Some of our favorite artists delivered new music this Friday, as we were blessed with projects from the Pop Smoke (Meet the Woo 2), 2 Chainz’s T.R.U. (No Face, No Case), Denzel Curry (Unlocked), and more. Beyond the full-length offerings, some of the best new music this week came in the form of singles: Meek Mill and Justin Timberlake’s “Believe”; Justin Bieber and Quavo’s “Intentions”; DaBaby’s “Shut Up”; Nicki Minaj’s “Yikes”; Trippie Redd and Young Thug’s “YELL OH”; Lil Tecca’s “IDK”; J Hus and Ella Mai’s “One and Only”; and more. These are the best new songs this week.
Follow our accompanying Best New Music playlist on Spotify here.
Pop Smoke, “Element”
Last year, Pop Smoke positioned himself as a future king of New York City rap with “Welcome to the Party,” the single that might go down as the major breakout moment for Brooklyn drill music. Six months removed from the release of his mixtape, Meet The Woo, the 20-year-old BK rapper returns this week with his sophomore project, Meet The Woo 2. An early standout is the YozBeatz-produced “Element,” largely because it sees Smoke doing what he does best: rapping malicious lines over ominous production. “I'm a gangster, but I like to party/Pop a Perky, go retarded/I'm a Brooklyn n***a, I'm cold-hearted,” he croons on the hook. —Brad Callas
DaBaby, “Shut Up”
On “Shut Up,” DaBaby acknowledges the overflow of hate he’s received on social media as a result of his rapid rise to fame. The music video, which was released in accompaniment with the audio, also touches on his newfound celebrity and the struggles that come with it, including people testing his patience for money. “Had to stop takin’ pictures ’cause y’all be in your feelings and I don't like to argue (Yeah, bitch)/Wanna see me on The Shade Room lookin’ for a come up, wanna see me pay you, huh,” he raps. If the beat sounds a little familiar, it’s because DJ K.i.D., whom Baby has worked with on 2019’s KIRK, produced it. Although “Shut Up” doesn’t veer away from DaBaby’s signature flow and delivery, it’s yet another honest and fun track from Charlotte’s brightest new act. —Jessica McKinney
Meek Mill f/ Justin Timberlake, “Believe”
Days after he was locked in a heated Twitter exchange with ex Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill ended the week on a more positive note, teaming up with Justin Timberlake for their new song, “Believe.” Two weeks removed from the release of his Nipsey Hussle tribute song, “Letter to Nipsey,” the inspirational track finds Meek in an uplifting mood once again, as the Philly native raps about his recent incarceration: “How we gon’ follow our dreams locked in a prison? Deprive me outta my dreams but I’m relentless." Timberlake comes through with an equally gripping hook, singing, “Put my face in the dead of the ground, still I raise up to take back the crown.” “Believe" marks Timberlake’s first musical appearance since his 2018 album, Man of the Woods. —Brad Callas
Nicki Minaj, “Yikes”
After taking a brief hiatus to start her family with her newly-wedded husband, Nicki Minaj is back with her first solo record of the year, “Yikes.” Earlier this week, Minaj shared a snippet of the single, which brought a lot of backlash due to the line, “All you bitched Rosa Parks, uh oh, get your ass up” (The lyric was previewed just one day before Parks’ birthday on February 4). Nicki later responded that she did not care about the drama that ensued on social media after she shared the clip. But all controversy aside, “Yikes” is a cocky record that appears to target the “clowns” on social media. In particular, Nicki may have taken some shots at her ex-boyfriend Meek Mill. During her recent battle with Meek on social media, Nicki shared the lyrics, “You a clown, you do it for likes,” on Instagram Stories. Nicki clarified that “Yikes” will not be on her fifth studio album, but it’s nice to see she’s still got it. —Jessica McKinney
Justin Bieber f/ Quavo, “Intentions”
One week ahead of the highly-anticipated release of his fifth studio album, Changes, Justin Bieber delivered the third single from the LP on Friday. The inspirational “Intentions” features Quavo, and doubles as a loving tribute to Bieber’s wife. The pop star croons “picture perfect, you don’t need no filter,” over a lush soundscape on the hook, while Quavo contributes a scene-stealing guest spot for good measure. The track is accompanied by an equally empowering video (directed by Michael Ratner), which shines a light on Alexandria House, an L.A.-based non-profit organization whose mission is to “help women and children move from crisis to stability.” —Brad Callas
Brent Faiyaz, “Clouded”
We predicted that 2020 was going to be a huge year for R&B. And after hearing Brent Faiyaz’s sophomore LP, Fuck the World, it’s looking like we’re off to a really promising start. All 10 songs spark a reflective trip, but there’s none more intoxicating than “Clouded.” Lifted by faded angelic vocals and a tranquil bassline, Brent uses “Clouded” to bounce around the chaotic thoughts of inwardly doubting himself and being outwardly doubted by the world. In just a short two minutes, he jumps deep into his bag to pen an interlude-sized confessional that’s carried by potent lyrics like, “Her nigga wanna be me/But they don't know I’m fightin’ demons/I feel like dyin’ every season/I’ve been swimmin’ in the deep end.” This is R&B at its finest. As always, with those origins, what’s hard to stomach lyrically is always easiest to appreciate musically. —Kemet High
2 Chainz & T.R.U., “Brick On My Face”
Three months after signing four new additions to his T.R.U. record label, 2 Chainz has blessed us with the label’s first compilation album, No Face No Case. The project showcases emerging Atlanta artists like Skooly, Sleepy Rose, Worl, and Hott LockedN, but 2 Chainz steals the show on the tape’s standout track, “Brick On My Face.” Backed by a carnival-esque beat courtesy of TM88, Worl leads things off with an admirable opening sequence, before trading bars with 2 Chainz on the second verse. As always, Chainz steals the show with instantly quotable lines like “If I trapped on the beach, I could sell a n***a sand” and “I got a brick on the house/Still got a stick in the couch.” —Brad Callas
Trippie Redd f/ Young Thug, “YELL OH”
Shortly before the release of November’s A Love Letter to You 4, Trippie Redd teased an unreleased Young Thug collaboration on his Instagram page. A notable absence from the album’s final tracklist, the highly-anticipated song finally arrived this week in the form of “YELL OH,” Trippie and Thug’s first collab since 2018’s “Forever Ever.” “She got good brain like the bitch really went to Yale/I don't do a thing, I just make the bitch scream and yell,” Trippie raps on the Pi’erre Bourne-produced track. “Got your boo thing, make a bitch n***a repel/Got the blueprint, pay attention to the details.” From there, Thugger finishes things out with another one of his stellar guest verses. —Brad Callas
Lil Tecca, “IDK”
Over the past year, Lil Tecca’s keen ear for melody has stood out in New York rap’s crowded landscape of Brooklyn drill artists, as the 17-year-old Queens native cemented his status as a rising star with his breakout single, “Ransom.” Although his latest singles have yet to match the runaway success of his first hit, “IDK” finds Tecca at his most comfortable: boasting about his prowess and expanding net worth. —Brad Callas
Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats, “DIET_”
Following last year’s collaborative projects with Rico Nasty (Anger Management) and 03 Greedo (Netflix and Deal), Kenny Beats has joined forces with Denzel Curry for UNLOCKED, the product of a frenzied 24-hour studio session following Denzel recording an episode for Kenny’s show, The Cave. The project features 8 new tracks that they worked on together, and it comes with a 24-minute animated video made by Psycho Films. One particular standout moment arrives on “DIET_,” which sees Curry crater Earth, backed by Kenny’s crisp production. “Finito, I get new jerseys like I was a guido/The ego, gotta be vetoed if you want a free-throw/The evils, stay with the scripture what your momma read you,” Denzel raps over a boom-bap beat. —Brad Callas
J Hus f/ Ella Mai, “One And Only”
British artists J Hus and Ella Mae connected on their first collaboration, “One and Only.” It’s a jazzy R&B record that is led by piano keys and uptempo hi-hats. On the track, J Hus flexes his rap skills as he recalls a special person in his life. Ella Mai comes in on the song’s chorus and bridge with honey-dripped vocals. As R&B is on the verge of a major 2020, J Hus and Ella Mae show what the UK has to offer to the genre. —Jessica McKinney
Kamaiyah f/ Trina, “Set It Up”
Kamaiyah’s latest single, entitled “Set It Up” is an anthem that find the Oakland native spitting ruthless bars about running up her man’s credit cards and slashing tires as revenge for his infidelity. The Kenny Produced It beat is simplistic, but has a nice bounce that will definitely appeal to the west coast crowd. And to really send this record ablaze, Kamiayah recruited none other than the Baddest Bitch herself, Trina, who adds another layer of devilish sex appeal and swagger to the track. —Jessica McKinney
Drakeo The Ruler, 03 Greedo, and Danny Brown, “Out the Slums (Remix)”
Nearly three years after the original song dropped, Drakeo The Ruler is back with the remix for “Out the Slums.” Keeping 03 Greedo’s original verse on the record, Drakeo also recruited Danny Brown to spit a couple bars. Drakeo recently told The FADER that he recorded his verse first. But when he heard how Greedo killed his verse, he went back into the booth for a do-over. “Greedo killed it with the second verse, and as soon as I heard it, I was like, 'Fuck, I gotta do another one,’” Drakeo said. “He said I was cheating, but it would've been really short if it was just two verses, so I was like 'fuck that shit.' And then I did the 'Musty' right freestyle after it." As for Danny Brown’s verse, which is just a zany as you’d expect, Drakeo says, “he killed that shit and I appreciated him coming through.” —Jessica McKinney
Lil Mosey, “Blueberry Faygo”
Spotify hackers and posters overrun the official release of Lil Mosey’s “Blueberry Faygo” by posting bootleg versions of the track with fake titles and artists credits, but not even a couple of leaks could stunt the track’s success. “Blueberry Faygo” has “summer vibes” written all over it. It’s a bouncy record and thanks to a catchy hook, Lil Mosey is able to appeal to the TikTok demographic. “One bad bitch and she do what I say so/Two big .40s and a big ass Draco/Three more millions when you ask how my dad go/Poured up a 4, now that blueberry Faygo,” he rap-sings. Many fans believe Lil Mosey is gearing up for a new album. If so, it’s definitely off to a great start thanks to “Blueberry Faygo.” —Jessica McKinney
