New year, new music. Ushering in 2023 just right, “Quavo” dropped “Without,” a gut-wrenching tribute to Takeoff, his beloved nephew and great talent who was killed in 2022. Also, YoungBoy Never Broke Again just dropped his new project, I Rest My Case, featuring the standout track “Black.” And Popcaan and Drake teamed up for another collaboration on “We Caa Done.” This week’s list also includes hits from French Montana and Oddisee.
Check out the best new music this week below. Plus, stay up to date with the latest drops every week with our Spotify playlist here.
Quavo, “Without You”
View this video on YouTube
“Without You” is an emotionally-rich song that shows a vulnerable Quavo as he grieves the loss of Takeoff, who was fatally shot on November 1, 2022. The track marks Quavo’s first release since the tragic event. On the four-minute, melodic track, Quavo bares his soul as he mourns the loss of his nephew. While the song is heartbreaking, Quavo also reminisces on the good times the two had together. “Remember the days we smoked big blunts together?/Remember the days we rocked out Coachella?” He sings over somber production. “Without You” is a heart wrenching, yet beautiful track that Quavo didn’t have to share with the world, but we’re glad he did.
YoungBoy Never Broke Again, “Black”
View this video on YouTube
YoungBoy Never Broke Again is already back with his first release of the year. On “Black,” YoungBoy skates over an electric beat as he delivers racing and scattered flows. His voice is menacing and pulsating as he spits, “I gotta Draco in the sack now, shoot the car, tryna knock out the engine.” Elsewhere on the track, he doubles down on his lethal tendencies and street activity. “Black” is another example of YoungBoy being an unstoppable force in the industry. The track appears on his latest project, I Rest My Case.
Popcaan f/ Drake, “We Caa Done”
View this video on YouTube
Popcaan and Drake have reunited once again on “We Caa Done,” a sensual and slow-burning track. On the song, Popcaan slides over the TRESOR and Batundi-produced beat with velvety and sexy vocals. Plus, Drake is back in his singing bag, weaving in and out of his faux-Jamaican accent as he sings on the chorus, “Try fi rush me out, try fi brush me off, I see/Badman like Skull and me from Unruly, girl.” “We Caa Done” marks Popcaan and Drizzy’s fourth collaboration. This is not their best collab to date, but it’s still a very memorable one.
French Montana f/ DJ Drama, ASAP Rocky, Smooky Margielaa, “Chit Chat”
View this video on YouTube
French Montana is starting off the new year right. The rapper is back and he brought some friends with him for his new collaboration, “Chit Chat.” The track is a meeting of minds that finds ASAP Rocky setting the tone with swaggy and staggered bars. “Life ain’t regular, the new 20-20 Hugh Hefner/In the future like a Jetson, hover scooters like a Vespa,” Rocky spits. On the second verse, Smooky Margielaa goes in a with a saucy delivery as the 22-year-old rapper sings about money and dodging legal cases. Lastly, French Montana finishes the song off with a polished verse that flexes his signature cadence. “Chit Chat” is an obvious standout from French’s Coke Boys 6.
Oddisee, “Try Again”
View this video on YouTube
“Try Again” is an electric track that finds Oddisee delivering whip smart, rapid bars over a funky production (he is credited as producer on the track). On the track, Oddisee discusses his journey through discovering his voice from writing a blog to rapping. The track is also inspirational, as he encourages others to keep trying and pursuing their dreams and passions. “Try Again” may not be the most hype song on this list, but it is certainly one that deserves multiple spins and playlist placements, especially as we break into the new year.
