August is heating up. Nas dropped King Disease II, the follow-up to his Grammy Award-winning album. The Weeknd is beginning the rollout for his next album with the nostalgic single “Take My Breath.” And Tinashe dropped 333. This week’s best new music list also includes songs from Rico Nasty, Lil Tecca, Abstract Mindstate, Jack Harlow, and more.
Check out the best new music this week. And follow our playlist on Spotify for more updates here.
The Weeknd, “Take My Breath”
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“Take My Breath” is an upbeat and groovy anthem with a retro, nostalgic feel where Weeknd gives into temptation. “You risk it all to feel alive, oh yeah/ You’re offering yourself to me like sacrifice/ You said you do this all the time,” he sings. “Take My Breath” is another danceable record from the Weeknd that will kickstart the rollout for the follow-up to his acclaimed album After Hours.
Jack Harlow & Pooh Shiesty, “SUVs (Black on Black)”
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On “SUVs (Black on Black),” Jack Harlow and Pooh Shiesty make an unexpected duo as they trade verses about their street and industry statuses. “Older women fall for me, I make em press that Life Alert,” Harlow spits. Pooh Shiesty also delivers catchy one-liners like, “If you was lookin’ for and couldn’t find me, I was in my bag.”
Nas, “Rare”
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“Rare” is a smooth track that finds Nas rapping with speed and precision as he discusses his unique musical ability among a class of copycats. “They all be grabbin’ my style but you know they can’t hold me/ Yeah, I’m in rare form (Rare form)/ Y’all still on the ground, you know I’ve been airborne (Airbone),” he raps over a Hit-Boy beat. He also touches on a number of different topics including success, police brutality, and more. “Rare” is the latest single from Nas’ album King’s Disease II.
Abstract Mindstate f/ Kanye West, “The Brenda Song”
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“The Brenda Song” is a classic rap song from rap duo Abstract Mindstate. Over a haunting beat produced by Kanye West, Abstract Mindstate touch on a web of different topics as they rap with diction. “I will only spew the truth, be the light, teach the youth/ The basement days over now, far from when I claimed uncool,” Abstract Mindstate’s Olskool Ice-Gre raps. “The Brenda Song” appears on Abstract Mindstate’s first project in 15 years, Dreams Still Inspire. Read more about how the project came together (and how Kanye produced the whole thing) in our interview with Abstract Mindstate here.
Tinashe f/ Jeremih, “X”
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On “X,” Tinashe outlines her own treasure hunt as she guides listeners to the right spot. “X marks the spot, look and you’ll find it/ Turned up, you wanna get behind it,” she sings. Jeremih lends some vocals, as well, singing, “Pour up the Goose/ Give me the loot/ Lil booty on the loose.” “X” is one of the standout tracks from Tinashe’s new album, 333.
KayCyy, “Flew By You”
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On “Flew By You,” KayCyy shows his talents. On the track, the 24-year-old asks people to make room for him as takes the industry by storm. “Ooh, I flew by you (I flew)/ Thank you for nothing (Yeah)/ Looking down on you,” he sings on the chorus over a hypnotizing beat, courtesy of ALI OZBRN. Read about how KayCyy became Kanye West’s new protégé in our interview with him here.
Rico Nasty, “Buss”
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After previewing the track on her Instagram Story (and again at Lollapalooza) Rico Nasty has finally dropped the full version of “Buss.” The track is an alternative rap song that finds the DMV native laying down scratchy vocals over Menoh Beats production, “These bitches be more than stalkers (Than stalkers)/ They bitin’ every chance they get.” “Buss” is rumored to appear on Rico’s upcoming mixtape, but it has not been confirmed yet.
Lil Tecca f/ Gunna, “Repeat It”
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On “Repeat It,” Lil Tecca taps Gunna for a song where the two rap over a fluttering beat. Lil Tecca shows love to New York, while also rapping about his material wealth and women. “I’m in New York, where it be cold/ Look at my neck, cause it’s iced out,” he raps. Gunna cuts in on the second verse, bragging about taking jets to shop in Miami and Vegas. “Repeat It” is the third single from Lil Tecca’s project We Love Teccas 2.
Young Nudy, “Bodies on Bodies”
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“Bodies on Bodies” is a ruthless track from Young Nudy that finds the East Atlanta artist rapping about his lethal tendencies. “Bodies on bodies, I got them choppers on choppers/ I got them robbers on robbers, I robbed ‘em, talk, it’s more shooters/ I kill ‘em, I got young killers, gon’ kill you, nigga gon’ kill all your killers,” he spits. “Bodies on Bodies” appears on Nudy’s new project Rich Shooter.
