Best Songs of the Week (Dec 22nd, 2017)

With so much good music steadily coming through, it's easy to miss some of the best. To help prevent this, we've rounded up the best new songs of the week. Here are the songs you can't afford to skip, in no particular order.

When rumors began to circulate that Lil Wayne was releasing Dedication 6 this year, I was anxious. Although I've never doubted Lil Wayne's rapping ability, I still wasn't sure what to expect from Weezy, or my timeline, when the time comes. Have the legal troubles gotten into Wayne's head and will it affect the music? Are fans still interested in new music from Wayne or will my Twitter feed be full of people calling him washed?

How could I ever have doubted the best rapper alive? By 60 seconds into this "Bank Account" freestyle, Dedication 6 became my most anticipated project of 2017. This song is classic Lil Wayne, but for the first time in a while, it seems that he has caught on to the changes in the new generation of hip-hop and is using modern flows to deliver his extraordinary punchlines. It's great to hear Weezy sounding good and letting his fans know he can step up at any time and do what he does best.—Eric Isom

Don't let Chance The Rapper and Jeremih undersell Merry Christmas Lil Mama. They may be calling this a Christmas album, but this is no cheap gimmick with verses thrown over Christmas songs. This is an album with soul, heart, variety, and some really special songs. "Are U Live" with Valee is a certified slapper, but the slower moments are highlights.

On "Family For," Chance moves like Kanye on "Family Business," dropping specific references to those close to him and mixing humor and reflection in equal measure, while Jeremih's crystal clear voice brings everything together. Merry Christmas.—Alex Gardner

Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho is finally here. Travis Scott and Quavo have teased the collaborative album for months, and at times it felt like the project would be added to the list of superstar collaborations never to see the light of day.

Not so. The two rappers handle most of the vocals on the 13-track release, Offset and Takeoff appear for the only two features throughout the project, and there's solid chemistry and production throughout. "Saint Laurent Mask" is an early standout—Quavo and Travis take turns floating over the hypnotic production from Buddah Bless and Mike Dean.—Eric Isom

Daniel Caesar released one of the best albums of the year (I'm willing to argue this point, please @ me) that featured a complete roller coaster of emotions. The lead single, "Get You," might be the most emotional point of the entire album but producer Fake Uzumi just gave this single a brilliant update that altered the entire mood.

The original love song gets a refreshing, upbeat twist that encourages listeners to dance. Editing such a popular (and arguably flawless) song is a bold choice that one should only make if they're confident they can really make it their own, and Fake Uzumi has done just that. —Adrienne Black

After the release of their excellent Nü Religion: Hyena, THEY. spent the rest of 2017 touring and dropping the occasional remix, and Charli XCX is the latest artist to benefit from their Gothic touch. Dante and Drew added what sounds like a clavichord patch to Charli's bubbly "Boys" hit, then topped it off with their own verse. These two have such a good ear for rhythm and sound—their version has a completely different vibe than Charli's summery kalimba version, but it goes just as hard.—Graham Corrigan

Migos' work rate is crazy. They released their Culture album earlier this year, are all over Quality Control's massive Control The Streets Volume 1 compilation, and (together or solo) delivered a career's worth of guest features in 2017. Now, they've already started dropping singles for Culture 2. "MotorSport" with Nicki Minaj and Cardi B came first, and grabbed all the headlines, but "Stir Fry," produced by Pharrell, might be a more interesting track. We're not used to hearing Migos over production like this, but their versatility is becoming a hallmark.

2018 is set to be Migos' year too.—Alex Gardner

Only Ski Mask could have us bouncing to a song called "Bukkake." He's back on his blown-out bullshit on this one, ditching glossy Timbaland production for some mean bass and classically staccato deliveries. It's not the most lyrically challenging cut of the year—"SLAYIT SLAYT, SLEYT, SLET"—but "Bukkake" is more proof that Ski's energy and instincts can hit on any terrain.—Graham Corrigan

Very few artists had bigger years than these two. Cardi B followed in Lauryn Hill's footsteps as the first female rapper to top the Billboard chart since 1998, while 21 Savage proved his sound could evolve on Issa and achieve mainstream appeal with "Bank Account." "Bartier Cardi" is a celebration of success from two rappers who, for different reasons, have faced a lot detractors. Keep hating, they're winning.—Alex Gardner

All due respect to Joyner Lucas (or maybe not), but Dave East had December’s best “Gucci Gang” freestyle. East’s baritone blends perfectly with the muddy production, putting a menacing New York spin on Lil Pump’s original. He occasionally mimics Pump’s flow, but for the most part stays in his own lane, maneuvering nimbly around the booming bass and trap hi-hats. East claims to be the “Hardest in my town since Dipset,” and he certainly showcases his pure talent here.—Grant Rindner

When the temperatures start to get numbingly cold in New York once again, the only thing that puts me at ease are the sounds from the islands. Jamaican producer Krs. has been steadily releasing edits on his personal SoundCloud and slowly but surely gaining a buzz for his bouncy, genre-bending productions. This time the producer teams up with fellow Jamaican artist Runkus for the infectious single "my Gf."

An ode to the lady in his life, Runkus brags about the confidence his girl exudes. From the lyrics, it's clear this woman is one to admire—in return, he delivers a single that lets the rest of us share the feeling.—Adrienne Black