Hip-Hop and R&B Stars Scramble to Meet Grammy Deadline

With the 2026 Grammy eligibility period closing this Saturday, August 30th, 2025, some of the most buzzworthy hip-hop and R&B artists have raced to get their new music out before the deadline. This has resulted in one of the most crowded New Music Fridays of the year.

Doja Cat has returned with a track featuring '80s flair, "Jealous Type," while Offset and Earl Sweatshirt have both released soul-baring life updates on their respective new albums, Kiari and Live Laugh Love. Meanwhile, rapper BigXthaPlug has made a full-throttle attempt at a country crossover with his new project, I Hope You're Happy. Unfortunately, BigX's banner year, which included Beyoncé dancing to his song "The Largest" on her Cowboy Carter Tour and his first Hot 100 top 10 hit with "All the Way," has been marred by a recent arrest in North Texas last Friday, August 22nd, for marijuana and weapon possession—his second booking in six months.

BigX is far from the only rapper currently entangled with the law. Drake, who is still in the middle of a controversial lawsuit against UMG, made headlines over the past weekend for taking jabs at music journalist Rob Markman and announcing his second podcast interview with Bobbi Althoff, joking that he's trying to "get [her] brand deals" and make the podcast "more scenic, serene and sexy." Finally, Tyler, the Creator is keeping the momentum going with his latest announcement: a word search revealing the lineup for this year's Camp Flog Gnaw festival, scheduled for November 15-16, 2025, which includes acts like A$AP Rocky, Childish Gambino, and Clipse.