Summer 2018 may have just officially started, but the invasion of the summer bops is in full swing. With a summer full of new music, there is a surplus of new jams to fill your summer playlists.
Coming into the summer, newcomer Cardi B rode the wave of her breakout hit “Bodak Yellow” with singles “Be Careful” and “I Like It” featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin from her debut album "Invasion of Privacy," keeping Cardi consistently in the Top 10 of the Billboard Charts with tropical beats and Hispanic influences.
There are no signs of the Bronx rapper slowing down, with her new single with Maroon 5, “Girls Like You,” already charting and shaping up to be another hit under her belt.
Nicki Minaj is coming back August 10 with her fourth studio album, "Queen," featuring singles “Chun-Li,” “Rich Sex” featuring Lil Wayne and “Bed” featuring Ariana Grande. The collaboration between Minaj and Grande is the product of a long history between the two self-proclaimed artists.
Their first collaboration was on Jessie J’s 2015 single “Bang Bang,” then they subsequently teamed up for Minaj’s “Get on Your Knees” off her 2015 album "The Pinkprint," and Grande’s “Side to Side” off of 2016’s "Dangerous Woman." Minaj also appears on Grande’s new techno-disco single “The Light Is Coming,” following the lead single “No Tears Left To Cry” off her upcoming album "Sweetener," which is expected to be released on August 17.
Grande is also featured on Troye Sivan’s new single “Dance To This” off of his upcoming sophomore album, "Bloom."
Don’t pick up the phone unless it’s for Dua Lipa — her hot single with Calvin Harris, “One Kiss,” is a must have on any summer playlist. The funky house track is perfect for helping you forget your ex, while Beyoncé and Jay-Z prove love may not be dead with their surprise joint album “Everything is Love.” The album opens with the suitably titled “Summer,” full of a hot and heavy melody and pleas from Beyoncé to her husband to make love to her on the beach.
Bebe Rexha finally finds her footing with her newly released debut album, "Expectations." Rexha has been on the scene for several years now, but never quite broke through to mainstream success. Her collaboration with Florida Georgia Line, “Meant to Be,” peaked at #2 on the Billboard 100, and her follow-up single “I’m a Mess” is shaping up to be a certified summer bop.
The Dr. Phil Show vet Bhad Bhabie also stuns with summer-ready singles “Gucci Flip Flops” featuring Lil Yachty and “Trust Me” featuring Ty Dolla Sign.
Pop music in summer 2018 is aiming to be dominated by women with hip-hop and rap crossovers and surprise releases.
Upcoming releases:
June 29: Florence and the Machine — "High as Hope"
July 6: Years and Years — "Palo Santo"
July 13: Wet — "Still Run"
August 10: Nicki Minaj — "Queen"
August 17: Ariana Grande — "Sweetener"
August 31: Troye Sivan — "Bloom"
Local concerts:
July 13: Panic! At The Disco — Bankers Life Fieldhouse
July 14: Janelle Monae — Old National Centre
July 17: Halsey — Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park
July 19: Kesha and Macklemore — Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
August 5: Charlie Puth — Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
August 26: Niall Horan — Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
