October is turning out to be a big month for new music. In the first week, we received new releases from 21 Savage and Metro Boomin, who finally dropped their highly-anticipated project Savage Mode II. After a four-year hiatus, Bryson Tiller is back with his third studio album, Anniversary, which arrives on the fifth anniversary of his debut project, Trapsoul. Megan Thee Stallion and Young Thug teamed up for the raunchy hit “Don’t Stop,” and ASAP Ferg addressed the rumors of his split from ASAP Mob on “Big ASAP.” Westside Gunn, Ari Lennox, Fivio Foreign, and YG also dropped off new records.
Check out the best new music of the week below. And follow our playlist on Spotify to catch up on the latest drops here.
21 Savage & Metro Boomin, “Runnin”
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On “Runnin,” Metro Boomin transforms a sample of Diana Ross’ 1976 song “I Thought It Took A little Time” into a haunting loop. 21 Savage discusses his lethal tendencies, dropping lines about his arsenal of weapons. The chorus, while monotone, sends chills through the speakers. “Runnin” appears on 21 and Metro’s highly-anticipated album Savage Mode II. It was admittedly difficult to pick a favorite song from the album off of the first few listens, but for the sake of this list, “Runnin” is one of the early standouts.
Megan Thee Stallion f/ Young Thug, “Don’t Stop”
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Megan Thee Stallion’s name has been in the headlines a lot over the last few weeks, but she’s turning the focus back on music with her latest collaboration. On “Don’t Stop,” Meg joins forces with Young Thug, as they trade punchy verses over an electric Buddah Bless beat. Meg is raunchy as she spits, “I’ve got a stank ass walk and a reckless mouth.” And Thugger is equally explicit as Megan’s raps about what goes behind closed doors. “Don’t Stop” marks the first collaboration between the duo and Megan’s first lead single since Suga dropped in March.
Bryson Tiller f/ Drake, "Outta Time"
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Bryson Tiller is back. “Outta Time” is an after-hours record that unites Bryson with Drake, as they discuss a relationship that’s reached its breaking point. “We’re toxic as ever/Make no mistake, all the roads lead/To we shouldn’t be together,” Drake sings. Bryson follows with an emotionally-rich verse, singing, “It seems like you’re playin’ it the hard way/We fight through the night, all day.” “Outta Time” appears on Bryson Tiller’s latest album, Anniversary, which dropped on the five-year anniversary of his critically-acclaimed project Trapsoul.
Ari Lennox, “Chocolate Pomegranate”
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Ari Lennox has an old school feel on “Chocolate Pomegranate,” thanks to the electric and hazy production from Vintage Vandals and Elite. On the track, Lennox confesses that she is an exceptional lover. “My love is deep, you’ll find/If you can’t reach, just dip, don’t waste my time,” sings. What’s more stimulating than her songwriting, though, is her sultry and lustful vocals that guide the track along. “Chocolate Pomegranate” is the first solo release since Ari dropped her debut album, Shea Butter Baby, in 2019.
ASAP Ferg f/ Monica, “Big ASAP”
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ASAP Ferg taps into his R&B side on the Monica-assisted track, “Big ASAP.” While the record is more melodic than his usual style, Ferg is straightforward and aggressive in addressing the recent reports that claim he was kicked out of ASAP Mob. “How you go and kick the leader of A$AP out?” He asks. Ferg also seemingly takes shots at ASAP Bari and Illz who were behind the scandal, adding, “I keep my foot on these niggas neck til they pass out.” According to a recent interview, “Big ASAP” was added to Ferg’s Floor Seats II project so his fans could get “all the answers.”
Westside Gunn f/ Boldly James & Jadakiss, “All Praises”
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As usual, Alchemist snapped, laying down the ideal foundation for Westside and his collaborators to glide over. “All Praises” finds Westside Gunn, Boldly James, and Jadakiss rejoicing in how far they’ve come, from the “drug zone” to the high life. Westside takes a backseat, letting Boldy James and Jada shine with gritty bars. “In the trap with the blow and the pills, we in Upper Split, they think I rap/Streets know I’m playin’ with them bricks,” Boldly James spits. “All Praises” appears on Westside Gunn’s latest project, Who Made the Sunshine. It’s his second studio album of 2020, behind Pray for Paris.
Fivio Foreign f/ Polo G, “Bop It”
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“Bop It” is a fun record that plays on the popular kids game of the same name. While the chorus is the most danceable part of the song, with aggressive commands from Fivio (“Grip it (Grip it), grip it (Grip it) / Click it (Click it), click it, grrt, uh, baow”), both Fivio and his collaborator Polo G also lay down high-energy bars that are bound to get people out of their seats at an active house party. “Bop It” will appear on Fivio Foreign’s B.I.B.L.E, which stands for “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.”
YG, “Jealous”
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“Jealous” is a booming song that finds YG rapping about envious opponents over intimidating production. On the track, he sprinkles in cocky one-liners about his fame and fortune, while also pushing off his haters. “They jealous, they envious of me/I’m rich as fuck, I’m poppin’ got it poppin’ off a beat/I’m fucking on they bitches they payin’ out her for free,” he spits. “Jealous” is the first track on YG’s latest album, My Life 4Hunnid.
Blackpink f/ Cardi B, “Bet You Wanna”
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Cardi B is dabbling in K-pop. “Bet You Wanna” is an uptempo and bubbly record that will likely find a lot of success on TikTok. Both Blackpink and Cardi sound like they’re having a lot of fun, as they sing about upgrading their significant other in the relationship. While Cardi isn’t as explicit as usual, she still manages to steal the show with a fun and sassy verse. “Cardi a good catch but you gotta me/Grab my waistline, but don’t ever waste me,” she spits. “Bet You Wanna” is the fourth single from Blackpink’s new album.
Dougie F, “Training Day”
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“Training Day” is a bouncy record that pays homage to Denzel Washington’s classic film of the same name. “First day in the field this your training day/Bitch take of your training wheels pull up where the gangstas play,” Dougie F raps over a booming bass. While Dougie touches on haters and “snakes in the grass,” he seems rather laid-back and unbothered in his delivery. Dougie F is on a roll, after Travis Scott and Chase B’s .wav Radio show recently debuted his song, “Luka/New President.” “Training Day” is a standout song on Dougie F’s new project, Without A Smile.
Jorja Smith f/ Popcaan, “Come Over”
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Jorja Smith is finally back with some new tunes. After months of teasing, she joined forces with Popcaan for “Come Over,” a dancehall record that is built for the summertime. Jorja’s vocals are intoxicating as she slides over the winding beat, but Popcaan is really the spirit of the record, singing, “Whine up yuh body gyal, yuh fit, can go ah couple mile.” “Come Over” could potentially mean a new Jorja Smith project is on the horizon.
