We’re in the final stretch of October, but the new music doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Ariana Grande has returned with her sixth studio album, Positions, featuring the seductive standout “Six Thirty.” Busta Rhymes and Kendrick Lamar teamed up for their soulful collaboration, “Look Over Your Shoulder,” while Young Nudy and Metro Boomin joined forces on “Vice City.” This week also includes collaborations from Freddie Gibbs and Big Sean, French Montana and Pop Smoke, and more.
Here is the best new music of the week. You can also follow our playlist on Spotify for all of the latest drops and updates here.
Ariana Grande, “Six Thirty”
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“Six Thirty” is a light-hearted love song that finds Ariana Grande asking her love interest if they are down to receive her affection and stick around for the long haul. “Just wanna ask you directly/Boy, let me know if you ready,” she sings. While Ari’s vocals on the verses are light and airy, the song’s chorus is more rhythmic and bouncy. “Six Thirty” is both seductive and whimsical, which makes it a standout from Ariana Grande’s new album, positions.
Busta Rhymes f/ Kendrick Lamar, “Look Over Your Shoulder”
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Busta Rhymes managed to get Kendrick Lamar to come out of hiding, so this song is already a winner. “Look Over Your Shoulder” begins with a sample of the Jackson 5’s 1970 hit “I’ll Be There.” It’s a pure rap single, which finds Kendrick Lamar laying down pensive bars about his status, pen game, culture vultures, and more. Busta Rhymes shows that he is still a force in the rap game with a sharp verse that flexes his technical skills and tongue-twisting flow. The new track appears on Busta’s Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, out now.
Young Nudy & Metro Boomin, “Vice City”
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Young Nudy and Metro Boomin display an undeniable chemistry on their latest collaboration. On “Vice City,” Metro provides a saucy beat that’s perfect for Young Nudy to slide over. Nudy comes out of the gate showing his dominance, dropping cocky lines about his riches and status. He also hints at his violent tendencies, rapping, “You is not my brother, no trust in you/Only thing that I trust put these slugs in you”). “Vice City” marks the sixth collaboration between Young Nudy and Metro Boomin.
Freddie Gibbs f/ Big Sean and Hit-Boy, “4 Thangs”
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“4 Thangs” marks the first collaboration between Freddie Gibbs, and Big Sean. On the track, Gibbs and Sean assume the title of the “dynamic duo,” trading bars in a call-and-response-type flow over a flawless Hit-Boy beat. “This the G, gorilla, pimp stay with banana/I fuck with Sean Don, he run the D like Barry Sanders,” Freddie raps. Sean responds, “Trophies, mantles, Billups, how shit get handled/I pray my life go over easy and I never scramble.”
Lil Durk f/ Young Thug and 6LACK, “Stay Down”
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“Stay Down” is a melodic record that utilizes Metro Boomin and DY Krazy production. On the track, Lil Durk brushes off his competition and haters, rapping about his climb to the top. “Fuck them other bitches who don’t rock with us/Only five star shit, ain’t not thots with us,” he raps. 6LACK provides a nice break in the track with a smooth R&B chorus, while Young Thug drops a focused verse.
$not f/ Denzel Curry, “Sangria”
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A chilling flute sound kicks off $not’s “Sangria.” As the scattered beat cuts in, he drops braggadocious bars about women, cars, and alcohol. “I’m all up in my bag, please step back/ This could be a murder case, I pull up with a mask,” he spits. Denzel Curry brings the energy, rapping about missing the “old Kanye,” Jordans, and other pop culture references. “Sangria” is an uptempo record with a late-night vibe that appears on $not’s new album Beautiful Havoc.
Lil Tjay, “Losses”
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On “Losses,” Lil Tjay sounds tormented as he reflects on the traumas that he has experienced in life. While the New York rapper was able to overcome some of the mistakes he made in the past, he reveals that it has had a big effect on his mental health. “Could have caught a hammer charge, the other day I tossed it/Worry bout my freedom, everyday got me exhausted,” he sings over solemn production, courtesy of Woodpecker. Although “Losses” is a somber record, Lil Tjay does sound hopeful for the future.
Brevin Kim, “Like This!”
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“Like This!” is a charming, upbeat record from duo Brevin Kevin. The brothers are originally from Massachusetts, but the summery feel of the track sounds like something you’d want to hear during a breezy drive on the west coast. As the track progresses, though, the beat picks up, and the record transforms into an electronic dance song. Don’t be surprised to see “Like This!” make its way to TikTok or even some basement parties (whenever those happen again). We’re here for it.
French Montana f/ Pop Smoke, “Double G”
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“Double G” is a Brooklyn drill song, but French Montana adds his own flair with a melodic delivery. The late Pop Smoke switched up his flow a bit, but his powerful vocals still send chills up your spine as he raps about good looks and lethal energy. “All the Woos pop out the cut, totin’ 33/I’m dark skinned and handsome/She like, ‘You a gorgeous little gangster,’” he spits. French and Pop previously worked together on “Welcome to the Party” remix.
Tierra Whack, “Dora”
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“Dora” is a youthful track that finds Tierra Whack rapping as if she were on Sesame Street or any other daytime children’s program. While the beat is somewhat elementary, though, Tierra’s raps are not. She shows impressive control, switching up her flows without warning while rapping about designer brands and her luxurious lifestyle. “Yeah we from the streets, you get a beat-down/Skin-tanned cause we livin’ on the beach no/Shinin’ like a diamond, fine dinin’,” she raps. In true Tierra Whack fashion, “Dora” is unusual but enjoyable.
