Young M.A’s “PettyWap” should be her next hit

Honestly, I didn't like Young M.A's "OOOUUU." It's not that it was necessarily a bad song, but it felt like a Bobby Shmurda remake and a mediocre one at that. But even my hating ass could see that the Brooklyn rapper was a talented lyricist with undeniable charisma and the song rightfully made her a star, even if New York media — like The Breakfast Club, who asked her about strap-ons — had another narrative they wanted to focus on.

Since "OOOUUU" peaked at No. 19 on the Hot 100 in 2016, Young M.A hasn't had a song that's truly stuck, though a few have racked up millions of views. But her latest single, "PettyWap," hasn't left my head since I first watched the music video. The song is understated: M.A raps just behind the beat and it's glossy loop lackadaisically, before snapping into a shoulder-rolling rhythm when she asks, "Things different now, huh?/ You committed now, huh?" More than anything, the song, and it's almost entirely one-shot video of a pool party, convey a feeling that's carefree and luxurious without any pretense. Simply put, it's the best song she's ever released.

Aside from her 2017 Herstory EP, M.A.'s output has been sparse and her debut album still has yet to see any inkling of a rollout. “I know people are looking forward to an album from me, but I don’t think it needs to be rushed either," the rapper told Juliane Escobedo Shepherd in her 2017 FADER cover story. "Nowadays albums don’t come out as frequent as they used to, so I’m not too sure if I’ma drop an album as soon as people would think." Hopefully, "PettyWap" charts a clear path to a major release and deservedly becomes her next big hit.