13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 2 | Playlist 🎧

13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 2 features songs by 21 Savage, Cissy Houston, Ruel, Snoop Dogg, Tate McRae, and The Kid LAROI x Quavo.

Can you guess what It is about? It, this playlist, contains songs about it.  It can be many things. It can be a pronoun or a noun for example.  It’s safe to say, it can represent anything.  So, The Musical Hype has compiled a musical compendium series comprising of… it.  The criterion is self-explanatory; it must be included! Following 13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 1, published in October 2024, we unveil 13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 2! 13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 2 features songs by 21 Savage, Cissy Houston, Ruel, Snoop Dogg, Tate McRae, and The Kid LAROI x Quavo. So, without further ado, let’s jump into IT… VOL. 2!

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~ Table of Contents ~

1. The Kid LAROI & Quavo, “SLOW IT DOWN”

2. Tate McRae, “It’s ok I’m ok”

3. Snoop Dogg, “Drop It Like It’s Hot” (Ft. Pharrell Williams)

4. Cissy Houston, “Think It Over”

5. Ruel, “Made It Awkward”

6. Melanie Fiona, “It Kills Me”

7. Ian, “Figure It Out”

8. 21 Savage & Summer Walker, “prove it”

9. The Weeknd, “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)”

10. 2 Chainz, “It’s a Vibe” (Ft. Ty Dolla $ign, Trey Songz & Jhené Aiko)

11. Portugal. The Man, “Feel It Still”

12. The Weather Girls, “It’s Raining Men”

13. Tavares, “Check It Out”

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1. The Kid LAROI & Quavo, “SLOW IT DOWN”

“SLOW IT DOWN” // Columbia // 2024

“I met you on Monday / Fucked you on Tuesday / Wednesday, tellin’ all your friends I’m your new bae…” It doesn’t take long for The Kid LAROI (Charlton Howard) to set the tone on “SLOW IT DOWN”.  He brings ample ‘rizz,’ smoothness, and swagger.  His point to this girl: “You’re moving too fast, huh / I’m tryna make it last.” Word.  Howard is joined by a fellow Grammy nominee, Quavo, as they interpolate a rap classic, “Slow Motion” by Juvenile. “SLOW IT DOWN” is anchored by a sick beat.  The production (Starrah, Waves, and Dopamine), is a big selling point. Still, it is the vocalists that make this a bop.  The melodies sung by The Kid LAROI are among his most tuneful. Despite being smooth, he’s young and unapologetic. “Thursday, same thing we did on Tuesday,” he continues naughtily in the first verse, adding, “Friday, let me hit that motherfucker my way.” Damn! He reappears in the third verse where they’ve been “Fuckin’ all week / You wanna have a drink, have sex on the beach.” Howard also performs much of the chorus, emphasizing that “slow motion,” while also getting the assist from Quavo (“She don’t know how to act / Keep throwin’ that back / Ass fat, waist snatched”). Quavo brings a melodic flow in his guest verse:  “Fuck the first class, I’m on a jet smokin’ (Oh) / Let me hit it on the island, she got me wildin’ (Who).” All told, The Kid LAROI and Quavo make a formidable team on the fun and sexed-up “SLOW IT DOWN”.

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2. Tate McRae, “It’s ok I’m ok”

So Close To What // RCA // 2025

“He ain’t just a pretty-faced talker /… You’re seein’ one-sided / You got him right now.” Oh, snap, Tate McRae! The Gen-Z musician warns her ex’s new girlfriend to beware in “It’s ok I’m ok”, a single from her 2025 album, So Close To What. In the pre-chorus, she makes it clear she doesn’t miss him because he’s no good! Her exact words: “Take him, he’s yours.” McRae, Ilya, Ryan Tedder, and Savan Kotecha penned the single. Ilya produced it. “It’s ok I’m ok” is relatively brief.  With its quick pace and simple message, that’s enough time for Tate McRae to convey her points.  In the second verse, she drops an f-bomb (“Was such a romantic (Romantic) / You got me like, ‘Fuck that’”). In the chorus, which is uncomplicated save for its rhythm, she asserts, “It’s okay, I’m okay, had him in the first place / it’s okay, I’m okay…” The songwriting isn’t game-changing but works sufficiently. Beyond the lyrics, the accompaniment thrives off a sweet percussive groove – the beat bangs.  Also, the minimalist vibes are successful, specifically tasty keyboard and synths.  The melodies are rhythmic, with the pre-chorus featuring an interesting jump between octaves.  McRae is feisty and playful with her vocal performance, which suits the theme of this enjoyable, mostly inoffensive song (looking at you, f-bomb 😉).

Appears in 🔻:

• Eye 👁 This List of Must-Hear “I” Songs, Vol. 2 (2024)

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3. Snoop Dogg, “Drop It Like It’s Hot” (Ft. Pharrell Williams)

R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece // Geffen // 2004 

“Snoop / Snoop!”  Ooh wee! Snoop Dogg (Calvin Broadus) earned his first no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Drop It Like It’s Hot”. The 16-time Grammy-nominated rapper (who should have won at least one) got a huge lift from the production of The Neptunes.  Beyond the distinct, minimalist accompaniment crafted by the duo, Pharrell Williams serves as a featured guest. 20 years old, “Drop It Like It’s Hot” remains fresh, and well deserving of the title of a rap classic.  With innovative production and two big personalities collaborating (Snoop and Pharrell), magic was inevitable.

The chorus, first and foremost, is the section to beat regarding lyrics:

“When the pimp’s in the crib, ma

(Drop it like it’s hot, drop it like it’s hot, drop it like it’s hot)

When the pigs try to get at you

(Park it like it’s hot, park it like it’s hot, park it like it’s hot)

And if a nigga get a attitude

(Pop it like it’s hot, pop it like it’s hot, pop it like it’s hot)

I got the Rollie on my arm and I’m pourin’ Chandon

And I roll the best weed, ’cause I got it goin’ on.”

Gah-day-um! One of the best, most infectious hooks, hands down.  Beyond the hook, which ignited the popularity of the phrase ‘drop it like it’s hot,’ Snoop says his fair share of memorable lines. “I keep a blue flag hangin’ out my backside / But only on the left side, yeah, that’s the Crip side,” he raps in the second verse, referencing his gang affiliation. In the third verse, the former pimp asserts, “I’m a bad boy with a lotta hoes / Drive my own cars and wear my own clothes.” Translation: he’s rich, bi-otch! Pharrell also deserves his flowers for the first verse, confidently and raunchily rapping, “Eligible bachelor, million dollar beat / That’s whiter than what’s slippin’ down your throat.” Oh, snap! No deep analysis is necessary for “Drop It Like It’s Hot”, one of the best rap songs to come out of the 2000s. SNOOP!

 

Appears in 🔻:

• Snoop Dogg, Drop It Like It’s Hot: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 93 (2024)
• 11 Bangers from the 2000s That Kick Ass (2024)

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4. Cissy Houston, “Think It Over”

Think It Over // Private Stock // 1978

“Some people say you’ve been messing around.” Uh-oh… “I’m not too sure, but you’re just not the same / We got to find us a way.” Oh, snap! Cissy Houston (1933 – 2024) was not only the mother of a late icon (Whitney Houston) but was also a gifted vocalist. In 1978, she commenced her album, Think It Over, with the scintillating disco bop “Think It Over”.  “Think It Over” was written by Houston, Alvin Fields, and Michael Zager.  While “Think It Over” didn’t earn her pop success, it impacted the R&B and dance charts. “Think It Over” features a funky instrumental that is idiomatic of the disco-infused sound of the late 1970s. The accompaniment is groovy, while the horn riffs are exuberant and punchy. Cissy delivers commanding, dynamic, and energetic lead vocals.  Further providing a lift are infectious, tuneful melodies. “Think It Over” is catchy. Additionally, the background vocals singing the titular lyric up the ante.  What is it that Cissy wants him to think over? Per the chorus:

“Think it over

Before you do something to tear us apart

Think it over

All this talk is breaking my heart

Think it over

Before you go out and do it again

Think it over

Just get together before it all ends

Think it over, think it over.”

So, he better remember how good the love shared is before he goes and messes up a good thing! Cissy showcases a forgiving spirit: “I’m not too proud to forgive and forget / But baby, what about you?” Word.  “Think It Over” didn’t get its just due as a soul classic but it deserved far more recognition.  Well-sung, well-produced, and well-written, this disco joint is the sugar honey iced tea.

Appears in 🔻:

• Cissy Houston, Think It Over: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 167 (2024)

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5. Ruel, “Made It Awkward”

“Made it Awkward” // Recess / Giant Music // 2024

According to the handsome and talented Ruel (Ruel van Dijk), “Nothing good ever comes after midnight / When you’re drunk, and you pick up the phone.” He sings these memorable, prudent lyrics on “Made it Awkward”. Van Dijk, M-Phazes, and Nick Long penned “Made It Awkward.” M-Phazes, Elias Danielson and Theodore Lee produced. Although awkwardness rears its ugly head,  there is nothing awkward regarding the enjoyability of this three-minute pop song.

“Made It Awkward” features colorful musical accompaniment with its signature ‘pop/rock’ drums, synths, and guitar.  Ruel serves up warm, nuanced vocals. His ad-libs are fabulous, yielding soulfulness.  Both his middle and upper register (falsetto) are impressive. Likewise, the vocal production is warm.  The awkward lyrics are presented via tuneful melodies during the verse and chorus. Thematically, it encompasses matters of the heart, with van Dijk embarrassing himself: “Keep my head down when I see her at Old Mates / And I sit at the bar alone / Just pretending I don’t even notice she’s there / But she’s the only reason I go.” There is a great contrast in the second verse, where the drum groove drops out, yet the rhythmic identity of the song is retained as he imparts his lonely, longing bar experience.  The centerpiece, however, is the chorus:

“Why did I call her, why did I bother?

I guess she didn’t wanna hear that I want her

I painted a picture of us at the altar

Thought I could have made her mine

But I just made it awkward.”

Sadly, it works out that way sometimes, Ruel. “Made It Awkward” is another welcome addition to the Gen-Z Australian singer/songwriter’s music catalog.

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6. Melanie Fiona, “It Kills Me”

The Bridge // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 2009

According to Grammy-winning Canadian R&B singer Melanie Fiona, “[I have] problems when you don’t come home at night / But when you do, you always start a fight.” Oh, the plight of love is at work on Fiona’s breakthrough song, “It Kills Me.” The Grammy-nominated song for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance is the penultimate track from Fiona’s debut album, The Bridge. Jay Fenix and Andrea Martin produced the neo-soul ballad. It samples “Hey There Lonely Girl” by The Softones.  In the first verse, the dynamic, soulful singer adds, “But I can’t be alone / I need you to come on home / I know you’re messin’ around / But who the hell else is gonna hold me down.” That is a situation! In the second verse, Fiona struggles with how to handle her cheating man – “Should I grab his cell, call this chick up / Start some shh, then hang up / Or should I be a lady / Ooh, maybe, ‘cause I wanna have his babies.” The verses are sensational, and Melanie sounds delightful as she decides how to navigate this mess.  The best moment, the crème de la crème, is the chorus.  Not only does her angelic voice continue its shine, but she’s supported by gorgeous, harmonized background vocals.

“I’ve gotta be out my mind

To think it’s gonna work this time

A part of me wants to leave

But the other side still believes

And it kills me (Oh), to know how much I really love you (So much)

So much, I wanna ooh-ooh-ooh

To you-hoo-hoo.”

It wasn’t a good situation between Melanie Fiona and her man, but this song… EPIC.

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7. ian, “Figure It Out”

Valedictorian // Dogdog // 2024

“The way that I’m drivin’ this Wraith, they ‘bout to put me on suicide watch (Put me on suicide watch) / Can’t choose what color I’m feelin’ today, thank God it’s a two-tone watch (Two-tone watch).” Bars… or not… Anyways, “Figure It Out” is the 11^th track on Valedictorian, the debut mixtape by Gen-Z rapper, ian. Formerly a college rugby player before dropping out to focus on his rap career, ian doesn’t say much in the brief “Figure It Out.” Backed by trap production by sxprano, he raps about superficial things – nothing transcendent. Case in point: “These Japanese garments is handmade, whole body covered in shit I can’t say.” Also, I have my doubts that he “Make the whole trap jump right now like a motherfuckin’ parlay hit, yeah.” One of the ear-catching lyrics appears at the end of the chorus: “My big brother like Marshawn Lynch, he’ll run through somebody.” Of course, Marshawn Lynch makes a cameo in the Lyrical Lemonade music video.  Ian has been accused of cultural appropriation and being an industry plant. Is it fair? You be the judge. 

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8. 21 Savage & Summer Walker, “prove it”

American dream // Slaughter Gang, LLC / Epic // 2024 

“I’m pourin’ up Wocky in Greece / I came a long way from the east / She leavin’ her cream on the sheets / My brother say he want a niece.” Damn! “Prove it” is the 11^th track from American dream, the third studio album by Grammy-winning rapper, 21 Savage. Produced by Coupe, Tye Beats, and Isaiah Brown, a rich R&B sample fuels the production – “You Are My Joy (Interlude)” by Faith Evans.  Besides the sample, “prove it” is anchored by a tight beat.  Notably, it has a romantic vibe – as romantic as a rap sex song can be. 21 Savage is smoother in his delivery but not ‘soft’ – he’s still ‘rough around the edges’: “Fuck what you bring to the table / ‘Cause bae you the table, I’m eatin’, let’s dine.”  Yum, yum 😋 🤤! He gets a lift from Summer Walker, who provides sweet vocals in the chorus and outro.  “You know you my baby, you know you my twin,” she sings, “If they disrespect me, then it’s comin’ to an end / If them niggas play with me, we know that you gon’ sin.” The final line of the chorus is a surefire highlight: “I pray these hoes don’t make me have to prove it.” Word.

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9. The Weeknd, “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)”

The Weeknd Beauty Behind the Madness // Republic // 2015

“I’ma care for you, you, you, you.” Woo! One of the sexiest, steamiest, and sultriest songs of 2015 came by way of “Earned It (Shades of Grey)” by The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye). “Earned It” was featured on the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack and reprised on his Grammy-winning album, Beauty Behind the Madness. The compound-duple slow jam was inescapable and simply irresistible in 2015 and still feels awesome approaching a decade later.

“So, I love when you call unexpected / ‘Cause I hate when the moment’s expected…” The Canadian R&B singer’s sweet tenor rises above a retro-soul backdrop, produced by Stephen Moccio and Jason “DaHeala” Quenneville.  Among the bright spots of the production are the moody, dynamic strings – quite the vibe.  “Earned It” definitely plays to The Weeknd’s strengths: a ripe falsetto and a heaping dose of passion.  The centerpiece of this steamy joint is the chorus:

“‘Cause girl, you’re perfect (Girl, you’re perfect)

You’re always worth it (Always worth it)

And you deserve it (And you deserve it)

The way you work it (The way you work it)

‘Cause girl, you earned it, yeah (Earned it)

Girl, you earned it, yeah.”

With awesome production, top-notch vocals, and dedicated, sexy lyrics making “Earned It (Shades of Grey)” an epic, surefire vibe, you can’t fail to mention the NSFW music video. is a surefire vibe. The Weeknd is at his best when the carnal is involved.

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 E Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason (2021)
• The Weeknd, Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey): After Dark 🕛 🌃 71 (2022)

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10. 2 Chainz, “It’s a Vibe” (Ft. Ty Dolla $ign, Trey Songz & Jhené Aiko)

Pretty Girls Like Trap Music  // Def Jam // 2017

“That’s a vibe… / She wanna vibe, yeah…” 2 Chainz strikes gold on “It’s a Vibe”, the crowning achievement of his 2017 album, Pretty Girls Like Trap Music.  Yes, it would be safe to say that “It’s a Vibe” is indeed a vibe, even if 2 Chainz and company eschew depth and substance ultimately. Ty Dolla $ign and Trey Songz perfectly amplify the sexual intent of the number.  2 Chainz spends his verse rapping about money 💸, sex 👉👌, and hustling. Adding the feminine touch is Jhené Aiko, who sounds as sensual as ever in her sweetest, ‘cool-as-a-cucumber’ voice.

Appears in 🔻:

• 100 Best Songs of 2017
• Vibes: 5ive Songs No. 7 (2021)
• 13 Big Mood, Surefire Vibe Songs (2023)

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11. Portugal. The Man, “Feel It Still”

Woodstock // Atlantic // 2017 

“Can’t keep my hands to myself / Think I’ll dust ‘em off, put ‘em back up on the shelf.” Okay, sure! Alternative bands can rarely tout scoring a top five pop hit on the Billboard Hot 100.  Portland, Oregon standouts Portugal. The Man earned those bragging rights with “Feel It Still”.  The standout from their 2017 album, Woodstock, peaked at no. 4 on the pop charts.  Easily one of the grooviest, most infectious, and best songs of 2017, it also earned the band the one-hit wonder label.  The facts, or lack of other charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100 don’t lie.  Still, if you’re going to only earn one charting single on the pop charts, wouldn’t you want it to be a Grammy-winning, multiplatinum single like “Feel It Still”? Of course, you would!

The chorus is a huge reason for the success of “Feel It Still”:

“Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, now  

I been feeling it since 1966, now  

Might be over now, but I feel it still  

Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, now  

Let me kick it like it’s 1986, now  

Might be over now, but I feel it still.”  

Ooh, woo, indeed! The production (John Hill & Asa Taccone) is crisp and clear 💪.  Frontman John Gourley delivers sensational, light, airy, and agile high-pitched vocals.  Reminiscing rarely comes off as excellent as it does on “Feel It Still”. Notably, Gourley makes various references throughout the song including politics, rebelliousness, and his daughter (“Got another mouth to feed / Leave it to the babysitter, mama, call the gravedigger”).  One-hit wonder it may be, but it’s an epic one, PERIOD.   

  

Appears in 🔻:   

• 100 Best Songs of 2017 
• 12 Utterly Stupendous STILL Songs (2022)
• 13 Songs Where the FEEL is Real (2023)

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12. The Weather Girls, “It’s Raining Men”

Success // CBS // 1982

“It’s raining men! Hallelujah! / It’s raining men! Amen!” HALLELUJAH 👏!!! Imagine that chiseled, hunky men are falling from the skies – a gift from heaven– just ready to be “Boo’d Up” with various “Prospects”. Oh, the joystick 🕹️ action! The Weather Girls’ “It’s Raining Men” is an iconic, joyful gay anthem based on its infectious, lustful chorus! Long before Todrick Hall informed us “It’s raining fellas, it’s raining fellas”, those Weather Girls (Izora Armstead and Martha Wash) gave us a legendary forecast in 1982. A Success? Well, surprisingly, only moderately to the tune of no. 46 on the Billboard Hot 100, but hey, the charts had to be hating on this surefire post-disco bop, penned by Paul Jabara and Paul Shaffer back then!

“God bless Mother Nature, she’s a single woman too

She took off to heaven and she did what she had to do

She taught every angel

She rearranged the sky

So that each and every woman could find her perfect guy.”

Perhaps Mother Nature is a single woman, but she could be anybody these days, and with how beloved “It’s Raining Men” is within the gay community, I’m not so sure Mother Nature isn’t a member of the LGBTQ+ community! Regardless, with “Humidity… rising” and “barometer’s getting low,” “For the first time in history / It’s gonna start raining men.” To that, again I say, HALLELUJAH 👏!!!

Appears in 🔻:

• The Weather Girls, It’s Raining Men: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 7 (2021)
• 15 Gay Anthems That Exude Joy (Vo1. 1) (2021)
• 13 Songs Where, When It Rains It Pours (Pt. II) (2021)
• 20 Great Songs All About Men! (2022)

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13. Tavares, “Check It Out”

Check It Out // Capitol // 1974 

“If you want someone who understands / Then things can’t get uptight,” Antone “Chubby” Tavares sings in the first verse of “Check It Out”.  The Tavares vocalist adds, “If it means anything to you / To know that I care for you / Check it out.” “Check It Out” is the fourth track on the Boston-based R&B collective’s 1974 album, also titled, Check It Out.  Billy Osborne and Floyd Butler penned the soulful ballad. Robert Bowles produced, overseeing the ear-catching, luscious backdrop.  “Check It Out” marked a breakthrough single for Tavares.  They’d chart higher with future singles. It peaked at no. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1973 marking the beginning of their career success.

The theme and lyrics of “Check It Out” are simple.  If you need somebody, I’m the one, the Tavares brothers sing throughout the song.  “Oh… surely you must know / My love will always grow” sums up the vibe perfectly.  Adding to the allure beyond compelling lead and background vocals, love-oriented lyrics, and lush production are the melodies.  The tuneful melodies are a perfect match for the dedicated, love-driven lyrics. “There may not be a dreary day / For you to suffer through,” Tavares sings together, continuing, “If you would let me lead the way / I’d give the world to you.” Girl, the thing for you to do is “Check It Out”, period.

Appears in 🔻:

• Tavares, Check It Out: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 164 (2024)

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13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 2 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, Capitol, CBS, Columbia, Def Jam, Dogdog, Epic, Geffen, Giant Music, Private Stock, RCA, Republic, Recess, Slaughter Gang, LLC, UMG Recordings, Inc.; Admar Kamosso Oficial from Pexels]

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