Happy Friday, folks! The holiday season is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate than with fresh music to set the mood? This week’s list offers something for everyone, from soulful R&B to high-energy hip-hop and festive Afrobeats. Whether you’re looking for tracks to vibe with while wrapping gifts or something upbeat to get you into the holiday spirit, these releases have you covered.
Leading the charge is Burna Boy with “Bundle by Bundle,” a vibrant track that channels the energy of Nigerian nightlife. J. Cole celebrates the 10th anniversary of his seminal album 2014 Forest Hills Drive with a special edition featuring unreleased tracks. Mozzy and Kalan.FrFr team up for their joint project LUCKY HER, bringing West Coast vibes to the forefront. Today’s list also includes music from SZA, IDK, Tink, and more.
Take a look at our roundup of new releases below.
J. Cole – ‘2014 Forest Hills Drive’ (10-Year Anniversary Edition)
Celebrating a decade since its original release, J. Cole presents the 10-year anniversary edition of 2014 Forest Hills Drive. This special edition includes eight previously unreleased tracks from the album’s sessions, offering fans a deeper dive into his creative process during that era. Check it out HERE.
Burna Boy – “Bundle by Bundle”
The Grammy-winning Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy has dropped “Bundle by Bundle,” a vibrant track that captures the festive energy of Nigerian nightlife. Produced by Telz, this single is a precursor to his upcoming eighth studio album, No Sign of Weakness, slated for release in 2025. Listen to it HERE.
SZA – “Drive”
The R&B superstar released the music video for lead single “Drive,” starring Ben Stiller. Watch it HERE.
Mozzy & Kalan.FrFr – ‘LUCKY HER’
West Coast rappers Mozzy and Kalan.FrFr collaborate on the joint project LUCKY HER, blending their unique styles to deliver a collection of tracks that showcase their lyrical prowess and storytelling abilities. Stream it HERE.
Rotimi – “Detty December” (Video)
Actor and singer Rotimi releases the festive visuals for “Detty December,” capturing the holiday spirit with vibrant scenes that complement the song’s upbeat and celebratory vibe. Watch it HERE.
San Francisco’s own Larry June drops “Treasure Island,” a laid-back track that embodies his signature smooth flow and motivational themes, perfect for cruising through the city. Check it out HERE.
IDK – “FLOW”
Rapper IDK returns with “FLOW,” a dynamic single that highlights his versatility and innovative approach to hip-hop, further solidifying his place in the contemporary rap scene. Hear it HERE.
Tink – ‘Lost Pages’ EP
R&B songstress Tink unveils her latest EP, Lost Pages, featuring soulful melodies and introspective lyrics that delve into themes of love, heartbreak, and personal growth. Listen to it HERE.
If you’ve ever been to ESSENCE Hollywood House, you know it’s more than just a series of panels—it’s a gathering of visionaries. A space where Black creatives and leaders come together to share stories, strategies, and solutions. This year’s conversation, Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City, presented by AT&T, was no different.
The discussion brought together three voices, each deeply invested in shaping LA’s future: D. Smoke, the Grammy-nominated rapper and educator; Olympia Auset, founder of SÜPRMRKT, a grocery service tackling food apartheid in LA; and DJ HED, a radio personality and advocate for independent artists. Though their paths differed, their mission was the same—creating opportunities, protecting culture, and ensuring Black spaces in LA don’t just survive but thrive.
For Olympia Ausset, the work she’s doing with SÜPRMRKT goes far beyond providing fresh groceries—it’s about laying the foundation for a stronger, healthier community. “The LA we love, the cultural beacon it’s known as today, was built by people who worked hard to create their own spaces,” she shared. “The reason I do what I do is because it’s essential. We can’t achieve any of the changes I want for my community without being in good health and having access to affordable, organic food. Without places where we can gather, heal, and support each other, none of the other goals will be possible. It starts with taking care of ourselves and building those spaces together.”
From Olympia’s focus on wellness and accessibility to DJ HED’s belief in the power of self-worth, the discussion explored what it means to dream beyond individual success and invest in collective progress. “I see a lot of people who aren’t proud of where they come from, what they look like, or where they’re at in life,” he said. “I had to learn to give myself grace, to grow. I grew up in Inglewood, raised by a single mom. We lived in a car, we were on welfare, but I knew I wanted to be bigger than my circumstances. That’s what dreaming in Black is—believing in something greater and nurturing it until it grows.”
DJ Smoke also touched on this, emphasizing the importance of intention and fulfillment. “You don’t want to climb that ladder and realize you went real high in the wrong direction,” he warned. “A lot of people in LA are ambitious, but if you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you can get to the top and still feel empty. The goal isn’t just to make it—it’s to make it mean something.
Sometimes, as Black creatives, we only dream as far as the next gig or the next check, but dreaming in Black means going beyond that. “It means thinking bigger than what’s right in front of you,” said host Donye Taylor.
This conversation was a call to action – a reminder that preserving LA’s Black culture means investing in community, honoring our history, and building a legacy that lasts.