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Janelle Monáe – Dirty Computer
Janelle Monáe logs on once again. Eight years after The ArchAndroid and five following The Electric Lady, the singer-songwriter delivers her anxiously-awaited third album, Dirty Computer.
Monáe reportedly launched into the album with Prince by her side. On the heels of his untimely death, Janelle finalized the effort, which features Pharrell (“I Got the Juice”), Brian Wilson (“Dirty Computer”), Grimes (“Pynk”), and Zoë Kravitz (“Screwed”). “It was very difficult writing this album without [Prince],” she recently told Rolling Stone.
To go along with the new album, Janelle also released an “emotion picture.” Co-starring fellow actress Tessa Thompson, the new visual experience aired on BET.
It’s also a monumental moment for Monáe in other ways. After coming out as “a queer black woman in America,” she says she wants this album to speak for others. “I want young girls, young boys, nonbinary, gay, straight, queer people who are having a hard time dealing with their sexuality, dealing with feeling ostracized or bullied for just being their unique selves, to know that I see you,” she added. “This album is for you. Be proud.”
Post Malone – Beerbongs & Bentleys
Post Malone’s long-awaited sophomore album is here. Despite past false starts, White Iverson finally supplies Beerbongs & Bentleys, his often-delayed follow-up to 2016’s Stoney.
The eclectic album lands with two smash singles. The 21 Savage-assisted “rockstar” topped the charts with record numbers while the Ty Dolla $ign-backed “Psycho” soared as high as No. 2. Additionally, the LP features Nicki Minaj (“Ball for Me”) and Swae Lee (“Spoil My Night”), as well as G-Eazy and YG (“Same Bitches”).
Post joked about all of the album’s delays via Twitter. “sorry to announce to all my fans that there’s been complications with the album and it won’t be released tonight,” he wrote. “I’m so sorry to all my fans and I didn’t mean to let you down again…JK LOL MOFOS…TURN THE FUCK UP.”
Bridget Kelly – Reality Bites
She’s collaborated with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and JAY-Z, but Bridget Kelly never released a full-length album, until now. Following mixtapes and EPs, the acclaimed singer-songwriter finally unleashes a 13-song full-length LP.
She handles a bulk of the album on her own, but she did enlist some friends for features. Chaz French (“Something”), Ro James (“Love You From a Distance”), and Jordan Bratton (“To You”) add to the long-anticipated effort.
“It feels crazy to me that I’m putting a real full-length album out,” she told fans at a recent listening session. “It’s my first one and I’ve been in this industry for a really long time. I’m on a high right now. I’m really excited.”
Remy Ma feat. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie – ‘Company’
While prepping her years-in-the-making sophomore album 7 Winters & 6 Summers, Remy Ma taps A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie for her newest single, “Company.”
Reminisce employs a sing-songy flow that Boogie popularized over this Cool & Dre-produced instrumental. “I’m petty, it’s fun to me,” she raps. “Are you done? You dumb to me / I be laughin’, all these chicks is Jackson, they a dub to me.”
Artist adds his own flavor to the catchy cut. “Baby, what you want from me?” he asks. “I can put you on, I can put you where you wanna be / I ain’t had no job, no 9 to 5, no, I was up the street / Now I got that guap, now I’m a problem, I’m a fuckin’ beast.”
Prior to dropping “Company,” Remy also unveiled “Wake Me Up” with Lil’ Kim and “Melanin Magic (Pretty Brown)” with Chris Brown. All three cuts will likely appear on her prison bid-inspired 7 Winters & 6 Summers, which is slated to arrive later this year.
