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Saying farewell to Yvonne Staples, new tunes by Drake, Empress Of, Kid Cudi and more

Empress Of: Trust Me Baby Three years since her debut album Me, Empress Of (aka singer/songwriter, Lorely Rodriguez) has released two new songs: “In Dreams” and “Trust Me Baby”—both written, produced, engineered and performed by Rodriguez. The latter (co-produced by LA’s Cole MGN) blends in some warm R&B to her usual synth-heavy, sparkly electronic style. Drake: Nice For What Drake’s new track (featuring Big Freedia …

Drake: Nice For What

Drake’s new track (featuring Big Freedia and Letitia Wright on the bridge) “Nice For What” is a sheer celebration of women—specifically independent women—despite heavily sampling Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor” which is about distrust of a lover. (Hill’s song samples Wu-Tang’s “Can It Be All So Simple,” which itself samples Gladys Knight + the Pips’ cover of Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were”—just for some serious song …

The Sorority: On Me

A testament to sisterhood and solidarity, the four members of The Sorority (pHoenix Pagliacci, Keysha Freshh, Lex Leosis and Haviah Mighty) found themselves competing in a cypher for International Women’s Day two years ago. Now a progressive four-piece hip-hop group, they’re much more than a gimmicky girl-band. Their just-released track “On Me” is the second from Pledge, and sees each of the members displaying incredible …