Houston rapper Monaleo (pronounced moe-na-lee-oh) brings sharp wit and cultural critique to her new video “Sexy Soulaan.” Directed by Evil Twins (George & Frederick Buford), the visual flips the played-out “cookout” trend on its head as Monaleo hosts her own backyard gathering, shutting down outsiders who mistake imitation for inclusion. Blending humor, well-worn adages, and her signature lyrical fire, she delivers a biting message wrapped in Southern flair. With Sexy Soulaan, Monaleo continues carving her lane as both entertainer and truth-teller.

Acclaimed actor LaKeith Stanfield, known for Atlanta,Judas & The Black Messiah, andGet Out, steps boldly into music with his Def Jam debut single“Fast Life”featuring Kid Cudi. Produced by Kyle Nolan, Christina Alba, and AJ Groy, the track arrives with a cinematic short-film style video directed by longtime collaborator Jeymes Samuel via Sturdy.Co. Blending moody visuals with introspective lyricism,“Fast Life”signals the beginning of Stanfield’s long-awaited album and his evolution as a multifaceted creative force.

Recorded at 5dB Studios in London, anaiis’ (whose name appears in lowercase as a tribute to educator, author and activist bell hooks) new albumDevotion & The Black Divineis a stirring exploration of uncertainty, acceptance, and the emotional depth inspired by new motherhood. The French-Senegalese alt-R&B artist writes from a collective consciousness, weaving timeless themes of grace, freedom, and human unpredictability into 14 powerful tracks. Highlights include “Green Juice,” a soul-filled anthem of enduring love, and “Moonlight,” a mesmerizing blend of synths and groove. With its expansive emotional range and luminous vocals, the album affirms anaiis’ place as a truly transcendent voice.

Rising star EJ Jones’ new single “Gas Station Love” showcases his soulful voice and storytelling charm, capturing a fleeting spark of romance found in an everyday moment. Drawing on the spirit of legends like Bobby Womack and Sam Cooke, EJ blends old-school soul with fresh energy. With viral performances fueling his rise, the Charlotte-born artist proves why fans across Houston, Dallas, and beyond call him “the chosen child.”

Tiwa Savage’s This One Is Personal stands as her most heartfelt and sensitive project to date, a quality evident from the very first track. Across its 15 songs, the album explores themes of heartbreak, healing, faith, and rediscovery, delivered with a maturity that feels both earned and deeply moving. Savage’s voice carries raw emotion, allowing listeners to connect with her struggles while also savoring the fleeting joys that bring light to pain. The production is balanced and intentional, leaning into minimalism to create intimacy, yet swelling expressively when a song demands greater emotional impact. Tracks like Scared of Love and You’re Not the First (You’re Just the Worst) reveal lyrical truths in a profoundly sorrowful way, while Holding It Down and You4Me highlight resilience and the pursuit of self-empowerment. Though some mid-tempo songs risk blending together, the album’s cohesion and emotional depth hold it firmly together, making for a smooth, compelling listening experience. Honest rather than trendy, This One Is Personal resonates with sincerity, emotional resonance, poignant songwriting, and refined production. - Joy Nkirote

Sylvia Rhone, a pioneering figure in the music industry and the first Black woman to lead a major record label, will step down as chair and CEO of Sony Music’s Epic Records at the end of the month, Variety has confirmed. Rhone has served as chair and CEO since 2019, following her role as president of the label beginning in 2014. While no successor has been named, sources say label president Zeke Lewis and general manager Rick Sackheim will oversee daily operations in the interim. Rhone’s exit marks the close of a historic chapter in her career, which spans five decades and includes senior leadership roles across all three major record companies. She previously broke barriers at Warner Music in the 1990s, where she became the first Black woman to chair a major label division, and later led Universal Motown before joining Sony. Under her leadership, Epic Records scored chart-topping successes with artists such as 21 Savage, Future, Travis Scott, and Tyla. Sony Music chairman Rob Stringer hailed her as a “trailblazing executive” who has guided some of the most prominent artists of the era.  In a farewell memo to staff, Rhone reflected on her journey, saying she was “proud of [her] achievements and of [her] commitment to those who take inspiration from them.” She added that music’s enduring power lies in its ability to “reflect our world, question our assumptions, and uplift our spirits.” While Rhone has not revealed her next steps, she emphasized her excitement about the future after what she described as her “historic role at Epic.”

Rappers Cardi B and Nicki Minaj recently reignited a bitter public feud on X (formerly Twitter) beginning Sept. 30, with a second night of incendiary posts on Sept. 30–Oct. 1 that quickly turned deeply personal. What began as jabs over album sales and promotional pricing escalated into a torrent of insults, threats and allegations traded between the two rappers, drawing widespread attention across social media and entertainment outlets. The confrontation intensified when both artists targeted one another’s children — most notably Nicki’s repeated attacks on Cardi’s daughter Kulture and Cardi’s retaliatory references to Nicki’s son and family — prompting shock and condemnation from many observers. Tweets from both sides included threats of physical confrontation and graphic insults; examples cited in reporting include Minaj referring to Kulture as a “vulture” and writing, “Your mom is pregnant with another monkey,” while Cardi fired back accusing Minaj of harming her own child and daring her to show up in person. The latest flare-up is the most volatile chapter in a years-long, complicated rivalry between two of hip-hop’s biggest names, one with a history that includes a 2018 physical altercation at Milan Fashion Week and intermittent online spats since. Industry watchers and outlets have noted the real-world risks when celebrity disputes turn personal and invite fan escalation, while media coverage continues to track deleted posts and shifting narratives as the exchange unfolds.

Kindred the Family Soul, the celebrated neo-soul duo of Fatin and Aja Graydon-Dantzler, release the heartfelt video for “For Life”, celebrating their 27th wedding anniversary. The track, a preview of their upcoming album Grandlife (out October 3, 2025), reflects the joys, struggles, and enduring strength of their marriage, showcasing their signature soulful storytelling. Channeling Ashford & Simpson vibes, the couple affirms their long-lasting love, offering fans an intimate, authentic glimpse into a partnership that has inspired their music for nearly three decades.

Mariah Carey teams up with Anderson .Paak for the sultry new video for “Play This Song” from her latest album Here for It All . Set in a lavish black-and-white mansion, the duo share intimate moments, holding hands, dancing, and exchanging playful gestures, while delivering a smooth, throwback ballad reminiscent of Silk Sonic. With rich instrumentation of guitar, piano, horns, and strings, Carey and .Paak explore the push-and-pull of a breakup, blending vulnerability and flirtation in a stylish, captivating visual.