Though 2020 has proven to be a whirlwind for Megan Thee Stallion, on Friday (Nov. 20) she placed a bow on her banner year with her debut album, Good News.
With two Hot 100 No. 1 records ("Savage and Cardi B's "WAP") in tow, the burgeoning superstar looks to maintain her rap supremacy on the 17-track collection. Though Megan experienced her share of controversies this year, including a July shooting incident involving Tory Lanez, she flips her tragedies into poetic gold, as proven on the album's intro "Shots Fired."
With a fistful of features including Beyonce, Big Sean, SZA, 2 Chainz and more, Megan Thee Stallion does an admirable job in putting together a solid rookie effort. See how Billboard ranked her album tracks below.
17. "Don't Rock Me to Sleep"
Megan Thee Stallion takes a shot at pop success on "Don't Rock Me to Sleep," and while we should appreciate Meg's willingness to experiment, sometimes that leap of faith doesn't stick the landing.
16. "What's New"
"What's New" is a quintessential Megan record where she thrashes haters for talking reckless about her. The song isn't bad, but shows what happens when she can stay in one pocket for too long.
15. "Girls in the Hood"
Released earlier this year, "Girls in the Hood" is a gender-flipped remake on Eazy E's "Boyz N The Hood." Buried at the album's tail-end, the track is placed at a point in which Meg begins losing steam.
14. "Don't Stop" feat. Young Thug
Teaming up 300 Entertainment's most prominent stars would make anyone smile, right? Sadly, the previously released Good News outro isn't a surefire club shaker for Meg or Thugger.
13. "Movie" feat. Lil Durk
On paper, Megan, Lil Durk and producer Tay-Keith sound like an all-star trio. While Meg and Tay-Keith play their part, Durk is unfortunately the odd man out. After thriving as a features savant in 2020 (alongside Drake, Meek Mill and Ne-Yo), the Chi-Town general doesn't quite fit on the hook here.
12. "Sugar Baby"
If Meg's mission was to serve up quick-witted IG captions, then job well-done by the Stallion. Playing to her strengths, Meg takes a swipe at broke men, not willing to "invest in this p---y, [and] support Black Business." While she succeeds in crafting another catchy one-liner for her hotties to fawn over, "Sugar Baby" preaches the same message: Get yourself a baller.
11. "Cry Baby" feat. DaBaby
From rising rookies to bonafide superstars, DaBaby and Meg's friendship began when the duo linked up on 2019's "Cash Sh-t." Now the high-octane tandem doles out another bouncy song. Though Meg's rhyme scheme bests her Charlotte counterpart, she and Baby shine together as a formidable team.
10. "Outside"
Playing off the quarantine-friendly phrase "We outside," Megan constructs a fun, celebratory record for girls not ready to retire from the fast life, and sing-song tune is a nice contrast from her harder-hitting tracks.
9. "Go Crazy" feat. Big Sean and 2 Chainz
On "Go Crazy," Megan stands tall when sparring with Big Sean and 2 Chainz. Tapping into "Super Saiyan" mode, the Stallion towers over her male counterparts with two punchy verses.
8. "Body"
Meg salutes curvy women on this body-positive record. Her penchant for catchy hooks reigns supreme again, as she whisks up a twerk-worthy bop for women of all sizes. The star-studded music video also gives the song an extra boost, with appearances by Taraji P. Henson, Jordyn Woods and Blac Chyna.
7. "Do It on the Tip" feat. City Girls and Hot Girl Meg
This all-girls soiree is a fun one: Meg crunches in a simple but effective hook destined for TikTok lovers, while Yung Miami swings for the fences with arguably her best verse of the year. Go girls.
6. "Freaky Girls" feat. SZA
When Megan pairs up with an R&B singer, magic typically ensues. Her 2019 Suga record "Hit My Line" featuring Kehlani was criminally underrated, and here, she reels in the elusive SZA for "Freaky Girls." Craving thug passion, Meg and SZA dish out a radio-ready jam, courtesy of the TDE songbird's sticky hook.
5. "Savage" (remix) feat. Beyonce
Chances are that you've probably heard this song once or twice this year. "Savage" is demolition derby between two Houston rockets ready to pounce on the competition. Hopefully, we get more records between Meg and Bey, because their chemistry on here is second to none.
4. "Work That"
When Megan isn't rapping over aggressive production, she enjoys flipping fun samples. On "Work That," she interpolates Juvenile's "Rodeo" for a new generation. Like on "Circles," the move works in her favor, as she proves she can be both gentle and dominant in the bedroom.
3. "Shots Fired"
Megan Thee Stallion kicks off Good News with a scathing takedown set to Biggie's 1995 classic "Who Shot Ya?" Lyrically, Meg takes no prisoners, aiming at Tory Lanez and her former best friend Kelsey for July's alleged shooting. "Imagine n—as lyin' about shootin' a real b--ch / Just to save face for rapper n—as you chill with," she spews.
"Shots Fired" is a searing rebuttal that needed to happen, considering fans pinned accusations against Meg for months. Instead of shying away from the elephant in the room, she addresses it right away, to great effect.
2. "Intercourse" feat. Popcaan and Mustard
For the first time on the album, Megan takes a backseat to one of her features. On the island-tinged "Intercourse," Popcaan takes the lead and sounds at home on the Mustard-produced track. With the first verse and hook in his possession, the OVO signee gives Meg room to explore the dancehall sound and thrive on this gem.
1. "Circles"
After racing like a pitbull on the intro, Megan's bark remains loud on the following track, "Circles." Once again fueled by her current battle with Lanez, Meg's candor is on display -- from being shot at to dealing with her mother's passing, Meg's resiliency shines through on this new-school version of a song like Drake's "Nice For What."
