March 2020 is turning out to be a great month for new music. This week, PARTYNEXTDOOR finally treated fans to his long-awaited studio album PARTYMOBILE. The project even features surprise vocals from Rihanna, her first collaboration in years. Murda Beatz rallied YNW Melly and Lil Durk for “Banana Split.” Nav, Travis Scott, and Gunna linked up again for a memorable collaboration on “Turks.” And Murda Beatz, Blocboy JB, and Lil Loaded all dropped brand new singles. You don’t want to miss out on the latest music drops. Check out the best songs of the week below.
Follow our accompanying Best New Music playlist on Spotify here!
PartyNextDoor f/ Rihanna, “Believe It”
After taking a break to work on her booming cosmetic and fashion businesses, Rihanna has finally returned to music. PND recruited Rih for his latest single “Believe It,” a breezy R&B record that is featured on his newly released album, PARTYMOBILE. Rihanna takes a backseat to Party though, only offering raspy vocals on the chorus, singing, “Best make me believe it/Believe you won’t deceive me.” “Believe It” marks the first collaboration Rihanna has appeared on since 2017’s “Lemon” with N.E.R.D. The singer has yet to drop solo music since her critically acclaimed project, ANTI in 2016. Let’s hope the release of new music means she’s finally ready to share R9.
Future, “Tycoon”
“Tycoon” is Future’s latest solo single. On the Wheezy and DY Krazy-produced track, Future talks about his wealth and riches, and although he acknowledges the hate that he receives at the top, he is more concerned with his luxurious lifestyle. “I’m a tycoon, that’s why they hate me/Til they throw the sheets on me, I’m going crazy,” he spits. “Tycoon” arrives after Future dropped “Life Is Good,” his collaboration with Drake in January. Both artists have been silent about whether another joint album is coming this year, but hopefully the release of “Tycoon” is a signal that a new project is on the way.
Fivio Foreign, “Wetty”
Fivio Foreign linked up with AXL Beats once again for a new drill anthem. The track opens with choral-sounding instrumentals before transitioning to the hard-hitting drill sounds we’re used to from these guys. The chorus and verses seem to blend together as Fivio raps about running into a girl at the deli. “She fell in love when she met me/Tell ya ex to come check me/All this shit will get messy/I met lil mama in a deli,” he spits. “Wetty” serves as a single from Fivio’s next project, coming soon.
Murda Beatz f/ YNW Melly & Lil Durk, “Banana Split”
Murda Beatz recruited YNW Melly and Lil Durk for his new single “Banana Split.” On the track, both Melly and Durk interestingly weave in and out of verses about sex and murder cases. While it’s amusing to hear how Melly comes up with metaphors about a banana split, the track also seems references his long history with legal issues. Even Durk addresses this, claiming, “Melly beat his case so I’ma send him a jet.” Lyrics aside, Murda Beatz created a bouncy record that many fans will vibe out to.
The Weeknd f/ Lil Uzi Vert, “Heartless (Vapor Wave Remix)”
After dropping his highly anticipated album, After Hours last week, the Weeknd is back with the deluxe version. And he brought a friend! Abel tapped Lil Uzi Vert for “Heartless (Vapor Wave Remix)” which sounds just as menacing and dark as the original version, but the vocals are now chopped and screwed, making it feel like the Weeknd is moving through time in slow motion. Uzi’s high-pitched tone is also distorted as he raps, “I don’t need you, girl, so I don’t care if I slip up/Yes, I swear I’m heartless, more life, hold my wrist up.” After dropping two of the biggest albums of the year so far, it’s clear both the Weeknd and Lil Uzi Vert are on a winning streak.
Jeezy, “Poppin”
After concluding his Thug Motivation series, Jeezy is back with new music. Jeezy surprised fans with a new project, Twenty/20 Pyrex Vision. On “Poppin,” one of the 7-track project’s most memorable singles, Jeezy shares shares some wise lessons with his listeners while also shading them for posing. “You ain’t motherfuckin’ poppin’, got these motherfuckers fooled/Probably slippin’ in this motherfucker now without your tool/Man, these niggas hustlin’ backwards make no motherfuckin’ sense,” he spits. Jeezy couldn’t have picked a better time to drop a surprise project.
Blocboy JB, “Swervin”
Blocboy JB appears to embrace the yeehaw agenda on his new single “Swervin.” The track is guided by western-inspired guitars that lead into a trap beat. While the record isn’t particularly uptempo, Blocboy fires off quick verses, rapping, “Weight up no re-rock, used to wear Fila/But I earned my stripes like Adidas/Stickin’ to the green like I’m Peta.” Blocboy also released a music video for the track on March 26, featuring the rapper rocking a three-piece suit, cowboy hat, and doing a dance called The Clutch and Bloc Step. The Memphis artist previously made the “Shoot” dance popular in 2017, but he told Complex that it is all about “The Clutch” now. “To be honest, the world be doing all my dances and don’t even know it,” he said. “But we’re on The Clutch and Bloc Step all 2020.”
Nav f/ Travis Scott & Gunna, “Turks”
Nav rallied the gang, Travis Scott, Gunna, and Wheezy, for his new single “Turks.” The trio mimics each other’s flows on the track as they rap about escaping to chill on Turks and Caicos. While they’re fantasizing about a tropical vacation on wax, the record was likely inspired by a real-life vacation to Turks. Back in February, Nav, Trav, Gunna, and Wheezy were all spotted hanging out in Turks and Caicos, sparking new collaboration rumors. “Turks” marks the trio’s second collaborations since 2018’s “Yosemite,” which was featured on Trav’s album Astroworld.
Lil Loaded, “Hit Em Up”
“Hit Em Up” is an ominous record where Lil Loaded sounds extremely calculated as he preys on his enemies. “Hit em in his arm, chest, leg, he ain’t check out/He was prayed up, he ain’t have no vest out/Put a bag on his head, I had to show him what that check bout,” he raps over the Contraband-produced beat. After breaking out in 2019, Lil Loaded has been on a mission to make his mark in the rap game. Based on fan’s first impressions, “Hit Em Up” is proof that Lil Loaded has a very promising career ahead of him. For more on Loaded, check out our interview with him here.
Mick Jenkins & Kaytranada, “Frontstreet”
Mick Jenkins and Kaytranada have teamed up once again, this time for their new single “Frontstreet,” an uptempo song led by Kaytranda’s production, as Mick Jenkins raps, “Niggas grown til it’s time to communicate/Niggas grown til it’s time to apologize.” “Frontstreet” is just the latest collaboration from Mick Jenkins and Kaytranada. The duo have a rich history together, previously collaborating on 2018’s “What Am I Do” and “Gray Area,” which was released in December 2019.
Jessie Reyez f/ Eminem, “Coffin”
Jessie Reyez tapped Eminem for a new collaboration entitled “Coffin.” The track may sound sweet thanks to Jessie’s honey vocals and romantic guitar instrumentals, but the message is a little more sinister. “You make me wanna jump off the roof/Cause I love you to death, just like a fool/I’d rather a coffin, handmade for two,” she sings. Eminem, who steps in on the second verse, is just as willing to follow Jessie off a cliff, spitting, “If you jump, I’m jumpin’ with you/And neither one of us have nothing to lose but each other.” “Coffin” marks the third collaboration between Em and Jessie, following 2018’s “Nice Guy” and “Good Guy.”
Quin NFN, “Work”
“Work” is one of the standout tracks from Quin NFN’s new project, Quincho. The song is an energetic record that finds Quin bouncing from verse to verse as he raps, “She heard I got racks/Throw it up while she twerk.” “Work” highlights a more aggressive side of Quin than past records. The single comes shortly after the release of “All Blues,” which is more melodic. It’s nice to see that Quin NFN can create music that speaks to different types of audiences.
Giveon, "This Ain’t Love"
After catching attention as a featured guest on Drake’s “Chicago Freestyle,” Giveon is showcasing his talent with new solo music. The rising star just dropped his Take Time EP, featuring eight new tracks. One of the project’s standout records is “This Ain’t Love,” which finds Giveon rejecting love that is given to him. “Don’t you say you love, love, love me/Just make it even/Know it’s hard to trust me/And that’s another reason, this ain’t love,” he sings. On “This Ain’t Love,” Giveon also flexes his vocal range, going from high-pitched verses to muffled baritones. He’s just getting started, and it will be exciting to see where he goes with his solo music and who he collaborates with next.
