Billboard‘s First Stream serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases – the mainstream music everyone will be talking about today and dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
This week, DJ Khaled returns with the help of some fellow A-list rappers (as well as the Almighty), Britney Spears’ comeback kicks off with a collaboration with fellow pop immortal Elton John, and Eiffel 65 are finally back in our lives thanks to David Guetta and Bebe Rexha.
DJ Khaled, God did
The rest of Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist this week barely boasts a bigger roster of A-listers and rising talent, as star DJ Khaled has had a new relationship. God made including Drake, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend, Kanye West, Eminem, Future, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, 21 Savage and Roddy Ricch – and that’s just on the first five tracks. Rap fans will no doubt find plenty of potential personal favorites from the 18-song set to choose from; Our early picks for highlights include 21 Savage’s soulful showcase “Way Past Luck,” Migos’ near-reunion with Eddie Murphy “Party All the Time,” and of course, the eight-minute title track covered by an epic Jay-Z. the verse is sure to dominate Twitter this weekend.
Elton John & Britney Spears, “Hold Me Closer”
After Elton John made pop magic alongside Dua Lipa by repurposing songs from his past over a euphoric dance-pop beat on 2021’s “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix”), could he catch lightning in a bottle twice by use the formula in 2022 with Britney Spears – in her first major record appearance since ending her conservatory? The answer, surprisingly, seems to be yes. “Hold Me Closer” stitches verses from 1992’s “The One” with the timeless chorus on 1971’s “Tiny Dancer” over a blissful beat driven by pop powerhouses Cirkuit and Andrew Watt — and again, it all sort of ends more than the sum of its parts. Spears’ welcome presence is more supporting than leading, but that should certainly help keep her fans coming back until she’s ready for her proper star comeback.
Lil Tjay, “Beat the Odds”
Of course, it’s completely impossible to listen to Lil Tjay’s emotional new solo track “Beat the Odds” without hearing it in the shadow of the recent robbery attempt that nearly got him killed—not least because Tjay speaks for himself in the new single. “I took seven shots, no shame/ Back to the wall, I’m still gonna take you down, I ain’t got no stain,” he spits over a pained piano-led beat by KXVI, DesirezBeats and KBeaZy. The song is a triumph of survival—metaphorical and literal—but it’s also extremely tiring, as Tjay testifies, “They’re like ‘Tjay, why are you moving around with all the f–kin guns’? it’s because I don’t want to die. “
Lolahol, “Lock&Key”
The first official release of the track from 25-year-old singer-songwriter Lolahol will understandably attract more headlines given that its creator – whose real name is Lourdes Leon – is of course the daughter of a pop star of all time. times. But really, Lock and Key would make an impressive debut from any new talent. It’s an alternately dreamy and frenetic alt-pop delivery, its luscious drum-and-bass beat providing the perfect sense of claustrophobia for the emotional turmoil of the song’s lyrics – which finds respite only in the haunting chorus of “I need a breeze/ Take me away.” It doesn’t warrant any Madonna comparisons – although that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t have sounded good Ray of light.
Rema feat. Selena Gomez, “Calm Down”
Afrobeats singer-songwriter Rema has enjoyed one of the international hits of the summer with the irresistible impact of his love song ‘Calm Down’ – including a top 10 BillboardUS Afrobeats Chart and also climbing to a new high of 94 on this week’s (dated August 27) Global 200 chart. And as Wizkid’s “Essence” did around this time last year during its ascent, the song’s success has prompted the occasion for a high-profile remix with a North American pop star — in this case Selena Gomez, vibes the lower of which are suitable. in keeping with the song’s mesmerizing grooves. Gomez doesn’t need to be a hit, but hopefully her presence should speed up the process just as much.
David Guetta & Bebe Rexha, “I’m Good (Blue)”
Are you ready for Eiffel 65 to come back into your life (and maybe your radio dial and/or broadcast playlists)? Star producer David Guetta and pop singer Bebe Rexha certainly hope so, as their new single “I’m Good (Blue)” leans heavily on the unwavering turn-of-the-century beat mentioned in the bracket. This “Blue” borrows both the original’s synth riff for its cascading piano hook and the chorus’ infectious melody for the EDM-era hook, sung in preparation for the impending Best Night. If TikTok is any indication, the timing is right — when Rexha posted an early version of the collaboration (which a caption explained as something she and Guetta had been working on “years ago”) earlier this month, the clip received over 1 million. like.