60 Best Songs of 2024 | Playlist 🎧

Reading Time: 62 min read

60 Best Songs of 2024 features songs by Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Charli XCX, Hozier, Kendrick Lamar, and Omar Apollo.

The time has come as it comes every year. The ambitious and arduous task of I, The Musical Hype picking the best songs of the year 😬 😮‍💨. It is subjective. Every year, there are surprises. Every year there are omissions, some glaring. Sometimes, I rank the songs. Sometimes I don’t. Even if the songs are ranked, what does it mean in the long run? In the 2024 version of the best songs of 2024, I have selected 60 songs, hence, 60 Best Songs of 2024. The criteria were simple: the song was released or peaked in 2024. I love oldies, but they aren’t allowed on this one. The 60 songs selected are ranked by tier: Dope Songs [Top 60], Super Dope Songs [Top 40], and The Dopest [Top 20]. Individual songs within each tier are in alphabetical order by the artist, hence, not ranked. 60 Best Songs of 2024 features music courtesy of Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Charli XCX, Hozier, Kendrick Lamar, and Omar Apollo. So, without further ado, let’s explore this lengthy list or check out the hyperlinked Table of Contents to read my commentary on the 60 Best Songs of 2024.

~ Table of Contents ~

~ Dope Songs [Top 60] ~

~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

~ The Dopest [Top 20] ~

~ Dope Songs [Top 60] ~

Addison Rae, “Diet Pepsi”	Ariana Grande, “yes, and?”	Artemas, “mess of me, sexually”	Benson Boone, “Beautiful Things”
Beyoncé, “16 Carriages”	Blessing Offor & Dolly Parton, “Somebody’s Child”	Charli XCX, “Guess” (Ft. Billie Eilish)	Clairo, “Sexy To Someone”
Coco Jones, “Here We Go (Uh Oh)”	Cole Redding, “Gay Americana”	David Archuleta, “Hell Together”	Gracie Abrams, “I Love You, I’m Sorry”
Halsey, “Lonely Is The Muse”	Jamie xx, “Baddy on the Floor” (Ft. Honey Dijon)	Kacey Musgraves, “Deeper Well”	Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, “Die With A Smile”
Luke Combs, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma”	Omar Apollo, “Te Maldigo (From ‘Queer’)”	Purple Disco Machine & Benjamin Ingrosso, “Honey Boy”	Zach Bryan, “Pink Skies”

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

Addison Rae, “Diet Pepsi”

“Diet Pepsi” // Columbia // 2024

“My ass looks good in these ripped blue jeans / My cheeks are red like cherries in the spring / Body’s a work of art you’d die to see.” Ooh-la-la! Addison Rae struck gold with her smooth and sexy single, “Diet Pepsi.” She penned this zero-calorie, soft-drink-titled song alongside producers ELVIRA (Elvira Anderfjärd), and Luka Kloser. Rae sings breathily and subtly in an undertone over a warm, ‘wavy’ musical accompaniment. Her approach is cool, calm, and collected. Despite being named “Diet Pepsi,” the soft drink makes its first and only appearance in the second verse: “Sitting on his lap, sippin’ Diet Pepsi / I write my name with lipstick on your chest / I leave a mark so you know I’m the best.” The section to beat is the tuneful chorus:

“When we drive in your car, I’m your baby

Losing all my innocence in the backseat

Say you love, say you love, say you love me

Losing all my innocent in the backseat.”

Adding to the excellence of “Diet Pepsi” is an unexpected but ear-catching key change near the end. Addison Rae brought the heat, no cap!

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Ariana Grande, “yes, and?”

eternal sunshine // Republic // 2024

“Now, I’m so done with caring / What you think, no, I won’t hide.” On “yes and?”, the promo single from her seventh LP, eternal sunshine, Grammy-winning pop superstar Ariana Grande embraces a dance-pop vibe. Interestingly, there is homage paid to pop icons and references to her relationship (“Your business is yours and mine is mine / Why do you care so much whose d**k I ride?”). The sound of the record deserves a shout-out. It begins with ample production gimmickry from the onset, followed by an infectious, danceable groove. Beyond that beat, there are plenty of ear-catching instrumental moments that complement the always brilliant vocals of Grande. Before establishing the narrative in the verses, the introduction lasts nearly 50 seconds. Grande eats from a vocal perspective, singing with ease. “Boy, come on, put your lipstick on / … Come on and walk this way through the fire,” she sings in the pre-chorus, embracing and promoting inclusivity. In the chorus she drops a few swears for ‘the sake of uplifting.’ “‘Yes, and?’ / Say that shit with your chest, and / Be your own fuckin’ best friend…” Woo! She brings the heat on the empowering, entertaining, and exuberant “yes, and?”.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Artemas, “mess of me, sexually”

yustyna // Artemas // 2024

“Baby, know exactly how I like it / You know if I’m calling it’s a crisis / Go make a mess of me, sexually.” That is what the English-Cypriot singer, songwriter, and producer Artemas (Artemas Diamandis) asserts on “mess of me, sexually”, the 13^th track on his 2024 mixtape, yustyna. Who assisted Diamandis in the composition and production of the sexual mess 🤭? That would be Daintree and Kevin White. “Mess of me sexually” is quick in tempo. It features energetic, exuberant production. Two of the best features are the lovely, detuned synths and the thumping beat. The beat easily encourages the listener to nod their head. Beyond the instrumental, Artemas delivers solid vocals and engaging songwriting. “‘Cause, girl, you’re magic, such a savage / The way you wipe me like I ain’t somebody average,” Artemas sings in the first verse, continuing, “The way you cheatin’ on your man, gon’ do some damage / I should feel bad, I should feel bad, but.” He doesn’t feel bad, thinking with his… He makes this clear in the second verse where he’s far more assertive – more aggressive sexually: “Take a shot and do some blow, I fucked her like that / Carbon angel, fucked her halo / The way I bend you over up against the table…” Ooh-wee, Artemas! The section to beat in this sexually charged gem is the memorable, infectious chorus (excerpted above) that you’ll be unable to get out of your head. Artemas brings the heat on “mess of me, sexually”.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Benson Boone, “Beautiful Things”

Fireworks & Rollerblades // Night Street / Warner // 2024

22-year-old Benson Boone had a big year in 2024. The biggest triumph by the big-voiced pop star was his viral, no. 2 Billboard Hot 100 hit, “Beautiful Things.” “Please stay / I want you, I need you, oh God / Don’t take / These beautiful things that I’ve got,” he belts in the energetic, unforgettable chorus. Boone (and those vocal cords) gives his all during the song’s most memorable section. The chorus signals ‘hit’ the first time you hear it, hence why the song has been streamed a lot. What’s interesting about the highlight from Fireworks & Rollerblades is the contrast. He still ‘cuts’ singing the verses (he has that type of voice) but exhibits more poise and performs at a softer dynamic level. “Beautiful Things” is a beautiful song, thanks to Boone’s vocal abilities, his immense faith (“And I thank God every day / For the girl He sent my way”), and, of course, the production (Evan Blair) and songwriting (Blair, Boone, and Jack LaFrantz).

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Beyoncé, “16 Carriages”

Cowboy Carter // Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia // 2024

“Sixteen carriages drivin’ away / While I watch them ride with my dreams away / To the summer sunset on a holy night / On a long back road, all the tears I fight.” Beyoncé penned “16 Carriages” (Cowboy Carter) alongside Ink, Raphael Saadiq, and Dave Hamelin. She produced it alongside Ink and Hamelin. The songwriting is deep, integrating the personal touches of the best country songs. “At fifteen, the innocence was gone astray / Had to leave my home at an early age,” Beyoncé sings in the first verse, adding, “I saw Mama prayin’, I saw Daddy grind / All my tender problems, had to leave behind.” The second verse is penned similarly, with the pre-chorus featuring more rhythmic, but equally tuneful melodies. “I might cook, clean, but still won’t fold / Still workin’ all my life, you know / Only God knows,” she sings in the pre-chorus. Of course, the chorus is the section to beat, featuring robust accompaniment matching its dynamic nature. Beyond well-rounded songwriting, memorable melodies, and solid accompaniment, the biggest triumph is… Beyoncé! Her voice sounds utterly sublime as she authentically delivers this stunning ballad, another surefire winner for Bey.

Appears in 🔻:

Bops That Pop: February 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Blessing Offor & Dolly Parton, “Somebody’s Child”

“Somebody’s Child” // Capitol CMG, Inc. // 2024

“Do you remember dreaming? / Do you remember home? / Do you remember feelin’ / Like you were not alone?” Nigerian singer/songwriter Blessing Offor reminisces in the first verse of his sincere, touching pop, gospel-infused song, “Somebody’s Child”. The memories are beautiful and unforgettable. Also unforgettable are the tuneful melodies performed by Offor. He, Joy Williams, and producer Josh Ronen penned it. Additionally, he collaborates with a musical icon, the one-and-only Dolly Parton.

“We’re all somebody’s baby

We’re all somebody’s child

We’re all some kinda crazy

We’re all some kinda wise

We’re all full of amazing

We’re all flirting with lies

We’re all somebody’s heartache

Somebody’s can’t wait, somebody’s why

We’re all somebody’s baby

We’re all somebody’s child.”

The chorus is the crème de la crème of “Somebody’s Child.” Offor sublimely performs it following his verse. Parton takes the reins in the second verse, penned like the first. “They join forces in the second chorus, with the help of choral vocals. A bridge precedes the final chorus, which is incredibly heartfelt and stirring. Gospel music cues are firmly in play, from the warmth and prevalence of the piano to the choral vocals, but, this is more of an inspirational pop record. Ultimately, “Somebody’s Child” is feel-good and uplifting, a musical blessing.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Charli XCX, “Guess” (Ft. Billie Eilish)

Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat // Atlantic // 2024

“You wanna guess what me and Billie have been textin’ about?” Charli XCX dropped one of the year’s best albums with Brat. She dropped the remix of “Guess” featuring Academy and Grammy-award-winning superstar, Billie Eilish, which appeared on the reissued version of the Grammy-nominated album Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat. Charli, Eilish, Dylan Brady, and producers FINNEAS and The Dare (Patrick Smith) penned the remix. The instrumental accompaniment is lit. The synths and the groove make you want to dance and fuel the fire of these two talented ladies. Charli takes first blood, dropping attitude-filled chanted vocals during the first verse. “You wanna guess the color of my underwear? / You wanna know what I got goin’ on down there?” she asks boldly, continuing, “Is it pretty in pink or all see-through? / Is it showin’ brand-new lower-back tattoo?” Bold. She continues the infectious, naughty lyrics in the chorus:

“Try it, bite it, lick it, spit it

Put it to the side and get all up in it

Wear ‘em, post ‘em, might remix it

Send ‘em to The Dare, yeah, I think he’s with it.”

It’s sexual, but the lyrics are deeper. Fittingly, XCX references Billie: “Eat it up for lunch, yeah, it’s so delicious.” Eilish eats in the second verse, playing off XCX’s sassy first verse: “Don’t have to guess the color of your underwear / Already know what you’ve got goin’ on down there.” Eilish also performs the second chorus, dropping the best line of “Guess”: “Charli likes boys, but she knows I’d hit it.” “Guess” is a BOP!

Appears in 🔻:

Bops That Pop: August 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Clairo, “Sexy To Someone”

Charm // Clairo // 2024

“Sexy to someone is all I really want.” Agreed, Clairo (Claire Cottrill). “Sexy To Someone” is the second track from her third studio album, Charm. Cottrill, Homer Steinweiss, Leon Michels, and Nick Movshon penned this ‘sexy’ joint while Cottrill and Michels produced. “Sexy to Someone” is groovy from an instrumental perspective. It features a prominent bass line and sickening keyboard hits. Also amplifying the sexiness are the sensational, rhythmic synth lines. From a vocal perspective, Clairo delivers a lovely performance that is – wait for it – sexy through and through. “Sexy is something I see in everything,” she asserts in the second verse, adding in the bridge, “I want to be sexy to someone (Is it too much to ask?).” The section to beat, unsurprisingly, is the chorus:

“Sexy to somebody, it would help me out

Oh, I need a reason to get out of the house

And it’s just a little thing I can’t live without.”

Word. “Sexy To Someone” by Clairo is pretty S-E-X-Y.

Appears in 🔻:

14 Sexsational Sex Songs (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Coco Jones, “Here We Go (Uh Oh)”

“Here We Go (Uh Oh)” // High Standardz / Def Jam // 2024

“Why it’s gotta be your way? I want it to be mine.” Understood, Coco Jones – I want it my way! She follows up with a bomb: “What, you think this is foreplay? Must be out of your mind.” Oh, snap! The Grammy-winning R&B singer brings heat, attitude, and sexiness to her soulful, dramatic single, “Here We Go (Uh Oh)”. “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” samples the beloved, Lenny Williams classic, “‘Cause I Love You”. Not only is the sound and meter of the Williams joint fuel for the fire but so is the theme. Sure, things are bumpy in the excerpted pre-chorus, but by the chorus, the feels return!

“I know when you said, ‘goodbye,’ you ain’t mean no goodbye

Here we go, uh-oh, ah

I know when you get to likin’ my pictures in time

Here we go, uh-oh.”

Vocally, Jones sounds beastly. She sings expressively. She puts her all, heart, and soul into the performance. “Better man, why don’t you just be the better man? / Why I gotta be the bigger man?” she asks in the dynamic bridge. Throughout, the melodies are tuneful. Her vocal ad-libs are magnificent. She penned “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” alongside Williams and Michael Bennett (the sampled material), Sara Diamond, and producers Cardiak and WU10. The sound is classic yet refreshing in 2024. The excellence of “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” speaks for itself.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Cole Redding, “Gay Americana”

“Gay Americana” // Cole Redding // 2024

“Shy boy with too many secrets / I know what it’s like to be him.” In an Instagram post, Cole Redding describes “Gay Americana” as the song he wished he had growing up gay. In an earlier IG post, promoting the song, he captions the cover art as “MY WHOLE HEART. The scared, shy, self-hating 13-year-old me is real proud.” The handsome, talented pop musician released an authentic and moving anthem. He penned “Gay Americana” with Stephan Santa Teresa and Rachel Kennedy. “Gay Americana” thrives for many reasons with songwriting and inclusivity topping the list. Redding advises this gay young man, “Promise it won’t make the world end / If you say you don’t want a girlfriend.” This is one example of the freedom exhibited by the songwriting. Don’t box yourself into the heteronormative world – be who you want to be and live true. In “Gay Americana,” “You can be anything you wanna.” Redding offers up so many meaningful, inclusive thoughts including:

“Put the stars and stripes

On a rainbow flag 🏳️‍🌈

And we’ll fight for love

Cause it’s all we have

We were born this way

And they can’t change that

No, we won’t go back.”

Beyond the songwriting and theme, the musicianship is turned up. Redding sings beautifully and easily on this uplifting pop joint. He’s authentic, selling the text superbly. The melodies are tuneful, particularly when he celebrates gay Americana in all its liberating glory. The instrumental is fire, incorporating the sheen of modern pop with some classic music cues. “Gay Americana” is a great addition to any Pride 🏳️‍🌈 list. It’s also an inclusive pop song that everybody needs to hear.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

David Archuleta, “Hell Together”

“Hell Together” // Archie Music // 2024

“Bow your head, don’t be bold / You’ll survive by doin’ what you’re told.” Thought-provoking lyrics that David Archuleta sings in the first verse of “Hell Together”. Archuleta experienced big life changes: coming out and leaving the Mormon church. The opening lyrics are troubling signaling the infamous notion of praying the gay away. The lyrics convey the attitude that some religions, religious institutions, and people of faith have toward non-heterosexuals. Archie continues singing beautifully and sincerely, “Said love is earned and we can’t choose / But the more you grow, you know the truth.” He penned this stirring, vulnerable ballad with Sam DeRosa, Ryan Nealon, and producer, Jordan Sherman. After David realizes how the myopic views of the church are, and the effect they’ve had on him, he’s concerned about disappointing his mom. That is where the most touching moment of occurs – the chorus:

“‘If I have to live without you

I don’t wanna live forever in someone else’s heaven

So let ‘em close the gates

Oh, if they don’t like the way you’re made, then they’re not any better

If Paradise is pressure, oh

We’ll go to hell together.”

🥹 The ultimate allyship – blood! The second verse expands on it: “You and me, that’s all we need / Blood is thicker than the pages that they read.” On the bridge, Archuleta regrets not breaking from the church before now. “Hell Together” brilliantly captures the struggles faced by many in the LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 community.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Gracie Abrams, “I Love You, I’m Sorry”

The Secret of Us // Gracie Abrams / Interscope // 2024

“Two Augusts ago / I told the truth, oh, but you didn’t like it, you went home.” Say what, Gracie Abrams? The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter made a splash with her sophomore album, The Secret of Us. In “I Love You, I’m Sorry”, the fourth track, matters of the heart rule. The first verse, excerpted, is sung in the past tense. As for the second, it’s set in the future: “Two summers from now / We’ll have been talking, but not all that often, we’re cool now.” “I Love You, I’m Sorry” was penned by Abrams, Aaron Dessner, and Audrey Hobert. Abrams and Dessner produced. The sound is alternative pop, singer/songwriter through and through, led by consistent rhythm guitar.

Gracie Abrams delivers lovely vocals. No, they’re not extraordinary but are sound and well-rounded. She never gets too high. Tuneful melodies up the ante, particularly during the choruses. The choruses vary lyrically, though Gracie’s love endures, and, she ‘apologizes’ for it:

“That’s just the way life goes

I like to slam doors closed

Trust me, I know it’s always about me

I love you, I’m sorry.”

The bridge marks another intriguing moment. Memorably, Abrams asserts, “I was a dick, it is what it is / A habit to kick, the age-old curse.” Oh, snap! In the final choruses, lyrics from the bridge are intertwined, making the record even more intriguing. “I Love You, I’m Sorry” is a highlight from The Secret of Us, and one of the better songs of 2024.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Halsey, “Lonely Is The Muse”

The Great Impersonator // Columbia // 2024

“I spent years becoming cool / And in one single second, you / Can make a decade of my efforts disappear.” Damn, that sucks, Halsey (Ashley Frangipane). What doesn’t suck, however, is “Lonely is the Muse”, a highlight from the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter’s fifth studio album, The Great Impersonator. She continues singing in the dramatic first verse, “I’m just waiting at the bar / And you rip open all my scars / By saying something like, ‘Didn’t know you were here.’ Once again, damn, that stings! Halsey captures the excruciating pain soundly in this gem co-written with Stuart Price. Austin Corona, Wyatt Bernard, and Brandon Buttner produced this dark, angsty alternative rock cut that shows a different side of Halsey.

In the second verse, Halsey cites her accomplishments yet laments the fact she’s “…Reduced to just a body / Here in someone else’s bed.” The chorus and post-chorus mark the most memorable moments from “Lonely is the Muse.” The lyrics continue to live in the ‘dark’ with Frangipane confirming her status as a martyr (“Always knew I was a martyr / That Jesus was one too”). The lyrics are poetic to the nth degree. She adds in the bridge, with the utmost drama:

“And when you’re done, you can discard me

Like the others always do

And I will nurse my wounds until

Another artist needs me new

And I will always reassemble to fit perfectly in view.”

By the end (outro) of “Lonely is the Muse”, Halsey is at her most angst-laden, with the dynamic musical accompanying fueling the fire. This is one of the best songs of Halsey’s career, hands down 🤘! Four minutes of greatness!

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Jamie xx, “Baddy On The Floor” (Ft. Honey Dijon)

In Waves // Young // 2024

“Move your body on the floor / Won’t stop until the drop stops, until the drop stops.” Ooh-wee! Prepare to dance your ass off! Creative and talented UK DJ and producer Jamie xx brought the heat on “Baddy on the Floor,” the fourth track from his album, In Waves. Jamie gets ‘the assist’ from another talented individual, Honey Dijon. “Baddy” was produced by Jamie xx, Honey Dijon, and Luke Solomon. The lyrics are repetitive – the expectation of a dance cut – but potent. An infectious beat and sickening house piano catch the ears. Adding to the alluring, ear-catching experience are colorful synths (including brassy-sounding synths) as well as fabulous sound effects and production tricks. Best experienced by listening rather than reading about it, “Baddy on the Floor” engages from start to finish. Ass is sufficiently kicked, and names are taken, folks!

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Kacey Musgraves, “Deeper Well”

Deeper Well // Interscope / MCA Nashville // 2024

“My Saturn has returned / When I turned twenty-seven / Everything started to change.” Grammy-winning country artist Kacey Musgraves serves up hypnotic vibes on “Deeper Well”, the second track from her sixth studio album, Deeper Well. Musgraves wrote and produced the song alongside Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk. It feels and sounds like a K.M. song from the jump. She’s accompanied by a simple backdrop, led by rhythmic acoustic guitars, bass, and light drums. During the chorus, there are some additional, colorful music cues, but they’re presented with subtlety. Musgraves delivers her typical calm, cool, and collected vocal performance, sounding as if she never breaks a sweat. While she’s a reserved vocalist, her tone is beautiful. Furthermore, when her vocals are harmonized, the radiance is even more pronounced. Also, Kacey works with tuneful melodies, both in the verses and the chorus. Additionally, the songwriting is reflective, signaled by the excerpted first verse. There are even more interesting lyrics: “I used to wake and bake / Roll out of bed, hit the gravity bong that I made /… Everything that I did seemed better when I was high / I don’t know why.” Word… Of course, the chorus is the crown jewel:

“So, I’m getting’ rid of the habits that I feel

Are real good at wastin’ my time

No regrets, baby, I just think that maybe

It’s natural when things lose their shine

…I found a deeper well.”

A mature song from a maturing, evolving artist feels right.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, “Die With A Smile”

“Die With A Smile” // Interscope // 2024

Music lovers worldwide were bestowed an unexpected gift: a collaboration between highly decorated musicians Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. These award-winning, gifted individuals duet in the single, “Die With A Smile”. Lady Gaga, Mars, Andrew Watt, Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II, and James Fauntleroy penned “Die With A Smile.” Gaga, Mars, Emile, and Watt produced it. The results are sublime. “Die With A Smile” commences with rhythm guitar which propels the groove. Mars sings the first verse, pre-chorus, and chorus. “I, I just woke up from a dream / Where you and I had to say goodbye,” he sings, continuing, “And I don’t know what it all means / But since I survived, I realized / Wherever you go, that’s where I’ll follow.” As always, his tone is beautiful; he delivers a commanding and smooth performance. The chorus is big and soulful, in a pop sort of way, welcoming punchy drums:

“If the world was ending

I’d wanna be next to you

If the party was over

And our time on Earth was through

I’d wanna hold you just for a while

And die with a smile

If the world was ending

I’d wanna be next to you.”

Lady Gaga arrives in the second verse. Mars harmonizes with her (“‘Cause you already know what you mean to me / And our love’s the only one worth fighting for”). Their vocal chemistry is undeniable – two dynamic singing vocals meshing celestially. Following the dynamic second chorus, there is a change of pace during the brief bridge, where the piano is more prominent in the accompaniment (“Right next to you / Next to you / Right next to you”). With the return of the chorus, this dynamic duo is just that – dynamic! Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars make a formidable team in their first-ever collaboration. “Die With A Smile” is the sugar honey iced tea.

Appears in 🔻:

Bops That Pop: August 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Luke Combs, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma”

Twisters: The Album // Universal Studios / Atlantic // 2024

“I keep chasing that same old devil / Down the same old dead-end highway.” Noted, Luke Combs. The Grammy-nominated country musician is awesome at recording In-your-face country music. “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” exemplifies in-your-face country music. The single is the first track on Twisters: The Album, the soundtrack to the 2024 film, Twisters (it’s not a reboot of the 1996 film). Focusing on the song, it was written by Combs, Jessi Alexander, and Jonathan Singleton. Combs, Singleton, and Chip Matthew produced it with positive results. “Riding that storm running through my veins / Like a shot down tail spun airplane.” Woo! Combs brings the heat when it comes to lead vocals. He is assertive from the beginning. He ‘rocks’ – in a country sort of way. Besides strong vocals, he has memorable, ear-catching melodies that favor him. The lyrics are memorable and tied to the theme. “I got saved in the same Red River / The same Red River tryna drown me.” Oh, Oklahoma – she’s rough, y’all! The section to beat is the chorus:

“Ain’t no love in Oklahoma

Just the whistle of a lone black train

You’ll know when it’s coming for ya

Riding in on the wind and rain.”

“Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” is a soundtrack cut, but this enjoyable, well-rounded country song could’ve easily appeared on a Combs’ studio album.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Omar Apollo, “Te Maldigo (From ‘Queer’)”

“Te Maldigo (From ‘Queer’)” // Omar Apollo / Warner // 2024

“Qué puedo hacer? / Te maldigo (What can I do? / I curse you)” Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Omar Apollo expands his repertoire by making his acting debut in the Luca Guadagnino film, Queer, based on the 1985 William S. Burroughs novel. Besides acting, Apollo does what he does best: sing. He sings radiantly on the single, “Te Maldigo”. Apollo penned “Te Maldigo” alongside renowned producers Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails fame) and Atticus Ross. As “Te Maldigo” suggests, the lyrics are sung exclusively in Spanish. He sounds utterly sublime. Even if you don’t understand a word he’s singing sans translation, the song is stunning. His tone is celestial and buttery smooth. His falsetto is ripe and sweet as honey. The musical accompaniment is simple but sufficient, accompanied by guitars. Thematically, “Te Maldigo” encompasses a familiar, universal topic: love. “Que mundo tan cruel / Donde no me amas,” he sings, translating in English as “What a cruel world / Where you don’t love me.” Word. “Te Maldigo” needs no extensive analysis. Its vibrance speaks for itself.

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Purple Disco Machine & Benjamin Ingrosso, “Honey Boy” (Ft. Nile Rodgers & Shenseea)

Paradise // Columbia // 2024

“My my oh my my / Won’t you come and let me dive / My my oh my my / Won’t you come and play me all night, night.” Handsome and talented, Benjamin Ingrosso shows off his sickening pipes on “Honey Boy”, a single from Paradise, the 2024 studio album by German DJ and producer, Purple Dance Machine. Attributed to Purple Dance Machine and Ingrosso, “Honey Boy” also features iconic guitarist, songwriter, and producer, Nile Rodgers, and gorgeous Jamaican singer, Shenseea. Purple Dance Machine, Rodgers, and Hampus Lindvall produced this infectious bop.

In verse one, Benjamin references his social awkwardness against an unawkward, groovy AF instrumental. “I never said a single word to any girl / I was afraid that I would fuck it up,” he sings, adding, “But then one day I saw her face and the old me would’ve walked away / But then I took a chance.” Aww, Benjamin, way to be brave! However, she says, “Honey boy, you’re too young, but let me give you a night you won’t forget.” Shenseea puts her sexy two cents in during the pre-chorus (“Bet you like, bet you like how it’s feeling, oh”) and joins in during the chorus. Ingrosso serves up a second ear-catching verse, including a jealous friend (“You should have seen the jealous look on his Danny’s face”) and this nameless woman taking Ben under her wing (“All your friends will never know the things that you will learn”). Oh, snap! The melodies are tuneful, and the lyrics are F-U-N. The music is sweet, too, thanks to Rodger’s guitar playing and his production/writing skills alongside Purple Disco Machine. “Honey Boy” is an infectious, kickass, must-hear contemporary dance / dance-pop / disco cut.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Zach Bryan, “Pink Skies”

Great American Bar Scene // Belting Bronco / Warner // 2024

“The kids are in town for a funeral…” Thus begins “Pink Skies” (from Great American Bar Scene) by Grammy-nominated country singer/songwriter, Zach Bryan. From the beginning, “Pink Skies” is country to the core. The instrumentation includes harmonica – a stellar touch. Bryan penned this memorializing funeral tune. He continues singing in the first verse, “So, pack the car and dry your eyes / I know they got plenty of young blood left in them / And plenty nights under pink skies / You taught ‘em to enjoy.” Throughout “Pink Skies,” Bryan delivers expressive, gritty, and compelling ‘rough around the edges’ vocals. His artistry is impressive. The songwriting is intriguing. He constructs a great narrative where someone influential has passed away. The memories are vivid, including one that paints a portrait of a nonjudgmental soul: “You bailed him out, never said a thing about Jesus or the way he’s living.” That takes a special person. The most memorable lines occur in the chorus, where he concludes, “Your funeral was beautiful / I bet you heard God coming.” Bryan continues his upward trajectory with “Pink Skies”.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

21 Savage, “Redrum”	Ariana Grande, “the boy is mine”	Beyoncé, “YAYA”	Billie Eilish, “CHIHIRO”
Charli XCX, “360”	Clairo, “Juna”	Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar, “Like That”	Kehlani, “After Hours”
Kendrick Lamar, “squabble up”	Kim Gordon, “BYE BYE”	Leon Thomas, “MUTT”	Omar Apollo, “Dispose of Me”
Omar Apollo, “Drifting”	Orville Peck & Willie Nelson, “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other”	Post Malone & Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help”	Sexyy Red, “Get It Sexyy”
St. Vincent, “Broken Man”	SZA, “Saturn”	Tems, “Love Me JeJe”	WILLOW, “b i g f e e l i n g s”

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

21 Savage, “Redrum”

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

“Want it all, I won’t leave a breadcrumb / Bitch, what? I thought a nigga said somethin’ /… G Block, all we know is redrum / Redrum, redrum, redrum, redrum.” “Redrum” is the banging third track from American dream, the 2024 studio album by Grammy-winning rapper, 21 Savage. Sleekly produced by London on Da Track and AyoPeeb, “redrum” samples “Serenata Do Adeus” by Elza Laranjeira, “A Lot” by 21 Savage, and the ‘Here’s Johnny’ dialogue from the movie, The Shining. Expectedly, the chilling samples and theme, murder, make “redrum” eerie sounding. The backdrop is the perfect fuel for 21’s fire. The rapper is bold, unapologetic, and fittingly, murderous. High-flying one-liners include “Take my chopper everywhere, that’s bae,” “Two revolves on my waist, John Wayne,” and “I got big kahunas and I’m lettin’ ‘em hang.” “Redrum” is a hell of a banger. Or should I say, a hellacious banger 😈.

Appears in 🔻:

40 Best Songs of 2024 (So Far)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Ariana Grande, “the boy is mine”

eternal sunshine // Republic // 2024

“How can it be? You and me / Might be meant to be, can’t unsee it / But I don’t wanna cause no scene.” Ariana Grande is fierce AF on the 90s-inspired “the boy is mine”, the eighth track on her critically acclaimed, 2024 LP, eternal sunshine. In this song, written and produced by Grande alongside Max Martin, Shintaro Yasuda, and DaviDior (ILYA also produces), Grande accepts the controversy she receives being in a relationship with this man. In the first verse, she adds, “I’m usually so unproblematic,” but of course, the power of the boy has driven her to the dark side (“And God knows I’m tryin’, but there’s just no use in denying”). Despite being devilish, she sounds angelic from a vocal perspective. In the second verse, she makes it clear the way this relationship has gone down wasn’t as intended. Still, she’s confident that “My girls, they always come through in a sticky situation / Say, ‘it’s fine.’” In the bridge, she takes accountability for the mess, but also states, “I can’t ignore my heart, boy.” In the chorus, Grande embraces her lustful side: “The boy is mine / I can’t wait to try him / Le-let’s get intertwined / The stars, they aligned.” Messy love or nah, the Grammy winner brings the heat on this one.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Beyoncé, “YA YA”

Cowboy Carter // Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia // 2024

“Texas Hold ‘Em” garnered the most attention during the pre-Cowboy Carter album cycle. It far overshadowed the companion single, “16 CARRIAGES”. After Cowboy Carter arrived, “YA YA” earned plenty of love, and reached no. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100. TikTok was flooded with energetic, hip and booty shaking to “YA YA”. In the ‘chorus,’ varied throughout, Bey asserts: “Ladies? / Fuck it, we shakin’ (Ya-ya-ya-ya…) / We swimmin’… / We jerkin’… / We twerkin’…” This seems nonsensical but dig deeper and Beyoncé makes numerous cultural references. Early on, she mentions the Chitlin’ Circuit, where black performers earned opportunities that eluded them in white venues and helped them become stars. Politically charged, one of the most memorable lines Beyoncé sings occurs in the first verse: “Whole lotta red in that white and blue, huh / History can’t be erased.” Not only is “YA YA” one of the best songs from Cowboy Carter, but it is also a history lesson and decadent food for thought. Also, shout out the producers (Beyoncé, Cadenza, Harry Edwards, Khirye Tyler, and The-Dream) for the sickening instrumental and awesome samples: “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys and “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” by Nancy Sinatra.

Appears in 🔻:

40 Best Songs of 2024 (So Far)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Billie Eilish, “CHIHIRO”

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT // Darkroom / Interscope // 2024

“Did you take / My love away / From me? Me / Me.” Chihiro, rather, Billie Eilish sings in the refrain of “CHIHIRO”. The five-minute song is the third track from the Academy- and Grammy Award winner’s platinum-certified third studio album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. “CHIHIRO” was inspired by Chihiro Ogino, the protagonist from the 2001 Academy Award-winning animated fantasy/adventure film Spirited Away. “CHIHIRO” features beautiful, tuneful melodies. Eilish shows off the radiance of her instrument, particularly in her upper register. Co-written with FINNEAS, the musical backdrop is elite. The sound is rhythmic. There is a ‘cool energy’ for much of the song. Still, the crescendoing synths are ear-catching, adding punch during the bridge. Beyond the accompaniment and Eilish’s vocals, the songwriting is the biggest selling point – the crème de la crème. Eilish references the film and her life, too. “When I come back around, will I know what to say / Said you won’t forget my name,” she sings in the first verse, adding, “Not today, not tomorrow / Kinda strange, feelin’ sorrow.” In the second, she memorably sings, “Said, ‘I need to be alone now, I’m takin’ a break’ / How come when I returned, you were gone away?” It may be Spirited Away, but it also sounds like matters of Billie’s heart. The ‘chorus’ marks another winning moment:

“Open up the door, can you open up the door?

I know you said before you can’t cope with anymore

You told me it was war, said you’d show me what’s in store

I hope it’s not for sure, can you open up the door?”

“CHIHIRO”, which peaked at no. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, is superb.

Appears in 🔻:

Billie Eilish, CHIHIRO: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 81 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Charli XCX, “360”

Brat // Atlantic // 2024

“Drop down, yeah / Lookin’ like an icon / Work angles, yeah.” Charli XCX excels at bops. The brief “360” qualifies as a bop in the pop/electronic realm. A. G. Cook and Cirkut produced this hyperpop gem from Charli’s marvelous, Grammy-nominated album, Brat. The production is sleek, characterized by its minimalist, rhythmic synths, and anchored by a banging beat. Backed by a sick instrumental, she brings ample attitude and personality. The melodies are tuneful, and the lyrics are catchy. “I’m tectonic, moves, I make ‘em,” she asserts in the first verse, continuing, “Shock you like defibrillators.” In the second, her “legacy is undebated,” and, “If you love it, if you hate it / I don’t fucking care what you think.” Oh, snap! The pre-chorus (excerpted at the top) and chorus are the most memorable sections of “360.” In the fierce chorus, she sings, “Yeah, 360 / When you’re in the mirror, do you like what you see? / When you’re in the mirror, you’re just looking at me.” “360” is brief but potent. This marks another fun, surefire bop from Charli.

Appears in 🔻:

Bops That Pop: May 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Clairo, “Juna”

Charm // Clairo // 2024

“Most of these days / I don’t get too intimate / Why would I let you in? / But I think again.” “Sexy To Someone” wasn’t the only Clairo (Claire Cottrill) gem from 2024. Cottrill gave her ‘sexy’ song a run for its money with “Juna,” the seventh track from her third album, Charm. On “Juna,” Clairo delivers smooth, sensual, refined, and beautiful vocals. The production is gorgeous with its jazzy, soulful, and old-school vibes. The harmonic progression adds to many selling points. Thematically, Cottrill has found the real deal – a deeper connection with that special somebody. “(You make me wanna) Go buy a new dress / (You make me wanna) Slip off a new dress,” she sings in the second verse, asserting in the pre-chorus, “I don’t even try / I don’t have to think / With you, there’s no pretending.” She sums up her feelings in the centerpiece, the chorus: “You know me, you know me / And I just might know you too, oh you / Come to me ready.” “Juna” isn’t only one of the year’s best songs, but it’s also one of the best songs from Clairo’s catalog.

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar, “Like That”

WE DON’T TRUST YOU // Wilburn Holding Co. / Boominati Worldwide / Epic // 2024

One of the big catalysts in the Kendrick Lamar and Drake rap beef of 2024 is the Billboard Hot 100 no. 1 hit, “Like That.” “Like That” appears on WE DON’T TRUST YOU, the first of two collaborative albums by Grammy-winning rapper Future and ‘it’ hip-hop producer, Metro Boomin. Young Metro and Prince 85 produced, incorporating a trio of samples. Kendrick is the featured guest where he memorably asserts in the second verse, “Motherfuck the big three, nigga, it’s just big me / Nigga, bum / What? I’m really like that / And your best work is a light pack.” WOO 😮‍💨! Future does ‘Future’ things in the first verse (“I know she gon’ swallow, she a G.O.A.T.” and “Bring a friend, bitch, we fucked ‘em at the same time”). His bread is buttered in the chorus where he takes a shot at his former collaborator: “Niggas from the bottom really like that (If you like that).” “Like That” is one of the biggest rap songs of 2024 from one of the biggest albums.

Appears in 🔻:

40 Best Songs of 2024 (So Far)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Kehlani, “After Hours”

Crash // TSNMI / Atlantic // 2024

“After Hours” appears on Crash, the fourth studio album by Grammy-nominated R&B artist Kehlani. A terrific groove is established at the onset. Notably, “After Hours” samples “Coolie Dance Rhythm” by Cordel “Scatta” Burrell. Fun fact: “Coolie Dance Rhythm” was also sampled in the 2004 Nina Sky hit, “Move Ya Body”. With an electrifying instrumental supporting them, Kehlani brings the heat. Kehlani serves up clear, sexy vocals. They never over sing, maintaining a cool, calm, and collected approach. Lyrically, “the song isn’t deep but enjoyable – a vibe. “We don’t gotta take it slow / I’ma hit the gas if you’re ready to go,” they sing in the first verse, adding in the second, “We ain’t even know they turned on the lights / We missed the last call ridin’ on a high.” Ooh, we! The section to beat is the tuneful chorus:

“Why don’t you stay?

Stay here after hours

I know you don’t wanna leave

Stay here for after hours.”

All told, “After Hours” is a pleasant, well-rounded, and sexy, pop-oriented R&B cut.

Appears in 🔻:

40 Best Songs of 2024 (So Far)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Kendrick Lamar, “squabble up”

GNX // pgLang / Interscope // 2024

“God knows / I am reincarnated / I was stargazin’ / Life goes on, I need all my babies.” Kendrick Lamar kicks off “squabble up”, a gem from his sixth studio album, GNX, with a bang. “Squabble up” is fun and funky, and finds K-Dot impressive with his pen, personality, cadence, and flow: “Woke up lookin’ for the broccoli / High-key, keep a horn on me, that Kamasi / IP, ownership, the blueprint is by me / Mr. Get Off, I get off and mop feet.” Each line deserves decoding and annotation. Lamar produced it with Scott Bridgeway, Jack Antonoff, Sounwave, and M-Tech. “Squabble Up” earned a special distinction: it debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100! Squabble up, Los Angeles lingo, has two meanings: to fight (square up) or to dance. Kendrick captures both meanings superbly in “Squabble Up.” At the end of the clever first verse, Lamar asserts, “I got the money and the power both gyratin’.” The second and third verses continue to show how impressive the second track from GNX is. “I got friends, I got foes, but they all sitting ducks,” he asserts in the second, adding, “Hit his turf and get crackin’, double back like deluxe.” Oh, snap! In the third verse, some colorful lines are addressing his beef with Drake: “It was woof tickets on sale ‘til I silenced it / Pipe down, young, these some whole other politics / Bitch with him and some bitch in him, that’s a lot of bitch / Don’t hit him, he got kids with him, my apologies.” The crème de la crème is the chorus. It is infectious lyrically, not to mention the personality K-Dot shows:

“I feel good, get the fuck out my face

Look good, but she don’t got no taste

I walk in, walked out with the safe

Mando, let me know what the play.”

Kendrick Lamar killed it on “squabble up”!

Appears in 🔻:

Kendrick Lamar, squabble up: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 97 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Kim Gordon, “BYE BYE”

The Collective // Kim Gordon / Matador // 2024

“Buy a suitcase, pants to the cleaner / Cigarettes for Keller / Call the vet call the groomer / Call the dog sitter.” “BYE BYE” commences The Collective, the second solo album by the legendary Kim Gordon. Gordon penned “BYE BYE” alongside producer SADPONY (Justin Raisen). Ear-catching from the onset, the record sounds distorted, noisy, and malicious. The beat that anchors ‘goes hard’ – NO CAP! Kim Gordon and trap? Who would’ve ever thought? “Milk thistle, calcium, high-rise, boot cut / Advil, black jeans, blue jeans…” Throughout, Gordon delivers a chanted, spoken-word performance. No, she’s not a rapper, but that’s the effect she has on “BYE BYE”, particularly given that nasty trap beat. After wowing with her ‘bars,’ following the third verse (“YSL, Eckhaus Latta / Eyelash curler, vibrator, teaser / Bye-Bye / Bye-Bye”), the remainder of the song focuses on the instrumental, which grows noisier and more chaotic. That is a win! An odd, experimental track, that is the charm of “BYE BYE”, a surefire, certified vibe.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Leon Thomas, “MUTT”

MUTT // UMG Recordings, Inc. / EZMNY // 2024

“She said, ‘Take your time, what’s the rush?’ / I said, ‘Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt.’” Woof, woof, woof! R&B singer/songwriter Leon Thomas struck gold with his honest single, “MUTT”. “MUTT” appeared on his second studio album, MUTT. In the infectious 11^th track, Thomas delivers a soulful vocal performance. Additionally, the musical backdrop oozes with soulful vibes. Produced by D. Phelps and Freaky Rob, “MUTT” gets a lift from an old-school sample: “Silly Love Song” by the soul collective Enchantment. The song was inspired by Thomas’ sad dog after fighting with his cat, according to Billboard. In the interview with Kyle Denis, Thomas adds, “I saw the similarities between [the dog and I and] how we have good intentions, but we don’t always do the right thing.” His Genius Verified video also confirms this.

The chorus (excerpted above) is the centerpiece. Tuneful, it easily gets stuck inside your head. The verses and pre-chorus are ‘no slouch’ either. “I can’t smoke on Reggie 💨, so pardon my bluntness,” Thomas sings in the first verse, adding, “I see past pretty faces, so I got trouble trusting.” Oh, snap! The second verse is more colorful, referencing pant size (32), gun (32), and popping “a shroom to recreate the feeling / But it’s never the same as the first time we did it.” In the pre-chorus, despite his reservations, he’s allowing himself to be vulnerable, inviting her to “break my heart if you want to.” Ultimately, “MUTT” is a surefire vibe – one of the best songs of 2024, hands down.

Appears in 🔻:

Leon Thomas, MUTT: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 99 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Omar Apollo, “Dispose of Me”

God Said No // Warner // 2024

“And I don’t see you anymore, but the words you left me are always in my ears / Always in my tears.” Those pesky matters of the heart have affected our dear, gifted, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, Omar Apollo. “Dispose of Me” is the second single from his deeply personal, sophomore album, God Said No. It was written by Apollo, Billy Walsh, Oscar Santander, and Blake Slatkin. It was produced by Santander, Slatkin, and Teo Halm. Like most Omar Apollo songs, “Dispose of Me” is giving sheer musical excellence. The production of “Dispose of Me” is subtle and tastefully executed. Furthermore, the accompanying instrumental is smooth and soulful. The guitars stand out, sounding awesome without being overt or forcing things. The backdrop is the perfect fuel for Omar who shines with his gorgeous, nuanced vocals from the beginning. He’s authentic and honest in his performance. Thematically, he recalls a past love: “You’re a gentleness my body just won’t forget / You’re a handprint on my heart I just can’t possess.” Aww. He doesn’t want to let it go, commandingly singing in the second verse, “Can we try again? / You know we had potential.” The section to beat is the chorus which features a tuneful melody and memorable lyrics:

“It doesn’t matter if it’s twenty-five years, twenty-five months

It doesn’t matter if it’s twenty-five days, it was real love

We got too much history

So, don’t just dispose of me…”

Notably, Apollo’s falsetto during the chorus only ups the ante of this fabulous song. “Dispose of Me” marks “another one,” aka, another hit, from the handsome, talented singer/songwriter.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Omar Apollo, “Drifting”

God Said No // Warner // 2024

“I wish I could jump from here / I wish I could fall from here / Could you take all my fears? / ‘Cause I’m drifting / I’m drifting away.” Ah, the escapism! The stunning, gay Mexican American singer/songwriter Omar Apollo (Omar Velasco) is talented. Before officially coming out, the queer elements of Apollo’s music were easily perceptible. In his second studio album, God Said No, Omar further embraces who he is. “Drifting” marks one of many gems from his underrated sophomore LP. Teo Halm produced “Drifting,” which samples “Edge of The Ocean” by Ivy. Omar sounds stellar throughout “Drifting.” He sings expressively and with ease. Even so, he is reflecting on his feelings. As light as the calm and cool but rhythmic backdrop is, as are Omar’s pipes, the things weighing on him are heavier. At the end of the first verse, he sings, “Last night was the last night / That I tried to ignore.” So, he seeks to move forward from “past life.” In the second verse, he admits he’s “more restless than before.” That leads to the pre-chorus, where Velasco admits, “And I’m so tired of climbing / I can’t let go, maybe I should let go.” Perhaps. That, in turn, leads to the centerpiece, the chorus, excerpted earlier. He seeks that happier, sunnier place, something Dominique Durand expounds on in the post-chorus (“There’s a place I dream about / Where the sun never goes out…”). Omar Apollo is the sugar honey iced tea – how many more ways can I say it? “Drifting” is awesome!

Appears in 🔻:

Omar Apollo, Drifting: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 63 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Orville Peck & Willie Nelson, “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other”

Stampede // Orville Peck, LLC / Warner // 2024

In 2024, beloved, gay country artist, Orville Peck, duetted with Willie Nelson on a brand-new cover of the queer, Ned Sublette-penned country gem “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other”. This 2024 rendition from Peck’s album, Stampede, was produced by Beau Bedford. The instrumental is subtle, which is perfect for allowing Peck and Nelson’s voices to shine. Peck starts things off with his expressive, masculine baritone. His tone is EVERYTHING. Gay men are often pigeonholed and stereotyped as being effeminate. Just hearing a ‘manly’ voice, from an openly gay musician, singing lyrics about male/male relationships is intriguing (“No, a small town don’t like it when a cowboy has feelings for men”). Following Peck’s verse, Nelson performs the second, delivering one of the best lyrics of the song: “But the ones [cowboys] who brag loudest are the ones that are most likely queer.” There is truth to the lyrics too, and it doesn’t simply limit itself to cowboys. Peck and Nelson join forces in the choruses, bringing out the cowboy love in, well, all its queerness. Following an instrumental break, Peck takes over the reins in the third verse, once more wowing with his awesome pipes. He manages to drop in the most colorful verse: “So, when you talk to a cowboy, don’t treat him like he was a sister / You can’t fuck with a lady that’s sleepin’ in each cowboy’s head.” Peck and Nelson join forces together on the queer country classic that is “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other”, it’s nothing short of magic!

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Post Malone & Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help”

F-1 Trillion // Mercury / Republic // 2024

“They say, ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’ / Hell, I had some help.” Post Malone officially entered his country era with “I Had Some Help”, the promo single from F-1 Trillion. He collaborates with Morgan Wallen, country music’s ‘it’ boy. The production and sound fully embrace the country aesthetic – GUITARS. It was produced by Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, and Louis Bell. “I Had Some Help” debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 beginning a dominant run. Post Malone sings the first verse and the first chorus, the centerpiece filled with that teamwork makes the dream work mentality. “You got a lotta nerve, don’t you, baby? / I only hit the curb ‘cause you made me,” he sings, adding, “Why’d you throw them stones if you / Had a wild hair of your own or two?” His signature vocal cues are in play, namely that distinct vibrato. Wallen amps up the twang in the second verse. “You think that you’re so innocent / After all the shit you did,” he sings, continuing, “I ain’t an angel, you ain’t heaven-sent / Can’t wash our hands of this.” The melodies are tuneful in the verses, with the chorus taking the cake:

“I had some help

It ain’t like I can make this kinda mess all by myself

Don’t act like you ain’t help me pull that bottle off the shelf

Been deep in every weekend if you couldn’t tell

They say, ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’

Hell, I had some help.”

The bridge is also entertaining. Ultimately, “I Had Some Help” is catchy and enjoyable.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Sexyy Red, “Get It Sexyy”

In Sexyy We Trust // Open Shift / gamma. // 2024

“Slim, thick, chrome skin / 5’5”, this bitch a ten (Yeah) / Hair done, bills paid / Catch me slidin’ in a Benz…” Sexyy Red is something else! Ultimately, it’s how unapologetic and outlandish the rapper is that makes her interesting, even if the bars she spits lack transcendence. There are far better and more talented rappers, but songs that ‘go stupid’ like “Get It Sexyy” from her 2024 mixtape, In Sexyy We Trust, are entertaining to listen to. Tay Keith and Jake Fridkis produced. They give her a malicious, minor-key backdrop that perfectly fuels her fire. She’s true to herself with simple, highly sexual bars, and ample confidence. Beyond the chorus (excerpted above), Sexyy Red delivers a sole verse with no shortage of wild bars. “Yeah, boy, you know this ass super fat (I ain’t lyin’, though),” she brags, continuing, “Fuck me good, I’m throwin’ that shit back (I’m his favorite hoe).” There’s more, with the likes of “Big Sexy blood, love the hoes / Bounce that ass, touch them toes / Booty shorts, coochie swoll / Thong all up my booty hole.” Woo! She also manages to flip a nursery rhyme and make it, ratchet: “Little miss Sexyy walkin’ down the street (Beep beep) / I don’t know what to do ‘cause the niggas after me (Yeah, yeah).” Like many of her other records, there is clapping because why not? As ‘stupid’ as “Get It Sexxy” goes, it has some enjoyable, melodic moments in the backdrop. Even though it lacks class and depth, and has no shame, it’s incredibly entertaining.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

St. Vincent, “Broken Man”

All Born Screaming // Total Pleasure // 2024

“On the street, I’m a king-sized killer / I can make your come.” From the jump, “Broken Man” is an ear-catching gem from St. Vincent (Annie Clark). St. Vincent ‘brings it’ on this high-energy tour de force from her self-produced album, All Born Screaming. “Broken Man” engages from the onset. The instrumental is unique – distinct, intriguing, and minimal. This minimalist sound is hypnotic, serving as the perfect accompaniment to her. Clark delivers colorful, distinct vocals atop the backdrop. She brings ample attitude and personality to the table. “Hey, what are you looking at? / Who the hell do you think I am?” she asks in the memorable chorus, adding, “Like you’ve never seen a broken man.” Woo! After establishing the minimalism in the opening verse, “Broken Man” gets fuller instrumentation in the second, led by the lyrics, “Lover, nail yourself right to me / If you go, I won’t be well…” That’s a moment in itself. Notably, boisterous, distorted guitars (and synths) kick some serious ass… AND TAKE NAMES! By the conclusion of “Broken Man,” it has transformed into this epic, hard-rocking alternative cut bearing some industrial influence. St. Vincent is one of a kind, something she flexes hard on the must-hear “Broken Man”.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

SZA, “Saturn”

“Saturn” // Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA // 2024

“If there’s a point to losing love / Repeating pain (Why?) / It’s all the same (Same) / I hate this place.” Grammy-winning R&B artist SZA has outer space on her mind in her single, “Saturn”… to an extent. She needs a change of pace, one that doesn’t seem like an option on Earth or in her current trajectory. In the pre-chorus, she asserts, “Stuck in this paradigm / Don’t believe in paradise / This must be what hell is like.” She adds that she’s “Sick of this head of mine / Intrusive thoughts, they paralyze.” Getting inside of your dome can mess you up! What isn’t a mess in the least is “Saturn” from a musical perspective. The lyrics and instrumental are fabulous. The backdrop matches the introspective nature of the lyrics with a recurrent, string-like rhythmic synth, robust bass line, and soulful groove. The melodies are tuneful and rhythmic in the verses, where SZA is critical of her current status and has questions. In the second verse, she asks, “If karma’s really real / How am I still here?” As she sings, she sounds radiant, with that signature, expressive and warm tone. The section to beat is the chorus, where Saturn arrives, ‘rings’ and all: “Ooh / Life’s better on Saturn / Got to break this pattern / Of floating away / Ooh / Find something worth saving / It’s all for the taking / I always say.” Ultimately, “Saturn” is nothing short of delightful.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Tems, “Love Me JeJe”

Born in the Wild // RCA / Since 93’ // 2024

“Hold me in your arms, in your love and your light.” Ooh-wee! Grammy-winning Nigerian Afrobeats and R&B singer Tems shines on “Love Me JeJe”. “Love Me JeJe,” which samples the 1997 song, “Love Me JeJe” by Seyi Sodimu is the fifth track on her album, Born in the Wild. “Love Me JeJe” is pleasant and well-rounded. The production by GuiltyBeatz is a selling point. The repurposing of the Seyi Sodimu song bodes in Tems’ favor. The sound is chill and smooth. Furthermore, the rhythmic groove that anchors is lit. Tems delivers beautiful, easygoing vocals. Does she ever break a sweat? Nope, it doesn’t seem like it! The melodies and the verses are tuneful making the ears perk up. Matters of the heart drive the narrative – not surprising given the song title. “I need your lovin’, so fresh, so clean / Love me in and out, unfailingly,” she sings in the first verse, asserting in the pre-chorus, “Because I love, and I love, and I love, and I love you only.” That’s a lot of love! The section to beat is the chorus!

“I’m on your wave right now (wave)

I’m on your wave right now, yeah (wave)

I’m on your vibe now, you got me on your side now, yeah

I’m on your wave right now, woah, woah, woah, yeah.”

“Love Me JeJe” = V-I-B-E.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

WILLOW, “b i g f e e l i n g s”

empathogen // WILLOW / Three Six Zero / gamma. // 2024

“I have such big feelings / Can’t shut ‘em down without a sound.” On “b i g f e e l i n g s” from empathogen, WILLOW (Willow Smith) embraces jazz. What makes “b i g f e e l i n g s” such a triumph for WILLOW? EVERYTHING! If you had to pinpoint one overall thing, however, it is the innovative spirit. “b i g f e e l i n g s” is superbly written (Smith, Zach Tenorio, and Chris Greatti), the lyrics are honest (“I know I’m not fine / But yes, I say I’m fine”), and the vocal delivery is epic. WILLOW sounds awesome singing alone, as well as when her vocals are harmonized. Her performance is playful and, most impressively, highly skilled. Jazz is not an easy genre to perform, yet she seems to do so with ease. The chorus is superb as she expresses those ‘big feelings.’ Still, the bridge is the section to beat. “I know I have, I know you have problems,” she sings, against badass, dissonant piano. The descending melodic line at the end of the bridge on the word problems is genius. “b i g f e e l i n g s” is a breath of fresh air – it goes against the grain and that is part of its charm. Furthermore, the musicianship is top-notch. WILLOW taps into something special.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Ariana Grande, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)”	Artemas, “I like the way you kiss me”	Beyoncé, “Texas Hold ‘Em”	Billie Eilish, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
Billie Eilish, “LUNCH”	Chappell Roan, “Good Luck, Babe!”	Charli XCX, “Girl, so confusing” (Ft. Lorde)	Charli XCX, “Von dutch”
Doechii, “Denial Is A River”	Doechii, “Nissan Altima”	GloRilla, “TGIF”	Hozier, “Too Sweet”
Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”	Megan Thee Stallion, “HISS”	Sabrina Carpenter, “Espresso”	Sabrina Carpenter, “Please Please Please”
Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”	Tinashe, “Nasty”	Tommy Richman, “MILLION DOLLAR BABY”	Tyler, The Creator, “Sticky”

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

Ariana Grande, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)”

eternal sunshine // Republic // 2024

“I don’t wanna tiptoe, but I don’t wanna hide / But I don’t wanna feed this monstrous fire,” Ariana Grande sings in the first verse of “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”, a juggernaut from her stupendous seventh studio album, eternal sunshine. She continues singing in the first verse of the second single from the LP, “Just wanna let this story die / And I’ll be alright.” I love the subtlety of the thudding beat (four on the floor), which is part of the tasteful nature of the production. In the chorus, the thuds and the intensity of the backdrop become more dynamic, fitting given the rise to the occasion. “We can’t be friends” features colorful synths and a driving bass line – always a winning formula for the accompaniment! Another part of the winning formula is the violins, which appear at the end. With her elite vocals being her calling card, Grande delivers an honest and memorable chorus:

“We can’t be friends

But I’d like to just pretend

You cling to your papers and pens

Wait until you like me again.”

Lyrically, “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” marks one of the cleverest songs of eternal sunshine, making you question if she’s referencing her ex-husband (Dalton Gomez), the media, or both simultaneously.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Artemas, “I like the way you kiss me”

yustyna // Artemas // 2024

“I like the way you kiss me, I can tell you miss me / I can tell it hits, hits, hits, hits.” English-Cypriot singer, songwriter, and producer Artemas (Artemas Diamandis) released a surefire bop with the infectious “I like the way you kiss me”, a highlight from his mixtape, yustyna. Artemas penned this ‘NSA’ record with Jesse Fink and his fellow producers, Kevin White and Daintree. “I like the way you kiss me” is ‘anti-romance’ – rather, perceived anti-romance – at its best. In the chorus, Artemas continues, “Not tryna be romantic, I’ll hit it from the back / Just so you don’t get attached.” Still, by the time the first verse arrives, he asserts, “You take the heat, and with such grace / You say we’re done, but here you stay.” Hmm, sounds like more than sex… “Said you’re scared I’ll let you down… / Stick around and you’ll find out.” Still, in the second verse, one wonders what kind of scene he’s getting at, particularly since he asks, “Can we make it loud?” Regardless, Artemas is proud of his baby, attached or nah. “I like the way you kiss me” is something Artemas should be proud of given the energy he brings and the colorful, driving sound.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Beyoncé, “Texas Hold ‘Em”

Cowboy Carter // Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia // 2024

“This ain’t Texas (Woo) / Ain’t no hold ‘em (Hey) / So lay your cards down, down, down, down.” Grammy-winning superstar Beyoncé, originally from Texas, The Longhorn State, unveiled the spirited, country/western-pop single, “Texas Hold ‘Em”. “Texas Hold ‘Em” is one of many triumphs from her country-infused album, Cowboy Carter. She penned the record alongside Lowell, bülow, Raphael Saadiq, Nathan Ferraro, and Killah B. She produced it alongside Killah B and Ferraro. The country flavor is apparent from the onset. Beyoncé’s voice is top-notch. She exhibits ample personality referencing the poker game in the memorable chorus. Besides her fabulous lead vocals, the background vocals are sweet too! Oh, the harmonies! Less explicit than some of her recent songs, she still musters up profanity, whether it’s “There’s a tornado / In my city / Hit the basement / That shit ain’t pretty” (verse one) or “Don’t be a bitch, come take it to the floor now / And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you (chorus).” “Texas Hold ‘Em” is a pleasure to listen to. It reminds us of her versatility and that black artists can sing and excel at country music.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Billie Eilish, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT // Darkroom / Interscope // 2024

“I want you to stay / ‘Til I’m in the grave / ‘Til I rot away, dead and buried / ‘Til I’m in the casket you carry.” The love that a hypnotic Billie Eilish sings about on “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” is special – once-in-a-lifetime. A more subdued vocalist, Eilish’s approach and style are mesmerizing. On the fourth track from her commercially successful and critically acclaimed third album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, Billie never forces things, delivering sweet, easygoing, and amorous vocals. As usual, her right-hand man, brother, and fellow Grammy and Academy Award winner, FINNEAS (Finneas O’Connell), co-wrote and produced “BIRDS OF A FEATHER.” Ear-catching, “BIRDS” is groovy from the onset and never lets up.

With her angelic lead vocals, Billie Eilish delivers tuneful melodies during the verses and chorus. Furthermore, she delivers memorable lyrics. “But you’re so full of shit, uh / Tell me it’s a bit,” she sings in the second verse, “Say you don’t see it, your mind’s polluted / Say you wanna quit, don’t be stupid.” The chorus is the section to beat, of course:

“Birds of a feather, we should stick together, I know (‘Til the day that I die)

I said I’d never think I wasn’t better alone (‘Til the light leaves my eyes)

Can’t change the weather, might not be forever (‘Til the day that I die)

But if it’s forever, it’s even better.”

Besides those refined lead vocals, the harmonized background vocals are sweet, too. A big-time hit for Eilish, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, among her highest-charting singles. “I don’t think I could love you more.” So, so sweet!

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Billie Eilish, BIRDS OF A FEATHER: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 83 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Billie Eilish, “LUNCH”

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT // Darkroom / Interscope // 2024

“I could eat that girl for lunch / Yeah, she dances on my tongue / Taste like she might be the one.” Academy and Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Billie Eilish is honest regarding attraction and sexuality in her song, “LUNCH”. “I’m interested in more than just bein’ your friend,” she adds in the bridge. “LUNCH” is the second track from her critically acclaimed, third studio album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. An authentic, honest, and personal track, Eilish embraces her queerness. In 2023, she came out unintentionally, stating she didn’t know people were unaware of her attraction to women. Early on “LUNCH,” Eilish is transparent about having a relationship with a woman. She adds in the centerpiece, the chorus, “It’s a craving, not a crush.” The lyric legitimizes her desire – it’s no fluke.

In the verses, Eilish ‘opens up’ about her feelings about this girl. All the while, she maintains the lunch metaphor. “Baby, I think you were made for me / Somebody write down the recipe,” she sings in the first verse, adding, “Been tryin’ hard not to overeat / You’re just so sweet.” Things progress, with Eilish offering to help this girl ‘take off her clothes,’ desiring to “get her off.” In the second verse, she’s impressed with her beautiful looks, complimenting her skin. She cleverly concludes the verse by singing, “She’s the headlights, I’m the deer.” What makes “LUNCH” impressive is how vulnerable Eilish allows herself to be. Navigating sexuality is difficult. That is an understatement! Here, with her amazing, distinct voice, and the stellar production of her right-hand man, FINNEAS, Eilish conveys her truth, masking nothing. This “LUNCH” is delicious and makes us beam ear to ear with Pride 🏳️‍🌈.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Chappell Roan, “Good Luck, Babe!”

“Good Luck, Babe!” // KRA International, Inc. / Island // 2024

“I don’t wanna call it off / But you don’t wanna call it love / You only wanna be the one that I call baby.” Chappell Roan is comfortable with her sexuality in her thrilling, breakout hit, “Good Luck, Babe!”. Her girlfriend, however, is struggling with accepting her sexuality, complicating their relationship. “You can say that we are nothing, but you know the truth,” Roan asserts in the first verse, adding, “And I guess I’m the fool.” Being queer in a heteronormative world can be tough, and Roan’s girlfriend didn’t reach a level of comfort. Roan paints the picture of the end of this relationship because of these unfair, unfortunate circumstances (“Think I’m gonna call it off / Even if you call it love / I just wanna love someone who calls me baby”). The damage has been done. In the chorus, she wishes her luck suppressing her sexuality to fit the heterosexual narrative of the word:

“You can kiss a hundred boys in bars

Shoot another shot, try to stop the feeling

… Make another excuse, another stupid reason

Good luck, babe (Well, good luck).”

Roan, Justin Tranter, and producer, Dan Nigro composed this colorful, dynamic, meaningful, and thoughtful song. The sound is alternative pop with a standard rhythm section, programming, and strings. Chappell is an awesome singer who shows off the versatility of her instrument. Most importantly, the epic “Good Luck, Babe!” addresses a prevalent issue within the LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 community and how complicated same-sex relationships can be and dispels the myopic view/myth that queer relationships as merely sexual.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Charli XCX, “Girl, so confusing” (Ft. Lorde)

Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat // Atlantic // 2024

Charli XCX produced nothing but bops – surefire bangers – from Brat and Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat. One of the best-remixed songs was “Girl, so confusing” featuring Grammy-winning alternative pop singer/songwriter Lorde. “Girl, so confusing” commences with ear-catching vocals and sound effects. Produced by A. G. Cook, the sounds are sublime, with a heavy synth bass and thudding dance beat. The vocals during the first verse by Charli XCX are more ‘talked’ and less pitched. “Yeah, I don’t know if you like me / Sometimes I think you might hate me,” she sings, continuing, “Sometimes I think I might hate you / Maybe you just wanna be me.” Is she referencing Lorde? Following the memorable chorus, Lorde addresses Charli, asserting, “Let’s work it out on the remix.” Lorde delivers a remarkable confessional verse, admitting, “‘Cause for the last couple years / I’ve been at war with my body / I tried to starve myself thinner / And then I gained all the weight back.” A stellar pre-chorus follows this epic verse, where the comparisons between both artists are brought to light: “People say we’re alike / They say we’ve got the same hair / It’s you and me on the coin / The industry loves to spend.” Charli XCX and Lorde make a formidable pair on “Girl, so confusing,” a rare remix that deserves recognition as one of the best songs of 2024.

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Charli XCX, “Von dutch”

Brat // Atlantic // 2024

According to Charli XCX, “I’m just living that life / Von Dutch, cult classic, but I still pop.” “Von dutch” is the promo single and sixth track from tour de force, Brat. It references the clothing brand, yet it’s not really about the brand. This electro- / hyperpop banger was written by Charli and produced by EASYFUN, who puts his foot into this one. From the jump, it’s groovy, the synths picturesque, and the overall vibe giving #DANCEFLOOR. Besides the banging instrumental, the biggest reason for the success of this banger is Charli. She has no shortage of personality, pointing fingers at the haters early on. Before “living that life / Von Dutch,” she asserts in the verse, “It’s okay just to admit that you’re jealous of me / Yeah, I heard you talk about me, that’s the word on the street.” Essentially, she reads this person something fierce, adding, “You’re obsessing, just confess it, put your hands up / It’s obvious I’m your number one.” Woo! Continuing with the chorus, excerpted earlier, XCX keeps the Von Dutch vibes going: “Von Dutch, cult classic in your eardrums / Why you lying? You won’t fuck unless he’s famous / Do that little dance, without it, you’d be nameless / It’s so obvious I’m your number one.” What more is there to say? Charli XCX sounds fierce on this infectious, attitude-laden pop single.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Doechii, “Denial Is A River”

Alligator Bites Never Heal // Top Dawg Entertainment / Capitol // 2024

“Remember old dude from 2019, nice clean nigga, did me dirtier than laundry / Took a scroll through his IG, just to get a DM from his wifey… / I open up the message, then had to hit the zoom / Turns out the girl was really a dude?” WOO! Florida rapper Doechii delivered a fierce debut mixtape with Alligator Bites Never Heal. Many of the songs from the dynamic, Grammy-nominated tape deserve recognition. Among the best songs not named “Nissan Altima” is “Denial Is a River.” In the fourth track, Doechii highlights the storytelling of classic hip-hop, delivering honest, humorous, smart, and unapologetic rhymes and raw rhymes. Ian James beats, Joey Hamhock, and Banser produced the badass banger. “Denial” feels like a therapy session as she confides in a friend about her life. Doechii brings an epic cadence and flow with ample personality. There is no shortage of memorable rhymes, as evidenced by the excerpted first verse. In the second verse, she discusses her successes. In the third, she opens up about her lifestyle:

“I mean fuck, I like pills, I like drugs

I like gettin’ money, I like strippers, I like to fuck

I like day-drinkin’ and day parties and Hollywood

I like doin’ Hollywood shit, snort it, probably would.”

“Denial Is a River” distinguishes itself from other rap songs released in 2024. It’s sensational!

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Doechii, “Nissan Altima”

Alligator Bites Never Heal // Top Dawg Entertainment / Capitol // 2024

“Wake up, A-cup, get your tits sucked / In my makeup, face-fuck, get your bake up.” Da-yum, Doechii! The Grammy-nominated rapper dropped a rap banger in “Nissan Altima” more entertaining than driving a Nissan Altima. The rapper’s fast-paced, explicit, and unapologetic rhymes are engaging and entertaining. The chorus of this Alligator Bites Never Heals highlight gets off to a roaring start as Doechii shows off an epic cadence and flow. “Rates up, jig’s up, put your dicks up / Get your dicks sucked, put your motherfuckin’ sticks up.” Childish Major produced “Nissan Altima” giving Doechii a mean backdrop to ‘kick ass and take names’ over. It’s more than ‘sucking’ in the chorus. “But bougie mean she freaky, cunnilingus, Dalai Lama / Doechii cooler than a fan, but she get hotter than a sauna.” Beyond the sex references, she’s confident, asserting, “I’m the new hip-hop Madonna, I’m the trap Grace Jones.” Also, she’s unafraid to share her sexual preferences, adding, “I’m a real fly bitch, you in coach ho / I’m a real bi bitch, every coast, ho.” In the equally entertaining second verse, regarding sexuality, she adds, “She swapped the old nigga for a bitch, ain’t new, new / She munchin’ on the box while she watchin’ Hulu.” A Nissan Altima (the car) is never named in the song but appears as the car of choice in the music video. “Nissan Altima” was easily one of the best rap performances and songs of 2024. BANGER EXTRAORDINAIRE!

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Doechii, Nissan Altima: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 96 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

GloRilla, “TGIF”

GLORIOUS // CMG / Interscope // 2024

“It’s 7 p.m. Friday / It’s 95º / I ain’t got no nigga and no nigga ain’t got me.” Woo! GloRilla (Gloria Hallelujah Woods) dropped a surefire rap banger with “TGIF” in the summer of 2024. “TGIF” graced her 2024 debut album, GLORIOUS. In the refrain that follows, and sometimes precedes the infectious chorus, she spits, “Turnt up with my niggas / Turnt up with my bitches / …Sixty thousand fans came to see me do my dance / Got a million and one haters, and they all can kiss my ass.” Oh, snap! Chaii Beats produced “TGIF,” which thrives off a skeletal instrumental – a knocking beat and minor-key synths. “TGIF” samples “So silly !” by Koto. A top 40 hit, “TGIF” peaked at no. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100.

GloRilla is confident and unapologetic throughout “TGIF.” Her cadence and flow are electrifying. “Got a Backwood full of ‘Za and a bankroll full of bands,” she spits in the first verse, continuing, “All that, all that Twitter typin’, bitches see me and ain’t do nothin’ / Crop top with some biker shorts, I’m showin’ off my moose knuckle.” Holy shit 😳! She makes her fair share of sexual references whether it’s, “He love the way I sex,” or “I keep this pussy fresh / Yeezy shirt, I’m wet.” In the second verse, her confidence doesn’t cease, with “Fuck you mean? 40 inches, 6-13 / I’m lookin’ fine as hell (Woah), I’m tryna be seen.” Obviously! GloRilla thoroughly enjoys her “hot as hell” Friday night. Without a doubt, “TGIF” the song is also hot as hell. It’s a GLORIOUS banger!

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Hozier, “Too Sweet”

Unreal Unearth: Unheard // Rubyworks Ltd. // 2024

“It can’t be said I’m an early bird / It’s 10 o’clock before I say a word.” Grammy-nominated, Irish singer/songwriter Hozier (Andrew John Hozier-Byrne) is a straight-up vibe. He earned his first no.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with the sugary sweet “Too Sweet” (Unreal Unearth: Unheard). Hozier penned this earworm with Stuart Johnson, Tyler Mehlenbacher, and producers Bēkon, Peter Gonzales, and Sergiu Gherman (Chakra also produces). “Too Sweet” features smart, often poetic lyricism from Hozier. That said, the song isn’t difficult to decipher or decode. Hozier has been in a relationship with her, but he knows that she is “too sweet” for him – they’re incompatible. “You keep tellin’ me to live right / To go to bed before the daylight,” he sings in the first verse, adding, “But when you wake up for the sunrise / You know you don’t gotta pretend. He paints the picture of a more polished person – “Pretty as a vine / As sweet as a grape / If you can sit in a barrel / Maybe I’ll wait / Until that day” – which is not who he is or desires to be with. Hence, that’s why he asserts in the centerpiece, the chorus, “I think I’ll take my whiskey neat / My coffee black and my bed at three / You’re too sweet for me / You’re too sweet for me.” In addition to a masterful pen, Hozier sings delightfully, while the instrumental backdrop is – wait for it – “Too Sweet”!

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”

“Not Like Us” // Kendrick Lamar / Interscope // 2024

“I see dead people.” And so, begins the Kendrick Lamar diss directed toward Drake, “Not Like Us”. The sound is intentionally clubby and commercial. Atypical of him artistically, Kendrick clowned Drizzy post-“Family Matters”. “Not Like Us” was produced by Mustard, Sounwave, and Sean Momberger. “They not like us, they not like us, they not like us.” The sleekness of the instrumental is a selling point, but the bars ‘take the cake.’ Early on, K-Dot spits, “What’s up with these jabroni-ass niggas tryna see Compton?” He adds, “Beat your ass and hide the Bible if God watchin’.” He’s willing to compromise his Christianity to F him up. There’s more, in the first verse: “Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles,” and, “Why you trollin’ like a bitch? Ain’t you tired? Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor.” Gah-day-um! Verse two finds Lamar continuing to eat Drake TF up, bringing up skeletons in the closet: “Fucked on Wayne girl while he was in jail, that’s connivin’…” He clowns his moniker as the 6 God: “Devil is a lie, he a 69 God, ayy / Freaky-ass niggas need to stay they ass inside, ayy.” In the third verse, he criticizes his artistry, accusing him of using others for clout. One of the best jabs by K-Dot: “Let me hear you say, ‘OV-ho.’” “Not Like Us” is the third of three red-hot joints where Kendrick destroys his adversary.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Megan Thee Stallion, “HISS”

MEGAN // Hot Girl Productions LLC // 2024

“I feel like Mariah Carey (Mariah Carey), got these niggas so obsessed (Damn).” Damn, indeed, Megan Thee Stallion. The Grammy-winning rapper came out ‘hissing’ on “HISS”, a single and the opener from MEGAN. “HISS” was produced by LilJuMadeDaBeat, Bankroll Got It, and Shawn “Source” Jarrett. They gave her a hard backdrop to rap on. Notably, the record is comprised of two verses with no chorus. Thee Stallion gives us an intro at the beginning (“I just wanna kick this shit off by sayin’ fuck y’all”), and an interlude between the verses. Most importantly, as to be expected, there is no shortage of ear-catching bars. “My pussy so famous might get managed by Kris Jenner next,” she asserts in the first verse, following that epic, Mariah Carey / “Obsessed” lyric. She doesn’t stop there, in the same verse, spitting, “These hoes don’t be mad at Megan, these hoes mad at Megan’s Law,” and “Bitches swear they G, but the G must stand for goofy.” Shots fired at Nicki Minaj. The second verse is also fierce, with the likes of “Don’t speak on my body count if the dick ain’t worth comin’ back for seconds.” Ooh-wee! Her ex, Pardison Fontaine receives her wrath: “I’m way too fuckin’ cocky to take him back if he been cheatin’ / I can’t let none of you raggedy bitches think that y’all my equal.” On “HISS”, Thee Stallion confidently and unapologetic goes TF off. Fire!

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Sabrina Carpenter, “Espresso”

Short n’ Sweet // Island // 2024

“Now he’s thinkin’ ‘bout me every night, oh / Is it sweet? I guess so.” What’s most sweet for Sabrina Carpenter is the breakout year she’s had in 2024. The breakout? “Espresso.” “Espresso,” the seventh track from Short n’ Sweet, earned Carpenter her first top-5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It is a fun, groovy, and infectious pop song that easily gets stuck in your head. Yes, espresso is coffee but that’s not what Carpenter is getting at. This is a confident, sexy, grown-up pop record from Sabrina, who is 25 – no longer a child actress! “My give-a-fucks are on vacation,” she sings in the first verse, adding “And I got this one boy, and he won’t stop calling / When they act this way, I know I got ‘em.” Oh, snap! Another lyrical gem that Carpenter throws at the audience? “My twisted humor make him laugh so often / My honeybee, come and get this pollen.” Carpenter delivers a playful vocal performance, backed by a sleek Julian Bunetta-produced backdrop. “Espresso” is just the beginning for Sabrina Carpenter… literally!

Appears in 🔻:

40 Best Songs of 2024 (So Far)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Sabrina Carpenter, “Please Please Please”

Short n’ Sweet // Island // 2024

“I beg you, don’t embarrass me, motherfucker, oh / Please, please, please.” Sabrina Carpenter followed up her surefire bop “Espresso” with the groovy, vibe-heavy song, “Please Please Please”, from her album, Short n’ Sweet (arrives August 23, 2024). “Please³” was written by Carpenter, Amy Allen, and Jack Antonoff. Besides his writing credit, Antonoff produced the bright, major-key cut featuring acoustic and electronic instruments/music cues. She drops the mf-bomb in the chorus, but otherwise keeps things clean. What is the premise of the song, and why does she call him a motherfucker? He’s sus! The ‘sus-ness’ occurs early on as Carpenter cites her belief in her judgment regarding men though others disagree. Also, she urges her former boyfriend, an actor (Barry Keoghan), to “act like a stand-up guy / Whatever devil’s inside you, don’t let him out tonight.” How much of a liability is he? “Well, I have a fun idea, babe, maybe just stay inside,” she asserts in the second verse, adding, “And we could live so happily if no one knows that you’re with me.” Houston – rather, Sabrina – we have a problem! The chorus is the crème de la crème, with that ear-catching ‘mf’ line, continuing to encourage him to be on his best behavior. “Please Please Please” is pleasing to the ears because of great vocals by Carpenter, fabulous Antonoff production, tuneful melodies, and memorable songwriting.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”

***Where I’ve Been, isn’t Where I’m Going* // American Dogwood / EMPIRE // 2024**

Shaboozey (Collins Obinna Chibueze) delivers an entertaining country record with “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”, the second track on his 2024 album, Where I’ve Been, isn’t Where I’m Going. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” was written by Shaboozey, Nevin, Sean Cook, and Mark Williams. Nevin and Sean Cook also produced it. Fun is the modus operandi. Shaboozey doesn’t hold back on the personality. “My baby want a Birkin, she’s been tellin’ me all night long,” he sings in the first verse, later adding, “This 9 to 5 ain’t workin’, why the hell do I work so hard?” Birkins aren’t ‘country,’ but the reference to work – that’s country to the core! Also, ‘country’ is the pre-chorus and chorus, where he drowns his sorrows: “Tell ‘em, ‘bring another round,’ we need plenty more,” and “Someone pour me a double shot of whiskey / They know me, and Jack Daniel’s got a history.” Woo! The follow-up in the second verse is entertaining too – a drunk Shaboozey: “Woke up drunk at 10 a.m., we gon’ do this shit again / Tell your girl to bring a friend.” Shaboozey brings plenty of energy and fun to the table. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has been a dominant force on the Billboard Hot 100. Also, the hit earned Chibueze four of his five Grammy nominations.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Tinashe, “Nasty”

Quantum Baby // Tinashe Music Inc. / Nice Life Recording Company // 2024

“Is somebody gonna match my freak?” Now that IS the question, Tinashe. She follows up with, “Is somebody gonna match my nasty?” The contemporary R&B singer has a knack for delivering sexy songs. Honestly, who doesn’t enjoy a good sex song? “Nasty”, the eighth track from Quantum Baby, is Tinashe doing what she does best – S-E-X-Y! She says it best in the intro: “I’ve been a nasty girl, nasty.” Rick Reed and Zack Sekoff produced the record with top-notch results – a sleek, often minimalist instrumental. Besides asking who’s gonna match her freak in the first verse, she asserts, “Pillow talking got my throat raspy.” Oh, snap 🫰! She follows the verse with the refrain, where the quality of the sex is the draw. “If you keep up with me / I’ll keep on coming back,” she sings, adding, “Cause it feels like heaven / When it hurts so bad.” She keeps the same energy in verse two. “Nasty” lacks depth but thrives on sex. Tinashe sings well, brings mad energy, and titillates the hell out of the listener. Omar Apollo loved it!

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Tommy Richman, “MILLION DOLLAR BABY”

“MILLION DOLLAR BABY” // ISO Supremacy / PULSE // 2024

“Cause I wanna make it (so badly) / I’m a Million Dollar Baby (don’t at me).” WOO! “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” from Tommy Richman is a vibe from the opening tip. The moment this sugar honey iced tea comes on, it is straight fire! It was produced by Max Vossberg, Jonah Roy, Mannyvelli, Sparkheem, and Kavi. The production team kicks ass and takes names. The groove is infectious to the nth degree. Between it and the gimmicky ‘chopped and screwed’ vocals in the intro – “Do it, baby, do what I should think / Do it-do it, baby, do what I could think” – it gets you hype TF up!

Besides rad production, the melodies are infectious and tuneful. The lyrics are confident and fun. “I ain’t never rep a set baby / I ain’t do no wrong,” Richman sings (*raps melodically) in the chorus, continuing, “I could clean up good for you / Oh, I know right from wrong.” Richman’s vocal performance is intriguing. His tone is ear-catching. He oozes with soul and swagger. A prime example of this swagger: “VA next (Yeah, yeah), I’m at they neck (Yeah, yeah) / I’m running up a check (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah).” If you need a translation for what Richman’s saying, he’s saying his home state, Virginia, has got next. Tommy Richman ‘did the damn thang’ on “MILLION DOLLAR BABY”.

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~

Tyler, The Creator, “Sticky”

CHROMAKOPIA // Columbia // 2024

“Better find a mop, it’s gettin’ sticky in this bitch.” That is a statement, Tyler, The Creator! “Sticky” marks one of the gems from the Grammy-winning rapper’s eighth studio album, CHROMAKOPIA. It’s not only Tyler preparing for sticky situations. He collaborates with a star-studded cast: GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne. With many writers credited, Tyler handles the production. Notably, “Sticky” samples two bangers: oldie “Get Up Offa That Thing” by James Brown, and “Get Buck” by rapper Young Buck. Those brilliant samples combine with a hard-hitting, marching band drum beat that kicks ass. The biting, articulated brass… also kicks ass. And guess what? “Sticky” kicks ass!

Why does “Sticky” kick so much ass? It’s eccentricity! It is wild, and the wildness is part of its charm. All of the rappers bring the heat, making “Sticky” a sight to behold, rather, hear. Tyler memorably raps in the first verse, “I keep them mink-minks on hip ‘cause I keloid my fists / Nigga, give a fuck ‘bout pronouns, I’m that nigga and that bitch.” Ooh-wee! Tyler has hinted at his bisexuality, so, interpret these lyrics as you see fit. GloRilla brings toughness in the second verse asserting “These bitches tryna scrap but I’m knuckin’ if you buckin’, ho.” In the fourth verse, truer words have never been spoken by Sexyy Red: “I don’t fight for my respect, bitch, I fight for dick.” Lil Wayne brings the poetry in the fifth: “Sticky situation, discombobulation / Caught me red-handed, palms itchin’ like rosacea.” The beat/production switch that follows is among the most accomplished and memorable moments of “Sticky.” It’s signaled by the refrain (“Better find a mop, it’s getting’ sticky in this bitch”). The sixth and final verse by Tyler, The Creator is at his best, from his memorable rhymes and the jazzy harmonies and sounds. His most poetic moments: “I can fit ten-hundred thousand in these trousers” and “Okay, big-dick nigga big stompin’ through your town / All the bi bitches know the fuck is goin’ down / That’s a bet, skip the sex, ride my face, break my neck.” Now that’s utterly “Sticky”, and I’m here for it!

Appears in 🔻:

Tyler, The Creator, Sticky: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 98 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ The Dopest Songs [Top 20] ~ // ~ intro ~

60 Best Songs of 2024 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; American Dogwood, Archie Music, Artemas, Belting Bronco, Boominati Worldwide, Capitol, Capitol CMG, Inc., Clairo, CMG, Cole Redding, Columbia, Darkroom, Def Jam, EMPIRE, Epic, EZMNY, gamma., Gracie Abrams, High Standardz, Hot Girl Productions LLC, Interscope, Island, ISO Supremacy, Kendrick Lamar, Kim Gordon, Matador, MCA Nashville, Nice Life Recording Company, Night Street, Orville Peck, LLC, Parkwood Entertainment LLC, PULSE, RCA, Republic, Rubyworks Ltd., Slaughter Gang, LLC, Three Six Zero, Tinashe Music Inc., Top Dawg Entertainment, Total Pleasure, TSNMI, Universal Studios, Warner, Wilburn Holding Co., WILLOW, Young; faraindahouse (Artificial Intelligence), OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

60 Best Songs of 2024 | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on December 30, 2024December 30, 2024

60 Best Songs of 2024 features songs by Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Charli XCX, Hozier, Kendrick Lamar, and Omar Apollo.

~ Table of Contents ~

~ Dope Songs [Top 60] ~

~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

~ The Dopest [Top 20] ~

~ Dope Songs [Top 60] ~

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

Addison Rae, “Diet Pepsi”

“Diet Pepsi” // Columbia // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Ariana Grande, “yes, and?”

eternal sunshine // Republic // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Artemas, “mess of me, sexually”

yustyna // Artemas // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Benson Boone, “Beautiful Things”

Fireworks & Rollerblades // Night Street / Warner // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Beyoncé, “16 Carriages”

Cowboy Carter // Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Blessing Offor & Dolly Parton, “Somebody’s Child”

“Somebody’s Child” // Capitol CMG, Inc. // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Charli XCX, “Guess” (Ft. Billie Eilish)

Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat // Atlantic // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Clairo, “Sexy To Someone”

Charm // Clairo // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Coco Jones, “Here We Go (Uh Oh)”

“Here We Go (Uh Oh)” // High Standardz / Def Jam // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Cole Redding, “Gay Americana”

“Gay Americana” // Cole Redding // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

David Archuleta, “Hell Together”

“Hell Together” // Archie Music // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Gracie Abrams, “I Love You, I’m Sorry”

The Secret of Us // Gracie Abrams / Interscope // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Halsey, “Lonely Is The Muse”

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Jamie xx, “Baddy On The Floor” (Ft. Honey Dijon)

In Waves // Young // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Kacey Musgraves, “Deeper Well”

Deeper Well // Interscope / MCA Nashville // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, “Die With A Smile”

“Die With A Smile” // Interscope // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Luke Combs, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma”

Twisters: The Album // Universal Studios / Atlantic // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Omar Apollo, “Te Maldigo (From ‘Queer’)”

“Te Maldigo (From ‘Queer’)” // Omar Apollo / Warner // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Purple Disco Machine & Benjamin Ingrosso, “Honey Boy” (Ft. Nile Rodgers & Shenseea)

Paradise // Columbia // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

Zach Bryan, “Pink Skies”

Great American Bar Scene // Belting Bronco / Warner // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Dope [Top 60] ~

~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

21 Savage, “Redrum”

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

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Ariana Grande, “the boy is mine”

eternal sunshine // Republic // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Beyoncé, “YA YA”

Cowboy Carter // Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia // 2024

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ Super Dope Songs [Top 40] ~

Billie Eilish, “CHIHIRO”