Awards season keeps chugging along, and the worlds of hip-hop and R&B are along for the ride.
On Sunday night (Jan. 11), Teyana Taylor won her first career Golden Globe (best supporting female actor in a motion picture) for her bombastic performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which won four trophies total, cementing the film as the best picture Oscar frontrunner. Ryan Coogler’s Michael B. Jordan-led Sinners, another leading Oscar contender, picked up two wins, including best original score for Ludwig Göransson.
Next month (Feb. 1), Taylor will compete for best R&B album at the 2026 Grammys. Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nods at the upcoming ceremony, Doechii boasts five and Wicked: For Good star Cynthia Erivo competes in three categories across as many fields. Notably, all three artists, alongside Taylor and Jordan, are nominated for entertainer of the year at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards, which announced its nominations Monday morning (Jan. 12).
While stars flooded the red carpet on the West Coast, two East Coast hip-hop figures dominated news headlines. On Thursday (Jan. 8), New Jersey rapper Fetty Wap was released from prison 11 months earlier than expected after serving over three years behind bars on federal drug charges. The same day, President Trump told The New York Times that he had no plans to pardon Diddy, despite the disgraced mogul self-penning a letter seeking one.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Jill Scott’s latest offering to Chief Keef’s new banger. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
-
Freshest Find: Jill Scott, “Pressha”
Just one week after launching her new era with “Beautiful People,” Jill Scott has shared another taste of her forthcoming To Whom This May Concern LP, “Pressha.” Co-produced by Adam Blackstone and Vincent “VT” Tolan, the new brass-laden track finds the neo-soul queen crooning about the frustration that comes from futilely trying to fit love into neat boxes. “I wasn’t the aesthetic/ I guess, I guess, I get it/ So much pressure to appear just like them,” her languid delivery stretching each syllable with jaded apathy. — KYLE DENIS
-
Chief Keef, “Harry Potter”
Chief Keef as a wizard in Hogwarts is a frightening sight for the Harry Potter lexicon. Sosa returned to kick off 2026 with a cinematic ode to “Harry Potter.” The Chicago drill pioneer doesn’t waste time diving into the thumping production, and he’s sounding clearer than ever. Sosa reflects on buying “hella choppers” as a teen star and compares himself to Harry himself because of the scars on their faces. Keef is relentless, fitting four verses into the dynamic five-minute cut. Come for Sosa’s Shark Tank pitch and stay for the Kim Possible references. After not dropping a project in 2025, it seems like Chief Keef is getting back to it in ‘26. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
-
PHABO & Kiana Ledé, “Win or Lose”
“Win or Lose” sits in the emotional limbo of a relationship that continually breaks its own promises. Produced by AB and Mario Winans, the song captures the exhaustion that comes from believing the relationship “wouldn’t be like this.” PHABO and Kiana wrestle with the same question: If love is still there, why does it feel so lonely? Together, they frame love as something deeper than winning or losing; it’s about honesty, reassurance and effort. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
-
French Montana & Max B, “Ever Since U Left Me”
Can the song of the summer drop in January? That may be the case with this banger French and Max dropped off over the weekend. The KC & The Sunshine Band sample flip and the bounce this track provides is perfect for one of those signature nights out in the city. The type of night that’ll make you go deaf on a b—h. This is how you reintroduce Max B to the mainstream. — ANGEL DIAZ
-
Moonchild, Robert Glasper & D Smoke, “Up From Here”
“Already know what it means to lose/ Already know what it means/ Nothing can touch me,” coos Amber Navran of Grammy-nominated trio Moonchild in the ethereal hook of “Up From Here.” That sentiment — experience providing not just knowledge, but also an extra layer of security and protection — anchors the new track, which features piano from five-time Grammy winner Robert Glasper and a Cali-repping verse from Grammy-nominated MC D Smoke. Tailor-made for hazy late-night smoke sessions, “Up From Here” boasts the kind of subtle optimism that’s needed at the top of a new year. — K.D.
-
LeoStayTrill, “Blessing”
On “Blessing,” LeoStayTrill raps from the mindset of someone who knows their breakthrough is close and refuses to let distractions slow them down before it arrives. Co-written and produced by Leo and Scratch, the track draws a clear line between those who stay consistent and those who only show up for the highs. The repeated prayer to “Baba God” anchors the record spiritually, framing this season by discipline, tunnel vision and moving with purpose alongside people who share the same mindset. — C.C.
Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox
Sign Up
