When it comes to trying something new, it’s easy for many of us to lean into that good old thing, but being a true content connoisseur means being on top of what’s hot, what’s trending, and what’s next. Luckily, this guide is everything for your music, literary, film, TV, and live experiences needs.

Each week, yours truly, Kevin L. Clark, will be your go-to advocate, spotlighting all the content cravings worth devouring.

You’re now tuned into This Weekend, a weekly round-up for content culture lovers and those who love to avoid FOMO.

RELATED: The Definitive Afrobeats Playlist for Newbies

For Friday, May 13, this week’s episode finds us with some freshly-discovered treasures for you, your family, and friends to get into + share with others. It contains a healthy dose of sonic vibes and something streaming that’s a feast for the eyes.

So bon appétit to all those true savants who are purveyors of content culture out there.

Celebrated actor and artist Caleb McLaughlin is transitioning out of his Stranger Things mode to showcase his rising R&B singer status. His first track since “Neighborhood,” which debuted in late 2021, is called “Soul Travel,” and portrays the now-20-year-old star as a unique voice in the genre and as someone intently discovering his sound as a new musician. Written, co-produced, and self-released by Caleb and his producer RASHAD, “Soul Travel” marks his progression into adulthood and his emphasis on controlling his musical destiny.

The incomparable jazz musician, Brandon Coleman, returns to the game with a new song and video called “Be With Me,” directed by Lauren Desberg. On the track, he represents the Brainfeeder family proudly by infusing his work with the label’s otherworldly approach to music. Brandon uses an array of stringed instruments (violin, cello, sitar). He creates a wavy, psychedelic feeling that The Delfonics, Four Tops inspired and inspired him to record it all in one take. With Interstellar Black Space out on May 20, be sure to cop your tickets to see Coleman at the Lodge Room in Los Angeles on May 15.

Fresh from his history-making show at “The World’s Famous Arena,” Madison Square Garden, Burna Boy’s new single, “Last Last,” comes ahead of his next album, Love, Damani. Produced by Chopstix, the Afro-fusion track marks a marriage between the growing impact of sounds coming from the diaspora and a classic sampling of Toni Braxton’s 2000 R&B hit, “He Wasn’t Man Enough.” In a mid-tempo offering, the African Giant reflects on past relationships before concluding that all will be A-OK. A personal record, if any, Love, Damani, will arrive June 30 and promises to set the summer on fire.

Special Mentions: There is also some exceptionally dope work from the likes of Projexx feat. Konshens (“Brace It”), Muni Long (“Pain”), The Ton3s (“Got So Much Love”), and Kendrick Lamar feat. Summer Walker & Ghostface Killah (“Purple Hearts”) that you cannot afford to miss.

Filmmaker Toyin Ibrahim Adekeye makes an immediate splash in the streaming game with her documentary, Bigger Than Africa, available for viewing this weekend on Netflix. Viewers will delve into how tradition, culture, and the religion of the Yoruba tribes in West Africa survived the Transatlantic slave trade to remain one of the most prominent forces in the New World. Adekeye exposes the international audience to language, dance, music, and more to show how Yoruba transcends continents and connects the Black diaspora, making this one of the must-see films of 2022.

In Sneakerella, the Disney classic princess tale gets a modern, gender-swapped reboot aimed at the tween crowd. Chosen Jacobs (Hawaii Five-0, It) stars as El, an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens, New York, who works as a stock boy in a shoe store. By chance, he meets and falls for a fellow sneakerhead named Kira (Lexi Underwood), and with a little help from his best friend (Devyn Nekoda) and Fairy Godfather, he must find the courage to pursue his dream girl and his dream job of designing kicks.

If you’re not keeping that Kendrick Lamar in your rotation this weekend, you should tune in to one of the year’s biggest music celebrations. The 2022 Billboard Music Awards takes place live in Las Vegas and will feature the likes of Silk Sonic, Megan Thee Stallion, and Burna Boy, setting the stage ablaze with their awesome and iconic talents.

Yo Gotti is assembling an all-star cast of friends, family, and collaborators to celebrate his birthday on July 15, 2022. Billed as a “Birthday Bash,” the CMG mogul will host his eighth installment of the occasion at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.

“Birthday Bash is back, and it’s going to be better than ever,” Yo Gotti said. “I have a few surprises and special performances for my hometown family, but just know that I’m gonna keep putting on for the city that raised me. The energy at FedExForum will be unforgettable, and fans won’t want to miss it.”

Tickets are already on sale and can be purchased here at TicketMaster.com.

Check back to BET.com and BET Digital for more weekly installments of This Weekend.

Kevin L. Clark is a screenwriter and entertainment director for BET Digital, who covers the intersection of music, film, pop culture, and social justice. Follow him on @KevitoClark.