R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Rjtheweirdo, Sekou, Lazer Dim 700, Marlon Craft & More

Listen to new must-hear songs from rising R&B and hip-hop artists.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 5:55pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a glittering disco ball, with the reflective surfaces capturing dramatic highlights and shadows to create a high-contrast, abstract glamour texture.The dazzling textures and lighting of the R&B and hip-hop music world capture the genre's dynamic energy and constant evolution.Los Angeles Today

This week's edition of Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks highlights new music from up-and-coming artists like Rjtheweirdo, Sekou, Lazer Dim 700, S!MONE, Marlon Craft, Wiz Khalifa and Joy Postell. The report also touches on recent high-profile news, including Pooh Shiesty's legal troubles and Kanye West's controversial Wireless Festival performance.

Why it matters

The Fresh Picks column shines a light on emerging talent in the R&B and hip-hop genres, giving readers a chance to discover new artists and sounds. In a busy news cycle dominated by established stars, this report helps balance the coverage and bring attention to the next generation of musicians.

The details

The article covers a range of new music releases, from Arlo Parks' album 'Ambiguous Desire' to Earl Sweatshirt and Surf Gang's collaborative project 'Pompeii // Utility'. It also touches on high-profile news, including Pooh Shiesty's recent arrest and Kanye West's upcoming Wireless Festival performance, which has faced sponsor withdrawals due to West's past controversies.

  • Last Thursday (April 2), Pooh Shiesty was one of eight men arrested on kidnapping and robbery charges.
  • On Monday morning (April 6), Diageo and Rockstar Energy withdrew as sponsors of Wireless Festival, where Kanye West is scheduled to headline.
  • Kanye West's new album 'Bully' opened at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart behind BTS's 'Arirang'.

The players

Pooh Shiesty

A Memphis rapper who was recently arrested on kidnapping and robbery charges.

Kanye West

A controversial rapper who is scheduled to headline the Wireless Festival in London, leading several sponsors to withdraw their support.

Arlo Parks

A British singer-songwriter who released the album 'Ambiguous Desire'.

Earl Sweatshirt

An American rapper who collaborated with Surf Gang on the project 'Pompeii // Utility'.

Rjtheweirdo

An up-and-coming R&B/hip-hop artist featured in the Fresh Picks column.

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What they’re saying

“Last Thursday (April 2), Pooh Shiesty previewed the weekend with a shocking legal altercation barely six months after his release from federal prison.”

— Class, Author

“At the final show (April 3), the controversial rapper brought out Ms. Lauryn Hill, Travis Scott, Zion Marley, YG Marley, CeeLo Green and André Troutman as special guests.”

— Class, Author

What’s next

As the summer approaches, all eyes will be on Wireless and Ye to see if the two parties can actually pull off this festival takeover.

The takeaway

This week's Fresh Picks highlights the diversity and talent within the R&B and hip-hop genres, showcasing both established stars and rising artists. However, the report also underscores the ongoing controversies and challenges facing the industry, from legal issues to sponsor withdrawals, that continue to shape the narrative around certain high-profile figures.