Jill Scott has broken a decade-long hiatus with her new single 'Beautiful People' and announced her upcoming album To Whom This May Concern, set for February release. The project features collaborations with Ab-Soul, J.I.D., Tierra Whack, and Too $hort. This week's new music roundup also highlights releases from Doechii, SZA, Chief Keef, and others on the first Friday of the new year.
The first Friday of 2026 brings a mix of fresh tracks amid the post-holiday lull, with quality releases standing out in a quieter week. Leading the pack is Jill Scott, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter from Philadelphia, who drops 'Beautiful People' as the lead single from her first album in ten years. Titled To Whom This May Concern, the February project includes guest spots from rappers Ab-Soul, J.I.D., Tierra Whack, and Too $hort, signaling a blend of soulful introspection and hip-hop energy.
Doechii teams up with SZA on 'GIRL, GET UP,' a surprise single where she directly confronts critics labeling her an 'industry plant.' Chief Keef delivers 'HARRY POTTER,' an experimental track in psychedelic drill style over eerie production that proves oddly infectious. YFN Lucci's 'NUN2SUM.' offers a reflective start to the year, set to a guitar-driven beat, with lyrics on perseverance enhanced by voice clips from his children.
Other notable singles include Kareen Lomax's 'IDEA OF YOU,' capturing the nuances of infatuation with someone idealized rather than real; Rod Wave's melancholic 'FEED THE STREETS,' an ode to isolation delivered with his signature tuneful style; Lancey Foux's 'EAGLE EYE,' a dark assertion of self-worth referencing Michael Jackson and exploitation of Black artists; and Redveil's 'STUPID PRIZES,' a nod to producer J Dilla following his 2025 project Sankofa.
On the album front, Atlanta rapper Lil Tony Official releases 'MRS. KEY,' exploring his spiritual journey and internal conflicts between spirit and flesh in relatable terms. These drops provide a strong kickoff to the year's music scene, emphasizing personal growth and artistic innovation.