STREAMED: Ice Spice Drops ‘Y2K!: I’m Just A Girl’ (Deluxe), Hit-Boy Delivers A ‘Letter To My Mentors,’ & More

SZA — SOS Deluxe: LANA

More than two years after releasing her critically acclaimed SOS album, SZA unveils the LP’s extended edition: SOS Deluxe: LANA. The 15-song addition includes singles “Saturn” and “Drive.”

Of course, Kendrick Lamar — who recently featured SZA on “gloria” and “luther” off his GNX project — appears on LANA’s “30 for 30.” The two stars will also head out on their “Grand National Tour” next year.

Elsewhere, Benny Blanco, Cashmere Cat, ThankGod4Cody, J White Did It, Michael Uzowuru, and more handle the new iteration’s production.

SZA recently opened up about LANA. “I think I am making music from a more beautiful place. From a more possible place versus a more angsty place,” she told British Vogue. “I’m not identifying with my brokenness. It’s not my identity.”

Following LANA’s release, SZA seemed to indicate that she was no longer working with her longtime manager, TDE President Terrence “Punch” Henderson. “The end of an era,” she wrote. “I wish him the best whatever his choices may be.”

However, Punch’s X bio still says he manages SZA and he most recently asked fans what their favorite songs are from the deluxe, noting that his favorites change with every listen. He also added: “Nothing real can be threatened.”

Ice Spice — Y2K!: I’m Just A Girl (Deluxe)

Ice Spice is back. Just a few short months removed from her Y2K! release, the Bronx rapper returns to the scene with Y2K!: I’m Just a Girl (Deluxe) edition.

The new add-on iteration features NLE Choppa and DaBaby on “Hannah Montana.” Rising Spanish star Bb trickz also pops up on “BB Belt (Remix)” and Puerto Rico’s Anuel AA appears on “Popa (Remix).” Meanwhile, RIOTUSA handles a bulk of the production, as is usually the case with Ice Spice’s work. Travis Scott, Gunna, and Central Cee all appeared on the original version.

After making quite a splash with her breakout songs like “Munch” and “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2” last year, Spice dropped her debut album with hopes of expanding her musical horizons earlier this year.

“It’s definitely gonna be a drill album,” she told TODAY at the time. “But I have a lot of different sounding beats that I haven’t really been heard on much, so I’m excited for those more than anything. I really want to know what my fans think about these new-sounding songs.”

Listen to the new iteration of the album below.

Hit-Boy — “Letter To My Mentors”

Hit-Boy is perhaps best known for his work as a producer. After all, he’s crafted hits for the likes of JAY-Z, Kanye West, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, and a plethora of other stars. But he’s also a rapper, who is continuing to share his story with songs like his latest, “Letter To My Mentors.”

As the title suggests, Hit dedicates this new song to seasoned veterans who guided him along the way, including Kanye West. “The last 18 years been a real journey,” he says via social media. And the song showcases pieces of that journey’s puzzle.

“I’ve gotta reflect, show gratitude / This monumental journey built attributes,” he rhymes on the track. “Can’t none of us live forever, we’re just passing through / It ain’t about the diamonds, homie, really, that’s the jewel.”

Hit-Boy is continuing to release a slew of new material. He’s also bringing his family along for the ride, rapping alongside his father Big Hit, his sister HitgirlLENA, and his son C3.

Through it all, he recently told Hypebeast, he is continuing to evolve his musical offerings. “My sound is not having a sound,” he said. “I like throwing people off. I like making people say ‘Damn, I didn’t even know Hit-Boy did this.’”

NLE Choppa — PICASSO: SLUFFIN SZN x SL-T SZN

NLE Choppa’s had a big year. The “Slut Me Out” rapper has been riding that song’s success with the release of his Sl-t Szn mixtape. Now, he returns with a new iteration of the project: PICASSO: SLUFFIN SZN x SL-T SZN.

Carey Washington, Yung Bleu, Skilla Baby, Kyle Richh, T-Pain, and J.P. appear on this project. His hit “Sl-t Me Out” also gets several remixes here including “Sl-t Me Out 2,” “Sl-t Me Out 3,” “Country Me Out” and “Country Me Out Cashville Remix.”

Choppa has called this his R&B album though it includes tracks with country, drill, and elements from other genres.

Choppa has been having fun with this musical era. “That’s what we on,” he recently told Billboard. “We on our sex symbol tip. If you ain’t trying to be with it, you can go on and get on. I’ll see you on the rebound.”