Are you ready? So far, 2019 hasn’t been flooded with as many major music releases as some of us expected, but that’s about to change. Some of rap’s biggest stars, like Tyler, the Creator and Chance the Rapper, have confirmed that their next albums are on the way. And each Friday, the amount of songs that make it on this list grows. This week saw the return of artists like Denzel Curry and ASAP Ferg, while a newer face (Ari Lennox) emerged with an excellent project that will be remembered as a true breakout moment. On the pop side of things, we also received a single from Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber that you'll be hearing through the radio during Uber rides all summer. These are the best new songs this week.
Denzel Curry, “RICKY”
Returning with his first official solo single since the release of 2018’s TA13OO, Denzel Curry dropped a video for his new song “RICKY” this week, and he gave fans exactly what they want. This is classic aggressive Denzel, with subtly meaningful lyrics that call back to his childhood in Florida. Named after his dad, the song is centered around fatherly advice: "My daddy said, 'Trust no man but your brothers/And never leave your day ones in the gutter'/My daddy said, 'Treat young girls like your mother.'" But, thankfully, Denzel doesn't forget the maternal perspective: "My mama said, "Trust no ho, use a rubber." Happy Mother's Day, everybody. —Eric Skelton
ASAP Ferg f/ ASAP Rocky, “Pups”
ASAP Ferg is back, and he’s rapping with ASAP Rocky on a song that samples DMX’s 1998 hit, “Get At Me Dog. What’s not to like? “Pups” is an early peek at Ferg’s forthcoming Concrete Chandeliers EP, but don’t expect to hear a glossy radio-bait single before pressing play. This is two and a half minutes of Ferg and Rocky trading brash, self-confident lines over gritty production from Frankie P. “The project is about being from the hood, but having a intellectual mindset and going out and getting elegant things and doing elegant projects,” Ferg told Beats 1 when the song dropped Thursday evening, and “Pups” matches every bit of that description. Where my dogs at? —Eric Skelton
Young Nudy & Pi’erre Bourne, “Joker”
Young Nudy and Pi’erre Bourne’s new project ‘Sli’merre’ is full of songs that could make this list, but if we can only pick one, we’re going with the closer: “Joker.” Over a hypnotic beat from Pi’erre, Nudy completely loses his mind, barking about donkeys, two-door whips, and all sorts of other wild shit. Then the best moment arrives two and a half minutes in, when he lowers his voice in a way you only do when you’re about to say something you wouldn’t want your mother to hear, and raps the word “motherfucker” four times in a single bar. This is grimy. Filthy. We can’t stop listening. —Eric Skelton
Ari Lennox f/ J.I.D, “Broke”
Christo, Ron Gilmore, Elite, and Deputy team up to bring the Dreamville dream team of Ari and JID a funky, sparse groove—all pizzicato strings and finger snaps, with some 808 bass to make things feel appropriately 2019. It’s simple lyrically, but the vocal arrangements and performances are stellar. And JID stays on theme, finding creative ways to bounce around the concept of “broke.” “I been broke and you been broke/Your heart been broke, still breaking down weed,” he raps. The song, a highlight of Ari’s new Shea Butter Baby project, reminds us that we’ve all been broke before, though it’s rarely sounded so good.—Shawn Setaro
Jhené Aiko, “Triggered (Freestyle)”
The song that launched a thousand tweets. Regardless of how many times Aiko said this track was “NOT a diss song,” it still spawned tons of speculation and close reading of Instagram comments. “Triggered” struck a chord for reasons beyond celebrity gossip, though. The singer’s raw, emotional performance and plainspoken lyrics make the song relatable (and replayable) long after the TMZ moments have been relegated to the dustbin of gossip site history.—Shawn Setaro
Flying Lotus f/ Anderson .Paak, “More”
With his 27-song album, Flamagra, set to drop later this month, Flying Lotus has blessed fans with the Anderson .Paak-assisted “More.” Released on a bed of hype—Flylo has been teasing the track for nearly two and a half years, and this week told Apple Music’s Beats 1 Radio that he started working on it six years ago—the song somehow exceeds expectations.The pairing brings out the best in each artist, as “More” blends Paak’s dexterous vocals with FlyLo’s crisp percussion and swirling synths. It’s hard to believe this is their first collaboration, considering that both artists have made a career off psychedelic soul grooves. Hopefully this is only the first of many mesmerizing songs between the duo. —Brad Callas
David Wolves, “Touring Test”
Introductions are an important, stressful moment for anyone, but David Wolves nailed his. The self-produced Orlando artist made his debut on Friday with a song called “Touring Test” that lives up to its lofty ambitions, despite the fact it was made in a home studio with a couple of his friends. Boldly playing with an expansive, arena-ready sound, Wolves blows the roof off any sort of ceiling one might put on his career's potential at this early stage. This isn't a timid hello. It's an unashamed bark in your face from a hungry young artist who doesn't want to get lost in a sea of forgettable peers. And it doesn't hurt that he got Anthony Kilhoffer (Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Rick Ross) to mix and master it. Well played. —Eric Skelton
Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber, “I Don't Care”
Long before “thank u, next” became the breakup song for the social media generation, that distinction was reserved for Justin Bieber’s 2015 Purpose tune, “Love Yourself.” Co-written by Ed Sheeran, the kiss-off themed acoustic ballad climbed all the way to No. 1 on the Hot 100. Nearly four years later, the pair have linked up again for their newest collaboration, “I Don’t Care.” Backed by tropical pop production courtesy of Swedish hitmaker Max Martin, the track is a feel-good anti-party anthem which finds the world’s most popular bros playing coy. Is it self-parody? When it comes to ear candy like this, it hardly matters. —Brad Callas
Lil Keed f/ Young Thug, “Proud Of Me”
A victim of the infamous 2015 leak of almost 60 Young Thug songs, “Proud of Me” spent the past few years in purgatory, as fans imagined an alternate universe where the Route 94 “My Love” sampling song would be the hit single that triggered Young Thug’s takeover of the pop charts. Four years later, the track has been retooled as a Lil Keed joint, and released as the second single from his forthcoming album, Long Live Mexico. But with Thugger on the hook and second verse, the familial energy is the same across both iterations of the song. Originally recorded as a dedication to the then-imprisoned Gucci Mane, the official version can be viewed instead as Lil Keed’s ode to his mentor, Young Thug. —Brad Callas
Mustard f/ Quavo, 21 Savage, YG, Meek Mill, “100 Bands”
When it comes to posse cuts in the digital age, there’s a spectrum. On one side, there's “Really Doe,” a Golden Age-inspired rapathon where a stacked roster of lyrical wordsmiths (Danny Brown, Kendrick, Earl, Ab-Soul) spit verses back-to-back with barely a hook to speak of. On the other, there's “100 Bands,” a celebration of wealth featuring an all-star cast trading punchlines and rapping about money, power, women, glory, and cars. On “100 Bands,” the superproducer formerly known as DJ Mustard builds a soundscape of racing hi-hats, and one of the hottest guest stars in the game for three years running (Quavo) flexes all over the chorus and opening verse. From there, 21 Savage compares snitches to pigs (“Thought he was gangster, but he snitchin’ yeah, oink, oink”), YG mentions Santa Clause and Suge Knight in the same sentence, and Meek Mill closes shop with his unmatched intensity. —Brad Callas
Smokepurpp, “Walk on Water”
With the release of his latest EP, Lost Planet 2.0, Smokepurpp has delivered another banger, “Walk on Water.” Don’t let the biblical imagery fool you, though. The track is heavy on energy from the jump, as Purpp opens with his aggressive flow ("Bitch I'm the GOAT feel like I walk on water/Suck on your bitch titty like I'm a toddler”) and remains enjoyably destructive throughout. —Brad Callas
Lila Drew, “Numb”
Lila Drew says she wrote "Numb" nearly two years ago, but it's finally out for the world to hear, thanks to placement on the soundtrack for Netflix's The Last Summer. A fun, upbeat electro-pop song about the highs and lows of a romantic fling, "Numb" arrives just in time to throw on your summer playlists. After her memorable introduction alongside GoldLink on "faded/2am," she's off to a strong start. Keep an eye on Lila Drew. —Eric Skelton
