This is a big week for new music. DJ Khaled is back with his thirteenth studio album, God Did. The title track on the album is a powerhouse collaboration featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, and John Legend. It’s altogether amazing, but some are declaring Hov’s verse his best in years. JID also dropped a new album, entitled The Forever Story, which features the soulful, Ari Lennox-assisted single “Can’t Make You Change.” And Lil Tjay made a triumphant return to music after being shot multiple times this summer. His new single “Beat Da Odds” details the near-fatal incident as well as other obstacles the rapper overcame. This week’s lists also includes a handful of songs from Offset, Pi’erre Bourne, 03 Greedo, IDK, and more.
Check out the best new music of the week below. You can also follow our playlist on Spotify to stay up on the latest music releases here.
DJ Khaled f/ Rick Ross, John Legend, Lil Wayne, & Jay-Z, “God Did”
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“God Did” is the triumphant intro single on DJ Khaled’s new album, which finds John Legend ushering in the record with a soulful chorus. Elsewhere on the track, Rick Ross kicks it off with a slick and velvety verse, rapping, “Better listen when I tell you how I put time in it/Please, forgive me, God did.” Lil Wayne follows with a textured verse, spitting about overcoming obstacles and trendsetting. “But I’m so cultivating, everybody replicate me, nigga, face facts/ Dreadlocks, face tats, I’m the apex,” Tunechi raps. And in what is being described his best feature in years, Jay-Z delivers a lengthy and commanding verse in which he touches on his status, fame, wealth, and more. “Monogram in my pocket off the carpet/You see the face I made that night, shit is that shockin’,” he spits.
JID f/ Ari Lennox, “Can’t Make You Change”
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JID and Ari Lennox joined forces for “Make You Change,” a soulful and silky track that finds the dynamic duo accepting the fact that they can’t change who they are even for the truest kind of love. On the track, JID lays down a slick verse, in which he candidly admits to being stuck in his ways. “She said that my head too hard/ I tried to be good but nah/I’m leavin’ it up to God,” he raps. Ari Lennox is the spine of the track, providing a jazzy and melodious bridge where she promises, “Baby, don’t leave, you’re all I need/And if you stay then I’ma change my ways/ Baby, don’t leave, you’re all I need.” This track is a standout from JID’s new album, The Forever Story.
Lil Tjay, “Beat Da Odds”
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Lil Tjay is back. Following a life-threatening incident in which the rapper was shot multiple times during a robbery, Lil Tjay has emerged stronger than ever. On his emotionally-rich single “Beat Da Odds,” Lil Tjay raps about his past, mentioning his hunger to get money by any means. He also touches on his recent shooting, rapping, “I do my own thing, fuck it, I took seven shots, no shame/Back to wall, I’m still gon’ blow you down, I ain’t no stain.” Prior to the shooting, Lil Tjay released his EP Strictly 4 My Fans in April.
Offset f/ Moneybagg Yo, “CODE”
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In his first solo single of 2022, Offset united with Moneybagg Yo for the rapid-fire, trap record, “CODE.” On the track, Offset is vulnerable and honest as he raps about losing family members, his struggles with mental health, and fake people in his circle. “Bulletproof like government/ Grew up with my brother ‘nem/ Big bruh always hustling/ Since my brother got killed, it ain’t no fighting, it ain’t no tussling,” Offset raps. Moneybagg Yo comes on the track with a similar energy, rapping about his issues with fame and money. “Everybody got opinions, telling me to spend it right/ You ain’t never had this much money, I can’t take your advice,” Moneybagg spits. “CODE” arrives as rumors of Offset’s split with the Migos continue to swirl.
Quavo, Takeoff & Birdman, “Big Stunna”
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Quavo and Takeoff, also known by their rap duo name Unc and Phew, are back with a new collaboration. “Big Stunna” is a dizzying and sinister track anchored in piano keys that finds the duo bragging about their endless wealth, luxurious possessions, and reputations. “Big stunna, big stunna/But the shots can’t miss/ Real nigga, I can’t fuck with you, nigga/ I can’t hang, ain’t no snakes in none of my campaign,” Quavo raps on the chorus over DJ Durel and Budda Beats co-production. Elsewhere on the track, Takeoff brags about his platinum rollie, diamonds, and luxury cars. “Looking at commas, might go get that OG Hummer for the summer,” he spits. The new release follows their early singles “Hotel Lobby” and “Us vs. Them.”
Pi’erre Bourne, “Good Movie”
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“Good Movie” is a smooth and melodic track from Pi’erre Bourne. On the track, Pi’erre Bourne compares his life to an exciting movie. He also says he feels like tech mogul Elon Musk due to his increasing wealth. And later, the rapper and producer brags about his women and rockstar lifestyle.“Grinding to my death, ayy, so I never stop/Ayy, my money look like blue cheese, yeah, yeah/ Bitch, I’m ballin’ like the Drew League, yeah,” he raps. “Good Movie” is expected to appear on Pi’erre Bourne’s upcoming album of the same name, which is slated for release on September 2.
03 Greedo, Mike Free f/ KenTheMan, “Drop Down”
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“Drop Down” is a hypnotic track that finds LA’s legend 03 Greedo uniting with Houston’s rising star KenTheMan. The new collaboration is a raunchy club record that put 03 Greedo in a position of power as he gives instructions for what women should do on the dance floor. “Drop down, pick it up/ Twerk something, get me up/Let a nigga see something, you know I been trying to fuck,” 03 Greedo says explicitly. KenTheMen is a fun addition to the track as she lays down sexually-charged and braggadocious lyrics. “When I drop down he turn me up/ Pussy got him shutting up/ Ain’t worried bout a nigga cuz I always got a runner up,” she spits.
IDK, “Free Slime”
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DMV rapper IDK is back. The title of IDK’s new track “Free Slime,” is a tribute to Young Thug who is currently incarcerated. On the track, IDK raps about “sippin’ on pink” while celebrating with his crew. He also sounds paranoid, revealing that he feels like he’s being surveillance. “I can feel the feds watchin’/ Two steps, I’m ahead, dodgin’, mm/These niggas ain’t gon’ catch me slippin’, mm/ Free Slime, now I’m movin’ different,” he spits over a saucy and fun beat. “Free Slime” is one of two songs IDK released this week along with “Drive.”
