MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE: Hot Coco

Since the mid-2010s, R&B has been in a state of emergency. There was a time when many of the hits we would hear on mainstream radio varied across multiple genres, with R&B music being at the forefront. Something happened once the 2010s hit though and all of a sudden, it felt like R&B was slowly disappearing from mainstream view and became a niche genre. This is a wild concept to me since if we look at the Billboard stats, many of the hits that have spent the most weeks at #1 (“The Boy Is Mine”, “End of The Road”) are R&B classics. Monica even named her 2015 album Code Red after this idea and the “state of emergency” R&B was in. She was not able to save its mainstream appeal back then, but lucky for us, we now in 2025 have a whole new set of artists that are taking on that responsibility and it’s working. 

Coco Jones is one of the core artists at the forefront of this R&B resurgence, and her official debut studio album Why Not More? dropped this week. Coco has been making a name for herself in recent years, dropping EPs and singles, all leading up to this, her official debut. Before she was the R&B goddess that we know her as today, she was a Disney star, leading popular series like So Random and Good Luck Charlie! before earning a starring role in the drama series Bel-Air which gave her the success in the industry she needed to finally get her music career going (she’s already a Grammy winner, so I think she’s doing alright). More and more R&B artists like Coco Jones, Destin Conrad, Leon Thomas, Victoria Monet, Summer Walker and H.E.R. are making their way into the mainstream in a way that we haven’t seen in years, almost like a little R&B renaissance. 

Before we get into the rest of the picks this week, I would be remiss if I didn’t address maybe the most popular music story on my feed this week: Katy Perry and the lackluster kickoff to her Lifetimes Tour. Mostly, it’s this clip of the dance breakdown during “Part of Me” that has people on the internet losing their minds. It’s cringe, but I don’t want to add to a piling on against an artist, and it really does seem like the internet has chosen Katy as their target this year (last year was JLo). And I do feel for Katy Perry, because it seems like she just can’t get anything right these days. Whether or not the cringe dancing is for you is one thing, but here’s hoping that we can all have some kindness in our hearts and just let her be. If Katy’s tour is a joke to you, then you don’t have to buy a ticket. Long gone are the days when Katy and Gaga were on the same level (even though they “grew up together” according to Katy’s story), but we can still hold space for the hits; after all she’s “fabulous for a throwback” right?

Next week is a big one but for more personal reasons: I turn 30 on New Music Friday. Some may even call that poetic because of course my biggest birthday yet falls on music release day with albums from Counting Crows and Kali Uchis set to hit the shelves. This week alongside Coco, we’ve got new music from Destin Conrad, Billy Idol/Avril Lavigne, Ayra Starr/Wizkid and Jeff Goldblum/Ariana Grande, so a ton of fun collaborations. Plus, this week’s viral hit is sure to be a strong contender for song of the summer. 

Listen on…

MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK

“On Sight” by Coco Jones

Coco’s debut album Why Not More? is full of bangers top to bottom. Even the ballads hit hard in a way that I haven’t received from a female R&B album in a minute, so naturally picking one song to feature this week was a challenge – hence why I chose the next official single “On Sight”, because we love an accompanying visual, honey. Coco has been on the promo trail for the new album, performing this song on TODAY among other performances. “On Sight” is a silky track that showcases her vocals and confidence built on a moody production. The lyrics capture the longing and pull between two lovers who can’t deny their chemistry. The song is catchy and follows the Pop/R&B hybrid sound that she has crafted for the album (remember the lead single “Taste” sampled “Toxic” by Britney Spears). The song feels like an extension of her star power, blending classic R&B influences with a fresh, modern edge that makes the song instantly addictive. It’s a bold evolution for her as an artist as well, not just musically but in her public image in general. Coco is radiating grown-woman energy throughout the entire song (and album) giving hope that R&B is about to enter another prime. I am seated. 

 

“KISSING IN PUBLIC” by DESTIN CONRAD 

Keeping up with the new crop of artists on the R&B scene, we’ve got rising star Destin Conrad whose debut album Love On Digital dropped this week. Destin first caught the attention of his fellow Gen Zers over a decade ago when he was creating music-related content on vine as a teenager. Since then, he has devoted his time to his craft, finding his sound and embracing his Blackness and queerness through his soulful and meaningful lyrics and vocal performances. After multiple EPs and stints performing with artists like FLO and Syd, Destin has arrived with his first full-length project and it is quality Alternative-R&B. If we rewound even just a decade, there truly were not many (openly) queer artists, especially in the R&B world. Frank Ocean’s 2012 “coming out” was revolutionary as typically, there was a hyper-masculine energy that was attached to particularly male artists in R&B. Destin is the result of the door that Frank opened all those years ago. “KISSING IN PUBLIC” was one of the first songs recorded for the album. Destin recently mentioned how the song was actually intended for a previous EP release but it “stood the test of time”. The music video to the song is truly giving pop boy energy, with Destin’s sharp choreography and charm taking the spotlight. I always say how we are truly lacking performance star-quality when it comes to the new age of male artists, so it is always refreshing to the that all hope is in fact not lost. If anything, Destin’s artistry and success is further proof that R&B is not dead, you just have to want to hear it. It’s there waiting for you when you’re ready. 

 

“77” by Billy Idol, Avril Lavigne

They may come from different generations but Billy Idol x Avril Lavigne is one of the most perfectly curated duets I’ve heard. They both represent a different era in the pop-punk MTV generation, Billy being the ‘80s-early ‘90s, and Avril in the early ‘00s. Together their new track “77” is a celebration of both of their own unique sounds coming together for one big pop-punk celebration, so get out your black eyeliner, girls! Billy isn’t new to collaborating with millennial girlies as he collaborated with Miley Cyrus just a few years ago, he’s like the punk father figure to skater girls everywhere. “77” has way more of an Avril feel than a classic Billy feel, so if Lavigne’s pop spinoff of punk is your thing, this song will definitely get you out of your seat. The lyrics aren’t too deep, just your classic rebellious punk duo singing about “fighting back like ‘77” which is in itself a reference to the punk boom which occurred in, you guessed it, 1977. This is the year that is widely considered to be when punk was brought into the mainstream thanks to bands like the Sex Pistols and the Ramones among others. It’s a call back to that unfiltered time where protest and rebellion met to craft a genre that defined a generation of music listeners. Billy just released his first album in over a decade titled Dream Into It, and it seems he’s having Avril heavily involved in the promo, which to my eye seems like a method to get the millennials on his side; it worked on me lol. Between Billy’s album and Avril’s upcoming “Greatest Hits Tour” which is set to hit USA and Canada this summer, this duet comes at the perfect time.

 

“Gimme Dat” by Ayra Starr, Wizkid

The male-female collaboration is a formula that has been used in music for many years, and some of the most iconic duos have come out of it, like Ja Rule & Ashanti or Beyoncé & Jay-Z. This brings us to Ayra Starr and Wizkid who just dropped their new collaboration “Gimme Dat”. The song is the second time that the two have teamed up, and their chemistry is front and center on the song, further reinforcing that these two make beautiful music together. The tropical dancefloor anthem samples the classic 2000 hit “911” by Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige, giving a sense of nostalgia to the song. Ayra has had a major couple of years since her breakout EP in 2021, and has been steadily on the rise ever since. “Gimme Dat” is the second single release from Ayra’s as-of-yet untitled third studio album, so this is only the beginning of what it expected to be a big year for her. 

 

“I Don’t Know Why (I Just Do)” by Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, Ariana Grande 

If there’s one thing I love, it’s when a pop girlie goes jazz (we can thank Gaga for introducing that notion to me). The latest album by actor and musician Jeff Goldblum is a big band jazz extravaganza complete with features from both queens of Wicked (Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo). Ariana very rarely taps into the jazzy side of her voice so this Dean Martin cover is a treat for Arianators everywhere. The song is a classic mix of jazz and pop that lends to Ariana’s clear soprano vocals beautifully. When asked by Billboard a few months back about the then-upcoming collaboration, Ari mentioned how the song was a favourite of her late grandfather, who would sing it to her when she was younger; a full circle moment for Ari. The second part  of Wicked is coming out this November, so this isn’t the end of the Wicked crossovers; if anything it looks like the cast of the film will continue to work together for years to come. When the artistic collaborations flow effortlessly, it really can create some of the most beautiful art. 

 

MC’s VIRAL PICK

“Show Me Love” by WizTheMc, bees & honey, Tyla

Summer is rapidly approaching and if TikTok has anything to say about it, we have a very strong contender for song of the summer… already. WizTheMc was born in South Africa, raised in Germany, and moved to Toronto as a teenager to puruse his music career. Three albums and seven EPs later, Wiz has finally got his major mainstream hit with the help of a fellow South African pop artist who has been all over the headlines in the last year. The song was first released in early February before quickly gaining buzz on socials, and just in time for Tyla’s performance at Coachella (you know, the one that got her in a bit of trouble last week, but I’ll save you guys my rant on the girls not giving Britney her appropriate flowers), the two dropped the remix and it has since gone viral.

Ranging from content creators that simply are dancing sensually to the song, or clips with the caption “this is what Tyla’s verse feels like” over a photo of a peaceful sunset or tranquil beach, it’s vibes on vibes on vibes. Another reason the song is starting to go viral? Dating rumours between WizTheMc and Tyla are buzzing hard after the two posted these Tik Toks dancing and singing the song on their respective socials. We already know that they are likely just doing promo for the song, but that’s enough to get the blogs going and have some fun. I love a South African king and queen together, so I ship it. Tyla recently told Billboard in an exclusive interview that she was already working on her sophomore album which is expected to be released later this year. If she follows the sound she’s been on with the beachy laid-back tunes, then we’re in for some real summer heat folks. 

@wizthemc

#tyla #coachella #viral

♬ Show Me Love (with Tyla) - WizTheMc & Tyla & bees & honey

@jeanvictorm

Too good

♬ Show Me Love (with Tyla) - WizTheMc & Tyla & bees & honey

https://www.tiktok.com/@voguellily/video/7494632988794277142

@gramacarolyn

#showmelove @Tyla #litremix #goldmountaingolfcourse #bremerton #washington #lovegrama #gramacarolyn #gramasavibe

♬ Show Me Love (with Tyla) - WizTheMc & Tyla & bees & honey

@tabi.ly2005

omg that is just the best summer song and now my new favorite🫢😍 #foryou #foryoupage #tabily2005 #tyla #showmelove #bestmusic #summersongs #fypシ゚viral #tabigang #fyp

♬ Show Me Love (with Tyla) - WizTheMc & Tyla & bees & honey

@theodoredaniel

you guys have done it again 🫶🏼 @Tyla @wizthemc #tyla #wizthemc #showmelove #pov

♬ Show Me Love (with Tyla) - WizTheMc & Tyla & bees & honey

You can also check out my “MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE” Spotify playlist here to keep up to date with my weekly picks throughout the year. 

With Love, 

MC