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Bella Thorne, Lil Xan, Kanye West, Rita Ora, and Bhad Bhabie round out the top-five of the 10 worst songs of 2018 (so far).

In the past, the popularity of the worst songs lists has far surpassed the best songs.  Do people enjoy flops? Perhaps.  This year, there are some doozies, yet, some of the ‘worst’ aren’t necessarily unbearable.  Folks, there may very well be a song that you actually like that irks me.  Without further ado, here are my picks – some of which may change – for the worst songs of 2018 (so far).

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1. Bella Thorne, “B*tch I’m Bella Thorne”

B*tch I’m Bella Thorne – Single • Filthy Fangs • 2018

“B*tch I’m Bella Thorne” is nothing short of a hot mess – grade A rubbish. Co-written with rapper MOD-Sun, it feels like Bella Thorne wants shock value more than anything else, evidenced by ample clumsy and cringe-worthy lyrics. She raps, which is highly, HIGHLY questionable in its itself.  Give her credit for being chocked-full of attitude, coming over as sort of this bratty, feisty celeb.  One has to wonder, is it all an act? Regardless, if winning the award for the worst song of 2018 is what Thorne desires, she’s won it hands down with this train wreck.

2.Lil Xan, “Wake Up”

TOTAL XANARCHY • Columbia • 2018

Everything about Lil Xan as an artist feels off. While “Wake Up” is eclipsed by “B*tch I’m Bella Thorne” for being horrendous, Xan makes up for it with his awful debut album, TOTAL XANARCHY.  Among the most embarrassing, offensive moments come by way of “Wake Up,” a brief joint lacking even the slightest bit of nutritional value.  Folks, there’s no fiber, no protein, and no vitamins. If there is silver lining (there really isn’t), it comes by way of an utterly dumb hook that easily gets stuck in one’s head: “Ay, I wake up, I throw up, I feel like I’m dead.” Somehow, he strings together two verses and a bridge, but the result is platitude after tired platitude.

3.Kanye West, “Lift Yourself Up”

Lift Yourself Up – Single • Def Jam • 2018

“But they don’t realize, though…This next verse, this next verse though…These bars…Watch this some shit, go.” Kanye West often finds ways to offend and piss of just about everybody. A number of fans were rethinking their ‘Kanye love’ following his profession of ‘Trump love’, something he addresses on single “Ye Vs the People” (featuring T.I.). In addition to the most controversial single of the two, he also released “Lift Yourself”. Safe to say, West totally misses the mark – there was no lift whatsoever on the shot, sigh.  The production isn’t the problem in the least – it’s Kanye.  When he urges listeners to “watch this some shit, go,” he fails to tell them just how utterly childish and ridiculous it actually is.  I quote: “Poopy-di scoop / Scoop-diddy-whoop / Whoop-di-scoop-di-poop / Poop-di-scoopty.” Bars man – bars.

4. Rita Ora, “Girls”

Ft. Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX & Cardi B

Girls – Single • Atlantic UK • 2018

“I ain’t one-sided, I’m open-minded / I’m fifty-fifty and I’m never gonna hide it.” Perhaps, her heart was in the right place, but Rita Ora falls far short on her star-studded bisexually-driven anthem, “Girls”, which features Cardi B, Charli XCX, and Bebe Rexha. Typically, socially-charged songs, particularly those with a LGBTQ tilt, are applauded.  That has NOT been the case with  “Girls,” which has received widespread criticism.

Ora and company oversimplify bisexuality, same-sex attraction, and sexuality in general.  This is a misguided pop record through and through, that had it been executed properly, could’ve packed a punch.

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5. Bhad Bhabie, “Gucci Flip Flops”

Ft. Lil Yachty

Gucci Flip Flops • B.H.A.D. Music • 2018

“Bhad Bhabie got these b*tches bustin’ for cash…” Charming. Amazingly, the “cash me outside” girl, Danielle Bregoli – aka Bhad Bhabie – has had success with “Gucci Flip Flops”. Yuck – that’s disgusting.  Assisted by Lil Yachty, “Gucci Flip Flops” is nothing more than shallow trash talk. Bhad Bhabie must’ve counted how many times she could be profane through ample use of the word bitch, not to mention the f-bomb. As for Yachty, he must’ve forgot he was appearing on an underage artists record when he raps, “Can’t f**k the b*tch ‘til she got her virginity.” This record exemplifies going utterly dumb and utterly stupid.

6. Lil Pump, “Esskeetit”

Esskeetit – Single • Warner Bros. • 2018

Give teen rapper Lil Pump credit for his breakthrough, Billboard Hot 100 top-three single “Gucci Gang”. Yeah, it’s ultra-simple, but it’s hard to deny that “Gucci Gang” is infectious to the nth degree. Clearly, “Esskeetit” tries to replicate the successful script of his ‘ace-in-the-hole’ with no such luck. Generally, Lil Pump, like most of the SoundCloud rappers, never seems to get out of his box.  There’s not really any progression, just contentment living on the surface level.  “Esskeetit” is the exemplification of superficial.  He builds the hook off of clichés including ultra-lux clothes, Xanax, cars, and women.  “Esskeetit” feels like a longer, “Gucci Gang” remake that’s not nearly as addictive or fun. Lil Pump is recycles as opposed to expanding his game.

7. James Bay, “Wild Love”

Electric Light • Republic • 2018

Never in a million years would I have thought that James Bay would’ve earned a spot on a worst-of list. Just doesn’t feel right for the talented English singer/songwriter. Maybe it was the shocking hair-cut that caused “Wild Love” to come off so odd, off-putting, and ill-conceived. A quirky promo single, “Wild Love” ends up playing out better within the context of his sophomore album, Electric Light – it’s a ‘grower,’ at least to an extent. Still, the modern, experimental vibes are imperfect.  While the vocal effects are terrific on the chorus, the verses remain a bit sketchy.  Sandwiched between triumphs “Pink Lemonade” and “Us”, it feels like the ‘odd man out.’

8.Jake Owen, “I Was Jack (You Were Diane)”

Jake Owen – Single • Big Loud • 2018

When you are ‘highly inspired’ by a classic, you must bring your ‘A Game.’ Sometimes – most times actually – the classic should be left alone. Country musician Jack Owen looks to a John Mellencamp classic for ‘inspiration’ on single “I Was Jack (You Were Diane)”.  Unsurprisingly, the Mellencamp classic easily eclipses it, and it’s not even close. To his credit, Owens delivers a catchy, easygoing chorus, by far the best part of the record.  Still, the biggest problem is Mellencamp’s “Jack” is > Owen’s “Jack.”

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9. Christina Aguilera, “Accelerate”

Ft. Ty Dolla Sign & 2 Chainz

Liberation • RCA • 2018

Why? Why was “Accelerate” chosen as the comeback single for the great Christina Aguilera, who slays on the likes of “Beautiful” and “Ain’t No Other Man”? Thankfully, following this fragmented, gimmicky modern-pop, hip-hop infused record, she released two respectable ballads, particularly the powerful Demi Lovato duet, “Fall in Line”.  Where does “Accelerate” fall short? For one, the songwriting lacks depth – definitely NOT transcendent stuff.  Secondly, Ty Dolla $ign can’t keep up with Aguilera, noticeably going out of his vocal range. The 2 Chainz rap over the soulful, trap production switch is among the selling points, but, does it really fit? Also, you could argue he outperforms Aguilera because as its own entity, 2 Chainz is being ‘true to self.’ All in all, “Accelerate” is a big fat pop mess – there’s no other way around it.  Take it or leave it.

10. Justin Timberlake, “Filthy”

Man of the Woods • RCA • 2018

Ugh, I like Justin Timberlake – I really do.  But, as talented as he is, his albums tend to be flawed, particularly those from the 10s.  Everyone was excited for the first new Timberlake album to arrive since 2013, rightfully so.  However, “Filthy”, the promo single from Man of the Woods, is odd. While I might not go so far to call it even bad, it’s undercooked and lacks the quality of his biggest hits. The production (Timbaland and Danja) is sleek and modern, dominated by a sick beat, and a variety of synths.  Stylistically, he maintains urban-pop sensibilities, slated somewhere between the soul of old and modern pop.  His chanted, tongue-in-cheek vocals, exhibit hip-hop vibes without the ‘bars.’ As you can see, it has some redeeming qualities to make the worst-of list, but there’s little legit songwriting.  Tt’s devoid of depth and lyricism and ultimately, the cardinal sin may be the fact that it’s not particularly memorable.

Photo Credits: Atlantic UK, B.H.A.D. Music, Big Loud, Def Jam, Filthy Fangs, RCA, Warner Bros.

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