#HitsOfTomorrow: A Weekly Rundown Of The ‘Should-Be’ Hits

Beyond Drake’s surefire hits, tune into the latest from Tems, Surfaces, Jamie Miller, Jessie Murph with Jelly Roll, Tkay Maidza and more

Published by

Amit Vaidya

October 7, 2023

Drake is back! Yup, the first week of October gives us the third studio album from the rapper in less than two years with For All The Dogs, a companion LP to his summer poetry book Titles Ruin Everything. After the hot mess of his last solo album Honestly, Nevermind, the LP feels like a welcome return by the artist into more mainstream territory thanks to guest features from the likes of everyone from J.Cole to Bad Bunny to SZA (their recent collab “Slime You Out” reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100) and new additions like Teezo Touchdown and Sexyy Red.

While the album is way too long, like most of Drake’s recent records, there is something deeper here that meets the ears. There is artistry at play here that feels less lazy and far more engaging than anything Drake has released since 2021’s meh Certified Lover Boy era.

Highlights of the album include “IDGAF,” “Another Late Night” and “8 AM In Charlotte” (that features his son in the just released music video).

While every single is likely to chart and help Drake break more records, there are other big releases including the anthemic “Gods” by NewJeans – the first K-pop girl group to be featured in this year’s Leauge Of Legends World Championship and “You & Me,” Blackpink’s Jennie who tries to repeat the success of her first solo single “Solo” which released five years ago! Time flies for sure.

While these two singles are likely to zoom up the charts, there are plenty of tracks that deserve our attention – the SHOULD-BE hits if you will. Here are this week’s #HitsOfTomorrow.

“Me & U” – Tems

A lot has happened in the last couple of years for Tems. From scoring a massive global hit (and Grammy!) for “Wait For You” by Future and Drake (the single was actually based on Tems’ song “Higher” from her debut EP For Broken Ears) to scoring an Oscar nod for co-writing “Lift Me Up,” the Rihanna ballad from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever film and soundtrack, the artist has been unstoppable. Things only get brighter with the release of “Me & U,” an infectiously catchy R&B number that perfectly slides between contemporary soul and Afropop. There is much to love lyrically here as well as sonically, Tems exudes a passion here that sounds both comforting and very Top 40-friendly. Will her collab successes result in a smash hit of her own, here’s hoping. “Me & U” is one of the best singles we’ve had so far this fall season, period.

“Live It Up (High Tide)” – Surfaces

Ever since their smash hit “Sunday Best,” Surfaces continue to bring us joy and optimism in the most dynamic ways. We just don’t have bands this upbeat yet this catchy anymore. Sure, there is the occasional one-hit wonder but Surfaces have managed to continue to give us upbeat gems that frankly all deserve to be hits. I’m hoping it’s not a lost cause with “Live It Up (High Tide),” one of their strongest releases since that breakout hit. The track is light, full of hooks and melodies and most importantly, just a blast to blast on your car radio. While there is definitely a summery vibe here, I think it works well as we have far too many heavy tracks atop the charts these days. Winner.

“Only Place” – Jamie Miller

Jamie Miller has been on a roll releasing tracks from his EP The Things I Left Unsaid and frankly it’s possible he saved the best for last. While “Maybe Next Time” and “No Matter What” are strong entries, it’s the final cut on the release, “Only Place” that feels like it’s destined to become a smash, if only programmers take note or it features on a streaming show or of course, a viral TikTok explosion. Miller is everything we ask for in a young singer-songwriter and at a time when so many are veering to country, crooning and soul, it’s refreshing to have pop/rock on display and that too with meaningful lyrics. Hit!

“Out Of Luck” – Tkay Maidza, Lolo Zouai, Amber Mark

Quite possibly my favorite track of the week has got to be “Out Of Luck,” a low-key female empowerment bop that brings together the great Tkay Maidza, Lolo Zouai and Amber Mark. I would argue all three are deeply underrated but here, this funky slice of soulful pop is so rich and so life-affirming, you’d think this was as big a release as “Lady Marmalade” or “Bang Bang.” With top-notch production and lyrics that fit the “Boy, bye” mode, this is a track that really deserves Top 10 global status on mainstream radio. The reality of that happening I know is slim, but I’m going to push and push hard because this single is so good, it would be criminal not to be a smash!

“Wild Ones” – Jessie Murph, Jelly Roll

While I remained on the fence about Jessie Murph’s late 2022 album drowning, there was no disputing the fact that she was a talent to watch! Boy, does a year make a difference! With Jelly Roll also getting his much due credit lately, it’s the perfect time to release “Wild Ones,” their collab which is both haunting and well, the best Post Malone hit not by Post Malone (that’s a compliment!). There’s no doubt in my mind that this is going to be featured on previews for streaming shows for years to come, it will be a shame if the track doesn’t become a monster hit on its own without any prompts. Murph has one of the most interesting voices out there right now and this country, rock, soul/hip-hop fusion is perfect for Top 40 right now.

Even More Hits!