It was a relatively rocky Black History Month, but the 57th NAACP Image Awards ensured that February went out with grace and style. The cast of Sinners owned the Feb. 28 telecast with a whopping 13 wins — including outstanding breakthrough performance in a motion picture for Miles Caton — but the resounding love and outpouring of support from their peers in the face of last week’s horrible BAFTAs N-word debacle was the real victory.
Cardi B dominated the music categories, picking up three trophies, including outstanding female artist and outstanding album for Am I the Drama? Kendrick Lamar also nabbed three wins, taking home honors for outstanding male artist, outstanding music video/visual album (“Luther,” with SZA) and outstanding short-form series or special for his 2024 Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show.
Both the original and remix versions of Chris Brown’s “It Depends” won their respective categories, and 803Fresh’s culture-dominating “Boots on the Ground” (with Fantasia) was named outstanding duo, group or collaboration (traditional). Finally, as Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Kirk Franklin dominated the gospel categories, Tyla snagged outstanding international song for “Is It,” and Texas rapper Monaleo won outstanding new artist.
Sinners repeated its dominant showing at Sunday night’s Actor Awards (March 1), winning the ceremony’s top prize (outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture), as well as an instantly iconic triumph for star Michael B. Jordan (outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role).
But between Jay-Z seemingly teasing a monthslong celebration of his 1996 debut album, Rihanna sending the Navy’s heart rates flying with new footage of her in the studio, and Megan Thee Stallion delivering a pitch-perfect remix of Juvenile’s fast-rising “B.B.B.,” it’s clear the culture yearns for summertime. In the meantime, as we inch our way towards the spring, here are this week’s hottest new releases.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from a confident Lakeyah comeback single to the first taste of Naomi Sharon’s forthcoming sophomore album. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
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Freshest Find: Otis Kane, “Let Me Love You”
“I just wanna hold you/ Two step in a slow groove, baby/ Let the music control you/ Put the record on, baby, and lose yourself tonight,” croons Otis Kane at the top of his soulful, bass-driven new single, “Let Me Love You.” Steeped in the lush mixes of ’70s R&B and anchored by simple lyrics that shoot for grand, universal emotions and experiences, “Let Me Love You” feels like an intimate two-step in the living room on a warm summer evening. Kane’s laid-back tone pairs well with the punchy horn section, and it’s that attention to balance that makes this record such a winner. — K.D.
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Naomi Sharon, “Miss That”
Naomi Sharon made her emphatic return with “Miss That,” which sets the rollout in motion of her anticipated sophomore album coming later in 2026. Produced by Majid Jordan’s Jordan Ullman, Sharon blends the worlds of dancehall, EDM and R&B with ease. The First Lady of OVO Sound wants you on the dancefloor this summer, as Sharon sings about detaching from the warmth of a former lover. The 6 God hyped the pulsating track with a post to his IG Story, and we agree with his taste here. — M.S.
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Boldy James & Rome Streetz, “Manhunt”
This sounds like some late ’90s-’00s Queens realness or some Ruff Ryders. I could hear Nas on this. Get him, Tragedy and The LOX for the remix. Anyway, check the whole tape out: It’s pretty good and hopefully a warmup to a full-length project from two of the best (and underrated) guys in the game. — ANGEL DIAZ
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Nali & Coi Leray, “Maybe”
Rising R&B vocalist Nali links with Grammy nominee Coi Leray for a duet steeped in emotional uncertainty and undeniable chemistry. Produced by Kenneth “KP” Paige and Freaky Rob, with additional contributions from the two lead artists and Maranda Thomas, the record lives in the gray area between reconciliation and self-protection. It’s not a breakup song or a love song; it’s the question mark in between. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
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Lakeyah, “Herskiii”
Lakeyah took some time off to recalibrate; now she’s back with a drippy new single that also serves as the official kickoff to her new era as an independent artist. She now has a distribution deal with J. Erving’s Human Re Sources, and her new single “Herskiii” is the perfect reintroduction to the Milwaukee rapper. “Rollie put that Pak up in the mail, then fly like Peter Pan/ Don’t come to the door/ Knock knock, like it’s the pizza man/ Tell these hoes I’m sicker than a fever, damn,” she spits at the end of the first verse, her snarling delivery pairing well with JayUncut’s hard-hitting, piano-inflected trap beat. Infused with boss energy and filled with Instagram-ready captions, “Herskiii” is more than likely to run the streets in the lead-up to the summer. — KYLE DENIS
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Juvenile feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “B.B.B.” (Remix)
This is a banger, I’m afraid. We need the video. Nothing else left to say. — A.D.
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Chase B & Sheck Wes, “Rain”
Chase B, or as Sheck Wes calls him, Chase Beezy, linked up for Chase’s first single with the raucous “MAYDAY” in 2019. Seven years later, they recapture that magic with “Rain,” which landed on Chase B’s, who’s Travis Scott’s DJ, Be Very Afraid debut album. It’s an absolute heater, as Sheck’s flow jumps from grizzled to whispering. The intoxicating ride comes to a screeching halt with an expletive-filled finish. I’m surprised that Sheck didn’t take “Rain” to be the lead single of his next project, whenever that might be. — M.S.
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Mýa feat. 21 Savage, “ASAP” (Remix)
For the official “ASAP” remix, Mýa enlisted 21 Savage to add his hip-hop edge to her smooth, R&B original, which she dropped a few weeks ago. As the song recounts a quietly unraveling relationship, 21 introduces a modern male perspective rooted in pride and status, voicing frustration at feeling overlooked despite his lavish gift giving and emotional investment. There’s a defensiveness to his tone that subtly reveals his insecurity in the relationship, which shifts the emotional temperature of the record. While Mýa reflects on the tension with composure, 21 is guarded and driven by ego. Nonetheless, Mýa makes it clear that avoidance accelerates the collapse of a healthy relationship and all cracks must be addressed “ASAP.” — C.C.
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