Megan Thee Stallion -- Good News: Review

Megan Thee Stallion -- Good News

[300]

While most public figures in 2020 retreated into obscurity, only returning for a half-assed message of comfort here and there, Megan Thee Stallion still seems to have made this year her bitch. In between hot summer singles like “WAP” and the “Savage” remix with Beyonce, her March EP Suga, or even her recent drama with rapper Tory Lanez, Megan has forced herself into the mainstream. It feels like at the beginning of the year she was only known in the younger rap scene and now she’s been covered from every news station and made an appearance on SNL.

And the credit she’s receiving is due for sure. Megan’s been releasing mixtapes since 2016, finally hitting it big on her third and latest one Fever which was her breakthrough into the spotlight. With tracks like “Cash Shit” with DaBaby and “Hot Girl Summer” with Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla Sign, Megan showcased her hardcore flow and unapologetic sexuality in spades.

On Suga, Megan capitalized on the global phenomenon of TikTok, releasing fiery tracks like “Captain Hook” and “Savage”, both of which were just begging to be used in influencer dances. Even under the weight of the pandemic, she released the watershed banger “WAP” with Cardi B that took the world by storm. It’s electric energy and flow tied with some of her wittiest and sexiest lines yet definitely make it a peak in her career.

Now at her peak of prevalence, Megan prepares her debut studio album Good News, which released November 20th on 300 Entertainment. Already from the liner notes, it was set to be her biggest release yet featuring more producers than ever including Mustard, Juicy J, and Cool & Dre. With features like SZA and Big Sean on the docket too, Megan’s first record just about hits the mark we were expecting.

The record starts with “Shots Fired”, an all encompassing ‘anti-hater’ that also specifically dives into the situation between Megan and Tory Lanez. While the topic of discussion is virtually old news by now, Megan gives her most descriptive take on the situation and humiliates him on the track. This track also sees Megan reexamining old school West Coast beats that perfectly suit her flow. As she bounces from syllable to syllable, the beat grooves suits her gritty style.

“Cry Baby” with DaBaby is a straightforward banger that is another showcase of DaBaby and Megan’s electric chemistry together. Both of their flows are distinct but complement each other in the best ways. “Freaky Girls” brings a feature from the elusive R&B queen SZA who contributes a sweet old school type chorus.

My favorite track here is “Do It On The Tip” that features hip hop duo City Girls and ‘Hot Girl Meg’ who is one of Megan’s alternate personas. This track features the same kind of fiery wit and raging sexuality on “WAP” with some hilarious lines from JT & Yung Miami:

Clap this ass on that dick, I'ma spazz on that dick

Go to sleep, take a nap, I'ma crash on that dick

I won't beg for no dick, I won't cry for no dick

If your dick broke, nigga, put a cast on that dick

Fucking fantastic. Sometimes I wonder “well damn I guess ‘dick’ rhymes with ‘dick’ and ‘dick’ too”.

However, Good News falls short in its monotony and occasional slowed experiments which happen mostly on solo cuts. While “Circles'' and “Body” are catchy tracks that, for sure, are going to be TikTok hits for the next few months, songs like “Sugar Baby” and “Work That” can lose their magic pretty fast. They all carry Megan’s signature energy but the combination of a subpar beat and repetitive subjects are what drag these songs down. There’s only so much that people can listen to Megan boast about her ‘WAP’ until it gets boring.

For the most part though, Good News is a good time. Megan’s lovable personality and proficient musical ability still shine through on this record. It’s bumps and jagged edges do propose the question of where Megan goes from here. Now that she’s secured her platform as one of the hottest rookies in rap, how will she shake things up next time? It might be too early to ask these questions now but I can’t help but wonder.

Good News is a good time and finally puts Megan Thee Stallion’s abilities to a debut record that has its imperfections, but generally delivers on its promises.

RIYL: I don’t need to tell you if you like Megan Thee Stallion right? Cardi B, City Girls, DaBaby

Listen To: “Do It On The Tip”, “Body”, “Circles”