#Repost: Billboard.com x Spotify - New Music Friday

Originally posted on Billboard.com.

Imagine Dragons - "Believer"

A common theme in this week's #SpotifyNMF is perseverance, with the important and necessary reminder not to give up the good fight carefully woven into a generous handful of today's new releases. With Imagine Dragons seeing beauty through the pain on their track "Believer," the underlying theme of not giving up takes on many inspiring forms, with the quartet's powerful new song beautifully soundtracking that very sentiment. Lead vocalist Dan Reynolds reflects on the power that exists behind having the ability of being able to turn pain into power, something he sings he has done since being "broken from a young age." With marching drums, electric timbres and Reynolds behind the wheel, the track is a whimsical-yet-authoritative anthem sure to turn even the most hesitant of optimists into a believer. Adding to the charm of the group's victorious underdog mentality, those tuning into the Super Bowl this weekend may also catch their new song as featured in a commercial for Nintendo Switch. With the song doubling as a presumed teaser off of Imagine Dragons' forthcoming third studio album, it's evident that while good things come to those who wait, epic things come to those who believe.

Sampha - Process

With the release of Sampha’s debut album, Process, many are quick to call him London's best kept secret. However, after lending his talents to Drake, Solange, Kanye West, SBTRKT and Frank Ocean, it's arguable that while the secret has been out he's an artist wise to keep an eye on, his own story remained untold. With his first solo project, Sampha lets listeners in for the first time, but masterfully manages not to give too much away or put only his tragedies in front of his handshake. As we get to know Sampha, it's revealed that while he's been through devastating heartbreak and tragic loss throughout his life, with both of his parents passing away after battling cancer years apart, he still hasn't let go of hope. Perhaps it's only natural that the 28-year-old's music holds a healing power, with his lush voice delicately navigating themes of detachment, strength, self-discovery, sorrow and vulnerability in a way that, despite frequent travels into the unknown, carries the comforting reminder, "You can always come home." As exemplified through tracks such as "Reverse Faults," "Kora Sings" and "Under," Sampha's dynamic, quiet world is best explored with eyes closed, transporting listeners into a meditative state with his falsetto guiding the way, showing that there is solace to be found throughout the process.

Skip Marley - "Lions"

Carrying the legacy his family name stands for is something that a now 20-year-old Skip Marley is ready to fully embrace. Considering he is the maternal grandson of the revolutionary Bob Marley, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Skip feels as though his desire to pursue music was engrained in his destiny. However, he also is wise beyond his years, fully aware that he has much to learn and discover about his own identity, as well as knows he has his own path to carve. With the invaluable guidance of his uncles, Stephen, Damian and Ziggy, as well as his mother, Cedella, Skip is poised for greatness but not entitled to it, exemplifying on his new single "Lions" that he has much of a fight brewing in him as ever and that he was born to lead the way. Simultaneously, his new track acts as a modern-day protest song that would without a doubt make his grandfather proud, singing with conviction, "We are the lions / We are the chosen / We gonna shine out the dark / We are the movement / This generation / You better know who we are." With a determined Skip Marley finally being handed the torch, it's exciting to see just how ready he is to carry it next.

Syd - FIN

Vocalist Sydney Bennett, best known as Syd (and once known as Syd Da Kyd,) carries within her multiple identities, and on her debut solo album, has stripped down to occupy a space all her own. The Internet’s frontwoman previously referred to her new project as "an in-between thing," an album she casually wanted to make, stating that, "This album is not that deep, but I feel like this is my descent into the depth I want the band to get to." Now that it's been released to the world, one can't help but want to celebrate those "in-between" spaces, where what can happen next feels limitless. From Odd Future to The Internet to FIN, Syd's strengths remain consistent, with her voice commanding the spotlight with ease and in a way those unfamiliar wouldn’t expect. As each track strengthens the case that she's a star, Syd's chilled-out nature allows for a playfulness to find a happy home, all without compromising the fact that with this album, she's not only going to be taken more seriously than ever before, but she's ready to be. The album reflects growth, owning one's sexuality and giving a subtle middle finger to the world, doing so without coming off as corny, braggadocios or overly trendy. Syd's self-determination to stay true to herself and compromise nothing makes for an inspiring takeaway that even if her intention wasn't to create a "deep" album, this collection of 12 songs is anything but shallow.

Big Sean - I Decided.

Big Sean has infamously made some bold statements through his music over the years. From once demanding Kanye West listen to him freestyle in the hallway of a radio station to dominating the charts with the fiery message found in "IDFWU," Big Sean has been building up to the moment of claiming his destiny and pushing all his chips out onto the table. With his new album, I Decided., he does exactly that. Throughout the album's narrative, he showcases how he's not only been chosen for this life, but he chose it right back. His third sophomore album is full of clarity and conviction for the rapper, declaring how not only does he intend to live life to the fullest from this point forward but this project also represents a rebirth of sorts, one that is taking no prisoners without abandoning or discrediting his past. With lead singles such as "Bounce Back," "Moves" and "Halfway Off The Balcony" helping to build anticipation, Big Sean's latest offering is already being thrown into the ring of debate as his best work to date, with many also cheering on his manifested collaboration with Eminem, "No Favors," as one of the strongest songs in the multifaceted, skit-laden 14-track collection. With I Decided., Big Sean is sure to win over a new assortment of lifelong fans, refreshingly including himself in that category as well. In regards to taking what’s rightfully his and inspiring others to do the same, Big Sean not only finds success, he finds meaning. It’s been a long time coming, too.

#Repost: Billboard.com x Spotify New Music Friday January 27, 2017

Every week, Spotify updates their "New Music Friday" playlist, featuring 50 of the freshest new tracks hitting the service that week.

On the heels of Billboard's partnership with the streaming giant, we'll be tapping Spotify's editors to sift through the soon-to-be-hits and highlight the best of the bunch.

Check out the picks and listen to the entire "New Music Friday" playlist below.

Migos – CULTURE
With the highly anticipated release of their sophomore studio album, Culture, Migos is proving that some rewards are only brought by uncompromising consistency. After pounding the pavement releasing mixtape after mixtape since joining forces in 2009, the hip-hop trio today finds themselves at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, securing their first No. 1 hit single with "Bad and Boujee." The song went on to reach viral heights after a series of memes circled around the standout lyrics "raindrop, drop top" and after receiving a legendary shout-out from fellow musician and actor Donald Glover at the 74th Golden Globe Awards. Now that their full-length offering has arrived, all eyes are on the group to see where their music takes them next.

With "Get Right Witcha" gracing our New Music Friday playlist this week, Migos is proving that not only have they refined their lavish trap sound, but they are setting the bar higher while claiming the very culture they've spent years low-key influencing. Those just getting hip to the group courtesy of their headline-dominating past couple of months may feel as though the group achieved overnight success, but the reality is that Migos has endured many storms in their day, including stints in jail and overcoming legal woes, and now, through self-determination, are out to show that more than a viral hit defines them. Graduating from 2013's "Versace," their first chart-topping single, in which member Quavosays the fashion house's name more than 100 times in a span of three minutes, the group has found success building off of the foundation they've had in place for years, elevating their brand to reach wide acclaim by backing up their hypnotic, mantra-like hooks with smart production, heavyweight guest features from the likes of 2 Chainz, Travi$ Scott, Gucci Mane, Lil Uzi Vert and DJ Khaled, and staying true to a vision best exemplified by the album's name, Culture. Entering this next chapter with new money and new goals alike, Migos balances having both middle fingers up with good old-fashioned gratitude, embracing their calling to inspire others that one's wildest dreams are obtainable with perseverance, timing and a dash of doing it for the culture.

Train - a girl, a bottle, a boat
Making their debut two decades ago, Train is showcasing their staying power as radio-ready rockers, with the careful guidance of the group's sole original full-time member, frontman Patrick Monahan, leading the way. While the Grammy Award-winning soft rock outfit has restructured and redirected their sound over the years, their latest offering proves that strong songwriting and expert musicianship is at the core of their success. In 2017, it's only fitting that the veteran rockers are leaning toward a more pop-influenced sound, taking notes from other mainstay bands such as Maroon 5, Coldplay and O.A.R., the latter of which Train recently recruited to join their forthcoming summer tour. Naming their latest studio album a girl a bottle a boat, Train's new offering transitions between a variety of distinctive sounds, supporting their crossover appeal for fans of contemporary rock and infectious pop alike, balancing their rock roots with a little doo-wop, dance pop and a piano-driven ballad thrown in for good measure. With "What Good Is Saturday" finding a happy home on our #NewMusicFriday playlist this week, listeners will either find themselves surprised to see the mellow, feel-good tune was crafted by Train, or rest reassured that the group is adapting to the times without drifting too far from their established tried-and-true identity in alternative rock.

Bell Biv DeVoe - 3 Stripes
Those tuning in to BET this week were treated to a three-part biopic series tracing the life and times of '80s sensation New Edition. As the story infamously goes, once the group ran its course in the spotlight, three members went on to join forces, creating the hip-hop spin-off known as Bell Biv DeVoe. On top of the group's recent resurgence, with assistance from the miniseries and finding a permanent place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the infamous trio has released their first album in 16 years, titled Three Stripes. As original members Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe expertly remind us how to properly make a comeback with grace and prove they've more than still got it, the longtime musicians truly show they've aged like fine wine, with Three Stripes excitedly picking up right where they last left off. With their single "I'm Betta," the group refreshingly updates their signature new jack swing sound, with their R&B flavoring providing a timeless quality that still stands strong in 2017. For those overdue for a history lesson, and one that is still being written at that, look no further than the trailblazing career of Bell Biv DeVoe. While they've long earned their rightful place in the game, the iconic trio's new album proves that not only could we benefit from some spiritual healing, but they are more than happy to rise to the task and deliver all these years later, all while "doin' betta."

Major Lazer - "Run Up" featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR and Nicki Minaj
With Nicki Minaj and PARTYNEXTDOOR teaming up with the likes of Major Lazer, fans can remain hopeful that the most fitting of collaborations, when they actually do manifest, are not as contrived as one may think. With Major Lazer in the driver's seat on this one, the genre-bending electronic trio crafts what legendary producer Diplo describes as a "perfect party record," playing up to the talents of both vocalists while also giving them air to create, with each bringing their Caribbean roots to the table and spontaneously flexing their honed areas of expertise. While PND handles majority of the vocal duties, with Minaj coming in strong for a fiery guest feature, the track feels more high energy than the Canadian crooner typically yields, adapting wonderfully to the island-tinged production. With Minaj setting comfortably back into her music grind, even teasing her fourth studio album during her verse, "Run Up" is a delectable appetizer, warming us up for what each heavyweight artist has in store this year. Judging from the likes of this exciting collaboration, the forecast is looking sunny and the future bright.

Martin Garrix - "Scared to Be Lonely"
Twenty-year-old Dutch producer Martin Garrix returns with a swift reminder of why he is not only consistently rising to the top of the lists ranking the world's best DJs, but he's also got an endless amount of records left in him to make, refine, lovingly tease and finally share. While proving himself as a creative force to be reckoned with during his far-from-average teen years and impressively building a name for himself, the Tiësto-discovered artist is happily maintaining through the madness and further establishing his own sound with his latest release, "Scared to be Lonely." The earworm track doubles as a collaboration with rising British pop singer Dua Lipa, marking the latest release from Garrix's own STMPD Records, with the track arriving not too long after he teased the single in his live set. With Dua Lipa's beautifully hazy vocals and Garrix's production inviting strings into his electronic arsenal, the liberating track raises questions as to what the producer has next up his sleeve. Whether Martin Garrix will release a full-length studio project or continue his pattern of releasing one-off singles, it's safe to say we're already won over and eager for what's in store next.

#Repost: BET.com - F**k Donald Trump: Protest Music to Blast on Inauguration Day

With hashtags such as #NotMyPresident, #MyPresidentIsBlack and #ThankYouObama trending well into the weekend ahead and then some, the majority of us are taking to Twitter to discuss the hard-to-swallow reality that, for some Americans, January 20, 2017 marks a day of grim, inevitable transition and is one that simply isn't ever going to sit right. 

With a country more visibly divided than ever, the next four years will be about maintaining through the madness, positively lifting one another up within our communities and making sure that we do everything imaginable to check Trump on all his bulls**t as best we can. For artists of all mediums, this means using one's voice effectively, creatively and wisely, with many rappers turning to their music to deliver honest, blunt messages of frustration, resistance and hope, placing a reinforced emphasis on the undeniable power words hold and inspiring others to rise above what is trying to keep us down.

Although we've entered a time of uncertainty, oppression and political unrest, hip-hop will always serve as a necessary reminder that, in the infamous words of Kendrick Lamar, "We gon' be alright." Check out some brand new, politically-charged anthems that were released today in the spirit of fighting the system, making for a perfect soundtrack fit for this weekend's ongoing protests, the Women's March on Washington and the next four years alike, with fists up, the music loud and the message clear.

1. TUNJI IGE – 'WHY DON'T YOU'

   After a brief, six-month hiatus, Tunji Ige returns with fiery new track "Why Don't You." As he navigates what feels like a post-apocalyptic future, he curiously digs up optimism that had previously been buried beneath a menacing reality check, proving that, in a true homage to Charles Bukowski, what matters most is how well you walk through the fire. Accompanied by a visual directed by his longtime creative director Glassface, Tunji finds himself unbothered by dark forces, such as a trigger-happy cop and a man in a gas mask mysteriously throwing money, with a little anti-Trump graffiti thrown in for good measure.

2. JOEY BADA$$ – 'LAND OF THE FREE'

   Joey Bada$$ gets political on his latest track, "Land of the Free," dedicating the anthem in tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. On his new single, the Pro Era emcee reminds us just how raw his talent is, with every lyric he spits holding meaning and merit. With quotables such as "Can't change the world unless we change ourselves" and "I feel my ancestors arrested inside of me / It's like they want me to shoot my chance and change society," the Brooklyn-bred rapper keeps it all the way 100, fiercely bashing Trump and saying that despite Obama's incredible terms serving as president, he still needs more closure. This track is both a history lesson and a call-to-action, inspiring critical thinking without losing what's necessary: hope for a better, brighter future.

3. YOUNG PLANET – '11-9-16'

   Brooklyn duo Young Planet releases a protest song today dropping bar after bar reminding us of the importance of taking a stand while also reflecting on how our country somehow "elected a caveman." Throughout the duration of the four-minute track, emcee Cidida spits nothing but the truth over a theatric beat produced by Eibol, creating a powerful call-to-action tied together by the undeniable fact that we're not going to back down — ever.

4. CRYSTAL CAINES – 'F**KERY - (RUN WITH ME)' FEATURING A$AP FERG

   After listening to the f**kery that went down related to the election and leading up to Inauguration Day, Crystal Caines and A$AP Ferg swiftly chose to air some grievances on their latest collaborative track, titled, "F**kery (Run With Me)." The empowering track proudly encompasses the "take no s**t" attitude the title suggests, with the bouncy tune a perfect accompaniment to anyone ready to flex on their haters. As both spit a strong game and are ready to claim what's rightfully theirs, the track gives us an extra push of motivation desperately needed to move forward in dark times. Take no prisoners.

5. CHILL MOODY – 'THIS AIN'T MY AMERICA'

   West Philadelphia born-and-raised emcee Chill Moody has a lot to get off of his chest, aptly titling his latest offering "This Ain't My America." For those looking out for conscious lyricism delivered with tact and intent, look no further. On his new track, he unapologetically vents his frustration, intelligently spanning honest topics such as broken promises, police brutality, slavery, mass incarceration and racial inequality, over a laid-back, horn-laden beat. "Hard not to rebel, I got that Nat Turner in my bloodline," is one of many bars he skillfully weaves together.

6. JAE MANSA – 'KEEP GOING'
   Rising North Carolina-based duo Jae Mansa released their new mixtape hosted by DJ Drama today, aptly titled The F**k Trump Mixtape. To kick off the single, "Keep Going," the group incorporates a sample featuring actual words Donald Trump once used at a debate, setting the tone for both emcees to absolutely go off. On the track, the duo trades verses, explaining how living in Trump's America really is "do or die." The good news is both are dedicated to "keep going," refusing to let the grim realities of the current state of our nation stop them from fighting the good fight. 

7. JOEY AX – '2PM ON INAUGURATION FREESTYLE'

   Sometimes the best way to go about things is to freestyle your way through them. While it's arguable that's what Trump will be doing for the next four years as he attempts to navigate the highest political role with zero experience, New Haven's Joey AX felt inspired to put together a last-minute speech of his own in response to the 20-minute inaugural address we suffered through earlier today. The rising emcee goes full throttle, weaving in some hilarious bars alluding to Trump's qualifications to run the country, such as, "You're more false than all your mentions / You're more lost than Guy Fieri in a kitchen." Yup, he takes it there. 
   
    

8. AND FOR GOOD MEASURE: JEEZY – 'MY PRESIDENT' FEATURING NAS

   Because this will never not be relevant. "My president is Black, my Lambo's blue..."

   Originally posted here on BET.com.