Music & Movies Monday: Lovers Rule R&B, Plus New Hip Hop & Album Drops

Tiana Major9, Victoria Monet, Mya, Alex Isley

This February, the lovers ruled in R&B with new music from Tiana Major9. A sophomore album from Baby Keem, collaborations in Hip Hop by Nipsey Hussle and Bino Rideaux, and new jazz albums from Terrace Martin. Plus upcoming projects from Alex Isley, Mya, and Ye.

Tiana Major9 delivered her new album, "November Scorpio," just before Valentine's Day and paired it with visuals for her lead single 'Desire.' A song of yearning and territorial desire. Mya emphasizes the dire need to converse with her lover in her new song 'ASAP'. It is no secret that the quickest kill switch to a romance is failed communication. Smooth saranating, Alex Isley sings the 'Sweetest Lullabye' on her latest single, while dripped in Blue. Victoria Monet asks if you'll 'Let Me', be the lover by your side in her new release. The R&B list is loaded this month, give the suggested artists a listen and put yourself on to some new love songs.

R&B New Singles

• Alex Isley-Sweetest Lullabye

• Victoria Monet-Let Me

• Tiana Major9-Desire

• Justine Skye-Thong Song

• Mya-ASAP

• Jai’Len Josey-Housewife 

• Leela James-Be Your Baby Remix

• Ella Mai- Chasing Circles

• Jamie Foxx-Somebody

• Ty Dolla $ign & Leon Thomas-Miss U 2 

Hip Hop had some great releases this February as well. Including new projects from J. Cole, who may pull up in a city near you for his "The Fall Off Tour". Be on the lookout for the Honda or the tour bus. Baby Keem released his Sophomore album "Casino" with a hit single featuring Kendrick Lamar and the stunning Momo Boyd on 'Good Flirts'. The single is Momo's first feature, and I foresee many more as her voice eloquently glides with the beat, complementing both Keem's and Kendrick's narrational verses. Keem's album is very good overall. I like the vulnerability and the shout-out to all the foster babies, who consist of less that 5% of Los Angeles' county population and are overrepresented in the foster care system. I personally enjoyed his single, 'No Blame', an ode to his mother that expresses his feelings about their struggles and his refusal to blame her for the hardships of his childhood. A sentiment I can relate to, all too well. Keem, primarily raised in Las Vegas, incorporated the Casino theme throughout his album, navigating through the 11 tracks similarly to a casino slot machine. E-40, Mack 10, and DJ Quick brought the LA/The Bay collab and the classical West Coast sound to their single, Mob Manish.

Hip Hop New Singles

• J. Cole-Bombs in the Ville/Hit the Gas

• Nipsey Hussle & Bino Rideaux-Reckless

• Jason Martin & DJ Flippp ft Dom Kennedy-On Saturday

• Larry June, Curren$y & The Alchemist-Everything Allocated

• Lady London & Muni Long-Buy Me Something

• Buddy-Round Me

• Juvenile ft Genesisthegawd- B.B.B.

• E-40 ft Mack 10 & DJ Quick-Mob Manish

• T.I.-Let ‘Em Know 

Gospel

• Ron Carter-Pass Me Not

Music Abroad

• Wiz Kid & Asake-Jogodo

February ushered in loads of good music for the second month of the first quarter of 2026. In an effort to keep the blog short and sweet, I listed many and highlighted a few. However, finding your musical niche is still up to you!

New Albums

• Baby Keem-Casino

• Terrace Martin-2 albums Peace & Passion

• Tiana Major9-November Scorpio 

• J.Cole-The Fall Off

• Brent Faiyaz-Icon 

• Larry June, Curren$y & The Alchemist-Spiral Stairccases

Upcoming Albums

• Alex Isley-When the City Sleeps 3/20

• Mya-Retrospect Spring 2026

• Ye (Kanye West)-Bully3/20

Remember, these lists are not ratings. Until next month, love, peace, and Music!