Wham needs his forthcoming album to hit harder than Ray Lewis.

It seems like ever since Lil Baby was crowned as one of the best in the game, he’s faced sky-high expectations. After the massive success of My Turn, fans were hoping for his next release to be the rap equivalent of an Illmatic sequel, which was perhaps an unrealistic benchmark. While he didn’t quite hit that legendary status on his follow-ups, Lil Baby appears to be undergoing a rebrand, and it’s starting to pay off. The shift feels like it’s building toward a big moment with his upcoming, as-yet-untitled album. Today, he dropped its first single, “5AM,” giving us a taste of what’s to come.

Lil Baby’s soul bleeds in “5AM.” On this track, he delves into his relentless drive, the weight of being his family’s main support, and the loneliness he sometimes feels. He also reassures listeners that despite the negativity around him, nothing will keep him from reaching the success he’s aiming for.

Matching Lil Baby is a dramatic, soulful trap beat that gives you the feels. While I wouldn’t say Lil Baby does anything spectacular flow-wise, there’s a level of hunger in his voice that I think will resonate with listeners.

Check out the short but sweet “5AM” below.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.