Happy New Year, y'all! A lot of artists have entered 2018 on a tear, and it may be a big year for a lot of big names. Both Kendrick Lamar and Cardi B are on new songs that may make their stars shine even brighter.

Kendrick's latest track is "All the Stars" featuring TDE label mate SZA. The song centers around believing yourself and protecting yourself from any enemies who shall pass; fitting, considering it's the first song from the forthcoming Black Panther soundtrack. "Tell me what you gon' do to me/Confrontation ain't nothin' new to me/You can bring a bullet, bring a sword/Bring a morgue, but you can't bring the truth to me," Kendrick confidently spits, ready to ride for himself and his inner circle.

Cardi B might be New York City's biggest star at the moment, and her appearance on one of the most fun songs of a young year will only help her case. Cardi is featured on the remix to pop star Bruno Mars' single "Finesse." The Queen of the Bronx brags about her newfound success with lines like, "Bossed up and I changed the game/It's my big Bronx boogie, got all them girls shook (shook)/My big, fat ass got all them boys hooked/I went from dollar bills, now we poppin' rubber bands."

Rap veteran Uncle Murda decided to let us know how he felt about the past year with his "2017 Rap Up." The Brooklyn MC even commented on one of rap's bigger stories this year, spitting, Jay-Z confessed to cheating on Beyoncé/And he finally threw some shots back at Kanye/Jay know Kanye ain’t ‘bout that violence/For my nigga Prodigy, let’s have a moment of silence."

Kodak Black addressed some of his personal beefs on his new song "Here It Is," which is seemingly a shot at fellow Florida native Koly P. The Finesse Kid refuses to pushed out of his spot, rapping, "Still droppin' hits in a Dodge Caravan/I'm smokin' on a pen, I will never end/I'm drinkin' on this Hen', got me arrogant/I'm higher than a bitch, I'm in the air again."

Keeping the convo in Florida, producer Ronny J raps and is credited with the beat on "Trixxx" featuring Lil Pump. Ronny takes over hook duties, confidently rhyming, "Drop, Gucci on my wrist/Yeah, bad bitch on my wrist/Drop, skinny dippin' with your bitch/Damn I'm chokin' on my Trix."

Wrapping up the list, Dreamville's Cozz comes back with a bang on his new song "Questions." The young lyricist stakes his claim, passionately rhyming, "Pain builds maturity, don't you be worried G/I keep a even mind but gotta know the reason why/These niggas ain't really sure of me, I ain't certainty//They doubt me currently even with Cole referring me."

Check out the best songs of the week below.

See New Music Releases for January 2018

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