After ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest reached a four-year ratings high by treating viewers to performances by stars ranging from Chance the Rapper to Diana Ross, The Culture has hit the ground running in 2026.
Just two days into the New Year (Jan. 2), Jill Scott announced her forthcoming studio album, To Whom This May Concern, her first in over a decade. The Grammy-winning “Golden” singer shared the set’s lead single, “Beautiful People,” as well as an eye-popping list of collaborators, including Ab-Soul, JID, Tierra Whack, Too $hort, DJ Premier, Adam Blackstone, Camper, Andre Harris and Trombone Shorty.
By Sunday night (Jan. 24), Sinners, last year’s Ryan Coogler-helmed vampire blues blockbuster, reigned victorious at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards, tying Frakenstein with four wins each. Miles Caton, whose “I Lied to You” ranked at No. 100 on Billboard’s Best Songs of 2025 list, won best young actor/actress, while Coogler took home best original screenplay. Michael B. Jordan lost his best actor bid for the film, but received a warm shoutout from Timothée Chalamet, who won for his performance in Marty Supreme, which also stars Tyler, the Creator (billed as Tyler Okonma). Similarly, One Battle After Another Star and R&B siren Teyana Taylor lost her best supporting actress nod to Amy Madigan (Weapons).
With Grammy voting closing on Monday (Jan. 5), Sinners will have a shot at some more hardware at the February ceremony. The film’s compilation and score soundtracks earned six collective Grammy nominations, placing the horror hit alongside other leading contenders, including Kendrick Lamar (nine); Leon Thomas (six) and Clipse, Doechii, SZA and Tyler, the Creator (five each).
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Doechii’s grounded new manifesto to Lil Uzi Vert’s latest dancefloor banger. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
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Freshest Find: Doechii & SZA, “Girl, Get Up.”
About half a decade ago, SZA ushered in 2021 with a reset: the Christmas ’20 release of “Good Days.” Right before New Year’s Eve ’25, Doechii followed suit and adhered to tried-and-true TDE blueprints at the same time. “All that industry plant s–t whack/ I see it on the blogs, I see you in the chats/ You suck every rap n—a d–k from the back/ But what’s the agenda when the it girl Black?” she spits with steely intensity over Jay Versace’s sparse, percussive production. In less than three minutes, Doechii eviscerates pathetic streamers that trade on misogynoir, defends her towering work ethic, teases her forthcoming debut album, and recruits SZA for a hook that doubles down on positive affirmations. In the vein of Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart” series, “Girl, Get Up” is a palate cleanser — a neat bow on the Alligator Bites Never Heal era, and an exciting peek at what’s to come from the Swamp Princess in 2026. — KYLE DENIS
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Fetty P Franklin & DaBaby, “Hustlin’ Grindin’ Hustlin’”
DaBaby linked up with one of the emerging acts out of his hometown while co-signing Fetty P Franklin, as the Charlotte-bred duo linked up for the Kirk Franklin EP shortly after Christmas. The joint project might be cleverly named after the gospel legend, but this is purely for motivating the streets. “Hustlin’ Grindin’ Hustlin’” serves as a standout from the EP, and it’s the type of jolt in your morning coffee to properly start your day. Fetty P’s hoarse cadence repeats the track’s title on the chorus, while Baby rips the skittering production about his hustle-hard upbringing, fueling his rags-to-riches story. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
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Jill Scott, “Beautiful People”
It’s been 11 years since Jill Scott’s last LP, but the neo-soul queen is back like she never left. “Our love is bigger than time or race/ Our love is rhythm and charm, it resonates/ In еvery space, it fills the placе,” croons Jilly from Philly over a sparkling, earthy blend of laid-back drums, guitars, and bass. The Om’Mas Keith-produced joint finds Scott singing the virtues of community, humanity, and finding the joy and love in reality’s darkest and most trying chapters. A perfect soundtrack to kick off the New Year, every month of 2026 should feel like “Beautiful People.” — KYLE DENIS
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Lil Uzi Vert, “What You Saying”
Despite the onslaught of holiday tunes, Lil Uzi Vert’s “What You Saying” has been virtually inescapable on social media since its Dec. 22 release. The Jersey club-infused track finds Uzi openly admitting that they don’t even understand what the woman they’re interested in is saying because she’s “foreign.” But their chemistry speaks louder than words. Produced by McVertt with mixing and mastering by Jess Jackson, “What You Saying” mirrors Uzi’s trademark universe: fast and stylish on the surface, with moments of softness and fixation layered underneath. Together, the fashion-centric visuals — Marc Jacobs, Law Roach, Adriana Lima, and Lourdes Leon all make cameos in the official music video — and hypnotic production reaffirm that image is just as vital as sound. Three years after “Just Wanna Rock” hit the Hot 100’s top 10, Uzi is on the verge of another smash with this new banger. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
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Trim, YKNiece & BunnaB, “Boat”
After storming the top five of Billboard’s Hottest Female Rappers of 2025 list, ATL rap breakouts YKNiece and BunnaB are lending their newborn star power to another viral female rap hit. South Carolina rapper Trim has been going viral on TikTok with several tracks, including “Boat,” which sails here thanks to her playful hook and catchy cadence. Just before Christmas (Dec. 23), she delivered the “Boat” remix, leveling up the whole affair by adding YKNiece’s gruff tone and BunnaB’s winking, queer-coded bars. — K.D.
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