Remixd Magazine’s best new music features several records led by raw honesty. From Nicki Minaj‘s new album, Pink Friday 2, to Tems‘ “Not an Angel,” our picks this week show people why it’s imperative to live in your truth.
Read our selection below:
Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday 2
Nicki Minaj has dropped her very first project in the past five years. Pink Friday 2 is the predecessor to her 2010 album, Pink Friday. In February of 2019, the album was teased as “the fifth thing thing” in her freestyle “Barbie Goin Bad.” A year later, Nicki hopped on X, formerly known as Twitter, and posted a cryptic tweet that read “PF2,” which fans presumed was an announcement of the sequel to Nicki’s debut album, Pink Friday. Before the album’s release, fans made A.I.-generated “Gag City” graphics to accompany its theme. Pink Friday 2 features Lil Wayne, Tate Kobang, J. Cole, Lil Uzi Vert, Drake, and more. On Nov 30, Minaj spoke about her new LP, “This Album Is Just Beyond Anything I Could Have Imagined,” she typed on X. In closing, when listening to Pink Friday 2, expect to hear Nicki’s rap dexterity, impeccable entendres, witty punchlines, soft melodies, and more. For instance, on “FTCU,” she raps “Stay in your Tory Lane b*tch I’m not Iggy.”
Lil Yachty and Southside – “Gimme Da Lite”
Lil Yachty raps over an experimental Southside-produced trap beat in “Gimme Da Lite.” From a lyrical perspective, Lil Boat speaks about riding for his day ones, witnessing the extent of someone’s loyalty, and how he addresses the opps. Additionally, the Georgia rapper spits rhymes about his better half and luxurious lifestyle. Lyrics like “Couple of new n***as tryna join the gang (Woo-hoo)/Tell me he a stepper and he tryna hang (Woo-hoo)/I did not believe it ’til I seen him bang (Phew, Woo-hoo)/Creepin’ down the street, I’m poppin’ out a pane (Brrt)” shed light on the song’s theme.
Pharrell Williams, Swae Lee & Rauw Alejandro – “Airplane Tickets”
The bright Pharrell Williams-produced single “Airplane Tickets” consists of mesmerizing vocals from Swae Lee and Latin music singer Rauw Alejandro. As the soundscape sonically illustrates a tropical setting, Swae Lee sings about traveling with his crush to “feel the East Coast air.” Additionally, Rauw Alejandro implies in the song’s chorus that he’d like to make his eye candy wifey. “Say you’ll fall in love, girl, you might as well, eh, eh, eh/All jokes aside, make you mine for real, eh, eh, eh, eh (Ra-Rauw),” he delivers. “Airplane Tickets” was initially teased through a video snippet on Swae Lee’s Instagram page. In the clip, the singer recites the lyrics to one of his verses while at a fashion show.
NLE Choppa – “Shotta Flow 7”
NLE Choppa continues his “Shotta Flow” installment via “Shotta Flow 7.” The rapper dropped the first song to his “Shotta Flow” series in 2019. Since then, NLE Choppa has dropped sequels to the original single, enlisting rappers like Blueface and Chief Keef to make guest appearances. Choppa’s “Shotta Flow 7” interpolates “Shotta Flow” yet takes on a darker trap tone. Lyrically, the Tenessee rapper details how he settles the score with haters, rapping, “Hunnid shots in the whip, it was Shotta clock/He can run from a nigga, but not from the Glock/Don’t ask me if it’s one up top/That’s like askin’ Floyd Mayweather do he box.” From the rip, NLE Choppa asserts that he doesn’t give second chances, provoking smack talkers to stick to their word. In “Shoota Flow 7,” NLE Choppa also briefly speaks about his ways with women.
Tems – “Not An Angel”
Tem’s alternative R&B meets afrobeat single “Not An Angel” is about closing the chapter to a love story for good. In a dreamy, soft-spoken vocality, the singer drops vulnerable lyrics that explain why she’s chosen to break up with her partner, saying, “I couldn’t save you (Nah, nah)/You couldn’t see what I’ve been through.” As the song continues, Tems tells her ex they’ll learn that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Following this, the Nigeria-based songstress asserts that she will never get back together with them. “Right now we’re not goin’ nowherе/Other than a graveyard, baby/You know your love don’t do nothin’ for me,” she sings.
Lil Reese – “IDK”
On the heels of his forthcoming project, All About Me, Lil Reese has dropped a single called “IDK.” In the ATG-produced trap banger, the Chicago rapper wonders how much he can trust his friends and lover, asking “Is these n***a’s really with you? I don’t know (x2)/Do you think they out to get you? I don’t know (x2)/Do you think these b***hes with you?” Before believing a word anyone says to him, Lil Reese stays on his toes, ensuring he’s never harmed. “N***a might be out to get me/So I gotta keep that 50/Can’t trust n***a’s s**t/Too iffy.” The song also finds Lil Reese detailing his retaliation methods and calling the bluffs of posers. Additionally, the rapper speaks about his ideal lady.
