Authenticity Reigns Supreme in Tony Newbury & Charles Hamilton’s “$OMETHING NEW”

Whoever said hip-hop is dying is clearly not paying attention. Because the release of $OMETHING NEW does not simply disprove it—it defies this claim. Released on July 21st, this 9-track album is a collaboration between 2009 XXL Freshman Charles Hamilton and rising NJ artist Tony Newbury. If you’re after music that isn’t half-baked, $OMETHING NEW delivers something fully real and original that’s worth every play.

The lead single POSITIVE SELF-DESTRUCTION announces its arrival with dusty, lofi beats. It echoes like a track playing in a smoke-filled car ride at midnight. Like an old-school hip-hop record with a significant kick that you never thought would stick after the first listen. Every word drops with grit, and it’s not just random, passing thoughts. It’s introspective, balancing wordplays and honesty with intention to tell a story.

HI, MY NAME IS TONY NEW got those dynamic, raw beats that are not meant to be understood at first listen. It has that raw pulse in it, with unfiltered verses charging with confidence and cheekiness in the best way. This track feels like it’s meant to hit a nerve—a bold, provoking sonic statement that sticks and slaps.

If you want something that uplifts with swag and spirit, JUST WANNA RAP is the perfect track to fill the space. It’s sharp and honest, like it’s saying, “I don’t care if you listen, but I’ll make sure you spin it a hundred times.” There’s a significant sound attached to this and it’s passion that doesn’t seek validation. It’s confidence and conviction translated into a streetwise yet grounded anthem.

C & H Discount Market is not meant to be perfect and that’s exactly the point. While others push for overly artificial and formulaic mix, this track is uploaded straight out of the studio. It’s candid, raw, and honestly? Bold and fun. You can clearly sense a hint of spontaneity and playfulness, yet it still got that punch and precision into it.

WE GOOD welcomes you with cinematic beats layered to create an atmosphere that paints street life in the most vivid way. It rings with hypnotic and detailed storytelling which makes it a perfect opener for the album. PRE-COOKED MEDICINE, on the other hand, does not sound big but it brings movement. A type of track that will lead you to nod your head or move your body the more you lean in.

There will never be a moment in this album that is lacking. Every bar, every verse rings with authenticity and when it leads, it lasts. It stays true to its name, highlighting Hamilton’s signature style that blends in analog warmth, cosmic, and concept-driven production as Newbury thrives in his unfiltered, freestyle-driven verses.

It’s not built for high-end, audiophile set-ups—it’s meant to be played in portable speakers, loud in the streets with worn out hoodies and faded Jordans. It’s meant for the places where life happens fast and real, whether in the alleyways, sidewalks, or in a small basement party.

If you like J Dilla, MF DOOM, Wu-Tang Clan, or modern wave-starter like Russ, this album will feel familiar and a breath of fresh air at the same time. And even a not-so-tolerant-to-hip-hop friend will find a stand out track in this gem.

In the scene where everything is boxed into a specific sound and too commercialized, artists like Tony Newbury & Charles Hamilton proves hip-hop is here to stay because they keep the beats loud and thriving. To sum it up, $OMETHING NEW is hip-hop, delivered in its purest and rawest form—and that’s why it hits hard.