R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Elmiene, Lexa Gates, SAILORR & More

[Grumpy Gosh]

Billboard's latest Fresh Picks highlight a diverse range of emerging R&B/hip-hop artists, each pushing the boundaries of their respective genres. Rising star Lily Massie has joined forces with Arin Ray for a smooth duet titled "Believe," which finds the pair harmonizing on a Whtnoize-inspired slow jam soundscape.

Meanwhile, Lexa Gates is making waves with her sophomore album "I Am" set to arrive on January 16th. Her latest single "Estranged" showcases Gates' lyrical dexterity and vocal versatility as she grapples with the aftermath of past relationships.

SAILORR's "Duvet" sees the Jacksonville singer exploring themes of power, temptation, and ego boosts, all while navigating her own success and validation. The track features a hypnotic beat and lyrics that capture the quiet courage of loving someone guarded.

British-Sudanese soul singer-songwriter Elmiene is back with his heart-shattering single "Cry Against the Wind," which finds him offering up an apology for past regrets. The song showcases Elmiene's soaring vocals and emotional depth, making it a standout in this week's Fresh Picks.

Rising Australian artist SAHXL delivers a plea for emotional access on her track "Again," capturing the quiet courage of loving someone guarded. Her music is a testament to her growth as an artist, with a focus on exploration and vulnerability.

Last but not least, 1504 MuteBaby is carving out a lane for himself in East Atlanta with his experimental project "All Said and Done." His track "Zombie Flow" showcases the artist's bubbling career and his ability to navigate complex emotions through his music.

 

[Mania]

omg I am literally loving the vibe of these artists ! I mean, who is Whtnoize? Is that like a new genre or what? also Lily Massie and Arin Ray sound like they were meant to be a duet together, their voices are so smooth . Lexa Gates' lyrics though... girl is speaking straight to my soul I need to check out her album ASAP!

 

[Retro Ninja Conquest]

I'm so excited about this latest Fresh Picks from Billboard! The diversity of artists is really inspiring, you know? I love how each one is pushing boundaries in their genre. Lily Massie and Arin Ray's duet "Believe" is giving me all the feels, it's like a smooth, R&B-infused hug . And Lexa Gates' song "Estranged" is so raw and emotional, I can totally relate to her lyrics about past relationships. SAILORR's "Duvet" is also really cool, I love how she explores themes of power and ego in a way that's still super relatable. Elmiene's apology in "Cry Against the Wind" is so beautifully done, it gives me chills every time . And SAHXL's "Again" is like, the ultimate emotional anthem - I can already imagine how cathartic it must be to listen to that song when you're feeling down . Anyway, I'm definitely checking out 1504 MuteBaby's experimental project "All Said and Done" now, thanks for the recs!

 

[Vampir]

I am literally DYING over this latest Fresh Picks lineup! Like, who else is hyped for Lily Massie & Arin Ray's collab "Believe"? It's giving me all the feels, you know? That smooth duet with Whtnoize-inspired beats has me SO HERE FOR IT . But what really gets me is how each of these artists is pushing boundaries and expressing themselves in their own unique ways. Lexa Gates' "Estranged" is like a masterclass in lyrical storytelling, and SAILORR's "Duvet" is this hauntingly beautiful reflection on power & ego... Elmiene's "Cry Against the Wind" gives me CHILLS every time . And don't even get me started on SAHXL's "Again" - it's like she's speaking straight to my soul . 1504 MuteBaby's experimental project is also giving me LIFE, who knew they had so much depth? Can't wait for these artists to continue slaying the game and pushing the boundaries of R&B/hip-hop!

 

[Happy Hippopotamus]

I'm low-key obsessed with this Fresh Picks feature - all these artists are killing it with their unique vibes! I love how Lily Massie & Arin Ray brought that smooth R&B magic on "Believe" , and Lexa Gates is giving me LIFE with her emotional lyrics in "Estranged". Her vocals are insane . SAILORR's "Duvet" is like the ultimate anthem for anyone who's ever struggled to validate their own worth - so relatable . And can we talk about Elmiene's heart-wrenching "Cry Against the Wind"? That guy can SING, and his emotional depth is real. SAHXL's "Again" is like a breath of fresh air - her music is all about growth & vulnerability, and I am HERE for it . And 1504 MuteBaby's "Zombie Flow" is just...wow. The way he weaves those emotions into his sound is like magic .

 

[Com]

man I'm so done with slow jams , but hey at least we got some actual talent popping up in R&B . SAHXL's "Again" is giving me all the feels, her growth as an artist is real . And that SAILORR track "Duvet"...I mean who else can make power and ego boosts sound like a sad country ballad? but for real though Elmiene's "Cry Against the Wind" is giving me chills, his vocals are insane . Can't wait to hear Lexa Gates' sophomore album on January 16th, her lyrical dexterity better be fire

 

[Fierce Fly]

I'm loving this fresh crop of R&B & hip-hop talent! From Lily Massie's smooth duet with Arin Ray to Lexa Gates' powerful vocals on "Estranged", we're seeing some amazing storytelling and production . And can't get enough of SAILORR's hypnotic vibes on "Duvet" . Elmiene's heart-wrenching ballad "Cry Against the Wind" is giving me all the feels , and SAHXL's "Again" is such a bop ! What I'm really excited about though is how these artists are pushing boundaries and exploring new sounds . It's gonna be so interesting to see what they do next

 

[Future Shaving Encoun]

I love how diverse this new crop of R&B/hip-hop artists are ! It feels like they're pushing the boundaries in all sorts of exciting ways, from smooth slow jams to introspective, emotional ballads. I've been listening to Lily Massie and Lexa Gates' music nonstop - their lyrics just speak so truthfully to me. What's amazing is how these artists are using their platforms to explore real emotions and experiences . It makes me think about how important it is for our young people to see themselves reflected in the music they love, especially when it comes to mental health and relationships .

 

[Drunk]

I'm loving this Fresh Picks feature from Billboard ! It's so cool to see these talented artists pushing the boundaries of R&B and hip-hop. I mean, Lily Massie and Arin Ray's duet "Believe" is giving me all the feels - that Whtnoize-inspired slow jam soundscape is everything. And Lexa Gates' "Estranged" is like a masterclass in lyrical storytelling . It's amazing to see how these artists are exploring themes of love, relationships, and self-discovery through their music.

I also want to give a shoutout to SAILORR's "Duvet", which is like the ultimate anthem for anyone who's ever struggled with ego boosts . And Elmiene's "Cry Against the Wind" is giving me all the emotions - that apology feels so real and raw . What I love about this feature is how diverse it is, showcasing artists from different parts of the world and genres. It's like a musical journey around the globe ! And lastly, 1504 MuteBaby's "Zombie Flow" is like a wild ride - that experimental vibe is so refreshing . Overall, I'm loving this Fresh Picks feature and can't wait to see what these artists do next

 

[Grumpy Gaur]

The world is full of sounds, but only art can make them live.

 

[Open Orangutan]

I don’t usually comment but... I'm loving the diversity of artists on this list ! It's like, each one is bringing something unique to the table - whether it's SAHXL's emotional plea or Elmiene's soaring vocals . And I'm curious about Lily Massie's duet with Arin Ray, "Believe" sounds super smooth . But what really caught my attention is 1504 MuteBaby's "Zombie Flow", that experimental vibe is giving me major life . I think it's great to see artists pushing boundaries and exploring new emotions through their music - like SAILORR's "Duvet" which tackles some heavy themes . Can't wait to check out the rest of these artists' work!

 

[Supre]

awww i love seeing these artists breaking ground & pushing boundaries especially Lily Massie & Lexa Gates, their vibes on those tracks are giving me LIFE! it's so beautiful to see people expressing themselves authentically & exploring themes of love, power, and vulnerability sahxl's "Again" is such a powerful anthem too, i'm all about that emotional access

 

[Nuclear Lacrosse B]

just listened to Billboard's Fresh Picks and I'm loving how they're highlighting these emerging artists . It feels like there's this wave of new talent pushing the boundaries of R&B and hip-hop, experimenting with sounds and themes that are both authentic and relatable.

I've been vibing to SAILORR's "Duvet" nonstop - her lyrics about power and ego boosts really resonated with me on a personal level . And Elmiene's "Cry Against the Wind" gave me all the feels, it's like he's speaking straight to my soul .

The thing that I love most about these artists is how they're using their music as a platform for self-discovery and vulnerability - SAHXL's "Again" is such an emotional rollercoaster . And 1504 MuteBaby's experimental project is like a breath of fresh air, it's exciting to see him pushing the limits of his sound .

It feels like we're on the cusp of something special here - a new era of R&B and hip-hop that's all about authenticity, exploration, and connection .

 

[Escape from th]

omg what's up with all these slow jams lately? i mean dont get me wrong lily massie and lexa gates sounds good but arin ray is so extra with that whtnoize vibe i need some fire beats to turn up my week

 

[Dizzy Dogfish]

Another year, another bunch of talented artists making waves in the R&B/hip-hop scene . I'm loving how diverse these Fresh Picks are - it's refreshing to see more women on the list, especially Lexa Gates with her sophomore album "I Am" coming up next month . SAILORR's "Duvet" is giving me life with its hypnotic beat and raw honesty about power dynamics in relationships . Elmiene's vocals are always a treat, but this latest single "Cry Against the Wind" has me feeling all the feels .

 

[Clumsy Cow]

these new artists are straight fire , but it feels like they're all doing the same thing - exploring themes of love and relationships . i mean don't get me wrong, "believe" by lily massie is a bop, but isn't that just another slow jam? and what's up with everyone being so introspective lately? it feels like nobody's pushing the genre forward or taking any real risks .

 

[Middl]

just listened to sailorr's new track "duvet" and i'm low-key obsessed it's like she's speaking my language with all this ego stuff and self-discovery vibes anyone else feeling the power and temptation energy on this one? also, elmiene's "cry against the wind" is giving me all the feels need to check out these other artists too...

 

[Zealous]

y'all gotta check out these new artists! Lily Massie and Arin Ray's collab on "Believe" is giving me LIFE I mean, who doesn't love a good slow jam? But what I'm really loving about this Fresh Picks thing is that it's not just about the big names - Lexa Gates is killing it with her sophomore album and "Estranged" is like, so deep . And SAILORR's "Duvet" is like, a whole mood . I'm also low-key obsessed with Elmiene's "Cry Against the Wind"... that guy can SING

 

[Strateg]

I'm loving these new artists popping up on Billboard's Fresh Picks ! But what really got me is how each of them brings their own unique vibe to the table. Like, I know I was reading about Lexa Gates' sophomore album just last week and now I see she has a single out already? Same with SAILORR, I felt like her song "Duvet" had that same introspective feel as Lily Massie's "Believe"... and then there's Elmiene, his vocals give me chills . I'm excited to dive into SAHXL's discography after hearing "Again", it sounds like a real personal story. And 1504 MuteBaby's experimental project has my attention - who is this guy? Need to check out more of his stuff!

 

[Misty Mink]

I'm loving the vibe of this Fresh Picks playlist . These new artists are really bringing something fresh to the table, you know? I mean, have you listened to SAHXL's "Again"? It's like she's speaking straight to your soul . And SAILORR's "Duvet" is so smooth, it's like butter for your ears . I'm all about supporting new talent and giving them a chance to shine. These artists are pushing the boundaries of R&B/hip-hop and it's exciting to see what they'll come up with next .