After ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest reached a four-year ratings high by treating viewers to performances by stars ranging from Chance the Rapper to Diana Ross, The Culture has hit the ground running in 2026.

Just two days into the New Year (Jan. 2), Jill Scott announced her forthcoming studio album, To Whom This May Concern, her first in over a decade. The Grammy-winning “Golden” singer shared the set’s lead single, “Beautiful People,” as well as an eye-popping list of collaborators, including Ab-Soul, JID, Tierra Whack, Too $hort, DJ Premier, Adam Blackstone, Camper, Andre Harris and Trombone Shorty.

By Sunday night (Jan. 24), Sinners, last year’s Ryan Coogler-helmed vampire blues blockbuster, reigned victorious at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards, tying Frakenstein with four wins each. Miles Caton, whose “I Lied to You” ranked at No. 100 on Billboard’s Best Songs of 2025 list, won best young actor/actress, while Coogler took home best original screenplay. Michael B. Jordan lost his best actor bid for the film, but received a warm shoutout from Timothée Chalamet, who won for his performance in Marty Supreme, which also stars Tyler, the Creator (billed as Tyler Okonma). Similarly, One Battle After Another Star and R&B siren Teyana Taylor lost her best supporting actress nod to Amy Madigan (Weapons).

With Grammy voting closing on Monday (Jan. 5), Sinners will have a shot at some more hardware at the February ceremony. The film’s compilation and score soundtracks earned six collective Grammy nominations, placing the horror hit alongside other leading contenders, including Kendrick Lamar (nine); Leon Thomas (six) and Clipse, Doechii, SZA and Tyler, the Creator (five each).

With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Doechii’s grounded new manifesto to Lil Uzi Vert’s latest dancefloor banger. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.