Best New Music This Week: Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, Lil Baby
Written by SOURCE on May 2, 2020
Spring is finally settling in, and with the new season change comes a lot of new music. Drake returned this week, dropping off a 14-track mixtape, Dark Lane Demo Tapes. Two of Houston’s finest, Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé linked up for the “Savage (Remix),” which will likely kickstart a new wave of TikTok dances. Lil Baby dropped the deluxe edition of My Turn, featuring the standout track “We Paid” with 42 Dugg. And we also got new tunes from Smoove’L, Mozzy, YG, and more.
Here’s the best new music of the week. And if you’re looking for more, be sure to follow our accompanying Best New Music playlist on Spotify here.
Drake, “Losses”
“Losses” is an immediate favorite from Drake’s new project, Dark Lane Demo Tapes. The record is one of those quintessential songs from the rapper, which finds him talking about relationships and what went wrong in his. “Lost you to the game, I gotta hold that/How you feelin’ in your soul since you sold that?/I’ll be better off without you, and we know that,” he spits. Sure, it sounds a little dramatic, but he closes each verse with the line, “I’m not tryna make no song, these are cold facts,” assuring listeners he isn’t exaggerating for streams. “Losses” is a favorite because it shows Drake doing what he does best, pouring out his feelings in a diary-like format for all to hear. —Jessica McKinney
Megan Thee Stallion f/ Beyoncé , “Savage (Remix)”
Just when you thought you had enough of Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” challenge on TikTok, she decided to breathe new life into the viral hit by recruiting Beyoncé to hop on the song’s remix. “Savage (Remix)” is the best type of mix. It feels like they took their time on this one, making a whole new track instead of simply slapping an extra verse on the end. On the track, Megan brings a set of new verses that are equally raunchy as the original version, while Beyoncé lays down swaggering bars, referencing of-the-moment topics like Demon Time and OnlyFans. It’s not every day that Bey shows her rapping side on a track, but she showed up for the “Savage (Remix),” and it didn’t disappoint. —Jessica McKinney
Lil Baby f/ 42 Dugg, “We Paid”
Lil Baby and 42 Dugg make great teammates on “We Paid.” As the kick drums drop on the Section 8-produced beat, the two take turns laying down sharp bars about their come-ups. 42 takes the first verse, utilizing a rhythmic flow, while Lil Baby speeds things up a bit with a dizzying delivery that will leave listeners in awe. They then band together on the chorus, rapping, “First turnt nigga from the hood, they curious / Four in cars, bout five in jewelry / I get the commas with numbers, that’s period.” “We Paid” is the standout from Lil Baby’s My Turn deluxe album, which dropped today. —Jessica McKinney
Mozzy f/ King Von and G Herbo, “Body Count”
“Body Count” is a record that was made for listening in the car. Whether you’re parked in a lot or cruising on the open road, it will probably hit harder in the car. Mozzy sets the tone, kicking it off with an intoxicating verse. But even more impressive, is King Von who comes in with a fiery delivery. “Body Count” appears on Mozzy’s new album, Beyond Bulletproof, which dropped today. Speaking about what fans can expect from the project, Mozzy told Complex that “it’s so much substance on [the album]. I got something to say in this album, that’s why I think it’s the dopest so far.” —Jessica McKinney
TheHxliday, “Save Me”
“Save Me” is a beautiful new record from TheHxliday, in which the young artist calls for help to escape the torment of his own thoughts. “Save me from my mind/Cause baby, I’ve been goin’ insane/And I don’t wanna lose my life/And you’re the one that keeps me tame,” he sings. You can feel TheHxliday’s passion with each line as he howls for help. “Save Me” is the new kind of pop song. Instead of recycling that old bubblegum sound that ruled the early 2000s, TheHxliday’s new record is raw and emotional, but still has the appeal of a radio hit. —Jessica McKinney
Yung Lean, “Pikachu”
Yung Lean’s “Pikachu” is anchored by a soothing beat, courtesy of Swedish producer whitearmor. But just as you start to get caught up in the swaying of the track, Lean jolts you back to reality with lyrics about the cocaine he procured from Peru. “Movin’ slow, my coke came from Peru/Yellow-black bracelet look like Pikachu/Stone-cold my Stone Island, posted on the roof,” he raps in a drowsy tone. “Pikachu” is the third single from Yung Lean’s fourth studio album, Starz. In contrast to previously-released tracks like “Violence,” Lean showcases a softer side, providing the perfect tune for fans to zone out and vibe to. —Jessica McKinney
Doja Cat f/ Nicki Minaj, “Say So (Remix)”
After teasing their new collaboration earlier this week, Doja Cat released the “Say So (Remix)” with Nicki Minaj. On the track, Nicki adds her verse over an energetic new beat, drawing comparisons between herself and her friends in the industry. “Pretty like Naomi, Cassie, plus Lauren/Spittin’ like Weezy, Foxy, plus Lauryn/Ball like the rams, see, now that’s Gordon.” She also makes a case for why she is a legend and even addresses some criticism about her body on the song’s outro. “Why you talkin’ bout who body fake?/With all them fillers in your face, you just full of hate.” It’s great to see Nicki uplift the younger generation of female rappers, especially ones like Doja who are so heavily influenced by her. —Jessica McKinney
YG, “Laugh Now, Kry Later”
YG is back with his first solo track since releasing 2019’s 4REAL 4REAL.“Laugh Now, Kry Later” is a more tame record from the west coast rapper, in terms of the track’s beat and his delivery. On the record, YG talks about living in the moment and enjoying all that life has to offer, from hitting parties to buying condos. “Gon’ have a little fun, gon’ do it major/Gon’ pour a double shot, be a shot taker /Gon’ live a little bit before life take ya/Laugh no, cry later, do yourself a favor,” he raps on the chorus. “Laugh Now, Kry Later” is a good reminder that tomorrow isn’t promised, so why not enjoy things while you still can. —Jessica McKinney
Kota the Friend F/ Joey Badass and Bas, “BQE”
“BQE” is a triumphant record that unites Kota the Friend, Joey Bada$$, and Bas. The title appears to stand for the B, Q, and E lines on the MTA subway, which is another ode to the city. On the track, which is led by trumpets and a jazzy beat, Kota, Joey, and Bas trade verses about growing up and making their own way in NYC. From the lyrics to the flows, beat, and even the title, everything about “BQE” is classic New York. —Jessica McKinney
Smoove’L, “Outstanding”
Smoove’L may be known for his melodic flows, but he proves he has more than one style to offer on “Outstanding.” On the new track, which appears on his latest project Boy From Brooklyn, Smoove’L lays down ruthless bars over classic Melo Beats production. “I spazz in this bitch, I start breaking glass in this bitch/I let off the whole round while the strupper still shaking ass in this bitch,” he spits. There are still glimpses of his melodic side on the chorus though, where he sings, “The opps in danger (let’s get him), got a yellow bone call her full power ranger/I got hella blessings on blessings, God I thank ya.” —Jessica McKinney
Brandy f/ Chance the Rapper, “Baby Mama”
Some people don’t like the term “baby mama” because of the derogatory implications that come with it, but Brandy’s latest track with Chance the Rapper is a celebratory anthem that hopes to flip the meaning. On the track, Brandy unapologetically embraces her role, asserting that “every day I breathe, it’s for my mama.” Chance comes in later with sing-songy bars. Of the track’s inspiration, Brandy stated that it came from her daughter. “I wanted to do a song about her and speak to all baby mama’s out there that may feel like they can’t make it or they can’t push through.” —Jessica McKinney
Tyler Thomas, “Oh Lord”
It’s been a while since we heard from Tyler Thomas, so allow the young L.A.-spitter to reacquaint himself by doubling down on two of his best qualities: lyrical dexterity and passionate aggression. The first verse of “Oh Lord” is an especially dizzying feat of flow and wordplay: “Mama told me kill a pussy nigga nine ways/Time pays, I was in the studio for nine days…Okay nigga, careful with the rhetoric/I see you out here flexing I can put you on a regiment/I gotta body niggas, used to think I was ahead of it/I know you gold nigga, that don’t mean you was a medalist.” Cue the LeBron-listening-to-music gif where it looks like he’s trying to count the bpm. As for that aggression: “Oh Lord” is another thunderous track in Thomas’ oeuvre about how much he wants it, how much talent he has to merit it, and how hard he’ll rap to prove it. Sooner or later, everyone will get the message. —Frazier Tharpe
Hit-Boy f/ Dom Kennedy “Nominated”
It’s a West Coast connection every time Hit-Boy and Dom Kennedy link up. The two sometime-group members come together on the best track out of a pack of new songs that rounds out Hit’s Chauncey Hollis Project to a full 12-song album. Over laid-back production, Hit pays tribute to his and Dom’s fallen hometown hero, Nip Tha Great: the last time they spoke, a dream he had following the tragedy, and the bittersweet result of their work together (a Grammy nomination and eventual win). The marathon continues, indeed. —Frazier Tharpe
Jay Worthy & Harry Fraud f/ G Perico & Guapdad 4000 “Ice Cold”
You know what you’re getting when the laconic Compton rapper Jay Worthy and the near-10 year veteran New York producer Harry Fraud—notable for his lush, laid-back beats—come together. There’s no telling when they recorded this, but nonetheless, Eat When You’re Hungry, Sleep When You’re Tired is an EP perfectly suited for smoking while sheltering in place, as much as it is for a chill springtime drive. You can let the whole tape play front-to-back with no skips, but if there’s one immediate standout, it’s “Ice Cold,” simply because, short of Cardo, it’s a two-thirds G-Worthy reunion. Add in the perennially chill Guapdad and the vibe is undeniable. Seven songs is too light. —Frazier Tharpe
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