Prior to a little over a month ago, Kyle had no plans of releasing music from his forthcoming album in the midst of a pandemic. As he revealed in an Instagram post, the album was one he made to be “enjoyed outside in the sun in the company of friends.” However, with no foreseeable end to the pandemic in sight, Kyle soon realized that his true obligation and goal to fans should have been to “make you happy when times are tough.” Reversing his initial decision, he quickly returned with “What It Is,” a brokenhearted letter to a departed lover. Keeping the new music coming, Kyle changes the mood on his latest single, “Bouncin.”
Produced by Hit-Boy, Kyle new single finds him placing his attention on the good things in his life. Busy “counting cash” and hopping from flight to flight, Kyle makes it clear that he enjoys life the way it is now. Partnering with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Kyle also released a music video that brings him back to his high school campus, the Ventura Theatre, the beach, and other meaningful locations from his life. Appearing by himself for most of the visual, Kyle brings in a few ladies to close the visual to prove that “the checks the only thing that isn’t bouncin’.”
Kyle’s upcoming album may be titled See You When I’m Famous as the phrase appeared repeatedly throughout the video.
Listen to “Bouncin” in the video above.
Kyle is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Despite being just a shade over a year removed from his sophomore album, Free Spirit, Khalid has been fairly active in 2020. Days into the near the El Paso native emerged with his first release of the year, “Eleven,” a track that would be later remixed by fellow southerner Summer Walker. The year also spawned his “Know Your Worth” single with Disclosure, one that also received the remix treatment thanks to help from Davido and Tems. Side-stepping into the feature lane, Khalid pulls up alongside Victoria Monet and SG Lewis for their new single, “Experience.”
Khalid and Monet first teased the song last week as Khalid tagged Monet in a tweet that simply read, “can’t wait.” Originally planned for a release last Friday, Monet revealed in a statement she posted on social media that she decided to push the song back “because of the disgusting and confusing state of the world.” Continuing with her message, Monet also said, “We hope this brings some solace and joy to you. We hope the double ended message of this song is heard: based on experience, we want change! We matter, we always have. Here’s to making changes and celebrating US the best ways we know how.”
A week removed from that statement, the single has now arrived for the listening pleasure of her friends. Upbeat and groovy, Monet and Khalid sing in hopes that “experience can get you to change.” Produced by SG Lewis, the song is expected to land on Monet’s upcoming Jaguar album.
Press play on the video above to hear “Experience.”
Next Friday will mark one month since George Floyd was killed in Minnesota after an officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Following his death, protests all over the country continued for weeks as those who aligned themselves with the Black Lives Matter movement looked to force change out of their governing authorities. The music world also used their talents to promote the movement, some highlight releases including YG’s “FTP,” Buddy’s “Black 2,” and Lil Baby’s “The Bigger Picture.” Contributing his own work to the mix, Anderson .Paak returns with “Lockdown.”
Instead of speaking on just the Black Lives Matter movement, .Paak used his release to detail the frustrations of Black America. From the coronavirus to police brutality to those in denial of the true intentions of the movement, he uses his trademark funk and soul sound to detail these thoughts, many of which he feels himself. Inviting those who are outside looking in at the movement, .Paak invites them to come outside singing, “You should’ve been downtown / The people are risin’.” Back with a music video, .Paak navigates the streets of Los Angeles all with the plan of fighting for the cause with help from Jay Rock, SiR, Syd, Dr. Dre, and more.
Listen to “Lockdown” in the video above.
Nearly, two years after K.T.S.E., Teyana Taylor returns to the spotlight with her third album, The Album. Following the aftermath of her sophomore album, Teyana looks to fully execute her vision and make up for unreleased content from the past this time around as she brings 23 songs to the table for her latest album. Packed with features throughout, one of the highlight moments on the album arrives on the Missy Elliott and Future-featured “Boomin.”
Driven by a strong bass and distant piano keys, Teyana details the satisfaction and happiness her partner brings her in the bedroom. Showing her passion for both her partner and the feelings she holds, Teyana says she “booms like an 808” on the song’s chorus. Future adds his own touch to the song by asking, “Do you know what you mean to me?” before diving into a verse of his own.
Teyana’s latest effort arrives shortly after she revealed her reason for releasing The Album on Juneteenth. “I’ve always been about us being celebrated and celebrating my culture and my people,” she wrote. “For everything to happen, from my album getting delayed and it falls perfectly on Juneteenth, yes, it’s a celebration.”
Press play on the video above to hear “Come Back To Me.”
The Album is out now via GOOD Music and Def Jam. Get it here.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Four years after his last studio album (excluding his 2018 Christmas album A Legendary Christmas), John Legend has returned with his sixth album, Bigger Love. Preceded by the “Conversation in the Dark,” the Dr. Dre-sampling “Actions,” and the warm-spirited title track, Bigger Love arrives in the form of sixteen tracks as Legend weathered the obstacles presented by the coronavirus pandemic to share the album with fans. On a highlight feature from the album, Jhene Aiko joins Legend for their “U Move, I Move” collaboration.
Arriving prior to the album’s midpoint, Legend and Aiko dance in the moonlight on “U Move, I Move.” The track is the singers’ second collaboration, following “Lightning & Thunder” off Aiko’s Chilombo album. This time around, Legend and Aiko promise to stay by each other’s side and support one another through the highs and lows. An elegant duet, the song presents the chemistry to two artists discovered upon working together.
Prior to the album’s arrival, John Legend explained the concept behind Bigger Love. “The songs are inspired by the loves of my life: my wife, my family and the rich tradition of Black music that has made me the artist I am… I debuted in 2004 with an album called Get Lifted. And now, as we enter the summer of 2020, I hope this new album can get you lifted again, fill your hearts with love and inspiration, give you something to dance to, something to hold hands to, something to make love to.”
Bigger Love also arrives on the day Legend will battle Alicia Keys in a Juneteenth edition of Verzuz.
Listen to “U Move, I Move” above.
Bigger Love is out 6/19 via Columbia. Get it here.