It’s about that time again. This week, we have a lot of new music from several rookies in the game as well as a few veterans. Viral sensation RMR is back with his new single, “Dealer.” Rising star 2KBABY linked with YFN Lucci on “Half A Milli,” a standout from his debut project, Pregame Rituals. 22Gz dropped a new mixtape for the Brooklyn drill scene, featuring the standout track, “Pop Out.” Tory Lanez came through with The New Toronto 3. And Usher, Lil Jon, and Ludacris reunited for their new collab ”SexBeat,” which was originally previewed during an Instagram Live battle between Jon and T-Pain.
To make things a little easier for you, we rounded up the best new music of the week. Check it out below, and be sure to follow our Best New Music playlist on Spotify here!
22Gz, “Pop Out”
22Gz just dropped off a new mixtape, Growth & Development, a 13-track project that includes the standout track, “Pop Out.” The beat is similar to other drill sounds 22Gz has rapped over in the past, but it builds on a haunting intro and then erupts into a flurry of hi-hats, as the rapper aggressively spits, “Pop out, hop out, tap out, watch out/Catch me, knock out/I made his bitch tap out.” The track is catchy and shows promise of being a record that helps 22 gain even more attention, as a pioneer of Brooklyn drill.
2KBABY f/ YFN Lucci, “Half a Milli”
Rising star 2KBABY teamed up for a melodic collaboration with YFN Lucci. On “Half A Milli,” 2K delivers bars about his newfound fame and riches, with a rhythmic flow. “Half a milli in the bank/This shit ain’t really what you think, I miss all my niggas/I crack the seal to ease the pain/You never really seen the rain/I need seven figures,” he sings. The track appears on 2KBABY’s debut EP, Pregame Rituals, which is a fitting title. Expect to hear songs like “Half a Milli” blasting through speakers at college kickbacks everywhere.
Lil Loaded, “Shotta Shit”
Harmonious guitar strings meet Lil Loaded’s abrasive tone on his new single “Shotta Shit.” As the track progresses, Loaded lays down verses about firing shots, bodies dropping, and other ruthless behavior. The change in tones—a high, cracked pitch on the chorus to a deeper tone on his verses—provides a nice texture that keeps listeners on their toes. Lil Loaded is having a great year so far, and if he continues to drop more music like this , he’s shaping up to be one of 2020’s brightest new stars.
Polo G, “DND”
Polo G is back with “DND,” a WayneOnABeat-produced track that finds Polo looking for trouble. The song title stands for “Do No Disturb,” which suggests Polo G is turning his phone off to escape the constant noise. But he also invites conflict, as he raps, “We want all the smoke, fuck the peace signs/All gas, no brakes, we just gon’ keep slidin’.” Polo G has been on a winning streak since he dropped his debut album, Die A Legend, last year. Since then, he’s delivered “First Place” with Lil Tjay and “Go Stupid,” which is nearing 100 million views on YouTube.
Tory Lanez f/ Lil Tjay, “Accidents Happen”
Tory Lanez recruited Lil Tjay for the triumphant single “Accidents Happen.” It’s a championship record; the type of song you blast while taking a victory lap around the stadium. Lanez abandons his R&B crooning to lay down booming rap verses about his come-up. “From fistfights to the shootouts/In the parking lot and now it’s bankroll/Was a broke nigga, now I came up,” he spits. Lil Tjay’s verse is even more impressive, delivering rapid-fire lines with a melodic flow. “Accidents Happen” appears on Tory Lanez’ new tape, New Toronto 3, which dropped Friday. You can definitely expect to hear this single, along with the full project playing on Lanez’sInstagram show, Quarantine Radio this week.
IDK, “In My White Tee”
On “In My White Tee,” IDK is marking his territory in the rap game. “I’m claimin’ their spot as I come for the top, if I look at em, I get to grinnin’” he raps. The single also pays homage to Dem Franchize Boyz, interpolating the group’s popular 2004 songs, “White Tee” and “Oh I Think They Like Me.” At its core, IDK’s record is boastful, with lines about him being better than the competition. But he also makes it playful with pop culture references and fun metaphors. “In My White Tee” is IDK’s return since dropping his album Is He Real? in 2019. Good to have him back.
Tay Keith & Fast Cash Boyz f/ Murda Beatz, “Bad Habits”
Tay Keith teamed up with fellow Memphis group, the Fast Cash Boyz, along with Murda Beatz for a new trap banger. On the single, the group stays true to the title “Bad Habits,” rapping about their vices, whether that be overspending on material items or trapping. “See that and I cop that shit, it’s my bad habit,” they rap. In an upcoming interview with Complex the Fast Cash Boyz spoke about the intention behind the track, saying, “It’s a concept that everybody can relate to. It was catchy, and it was stupid hard. We giving a lot of lingo on it.” “Bad Habits” will be featured on their forthcoming collaborative project with Tay Keith.
Cousin Stizz, “Vendetta”
“Vendetta” was originally released on SoundCloud, but it officially hit streaming platforms this Friday. Cousin Stizz’s latest track is a cruising record. It’s the type of song you’d throw on the stereo as you’re riding down the freeway. On the track, Stizz is controlled and calming as he raps, “Palm trees, doin ya thing/Gettin’ money, obviously.” “Vendetta” arrives nearly eight months after Stizz dropped his sophomore album, Trying to Find My Next Thrill. It’s unclear whether he’s working on a new project, but his latest single is a great way to keep fans entertained in the meantime.
RMR, “Dealer”
After going viral with his trap-infused country single “Rascal,” RMR is back with a follow-up. This time, “Dealer” appears to be a little more influenced by rap and R&B. On the track, RMR sings about pill-popping, codeine, and other drug activity. “Fiends in the club, and they swear that they litty/Lines in the bathroom, big drug dealin’/Codeine got me in my feelings,” he sings. The song arrives just as news broke about RMR signing with Warner Records in partnership with CMNTY RCRDS. There is still a lot of mystery surrounding RMR, but he’s already proving he has a lot more to offer beyond his first viral moment.
Usher, Lil Jon & Ludacris, “SexBeat”
After Lil Jon teased a snippet of the single during his Instagram Live battle with T-Pain, the trio finally dropped the full version of “SexBeat.” The piano keys on the song’s intro might lead you to believe this is a slow-burning track, similar to 2004’s “Lovers & Friends,” but things start to heat up around the 45-second mark. Luda and Lil Jon match each other’s high energy as they chant out “sex” and “heys.” And Usher brings R&B flavor with sensual vocals on the chorus and bridge. In a recent interview with Zane Lowe, Usher stated that anytime he connects with Jon and Ludacris, they create something amazing. “No matter what Jon is doing, no matter where Ludacris is, no matter who I am, or where I’m going, or what type of music I’m introducing, when we come together, we go back to the center, like the orbit of who we all are as artists at our best.”
Smoove’L, “I’m Da Sh*t”
“I’m Da Shit” is a cocky drill anthem that finds Smoove’L bragging about his street status and growing fame. He spits ruthless lines about stealing someone’s girl and his endless drip, but his aggression is interestingly paired with auto-tuned harmonies and melodic flows. “I’m not the one/You better beat it/I’m feeling myself/I’m conceited,” he rap-sings. While Smoove’L is grouped in with the growing Brooklyn drill scene, “I’m Da Shit” further demonstrates that he isn’t like many of his peers. “I’m Da Shit” is a smooth preview of what’s to come as Smoove’L gears up for his forthcoming project, due sometime in this spring.
