R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Justine Skye, Molly Santana, J.P., Leon Thomas & More

Though Taylor Swift’s victory in the years-long fight for ownership of her masters dominated last week’s headlines, there were also a slew of head-turning news items in the R&B and hip-hop worlds.

Clipse — comprised of Pusha T and No Malice — made its grand return on Friday (May 30) with “Ace Trumpets,” in which the duo name-dropped former frequent collaborator Ye (formerly known as Kanye West). “Sold ecstasy and disappeared, I am Whodini/ Look at them, him and him, still waitin’ on Yeezy/ I hope you got your squeegees/ At your interviews, I just ki-ki,” Pusha spit. In response, Ye took to X, writing, “I miss me and Pusha’s friendship” — just one of several tweets in a routine social media rant from the controversial rapper.

The same day, Donald Trump, one of Ye’s favorite politicians, sounded off on whether he would consider pardoning Diddy, who’s currently in the midst of a highly publicized sex trafficking trial. “Nobody’s asked, but I know people are thinking about it,” he said. “I think some people have been really close to asking. First of all, I’d look at what’s happening, and I haven’t watched it too closely.”

In lighter news, Cardi B made things Instagram official with her new boo, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, on Sunday (June 1).

With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from J.P.’s gospel-informed comeback to Justine Skye and Kaytranda’s summer-ready banger. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.