The Listening: Wiz Khalifa, Davido and The Return of Keri Hilson

April 19, 2025 3

Great music is in season as we head into Easter weekend. A big week for music lovers and lots of major drops. .

Wiz Khalifa releases the sequel to one of his greatest mixtapes; and the inimitable Keri Hilson makes a big return; and Davido drops his long-awaited 5ive.

Statik Selektah does his part to resurrect the classic hip-hop posse cut; while Kilo Kish and Miguel team up to get existential and introspective.

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

STATIK SELEKTAH, JOEY BADA$$, WESTSIDE GUNN, STOVE GOD COOKS AND ROME STREETZ, “THE LOUVRE”

There’s nothing like a classic posse cut, and Selektah recruited some heavy hitters to rep for NYC. The produced track is setting the stage for his upcoming full-length Expensive Taste.

KILO KISH W/MIGUEL, “NEGOTIATE”

Collaborating once again with Miguel, the visual singer-songwriter is back with another single in anticipation of her EP Negotiations, dropping in May.

VALEE, BOLDY JAMES, MVW “WHATCHU THINK”

Two of rap’s most recognizable voices team up with the hypnotic, genre-bending vibes of MVW for a stellar track. A boundary pusher for all involved.

TOMMY RICHMAN W/SEXYY RED, “ACTIN’ UP (REMIX)”

Catchiness is never in short supply with Richman or Red. The two stars pair up for this fun remix to Richman’s infectiously bouncy single.

JOHN P. KEE – “MOTHER I MISS YOU”

The first single from Death Row Records’ Altar Call is here, and it’s sweet and as loving as its song title suggests.

FINESSE2TYMES – “WHATEVER”

With production from Twysted Genius and KJLetTheBeatKnock, the Memphis trap star delivers a punchy street anthem. Doing what he does best — without ever sounding formulaic.

CRAIG DAVID – “WAKE UP”

On his new single, the British singer-songwriter offers a slice of percolating, dancefloor-friendly R&B. He’s also announced that it’s from a forthcoming album called Commitment coming this summer.

LELO – “ON THE WALL” FEATURING BABYFACE RAY

Lelo taps in with Babyface Ray, a rapper who’s deliver is even more effortless than his.

YEAT – “THE BELL (REAL LIFE SHYT)”

Yeat pulls up in the mothership for another extraterrestrial bop.

KIRKO BANGZ – “WAY TOO SOFT”

Shots fired — and let the debates begin. The dating game is the focus of Bangz’s new single — as he laments the state of things over mellow production.

LEON THOMAS W/HALLE – “RATHER BE ALONE

The New York native teams with the R&B chanteuse for a heartfelt ode to heartbreak. A richly soulful tune about knowing when it’s time to leave.

ALBUMS

ALEX ISLEY, ‘When’ EP

With assists from Camper, KAYTRANADA and more, the smooth songstress returns with a collection of tunes that prove she’s not afraid to venture outside the box.

WESTSIDE GUNN, ‘Heels Have Eyes’ EP

A five-track project executive produced by Gunn, the EP also serves as prelude to his wrestling event “The Heels Have Eyes: For the Culture” at The Palm in Las Vegas.

DAVIDO, ‘5IVE’

It’s been two years since Davido’s last album, but the wait is finally over. The Afrobeats superstar’s highly anticipated fifth album features collaborations with Chris Brown, Becky G and Victoria Monet.

WIZ KHALIFA ‘Kush and Orange Juice II’

Wiz’s eighth studio album is the follow-up to his 2010 breakthrough, with a litany of hitmakers behind the boards, including Mike WiLL Made-It, Juicy J and DJ Quik.

BLU AND AUGUST FANON ‘Forty’

This is what adulting sounds like. A celebration of Blu’s maturation, the new album from the revered rhymer examines middle age and hip-hop longevity against Fanon’s immaculate production.

MOZZY ‘Intrusive Thoughts’

With guest spots from Polo G, EST Gee, Peysoh, Lil Poppa, and more, Mozzy’s follow-up to Children of the Slums is a pensive look at street life and what comes next.

ADRIANE YOUNGE PRESENTS ‘Something About April III’

The producer/composer drops the third act in his conceptual series. And he’s embracing the full scope of his musical ambitions: from a 30-piece orchestra to Brazilian backing singers.

KERI HILSON ‘We Need To Talk: Love’

The R&B superstar makes her return. With her first album in a decade and a half, the Georgia native shows she still can knock out great melodies and stellar hooks.

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