The Listening: The Return of Clipse, Kaytranada & Justine Skye, Keke Palmer Goes ‘Offscript’

May 30, 2025

Summer is here (at least unofficially) – so as everyone starts planning their trips, staycations and cookouts, the season is already off feelin’ hot with this week’s new music.

One of the most anticipated returns in music, Clipse is back with a new single, “Ace Trumpets,” Meek Mill and G Herbo team up, and the multi-hyphenate Keke Palmer is daring to go “Offscript” with her latest track.

There’s also posthumous music from two legends who are no longer with us: a DMX track featuring Joyner Lucas; and new music from the late Chino XL. Plus, we’ve got the latest from Kodak Black, and Eric Roberson and BJ The Chicago Kid deliver an acoustic remix for their single “Where You Wanna Go.”

Each week, Okayplayer will deliver a roundup of all the latest new heat from some of our favorite artists. Check out the latest offerings below.

NEW SONGS

CLIPSE – “ACE TRUMPETS”

The Dynamic Duo returns. Pusha T and No Malice with the first single from their highly-anticipated new album — due out this summer.

SAMARA CYN – “BAD BRAIN”

One thing that nobody can deny about Cyn: she certainly knows a thing or two about catchy hooks. The infectious rapper out of AZ with her latest single.

FASHAWN FEAT. MARK SPANO – “VELOUR THOUGHTS”

Mark Spano and Fashawn team up on this.

ROCHELLE JORDAN – ‘CRAVE’

Produced alongside Chicago house legend Terry Hunter, the Canadian singer-songwriter expertly channels classic ’90s sound on a track that sounds like a lost Clivillés and Cole hit from yesteryear.

KEKE PALMER – “OFFSCRIPT”

The multi-talented, multifaceted performer drops her latest, an effortlessly catchy and undeniably personal lament that addresses a relationship gone wrong.

JAZLYN MARTIN – “CLOSE”

Soulful vocals over slick Afrobeat production, and the singer-songwriter questioning whether love is truly enough.

CHINO XL – “ALWAYS THERE”

We lost the Puerto Rican legend last year, but this posthumous track produced by Johnny Slash has unsinkable lyricism. R.I.P. Forever missed.

MEEK MILL FEAT. G. HERBO – “SURVIVOR’S GUILT”

A thoughtful rumination on the pain of loss and PTSD. With Meek and Herbo coming from the mean streets of Philadelphia and Chicago, respectively, they have no shortage of war stories.

LOGIC – “BAD MOTHERFUCKER”

The lyricist does his thing over a bouncy-but-acoustic track that hearkens back to his earlier sound and vibe. But Logic is thinking about inner turmoil and looking back at decisions in his life. Who can’t relate?

JUSTINE SKYE w/KAYTRANADA – “OH LALA”

If it’s any indication of where her new album is going, be prepared to sweat it out on the dancefloor. The singer-songwriter is back with a pulsing, percolating groove that sounds like she’s trying to make you move.

AB AND KODAK BLACK – “I LUV ALL THE OPPS”

Kodak and AB join forces for this skittering track that definitely grabs attention — with its title and with the duo’s druggy breakdown of how far they’ve come and how haters can’t stop their success — or their sarcasm.

BUSTA RHYMES, SWIZZ BEATZ, JOEY BADA$$, PAPOOSE, NEMS – “NEW YORK KNICKS ANTHEM (REMIX)”

With the Knicks in a heated playoff battle with the Indiana Pacers, Busta and his fellow NYC emcees decided to drop off a remixed version of their anthem to will the team into the Finals.

ERIC ROBERSON AND BJ THE CHICAGO KID, “WHERE YOU WANNA GO (ACOUSTIC REMIX)”

The duo already dropped one of the better singles of the year with the original version, and now Roberson and BJ are going acoustic on this remix. And yes – it absolutely works.

BILLY BLUE, “Therapy”

Signed by Lupe Fiasco, Blue is getting it all out there on his newest single—with an assist from CB. The latest from his Life Of Pedro album and further proof that he’s a uniquely impassioned voice out of Miami.

DMX FEAT. JOYNER LUCAS, “Bring Out the Worst”

The new Joyner Lucas-assisted single is the first release from the upcoming DMX Features project, a posthumous album featuring never-heard-before collabs with the legendary Yonkers emcee.

KARDINAL OFFISHALL, “Let ‘Em Out”

Written and produced entirely by Kardinal himself, the fiery new single blends all of his cultural and stylistic influences into a firebomb of a track. And his new EP Everyday, Sometimes drops this summer.

HANUMANKIND, “Holiday”

Produced by frequent collaborators Parimal Shais and Kalmi, the latest from the Houston-raised rapper explores the internal struggle between our most destructive impulses and the search for meaning.

New ALBUMS

EPK YOUNG JOC & DJ GUTTA BUTTA, ‘Cold Game’ EP

ODDISEE, ‘En Route’ EP

His follow-up to & Yet Still finds him returning to Mello Music, and the seventh EP from Washington D.C. native does not miss. The jazzy production makes this the perfect soundtrack for wherever you’re trying to go.

BRUISER WOLF, ‘POTLUCK’

His latest features acclaimed producers such as Knwxledge, Harry Fraud, Nicholas Craven, Jake One, F1LTHY, and boasts guest appearances from Sir Michael Rocks, Fat Ray and more.

LEON THOMAS, ‘MUTT Deluxe: HEEL’

With the success of “MUTT,” Thomas drops this deluxe album–boasting some serious star power. Chris Brown, Marsha Ambrosius, Big Sean, Kehlani and Halle Bailey are along for the ride.

HONEY BXBY, ‘Raw Honey’ EP

You can tell when an artist wants to give you a sampling of everything they do well. On her new EP, Honey shows off her range as an artist – and recruits Lola Brook, Wesley Franklin, Toosii, and Coi Leray for a good time.

OVRKAST, ‘While The Iron Is Hot’

The Oakland rapper comes into his own on his sophomore LP. Sure, there are high-profile features from Samara Cyn, MAVI, Vince Staples, Saba – but this is a great showcase for who he is as an artist.

GOLDLINK, ‘Enoch’

Goldlink wants to make you dance. The DMV representer returns with his fifth studio album and first since 2019’s Diaspora. His new project is inspired by everything from classic hip-hop to house.

OBONGJAYAR, ‘Paradise Now’

A tightly-constructed project that tells a complete story. He’s sharpened his craft while bringing the listener into his musical world.

ROME STREETZ AND CONDUCTOR WILLIAMS, ‘TRAINSPOTTING’

Laidback imagery meets evocative, emotional soundscapes. Produced entirely by Williams and featuring appearances from Jay Worthy and Method Man, this collaborative effort drops via Mass Appeal.

THE BUDOS BAND, ‘VII’

An all-killer, no-filler set of tracks from a band that sounds like Fela meets Deep Purple at a bong party. It’s as awesome as it sounds.

EBK JAAYBO, ‘Don’t Trust Me’

The West Coast rhymer delivers a set examining life on the streets of Stockton, CA. Equal parts gritty and infectious, it shows that he’s one of the best at spinning unflinchingly honest street tales.

AESOP ROCK, ‘Black Hole Superette’

Entirely self-produced, the newest album from the famed emcee features an amazing lineup of collaborators: including Lupe Fiasco, Armand Hammer, Hanni El Khatib, Open Mike Eagle and Homeboy Sandman.

ANDERSON EAST, ‘Worthy’

Teaming with his long-term collaborator Dave Cobb for co-production, the Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist returns with his first album in four years and his Rounder Records debut.

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