CHXRRY’S READY FOR HER DEBUT

Chxrry is bringing back audacity in a music landscape that’s become uninspired in the age of AI and rush for 15 seconds of social media fame. The Toronto based songstress crossed my rotation back in 2022, around the time she signed to The Weeknd’s label XO Records and became the First Lady of the alternative r&b roster of artists. Songs like “The Falls” “Call Me” and my personal fav “Around” were late night ride around, sensual and sonically cinematic cuts that made me curious to dive deeper into Chxrry’s catalogue and experience where her unapologetic bars and moody production could evolve into with a full project. Four years later Chxrry is ready to properly give us a taste of her artistry and as her star continues to rise, U, Me & My Ego is a bold, precise body of work showcasing a human that isn’t afraid to embrace the layered intricacies of our egos and how they impact who we are and how we love.

Throughout the 10 tracks Chxrry unravels the concept of ego and brings us into her rockstar lifestyle. On the opener “Blockstar” Chxrry’s in her brightest, most cocky form raging over trap production letting us know she’s on a mission to make us fall in love with her music. Alongside her executive producer Believve the duo brings her vision to life taking us on a high octane synth-pop ride on “Hall Of Fame”. The slinky electronic warning shot on “Call Security” commands your attention as she confronts a cheating lover and the sidechick on his arm. “Boring” details wanting a lover that might be toxic but keeps things exciting, “I want a show / baby lights camera action / I need fast whips and fast lips and accents / I wanna argue in the middle of Manhattan.” I wore out the live preview of the Mariah The Scientist assisted “Bottles & Lights” for months and the official netxel chirp filled version didn’t disappoint.

Chxrry is proudly carrying the torch for a specific range of eclectic 2000s artists that could give us songs for the Pop charts, clubs and late night moments of reflection when the feelings can’t be avoided by daily distractions and shots of 42. The Blockstar has always referenced her love for this era in music and the women that didn’t want to be put into a box. Think Cassie in 2012 with a freshly half shaved mohawk, urging us to escape to the dance floor with the dark, electropop “King of Hearts”. On the opposite end of the genre spectrum Keyshia Cole has been cited as a source of vocal inspiration and whenever I listen to a Chxrry song I can hear the intention put into her authenticity in the songs she writes (Chxrry wrote every song on this project alongside Believve). The lyrics are coming from her perspective. The production is what she wants to add to the pop culture zeitgeist and its makes an album like this one so satisfying to hear because it doesn’t feel like a safe effort for Billboard recognition.

Dropping a 10 track debut album in an era where labels encourage glutonus 20+ track albums hoping something penetrates the algorithm has left us with a lot of uninspired, hollow, sonical fast food that won’t be remebered in three months. U, Me & My Ego will be on heavy rotation as the weather warms up and will be the soundtrack to my nights out and moments of reflecting on where my ego is taking me. After listening to this album and reading Chxrry’s features on The Fader and Interview Magazine, I think her ego is going to bring her everything she desires:

But I don’t look at ego like a negative thing. I don’t look at it as a thing that’s like, “Fuck you, I’m better than you.” And that’s what this album’s about. It’s challenging the word and the taboo behind it. Why is it so negative, especially with women? Ego is just another layer of how confident you are. I don’t think I’m better than anyone else, but I do think I’m the best. 

Add to rotation: Hall Of Fame, Call Security, Badness (Feat. Cash Cobain), Bottles & Lights (Feat. Mariah The Scientist)

Skip: Bible

Kehlani’s COLORS “Folded” Performance Reason #275 Why She Needs A Grammy

Kehlani has been rightfully pushing her GRAMMY nominated, song of the year on your favorite music publication list, yearner approved “Folded” since it dropped early June of last year and the promotion has definitely paid off. The Andre Harris (A Long Walk - Jill Scott, All That Matters - Justin Bieber, Say Yes - Floetry) produced slow jam instantly became one of my favorite songs of 2025 and I’d be bold enough to say that this will be a classic song that listeners will equate to Kehlani’s signature sound.

Kehlani recently visited the COLORS studio to bless us with a pristine live edition of soulful cut and I might like this version even more than the original. Kehlani is known for her vocal delivery and effortless runs and the extra flourishes she adds to the last half of the song is worth a Grammy win alone. Alongside “Folded”, the R&B songstress also released “Out The Window”, a begging in the rain type of musical pining — setting the tone for a throwback sound reminiscent of Brandy, Tyrese, Musiq Soulchild and even Kehlani herself (please tell me you remember the SweetSexySavage era).

For this next project Kehlani has been in the studio with Jermaine Dupri, Ryan Leslie, Stargate to name a few legends tapped for her fifth studio album. Plus I can’t forget her inspiration and vocal bible Brandy has teased an original collaboration in the works as well. R&B fans will continue to eat good all 2026.

FLO Contemplates Past Love On “Recently Deleted”

Flo’s silky smooth vocals have permanent residence in my brain with their Access All Areas bonus cut “Recently Deleted” on heavy rotation at the moment. The trio goad an ex that’s lost intimate privileges and has to rely on digital memories when they feel lonely or their current situationship is falling short. Sonically “Recently Deleted” fills me with a lot of nostalgia for the 90s when vocalists like Toni Braxton and Faith Evans or girl groups like SWV told stories through their music with vocal deliveries that made you resonate with the music.

You're in my stories, it don't matter the occasion / I know why you can't look away / Truth is no matter who you keep on your rotation / You'll always keep my picture framed

Getting over the one that got away is never easy but maybe the voicemails, imessage threads and old pics can soften the blow. Don’t try to hit that old flame up though cause you’re most likely blocked (Alexa play “Cardboard Box”).

41 Reach Flow State On “Presidential”

41 is one of the most distinctive nyc voices dominating the rap game and the trio gave their fans plenty of vibes to add on their rotation last year. “Presidential” is a personal favorite from their latest singles as the “Bent” rappers Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter and TaTa go bar for bar on an hybrid Jersey club meets New York drill beat.

Seeing this song come to life on a plaqueboymax stream is another dope element to the sonic landscape happening in New York. There’s so much young talent building careers and massive fanbases solely through social media as gatekeepers try to keep up with who will be next to top the Billboard charts and potentially become a household name in the next couple of years.

Pining the Katy Perry “Legendary Lovers” sample from first listen gave me a little nostalgia for the 2010s mixtape days when I pressed play on Wiz Khalifa’s Kush & Orange Juice and heard a Camp Rock era Demi Lovato vocal on “We’re Done”. I’m curious if one of the producers (plaqueboymax, sauceproducedit) was the mastermind behind the pop moment or if one of the 41 members had the pop cut on repeat but this genre bending track is great representation of how chronically online most people are and the inspiration that can come from it collaboration.

Doechii Fires Back On “girl, get up.”

Not even 24 hours into the new year Doechii decided to set the tone for how’s she coming in 2026. After an insane breakout year with the release of her critically acclaimed mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal, a coveted Grammy win for Best Rap Album and countless live performances on her sold out solo tour Doechii continues to elevate and prove she’s more than a viral moment.  With a “life update” captioned video on Instagram and Tiktok, Doechii gave us 30 seconds to oogle at her wining on a yacht as her introspective bars slid on a lux Jay Versace beat then immediately dropped her latest single “girl, get up.” on streaming platforms. The SZA assisted mellow cut plays like a flow of consciousness as the Swamp Princess gets some frustration off her chest;

All that industry plant shit whack / I see it on the blogs, I see you in the chats / You suck every rap nigga dick from the back / But what's the agenda when the it girl black?

Doechii ponders why her success has to be conflated to industry plant speculations and bot allegations when she’s been honing her craft prior to 2019 when she dropped “Spookie Coochie”, a high octane example of her potent bars and the first of many viral singles showcasing her versatility and superstar potential. When I listen to “girl, get up.” I hear an artist that’s centered and confident in their musical offerings. ABNH was one of my favorite records of 2025 and the slower cuts like “WAIT” and “DEATH ROLL” have a similar raw vibe to her latest offering.

Within three days “girl, get up” has racked up over a million streams on Spotify alone letting fans and critics know there’s a demand for an artist like Doechii and the producer of this slow tempo warned via Elon’s Twitter this slow burn is merely a warm up. Utilizing Clipse’s iconic diss “What Happened To That Boy?” “girl, get up.” becomes even more satisfying when you see full time Twitch streamer/part time incel Adin Ross downplay the success of one of the most exciting new rappers in the past five years. I can’t take critique seriously if you’re chronically online yet “DENIAL IS A RIVER” and “NISSAN ALTIMA” somehow missed your radar. I’m also judging if you don’t think Doe had one of the hardest features on Isasiah Rashad’s “Wat U Sed” and we can’t forget her maniacal verse on Tyler’s The Creator’s “Balloon”, The material is there!

Coco Jones Explores New Pop Territory On “Taste”

I feel proud to know I got Coco Jones, Britney Spears interpolated song the first time. “Taste” is the lead single for Mrs. Jones DEBUT album Why Not More? dropping on April 25th and it was instantly met with mixed reviews. For Traditional R&B fans it can be jarring to see your fave pivot to new sounds, especially when you can find so much commercial success in pop music but I love that the Grammy winner isn’t playing it safe or restricting her music to one genre to appease everyone else. Coco Jones is a multifaceted artist. Whether she’s penning a critical acclaimed song like “ICU”, starring in the hit series Bel-Air or being a relatable, hilarious human being on the internet, she’s honed her skillset throughout her lifetime and her debut album will give her the freedom to explore a range of sounds and showcase her voice beyond soulful riffs and runs. 

Hearing “Taste” for the first time and every time after I’m obsessed with the sleek production that Coco struts on as she professes her desire for a potent love. The vocally morphed Britney “Toxic” loop on the hook stays in your head whether you love it or hate it (like every impactful pop song) and I’m glad that Jones took this small risk now as she straddles the lane of being an R&B star and becoming a household name that has the power to dominate in any genre she chooses. R&B has always been one of the most influential genres that has nurtured many talented singers that become notable mainstream superstars (Beyonce, Usher, Ciara, and SZA to name a few) but to reach that status an artist has to be intentional with the production that compliments their voices. 

Jasper Harris co-produced “Taste” alongside Stargate and Aaron Shadrow and I was thrilled to see Harris name tapped for this song after his involvement with Camila Cabello’s experimental-pop love letter to Miami C, XOXO.  I love when artists create worlds with their music and I hope that this isn’t the only song this trio has a placement on. Artists deserve to challenge themselves and their audience with their music and I’m so excited to hear what else is in store for Why Not More? when we get to press play next month.

Keep Your Music Mysterious

When Tyler, The Creator gave fans 12 days to prepare for the release of his eighth studio album CHROMAKOPIA; an unnamed male singer on the chorus quickly stirred up conversation on who was featured on “St. Chroma”, the first song teased with the announcement of this new era.

The victorious, Daniel Caesar assisted “St. Chroma” set the tone to a kaleidoscope of emotions, charged production and raw storytelling from an artist at the top of his game and as we got closer to the release date, Tyler maintained the secret of who else blessed CHROMAKOPIA with a visit.

A feature-less tracklist for CHROMAKOPIA was unveiled when the album dropped on October 28th and listeners got to experience an artist they’ve grown alongside share some intimate moments and harsh lessons he’s learned from his childhood days in Hawthorne, California to the reality of a global star still trying to figure shit out in his 30s.

Daniel Caesar, Teezo Touchdown, Glorilla and Lil Wayne’s appearance on the album were quickly recognized and highlighted on social media but it took some listeners days before they pinpointed Solange’s background vocals on “I Hope You Find Your Way Home” or Donald Glover’s unmistakable ad-libs on the bridge of “Judge Judy”.

Being genuinely surprised to hear my fave Doechii demolish her spot on “Ballon” reminds me of the first time I heard Beyoncé’s heavenly vocals on Frank Ocean’s “Pink and White” or Kendrick’s haunting interlude for Drake’s “Buried Alive”.

Discovering a hidden feature on an album feels like being a kid and finding a $5 bill in a plastic pink egg on easter. In the age of streaming, the process of crate digging and trying to find the name of a new song playing on the radio has been traded in for shazaming songs at the bar and waiting six months for that random 15 seconds of a song that went viral on tiktok to drop but I appreciate Tyler for keeping the thrill in experiencing a body of work alive.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8LU3tNC/

Bree Runway Struts On "2BADGYALZ"

A new era is upon us for the U.K. baddie Bree Runway as she drops new music officially as an independent artist. “2BADGYALZ” is the latest release and over booming distorted bass, Bree’s sexy voice is riding the dirty beat with ease setting the scene of a night cruising with her fellow bad bitch bestie. Sonically “2BADGYALZ” sits nicely with Runway’s last single “PAWZ” and it seems like we’re getting a darker sound in this new era incorpating, hip hop, dance and even industrial production to bring us into Bree Runway’s current sonic world. You know Bree is always gonna deliver with the visuals as well and “2BADGYALZ” does not disappoint.

My only critique is this strut-ready EASYFUN + Raf Riley produced cut should’ve dropped before London and Paris fashion week because it’s begging to be played at full volume on a catwalk. I love when Bree experiments with filthy, electro-tinged production with a knock so hopefully we hear more EASYFUN (“Springbreakers” - Charli XCX) and Raf (“Gucci” - Bree) on this next project.

Rev your engines and prepare to dance with this new Runway bop to add to your rotation.

Spotify: LISTEN

Apple Music: LISTEN

TINASHE ON BRAT DELUXE

CHARLI XCX + TINASHE HAVE HANDS DOWN DOMINATED 2024 WITH THEIR HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS, VIRAL HITS AND REFRESHING ERA ROLLOUTS SO IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE FOR THE TWO IT GIRLS TO REUNITE AND TRULY GIVE THE GIRLS, GAYS AND POP STANS EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT.

YESTERDAY AROUND THE U.S. FANS CAPTURED THE ICONIC NEON GREEN BILLBOARD WITH TINASHE’S NAME WRITTEN BACKWARDS CONFIRMING HER INVITATION TO THE EXCLUSIVE “BRAT AND IT’S COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BUT ALSO BRAT” RAGER.  TINASHE JOINS LORDE, ROBYN, TROYVE SIVAN, BILLIE EILLISH, BON IVER AND SHYGIRL WITH 9 MORE FEATURES THAT HAVE YET TO BE RELEASED.

THE QUANTUM BABY SONGSTRESS IS SO VERSATILE AND I CAN HEAR HER VOICE ON A COUPLE OF THE BRAT RECORDS BUT I PREDICT SHE’S GOING TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE ON “CLUB CLASSICS” OR “EVERYTHING IS ROMANTIC”. A HIGH ENERGY COLLABORATION BETWEEN THEM WOULD BE EVERYTHING BUT I’D ALSO BE INTERESTED TO SEE HOW THEY WOULD FLIP THE PRODUCTION AND MOOD ON ONE OF THE SLOWER CUTS.

WHICH SONG DO YOU THINK TINASHE WILL FEATURE ON AND ARE YOU READY FOR BRAT AUTUMN WHICH STARTS ON OCT. 11 WHEN THE DELUXE PROJECT DROPS?

Jae Stephen's "WET" Is Nostalgic Pop Gold

As Troye Sivan’s character on the controversial, limited series The Idol non chantly questioned “when was the last truly nast, nasty, bad pop girl?” Jae Stephens is stepping up to the ring with her latest single “WET”, a sexy but sweet mid-tempo vibe. Jae’s vocals smoothly glide on the early 2000s, Neptunes sounding cut as she enters a single era where the reposado is flowing and the dancefloors are packed.

Wet t-shirt contest, I win

Went through hell, and back again

Ended up in SoHo, and now I don’t know where my wallet is

But I don’t give a fuck ‘cause he’s sticking to me

It’s like we sharing skin

Getting hot in here, and I’m finna take it all off like, Nelly did

“WET” brings me back to a time when artists we’re giving us shit that we wanted to move to. People tend to be more timid on the dancefloor these days but I appreciate Jae Stephens giving us a carefree bop that will hopefully remind the girls that life’s too short to not be living your Nelly Furtado 2006 Loose fantasies. Side note quick queue suggestion with “Wet” starting the vibe:

1. Wet - Jae Stephens

2. Strip - Brooke Hogan (HEAR ME OUT if you don’t know the pop greatness of this record)

3. Get Naked (I Got A Plan) - Britney Spears

4. Touch - Omarion

5. King Of Hearts - Cassie

Thank me later m,xoxo