Spring Weekend Listicle
April 30, 2026
| Ravyn Lenae: Across just two full-length projects, Ravyn Lenae’s work has expanded the boundaries of contemporary R&B. The 24-year-old up-and-comer’s music possesses the innovative, genreless spirit of the Chicago music scene, where she was born and raised. But the core of every Ravyn Lenae song lies in her featherlight voice, which can both drive the beat and float up into weightless melisma. Even as her sonic palate expands (clock the glitch textures on “Venom” and the pop-rock of “Love Me Not”), her soprano remains ever-recognizable. And her reflective songwriting approaches each topic with utmost sensitivity–from toxic lovers on “Skin Tight” to absent fathers on “One Wish.” Here are five essential tracks from one of the most exciting R&B artists working today. Essential listening: One Wish (feat. Childish Gambino) Offset: You might recognize Offset as a supporting character: as a third of the blockbuster rap trio Migos, as Cardi B’s now-ex-husband. But he’s had an innumerable impact on the rap scene, a seminal force in developing trap music with Migos. At his core, Offset is an agile rapper and showman, capable of finding precise pockets of the beat to weave through. Listen to “Ric Flair Drip,” how he effortlessly accelerates his flow and pulls back, how he punctuates just the right syllables with a rise in pitch. And across three albums, he has expanded his sound, collaborating with Metro Boomin and 21 Savage on 2017’s Without Warning. A highly publicized breakup and Migos’ tragic disbanding haven’t made the journey easy, but in the music, he’s perfectly in control. Essential Listening: Ric Flair Drip (with Metro Boomin) SAY MY GRACE (feat. Travis Scott) Bad and Boujee - Migos (feat. Lil Uzi Vert) JT: JT is indeed coming to Brown, and she is ready to tear us apart with her infectious flow that leaves no breathing room for haters. Perhaps best known as one-half of the rap duo City Girls, the Miami-based rapper is not afraid to explore the wide range and capabilities of her artistry. Her rapping in Spanglish on Kali Uchis’ cheeky “Muñekita” or her glamorous transformation into Jackie-O as an homage on “Sideways” are a testament to her individuality as she tries to break into the mainstream as a solo artist. Her debut mixtape, City Cinderella, works as a statement to being classy while still being a total badass. Check her out if you haven’t. Essential Listening: Pussy Talk - City Girls ft. Doja Cat Zack Fox: Known by many for his role in Quinta Brunson’s Abbott Elementary or his collaborations with artists such as Kenny Beats, Thundercat, and Doechii, Zack Fox is slated to DJ at Brown University’s 2025 Spring Weekend concert. Having risen to fame as a Twitter comedian under the name “Bootymath,” the multitalented Atlanta-raised actor, comic, writer, and rapper’s unique sense of slapstick internet humor underlines much of his discography. His 2021 debut album, shut the fuck up talking to me follows his biggest hit with Kenny Beats, “Jesus Is The One (I Got Depression),” which went viral upon its release in 2019. You can check out his work at zackfox.com (in a well-formatted Google sheet). Essential Listening: Undertow Brass Band In a rap and R&B-heavy lineup, the Providence-based Undertow Brass Band stands out as an 18-person collective known for their loud and over-the-top arrangement across genres like Balkan brass, rock, and electronic dance. They have performed around the world in renowned festivals such as Lollapalooza and The Newport Folk Festival, and are now bringing their effervescent energy to the stage on Spring Weekend. If you are unsure whether to attend their set, give one of our recommended tracks a try and see if they are up your alley! Essential Listening: L’Orient Est Rouge (live at AS220) Fantasma (Malportado Kids Remix of Ekremov Čoček) |