antonoff and John Ryan for this new collection. “Man’s Best Friend” is primarily a pop record, infused with elements of disco-pop, funk, R&B, and synth-rock, exploring themes that hint at loyalty, sexual power dynamics, heartbreak, and young lust. The album’s lead single, “Manchild,” has already proven to be a chart-topper in multiple territories, including the US, while the second single, “Tears,” released concurrently with the album, further showcases Carpenter’s evolving artistry. The project’s evocative imagery and lyrical depth suggest a mature exploration of relationships.
Ella Mai Offers “Tell Her”
Grammy Award-winning R&B singer-songwriter Ella Mai has returned with her new single “Tell Her,” available on all streaming platforms via 10 Summers Records. Produced by Mustard, the track features Mai’s soulful delivery over a smooth, bouncy beat, marking a significant new chapter for the artist. “Tell Her” follows her surprise 2024 EP “3,” which celebrated the intricacies of love and featured the hit ballad “Little Things.” In “Tell Her,” Mai addresses relationship complexities, setting boundaries, and seeking assurance, demonstrating her growth as an artist who values honesty and emotional clarity.
The Hip-Hop Landscape Expands with Major Releases
Beyond these prominent solo projects, the music world is buzzing with other significant releases. Westside Gunn has dropped his latest album, “Heels Have Eyes 2,” on Griselda/Roc Nation, a project that continues to blend his signature gritty production with wrestling-inspired narratives. The album promises the distinctive Gunn soundscapes that fans have come to expect. Furthermore, global superstar DJ Khaled has made a significant return, releasing two powerful singles: “You Remind Me,” featuring a dancehall supergroup including Vybz Kartel, Buju Banton, Mavado, Bounty Killer, RoryStoneLove, and Kaylan Arnold, and “Brother,” a collaboration with Post Malone and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. These tracks serve as previews for his forthcoming 14th studio album, “Aalam of God.” Legendary hip-hop pioneer Rakim is also contributing to the day’s releases with “The Re-Up,” a collaborative project with Big Ghost Ltd., featuring new beats and a fresh take on his comeback material.
Billboard Charts the Top Hip-Hop Stories of the Century
Complementing the day’s new music, Billboard has unveiled its highly anticipated list of the “Top 10 Hip-Hop Songs of the 21st Century.” Based entirely on chart performance, the list highlights tracks that have defined eras and shaped popular culture. Topping the chart is Lil Nas X’s “Industry Baby,” followed by Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” at number two, and “Rockstar” by Post Malone and 21 Savage at number three. Other notable entries include Travis Scott and Drake’s “SICKO MODE,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” Jack Harlow’s “Lovin On Me,” Drake’s “God’s Plan,” 50 Cent’s “In Da Club,” Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen,” and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” rounding out the top ten. This comprehensive ranking underscores hip-hop’s enduring influence and its remarkable ability to constantly reinvent itself.
In summary, August 29, 2025, stands as a monumental day for new music, particularly within the hip-hop and R&B genres. The releases from Joey Bada$$, Sabrina Carpenter, and Ella Mai, coupled with significant contributions from Westside Gunn, DJ Khaled, Post Malone, NBA YoungBoy, and Rakim, showcase the genre’s vibrant and diverse state. The concurrent release of Billboard’s iconic hip-hop song list provides a fitting historical context, celebrating the music that has shaped the past quarter-century and continuing to inspire new stories in the present.
