The 13 Best New Songs This Week

Week in and week out, there are plenty of brand new rap songs, no matter the time of year. It can be really difficult to stay aware of what's out and also what's hot, so XXL decided to make things much easier for you. Instead of sorting out nearly everything that released this week, we've narrowed it down to strictly the best of the week, saving you plenty of time.

Expect to see selections from the established stars, the next wave of new talent, the up-and-comers and everyone else in between. If your song is fire enough to beat the competition, it'll take one of the weekly spots. You can trust us on this one; follow our lead and you'll never get laughed off of the aux cord again. Your friends will finally trust you with playlists; it'll be wonderful. In addition to that, you can check back every week for the latest and greatest tracks. You'll always have somewhere to turn to each week, being sure to find some songs you'll dig.

Enjoy this week's list, featuring new songs from Juice WRLD ("Tell Me U Love Me"), Lil Yachty (“Demon Time" featuring Draft Day), Freddie Gibbs ("Scottie Beam" featuring Rick Ross), and more. See you next week!

"Tell Me U Luv Me"

Juice WRLD featuring Trippie Redd

https://youtu.be/ddoFu4sDXpU

"Demon Time"

Lil Yachty featuring Draft Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr8NJ_aRcqk

"Scottie Beam"

Freddie GIbbs featuring Rick Ross

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYtp8X7e2V4

"iamlegend"

Flatbush Zombies

https://youtu.be/xJbyjdFzOsM

"Grandmotha Grave"

Kevin Gates

https://youtu.be/tN2j075NLQc

"Pea Coat"

Toosii

https://youtu.be/GM0IxnhQos0

"Roses (Remix)"

Saint JHN featuring Future

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoBaSHpZhyk

"30"

Aitch

https://youtu.be/2-8v6Z6ob04

"Like This"

G Herbo featuring LiL Uzi Vert

https://youtu.be/__H4uNjxE_U

"Riri"

Aminé

https://youtu.be/_Zn2eb5zxtQ

"It's Whatever"

Smokepurpp

https://youtu.be/2TYeW3uOJ40

"Both Sides"

Gucci Mane featuring Lil Baby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEUTlymw1eU

"ATL Freestyle"

6LACK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0PXU3b2Aws

See Lil Wayne Albums Worth Listening to and Those You Need to Skip

Worth Listening to: Tha Block Is Hot

After appearing on the Hot Boys' first two albums, Get It How U Live! and Guerrilla Warfare, and various other Cash Money Records releases, Lil Wayne unveiled his solo debut, Tha Block Is Hot, on Nov. 2, 1999. This project was Weezy's time to shine in the solo spotlight, allowing him to bring his lyrical talents and Down South energy to the mainstream. The LP, led by the hit title track, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with 229,500 units sold in its first week of release. Tha Block Is Hot features collaborations from the Cash Money roster including B.G., Turk, Juvenile and Mannie Fresh, and includes standout selections like "Loud Pipes," "Kisha" and "Fuck the World," which makes it an essential listen in Wayne's catalog.

Skip: I Am Not a Human Being II

In 2013, Lil Wayne looked to build on his success with sequel releases with I Am Not a Human Being II, the follow-up album to his acclaimed eighth studio LP of the same name, released three years earlier in 2010. However, unlike his first sequel effort with Tha Carter II, which saw Weezy take a creative leap, I Am Not a Human Being II doesn't have the same polished consistency. This album is much looser in its delivery, though it finds Weezy in top lyrical form. With a production lineup including Cool & Dre, Mike Will Made-It, David Banner, T-Minus, Diplo, Juicy J and StreetRunner, and features from Drake, Future, 2 Chainz, Juicy J, Soulja Boy, Trina, Gunplay, and others, I Am Not A Human Being was a commercial success, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, with 217,000 units sold in its first week. However, lackluster songs like "Curtains," "Back to You," "Beat the Shit" and "Trippy" outweigh the album's finer moments like "No Worries" and "Rich as Fuck," making it a more pedestrian offering compared to his greater projects.

Worth Listening to: Tha Carter

After releasing three solo albums prior to Tha Carter, there were the Wayne stans that loved everything he delivered and then the critics who questioned if he could become the franchise artist on a record label. Lil Wayne bounced back to prove everyone he could in a big way in 2004, with his fourth studio album, Tha Carter. Largely produced by Mannie Fresh, the album recaptured the synergy the pair had built over the years, with the singles "Bring It Back" and "Go D.J." carrying on the duo's tradition of delivering amped-up bangers. In addition to those hits, deep cuts like "BM J.R." and "I Miss My Dawgs" are also lauded by fans. Aside from Tha Carter coming in at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, and ushering in a new era for the Young Money millionaire, he proved once again why he deserves to be in the running for best rapper alive.

Skip: 500 Degreez

The departure of Juvenile, B.G. and Turk from Cash Money Records left the label on shaky ground, with many unsure if Lil Wayne would be able to shoulder the load moving forward. The release of Wayne's 500 Degreez on July 23, 2002, was the first project from the label not to include any contributions from the other Hot Boys members, and considered a critical and commercial disappointment in comparison to the rapper's previous offerings. The album's lead single, "Way of Life," failed to recapture the magic of hits like "Tha Block Is Hot" and "Get Off The Corner." Titled as a jab at Juvenile, who dropped his 400 Degreez album in 1998, 500 Degreez was intended to one-up Wayne's former groupmate, however, it failed to live up to that billing and remains on the lower spectrum of Wayne's most solid solo releases.

Worth Listening to: Tha Carter II

The creative tandem of Lil Wayne and Mannie Fresh was broken up following the latter's exit from Cash Money Records prior to the release of Tha Carter II, the first Wayne album devoid of any contributions from the producer. Released in 2005, Tha Carter II came on the heels of the first installment in Weezy's The Dedication mixtape series, and further showcased his improved lyrical ability and elite delivery. With a mix of radio-friendly singles ("Fireman," "Hustler Musik," "Shooter) and captivating fan-favorites ("Tha Mobb," "Money on My Mind," "Best Rapper Alive"), Tha Carter II marked Wayne's ascension into the upper echelon of the rap food chain and marked a pivotal turning point in his evolution as an esteemed lyricist.

Skip: Rebirth

Attaining rock star status during the latter half of the aughts, Lil Wayne decided to fully embrace the role by recording what was billed as a rock album titled Rebirth, which was released on Feb. 2, 2010. Powered by production from Cool & Dre, DJ Infamous, DJ Nasty & LVM, Kevin Rudolf, and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Rebirth features Weezy crooning in Auto-Tune over electric guitar riffs and drum loops for much of the album, a recipe that largely proved to be hit or miss. While selections like the Eminem-assisted highlight "Drop the World" were met with rave reviews, songs like "Prom Queen," "On Fire" and "Knockout" felt a bit contrived in the eyes of longtime Wayne fans. Wayne's witty flair and sharp lyricism are still found throughout Rebirth, but overall, the long player finds him trying his best at a stylistic change that doesn't suit his most lauded attributes.

Worth Listening to: Tha Carter III

Embarking on what many consider the most prolific and memorable mixtape run in rap history, Lil Wayne staked his claim for the title of "Best Rapper Alive" on the verge of the release of Tha Carter III in 2008. Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with over 1 million copies sold in its first week, Tha Carter III marks the apex of the rapper's starpower and creativity. Giving fans a dose of mixtape Weezy on "A Milli," and crooning to the ladies on the chart-topping smash "Lollipop," all grounds are covered on this LP, which took home the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. This opus is Weezy's most successful album to date as well as the most beloved.

Worth Listening to: Tha Carter V

After being extricated from his contract with Cash Money Records in 2018, following an end to his feud with Birdman, Lil Wayne finally delivered his long-awaited Tha Carter V album, in Sept. 28 of that same year. Seemingly eager prove that he had not lost a step and was still worthy of elite lyrical status, Weezy came with a renewed vigor this go-round, delivering one of the most buzzworthy cuts of the year with "Uproar" featuring Swizz Beatz, which inspired a viral dance craze and became his biggest solo hit in recent memory. In addition to that heater, joint efforts with the likes of XXXTentacion ("Don't Cry"), Kendrick Lamar ( "Mona Lisa") and Snoop Dogg ("Dope Niggaz") helped Tha Carter V live up to the hype and restored rap fan's faith that the Hollygrove-bred rapper was still on his game.