The month is closing out with some big releases. Baby Keem tapped Travis Scott for his first-ever collaboration with another artist on “Durag Activity.” DJ Khaled just dropped his 12th studio album, Khaled Khaled, featuring a triumphant collaboration between Jay-Z and Nas on “Sorry Not Sorry.” 21 Savage also dropped the anticipated single “Spiral,” from the Saw movie franchise. The best new music of the week list rounds out with appearances from Lil Baby, Billie Eilish, Shelley, and more.
Check out the best songs of the week below. And follow our Spotify playlist to stay on top of what’s new here.
Baby Keem & Travis Scott, “Durag Activity”
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“Durag Activity” marks the first collaboration between Baby Keem and Travis Scott, as well as Keem’s first time ever releasing a song with another artist. “Durag Activity” is smooth, but slightly menacing, due to the distorted instrumentals and “oohs” from Travis Scott. On the record, Baby Keem takes the lead, laying down noncholant bars over SuperDuperBrick production. Travis Scott then arrives with a vibey Auto-Tune verse about wealth, status, and women. The track is expected to appear on Baby Keem’s upcoming album.
Morray, “Can’t Use Me”
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On “Can’t Use Me,” one of our favorite new artists Morray bares his soul as he attempts to separate himself from the fake and phony. “It’s crazy how the money makes the lies feel like the truth/ And everybody phony you just do not have the proof,” he sings. The record has a country feel to it, due to the strings that anchor the song, but in true Morray fashion, he succeeds because of his transparent storytelling and messaging. “Can’t Use Me” appears on Morray’s debut mixtape Street Sermons, and helps solidify the North Carolina artist as one to watch. Read our new interview with him here.
DJ Khaled f/ Jay-Z, Nas, James Fauntleroy, and The Hive “Sorry Not Sorry”
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“Sorry Not Sorry” was bound to catch fans attention as it unites formal rivals Jay-Z and Nas. The track is full of luxury as James Fauntleroy croons over symphonic instrumentals. Nas kicks off with a regal verse, spitting about wealth and cryptocurrency. “I’m coin-based, basically cryptocurrency Scarface/ Join us, there’s gotta be more of us.” Jay-Z is equally cpoised, rapping, “Unprecedented run/ Everybody’s gettin’ bands, we just dance to different drums/ I like who I’ve become/ Intermittent fasting, but these mil’s, I’m not missin’ lunch.” And to cap the song off, Beyoncé aka The Hive, laid down some harmonies. “Sorry Not Sorry” appears on DJ Khaled’s latest album Khaled Khaled.
Shelley f/ Summer Walker, “All Pride Aside”
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“All Pride Aside” is a sleek and soulful record that finds LVRN’s Shelley (FKA DRAM) uniting with labelmate Summer Walker. On the track, Shelley floats over the neo-soul instrumentals as he puts aside his ego in hopes of luring his lover in. Summer Walker is the perfect complement to the track, as she lays down sweet and sensual vocals. “All Pride Aside,” which appears on Shelley’s self-titled album, is a quintessential soul record for the new generation that further establishes Shelley as a standout voice in R&B.
21 Savage, “Spiral”
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“Spiral” is an appropriate title for this hypnotizing and hard-hitting track from 21 Savage. On the record, Savage sounds dangerous as he warns listeners of his lethal tendencies. “Say he wanted smoke, we at the table doin’ the plottin’/ We gon’ slide with your shit up, make it home fore you hear the siren,” he spits. The dizzying orchestral instrumentals that hit during the chorus add an extra haunting effect to the song. “Spiral” appears on the soundtrack for the latest installment of the Saw horror movie franchise, Spiral: From the Book of Saw.
Lil Baby f/ Megan Thee Stallion, “On Me (Remix)”
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On the remix of “On Me,” Lil Baby taps Megan Thee Stallion for a new version where they trade verses over scattered production. Lil Baby kicks the record off, rapping about his come-up and the hate that follows. “Know some people hate that I’m on top, I bulletproofed the car,” he spits. Megan Thee Stallion is cocky and electric as she raps, “I know bitches gotta be losin’ money/ How they keep watchin’ me winnin,’” before singing for a few bars. “On Me (Remix)” marks the first collaboration between Lil Baby and Megan Thee Stallion.
Billie Eilish, “Your Power”
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Billie Eilish is back. On “Your Power,” Billie pumps out breathy vocals over sweet-sounding guitar strings. But sounds may be deceiving. Though the tone is light, the lyrics recount a past abusive relationship. “I thought that I was special/ You made me feel/ Like it was my fault, you were the devil,” she sings. The new track comes on the heels of Billie announcing her sophomore album Happier Than Ever, which is scheduled to drop on July 30.
Lil Eazzyy, “Ride Together”
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“Ride Together” is a dizzying new record where Chicago’s Lil Eazzyy unleashes vicious bars over hi-hats and booming bass. On the track, he raps about coming from the trenches, letting go of unloyal connections, and riding for his crew. “Yeah, we had to grind together/ So we could shine together/ We had to go put our minds together/ Now I got cash all inside this leather,” he raps on the chorus. “Ride Together” is a standout from Lil Eazzyy’s new album Rookie of the Year.
