Whether it’s social distancing or masking up, summer 2020 may not feel and look the same. But one thing remains: There will still be summer songs. And while spring smashes such as DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch’s “Rockstar,” Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé’s “Savage,” and the Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” haven’t gone away, here are 10 tunes that should keep bringing the heat this season.
1. Megan Thee Stallion, “Girls in the Hood”
In both 2017 and 2018, it was the summer of Cardi B, with “Bodak Yellow” and “I Like It,” respectively. But last year it was Megan Thee Stallion, who had a “Hot Girl Summer.” The Houston rapper kept blazing with “Savage,” her beast of a hit that just helped her win best female hip-hop artist at . Now she’s dropped more fire with “Girls in the Hood,” a rock-edged banger on which she boasts, “F - - k being good, I’m a bad bitch.” And it’s not bragging when you can back it up like this.
2. Jack Harlow, “Whats Poppin”
The 22-year-old Kentucky rapper is having a breakout moment with this slinky earworm that slithers all the way up in your head. Now there’s an all-star remix featuring DaBaby, Tory Lanez and Lil Wayne. And ESPN should give Harlow some coins for that “Sports Center, Top 10” shout-out.
3. SAINt JHN, “Roses”
This Brooklyn-born artist of Guyanese descent first released “Roses” way back in 2016, but after it was remixed by Imanbek, the song became a Snapchat and TikTok sensation. Now, in addition to the EDM rave-up with SAINt JHN’s sped-up vocals, there’s a Future-assisted remix, which trades the clubbiness for a hip-hop chillness.
4. Burna Boy, “Wonderful”
Like SAINt JHN, this Nigerian was featured on “The Lion King: The Gift,” Beyoncé’s African-inspired companion to the movie released last summer. And this Afrobeat jam will give you happy feet to dance all those 2020 troubles away.
5. Beyoncé, “Black Parade”
Speaking of Bey, she pulled another one of her famous surprises by releasing this track at the end of Juneteenth. And let’s face it: It wouldn’t feel like summer without some new music from Queen B. As the BLM movement marches on, this is a celebration of black pride and perseverance before her “Black Is King” visual album arrives July 31.
6. Lil Baby, “The Bigger Picture”
This 25-year-old Atlanta rapper is all over the charts: His second album, “My Turn,” is No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and “We Paid,” his joint with 42 Dugg, is poised for big things this season, too. But it’s “The Bigger Picture” — a protest song that Lil Baby released in the wake of George Floyd’s killing — that captures the social consciousness of summer 2020.
7. Blackpink, “How You Like That”
After “Sour Candy” — their tasty twirl with Lady Gaga on “Chromatica” — the K-pop princesses are back with this trap-infused track. And, proving that they don’t need Mother Monster, the song’s video broke the record for the biggest 24-hour YouTube debut of all time with more than 86 million views. Now how you like that?
8. Tyga, “Vacation”
In the early days of quarantine, Tyga teamed up with Curtis Roach for the TikTok takeoff “Bored in the House.” Now, like many of us, the rapper is in serious need of an escape this summer. And, in addition to this take-me-away tune, he’s launched a “Vacation” contest, with 10 all-expenses-paid Cancun getaways going to front-line workers.
9. Jessie Ware, “Save a Kiss”
The British soul-pop siren casts her sensual spell on the dance floor with her new album, “What’s Your Pleasure?” One of the intoxicating highs, the seductive “Save a Kiss” is the sexiest Robyn song that Robyn never did.
10. Charlie Puth, “Girlfriend”
After appearing on the “Scoob!” soundtrack and collaborating on John Legend’s “Bigger Love” album, the singer-songwriter is ready for a little summer romance with some falsetto funk-pop that takes you floating back to “Justified”-era Justin Timberlake.