New Hip‑Hop drops stack
New Music Friday’s rap/R&B slate has heat: Black Sherif’s 'PopStar', Darkoo & Ruger’s 'Solar', Angelique Kidjo & Ayra Starr’s 'Aye Kan', plus Apex Village & PsychoYP’s EP 'Welcome 2 The Ville' — playlists also flagged Eric Bellinger, Elmiene, Jordan Ward and Bellah’s new singles. The week’s releases are driving conversation across genre playlists. (x.com) (x.com) (x.com)
Black Sherif’s “POPSTAR” arrived March 27 via RBA/Empire and was announced on his socials as his first official single of 2026, signaling a planned push after the success of his Iron Boy era. (kaknews.com)) The Darkoo x Ruger single “Solar” premiered March 27 with an official visualizer on YouTube and was posted to streaming sites the same day, pairing Darkoo’s UK-Afro style with Ruger’s Afropop cadence. (youtube.com)) Angélique Kidjo’s “Aye Kan (Are You Coming Back?)” featuring Ayra Starr is the lead single from her forthcoming album HOPE!!, which Parlophone/Warner set for release April 24, and its video was filmed inside New York’s Power Station studio. (kidjo.com)) WELCOME 2 THE VILLE, the Apex Village & PsychoYP project, dropped March 23 as a 14‑track release on services including Apple Music and Audiomack and lists guest spots from Not3s, Azanti and Laime across the tracklist. (music.apple.com)) Eric Bellinger’s new single “Cry In Front Of You” landed March 27 alongside news he signed a deal with the relaunched Tamla/Motown imprint, marking his first release under that partnership. (music.apple.com)) British‑Sudanese singer Elmiene released his debut album sounds for someone on March 27 via Def Jam/Polydor, with the Sampha‑produced single “SAVIOUR” among the pre‑release tracks and “Lie With Me” highlighted as a lead single. (universalmusic.ca)) Jordan Ward issued the single “Waiting Room” on March 25 through Interscope channels, continuing the rollout that supports his live “The Apartment” tour dates. (music.apple.com)) UK rising artist Bellah released “Typical” with Destin Conrad at the end of January and followed with “Love Me Less” on March 6 as part of her early‑2026 single campaign. (neonmusic.co.uk))
