Jessie Reyez’s cynicism isn’t limited to her music. The “Just Like That” singer channeled her pessimism in a way that would make the Grinch clutch his pearls.
While others are excited about sporting matching pajamas sets and snuggling next to a fireplace, Reyez wants to bring it all down. On her anti-holiday song “Merry Nothin,” Reyez outlines why she’s vehemently against what is supposed to be that happiest time of year.
“I can’t walk into a mall cause this holiday music makes me wanna die / Every time I see a snowman, it’s mood, ’cause that’s really how I feel inside / Everything’s red, or it’s green / But the coca is white, and lonely is blue / All that I want this Christmas is amnesia and good d*ck from somebody new / We could’ve waited / Til after the parties when everyone asked where you are / Merry Christmas, Merry Nothin’ / This December sucks / I’m alone under a mistletoe while you’re f*cking a slut,” sings Jessie.
Every year Mariah Carey and now Brenda Lee proudly embrace their unofficial Queen of Christmas title, someone needs to take up the opposing mantle. With “Merry Nothin” Jessie Reyez is ready and willing to step up to the plate.
Listen to Jessie Reyez’s new song “Merry Nothin” above.
It’s unclear whether Jessie Reyez is preparing to release a new album soon, but the Toronto singer has certainly increased her output lately, suggesting that may be the case. In May, she teamed up with Big Sean to share “Shut Up,” a bold, boastful banger, then, in August, the dropped “Ridin” with Lil Wayne, smoothing things out for a more lusty approach. Today, she shared another unexpected collaboration, moving away from rappers to fellow R&B chanteuse Ari Lennox, who duets with Jessie on “Just Like That,” a Latin-accented love ballad that promises her loyalty despite the attention she gets as an international recording star.
“Got blue checks in my request / But I don’t pay them no mind,” she croons on the chorus. “‘Cause the last time left me broken / But you came by, and we vibed.” The song’s a testament to the healing power of true love in the wake of a bad breakup, a running theme through both artists’ output to date.
While fans wait to see what Reyez has in store for her next release, Lennox is unfortunately asking for a release from her current recording contracts, citing a lack of support. She made the request shortly after releasing her own new single, “Smoke,” the video for which reflected her growing interest in addressing mental health concerns.
You can listen to Jessie Reyez’s new single “Just Like That” featuring Ari Lennox above.
Jessie Reyez has a very distinct sound. She’s blessed with a voice that’s immediately recognizable. The power of her voice also allows her to try her hand at different genres and sounds. She can go soft, or go into a more sultry, R&B lane. Her new single, “Ridin,” is neither. Jessie Reyez joins forces with Lil Wayne for a song that has much more of a rock edge that fans are used to. Neither artist are the first ones that come to mind when discussing rock, but they manage to navigate this sonic mashup with style. Fans of Rebirth era Lil Wayne: rejoice.
“Ridin” starts off with a bubbling bassline reminiscent of a 90s radio anthem. The tension is bolstered by Jessie Reyez’s lyrics. “Windows down, yeah, we’re ridin’. I lean the seat back, let you right in,” she sings intensely. “With the other hand, you’re still drivin’.” The song is as layered as a song titled “Ridin” should be, which is to say, not very. No problem, though. The chorus hits like a car crash when it finally comes in and Reyez gives it everything she’s got. The appeal of “Ridin” definitely lies in the tension between the quiet verses and the blown out chorus. Lil Wayne provides lots of sex metaphors, and we even get a Tesla bar to keep the “ridin” theme going strong. Another strong Jessie Reyez release.
Let us know what you think of this brand-new track, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Jessie Reyez Taps Into Her Inner Rock Star On New Song
Quotable Lyrics:
I’m twistin’ her legs like a Twizzler One leg Westside, one leg Eastside Two fingers in her p**sy, make her f*ck my peace sign (Yeah) Ride me like a Nissan, disobey the street signs
Jessie Reyez has always flirted with hip-hop in her genre-defying music, but her last two singles have made the connection much more explicit — in every connotation implied. In May, she released her first solo single of 2024, “Shut Up,” with a Big Sean feature that complemented the song’s boisterous, boastful tone. Today, she’s released her second single, “Ridin’,” reaching out to Lil Wayne to add his signature slick innuendo to her sensual new track, which threads the gap between alt-rock, hip-hop, and R&B with lusty lyricism and passionate, pining delivery.
In addition to these two songs — which certainly seem to suggest a new album announcement sometime in the near future — Jessie also contributed a song to the soundtrack for Zack Snyder’s Netflix sci-fi space opera/Star Wars send-up, Rebel Moon, alongside Tokischa, Uproxx cover stars Aespa, and South African EDM superstar Black Coffee.
A new album from Reyez would certainly be timely; her last album, Yessie, was released in 2022, just two years after her debut, Before Love Came To Kill Us. That’s a one hot album every two-year average, as the man once said, so it’s probably about time for Jessie to drop a follow-up.
You can watch the video for “Ridin’” with Lil Wayne above beginning at 9 am PT/12 pm ET.
Jessie Reyez is an emotive singer. She puts her all into everything she sings, whether it be heartbreak on “Forever” or sex on “Jeans.” There’s a tension and electricity that she brings to the table as an artist, and it’s led to her landing massive collaborations with the likes of Miguel, 6LACK and most notably, Eminem. Jessie Reyez decided to change things up on her new single, though. Instead of leaning into her emotive vocals, the turns down the melodrama and dishes out a slick, minimal track that’s menacing as it is cool. It helps that Reyez brings another Detroit rapper, Big Sean, into the mix.
“Shut Up” may sound like the title to a loud, aggressive song, but it’s anything but. The instrumental is punctuated by hard bass hints and creeping strings that switch before the background and foreground. Jessie Reyez never reaches into her higher register. She adopts a whispery, menacing flow that’s closer to rapping than actual singing, and it works. It suits the callous lyrics like a glove. “Phone full of options, bank full of bills,” she raps. “Don’t do it ’cause I need to, I do it for the thrill.” The verses follow suit, with talk of ex-boyfriends and put downs aimed at unnamed enemies. “Know your ex watchin’, know they see me locked in,” she adds. “Came from a different angle (What?), I can’t be boxed in. B*tch, better read the room like you telepromptin’.”
Big Sean brings the energy while still matching menacing vibe. He’s become one of the more reliable names in hip-hop when it comes to pop-rap guest features, and he delivers yet again. The Detroit MC drops some clever bars about Batman and Robin, exes who tried to kiss and make up, and the general bragging one would expect from the guy who made Finally Famous. “Old school, pair of gold chain, goin’ Rakim,” he raps. “Batman, black man, billionaire but ain’t nobody robbin’. I tell a bad b*tch to her face that she grounded.” “Shut Up” isn’t going to be a smash hit or anything, but it’s a catchy song worth checking out.
What are your thoughts on “Shut Up” by Jessie Reyez and Big Sean? Do you like Reyez’s break from her usual sound? Do you want to hear more of it on her next album? Does Sean’s verse deliver? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Jessie Reyez. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Quotable Lyrics:
And tell her she on punishment ’til further announcement She know that I’m daddy, I never been stingy with allowance Baby girl, good ain’t good enough, be astoundin’ Half the time she need a man, other half counsellin’ Baby, when you hit the top, gotta stay grounded
It has been about two years since Jessie Reyez’s last album, Yessie, and, aside from a pair of singles in 2023 with Miguel and 6lack, she hasn’t released too much new music since then. But if you thought you’d seen the last of the Canadian singer, she’s back with a two-word message for the haters, doubters, and anyone else with anything negative to say: “Shut Up,” the title of her new single featuring Big Sean.
The video for the song features cameos from singers JoJo and Nija, who help Jessie judge a f*ckboy beauty pageant alongside actress Inanna, and from Jessie’s mom Carmen, who rides along with the singer in a Ferrari. Big Sean shows up midway through the video to offer a signature, boastful verse with one colorful sex punchline, and the video ends with a short snippet of another new song, suggesting that a follow-up to Yessie is definitely in the works.
Reyez’s recent collaborative output has been some of her strongest work yet; “Jeans,” her collaboration with Miguel, and “Homicide,” her third collab with 6lack, were solid songs that highlighted her seductive new direction. Stay tuned for more from Reyez.
Watch Jessie Reyez’s “Shut Up” video with Big Sean above.
6LACK has always been an artist who is able to evoke a lot of different emotions from his listeners. His gravelly voice can allow you to feel sad, angry, depressed, and lost. If you are looking for music to go to when you are down in the dumps, he knows how to craft the perfect song for any of those situations. He has proven that since his debut, FREE 6LACK, which put him on the map in 2016.
Fast forward to 2023 and the Baltimore R&B talent has grown his catalog a lot in these past nine months. After dropping his East Atlanta Love LetterLP back in 2018, 6LACK took his time to release another solo project. In fact, he waited five years, before giving his hungry fans Since I Have A Lover. That project has done well for him and he is carrying his new momentum with a two-pack of singles.
Listen To “Homicide” / “Mean It” By 6LACK And Jessie Reyez
“Homicide” features Canadian singer Jessie Reyez for a toxic love tale. These two have worked together a few times already, and they have a fun time with this one. The melodies are very catchy and the chorus will have you undoubtedly becoming a toxic partner too. “Mean It” is the more mellow of the two. The tune is also very intoxicating, but it is about 6LACK breaking up with his partner. He wants to know how serious she is about it, needing reasons behind all of her undesirable behavior.
What are your initial thoughts on these two brand new tracks, “Homicide” with Jessie Reyez, and “Mean It” from 6LACK? Which track do you think is better? Do you think 6LACK has been having a great year with all of his releases? We want to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the hottest song releases, as well as the rest of the latest breaking news around the music world.
Quotable Lyrics From “Mean It:”
How you act so easy? (Easy) So your a** gon’ leave me? (Leave me) Well, if you say that, better mean it? (Mean it) And you better back that with a reason (Reason) Sayin’, “Oh, girl, before you go, you better know, you better know I don’t do no pleadin’” (Pleadin’)
6lack and Jessie Reyez have once again joined forces for their brand new collaboration, “Homicide.” After teasing it on social media with the cover art earlier this week, many fans had wondered exactly what to expect.
The result is the two trading lyrical turns, telling the story of toxic lovers. Taking more of the title’s energy, she wants to make 6lack’s fictional ex jealous — and he is equally here for the energy, singing about a chaotic love affair.
“Don’t make her pull up, pull up, pull up,” 6lack raps. “She got a shooter, she ready to suit up / Hand in my face and she wishin’ me / Darin’ me, touch me, like do sum, do sum.”
“Find out that your ex live close, so I’m tryna f*ck you with the windows open,” Reyez adds. “Love it when your jealousy shows a little / Love it when you check my phone and give me some sh*t, then you give me some d*ck.”
Reyez and 6lack previously performed together on “Imported” and “Forever” — making this new song seem like a perfect finale to a solid trilogy of music.
Check out 6lack and Jessie Reyez’s “Homicide” song above. 6lack is set to kick off his next tour this Sunday, so he also shared an emotional solo track titled “Mean It,” which you can listen to below.
6lack and Jessie Reyez look to work their magic for a third time on their upcoming single, “Homicide.” The two artists previously worked together on the songs “Imported” and “Forever“; today, 6lack posted a teaser for “Homicide” on his Instagram page, promising to complete “the collab trilogy.” Along with the moody cover art, he shared clips of the videos from the pair’s previous output, as well as an offer for “more surprises this week & all through tour season.”
“Forever” appeared on Reyez’s most recent album, Yessie, while “Imported” appeared on her debut studio album, Before Love Came To Kill Us in 2020. Her most recent collaboration with another R&B star has also been making waves; “Jeans” featuring Miguel came with a spicy video complementing its explicit content.
Meanwhile, 6lack is around six months removed from his most recent full-length release, Since I Have A Lover. The album spawned a handful of singles including the title track, “Talkback,” “Fatal Attraction,” and “Preach.” 6lack has since been preparing for his Since I Have A Lover Tour, which starts in Portland, Oregon on October 1 and runs through November 24 in his hometown, Atlanta. Then, he’ll hop the pond for a series of European shows beginning in February of 2024.
“Homicide” is out this Friday, September 29. You can pre-save it here.
