Image via Complex Original
We’re just days away from the end of the decade, and list-making season has finally come to an end. For the past two months, the Complex staff has argued in countless meetings about the best music of 2019 (and how to rank it all). Of course, this isn't a perfect process. To make comprehensive staff lists like this, each of us have to make compromises about own favorites. So, after publishing our Complex year-end lists earlier this month, we’re ending the year by sharing our personal top 10 lists for best songs and best albums. Check out our full 50 Best Albums of 2019 and 50 Best Songs of 2019 lists if you missed them, and continue for some of our personal staff picks below.
Eric Skelton
Twitter: @ericskelton
Songs
1. Mustard & Roddy Ricch, “Ballin”
2. Young Thug f/ Gunna, “Hot”
3. Dreamville w/ J. Cole, Lute & DaBaby, “Under the Sun”
4. Roddy Ricch, “The Box”
5. DaBaby, “Suge”
6. Tyler, the Creator f/ Playboi Carti, “Earfquake”
7. YoungBoy Never Broke Again, “Make No Sense”
8. Baby Keem, “Apologize”
9. Ariana Grande, “fake smile”
10. SAINt JHN f/ Lil Baby, “Trap”
Albums
1. Tyler, the Creator, IGOR
2. Young Thug, So Much Fun
3. Roddy Ricch, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial
4. Baby Keem, Die For My Bitch
5. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Bandana
6. DaBaby, Baby on Baby
7. Young Nudy & Pi’erre Bourne, Sli'merre
8. Ariana Grande, thank u, next
9. Billie Eilish, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
10. Dreamville, Revenge of the Dreamers III
Jessica McKinney
Twitter: @Jigga_Jess
Songs
1. Mustard & Roddy Ricch, “Ballin”
2. Megan Thee Stallion f/ DaBaby, “Cash Shit”
3. Pop Smoke, “Dior”
4. Roddy Ricch f/ Ty Dolla $ign, “Bacc Seat”
5. Ariana Grande, “bloodline”
6. Billie Eilish, “wish u were gay”
7. Chris Brown, “Heat”
8. Big K.R.I.T f/ Lil Wayne, “Addiction”
9. Dreamville, “Rembrandt… Run It Back”
10. Tory Lanez f/ Trey Songz, “Still Waiting”
Albums
1. Roddy Ricch, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial
2. Tyler, The Creator, IGOR
3. Ariana Grande, thank u, next
4. Baby Keem, Die For My Bitch
5. Beyoncé, Homecoming: The Live Album
6. Maxo Kream, Brandon Banks
7. Mustard, Perfect Ten
8. Billie Eilish, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?
9. DaBaby, KIRK
10. Dreamville, Revenge of the Dreamers III
Shawn Setaro
Twitter: @SameOldShawn
Songs
1. Billie Eilish, “Bad Guy”
2. Skyzoo & Pete Rock, “Homegrown”
3. Jim Jones f/ Cam’ron, Rain, Fred the Godson & Marc Scibilia, “Pity in the Summer”
4. Fivio Foreign, “Big Drip”
5. 03 Greedo, “Bet I Walk”
6. DaBaby, “Suge”
7. Dreamville w/ Cozz, Reason & Childish Major, “LamboTruck”
8. Ariana Grande, “NASA”
9. Solange, “My Skin My Logo”
10. Baby Keem, “My Ex”
Albums
1. Billy Woods & Kenny Segal, hiding places
2. Crimeapple & DJ Muggs, Medallo
3. Your Old Droog, Jewelry
4. Rapsody, Eve
5. Little Brother, May the Lord Watch
6. Raphael Saadiq, Jimmy Lee
7. Lizzo, Cuz I Love You
8. Queen Key, Eat My Pussy Again
9. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Bandana
10. Baby Keem, Die For My Bitch
Damien Scott
Twitter: @thisisdscott
Songs
1. DJ Mustard & Roddy Ricch, “Ballin”
2. Benny the Butcher, “5 to 50”
3. Dreamville w/ J. Cole, Lute & DaBaby, “Under the Sun”
4. DaBaby, “Suge”
5. Griselda, “Freddie Hotspot”
6. Solange f/ Playboi Cardi, “Almeda”
7. Pop Smoke, “Welcome to the Party”
8. Schoolboy Q, “Numb Numb Juice”
9. Ariana Grande, “NASA”
10. Wale f/ Jeremih, “On Chill”
Albums
1. Griselda, WWCD
2. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Bandana
3. Benny the Butcher, The Plugs I Met
4. Tyler, the Creator, IGOR
5. Snoh Aalegra, Ugh, those feels again
6. Danny Brown, uknowhatimsayin¿
7. Tinashe, Songs For You
8. Roddy Ricch, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial
9. Rapsody, Eve
10. Jim Jones, El Capo
Edwin Ortiz
Twitter: @iTunesEra
Songs
1. Ariana Grande, “NASA”
2. Mustard & Roddy Ricch, “Ballin’”
3. DaBaby, “Bop”
4. John Mayer, “Carry Me Away”
5. Tyler, the Creator, “A Boy Is a Gun”
6. Solange, “Sound of Rain”
7. Tyler, the Creator, “Earfquake”
8. Harry Styles, “She”
9. Lil Baby f/ Future, “Out the Mud”
10. Post Malone, “Circles”
Albums
1. Tyler, the Creator, IGOR
2. Ariana Grande, thank u, next
3. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Bandana
4. Mustard, Perfect Ten
5. Roddy Ricch, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial
6. Post Malone, Hollywood’s Bleeding
7. DaBaby, Kirk
8. Madeon, Good Faith
9. Solange, When I Get Home
10. Kaytranada, Bubba
Frazier Tharpe
Twitter: @The_SummerMan
Songs
1. Maxo Kream, “Meet Again”
2. Mustard & Roddy Ricch, “Ballin”
3. Young Chop f/ Future, “Ammo & Juice”
4. Mustard f/ Nipsey Hussle, “Perfect Ten”
5. 03 Greedo,“10 Purple Summers”
6. Juls, Tiggs Da Author & Santi, “Maayaa”
7. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib f/ Pusha-T & Killer Mike, “Palmolive”
8. Ariana Grande, “in my head”
9. Young Thug, “Light It Up”
10. Taylor Swift, “Lover”
Albums
1. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Bandana
2. Ariana Grande, thank u, next
3. Mustard, Perfect Ten
4. Young Thug, So Much Fun
5. Tyler, the Creator, IGOR
6. Rick Ross, Port of Miami 2
7. Rex Orange County, Pony
8. Lana Del Rey, Norman Fucking Rockwell!
9. 2 Chainz, Rap or Go to the League
10. Tinashe, Songs For You
Angel Diaz
Twitter: @ADiaz456
Songs
1. Nipsey Hussle f/ Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy, “Racks in the Middle”
2. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib f/ Pusha-T & Killer Mike, “Palmolive”
3. Farruko & Bad Bunny, “La Cartera”
4. Roddy Ricch, “The Box”
5. Lil Uzi Vert, “Free Uzi”
6. Retch & Gu Mitch f/ 2Kz , “76-8”
7. Conway the Machine f/ Benny the Butcher, “Hide the Body”
8. Westside Gunn f/ Estee Nack, “Banana Yachts”
9. Mustard f/ Roddy Ricch, “Ballin”
10. Bad Bunny & Tainy, “Callaita”
Albums
1. Burna Boy, African Giant
2. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Bandana
3. Toro Y Moi, Outer Peace
4. Summer Walker, Over It
5. Westside Gunn, Hitler Wears Hermes 7
6. Snoh Aalegra, Ugh, those feels again
7. Kaytranada, BUBBA
8. Ari Lennox, Shea Butter Baby
9. Lana Del Rey, Norman Fucking Rockwell!
10. Roc Marciano, MARCIELAGO
Khal
Twitter: @khal
Songs
1. Double 99, “RIP Groove (Fixate Refix)”
2. Maxo Kream, “Meet Again"
3. DaBaby, “Suge”
4. Benny L, “Vanta Black (instrumental)”
5. Lil Uzi Vert, “Free Uzi”
6. Dennis Brown, “At the Foot of the Mountain (Double O & Mantra Remix)”
7. Von Pea, “The Norm”
8. Romare, “Gone”
9. Westside Gunn f/ Conway, “Undertaker vs. Goldberg”
10. DJ Spinn, “Knock a Patch Out”
Albums
1. DJ Candlestick and OG Ron C, If Beale Street Was Chopped
2. Current Value, PUER
3. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Bandana
4. TNGHT, II
5. Jubilee, Call for Location
6. Danny Brown, uknowhatimsayin¿
7. Boylan, 2 Hours Sleep
8. TAYE//PAL, Computers Smarter Than People
9. Inkee, FWDK II
10. Heist, Iacon
Waiss Aramesh
Twitter: @waiss_aramesh
Songs
1. Kehlani f/ Ty Dolla $ign, "Nights Like This"
2. Maggie Rogers, "Overnight"
3. Young Thug f/ Travis Scott, Gunna, "Hot (Remix)"
4. Harry Styles, “Falling”
5. Taylor Swift, “False God”
6. Roddy Ricch, Perfect Time
7. Billie Eilish, “everything I wanted”
8. Tyler, The Creator, “ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?”
9. The Weeknd, “Heartless”
10. Tinashe, “Know Better”
Albums
1. Maggie Rogers, Heard It In A Past Life
2. Harry Styles, Fine Line
3. Tyler, the Creator, IGOR
4. Billie Eilish, When We All fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
5. Roddy Ricch, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial
6. Taylor Swift, Lover
7. YBN Cordae, The Lost Boy
8. Solange, When I Get Home
9. Mustard, Perfect Ten
10. Kehlani, While We Wait
Lucas Wisenthal
Twitter: @lucaswisenthal
Songs
1. Griselda, “DR BIRDS”
2. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib f/ Pusha-T, “Palmolive”
3. Dreamville w/ J. Cole, Lute, & DaBaby, “Under the Sun”
4. Rick Ross f/ Gunplay, “Nobody’s Favorite”
5. Max B f/ Jadakiss, “Ride on Em”
6. Your Old Droog f/ Mach-Hommy & MF DOOM, “BDE”
7. Young Thug f/ Future, “Sup Mate”
8. Pusha-T & Swizz Beatz, “No Patience”
9. YoungBoy Never Broke Again, “Make No Sense”
10. Westside Gunn f/ Conway, “Undertaker vs. Goldberg”
Albums
1. Griselda, WWCD
2. Cam'ron, Purple Haze 2
3. Westside Gunn, Hitler Wears Hermès 7
4. Jim Jones, El Capo
5. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Bandana
6. YoungBoy Never Broke Again, AI YoungBoy 2
7. DaBaby, Kirk
8. Your Old Droog, Jewelry
9. Young Thug, So Much Fun
10. Gang Starr, One of the Best Yet
Kemet High
Twitter: @KHigh5
Songs
1. Migos, “Stripper Bowl”
2. The Game f/ 21 Savage, “The Code”
3. Chance the Rapper & Lil Yachty, “Atlanta House Freestyle”
4. Markel X.L. f/ Knnect, “Mood”
5. EarthGang, “Bank”
6. Tory Lanez f/ T-Pain, “Jerry Sprunger”
7. DJ Khaled f/ Meek Mill, J Balvin, Lil Baby, & Jeremih, “You Stay”
8. Dreamville f/ Young Nudy, “Down Bad”
9. Rapsody, “Cleo”
10. Young Thug, “Millions”
Albums
1. Rick Ross, Port of Miami 2
2. 2 Chainz, Rap Or Go To the League
3. Beyonce, Homecoming: The Live Album
4. Kota the Friend, Foto
5. The Game, Born 2 Rap
6. Cam’ron, Purple Haze 2
7. EarthGang, Mirrorland
8. Kehlani, While We Wait
9. Ye Ali, Private Suite 2
10. Summer Walker, Over It
Katherine Shelby
Twitter: @katherineshelby
Songs
1. Bad Bunny, “Otra Noche en Miami”
2. Toro y Moi, “New House”
3. Taylor Swift, “False God”
4. Khalid, “Better”
5. J Balvin & Bad Bunny, “La Cancion”
6. Solange, “Almeda”
7. James Blake “Can’t Believe the Way We Flow”
8. Bad Bunny, “Ni Bien Ni Mal”
9. Ariana Grande, “Needy”
10. Brockhampton, “Sugar”
Albums
1. James Blake, Assume Form
2. Bad Bunny, X100PRE
3. Solange, When I Get Home
4. Emotional Oranges, The Juice: Vol. 1
5. Harry Styles, Fine Line
6. Tyler the Creator, IGOR
7. Khalid, Free Spirit
8. Ariana Grande, thank u, next
9. Taylor Swift, Lover
10. Kanye West, Jesus is King
Deborah Cardoso
Twitter: @deborahcardos0
Songs
1. Jacquees f/ Lil Baby, “Your Peace”
2. Summer Walker f/ Jhene Aiko, “I’ll Kill You”
3. Snoh Alegra, “I want you around”
4. Future, “Please Tell Me”
5. Pop Smoke, “Dior”
6. Young Thug f/ Future, “Sup Mate”
7. Roddy Ricch, “Boom Boom Room”
7. Lil Baby f/ Future, “Out the Mud”
8. Tory Lanez, “Still Waiting”
9. Chris Brown f/ Drake, “No Guidance”
Albums
1. Summer Walker, Over It
2. Jacquees, King of R&B
3. Snoh Aalegra, Ugh, those feels again
4. Future, Save Me
5. Young Thug, So Much Fun
6. Tory Lanez, Chixtape 5
7. Roddy Ricch, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial
8. Future, The WIZRD
9. Gunna, Drip or Drown 2
10. Pop Smoke, Meet the Woo
Ben Felderstein
Twitter: @Ben_Felderstein
Songs
1. Young Thug f/ Gunna & Travis Scott, “Hot (Remix)”
2. Tyler, the Creator, “New Magic Wand”
3. Young Thug f/ Lil Uzi Vert, “What’s the Move"
4. Mustard & Roddy Ricch, “Ballin"
5. Maxo Kream, “Meet Again”
6. Billie Eilish, “you should see me in a crown”
7. James Blake f/ Travis Scott & Metro Boomin, “Mile High”
8. Roddy Ricch, “Perfect Time”
9. SAINt JHN f/ Meek Mill, “Anything Can Happen”
10. James Blake, “Assume Form”
Albums
1. Young Thug, So Much Fun
2. Tyler, The Creator, IGOR
3. James Blake, Assume Form
4. Roddy Ricch, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial
5. DaBaby, Kirk
6. Billie Eilish, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
7. Maxo Kream, Brandon Banks
8. FKA twigs, Magdalene
9. SAINt JHN, Ghetto Lenny’s Love Songs
10. Jaden Smith, ERYS
Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson
Twitter: @Jpizzledizzle
Songs
1. Kano f/ Ghetts & D Double E, “Class Of Deja”
2. J Hus, “Must Be”
3. Dave f/ Burna Boy, “Location”
4. Krept & Konan f/ K-Trap & Headie One, “I Spy”
5. Digga D, “No Diet”
6. StayFleeGetLizzy f/ Fredo, Popcaan & Tory Lanez, “2 Cups”
7. Stormzy f/ H.E.R., “One Second”
8. Pop Smoke, “Dior”
9. Lil' Kim f/ Rick Ross & Musiq Soulchild, “Pray For Me”
10. Hitmaka f/ Young M.A, Chinese Kitty, Dreezy, Mulatto & DreamDoll, “Thot Box (Remix)”
Albums
1. Headie One, Music X Road
2. Kano, Hoodies All Summer
3. James Blake, Assume Form
4. Klashnekoff, IONA
5. Skengdo x AM, Back Like We Never Left
6. Snoh Aalegra, Ugh, Those Feels Again
7. Skepta, Ignorance Is Bliss
8. Blade Brown, Bags & Boxes 4
9. DaBaby, Kirk
10. Kanye West, Jesus Is King
Grant Rindner
Twitter: @grantrindner
Songs
1. Maxo Kream, “Meet Again”
2. Purple Mountains, “Darkness and Cold”
3. Jai Paul, “Do You Love Her Now”
4. Better Oblivion Community Center, “Dylan Thomas”
5. Tierra Whack, “Only Child”
6. Rexx Life Raj, “Never Change”
7. Nilüfer Yanya, “Tears”
8. Sada Baby, “LLYG Mista”
9. Mustard & Roddy Ricch, “Ballin”
10. Kyle Dion, “Spend It”
Albums
1. Jai Paul, Leak 04-13 (Bait Ones)
2. Purple Mountains, Purple Mountains
3. Helado Negro, This Is How You Smile
4. DaBaby, Baby on Baby
5. Caroline Polachek, Pang
6. Sada Baby, Bartier Bounty
7. Faye Webster, Atlanta Millionaires Club
8. Kemba, Gilda
9. Billie Eilish, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
10. Guapdad 4000, Dior Deposits
Tara Mahadevan
Twitter: @yungnoodlecup
Songs
1. Solange, “Binz”
2. Baby Keem, “Orange Soda”
3. Roddy Ricch, “The Box”
4. DaBaby, “Intro”
5. Maxo Kream, “Meet Again”
6. Polo G f/ Lil Tjay, “Pop Out”
7. Young Nudy f/ 21 Savage, “Mister”
8. Cousin Stizz f/ City Girls, “Perfect”
9. Schoolboy Q, “Numb Numb Juice”
10. J Hus, “Must Be”
Albums
1. Koffee, Rapture
2. Young Thug, So Much Fun
3. Dreamville, Revenge of the Dreamers III
4. Baby Keem, Die For My Bitch
5. Freddie Gibbs, Bandana
6. Jai Paul, Leak 04-13 (Bait Ones)
7. Jamila Woods, Legacy! Legacy!
8. Sir, Chasing Summer
9. Ari Lennox, Shea Butter Baby
10. Skepta, Ignorance is Bliss
Brad Callas
Twitter: @bradcallas92
Songs
1. Lil Uzi Vert, “Sanguine Paradise”
2. DaBaby, “Intro”
3. Mustard & Roddy Ricch, “Ballin”
4. Young Thug f/ Gunna, “Hot”
5. Nipsey Hussle f/ Roddy Ricch, “Racks in the Middle”
6. Chris Brown f/ Drake, “No Guidance”
7. Dreamville w/ J. Cole, Lute, and DaBaby, “Under the Sun”
8. Drake, “Omerta”
9. 2 Chainz, “Threat 2 Society”
10. Big K.R.I.T., “Make It Easy”
Albums
1. Young Thug, So Much Fun
2. DaBaby, KIRK
3. Roddy Ricch, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial
4. Dreamville, Revenge of the Dreamers III
5. Jim Jones, El Capo
6. YoungBoy Never Broke Again, AI YoungBoy II
7. Polo G, Die a Legend
8. 2 Chainz, Rap or Go to the League
9. Chance the Rapper, The Big Day
10. Tory Lanez, Chixtape 5
Trace William Cowen
Twitter: @TraceCowen
Songs
1. Nasty Cherry, “Win”
2. Lil Uzi Vert, “Free Uzi”
3. Billie Eilish f/ Justin Bieber, “Bad Guy (Remix)”
4. Ariana Grande, “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored”
5. Post Malone f/ Young Thug, “Goodbyes”
6. Simple Creatures, “Thanks, I Hate It”
7. Doja Cat, “Bottom Bitch”
8. Danny Brown f/ Run the Jewels, “3 Tearz”
9. Third Eye Blind, “Ways”
10. Julia Michaels f/ Selena Gomez, “Anxiety”
Albums
1. Tyler, the Creator, Igor
2. Billie Eilish, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
3. Better Oblivion Community Center, Better Oblivion Community Center
4. Ariana Grande, thank u, next
5. Sturgill Simpson, Sound & Fury
6. Young Thug, So Much Fun
7. Taylor Swift, Lover
8. FKA twigs, Magdalene
9. Charli XCX, Charli
10. BROCKHAMPTON, Ginger
Joe Price
Twitter: @BackwoodsAltar
Songs
1. Lontalius, “Optimistic”
2. Jack Larsen, “Rigid”
3. (Sandy) Alex G, “Hope”
4. FKA twigs, “daybed”
5. Dua Saleh, “Warm Pants”
6. Yung Lean, “Blue Plastic”
7. Roy Blair, “You Weren’t Enough”
8. Hegira Moya, “Palace”
9. GLXY f/ Rew and Distance Decay, “Sorry”
10. Dizzy Fae, “Company”
Albums
1. Lontalius, All I Have
2. Triad God, Triad
3. Jack Larsen, Mildew
4. (Sandy) Alex G, House of Sugar
5. Tim Hecker, Anoyo
6. Brockhampton, Ginger
7. Velvet Negroni, Neon Brown
8. Jean Dawson, Bad Sports
9. 100 gecs, 1000 gecs
10. Mount Eerie and Julie Doiron, Lost Wisdom, Pt. 2
Brian Josephs
Twitter: @Bklyn_Rock
Songs
1. Maxo Kream, “Meet Again”
2. Billy Woods & Kenny Segal, “Red Dust”
3. Angel Olsen, “Lark”
4. Pop Smoke, “Welcome to the Party”
5. Solange, “Almeda”
6. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib f/ Pusha-T & Killer Mike, “Palmolive”
7. Kaytranada f/ Teedra Moses, “Culture”
8. Griselda, “DR BIRDS”
9. Brittany Howard, “Stay High”
10. D’Prince f/ Rema, “Lavida”
Albums
1. Billy Woods and Kenny Segal, Hiding Places
2. Brittany Howard, Jaime
3. Angel Olsen, All Mirrors
4. Solange, When I Get Home
5. Griselda, WWCD
6. Freddie Gibbs and Madlib, Bandana
7. Danny Brown, uknowwhatimsayin¿
8. Maxo Kream, Brandon Banks
9. Thom Yorke, Anima
10. Bon Iver, i, i
Xavier ‘Tigg’ Hamilton
Twitter: @FNR_TIGG
Songs
1. Nipsey Hussle f/ Roddy Rich, & Hit-Boy, “Racks in the Middle”
2. Young Thug f/ Gunna, “Hot”
3. YoungBoy Never Broke Again, “Make No Sense”
4. Sada Baby, “Dumbass”
5. Ari Lennox, “BMO”
6. Westside Gunn f/ Curren$y & Benny the Butcher, “Lucha Bros”
7. Mustard & Roddy Rich, “Ballin”
8. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib f/ Pusha T & Killer Mike, “Palmolive”
9. LNDN DRGS f/ Conway the Machine, “Sideshow”
10. Lil Chase, “Colors”
Albums
1. Sada Baby, Bartier Bounty
2. Roddy Rich, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial
3. Snoh Aalegra, Ugh, Those Feels Again
4. Young Thug, So Much Fun
5. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Bandana
6. Boogie, Everything for Sale
7. Westside Gunn, Hitler Wears Hermes 7
8. Ari Lennox, Shea Butter Baby
9. YoungBoy Never Broke Again, AI YoungBoy 2
10. Baby Keem, Die For My Bitch
Zach Dionne
Twitter: @ZachDionne
Songs
1. Tyler, the Creator, “Gone Gone / Thank You”
2. Tierra Whack, “Only Child”
3. Bon Iver, “Naeem”
4. Vampire Weekend, “Harmony Hall”
5. Brittany Howard, “Stay High”
6. Offset, “Red Room”
7. Post Malone f/ Ozzy Osbourne & Travis Scott, “Take What You Want”
8. Jamila Woods f/ Nitty Scott, “SONIA”
9. Future, “Tricks on Me”
10. Tobe Nwigwe, “Bountiful”
Albums
1. Brittany Howard, Jaime
2. Tyler, the Creator, IGOR
3. Vampire Weekend, Father of the Bride
4. Jamila Woods, Legacy! Legacy!
5. Beyoncé, Homecoming: The Live Album
6. James Blake, Assume Form
7. Megan Thee Stallion, Fever
8. Little Simz, Grey Area
9. Bon Iver, i, i
10. Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Watchmen: Volume 3
Eric Diep
Twitter: @E_Diep
Songs
1. DaBaby, “Bop”
2. Lil Tecca, “Ransom”
3. Lil Uzi Vert, “Futsal Shuffle 2020”
4. Tyler, the Creator f/ Playboi Carti, “Earfquake”
5. Tinashe, “Hopscotch”
6. Young Thug f/ Gunna, “Hot”
7. Megan Thee Stallion f/ Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla Sign, “Hot Girl Summer”
8. The Game f/ Nipsey Hussle, “Welcome Home”
9. Juice WRLD, “HeMotions”
10. Kanye West, “Follow God”
Albums
1. Young Thug, So Much Fun
2. Tyler, the Creator, IGOR
3. Kaytranda, Bubba
4. Tinashe, Songs for You
5. Roddy Ricch, Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial
6. Juice WRLD, Death Race for Love
7. 2 Chainz, Rap or Go to the League
8. Kemba, Gilda
9. Fat Joe & Dre, Family Ties
10. Dave East, Survival
Best New Music This Week: Drake, DJ Khaled, Joey Badass, Tinashe, and Mor
July is picking up with major releases from some familiar faces. Drake and DJ Khaled reunited once again for two new singles, “Greece” and “Popstar,” in preparation for Khaled forthcoming album. Joey Badass and Pusha-T dropped “No Explanation,” from Joey’s latest project, The Light Pack. Tinashe also released her cocky new single, “Rascal.” This week’s best new music also includes songs from Sheff G, Jhene Aiko, NoCap, and more.
Check out all of the best music releases below. Also, follow our playlist on Spotify here.
Drake & DJ Khaled, “Greece”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCHFUHRe604
Drake and DJ Khaled are gunning for “Song of the Summer.” “Greece” has been buzzing since the track leaked earlier this month. The track is a luxurious song that finds Drake making promises to fly his girl around the world, taking vacations in Greece, and spending hoards of cash on designer things. He also introduces a new accent, briefly singing a few words in French. “Come with me, fly out to Greece/ Full speed, survoler Paris, yeah,” he sings over the OZ-produced beat. “Greece” is on of two tracks Drake and DJ Khaled released in preparations for Khaled forthcoming album, Khaled Khaled.
Joey Badass f/ Pusha-T, “No Explanation”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bE9Fv-2PnQ
“No Explanation” has been in the works for quite some time. Joey Badass and Pusha-T hinted at the collaboration back in 2018 backstage at Afropunk. It was worth the wait. On the track, Joey and Push traded verses over a classic, jazzy beat, courtesy of Swizz Beatz and Sean C & LV. “I got other things on my mind that’s much bigger/ Like bein’ the voice to this voiceless generation,” Joey spits. Pusha also discusses his influence and rap prowess. “No Explanation” appears on Joey Badass’ three-track project, The Light Pack, which marks his first release in three years.
Tinashe, “Rascal (Superstar)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu07qmagjSg
“Rascal” is a super cocky record from Tinashe. The singer-songwriter oozes confidence and glamour as she sings about money, cash, clothes, and fast cars. “I’m a superstar, bitch/ I just pour the cup, bitch,” she sings. Tinashe shows off her dynamic artistry, switching from pop-ish choruses to rap-like verses. And the accompanying music video brings Tinashe’s full vision to life as she prances around a Victorian-style mansion in animal-print lingerie and a blonde pixie-cut. “Rascal” was recording during the session for Tinashe’s 2019 album, Songs For You.
Lido, “Rise”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph8ALkcLg6c
“Rise” is a love song that takes listeners to another dimension. It’s easy to get lost in the twinkling instrumentation, which produced by Lido himself, as he sings about being high on love. “I’m high all day when I’m on your love/ When I’m on your love/ But how do you caption the big picture?” He sings. “Rise” will appear on Lido’s upcoming album, PEDER, which is slated to release sometime this fall.
Sheff G f/ King Von, Jay Critch, and Eli Fross, “Picasso”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRX89CTQcqA
Sweet-sounding piano keys lead the way on “Picasso” before Sheff G disrupts the melody with aggressive bars about his come-up in the game. Sheff also referenced, Treyvon Martin, rapping, “So my hoodie on like I’m Treyvon/ But the Skittles knock the taste out of shit.” King Von, Jay Critch, and Eli Fross come on the track later with equally destructive bars. “Picasso” appears on Sheff G’s latest EP, Just 4 Yall, which dropped Friday.
J.I. the Prince of N.Y. f/ Lil Durk, “Painless”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE-5ugRr8S8
“Painless” is a melodic record from J.I. and Lil Durk that ironically sounds like it’s drenched in pain and anguish. On the track, Durk talks about about being exhausted of attending funerals for his fallen friends who have suffered from gun violence in his city (“I’m tired of these funeral, all of these pills, they got m delusional”), while J.I. looks to cope with his pain. “Got som pain in my cup, let’s get nauseous/ I know I gotta be cautious,” he spits. “Painless” appears on J.I.’s Welcome to GStarr Vol. 1.
NoCap f/ DaBaby, “Rich Criminals”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C54wdOBGCE
On “Rich Criminals,” NoCap and Dababy discusses their duality as rappers. While they acknowledge the luxurious items they are able to afford as a result of their status, they clarify that they are still from the streets. “Since I was a teen, all I wanted was the green... I’m not worried bout the cost because I can’t go broke,” NoCap raps before reminding listeners that he’ll still “shoot you” if he has to. DaBaby also discusses his rise to fame that has allowed him to cop expensive watches and appear on Jimmy Fallon. “Rich Criminals” appears on NoCap latest project, Steel Human.
Problem f/ Freddie Gibbs and Snoop Dogg, “Don’t Be Mad At Me (Remix)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=40&v=IkfK7WgHmtU&feature=emb_title
Problem recruited Freddie Gibbs and Snoop Dogg for the remix of “Don’t Be Mad At Me (Remix),” where they swap revealing bars about indiscretions in their relationships. Snoop Dogg addresses his past mistakes, rapping, “I’m tired of sayin’ sorry for the same shit/ Damn near lost my queen, fucking’ ‘round with that lame bitch.” While Freddie and Problem resort to other means of reconciliation.
03 Greedo & Chief Keef, “Bands In Da Basement”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FYz-s1jj5o
03 Greedo tapped Chief Keef for “Bands In Da Basement,” a super melodic record that is all about money. On the track, 03 Greedo and Chief Keef are counting money in the basement, in the walls, in the mattress, and everywhere else. With a catchy chorus and a bouncy beat, “Bands In Da Basement” is the perfect cruising record.
Jhene Aiko, “Above and Beyond”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vLj6PawOPg
Jhene Aiko is back with the deluxe edition of her 2020 album, Chilombo, featuring “Above and Beyond.” The record is a smooth ballad that finds Aiko singing about her strained relationship. Despite losing feeling, Aiko is still holding on. “Just like that, you turn back/ I do everything you ask of me/ Just like that, I take you back, and I still fuck with you so passionately,” she croons. “Above and Beyond” is a refreshing break from some of Aiko’s bouncier and raunchier singles on the album.
