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Playlist “10 Songs About Friends, Enemies & Rivals” features songs courtesy of Camilla Cabello, J. Cole, and Justin Bieber among others. 

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Merriam-Webster defines a friend (plural: friends) as “one attached to another by affection or esteem” or simply, “acquaintance.” Sounds about right.  Naturally, an enemyis the antonym of a friend, while a rival is considered a ‘near antonym.’ An enemy (plural: enemies) at its simplest is described as “a person who hates another.” As for rival (plural: rivals), its “one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess.”

Enough definitions already! This playlist features 10 songs about friends, enemies, and rivals. There are five songs about friends, three songs about enemies, and two songs about rivals.  Artists appearing on this playlist include Camilla Cabello, J. Cole, and Justin Bieber.

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1. Camila Cabello, “Real Friends”

Camila • Epic • 2018

“Real Friends”, the seventh track from Camila, is an enjoyable, thoughtful, low-key offering from Camila Cabello. The production work is simple, with few frills.  Despite the conservative backdrop, it’s an effective, fitting accompaniment. Vocally, there’s more cooing than an overt, dramatic statement. Cabello sounds beautiful and sincere, but she doesn’t pack a huge punch.  Even so, the message is strong, and vocal harmonization and subtle cues are enough to carry the record.

 

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2. Rich Brian, “Enemies”

Amen • 88rising / EMPIRE • 2018

“Word on the street, they said that you close to me / Don’t like the energy, are we friends or enemies?” “Enemies” appears on Amen, the debut album by Indonesian rapper Rich Brian. In the context of the album, it’s a respectable listen, though less memorable than the crème de la crème of the album.  The idea and overall message is crystal clear. Brian is trying determine who’s a true friend and who’s a fake that “smile(s) in your face” and ultimately has no loyalty.

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3. J. Cole, “Friends”

Ft. kiLL edward

KOD • Dreamville / Roc Nation • 2018

J. Cole returns his distinct kiLL Edward alter-ego returns on “FRIENDS” with pitch-shifted vocals on the hook. J. Cole speaks about addictions to various substances, the central “demon” of his 2018 album, KOD. Essentially, he goes H.A.M. explaining how and why it happens, encouraging addicts to meditate as opposed to abuse potentially deadly drugs.

 

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4. Elohim, “Enemies”

Elohim • BMG Rights Management • 2018

Who is Elohim? Glad you asked! Elohim is an up-and-coming electronic artist based in Los Angeles, California.  On this particular ‘friends, enemies, and rivals’ playlist, she lays claim to the shortest song of them all.  Technically it’s an interlude, but interlude are people – err songs too!  The lyrics are pretty self-explanatory.

 

“Oh my god I’ve been up since six,
I can’t catch a break from all this shit
I haven’t been able to sleep a wink
I keep seeing enemies in my dreams
Enemies, enemies…”

Scary stuff those nightmares, not to mention the unsettling sound of this record…

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5. Marshmello & Anne-Marie, “FRIENDS”

Speak Your Mind • Asylum • 2018

Haven’t I made it obvious? / Haven’t I made it clear? / Want me to spell it out for you? / F-R-I-EN-D-S.” “FRIENDS” is set in a minor key but sounds exuberant regardless. As a producer, Marshmello is on-point. Even with the semi-dark vibe thanks to the minor key, the guitar conveys a sense of cool – ‘chill’ if you will.  The first verse is relatively light, carried by guitar, while the drum programming arrives on the chorus.  Naturally, the second verse is more robustly produced. As for English singer Anne-Marie, she delivers unapologetic, feisty vocals. In regards to her musical personality, she’s chocked-full of attitude. We wouldn’t have it any other way, particularly when she gets a bit salty. Ultimately, the pair makes sweet music together.

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6. Chris Brown, “Enemy”

Heartbreak on a Full Moon • RCA • 2017

“But if you could see what my eyes can see / You would see what you mean to me… / I wouldn’t be the enemy / I don’t wanna be the enemy.” There’s a little bit of everything on Heartbreak on a Full Moon, the 45-track (57 in an absurd expanded Cuffing Season – 12 Days of Christmas edition) album released by Chris Brown in 2017.  Safe to say, when this gargantuan effort arrived, it was way too much material – furthermore too much Chris Brown – to digest in one setting.  Therefore, the 35^thtrack, “Enemy” in the context of the album is ‘just another song’ on an exhaustive, overblown album, particularly compared to the likes of “Pills & Automobiles”.  In the nutshell, Brown has regrets about his ex, who he wishes he could reunite with.  On “Enemy,” he wishes he could change the perception of himself to her.

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7. Chris Stapleton, “Friendship”

From a Room: Volume 2 • Mercury • 2017

Chris Stapletonis a ‘boss’ in country music, keeping its authenticity alive and well in a pop-dominated age. Though it wasn’t as heralded as his first album of 2017, From a Room: Volume 2 exemplified why Stapleton is currently the face of traditional, outlaw country. The nine-track From a Room: Volume 2is an incredibly consistent album, and amazingly, there are songs better than the record at hand, “Friendship.”That said, what better way to close an album than with “Friendship”?This easygoing, feel-good number is a stark contrast to “Death Row,” the moody closer for From a Room: Volume 1.  The exuberance and fire of Stapleton is simply irresistible.

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8. Rick Ross, “Idols Become Rivals”

Rather You Than Me • Epic • 2017

Rick Ross is reflective on “Idols Become Rivals,” a song from his 2017 album, Rather You Than Me. Ross remembers his rap idols, Cash Money. Despite his recollections, he goes on to list the issues that have plagued Cash Money, specifically the head, Birdman.  Ultimately, “Idols Become Rivals” is a diss-track. Chris Rock guests at the top of the track with a skit.

 

 

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9. Justin Bieber & BloodPop®, “Friends”

Friends – Single • Republic • 2017

“Wonderin’ if you got a body / To hold you tighter since I left.” Heavily tatted, oft-shirtless, Canadian heartthrob Justin Bieber further built upon his monstrous 2017 with the release of his single, “Friends” featuring highly demanded producer, BloodPop®. “Friends” exemplifies the modern pop sound, influenced with dance and electronic cues. Bieber, as always, sounds like he’s in command, painting the electro-pop palette with sound, enjoyable vocals. His tone has only improved with age and experience. There are no leering cons to be found, even if this friendly record isn’t game changing.

“So, I’m wonderin’
Can we still be friends? (ah-ah)
Can we still be friends? (ah-ah)
Doesn't have to end (ah-ah)
And if it ends, can we be friends?
Can we be friends?
Can we be friends?”

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10. Usher, “Rivals”

Ft. Future

Hard II Love • RCA • 2016

Usher delivers quick-paced, pop-rap-like vocals on the verses of “Rivals”, which is readymade for the airwaves.  Guest Futurehas a minimal role, therefore it’s not saturated in his autotune babble.  Usher’s vocals sound terrific – clearly more youthful than his 38 years. “A great ass, a better mind, what a combo.” Sure, the excerpted lyric seems superficial, but it’s actually deeper contextually.

Usher is looking for the one, something that’s clear on the hook:

“Without you I feel uneven
Make every day our love season
Baby girl you’re my rider
That should be enough reason
Call you baby that’s only your title
Cause I don’t need no more rivals
I put that on the Bible…”

Ultimately, “Rivals” isn’t the deepest cut of Usher’s catalogue by any means, but it’s catchy and respectable.

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Photo Credits: 88rising, BMG Rights Management, Dreamville, EMPIRE, Epic, Mercury, RCA, Republic, Roc Nation

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