Kendrick Lamar

After dropping “The Heart Part 4” and “HUMBLE.” within a week of one another, Kendrick Lamar had the internet buzzing to say the least. Both tracks, especially “The Heart Part 4,” made it clear that Lamar is returning with a vengeance, but more importantly a new album.

His line, “Y’all got ‘til April the 7th to get y’all s–t together,” had most believe that April 7 would be the album’s release date. Contrary to popular belief, the album is confirmed for an April 14 release date after becoming available for pre-order on the 7th.

Gorillaz

Gorillaz are on a streak of releasing singles from their upcoming fifth studio album, Humanz, which is set to release on April 28. The singles ranged in sound and have several features from various artists like Vince Staples, Pusha T and D.R.A.M. “Saturnz Barz (feat.Popcaan),” achieves a modern dancehall sound alongside its rumbling bass and dreary vocals from lead singer Damon Albarn. Meanwhile, “Andromeda (feat. D.R.A.M.)” is a glitzy styled pop song with peppy synth keys and an overall uptempo beat. Gorillaz look to be going all in on Humanz with a whopping 26 tracks.

Logic

On March 29, Def Jam Recordings artist Logic, announced his fourth studio album titled, Everybody, will release on May 5. The following day, on March 30, the Maryland rapper released the title track of the album. The track details Logic’s embracement of being both black and white, as he stresses the need for unity among people of all creeds and colors, or in his words, everybody. The album’s artwork featured several friends of Logic and many other fellow rappers and hip-hop artists. Fans identified recording artists such as Khalid, Erykah Badu, Killer Mike, Juicy J and most notably J. Cole.

alt-J

With a planned release date of June 2, the upcoming third studio album from alt-J, Relaxer, currently has two singles available. One of the singles, “3WW,” conveys a dreamy tone accompanied by light acoustic strings and placid vocals. The second single, “In Cold Blood,” brings a greater tone of bravado with its segments of bold horns, vocally synchronized guitars and ramped up synth pads. Alt-J’s North American tour will begin on July 27.

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah

Scott, a music artist, twisted traditional jazz with his own unique style. His album, Ruler Rebel (released March 31), carries a synthesis of brooding trap/hip-hop and brisk jazz through its eight tracks. According to the album’s Bandcamp webpage, Ruler Rebel is, “the first in a three-album series collectively titled ‘The Centennial Trilogy.’ The series is, at its core, a sobering re-evaluation of the social political realities of the world through sound.”

Joey Bada$$

Released on April 7, All-Amerikkkan Badass is the sophomore album of Joey Bada$$. A foray into the high-strung issues of race and the political spectrum, Joey utilizes simplistic instrumentals to deliver his message. It’s in songs like “AMERIKKKAN IDOL” that Joey expresses what he sees in today’s America with the line, “Justice won’t be served by a hashtag.” The album has received positive feedback from both fans and critics.