The music industry is easing up on the releases as 2020 comes to a close, but we’ve got you covered on the latest drops. After a chaotic year, Megan Thee Stallion dropped her debut album, Good News, featuring the standout opener “Shot Fired,” which addresses her recent shooting incident. DaBaby gets vulnerable as he talks about the death of his brother on “Gucci Peacoat.” And Meek Mill looks for anything to take the “Pain Away.” This week’s list also includes new songs from Jeezy, SAINt JHN, Wale, and more.
Check out the best new music this week below. And follow our playlist on Spotify for more updates here.
Megan Thee Stallion, “Shots Fired”
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Megan Thee Stallion has had enough, and she isn’t holding back on “Shots Fired.” Over a sample of The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1995 classic “Who Shot Ya?” the Houston rapper takes aim at Tory Lanez, addressing his involvement in the July shooting. “Imagine niggas lyin’ about shootin’ a real bitch/ A pussy nigga with a pussy gun in his feelings,” she begins. Elsewhere, she doubles down on her previous statements in which she claimed to withhold information from the police in order to protect Lanez. “Who a snitch? I ain’t never went to the police with no names,” she adds. “Shots Fired” is the opening track on Megan’s debut album Good News, and certainly sets the record straight on her side of the story.
DaBaby, “Gucci Peacoat”
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In true DaBaby fashion, the rapper starts spitting at the 0:01 mark of “Gucci Peacoat” with a rapidfire delivery. The Charlotte rapper gets vulnerable quickly, speaking on the recent death of his brother. “Lookin’ at my nephew and he think his daddy breathin’/ But his daddy took his life and we can’t get it back,” he raps candidly. The track also includes a voice note between DaBaby and his late brother in which they express love for one another. “Man bro, I was just calling man just to say thank you, man / You know, uh, I ain’t never seen you in the position that you in today / As a grown ass man, as an individual,” his brother says. “Gucci Peacoat” appears on DaBaby’s new EP, My Brother’s Keeper (Long Live G), which was released in memory of his late brother.
Meek Mill f/ Lil Durk, “Pain Away”
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“Pain Away” is a retrospective record that finds Meek Mill rapping about coming up from the trenches. He then looks to his fame and riches to help take the pain of his past away. “I’ve been tryna save money for a rainy day/ But I just bought the Rolls truck to take the pain away/ And all these diamonds give me confidence/ Don’t judge my pain if you don’t know the shit I’m against,” he spits. Lil Durk slides over the midtempo beat, talking about the vices that ease his pain. “The Percocet, it take your pain away,” he raps. “Pain Away” appears on Meek Mill’s new four-song Quarantine Pack.
SAINt JHN, “Freedom Is Priceless”
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“Freedom Is Priceless” is a dizzying record that leans on light horn instrumentals as SAINt JHN raps and sings about his come-up story, discussing coming from the bottom and reaching the top, copping a new Patek, and having cash in his drawer. The Brooklyn artist also shouts out the people who “never grow up to see old age” and the ones who are “hungry” to be successful. “Freedom Is Priceless” appears on Saint Jhn newly-released album While the World Was Burning. Read our interview with SAINt JHN about the project here.
Jeezy, “Here We Go”
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After finishing a record-breaking Verzuz battle against Gucci Mane, Jeezy dropped The Recession 2, featuring the standout track “Here We Go.” It’s a triumphant song that utilizes a horn loop. On the record, Jeezy raps about his reputation and status, as well as his faith and dedication to his craft. “Another man’s opinion is never my reality/ I never follow niggas, not my personality/ The hustle dead and I call them niggas casualties,” he spits. “Here We Go” feels like a record that will get placements in sports ads.
Wale f/ Gunna, “Flawed”
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“Flawed” is a sentimental record in which Wale reminiscing on a past relationship. “I still pray for your life, despite I’m not a part of it... The fire conversations, I miss em, so now I’m salty," he raps, noting the strain that his fame has put on his relationship. Gunna later touches on his own imperfections, rapping, “Everybody flawed, it ain’t hard to see through/ She accept my flaws and say, ‘Bae I need you.” While “Flawed” is somewhat of a break up song, but it soothing to listen to.
French Montana f/ Benny the Butcher, “Wave Blues”
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“Wave Blues” is a new record that finds French Montana and Benny Butcher trading bars over a soulful sample. On the track, French raps, “I’m from right where the devil from/ Empty stomach soon troublesome/ I’ve seen dreams turn to caskets.” Benny the Butcher comes back with introspective bars about his own traumas and scars. “The bad guy in my city, we real villains/ That’s word to the scars on my body that’s still healin’,” he raps. “Wave Blues” appears on French Montana’s new project CB5.
