New Music: Usher, “Good Kisser,” Lil’ Wayne featuring Drake, “Believe Me,” and more

Is it just me, or does it seem that many of the game’s biggest artists have been pretty quiet this year?

Well, some of your favorites are finally breaking their silence, dropping new material. Catch up on the latest singles from proven hitmakers, with thoughts from yours truly:

2 Chainz featuring Lil Boosie, “Wuda Cuda Shuda”

Edd said: Can we finally stop pretending that Tew Chaynz is anything but an utter joke? “Wuda Cuda Shuda” is the usual repetitive, juvenile Chainz track, with lyrics sounding straight out of a fifth grade detention class. And yes, #BoosieBack and sounds somewhat motivated but he can’t work miracles. Just terrible.

Rating: Thumbs down

Lil Wayne featuring Drake, “Believe Me”

Edd said: Allegedly this is the first single from Tha Carter V, Wayne’s final album. Lord knows I hope he lives up to that promise because Weezy has been running on fumes since 2009. Here, he enlists the Human Jell-O Mold Drake for his usual shouty tough-guy verse and hook. It’s not horrible, we’ve just heard tracks like this a million times in the past. It doesn’t break any new ground but Young Money minions will eat it up.

Rating: Thumbs in the middle

Nicki Minaj featuring Soulja Boy, “Yasss Bish”

Edd said: People have been asking me if I’ve let go of my Icki Garbaj grudge now that she’s apparently dressing like a human being:

and not a melting Picasso painting.

Sorry playa, even if you wash the glitter off a turd, it’s still a turd, and this track is just foul. Soulja Boy bragging on the intro about producing the beat makes me laugh – why brag about creating something that simplistic and bland? Nicki’s punchlines are just as weak and her strained delivery doesn’t help. Usual mess from the usual suspects.

Rating: Thumbs down

Usher, “Good Kisser”

Edd said: Man, Usher stans have been burning their oily ab posters and fake ‘U’ pendants ever since Ursher sold out to the great EDM demon. “Good Kisser” is a return to his R&B roots and, not surprisingly, it works out pretty well. At first listen, it’s a bit of a styles clash – Usher does his weird spoken-word-ish delivery before breaking out with a falsetto. It’s jarring at first but eventually meshes well. It’s a nice return to form for one of R&B’s biggest players.

Rating: Thumbs up

What do you think of these tracks? Let us know below.