Hit | 5ive Songs

1. SZA, “Hit Different”

Ft. The Neptunes, Pharrell Williams & Ty Dolla $ign

🎵 “Hit Different” • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2020

“Hit different, hit different / …Hit different when I’m sittin’ here / Alone all by myself / Hit different when I think you might be / With somebody else.” SZA enlists Ty Dolla $ign, Pharrell Williams, and production standouts The Neptunes on the excellent “Hit Different”. The Neptunes give “Hit Different” a unique sound from the onset. Beyond that 🔥 backdrop, Ty sets the vibe with the chorus with his distinct tone being a selling point. SZA delivers fine vocals, sounding clear, singing agilely, and sounding absolutely beautiful. She sings about being in love in what is clearly a non-monogamous relationship where neither her nor her boyfriend are exclusive. There’s definitely something hypnotic about this particular R&B record – it HIT DIFFERENT!

2. Trey Songz, “Hit Different”

💿 Back Home • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2020

“A blunt to the face / Now I want a taste of you.” Well, it seems that Trey Songz is getting a ‘two-for-one’ deal essentially.  On “Hit Different” from his 2020 studio album, Back Home, Trey focuses on getting high and having sex.  Honestly, that’s about the size of it when it comes down to it.  The weed only heightens the senses when it comes to ‘getting it in.’ Truthfully, Songz is true to self, especially on the naughty, risqué, but utterly infectious chorus.

“That shit hit different when we both faded
I put the tip in, watch you go crazy
You know it ain’t a party ‘til we both naked
And we ain’t finished ‘til your legs shakin’.”

3. Megan Thee Stallion, “Hit My Phone”

Ft. Kehlani

💿 Suga • 🏷 300 Entertainment • 🗓 2020

The first half of Suga, the 2020 EP by Megan Thee Stallion, goes hard AF with the likes of “Captain Hook” and of course, “Stallion.” “Hit My Phone” featuring Kehlani softens the tone, at list some extent. Sure, Megan remains true to self, but post- “Captain Hook,” she’s not quite as raw, excluding, say, a not-so-innocent double entendre like, “I be drinkin’ out the bottle and I need a mouthful.” As for Kehlani, she sounds marvelous on both the second verse and most notably, the chorus.

“So hit my phone, woah-oh
Sippin’ ‘42 and you know I’m bent
Too far gone, oh-oh
Liquor got me sendin’ that risky text.”

4. Logic, “Hit My Line”

💿 No Pressure • 🏷 Def Jam • 🗓 2020

I’m feelin’ normal, yeah, I’m feelin’ myself / Feelin’ good, yeah, I’m feelin’ my health / Got a couple plaques up on my shelf / Money in the safe at the crib just to feel my wealth / Think I’m gonna put it all on the line…” No Pressure, the final studio album by Logic, is his best work in years – NO CAP.  Among the crème de la crème is the song, “Hit My Line,” Produced by 6ix, there’s a fine balance of classic/old-school and contemporary/fresh. Three specific instruments that stand out are the heavily syncopated, dusty drums, the keyboard chords, and the low, bassy synth. While Logic serves up unpitched bullets the majority of the record, we do hear him singing the chorus (excerpted above), which happens to be among the catchiest, ‘poppy’ moments of No Pressure. A surefire lyrical gem commences his sole verse: “Now I ain’t sayin’ this my ‘Jesus Walks’ / I’m just sayin’, God, I need to talk.”

5. Omar Apollo, Dominic Fike & Kenny Beats, “Hit Me Up”

🎵 “Hit Me Up” • 🏷 Omar Apollo / AWAL • 🗓 2019

“Uh, said I’ve got some time I’m abusin’ / Change my mind if you ever switch it up / And I won’t waste my time if you pursue me / I’ll let you know if you ever hit me up.” “Hit Me Up” incorporates the talents of Omar Apollo, Dominic Fike, and producer Kenny Beats. Kenny Beats serves up awesome production, with Apollo co-producing.  It’s simple, characterized by a robust bass line and punchy drums.  Apollo sounds amazing, first blessing listeners with the chorus.  Beautiful backing vocals accentuate his lead vocals on the second half (excerpted above). Beyond the chorus, he drops the first verse which references issues regarding love. If blanks need to be further filled in, Dominic Fike does so on the second verse, in more explicit fashion: “Baby, let’s double down, I bet you would fuck with me now.” Prior to that, he states, “Waitin’ for you baby, but you stood me up / Reckon what you gave me wasn’t good enough…”