New Music Round-Up: Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift and More
We're obsessed with new music by Sam Smith, RAYE and Charli XCX too...
Singles
N.E.R.D & Rihanna - 'Lemon'
But first, it'll piss you off
Hate! Bad bitches wanna be my bae
Hate! Hunt me down like the C.I.A
Hate! Side of my car, tryna see my face
Hate! Want me to beat it like the T.I. case
Oh (hate!) and if it's heated I'ma feed my face
Hate! And best believe, it's gon' be outrageous
Hate! Hatin' niggas can't believe my race
Hate! Niggas hit you with the Eli face, oh
Bouncin' around, bouncin' around, bouncin'
Bouncin' around, bouncin' around, bouncin'
Scrunchin' their eyes with your name in their mouth and
Bouncin' around, bouncin' around, bouncin'
Hate! You keep askin' me where I'm from
Hate! About the borders and, "Did I run?"
Hate! Keep askin' how I feel 'bout guns
Hate! There's a light and dark army, which side you choose? Oh
Hate! If not now then when?
Hate! And if not me then who?
Hate! Don't drink the Kool-Aid, my friends
Hate! I tried to tell y'all about this dude
Bouncin' around, bouncin' around, bouncin'
Bouncin' around, bouncin' around, bouncin'
Hate supplements are found right in their couches
Bouncin' around, bouncin' around, bouncin'
Wait, wait a minute
Shout out to them people, people
Wait, wait a minute
P-p-p-people, people
Wait, wait a minute
Mad ethnic right now
I get it how I live it
I live it how I get
Count the motherfuckin' digits
I pull up with a lemon
Not 'cause she ain't livin'
It's just your eyes get acidic
And this here ain't a scrimmage
Motherfucker, we ain't finished
I told you we won't stop
A nigga 'bout a business
Like yours, but you rent it
Wave hello to the top
Nigga the Veyron glide
Tell the paparazzi get the lens right
Got the window down, top, blowin' la
Got the hazards on, only doin' five
You can find P, with the skateboard in the new La Ferrar'
And the truck behind me got arms
Yeah, longer than LeBron
Just waitin' for my thumb like The Fonz
Woo! This beat tastes like lunch
But it's runnin' from veneers and it's runnin' from the fronts
But everyday, hey, wasn't lemonade
I was afraid, once a nigga graduate
Would I be okay?
So I prayed and I played
Nigga, I am other we got our office in space
Warp speed, Doctor Spock couldn't chase, nigga
Nigga, bath salt, bitin' speakers in the face
Bath salt, bitin' speakers in the face
Bath, bath salt, bitin' speakers in the face
Bath, bath salt, bitin' speakers in the face
Bath, bath salt, bitin' speakers in the face
Bath, bath salt, bitin' speakers in the face
Bath, bath salt, bitin' speakers in the face
Bath, bath salt, bitin' speakers in the face
Bath, bath salt, bitin' speakers in the face
I get it how I live it
I live it how I get
Count the motherfuckin' digits
I pull up with a lemon
Not 'cause she ain't livin'
It's just your eyes get acidic
And this here ain't a scrimmage
Motherfucker, we ain't finished
I told you we won't stop
A nigga 'bout a business
Like yours, but you rent it
Wave hello to the top
Nigga the Veyron glide
Tell the paparazzi get the lens right
Got the window down, top, blowin' la
Got the hazards on, only doin' five
You can catch me
Bouncin' around, bouncin' around, bouncin'
You can catch me
Wait, wait a minute
Wait, wait a minute
Wait, wait a minute
Wait, wait a minute
Wait, wait a minute
Wait, wait a minute
Wait, wait a minute
Wait, wait a minute
After delivering an incredible verse on her Kendrick Lamar collaboration 'LOYALTY.' earlier in the year, Rihanna ups her game on 'Lemon'. Her rap feature includes braggadocious lyrics like "It's Rihanna n*****, my constellation is space". Amazing. It is also great to hear N.E.R.D back together. Pharrell's bars are brilliant and the production is next level. A total triumph.
Migos, Nicki Minaj & Cardi B - 'Motor Sport'
https://open.spotify.com/album/45nFCtLzKT8rQmtw4eCY96
This technically came out last Friday but it was in the afternoon so it missed out on the round-up and it is too good to miss. Not only do Migos sound great but having both Cardi and Nicki on a track is a dream. "I'm the trap Selena // ¡Dame más gasolina!" is a moment and Nicki effortlessly switching up her flow is proof that she's one of the best rappers in the business.
Taylor Swift - 'Call It What You Want'
https://open.spotify.com/album/5xpj676LDHcmNCwuTLBMfu
More Taylor. A pensive bop that merits repeated listens. We can't wait to hear Reputation in full next week.
Lil Uzi Vert - 'The Way Life Goes [Remix] (feat. Nicki Minaj)'
https://open.spotify.com/album/6x8tzop53PDl2tvjIXB9a0
It's always enchanting to hear Nicki swap her hard beats for something more mellow. This is sublime.
David Guetta & Afrojack - 'Dirty Sexy Money (feat. Charli XCX and French Montana)'
https://open.spotify.com/album/613u1KxcevDq5Kd8j0zD2U
You can always rely on David Guetta and Charli XCX to create bangers and this is no exception.
Madison Beer - 'Say It to My Face'
https://open.spotify.com/album/7iIk7RSdbmdF7ik7RYyih0
Madison Beer is taking this popstar business seriously. A hit with a glorious vocal performance.
RAYE & Mr Eazi - 'Decline'
https://open.spotify.com/album/5pjHPt8pRTkjQ0ba8TEQAm
Sampling Ashanti and Ja Rule is brave but RAYE does it with ease. One of her best to date.
Aly & AJ - 'I Know'
https://open.spotify.com/album/6B3HcbhZtE1mzFYIcmiwuT
Another gorgeous electro-pop number from arguably the greatest sister duo in pop today.
Miguel - 'Told You So'
https://open.spotify.com/album/6sRl7v6PkF3onTuT31ZXzK
Three tracks in and it sounds like War & Leisure could be one of the albums of the year.
Sia - 'Santa's Coming for Us'
https://open.spotify.com/album/3Gk9OgU9BkzuzTevHASPOu
Sia has a way with hits. The first cut from her Christmas LP is cute and catchy as hell.
Shaun Ross - 'Symmetry'
https://open.spotify.com/album/6QqIyw1oSDZv1Vop7EUbDH
Shawn may be known as a model but his debut single proves that he's a singer too.
Big Sean & Metro Boomin - 'Pull Up N Wreck (feat. 21 Savage)'
https://open.spotify.com/album/7xVIyAJkotVLcAOY2JnVof
All three artists shine on this all-star collaboration.
Wiley - 'I Call the Shots (feat. JME)'
https://open.spotify.com/album/66m05Y8wv4cwpLzhvy8qTv
Wiley is on fire on his latest single.
Lil' Kim - 'Took Us a Break'
https://open.spotify.com/album/2af6JdObEKgFykwoCZU6d7
The rap icon is back.
Albums
Sam Smith - The Thrill of It All
https://open.spotify.com/album/3TJz2UBNYJtlEly0sPeNrQ
Sam Smith bares his soul on his sophomore album. A selection of moving ballads.
Shawn Mendes - MTV Unplugged: Shawn Mendes
https://open.spotify.com/album/1UFwhAB6yeOVvR7UnB3wJf
Shawn's talent is front and centre on his first MTV Unplugged album. Stunning.
Maroon 5 - Red Pill Blues
https://open.spotify.com/album/2pxTRRyxcTI9ei3wClKaOZ
Six albums in and Maroon 5 are still killing it with help from SZA and Future.
Shamir - Revelations
https://open.spotify.com/album/6w8ykI1LU5XdcXOsmxzW4y
Shamir gets personal on his second album and the results are beautiful.
21 Savage, Offset & Metro Boomin - Without Warning
https://open.spotify.com/album/0MV1yCXcNNQBfwApqAVkH0
One of the best surprise releases of 2017 so far by three superstars.
Emeli Sande - Kingdom Coming - EP
https://open.spotify.com/album/4SYpRCfGhCZnrlDVAFoPCh
A stunning collection with features including Giggs and Wretch 32.
Dave - Game Over - EP
https://open.spotify.com/album/5QsGJ1tErNh5aWxowJojom
Dave hones his incredible lyrical talent on his second EP.
Skepta - Vicious - EP
https://open.spotify.com/album/1dSvdsbgLtbSd7vUckHvKS
An excellent EP by an excellent rapper.
Words: Sam Prance
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