13 W Songs: No Rhyme or Reason | Playlist

1. BIA, “Whole Lotta Money (Remix)”

Ft. Nicki Minaj

“Whole Lotta Money (Remix)” • Epic • 2021

“It’s a whole lotta money in this motherfucker.” Woah, woah – language there BIA! Kidding of course – we’re all hellish, cussing adults here… maybe… Anyways, who doesn’t love a kick ass banger by two bad ass female rappers? That’s what BIA, assisted by Nicki Minaj gives on “Whole Lotta Money (Remix).”  The original, which inches just past two-and-a-half-minutes, appears on BIA’s 2020 album, For Certain.  The remix, produced by BeatGodz, Tee Romano, and London Jae, runs nearly four minutes in duration – more robust to say the least!

Following the pre-chorus, BIA drops the money-loving chorus, which in essence, isn’t on “no broke shit” (or “ho shit” for that matter).  She then drops an edgy verse, asserting she doesn’t associate with broke folks and jealous bitches (shocker), before we get a refrain, pre-chorus, and chorus. Then, of course, comes Nicki Minaj, who is unapologetic AF.  The one-liners are endless.  “I put on my jewelry just to suck my nigga off / Fingers on his balls like I’m ‘bout to tell him, ‘Cough’” is the way she commences the verse.  Da-yum! Of course, she doesn’t stop there, adding, “Pucci on my coochie, I’m mke these niggas drool.” Holy Snickers – felt like some censorship was necessary, for once! Of course, Nicki and BIA trade bars on the third verse, and it’s as confident hard-nosed as you’d expect.

“My pussy pretty, I fuck ‘em like porn stars
Ain’t playing basketball, but my bitches is all stars.”

To quote Post Malone, “Wow.”.

2. Harry Styles, “Watermelon Sugar”

Fine Line • Columbia • 2019

“Tastes like strawberries on a summer evenin’ / And it sounds just like a song.”  Apparently, the British pop singer Harry Styles enjoys fruit, as “Watermelon Sugar” marks his second fruit-oriented song ( “Kiwi” being the first). “Watermelon Sugar” also marked the second single from his 2019, platinum-certified sophomore album, Fine Line.  ALSO, Styles would win his first Grammy (Best Pop Solo Vocal Performance) for “Watermelon Sugar.”

“Watermelon Sugar” is a total BOP.  Harry Styles sounds superb vocally. The huskiness and assertiveness of his vocal performance is awesome. Producers Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson give him a top-notch backdrop to work with.  There are elements of rock and pop, as well as a dash of retro and vintage.  In addition to vocals, some of the ‘ear candy’ listeners are spoiled with includes acoustic and electric guitars, piano, keyboard, and  horns. Though “Watermelon Sugar” isn’t a deep, transcendently penned song, it is enjoyable and entertaining.  That begins with the love-centric, summery, and ‘fruity’ verses. It continues with the pre-chorus and capped off by repetitive but vibe-filled chorus, which highlights the titular lyric, “Watermelon sugar high.”

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3. Taylor Swift, “Willow”

evermore • Taylor Swift •  2020

“Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind.” An awesome lyric from an awesome song!  “Willow” initiates evermore – the SECOND surprise album from the ever-dominant, Grammy-winning musician, Taylor Swift – brilliantly, ranking among the best of the album. The production by Aaron Dessner is gorgeous, featuring both standard instrumentation (piano/keyboards, guitar, bass, drums), as well as adding wind and string instruments.

Swift sings with ease, never getting too high, yet packing a punch, nonetheless.  Much like the excerpted lyric, the song is incredibly well-written, including a memorable, tuneful chorus.  Ask yourself this question: Would a weeping willow tree even weep hearing this glorious song?

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4. Tyler, The Creator, “WUSYANAME”

Ft. YoungBoy Never Broke Again & Ty Dolla $ign

CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST • Columbia • 2021

“WUSYANAME” marks another triumphant moment from CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, the 2021 album by Tyler, The Creator.  Tyler has grown as a musician and a person over the years. Once again, the Grammy winner comes through with a nearly flawless LP.  On “WUSYANAME,” he enlists YoungBoy Broke Never Again and Ty Dolla $ign for the assist.

Ty Dolla gives us those soulful vocal stylings – always a vibe.  Tyler continues on his ‘journeys’ as character Tyler Baudelaire: “Let’s go to Cannes and watch a couple indie movies that you never heard of.” Tyler also adds some L-O-V-E along the way. As for YoungBoy, he appears on the second verse, building off T’s verse:

“I’m tryna get down to the root of the apple
The deepest I could in them jeans.”

5. Cardi B, “WAP”

Ft. Megan Thee Stallion

“WAP” • Atlantic • 2020

“There’s some whores in this house! / There’s some whores in this house!” The acronymic song “WAP” had everyone’s undivided attention! Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion are known for their fiercely, sexed-up personas, and “WAP” shows them straight-up flexing. Modesty is never the modus operandi on this former no. 1 hit with “whores” being the first word of the song on the intro (the record samples “Whores in This House” by Frank Ski).

Cardi B asserts at the end of the intro, “Wet-ass pussy, make that pullout game weak, woo.” She goes on to speak about the wetness on the chorus, while on the first verse, she asserts, “Hop on top, I wanna ride / I do a Kegel while it’s inside.” As for Megan Thee Stallion, on the second verse, she begins with a bang: “Gobble me, swallow me, drip down the side of me / Quick, jump out ‘fore you let it get inside of me.”  It doesn’t stop there as both have additional verses with shocking, highly sexual lyrics. The ‘freaky’ perspective won’t be relatable or win everyone over but give them credit for such a raw joint where the women freely express their sexual desires like the men frequently do.

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6. Serpentwithfeet, “Wood Boy”

DEACON • Secretly Canadian • 2021

“Wood Boy” marks one of the best songs from DEACON.  DEACON is the sophomore album from openly gay, alternative R&B artist serpentwithfeet (Josiah Wise).  This incredibly sensual record represents one of the biggest discussion pieces of DEACON.

Remaining true to who he is, serpentwithfeet describes the pleasure of gay sex. Serpentwithfeet lets us know what he likes and how he likes it.  More people should be honest about sex and sexuality, right? Anyways, there’s no escaping sexual roles (“Damn, I like him inside me”) or size (“He’s stacking that wood / Just like he should / Got my wood, wood boy”).  That’s grown-folk, adult conversation, but ultimately, it’s tastefully done.

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7. The Kid LAROI & Miley Cyrus, “Without You”

“Without You” • Columbia • 2021

“Can’t make a wife out of a ho.” Woo! On “Without You,” Australian rapper/singer The Kid LAROI concluded F*CK LOVE (SAVAGE) with an emo-infused indie-rock cut. He stepped away from hip-hop, providing an intriguing change of pace.  With the addition of Miley Cyrus on “Without You (Miley Cyrus Remix)”, there’s more contrast, an additional perspective, and generally, more to heart regarding the record.

Early on, Cyrus sings the hella memorable, EMOtional chorus of the record.  From there, The Kid LAROI drops the original verse, showcasing his youthful, expressive voice, perfectly capturing matters of the heart from the teen perspective.  Later, Cyrus introduces a brand-new verse.  It’s not particularly poetic or earth-shattering mind you, but fits the vibe:

“Feels like sleepin’ with a ghost
I called you up to let you know
I really wish that we coulda got this right.”

Though Short like the original, the addition of Miley Cyrus is a bright spot on “Without You (Remix).”

8. Dua Lipa, “We’re Good”

Future Nostalgia (The Moonlight Edition) • Warner • 2021

After releasing the best pop album of 2020, Grammy winner Dua Lipa reissued it in expanded form in 2021 as Future Nostalgia (The Moonlight Edition).  Among the gems of the deluxe version is the single, “We’re Good.”  Honestly, you could characterize this as the track to beat – the crowning achievement.

Sleekly produced by Sly, Dua Lipa has a superb backdrop to paint those expressive pipes over.  Her tone and respective vocal nuances continue to impress, particularly on the chorus.

“We’re not meant to be like sleeping and cocaine
So, let’s at least agree to go our separate ways
Not gonna judge you when you’re with somebody else
As long as you swear you won’t be pissed when I do it myself
Let’s end it like we should and say we’re good.”

She’s at her best towards the end of this brief but potent number when she ‘lets loose,’ all without ever losing composure or dare over singing.

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9. Drake, “Wants and Needs”

Ft. Lil Baby

Scary Hours 2 • OVO • 2021

On his single/EP Scary Hours 2, Drake follows his electrifying opener, “What’s Next?” with another banger, “Wants and Needs.” Drake enlists the services of one of the hottest rappers of the 2020s, Lil Baby. Expectedly, there’s definitely F-I-R-E. Even before Lil Baby blesses us with his distinct tone and intriguing flow on the second verse (“I’m not a GOAT, but I fit the description / I like to pour, so I get prescription”), Drizzy continues to impress, bringing more toughness to the table.

Drake isn’t as mellow as he’s been in the past, a welcome contrast.  He closes out his verse with the bullet, “Yeah, I should probably go link with Yeezy, I need some Jesus / But soon as I started confessin’ my sins, he wouldn’t believe us.” Woo! The production provides a nice lift courtesy of Cardo, Dez Wright, and Noah “40” Shebib.

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10. Doja Cat, “Woman”

Planet Her • Kemosabe / RCA • 2021

With the release of Planet Her, Grammy-nominated pop [genre-bending] artist Doja Cat (Amala Dlamini) dropped the best album of her career.  Planet Her features no shortage of highlights including the ‘feminine’ song at hand, “Woman.” “Woman” commences Planet Her exceptionally.

“I touch your soul when you hear me say, ‘Boy’ / Let me be your woman.”  Yes! Doja Cat begins Planet Her with some groove – always a plus.  The chorus is repetitive but ultimately sweet.

“Woman
Let me be your woman
Woman, woman, woman
I can be your woman.”

As for the verses, Dlamini paints the various roles of women. The first verse is sung and smoother in quality, while the second features those aggressive, ‘gives no fucks’ bars.  All told, “Woman” is one hell of a way to kick off Planet Her – fitting! 

11. Morgan Wallen, “Wasted on You”

Dangerous: The Double Album • Big Loud / Republic • 2021

“Wasted on You” is a highlight from Dangerous: The Double Album, the 2021 sophomore album by country standout Morgan Wallen. Wallen has had a hell of a 2020-21, regarding both successes (tearing up the charts) and failures (partying and inexcusable racial slurs).  For our intents and purposes here, we’ll merely address the song.

“Wasted on You” incorporates plenty of country cues, satisfying more traditional listeners but doesn’t limit itself. How so? Well, that drum programming definitely doesn’t characterize your father’s brand of country music, now does it? Where so often pop experiments in country fall flat, Wallen makes them work successfully here. Most of all, his ace-in-the hole, his voice, shines.

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12. Brent Faiyaz, “Wasting Time”

Ft. Drake

“Wasting Time” • Lost Kids • 2021

Continuing a hot streak in 2021, Brent Faiyaz (Christopher Wood) drops a stellar single, “Wasting Time”.  Joining him with the assist is Grammy-winning rapper/singer, Drake, who drops some bars here.  One reason why Drizzy is a perfect fit? “Wasting Time” dabbles in those ‘matters of the heart,’ and we all know the rapper is good at being “in his feelings”.

“Wasting Time” commences with warm, lush strings, that set the tone.  The production is superb, thanks to the skills of a veteran team, The Neptunes ( Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams). Faiyaz enters post instrumental intro, joined by drum programming.  He spoils the listener with his refined, smooth pipes, intact with harmonies and falsetto – he’s on-point.  On the memorable chorus, he sings, “If you’re gonna waste your time / Then waste your time with me.” Right on! Rightfully, he performs most of this five-minute record, with Drake arriving just prior to the three-minute mark. Drizzy contrasts with his rhythmic rhymes, accompanied by harder drum programming.  His verse is colorful, including the ways he’ll spoil her, pop culture references (including “Purple Rain” and Aaliyah), and the unforgettable line, “Flushed the Magnums just so they not collectin’ my specimens, damn (damn).” All in all, “Wasting Time” is another surefire winner for Brent Faiyaz – all boxes are checked off here with great vocals, fine production, a strong guest spot, and relatable theme and solid lyrics.

13. Jack Harlow, “Whats Poppin”

Thats What They All Say •  Generation Now / Atlantic • 2020

As you can gather from the title, “WHATS POPPIN” ( Thats What They All Say) is a banger – a flex-fest.  Louisville, Kentucky-bred rapper Jack Harlow serves up ample drip on this short, entertaining record. Harlow has superb production work to spit over, courtesy of   JetsonMade and Pooh Bear.  As far as lyrics, “WHATS POPPIN” commences with the chorus, where the flex begins.

Afterwards, Harlow drops one verse that certainly doesn’t lack in confidence.  Notably, he references his hometown a couple of times, including the restaurant, Vincenzo’s, as well as the Louisville Cardinals basketball team.  Beyond those shout outs, there’s reference to sex and money.  Sure, we’ve ‘been there, done that’ obviously, but he possesses confidence, personality, and plenty of swagger.

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