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The Best Hip-Hop and R&B Songs of May 2023, Ranked

By Autumn Hawkins

The summer is here and many of the top artists in hip-hop and R&B are putting their bid in for “song of the summer.” Over the course of May, we got drops from Beyoncé, J. Cole, Summer Walker, Kendrick Lamar, and several more.

Take a look at some of the best songs in hip-hop and R&B, ranked:

  • 11. "Shake Sumn" - DaBaby

    For DaBaby’s May 2023 release, he takes inspiration from Jersey Club for his latest single “Shake Sumn.” The firey twerk anthem is found on his three-song EP titled CALL DA FIREMAN.

  • 10. "The Journey" - H.E.R.

    H.E.R.’s “The Journey” is for anyone needing a song to lift their spirits going through a tough time. H.E.R. showcases her silky vocals with powerful lyrics on her newest release.

    “All the times you thought you’d never make it through/Felt just like the world just turned its back on you/Didn’t stop you/All the times you could’ve given in and given up/Times you didn’t know if you were strong enough/Still you got through,” she sings.

  • 9. "Act Bad" - Diddy ft. City Girls, and Fabolous

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbsJMnRgYPk

    The City Girls, Diddy, and Fabolous are trying to have everyone “Act Bad” this summer. The flirty yet broadcaious record finds the four rappers campaigning for a summer of good times with no stress.

  • 8. "Favorite Song" - Toosie ft. Khalid

    Toosie scored his first No. 1 with “Favorite Song” on Billboard’s Hot Rap Chart in May. The original was released in February but the melodic rap hit got a second wind with the Khalid-assisted remix.

  • 7. "Lipstick Lover" - Janelle Monáe

    Janelle Monáe has been making headlines lately for her celebrating her sexier new image. Monáe’s flirty summery single “Lipstick Lover” is just the start of her reign. Her LP The Age Of Pleasure is set to arrive 6/9.

  • 6. "The Hillbillies" - Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem

    Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem teamed up for “The Hillbillies.” In the cousin duo’s music video, they even got a cameo from Tyler, The Creator who confirmed that his Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival after a three-year hiatus.

  • 5. "Pelle Coat" - Lil Durk

    “Pelle Coat” is the second track from Lil Durk’s latest album Almost Healed. For the project, the Chicago native tapped in guest appearances from Alicia Keys, J. Cole, Future, Kodak Black, 21 Savage, Chief Wuk, Rob49, Morgan Wallen, and the late Juice WRLD.

  • 4. "Pull Up" - Summer Walker

    Summer Walker dropped her EP Clear 2: Soft Life and one of the fan favorites from the project was “Pull Up.” On release day, Summer also released the music video to the song, which features her rumored boyfriend actor Lil Meech.

  • 3. "To Summer From Cole (audio hug)" - J. Cole

    From Summer Walker’s EP Clear 2: Soft Life, J. Cole made a guest appearance on the opening track “To Summer From Cole (audio hug).” On the record, Cole applauds Summer’s hard work ethic and congratulates her on her newborn twins. The North Carolina rapper also teases that he is working on an album himself titled The Fall Off.

  • 2. "America Has A Problem" Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar

    Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar have teamed up once again. The “America Has A Probem” remix was a surprise drop from the artists. The two have previously collabed on “Freedom” from Beyoncé’s Lemonade and “Nile” from The Lion King: The Gift.

  • 1. "All My Life" Lil Durk ft. J. Cole

    Lil Durk enlisted J. Cole for the lead single “All My Life” off his latest project Almost Healed. Durk admitted that Cole bodied him on the song, which is a rarity with his features.

    “He smoked my a– on that one, for one — barely,” Smurk said when asked about his experience working with the Dreamville boss, per Complex. “That barely happens. But shout out to J. Cole, shout out to [Dr.] Luke, we made it happen.”

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