KTC Music Report: Little Simz brings raw authenticity on "Lotus," Childlike CiCi and Flau'jae offer powerful reflections

Music is therapeutic. Not just for the artists, but for fans as well.

As summer shines brighter, we need feel good music, but sometimes we need to process hard things. Little Simz offers another vulnerable project in the form of her "Lotus" album and Childlike CiCi gives hope in the midst of the world's troubles with her "All We Like Sheep" album.

There's a few sports and music crossover moments this week with Flau'jae sharing her personal journey on "Remember When" and Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette is featured on the cover art for GloRilla's "Typa" single.

Here's the Kick The Concrete Music Report:

Little Simz — "Lotus" Album

Little Simz reasserted herself as one of the preeminent artists in today's music landscape with her new album, "Lotus." It's a blend of alternative rock, fierce bars and soulful piano all with the theme of blooming from the mud. And she made this statement without her good friend and right-hand producer Inflo. Earlier this year, Little Simz sued him over a $2.2 million loan he didn't repay. Simz' pain at the broken friendship is evident throughout the album. It's clear "Thief" is dedicated to the betrayal and the musical conversation "Blood" with fellow British MC Wretch 32 is about a falling out with a brother figure. The line "You're not for the culture, you're just for the cult" on "Hollow" is especially scathing. The title track and "Lonely" are cinematic while "Blue" with Sampha touches the heart. The playful "Young" and the love song "Only" bring balance to the heaviness of the album and the single "Free" remains the firm beacon of hope.

Zacchae'us Paul ft. Mericia, Marquis Hill and vvundertone — "Alpha Women" Remix

Zacchae'us Paul's "Jazz Money" album opens with the powerful "Alpha Women." The Atlanta-bred artist enlisted Mericia, Marquis Hill and vvundertone for a woozy remix to the track, which he said is the first in his Black Women Appreciation Series. Mericia is an Afro-Brazilian singer with an ethereal voice. She also designed the whimsical cover art for the remix. To further the concept of the series, Paul is selling a zine honoring the Black women who have shaped his musical journey.

Read Kick The Concrete's conversation with Zacchae'us Paul

Flau'jae — "Remember When" Single

In the basketball offseason, Flau'jae took some time to reflect on her musical journey in the form of "Remember When." The piano-laced track offers the LSU star space to look back on her humble beginnings, when she performed on "America's Got Talent" and celebrate now having a feature with Lil Wayne. Flau'jae's struggles started before she was born and her mission is all driven by honoring the legacy of her late father, Camouflage.

Childlike CiCi — "All We Like Sheep" Album

Childlike CiCi brings her honesty to a double disc project in the form of "All We Like Sheep" album. It opens with the thoughtful "All We Like Sheep" before jumping into a high-energy run with All-Star features Jackie Hill Perry, Lecrae and KB. "Party in the Heavens" stands out as a reflective track where CiCi shares about how she came to faith and the hope she has in her heavenly home. "All We Like Sheep" draws in classic references like the parable of the lost sheep and the spiritual "Wade in the Water" with fresh trap drums and CiCi's fierce flow.

T.F x Khrysis — "The Green Bottle" Album

T.F and Khrysis joined forces for a dynamic West Coast-East Coast union in the form of "The Green Bottle" album. The producer brings gritty boom-bap to the project while T.F delivers his slick storytelling. There's some heavy-hitting features with Bun B on "Mr. Serv-On," Inglewood SiR on "What It Is (TGB)" and Curren$y on "Nostalgia."A standout track is the mesmerizing "Get the Money" while T.F's wordplay is especially on point on "Air Heads." The skits help create a cinematic feel that transcends regions with a reminder that ErThang Skanless, so live your life to the fullest.

GloRilla — "Typa" Single

GloRilla shows a softer side on her new single, "Typa," which samples Keyshia Cole's "Love" as the Memphis rapper describes what she desires in a man. He better keep up with her! A fun bonus is that Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette is featured on the cover art admiring Glo while she counts a stack of hunnids.

Aaron Cole ft. Parris Chariz and Jon Keith — "Nobody But God" Single

Aaron Cole, Parris Chariz and Jon Keith united forces for a snappy track that expresses gratitude for all the good things in life. Parris Chariz has some fun wordplay with getting money (cheese) and the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Cole showcases a smooth flow and a reference to New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden parallel to the Garden of Eden. Jon Keith closes it out with some wittiness and an encouragement to keep looking forward.