NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: Rod Wave, Erykah Badu, Lady La + More Drop New Music

Friday is looking like a good day for music.

August 28 brings a mix of major releases, established names and emerging artists across hip-hop and R&B. From Rod Wave returning with a new album to Erykah Badu linking with The Alchemist, there is plenty worth adding to your weekend rotation.

Here’s what The Campaign ATL has on our radar this Friday.

Rod Wave — Don’t Look Down

Rod Wave returns with his seventh studio album, Don’t Look Down, his first full-length project since Last Lap in 2024. The Florida rapper and singer has spent years creating his own space between hip-hop and R&B, building a massive audience around records that lean heavily into heartbreak, relationships and real-life experiences.

Ahead of the album, Rod released “Hustle” with a new music video on August 21. He’s also taking the project on the road this fall for the Don’t Look Down Tour, with FRIDAYY joining as special guest.

Erykah Badu + The Alchemist — New Collaborative Album

This might be one of Friday's most interesting releases.

Erykah Badu and The Alchemist are officially releasing their collaborative album on August 28. The project brings together Badu's unmistakable approach to soul with one of hip-hop's most respected producers. They've already given listeners a preview through records including “Witch Doctor” and “Next To You.”

For Badu, the project is especially notable considering how rarely she releases full-length studio projects. Pairing her with The Alchemist—whose production catalog stretches across generations of hip-hop—makes this one we want to hear from beginning to end.

Lady La — “Hot Shit”

Atlanta's own Lady La is also back this Friday with “Hot Shit,” marking her second release of the year following “DAT GIRL” with JBO.

For independent artists, consistency matters, and La is continuing to build her catalog while giving listeners another look at where she's taking her sound this year. We'll have more on “Hot Shit” here on The Campaign ATL when the record arrives.

Dahi — Black Boy (Alternative)

Grammy-winning producer Dahi is stepping from behind the boards with his first solo album, Black Boy (Alternative). His résumé already includes work connected to some of music's biggest names, including Kendrick Lamar, and the new project brings together collaborators across hip-hop and alternative music. The 11-track album arrives August 28, with “Running” featuring Childish Gambino among the records leading into the release.

Liim — A Sunflower Garden in Harlem Is Hard to Find

For our artist-discovery pick, we're watching Liim.

The Harlem rapper releases his sophomore album, A Sunflower Garden in Harlem Is Hard to Find, on Friday. Ahead of the project, he released “1980” featuring AJRadico, giving listeners an introduction to what's coming next.

This is exactly the type of release we want to keep on our radar alongside the bigger names. New Music Friday shouldn't only be about who already has the largest audience. It's also an opportunity to figure out who might be next.

From Rod Wave and Erykah Badu to independent and emerging talent, August 28 has plenty to listen to.

We'll be listening. Let us know what you're playing first.