Week of November 21, 2025

Keeping track of all the new music that drops every week is a nightmare. I’m here to do it so you don’t have to! Welcome to Nu Musique Friday. Pull up some headphones and stay awhile.

My latest piece for Hearing Things is a blog about the return of Max B, the pressures of post-prison fame, and how we should just relax and let his second coming unfold organically. If you like what my co-founders and I are up to, consider subscribing to the site (and paying for it, if you can). We don't bite, promise.

Check out the Reel Notes podcast, dedicated to exploring the relationship between rap and film. The 42nd episode, featuring South African rapper Rap Man Gavin, is available now. New episodes drop every Monday on my Patreon for paying members and every Wednesday wherever else podcasts are sold, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more via Buzzsprout. Reel Notes is also available via my personal YouTube channel, and Podcasts on Vevo.

If you really wanna be tapped in, join the Reel Notes Patreon! For as little as $5/month, you'll gain access to video of every forthcoming Reel Notes interview, our Discord server, exclusive interviews and reviews, early access to new episodes, & more.

My first book, Reel Notes: Culture Writing on the Margins of Music and Movies, is out right now! Purchase your digital copy on Amazon and read it on the Kindle app (You don't need a Kindle to read it. Buy the book and download the app or read it on your desktop via Amazon).

Reel Notes stands in solidarity with the oppressed peoples of Palestine, the Congo, Sudan, Tigray, and Haiti. Please consider donating to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, The Palestinian Youth Movement, HealAfrica, FreeTigray, and/or Hope For Haiti. Please also consider donating to The Okra Project, an organization dedicated to helping feed Black trans youth.

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De La Soul - Cabin in The Sky

Listen: Spotify / Apple Music / Tidal / YouTube Music

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Flee x StoopidXool - Xool Summer 2: World Ain't Xool Enough

Listen: Spotify / Apple Music / Tidal

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SoFaygo - Mania

Listen: Spotify / Apple Music / Tidal / YouTube Music

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Kenny Mason - Pup Pack: 1st Shift

Listen: Spotify / Apple Music / Tidal

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Shordie Shordie - Love Lost

Listen: Spotify / Apple Music / Tidal

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Ben Reilly - Save!

Listen: Spotify / Apple Music / Tidal

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Elujay - A Constant Charade

Listen: Spotify / Apple Music / Tidal / YouTube Music

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Hus Kingpin - Portishus 2

Listen: Spotify / Apple Music / Tidal / YouTube Music

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Quincy Davis - Quicksilver

Listen: Bandcamp