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Writer's pictureChinyere Ibeh

New Music Friday: August 16, 2024

Updated: Nov 3

Artists have dropped new albums, collaborations and singles!

Covers for various music projects
Another Friday with another slew new musical projects, specifically from Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, YG, Tinashe, Quando Rondo, and Sean Paul

As the summer dwindles, various artists come through with more summer hits with their new projects. From YG's latest album to Lady Gaga's collaboration with Bruno Mars, many artists are still hitting their summer stride.


Lady Gaga and Bruno Come Through a New Collaboration

The duo releases a love song, titled “Die With A Smile,” though it won’t appear on Gaga’s upcoming album. The collaboration serves as Gaga’s first song since appearing on The Rolling Stones track “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” last year. 



Mars’ last single came with Silk Sonic’s “After Last Night,” which peaked at no. 68 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The singer currently has a residency at the Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas. Mars has been performing in Las Vegas for more than a decade with his first residency at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan from 2013 until 2015. 


Interestingly enough, Mars faced interesting rumors earlier this year in relation to his partnership with MGM Resorts. NewsNation released a report that claimed that Mars racked up more than $50 million in gambling debt at the casino. The report cited an anonymous source close to the situation, who claimed that the “24K Magic” singer made $90 million in profit and a large chunk of that profit was allegedly used to pay off the supposed debt.


A spokesperson for MGM Resorts International told Variety that the allegations were untrue and that the singer had no debt with the casino.


“Die With A Smile” serves as a classic love song with Mars singing about wanting to be next to someone, even if the world is ending or that he will love someone every night like it’s the last night. Gaga’s verse highlights that their love is the only one worth fighting for.


The music video features the duo in matching country-inspired outfits with Mars sporting a cowboy hat and Gaga in a curly, half up half down, beehive-inspired hairstyle.


Tinashe Releases Quantum Baby Following the Success of “Nasty”

“Nasty” peaked at no. 61 on Billboard Hot 100 while going no. 15 on Billboard’s U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart and no. 4 on Billboard’s U.S. Hot R&B chart. Following the success of “Nasty,” the singer also released “Getting No Sleep,” both of which served as singles from Quantum Baby


The project serves as Tinashe’s seventh studio album, which was released through her independent label Tinashe Music and Nice Life Recording Company. Quantum Baby is the second installment of a planned album trilogy, the first being BB/Ang3l, which was released September 2023.


The singer signed to RCA as a solo artist in 2012, and her debut album (Aquarius) came out two years later with breakout single, “2 On.” From there, Tinashe toured with mainstream artists, such as Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry, and collaborated with major superstars, like Britney Spears on 2016’s “Slumber Party.” 


Fans began to speculate that RCA was mishandling her career as it appeared that she was treated as a supporting act. Tinashe finally left the label in 2019 after seven years as she felt her “career was coasting,” according to Marie Claire.


For the past five years, Tinashe has been releasing music independently through her own record label. Since leaving RCA and going independent, she’s tapped into producing, mixing, and engineering her own music. She’s also creative directed, especially her music videos and live performances.


Sean Paul’s Triumphant Return Comes in the Form of “Bring It”

The dancehall superstar released his latest track through his Dutty Rock Productions label with permission from producer Dave Kelly, according to The Jamaica Star


“Dave Kelly reached out and said I could use one of his rhythms. And I immediately said, ‘Showtime!’” Sean Pail said. “I was thrilled when he gave me the nod. This year, many artists are revamping classic [rhythms], but we can all agree that this one is timeless.”


“Bring It” pays homage to the golden era of ‘90s dancehall, specifically through the popular “Showtime” rhythm. Back in 2022, during an interview with Vibe Magazine, Paul expressed his admiration for the rhythm.



“Showtime, to me, is one of the most prolific dancehall riddims. He has probably produced the most number ones in the country,” Paul said. 


Paul rose to popularity in the early 2000s, especially with his 2002 sophomore album Dutty Rock. “Get Busy” served as its single, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Temperature” from his third album, The Trinity, had the same feat in 2005. 


The dancehall legend has a long string of features, including “Baby Boy” with Beyoncé and “Cheap Thrills” with Sia.


Quando Rondo Releases New EP Amidst Federal Drug Trafficking Case

Here for a Reason: In The Darkest serves as the follow up to the rapper’s sophomore album, Recovery, which was released in March 2023. The Georgia-born rapper also collaborated with NBA Youngboy on their 3860 mixtape.


Quando Rondo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances. The substances in question were cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and marijuana, according to the Savannah Morning News.

Cover of Quando Rondo's "Here For A Reason: In The Darkest Time"
As the Georgia native faces time in jail, he released a 14-minute EP (Photo Courtesy: Quando Rondo @quando_rondo on Instagram)

As part of the plea deal, the government agreed to drop part of that count, specifically that the “I Remember” rapper conspired to possess and distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine, reports the Savannah Morning News. The government will return property it seized from the rapper as part of the charges, including jewelry. 


Rondo’s plea is the latest update in the federal case against the rapper, which began when the federal court publicized the indictment in December 2023. The case avoided trial due to the rapper’s plea, and the United States Probation Office is preparing a presentence investigation report ahead of the sentencing. Rondo faces up to five years in prison.


As far as the rapper’s latest EP, he released “Gotta Do Better & Pray” as the lead single. The five-song project also features “Give Me A Sign,” a song with long-time collaborator with NBA Youngboy. 


YG Releases Just Re’D Up 3 with Various Artists, Including Saweetie and Ty Dolla $ign

The Compton-born rapper’s latest album comes as the third installment of two mixtapes, Just Re’d Up and Just Re’d Up 2, which were released in May 2011 and January 2013 respectively. 


Just Re’d Up 3 comes almost two years after his last studio album, I Got Issues, which was released through 4Hunnid and Def Jam records. 4Hunnid Records came about after YG previously attempted to start a label with DJ Mustard and their group of rap collaborators. The duo would later beef about royalties, though they reconciled over dinner in Los Angeles’ House of Macau, Billboard reported.



In 2016, rumors of the rapper launching 4Hunnid ran rampant in 2016 as he released a fashion line with the 4Hunnid logo. The rumors were confirmed when YG exclusively told Billboard that he and longtime friend and partner Brandon Moore signed a joint venture with Interscope Records. 


Just Re’d Up 3 serves as a double-disc project with 19 tracks with features from Lil Yachty, Larry June, Ty Dolla $ign, Saweetie, Babyface Ray and DJ Mustard.


YG has been on the road for the Just Re’d Up Tour, which began on June 28 and will end on Aug. 17 in Hawai’i. The tour visited major cities, such as Chicago, New York City and Houston. The tour was the rapper’s first headlining tour since 2019’s Stay Dangerous Tour, which was in support of his 2018 LP of the same name.


The west coast rapper’s latest album comes after 10 mixtapes and six other studio albums.


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