Best New Music This Week: Pop Smoke, Normani, Kevin Abstract, and More

Complex's best new music this week list includes songs from Pop Smoke, Kanye West, Pop Smoke, Normani, Cardi B, Kevin Abstract, $NOT, Slowthai, and more.

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Complex Original

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This week, Pop Smoke’s team delivered his second posthumous album, Faith, which includes the Pusha-T and Kanye West-assisted song, “Tell the Vision.” Normani teamed up with Cardi B for their seductive collaboration “Wild Side.” And Kevin Abstract tapped $NOT and Slowthai for his latest single, “SLUGGER.” This week’s best songs list also includes new releases from Remble, Willow, Trippie Redd, and more. 

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Check out the best new music this week below. And follow our playlist on Spotify for all of the latest music releases here

Pop Smoke f/ Pusha-T & Kanye West, “Tell the Vision”

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“Tell the Vision” is a menacing record that unites the late Pop Smoke with Pusha-T and Kanye West over a bass-heavy beat co-produced by Jahlil Beats, Rico Beats, Kanye, and SethInTheKitchen. After Angie Martinez ushers in the beat with a brief eulogy, Pop dances over the haunting production as he celebrates his come-up. Pusha-T is particularly memorable on the track as he preps fans for rap’s upcoming releases: “Look, Tyler got the album of the year, for now/ But Pop about to drop, I see the platinum in the clouds/ Now Push about to drop, so real trappers stick around,” he raps. “Tell the Vision” appears on Pop Smoke’s second posthumous album, Faith

Normani f/ Cardi, “Wild Side” 

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Normani is back with “Wild Side,” a slow-burning and sensual track that finds the singer tapping into a more mature side as she seduces listeners into exploring their darkest desires. “We can’t just keep talkin’ about it/ We think too often about it/ We can’t just be cautious about it/ I wanna get wild,” she sings. Cardi B brings the raunchiness as she fantasizes about what she wants, rapping, “Send nudes to your phone while you workin’/ Boy, you gotta see this shit in person, believe me.” 

Kevin Abstract f/ $NOT & Slowthai, “SLUGGER”

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“SLUGGER” is a chill record from Kevin Abstract. On the track, Abstract unites with $NOT and Slowthai as they rap about moving in the fast lane. “I’ve been movin’ heavy, tryna give myself time/ Life movin’ fast boy, you need to slow down,” Kevin raps over mellow production. $NOT lays down a dizzying rapidfire verse, while Slowthai gets rowdy, dropping literary references. “SLUGGER” is expected to appear on Kevin Abstract’s upcoming solo album. 

Remble f/ Mozzy, “I Mean It”

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On “I Mean It,” Remble raps about his come-up, rapping “I know I’m great, I know I’m destined to win/ What they gon’ say when I pull off in a Benz.” Mozzy also hops on the track with a menacing verse. “I might fuck around and run a room inside of Nieman’s/ I might fuck around and smoke your dead ones with my demons,” Mozzy raps. “I Mean It” appears on Remble’s new project IT’S REMBLE. Read more about how he became one of rap’s most exciting new artists here.

Willow f/ Avril Lavigne & Travis Barker, “GROW” 

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Willow and Avril Lavigne unite for a pop-punk anthem that sounds like it could be the soundtrack to a 90s teen flick. It’s upbeat, but has a bit of an edge. On the track, the duo sing about self-discovery over Travis Barker’s drumming. “I’ve been putting work in, healing myself/ Still got room to grow/ I’ve been really sеarching, emotional wealth/ Honestly my hеart is broke,” they sing on the chorus. “GROW” is one of the fun tracks from Willow’s latest project, lately I feel EVERYTHING

Trippie Redd f/ Lil Uzi Vert, “Holy Smokes” 

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On “Holy Smokes,” Trippie Redd and Lil Uzi Vert join forces as they brag about their riches. “Holy fuckin’ smokes, I got my money up (Cash)/ Countin’ all these bands, took me a while just to damn run it up/ Multi millions, I fill a hundred up,” Trippie raps. Lil Uzi Vert taunts haters, spitting, “​​How the fuck you ain’t never get your money up? / I just spent me a hundred thousand, I treat it like it’s twenty bucks.” “Holy Smokes” is the second single off Trippie Redd’s upcoming album, Trip At Knight.

SSGKobe, “MIA”

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“MIA” is an intoxicating track from SSGKobe that was previously teased in May 2021. On the track, SSGKobe raps over Ryder Johnson production as he discusses his whereabouts, revealing his indulgent ways in response to a recent break up. “M.I.A, they askin’ where I been, bitch, I been away / Takin’ drugs and smokin’ dope so I can relieve the pain,” he raps… “Gotta stay high, I don’t wanna land/ Said fuck love but I’m falling again.”

Drakeo The Ruler f/ EST Gee, “Tricky Ball Play” 

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“Tricky Ball Play” is a smooth record that unites LA’s Drakeo the Ruler with Louisville’s EST Gee. On the track, Drakeo takes control as he raps about his street cred. “I’m a different type of individual/ I send 50 shots at all my enemies/ I catch you hanging with em, no sympathy/ You dead, I ain’t leavin’ no witnesses,” he spits. EST Gee turns the energy up, rapping over dizzying piano keys. “Tricky Ball Play” appears on Drakeo the Ruler’s mixtape Ain’t That The Truth.

John Mayer, “Shot in the Dark” 

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“Shot in the Dark” is a poetic track that finds John Mayer attempting to repair a relationship that’s seen many ups and downs. Though it seems like there’s nothing left to salvage, he keeps trying anyway. “We’re searching for the night together/ Where we don’t fall apart/ Might be now and it might be never,” he sings over light instrumentals. “Shot in the Dark” appears on John Mayer’s latest album, Sob Rock

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