This week, Polo G confronts his fame and wealth on “RAPSTAR.” Brockhampton release their highly-anticipated album Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine, featuring the dreamy record “What’s the Occasion?” And $NOT linked up with Lil Skies and Internet Money for “Whipski.” Doja Cat, SZA, Majid Jordan, Unusual Dermont, and more also blessed us new music. While we are acknowledging the latest releases, we also received heartbreaking news. DMX passed away at the age of 50 years old. We’ll continue to remember his incomparable legacy. Rest in peace.
Check out the best new music of the week below. And follow our playlist on Spotify here.
Polo G, “RAPSTAR”
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“RAPSTAR” is a trap song anchored in ukulele strings that finds Polo G discussing fame, wealth, and his relationships. On the track, he sounds both cocky and proud of his accomplishments, singing, “I hear planes flying, crowds screaming, money counters, chains clanging/ Shit, I guess that’s how it sounds when you winnin.” He also claims to be Tupac reincarnated, a sentiment he previously shared on his last album. “They say I’m Pac rebirth, never put out a weak verse,” he sings. “RAPSTAR” is expected to appear on Polo G’s upcoming album. —Jessica McKinney
Brockhampton, “What’s the Occasion?”
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“What’s the Occasion?” is a dreamy record that starts out with a ’60s band vibe. It’s a guitar-heavy song that gives the group’s members Matt Champion and Joba a chance to leading on the vocals. “I’m tired of validation/ I’m tired of wonderin’ what the fuck I gotta do to save ya,” Matt Champion raps. Joba, on the other hand, sounds more somber, singing, “I stay runnin’ from somethin’ I can’ see/ True colors blinding, fuck away from me.” “What’s the Occasion?” appears on Brockhampton’s new album Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine, out now. —Jessica McKinney
$not f/ Lil Skies & Internet Money, “Whipski”
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“Whipski” is a mid-tempo track that incorporates guitar strings with a trap beat, courtesy of Internet Money. On the track, $not warns listeners of his villainous ways. “Black Panther, I’m Killmonger/ I’m the real monster, AMG with the Dodge Charger,” he raps. Lil Skies takes a melodic approach, too, singing about an independent woman he’s pursuing, lethal tendencies, and wealth. And the hook is already stuck in our heads: “She gon’ be a savage, a bad bitch/ Riding round in a new whipski.” —Jessica McKinney
Doja Cat f/ SZA, “Kiss Me More”
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Doja Cat and SZA teamed up for a new pop anthem. On “Kiss Me More,” the duo is romantic and seductive as they plead with their lover to show more affection. While the majority of the record features sultry vocals from both artists, Doja does switch it up, laying down a quick rap verse. “We could kiss and just cut the rubbish/ Then I might be on to somethin’,” she raps, while SZA is a bit more raunchy on her verse. “Kiss Me More” is expected to appear on Doja Cat’s upcoming album. —Jessica McKinney
Majid Jordan, “Waves of Blue”
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“Waves of Blue” is an upbeat track with an ’80s pop feel. On the record, singer Majid is whimsical as he gushes about being in love. “I’m in love with the thought of being in love, in love with you/ You can bring me along for the rest of your life, if you wanted to,” he sings. The verses are quite short, but the record as a whole is memorable and worth a playback. —Jessica McKinney
Unusual Demont, “Purple”
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“Purple” is a smooth late-night R&B record in which singer Unusual Demont lays down sultry vocals about a romantic connection over an intoxicating beat. “Girl you need some motivation in your life/ You know our saturation is going white/ I miss your Chanel fragrance all the time,” he sings. According to Demont, the song’s title was inspired by Prince and the song’s message is about “being with someone and knowing they’re only sticking around to avoid hurting you.” —Jessica McKinney
Taylor Swift f/ Keith Urban, “That’s When”
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A Taylor Swift-Keith Urban collaboration of their own finally materializes from their decade-long friendship in the form of “That’s When (From The Vault).” Made for Fearless, the track was left off and only now released as part of Fearless (Taylor’s Version) in an effort to regain ownership of her earlier albums. Produced by Taylor and Jack Antonoff (because if it’s not broken, don’t fix it) the track’s demo from more than twelve years ago only features her vocals, but Urban hopping on is an emphatic full-circle moment for fans who remember her time as a country music powerhouse, and for the star herself: Taylor opened up for Urban during her Fearless era in 2009. The re-recordings expose patterns and callbacks (no matter how intentional) of one of pop’s songwriting behemoths. In 2008, Taylor wrote “Did you ever think of me” as a high school student reflecting on a relationship gone sour. 12 years later, on Evermore’s “Dorthea,” she switches to fictional storytelling about a small-town romance, while still mirroring thoughts she put to paper as a teenager: “Did you ever stop and think about me?” She reveals on “Mr. Perfectly Fine (From The Vault)” that the iconic “casually cruel” line from 2012’s “All Too Well” was birthed years prior. This influx of music highlights Taylor’s prowess at both kinds of writing—a mastery of two lanes—while offering the best form of fan service for those who have grown up alongside her. —Waiss Aramesh
Gwen Stefani & Saweetie, “Slow Clap”
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“Slow Clap” is a fun and energetic record where Gwen Stefani joins forces with Saweetie. The track incorporates sounds from multiple genres including reggae, pop, and hip-hop. “Take a ride cause I’m the co-pilot/ I’m the ice cream, you’re just the diet/ Be the captain, I be the pirate,” Gwen Stefani sings. Saweetie is a bit more reserved on the track, trading in raunchy bars for fun family-friendly lines. “Sweetie got that bubbalicious/ Chew it up, it’s so delicious,” she raps. —Jessica McKinney
Spinabenz, Whoppa Wit Da Choppa, Yungeen Ace, & FastMoney Goon, “Who I Smoke”
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“Who I Smoke” is going viral this month. On the track, its featured guests lay down braggadocious bars over a sample of Vanessa Carlton’s 2001 pop hit, “A Thousand Miles.” Yes, you read that right. “We gon’ treat this bitch like a match how we strike, boy,” Florida rapper Spinabenz warns over the familiar instrumental. “Imma shoot this bitch when I motherfuckin’ see you,” Yungeen Ace spits, overlaying Carlton’s original chorus, “And I need you.” We’ve never heard a diss song like this one before. Someone needs to send this to Vanessa. —Jessica McKinney
