5. Be Careful by Cardi B –
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Cardi B had an incredible year in 2018 with the release of her album Invasion of Privacy. The album, which featured hits like, âBodak Yellowâ and âI Like Itâ, blew up quickly. âBe Carefulâ is authentic and raw. It gives audiences a glimpse at her âtell it like it isâ attitude. This song is also a power anthem for anyone who has ever experienced an unfaithful partner. Cardi, whose real name is Belcalis AlmĂĄnzar, exploded in popularity this year because of her willingness to say whatever is on her mind, and of course her signature, âEeeooowwww!â
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4. Sober by Demi Lovato –
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Demi Lovatoâs song âSoberâ struck a chord with audiences everywhere. In this song, Demi opens up about her very public struggle with addiction and reveals that she relapsed after 6 years of sobriety. Opening up about loneliness and life in the spotlight, she shows a side of herself in this song that is not seen in many artists. Demi has been known for being honest and candid in power ballads like âSkyscraperâ and âWarrior,â but âSoberâ has set itself aside from those ballads due to the sheer honesty with lines like, âTo the ones who never left me, we’ve been down this road before. I’m so sorry, I’m not sober anymore.â
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3. Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper –
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If you havenât heard this song yet, chances are you do NOT engage in mainstream media at all. This song, which was featured in âA Star Is Bornâ, has also appeared at multiple award shows in the past few months. While I personally have yet to see the film, it has received rave reviews and numerous awards for the acting and music featured in the film. The reason âSha-ha-shall-owâ is so incredible is because it not only proves to us that Bradley Cooper can sing, (trust me sister, Iâm swooning), but also shows off Gagaâs miraculous vocal chords. If you havenât heard this song yet, you are truly missing out. Â Â
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2. Booâd Up by Ella Mai –
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Ella Mai is everything that R&B has been yearning for in recent years. With an old school 90âs vibe and 21st century twists and lyricism, she has set herself up to be one of the hottest artists in the years to come. âBooâd Upâ sound is both something weâve heard a million times before and never heard at all. Her âheartbeatâ chorus makes it impossible not to sing along and recognize this song wherever you are. While this may not be the best song off of her eponymous debut album, it is her most easily recognized song, next to âTripâ. If you havenât delved into Ella Maiâs music, DO IT NOW.
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1. thank u next by Ariana Grande –
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Ariana Grande had quite a year in 2018. I wonât go into details because everything she has had to deal with, she has had to deal with in public. However, âthank u nextâ is an impeccable springboard from, arguably, her best album. This song, and itâs music video, have already been slated as iconic and features numerous celebrities and references to movies that Ariana adores. This song was just the beginning of her healing process, in which she addresses her very public relationships with the likes of Mac Miller and Pete Davidson, as well as Big Sean and Ricky Alvarez. Additionally, Ariana makes a point to thank all of them for shaping her into the woman she is now. Â
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