A Gripping Cluster of G Songs

Reading Time: 24 min read

A Gripping Cluster of G Songs features songs by Central Cee, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Chris Housman, Kendrick Lamar, and Key Glock.

Ah, ‘G,’ the seventh letter of the alphabet! Following the amazing A, bitchin’ B, captivating C, dazzling D, epic E, and fvckin’ fantastic F songs, G gets its time to shine! Following those thrilling compendiums for songs A through F, we unveil A Gripping Cluster of G Songs, where we celebrate the power of G via G songs. Each of the 20 songs that appear on A Gripping Cluster of G Songs begins with a g-word. The only exception is THE preceding the g-word, etc. A Gripping Cluster of G Songs features songs by Central Cee, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Chris Housman, Kendrick Lamar, and Key Glock. So, without further ado, let us all embrace the power of G on A Gripping Cluster of G Songs!

The Alphabet Playlist Series 2025

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1. Chappell Roan, “The Giver”	2. Ice Spice, “GYAT”	3. Key Glock, “The Grinch”	4. Kendrick Lamar, “GNX” (Ft. Hitta J3, YoungThreat & Peysoh)
5. Charli XCX, “Guess” (Ft. Billie Eilish)	6. Brett Eldredge, “Gorgeous”	7. beabadoobee, “Girl Song”	8. Jake Wesley Rogers, “God Bless”
9. Post Malone, “Guy For That”	10. Khalid, “Ground”	11. John Summit & Sub Focus, “Go Back”	12. Gunna, “GOT DAMN”
13. Bradley June, “GBF”	14. Shaboozey, “Good News”	15. Central Cee, “GBP” (Ft. 21 Savage)	16. Chris Housman, “Guilty As Sin”
17. Ansel Elgort, “guestroom”	18. RYANN, “Gay Struggles”	19. Ciara, “Goodies”	20. Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, “Get Low” (Ft. Ying Yang Twins)

1. Chappell Roan, “The Giver”

“The Giver” » Amusement / KRA International Inc. / Island » 2025

“And other boys may need a map / But I can close my eyes / And have you wrapped around my fingers like that.” Oh, snap, Chappell Roan (Kayleigh Rose Amstutz)! The Grammy-winning pop singer/songwriter has been open about her queerness early in her career. “The Giver” is no exception, where she expresses her sexual expertise to the same sex, unlike boys who “may need a map.” It is a clever lyric from the first verse. Amstutz penned “The Giver” alongside Daniel Nigro and Paul Cartwright. Nigro produced the track.

“‘Cause you ain’t got to tell me / It’s just in my nature,” Chappell Roan asserts in the chorus, the centerpiece of “The Giver.” She continues, “So, take it like a taker / ‘Cause, baby, I’m a giver /… Ain’t no country boy quitter / I get the job done.” Damn! The sexual innuendo is ripe throughout “The Giver.” In the second verse, she sings, “Good luck finding a man who has the means / To rhinestone cowgirl all night long.” Roan is referencing the famous Glen Campbell classic, “Rhinestone Cowboy”, and the sexual position, cowgirl. Wow! Amstutz delivers a strong vocal performance throughout “The Giver”. Fittingly, the record has country music cues (fiddle, banjo), which match the various country/ country music references. Also, like many country male musicians, Chappell is confident about her ability to woo the ladies. “The Giver” marks another entertaining, high-flying joint from Chappell Roan.

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2. Ice Spice, “GYAT”

Y2K! (Bonus) » Dolo Entertainment, Inc. / UMG Recordings, Inc. / 10K Projects, LLC » 2024

The consensus is that Grammy-nominated rapper Ice Spice (Isis Gaston) dropped a dud with her debut album, Y2K!. One common criticism: too many poop bars. Notably, the Gen-Z rapper unveiled Y2K! (Bonus) adding the sub-two-minute song, “GYAT”. She wrote “GYAT” with her go-to producer RIOTUSA. MCVertt and Alaunyc produce with RIOT. “GYAT” is ‘standard’ Ice Spice. After the intro, she’s repetitive AF in the refrain: “She throwin’ it (back, back) /… Haters get (back, back).” It’s basic. She does squeeze two verses into this brief joint. In the first, she brags, “Built like a Barbie, but act like a brat / You know I’m the baddest, like, keep it a stack.” She’s confident. In the second, she mentions a voluptuous butt but avoids poop! “Fatt butt, and she don’t got a waist / Like, back up, you gon’ fuck up my lace.” Oh, snap! “GYAT” is not the strongest song on A Gripping Cluster of G Songs but, and I do mean butt, that GYAT was just too damn fat to leave out! To quote Wale, “Shawty got a big ole butt, oh yeeeeeeah”!

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3. Key Glock, “The Grinch”

Glockaveli » Paper Route Empire, LLC / Republic » 2025

“I been runnin’ wild since a jit / Grandma never raised a bitch / Jumped off the porch, picked up a stick / Fourteen, turned into the Grinch.” Woo! Memphis rapper Key Glock (Markeyvius LaShun Cathey) brings the heat on “The Grinch”, a single from his 2025 album, Glockaveli. Brief, running two-and-a-quarter minutes long, “The Grinch” is potent. Oh Ross, RamyOnTheBeat, Lobeats, and Broadday produced it. Thanks to a percussive groove, organ, horns, and banging drum programming, the instrumental shines. The sound exemplifies southern rap, giving Key Glock a kick-ass canvas to paint on. His rhymes are confident and unapologetic. His cadence and flow are ‘on point,’ no cap! “Ayy, heard you talkin’ pillow, get your bitch-ass back / Lil’ bro ride around with a big-ass MAC,” he spits in the verse. Keeping it 100, he adds, “I don’t squash no beef, and I don’t make up (The fuck?) / Yeah, bitch, I’m him, what I’ma hate for?” The chorus, excerpted at the top, is the section to beat. He concludes the chorus with a bang: “Pussy-ass nigga better play with his clit (Pussy) / I don’t know what you though, but that ain’t this.” Oh, snap! Ultimately, Key Glock’s ‘stands on business’ in “The Grinch”. No, it’s not an innovative rap banger but it is an enjoyable, well-rounded one.

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4. Kendrick Lamar, “GNX” (Ft. Hitta J3, YoungThreat & Peysoh)

GNX » pgLang / Interscope » 2024

“Tell ‘em Kendrick did it.” Woo! Indeed, Kendrick Lamar ‘did it’ on “GNX”, the 11^th track from GNX, released in 2024. Interestingly, the song was recorded just days before the album dropped. GNX is a reference to a short-lived (1987) turbocharged coupe, the Buick GNX (Grand National Experimental). Lamar owns the rare car, which was released the same year he was born. Less heralded than other songs on the album, I find Hitta J3, YoungThreat, and Peysoh-assisted cut to be an entertaining, kick-ass, minimalist banger. “GNX” debuted at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite a minimal sound led by piano and 808s, there are five credited producers: Sounwave, Jack Antonoff (an executive producer), Rascal, Kenny & Billy, and Tim Maxey.

“GNX” bangs from the beginning. It begins with the memorable chorus by K-Dot, which is Compton through and through.

“Tell ‘em Kendrick did it, ayy, who showed you how to run a blitz?

Tell ‘em Kendrick did it, who put the West back in front of shit?

Tell ‘em Kendrick did it, ayy, I’m trippin’ and I’m lovin’ it

Tell ‘em Kendrick did it, like wha—

Hi, have you ever been a joint and you know it?

Have you ever had to flip your unemployment?

On the dead guys, nigga, I aint goin’.”

He sets the tone for the rappers who follow. Peysoh raps the first verse, referencing murder several times (“All of my killers on go, like, who said somethin’? / Redrum, all I think about when I see heads come”). Hitta J3 takes the reins in the second verse, recollecting four different ages: 13, 14, 21, and 25. “Ayy, like it’s Iraq, shooter name Hussein / Ridin’ with the dirty blicky, switchy, make a new flame,” he spits, concluding, “She said I been a dog all my life, bae, can you change? / True to my religion, Cuban links, more than two chains.” YoungThreat is the final voice heard, dropping some mean pop cultural references including “Get on my Bob the Builder shit, get down with the pliers,” and “I’m with some rockstar bitches, they want Lizzie McGuire.” Woo! All silliness aside, he concludes by asserting, “I kept my mouth closed, and I ain’t never leave no witness / D.O.A. up on the scene, tell ‘em YoungThreat did it, nigga.” Word 💯! Kendrick Lamar and company bring fire to “GNX”, soundtracking the rare sports car and most of all, Compton.

Appears in:

Kendrick Lamar, GNX: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 26 (2025)

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5. 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!

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6. Brett Eldredge, “Gorgeous”

Lonestar Lovers (EP) » Warm and Cozy Records Inc. » 2025

“Wanna know what’s in your head / As you’re tangling up the necklace on your chest / In a lilac dress.” Those lyrics sound tailor-made for a country song! Better yet, they sound perfect coming from the sweet pipes of country singer/songwriter Brett Eldredge. Eldredge co-wrote “Gorgeous”, the opening track from his EP, Lonestar Lovers, with producer Idarose. It is a great start for Brett as an independent artist. The songwriting is thoughtful. Eldredge sings with incredible authenticity, delivering empowering lyrics. On Instagram, regarding “Gorgeous,” he asserts:

I hope this song is a reminder of the gorgeous person that you are, even on your worst days, you are more than enough, you’re Gorgeous:) Let. that. sink. IN

The melodies are indeed gorgeous, especially the chorus, the centerpiece:

“…You don’t know it, but you’re lightning

You’re the power, you’re the sunshine and the rain

You don’t know it, but you’re gorgeous

Let me be the one to tell you every day.”

Are you not empowered?! Beyond his stellar voice and thoughtful lyrics, the musical accompaniment is sweet. Commencing with a subtle rhythm guitar, eventually “Gorgeous” expands, with its fullest and lushest instrumental moments occurring during the chorus (keys and strings). Another element of the songwriting that is ‘on point’ is the harmonic progression. Sure, country music is ‘three chords and the truth,’ but “Gorgeous” contains more than three. Also, while the song falls under the country umbrella, I find it to have slightly more crossover appeal compared to some country songs.

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7. beabadoobee, “Girl Song”

This Is How Tomorrow Moves » Dirty Hit » 2024

“In a way, I’m figuring it out at my own pace, British Filipino singer/songwriter beabadoobee (Beatrice Ilejay Laus) sings in the first verse of “Girl Song”. She continues, introspectively and vulnerably, “Just a girl who overthinks about proportions on her waist / The creases on her face.” Real talk. Laus wows on the sixth track from her third studio album, This Is How Tomorrow Moves. She penned the marvelous piano ballad while Jacob Bugden and Rick Ruben produced it.

“Day like no other, and just another bad day.” Ugh, Laus’ no terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day is our listening pleasure. She brings radiant, tender vocals. The melodies are gorgeous. The songwriting is reflective but also depressing. “Waking up to hardly recognizing my own face,” Laus sings in the second verse. “‘Oh what a shame, didn’t think she’d look this way’,” she responds regarding her ‘less than ideal’ reflection in the mirror. Ugh 😢. The chorus marks another honest and highly memorable moment:

“All I want to do is find the words to make it up to you

Making all the same mistakes

I guess there’s still a lot to prove

And there’s something I can’t say in an ordinary way.”

Adding the brilliance of “Girl” beyond fabulous vocals and poetic lyrics is the harmonic progression. It’s not too outlandish, mind you, but extends beyond I, IV, and V. It’s sad hearing about beabadoobee’s struggles – you can empathize/sympathize/relate to her pain. Still, “Girl Song” is moving from the first time you it. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!

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8. Jake Wesley Rogers, “God Bless”

In The Key Of Love » Facet / Warner » 2025

“Momma’s little gun on the back of your head / Got a little drunk, ordered jockstraps on the internet.” Two lines into “God Bless”, Midwest-bred pop singer/songwriter Jake Wesley Rogers is locked in and loaded. The openly gay musician expresses how complicated sexuality is from the pressure of loved ones (such as mom) and desiring to be yourself (those jockstraps, which are gay, gay, gay). Wesley Rogers continues in the first verse from the sixth track of his 2025 debut album, In The Key Of Love, “You taste just like honey on cornbread / I feel so alone when you’re not in my bed.” Regardless of your sexuality, those lines should resonate. Rogers penned this thrilling ballad alongside Greg Wells. Mike Sabath produced it.

From the beginning, Rogers spoils us with his fabulous vocals. His tone is terrific, while his ad-libs and riffs give you chills. He sings authentically and sincerely. The second verse is as impressive as the first. “We’re having car sex in a business park / Like we’re the last couple on Noah’s ark,” he sings honestly and memorably. His ‘bread is buttered’ in the chorus, which excels melodically and lyrically:

“God bless the straight man in a dress

God bless threesomes when I’m celibate

God bless doing mushrooms with an atheist

God bless, it’s a beautiful fucking mess

God bless the trans kid in Texas

God bless the gods that don’t exist

Sometimes I wish it all would end

But, God bless, it’s a beautiful fucking mess.”

Supporting Rogers in the post-chorus are choral vocals, which are everything. They give off gospel vibes. Beyond the singing and songwriting, the musical backdrop is incredible, too. The arrangement and production are never overdone – it is just right. As awesome as the instrumental is, Mike Sabath ensures that the focal point is Jake Wesley Rogers. Is there any way you can listen to the blessing that is “God Bless” and not beam with pride? Nope! It is awesome!

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9. Post Malone, “Guy For That”

F-1 Trillion » Mercury / Republic » 2024

“Hell, I got a guy for every damn thing” Post Malone asserts on “Guy For That”, the third single from F-1 Trillion. Even though he’s got guys, he continues singing in the first verse, “Oh, that ain’t exactly what I’m lookin’ for.” Post is assisted by Luke Combs, who performs the second verse and chorus. “Guy For That” was written by Malone, Combs, Charlie Handsome, ERNEST (Ernest Smith), Hoskins, James McNair, and Louis Bell. Bell, Handsome, and Hoskins produced. “Guy For That” is respectable–enjoyable enough. The instrumental accompaniment is unsurprising. It is a standard, contemporary country soundscape. Post sings with his signature vibrato. His tone is fitting, and there’s no question he pulls the country vibes off. The melodies in the verses are tuneful, and the chorus is catchy enough. The chorus is a bit lengthy. Also, there is a post-chorus, where Post and Combs inform us, “Ain’t got the guy for that.” Speaking of Luke, he contrasts Post in the second verse and the second chorus. He’s on the same page about having a guy for things. But, in the chorus: “I’m pretty good at breakin’ down a heart / But picking up the pieces is the hard part.” True.

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10. Khalid, “Ground”

Sincere » RCA / Right Hand Music Group » 2024

“I could stare at you all evenin’, meltin’ into the mountainside / Now I’m focusin’ on my breathin’, wonderin’ how I got so high.” How did you get so high, Khalid (Khalid Robinson)? Regarding “Ground”, the ninth track from his third studio album, Sincere, the Grammy-nominated R&B artist started his “own personal journey through psychedelics in 2021.” In the second verse, he acknowledges, “Only took a gram and a half, saw your body tessellate.” Not her body tessellating! On the same IG post, commenting on “Ground,” using a mountain analogy, he asserts, “As beautiful as the top may seem, I’m so happy to embrace the ground that I walk on.” Khalid co-wrote “Ground” with M-Phazes (Mark Landon) and Aidan Rodriguez. M-Phazes, Rodriguez, and Matt Duggan produced. The instrumental is sweet. The intro is smooth with detuned keys. The groove is dusty, light, and soulful. The bass line is sweet once it establishes itself. As always, Khalid brings warm, refined vocals. He possesses a beautiful and unique instrument. Also, he brings a lot of swagger to the performance to accompany the rhythmic melodic lines. The harmonized vocals are stunning. The third verse is the longest and wordiest. The section to beat is the ‘grounded’ chorus – duh!

“I’ll be right here on the ground

My feet, feet don’t fail me now

I’ll be right here on the ground

My feet, feet don’t fail me now.”

Khalid brings a respectable sound, vibe, vocals, and theme in “Ground”.

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11. John Summit & Sub Focus, “Go Back”

Comfort in Chaos » Experts Only / Darkroom » 2024

“Gave you a part of my soul to keep / Forever, forever.” Deep. Julia Church provides sweet vocals on “Go Back”, the penultimate/11^th track from Comfort in Chaos. “I’m frozen in that time / But melting in your eyes,” she sings in the second verse, continuing, “Feel our worlds realign / I’m a dreamer, take me deeper.” Word. Comfort in Chaos is the debut album by DJ/producer John Summit. In addition to collaborating with Church, who sounds composed and poised, never breaking a sweat, Summit collabs with Sub Focus. Summit, Sub Focus, and Eddie Jenkins produced “Go Back.” It features a dizzying, hazy instrumental intro. The production is rhythmic and driving with some mean synths. The drop is electrifying, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. I love the building intensity of the music during the pre-chorus.

The chorus is tuneful – the section to beat.

“When I hear that sound, and the lights go down

I wanna go back, I wanna go back

When the silence fades, and I fall like rain

I wanna go back, I wanna go back.”

Besides impressive instrumental effects and sounds, there are stellar vocal effects (during the drop/instrumental sections) that keep things fresh. The best moment from “Go Back” not named the chorus or drop is the build-up when the tempo accelerates past the two-minute mark. After the new, quicker tempo settles in during the second drop (“I wanna go back, I wanna go back…”), it lasts the remainder of the song. Of the accelerando, Sub Focus asserts, “We came up with the idea of speeding up the tempo in the middle of the song between House and Drum & Bass, and the crowd reaction has been amazing every time we play it.” It was a dope musical choice. John Summit, Sub Focus, and Julia Church dropped a whale of a banger with “Go Back”. It’s giving a BOP!

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12. Gunna, “GOT DAMN”

“GOT DAMN” » Young Stoner Life / 300 Entertainment » 2024

“On and off the jet, goddamn / Uh, I don’t get no rest, goddamn / I want my respect, goddamn / I been running up a check, yeah.” Woo! What do you do when you want to say a ‘double-jointed’ swear word but don’t want to offend Christians? You say, ‘got damn’ instead of goddamn. Gunna ‘censors’ his swear on the title of his late 2024 single, “GOT DAMN”. Even so, he lets the ‘god damns’ fly in the chorus, censors be damned! Aviator Keyyz, Bloublood, Timpani Beatz, and J Kari produced “GOT DAMN” giving the melodic Atlanta rapper a smooth backdrop to drop his bars on. The vibe is L-I-T! With a sweet instrumental supporting him, Gunna showcases ample personality. He is true to self–Wunna to the nth degree. That said, he doesn’t say anything earth-shattering or game-changing. “Fashion every day put her in Couture,” he spits in the first verse, continuing, “Uh, put in work, make that pussy purr.” Meow… Been there, done that. “Goddamn, a nigga fortunate / Every day locked in, I make M’s off my voice,” he brags in the second verse, adding, “Brought out fifty G’s just to spend on my lil shawty.” Yeah, the rhymes aren’t deep – shallow, shallow, shallow. Of course, is a track named “GOT DAMN” expected to be a highly intellectual trap joint? No, and it’s not. Ultimately, “GOT DAMN” is an enjoyable listen. The sound and smooth flow by Gunna are hypnotic.

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13. Bradley June, “GBF”

“GBF” » Bona Fide » 2025

“I’m the one you call when you got a secret,” Bradley June sings in the first verse of “GBF”. He adds, “[I’m] The one who picks up any time of the day / You come to me for advice on if he’ll look your way.” Bradley is the gay best friend, of course! As he says himself, “I’ve seen it all.” Facts 💯! June penned this marvelous pop/rock cut, which features authentic, honest, and sincere songwriting. Sadly, there is pain behind being the gay best friend. He says it best via IG: “I literally took ‘always the bridesmaid and never a bride’ and made it a gay anthem.” Let that set in. Sweet rhythm guitar drives “GBF” from the beginning, giving it that pop/rock singer/songwriter feel. June eats vocally, delivering a beautiful, nuanced performance. The melodies are tuneful during the verses. The songwriting is even more moving, particularly in the second verse, where the plight of being a bridesmaid, the gay best friend, is fully displayed. “And you tell me one day, that I’ll know what it’s like / To feel the rush of a hand when it touches my side,” he sings, continuing, “As if it would be a miracle to think / That someone in this town might actually want me.” Aww… June brilliantly captures how tough it is to be gay, particularly in a smaller town, where you don’t get the same experiences as straight peers. The chorus is the centerpiece, featuring another tuneful melody and more stellar lyrics. Most memorably, June asserts, “No one knows what it’s like to feel their pain / More than the gay best friend / On the sidelines of life’s stage.” Ultimately, Bradley June sings a pitch-perfect song that encompasses the gay experience for many individuals. Some, sadly, never experience being the bride. As he consoles his friend, whom he’s “held [her] hand when it hurts,” he admits, “I’ll do it again.” Hopefully, Bradley, you, and the abundance of gay best friends find their prince. “GBF” is painful to some extent, but also pure pop gold.

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14. Shaboozey, “Good News”

“Good News” » American Dogwood / EMPIRE » 2024

“Man, what a hell of a year it’s been / Keep on bluffin’, but I just can’t win,” Shaboozey (Chibueze Collins Obinna) sings in the first verse of “Good News”. He continues, “Drown my sorrows, but they learned to swim / Man, what a hell of a year it’s been.” While the narrative of “Good News” depicts tough sledding for the artist, or the character he portrays, the year 2024 was incredibly successful. “Good News” was written by Shaboozey, Jake Torrey, Michael Pollack, Nevin Sastry, Sam Roman (RØMANS), and Sean Cook. Cook and Sastry produced. Before the ‘sad times’ occur lyrically, “Good News” commences with rhythm guitar, establishing the country vibes. Within the backdrop, there’s a nice touch of pedal steel. The backdrop suits Shaboozey, the ‘star of the show.’ He delivers dynamic, expressive, and nuanced vocals. I love the storytelling – the songwriting is stellar. “Love keeps knockin’, but I just ain’t home / Ain’t pickin’ no flowers from the seeds that I’ve sown,” Shaboozey sings in the second verse. The section to beat is the chorus, the centerpiece:

“I need some good news
Sittin’ here, sippin’ on cold truth
Nobody knows what I’m goin’ through
Bet the devil wouldn’t walk in my shoes…”

Besides its tunefulness, the chorus is big and dynamic. “Good News” marks another winner from Obinna.

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15. Central Cee, “GBP” (Ft. 21 Savage)

Can’t Rush Greatness » Columbia » 2025

“If it weren’t the UK, would’ve had a AK-47 with a hundred rounds.” Ooh-wee! London-based rapper Central Cee commences “GBP”, the fifth track from his debut album, Can’t Rush Greatness, with a bang. He enlists fellow UK-born, Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage for the assist. Following a brief intro, Cench drops a mean chorus, charming us with his prominent British accent. His rhymes are quick-paced – the flow is flowing. He handles most of the chorus, dropping bangers like, “We ain’t got generational wealth, got a couple of mill’ for my unborn child,” but 21 Savage throws in a few meaningful lines. LIOHN, Gino Nano, Pontus Persson, Harry Beech, Eight8, and Jonny Leslie produced. Following the chorus, Central Cee talks his shit in the first verse. Repeating part of the AK-47 line, with a variation (gang and samurai sword), he offers many hypotheticals. If it, If I, If the, and such. All of his ifs are intriguing. An aggressive 21 Savage steals the show in the second verse. “Internet beef, if I catch you in traffic, the fuck you gon’ do nigga, type me?” Oh, shit! He adds, naughtily, “Wake me up with head, put this in your purse and shut the fuck up if you like me (21).” Beyond strong performances by both rappers, the production work is pleasant with its knocking beat and attractive keys. All in all, “GBP” is a fun banger.

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16. Chris Housman, “Guilty As Sin”

Blueneck » Chris Housman » 2024

“Tried to fight it / To deny it / But every single night it’s the same desire, same damn fire.” Chris Housman understands it simply CAN’T be prayed away. “Knew it was you the moment I felt this, baby, I’m helpless.” Housman is talking about resisting a guy. The gay country musician shouldn’t have to resist. In the marvelous ballad, “Guilty As Sin”, the fifth track from Blueneck, he is living his truth. “I’m done pretending / Cut the tension / Ain’t no use in us acting like, this ain’t right.” Agreed, Chris. He’s on fire from start to finish. His vocals are stunning. He sounds honest and sincere regarding his sexuality, adding in the second verse, “I need your body / Heavy on me / I’m always falling back to your gravity, it’s pulling me.” Aww! The accompaniment is country to the nth degree, and it sounds natural and fitting. Country music isn’t known as the most inclusive genre but more and more, artists are expanding and pushing the boundaries. The centerpiece of this thoughtful song that EVERYBODY needs to hear is the chorus:

“I gave it my best

But this halo don’t fit

If I had to spend forever in heaven without you might as well be in hell

My verdict is in

Cause baby if loving you is wrong

Then I’m guilty as sin.”

Love is love 🏳️‍🌈, baby! “Guilty As Sin” is a heavenly and moving, must-hear country ballad from Chris Housman.

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17. Ansel Elgort, “guestroom”

“guestroom” » ansel’s records » 2024

“In the guest room, remember all the trouble we made?” By trouble, Ansel Elgort, we assume sex. And sex, my friends, is what “guestroom” sounds like. “Guestroom” marked the first solo single by the handsome and talented singer, songwriter, producer, and actor since 2018 (“Supernova”). This smooth cut, written and produced with Angel López, finds Elgort reigniting his music career. There is a lot to heart. The minimalist production and sexy vibes are sweet. Vocally, Elgort is on point. He sings the first verse in an undertone that is ear-catching. He doesn’t break a sweat, but it’s hot! He opens his voice more in the pre-chorus, singing, “This love is keepin’ me so cautious, oh / ‘Cause usually, my heart is darkness (woo) cold.” Ooh-wee! He’s at his best in the chorus:

“I remember when I met you

I can see it clear as day

Soakin’ wet in the guest room

You remember all the trouble we made?

A Dolce swimsuit, body had me blown away

On the grass where the buds bloom

Remember all the places we laid?”

“Guestroom” is brief but potent. Purely from a musical perspective, Elgort delivers awesome summery vibes. It’s sexy without crossing the line.

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18. RYANN, “Gay Struggles”

“Gay Struggles” » RYANN » 2024

“I want to live in a town filled with Troye and Olivia fans / ‘Cause I’m afraid to hold my boyfriend’s hand when I go on the streets.” Fear is a terrible thing. Unfortunately, it is part of the struggles that Dutch queer pop singer/songwriter RYANN (Ryan Adriaens) sings about in “Gay Struggles”. He adds that he doesn’t want to get too close to male friends because they may think he has a crush on them. The internalized homophobia is pronounced, making “Gay Struggles” a heavy but relatable listen. Adriaens has settled for less when he shouldn’t have to. He’s grateful to love a boy, but he still feels trapped as a gay male.

“These struggles shouldn’t exist

All my life I was trained to kill the person that I was born to be

I don’t allow myself to have some fun ‘cause I don’t even know what I, what I truly want.”

Sad, but true for many LGBTQ+ individuals. Being able to love the same sex is a win, but, the perks that heterosexual couples have aren’t always afforded to queer couples. Straight men can move differently than gay men. Beyond the chorus, which RYANN sings exquisitely, he offers more struggles. The fear of wearing an earring. Worrying what others, including friends, think. He wants to live out and proud, but it’s hard not to worry “about what other people think… when all I see are couples on the news getting punished for who they really are.” It should be fine to kiss his boyfriend in the street but, “I feel like I’m not allowed.” “Gay Struggles” is a beautiful, moving pop ballad by RYANN. This is a song not only for the LGBTQ+ community but for everyone. No one should be persecuted or treated badly just because of who they love or living true to themselves. This youngster from The Netherlands with an incredible voice outdid himself on this song. Bravo!

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19. Ciara, “Goodies”

Goodies » LaFace » 2004

“My goodies, my goodies, my goodies / Not my goodies!” “Goodies” is one of the great earworms of the 2000s. This opening track from Goodies is the song that put Grammy-winning R&B artist Ciara ‘on the map.’ Assisted by rapper Petey Pablo, Ciara spent seven weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Backed by a minimalist, crunk instrumental produced by Lil Jon, “Goodies” sounds fresh two decades after it was originally released. The looped synth is infectious, anchored by a simple but potent groove. Eventually, more synths enter the mix but never at the expense of the lead vocals.

Ciara never breaks a sweat. Those goodies are firmly intact – they’re not just going to any guy. Her vocals are breathy, enticing, and sexy. “Baby, this is what I’m lookin’ for,” she sings in the first, continuing, “Sexy, independent, gotta spend it type that’s gettin’ his dough / I’m not bein’ too dramatic, that’s the way I gotta have it.” In the third verse, she adds to the requirements: “Just because you drive a Benz / I’m not goin’ home with you / You won’t get no nookie or the cookies, I’m no rookie.” Word. Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, one of the all-time greats of the aughts:

“I bet you want the goodies (Ah)

Bet you thought about it (Yeah)

Got you all hot and bothered (Ow)

Mad ‘cause I talk around it

If you’re lookin’ for the goodies

Keep on lookin’, ‘cause they stay in the jar

Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, yeah.”

Ciara is the star, but Petey Pablo ‘brings the heat’ too. He performs the first and fourth verses. He sets the tone in the first, proclaiming himself as “The truth, and I ain’t got nothin’ to prove / And you can ask anybody ’cause they seen me do it /…Barricades? I run right through ’em, used to ’em.” As for the fourth verse, he spits game regarding his success with women: “All I got to do is tell a girl who I am (Petey) / Ain’t ne’er chick in here that I can’t have / Bada boom, bada bam, ba-bam (I’m bad).” Ciara and Petey Pablo drop a multiplatinum banger for all ages with “Goodies”.

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20. Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, “Get Low” (Ft. Ying Yang Twins)

Kings Of Crunk » The Orchard » 2002

“3-6-9, damn, she fine / I’m hopin’ she can sock it to me one more time / And roll, get low (get low) / Get low (Get low), get low (Get low, yay, yay).” Hot damn! Tear the club up! Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, assisted by Ying Yang Twins, constructed an unforgettable gem with “Get Low”. Rap it with me:

“To the window (To the window)

To the wall. (To the wall)

‘Til sweat drip down my balls (My balls)

‘Til all these bitches crawl (Crawl)

‘Til all skeet-skeet, motherfucker (Motherfucker)

‘Til all skeet-skeet, goddamn (A-goddamn)

‘Til all skeet-skeet, motherfucker (Motherfucker)

‘Til all skeet-skeet, goddamn (A-goddamn).”

That beloved chorus, performed by Kaine, D-Roc, and Lil Jon (Jonathan Smith) never fails to get me hyped up. “Get Low” is the 17^th track on Lil Jon’s double platinum, 2002 album, Kings of Crunk. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2003. In addition to being credited as a writer, Lil Jon produced this highlight of the crunk era. A syncopated beat and repetitive, slinky-sounding synths highlight the accompaniment.

The five-and-a-half-minute-long “Get Low” commences with an infectious intro. The chorus, the first major section of the song, excerpted above, is one the most memorable of the 2000s. The lyrics throughout “Get Low” are raunchy as fuck (see what I did there). “Shawty crunk, so fresh, so clean / Can she fuck? That question been harassing me,” Kaine spits in the first verse. D-Roc brings his raunch to the second verse: “Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz with me / And we all like to see ass and titties / Now bring your ass over here, ho…” There’s more where that shit came from! In the third verse, Lil Jon encourages her to “Drop that ass to the floor,” “Twerk that ass, ayy, shake it fast, ayy,” “Pop that ass to the left and the right,” “Back it up,” and “Wiggle with it.” Lil’ Bo gets into the mix later, keeping things naughty. Timeless to the nth degree, “Get Low” never grows old. It is one of the greatest ass-shaking anthems of all time, no cap!

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The Alphabet Playlist Series 2025

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A Gripping Cluster of G Songs (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 10K Projects, LLC, 300 Entertainment, American Dogwood, Amusement, ansel’s records, Atlantic, Bona Fide, Chris Housman, Columbia, Darkroom, Dirty Hit, Dolo Entertainment, Inc., EMPIRE, Experts Only, Facet, Interscope, Island, KRA International Inc., LaFace, Mercury, Paper Route Empire, LLC, pgLang, RCA, Republic, Right Hand Music Group, RYANN, The Orchard, UMG Recordings, Inc, Warm and Cozy Records Inc., Warner, Young Stoner Life; AcatXIo from Pixabay]

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Published by the musical hype on August 1, 2025August 1, 2025