Victoria Monét and Jamie Foxx are among many great black artists, both emerging and superstars alike, who are returning to music over the weekend following Bad Bunny’s incredible Super Bowl LX performance. Black History Month is a great time for black artists and their music to thrive, with the nation rooting for everything black. J. Cole’s long-awaited album, The Fall Off, eclipsed everything in music over the weekend. While the North Carolina superstar finally speaks, there were plenty of emerging acts that slipped through the cracks with electrifying music, which shows what’s next in today’s music. From Ja Rule and 50 Cent reigiting their feud to tour announcements from Wale, Floetry, and more to the Grammy aftermath, plenty of superstars and fresh faces have kicked off their 2026 run this week. All are seeking to be the year’s biggest stars. Whether you missed the return of Victoria Monét or are eager to find your next favorite new artist in Shotgun Suge or Billionaire Buck this week. Behind the headlines, here’s a complete list of new music you might have missed this week. Victoria Monét Wants You To “Let Me” Bring This Romance This V-Day She’s back. When the 3x Grammy Award winner isn’t cooking at culinary school, she’s cooking up a new love song before she hits the road with Bruno Mars. Let me just say this pleasure-pleasing track marks the singer’s new era. Gunna & Chris Brown Wanna Know Again “WGFT” The unexpected hit from the Atlanta-meets-Virginia connection gets a raunchy and seductive visual to bring it back to life in 2026 after taking over 2025. Added are the enticing R&B vocals by one of the greatest ever, alongside the grimy raps that hypnotized us in 2025 from a superstar who was deemed the walking dead. This is already on your Valentine’s Day playlist. Baby Rose & Leon Thomas Say Their Parties Are For “Friends Again” Following a huge night of gold for the mutt, the duo’s collaboration captures the tension between intimacy and emotional self-protection. Over moody, minimalist production, the two explore blurred boundaries — where chemistry lingers but commitment feels risky. Their smoky vocals trade vulnerability and restraint, portraying two people drawn to each other yet hesitant to define it, choosing guarded connection over heartbreak. Victoria Monét, Leon Thomas, Chris Brown + MORE New Music You Might Have Missed This Week OC Chris Joins The “F*k Ice” Movement After his Billboard spotlight, the next up Dallas rap star addresses a trending topic in his latest track. The protest song features the Texans’ wise-cracking attitude, aligning himself beside the culture for a serious issue while throwing up a middle finger to the deportation authorities. The empowering lyrics prove that the rising star is ready to fight the power. Armor Tells Us Don’t Worry, “Get Yours, I’ll Get Mine” The U.K. hotshot’s latest single dives into the contradictions of street life, where ambition, addiction, and survival collide over a hard, punchy beat. Rather than glamorize fast money and chaos, he exposes the mental toll beneath it, delivering a gritty, self-aware record that underscores his raw storytelling edge. BunnaB Is About To Get Your “Mind Right” Currently touring with YFN Lucci, East Atlanta’s hottest new star feeds her fanbase with the undeniably hungry emcee make her voice heard across zig-zagging synth leads, booming 808s, and a flurry of IG caption-worthy bars. Her infectious personality put a signature twist on the new hit. SFace Just Up’d & “Stolen Flow” Ready to steal the fame like a thief in the night, the emerging South London rapper blends smooth delivery with a lived-in perspective. A hustler’s ambition, the freestyle drawn directly from day-to-day experience — work, pressure, ambition, and the push to move forward. The quick track will make off with your attention and leave you speechless, like your wallet just got stolen, so pay close attention. Jamie Foxx Is Ready To Shower “Somebody” With New Love The multi-talented entertainer returns to music with his new song for the lovers out there. It appears to deliver the singer’s classic sound, matching his one-of-a-kind vocals over the traditional R&B production, blended with sensual lyrics. The song will surely pull at heartstrings and will welcome the hitmaker back with open arms. View this post on Instagram Joshua Baraka Grabs Shenseea To Go Back To “Moroco” The afrobeats remix adds the new Dancehall Queen for a sultry verse and flips the hook into. It’s a call-and-response that brings a fresh dancehall energy to the track. They teased the remix in the BK Arena, which resulted in fans tearing the roof out, demanding the record on streams immediately. View this post on Instagram “Me Personally,” It Looks Like Newark’s Shotgun Suge Is Bum Rushing 2026 Hip-Hop Hailing from an area that gave us elite lyricists like Joe Budden, Red Man, and Ice-T, the latest rising star’s EP showcases his battle-tested reputation displayed as a legit recording artist. Known for his imposing presence and punishing bars. The five-track tape pairs street-hardened records with introspective turns, unpacking loyalty, survival, and ambition. Still unpolished, the project shows signs of greatness that can’t be ignored. Billionaire Buck Returns To “Fup A Check” The Compton rap star returns for a promising 2026 that begins with the money-motivated track about splurging. He raps about his lavish spending while maintaining focus to acquire more bags through his lucrative hustling abilities. From hand-to-hand to digital to products, he’s getting to the money by any means necessary.

Anderson .Paak is going viral after being spotted enjoying what appeared to be a cozy dinner outing with television host Jeannie Mai. In footage obtained by TMZ, Grammy-winning artist and the media personality were reportedly seen sharing an intimate meal, exchanging smiles and leaning in close as they talked. Fueling speculation about the nature of their relationship. View this post on Instagram Neither Anderson .Paak nor Jeannie Mai has publicly addressed the dinner sighting. We previously reported that .Paak was reportedly romantically linked as the two were spotted out on multiple occasions. The two were spotted at an upscale Mediterranean restaurant Duemani, in Aspen. As they exited the restaurant, cameras captured them hand-in-hand. Neither Carey and .Paak have confirmed or denied the alleged relationship. For now, it’s unclear whether this dinner was a casual night out between friends or the beginning of something new. Until either party confirms details, fans will have to wait and see.

Patrick Clark, who is charged in the 2022 shooting death of the rapper Takeoff, is set to go to trial later this year. Court records indicate that Clark appeared this week at a pretrial hearing in Harris County. A judge scheduled the trial to begin on November 5. The case has moved slowly through the court system since the arrest. Takeoff, whose legal name was Kirshnik Khari Ball, was killed on November 1, 2022, outside 810 Billiards & Bowling in Houston. Authorities said gunfire broke out during an argument linked to a dice game. Investigators have described the rapper as an unintended victim caught in the exchange. A woman who was also struck survived her injuries. Clark was taken into custody roughly a month after the shooting. Prosecutors have said surveillance footage played a central role in identifying him as a suspect. He has pleaded not guilty. After his arrest, he was released on a $1 million bond. Grief, growth, and the road to justice The shooting stunned the music community and left a visible mark on those closest to Takeoff. Offset, his cousin and fellow Migos member, addressed the loss on his solo album KIARI. On the song “Never Let Go,” featuring John Legend, he reflects on the grief in direct terms: “Play back all the memories, hopin’ they don’t fade / Bando to the jet, jet to the stage / Hard to see my na in that grave, this sht crazy / I’d give all this sht back just to get you back,” and “Can’t trust these nas, fck ’em, how I’m supposed to get over you? / Ain’t been the same, ’cause the pain fck up everything.” Quavo, who was with Takeoff that night, has since focused on advocacy work. In 2023, he founded The Rocket Foundation, an organization aimed at addressing gun violence. He later met with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House to discuss prevention efforts. Speaking to Variety in 2024, he said, “I felt like it’s a crisis that goes on everywhere, and me being a figure and a person who speaks to the youth, I feel like turning my tragedy into triumph.” As the November trial date approaches, the case is likely to return to public view. For Takeoff’s family and collaborators, the legal process continues alongside private grief. The proceedings will determine the next phase in a case that has remained closely followed since 2022.

Tony Yayo offered his account this week of a confrontation with Ja Rule that took place aboard a commercial flight. The two rappers, whose rivalry dates back to the early 2000s through their ties to 50 Cent and G-Unit, were seated near one another during the trip. Video of the exchange circulated online, showing raised voices before airline staff stepped in. Ja Rule later exited the plane. Speaking with VladTV, Yayo described the encounter as tense from the moment they saw each other. “I see Ja. He see’s me, he’s spooked. He could tell TMZ, he could tell you, he could tell everybody he was spooked because he only seen me. When you see me, who do you see? You see 50 Cent, you see Uncle Murda, you see some gangsta n**s around all the time, that’s on timing. Ja knows that. He just got punched out at a concert. So, it feels like the world is closing for him. So, he sees me, I see him. I’m not showing no weakness at all,” he said. Yayo placed the moment within a longer history between their camps. “You gotta remember: This is G-Unit. We’ve been through the ringer. We’ve been going at it with, not only him, but multiple street n**s. And I’m not trying to glorify nothing street, I’m just telling you the lifestyle. So look, he’s right here. I see him, he sees me. The stare down starts.” His comments framed the incident less as a surprise and more as an extension of an old dispute. Old Feud, New Flight Ja Rule addressed the situation separately on X, formerly Twitter, with a mocking tone. “I popped on these punks by myself on a plane lmao pssy ass ns I threw the pillow at yayo head cuz you soft… [laughing emojis] knocked ya hat all off sht was hilarious…” he wrote. He also posted what he said was a message from TMZ summarizing the encounter: “Hi Ja — Jamie here from TMZ — reaching out for comment regarding a Delta flight you were on Sunday morning. Witness tells us — From SFO to JFK where Ja Rule got into an argument with Tony Yayo on the flight. Ja was the aggressor and yelled profanities, saying he wanted to fight, then throwing a pillow at Tony Yayo. Crew stepped in and pulled both guys off the plane for a bit. Yayo yelled back that planes are federal offenses territory and he did nothing wrong.” The confrontation occurred shortly after Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda launched their podcast, The Real Report. The show debuted earlier this week and included discussion of current events in hip-hop. The in-flight dispute quickly became part of the broader online conversation. For observers familiar with the history between the artists, the setting was new, but the rivalry was not.

Doechii recently unveiled a new Instagram account under the handle @gutsgritglamour. This sparked conversations among fans who noticed she identifies as a “lesbian” in her bio. The profile, though set to private, features tags like “home life,” “wellness,” “side quests,” and “film.” This signals a multifaceted glimpse into her world. According to Gay Times, she describes the page as a space dedicated to the “physical, spiritual and emotional manifestations of womanhood to ME.” She elaborates, “It’ll be fun at times, a little funny, vulnerable, and maybe even a little vain. I just want a space to express Jaylah the human outside of Doechii the artist.”? The response from followers has been overwhelmingly positive. One commenter celebrated the announcement with, “A WIN FOR THE GIRLIES,” while another remarked, “Obv! A straight girl could never be this lit.” Another fan shared a personal revelation, writing, “I also thought I was bi at first, boy was I wrong.” These reactions echo statements Doechii made in an October 2024 interview with the same outlet. In that interview, she reflected on her evolving understanding of her sexuality. “I think I’ve always been gay,” she said. “I always knew I was gay. I’m currently bisexual. I am with a woman now and I have always known that I loved women. I’ve been very, very aware from an early age.” View this post on Instagram Doechii reveals her Journey with identity Doechii also opened up about the unique challenges she’s faced as a Black woman from the South navigating her identity. “I’m a Black woman from the south, so it’s different. There’s a lot of racism and homophobia so it’s hard, it’s very, very hard,” she explained. She described how her comfort grew as she found community. “Even though I was aware, I didn’t feel as comfortable until I started surrounding myself with more gay friends. I also grew up in the church, which is not to say that every religion denounces being gay, but it wasn’t accepted in the religion that I was in, in my environment.” Her experience shifted once she attended a performing arts school. A more accepting environment allowed her to embrace her identity fully. “Once I had gay friends it was like ‘OK, I can be myself, I’m good, I can feel safe, this is normal, I’m fine, everything is ok.’ I have those same friends today and will have them for life.”

Sexyy Red is once again at the center of online debate after a video surfaced of her performing an explicit version of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” The clip, shared by Lil Yachty and circulated widely by social media accounts, spread quickly across platforms. Viewers responded almost immediately. Many objected to the reinterpretation of one of Jackson’s most enduring songs. Some reactions were blunt. “MJ rolling in his grave,” one user wrote. Another added, “I know damn well the Jackson’s is not signing off on this trash.” A third commenter widened the lens, posting, “I hate this generation of rappers.” The criticism reflected a mix of generational frustration and protectiveness over Jackson’s legacy. Sexyy Red has not commented publicly on the latest backlash. In the past, however, she has been quick to respond to rumors and criticism online. In December, she addressed a viral claim from a parody account suggesting she had proposed a throuple involving GloRilla and NBA player Brandon Ingram. She dismissed the rumor directly. Lil Yachty shares a video of Sexyy Red rapping over the beat of “Beat It” by Michael Jackson “sneak peek scene of the new michael biopic” pic.twitter.com/g1cBsWRDXD — Kurrco (@Kurrco) February 11, 2026 Where clout and chaos collide “I wasn’t even gone say nun but dis is wierd and fake asf,” she wrote. “I don’t even play des kinda games df… & whoever sat there and thought to do dis is hella lame !!” GloRilla also rejected the claim, posting, “Dats fake stop playing wit me.” The episode underscored how quickly false stories can circulate and gain traction. Moments of provocation have become part of Sexyy Red’s public identity. Last September, she generated conversation by posting an AI-created image that appeared to show her pregnant alongside NBA YoungBoy. The image sparked debate over the line between humor, publicity, and misinformation. As with much of her online presence, reactions were divided.

Ja Rule addressed an altercation aboard a commercial flight this week involving fellow rappers Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda, an incident that quickly migrated to social media. The disagreement occurred on a Delta flight traveling from San Francisco to New York. Accounts of what happened varied, but the exchange drew attention once the artists began posting publicly. The situation did not escalate beyond a brief intervention by airline staff. Posting on X, Ja Rule described the encounter in confrontational language. He portrayed the moment as both amusing and defiant, emphasizing that he was alone during the exchange. “I confronted these punks by myself on a plane lmao pssy ass n**s I threw the pillow at Yayo’s head ’cause you soft… [laughing emojis] knocked ya hat all off sht was hilarious…” he wrote. The post was widely circulated. Ja Rule later shared an email from TMZ that offered a different account. According to the report, witnesses said Ja Rule was loud and appeared to initiate the confrontation. The message said he threw a pillow at Yayo and was briefly removed from the aircraft before being allowed to continue his travel. Yayo denied any wrongdoing, noting that behavior on airplanes is closely monitored and that he did not escalate the situation. Via TMZ… Hi Ja — Jamie here from TMZ — reaching out for comment regarding a Delta flight you were on Sunday morning. Witness tells us — From SFO to JFK where Ja Rule got into an argument with Tony Yayo on the flight. Ja was the aggressor and yelled profanities, saying he wanted… — Ja Rule (@jarule) February 10, 2026 50 Cent Weighs In as Plane Dispute Goes Public The exchange continued online when Ja Rule tagged Tony Yayo, Uncle Murda, and longtime rival 50 Cent. He ended the post with the line, “Whole team p*ssy…” The comment expanded the scope of the dispute beyond those on the flight. It also prompted additional responses. 50 Cent soon weighed in by sharing video footage of the incident on Instagram. He added commentary of his own, writing, “He was by himself so he had to make a scene so they could remove him scary ass. LOL Yayo said suck my d!ck, the gay stewardess said it’s going down. LOL” The video spread quickly across platforms. It drew further attention to the episode. In the clip, voices are raised as the plane prepares for departure. Afterward, Tony Yayo jokes about “the pillow Ja Rule threw at me,” while Uncle Murda comments on where Ja Rule was taken. The exchange appears tense but brief. Airline staff intervene before it goes further.

Kelly Rowland is speaking candidly about the lasting impact of losing her mother and how grief continues to shape her life. The singer and actress lost her mother, Doris Rowland Garrison, in 2014 — a devastating moment that came just weeks after Rowland welcomed her first child. Since then, she has been open about the emotional weight of that loss and the way it changed her perspective on family, faith, and motherhood. In recent reflections, Rowland shared that grief doesn’t simply disappear with time. Instead, it comes in waves — moments when the pain resurfaces unexpectedly. She explained that allowing herself to feel those emotions, rather than suppress them, has been a crucial part of her healing journey. View this post on Instagram Rowland has also spoken about the lessons her mother left behind. She credits her mom for instilling values rooted in faith, strength, and resilience — “tools,” as she describes them — that still guide her through life today. Those lessons now influence how she raises her own children and navigates personal challenges. The loss also brought moments of regret. Rowland previously revealed that her last in-person interaction with her mother was tense, something that deeply affected her afterward. That experience taught her the importance of grace, forgiveness, and being present with loved ones, lessons she carries forward intentionally. Despite the heartbreak, Rowland continues to honor her mother’s legacy by living with purpose and gratitude. While the pain of losing her never fully fades, Rowland says the love, wisdom, and faith her mother passed down remain a constant source of strength. Through her vulnerability, Kelly Rowland reminds others experiencing loss that grief is not linear — and that healing often means carrying love forward, even through the hardest moments.

J. Cole has suggested that his forthcoming album, The Fall-Off, may represent a turning point in his career rather than a continuation of it. As the project approaches release, the rapper has indicated that his interests are moving away from releasing solo albums. Instead, he has expressed a growing focus on producing and contributing behind the scenes. The comments have prompted discussion about what the next phase of his work may look like. During a recent “Ask Me Anything” session with fans, Cole addressed his outlook directly. “I appreciate all the support. My love for music is authentic, and what’s truly exciting about this album is the immense inspiration I feel right now,” he said. “While I don’t foresee myself creating more albums under the ‘J. Cole’ name, my enthusiasm lies in music production.” He added, “I will continue to write and record music whenever the inspiration strikes, and I may release new tracks if I feel compelled to do so. However, The Fall-Off stands as a significant work that I won’t seek to surpass.” Cole expanded on that idea by describing a long-standing interest in collaboration. “I aspire to make beats and assist in producing for other artists, even if my input doesn’t entail creating the actual track,” he said. “Shaping someone else’s vision is a passion of mine that I haven’t fully explored, given that my focus for years has predominantly revolved around my own narrative.” He added that he believes his strengths may be better realized in a supporting role. A Pivotal Release The Fall-Off will be Cole’s seventh studio album and is scheduled for release on February 6. The project includes collaborations with Burna Boy, Erykah Badu, Future, Morray, Petey Pablo, PJ, and Tems. Industry projections cited by Talk of the Charts estimate first-week sales between 260,000 and 300,000 album-equivalent units. That performance would make it his strongest debut since KOD in 2018. Following the album’s release, Cole marked the moment with a low-key promotional effort. He traveled to North Carolina A&T University, where he sold copies of The Fall-Off directly from his car. The effort, which he referred to as a “Trunk Sale Tour,” echoed earlier moments in his career. It also reinforced his emphasis on accessibility and direct connection with listeners.

Nardo Wick, the Jacksonville rapper who rose to prominence in the early 2020s, is currently being held in a Georgia jail, according to recent reports. No Jumper reported that he was taken into custody earlier this week. Jail records list him as an inmate at the Forsyth County Jail. Officials have not released additional details. The report said Wick is being detained in connection with an outstanding felony warrant and is considered a fugitive from justice. Beyond that designation, little information has been made public. Authorities have not disclosed when the warrant was issued or what charge prompted it. Court records have not yet clarified the circumstances. A booking photo circulated online shows the 24-year-old artist with a neutral expression. The lack of official information has left fans and observers waiting for clarity. Law enforcement agencies involved have not commented publicly. More details are expected to surface as the case proceeds. This is not Wick’s first encounter with the legal system. In 2021, he was arrested on a concealed weapons charge at a time when his music career was rapidly gaining traction. That year marked a breakthrough, fueled by songs like “Who Want Smoke??” and collaborations including “Me or Sum” with Future and Lil Baby. The momentum led to his selection as a 2022 XXL Freshman. In the years since, Wick has remained active but less visible. His most recent album, WICK, was released in February 2025 and featured appearances from 21 Savage, Future, Southside, Lil Baby, and Sexyy Red. He has not released new music since then. It remains unclear how the current legal situation may affect his plans moving forward.