This week featured big releases from several major recording artists. Future and Lil Uzi Vert finally teamed up for a joint album, Pluto x Baby Pluto, and it doesn’t disappoint. The project includes the standout record “Million Dollar Play.” After several delays, 2 Chainz released his new studio album, So Help Me God, including the Kanye West-assisted track “Feel A Way.” Billie Eilish has also returned with her new single “Therefore I Am,” which could mean a new album is on the way. This week’s roundup also includes new music from Run the Jewels, Lil Nas X, NBA YoungBoy, and more.
Check out the best new music this week below. And for more updates on the latest releases in music, follow our playlist on Spotify here.
Future & Lil Uzi Vert, “Million Dollar Play”
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Future and Lil Uzi Vert make one hell of a duo on “Million Dollar Play.” Uzi kicks things off, floating over a flute sequence that leads into a trap beat, produced by Zaytoven and Budda Bless. On the first verse, Uzi raps about maintaining his luxurious lifestyle by juggling different women every night and rocking diamonds on vacation. Future comes in next, firing off a rapid delivery as he raps about his jewelry and drug habit. “I’m steppin’ in the club got a glock on my hip/ Drinkin’ on oil, I’m downin’ my pill/ Count it up, get delirious,” he raps. “Million Dollar Play” is one of the standouts off of the duo’s joint project, Pluto x Baby Pluto.
2 Chainz f/ Brent Faiyaz & Kanye West, “Feel a Way”
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“Feel A Way” is a smooth record with a chill vibe that finds 2 Chainz leaning into his business acumen and making references to the infamous fly that landed on Mike Pence’s head during the presidential debates (“I stay fly, yes I’m fly, land on Mike Pence”). After a soulful break from Brent Faiyaz, Kanye West lays down a secular verse, rapping about slavery and avoiding conformity. What’s most interesting about the song, though, is that it may be the first time in a two years that Kanye has rapped about something other than Christianity. And he’s actually rapping, rather than simply talking on beat. The track appears on 2 Chainz new album So Help Me God.
Billie Eilish, “Therefore I Am”
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Billie Eilish is back with “Therefore I Am,” a moody record that is a play on the philosophical quote, “I think, therefore I am.” Billie bounces over a playful beat as she raps about being the target of gossip: “Stop, what the hell are you talking about?/ Get my pretty name out of your mouth.” On the chorus, Billie returns to her anti-pop style, laying down whispered vocals. She’s has been pretty quiet in the recent months, but “Therefore I Am” could signal that a new album is coming soon.
Run The Jewels, “No Save Point”
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Run The Jewels are speaking from the future on their latest record, “No Save Point.” The track has a dystopian feel, which stays true to the hip-hop duo’s brand. It leans on electronic production and experimental sounds, as El-P and Killer Mike rap about corruption and flawed morality. “I used to pray to God, but I think he took a vacation/ Cause now the state of Cali is ran by these corporations/ The skyscrapers shadow the homeless, the population/ The degradation they face, it should be an abomination,” Killer Mike spits. “No Save Point” appears on the soundtrack for the Cyber2077 video game.
Lil Nas X, “Holiday”
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Almost two years after his breakout single “Old Town Road” was released, Lil Nas X has returned with a new track just in time for the holiday season. “Holiday” is a fun record that has a Christmas-y melody. But on the track, Lil Nas raps about his rise to fame. “Man, I snuck into the game in on a horse/ I pulled a gimmick, I admit it, I got no remorse/ Nobody tried to let me in, nobody opened doors,” he notes, outlining the challenges he went through to achieve his newfound status. “Holiday” isn’t quite on the same level as his meteoric debut single, but it is nice to hear Lil Nas X back in the swing of making music again.
Rod Wave, “All Week”
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Rod Wave is getting a lot off his chest on “All Week.” The track is anchored in guitar strings and features Rod rapping about the pain of chasing his dreams and constantly being on the road. “Too much on my brain, mane, that pain run deep/ I’m on that drank but can’t get no sleep/ For seven days, I’ve been at it all week,” he sings. The track comes on the heels of Rod Wave’s album, Pray 4 Love, which was released in April.
YoungBoy Never Broke Again, “Top Say”
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NBA YoungBoy isn’t letting up. After already releasing multiple albums this year, the Baton Rouge artist is back for another round. “Top Say” is a bumping record that finds YoungBoy whipping through rapid-fire verses about coming in the trenches, his violent behavior, and enemies. “Killin shit for years and I ain’t dead yet/ You can find YoungBoy where that Red at/ It ain’t beef nigga if they don’t kill yo momma/ You a bitch nigga I said it,” he raps. “Top Say” appears on NBA YoungBoy’s new project, Until I Return, his fourth release this year.
DJ Scheme f/ Cordae, Ski Mask the Slump God & Take a Daytrip, “Soda”
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On DJ Scheme’s “Soda,” Cordae and Ski Mask the Slump God spit bars over a simplistic beat. Cordae takes the lead, rapping about his endless piles of cash and designer goods, while Ski Mask follows behind him with bars about mingling with different women. The record is topped off with a few political references from Cordae, who raps, “Fuck the police and fuck George Zimmerman.” “Soda” is a single from DJ Scheme’s forthcoming debut studio album, FAMILY.
