Trippie Redd, AKA Michael Lamar White II is an up-and-coming rapper who rose to stardom in the Soundcloud rap scene in the late 2010s. Since then, his rise through the ranks has been strong and steady, with his debut mixtape A Love Letter To You bringing him into the mainstream spotlight.
One notable theme which protrudes throughout Trippie Redd’s songwriting is that of love and relationships, for better or for worse.
Between his heavier rap side and his softer, more personalized tracks, I’ve collected his 10 best love songs for your perusal.
1. Love Sick
Album: A Love Letter to You 4
Released: 2019
What makes “Love Sick” especially love-filled is the delicate acoustic instrumental which carries the minimalist, stripped-down beat. Redd’s clean, barebones vocals make a captivating ode to keeping his lover around.
I particularly feel the melodies with the drawn-out basslines bring an old-school R&B vibe to the track, which we all know was the genre for love songs when it came to the spotlight. No one instrument is taking over in this track; from the drums to Redd’s vocals and the backing harmonies, each element has its own moment and adds to the pining atmosphere.
2. Who Needs Love
Album: A Love Letter to You 4
Released: 2019
We’ve all been in this position. That post-love, post-breakup anger comes to us all, and in “Who Needs Love” Trippie Redd doesn’t hold back. His raw, aggressive lyrics conflict with the three-note pluck of an acoustic guitar, but the track’s 808 beats turn it into a heartfelt hit.
The delivery might be quite direct and in-your-face, but Trippie Redd’s take on the hurt of heartbreak has turned into one of his catchiest songs.
3. Romeo and Juliet
Album: A Love Letter to You
Released: 2017
Now, we’re returning to Trippie Redd’s more loving side. Lyrically, this track is an ode to his ‘medicine’; bringing him back to life when he needs it most. With compliments and references aplenty, it’s sure to be received well by whoever it’s destined for!
I think that this may be one of Trippie Redd’s simpler songs which doesn’t have quite as much bounce as his most popular offerings. That said, it fits the ‘love song’ category very well.
4. So Alive
Album: A Love Letter to You 3
Released: 2018
Here we have one of Trippie Redd’s most melodic offerings. Its lo-fi-inspired instrumentals behind a rolling trap beat act to create a relaxing, inviting atmosphere throughout the duration of the track.
In “So Alive,” Trippie Redd exposes his love for someone else and describes that they give him light and reason. If that’s not romantic, I don’t know what is.
5. Love Scars 3
Album: A Love Letter to You 3
Released: 2018
“Love Scars 3” is one of four songs that – you probably guessed it – deals with the ups and downs of love. In this auditory episode, we’re looking at the positives. A love that cannot break or falter is rare, but in this song, Trippie Redd is sure he’s found it.
Backing vocals and a soulful key section make this track shine and demonstrate the young rapper’s flexibility and varying sound.
6. Can’t Love
Album: A Love Letter to You 3
Released: 2018
Having your heart broken is one of the most painful things we as humans can experience, and Trippie Redd seems to know that all too well. “Can’t Love” is a heartbreak song through and through, and with his persistent questioning of ‘why’ and ‘how’ it becomes a relatable part of his discography.
What I think Trippie Redd really nails throughout his discography, and especially in “Can’t Love,” is his use of melodic guitar sections. These turn a track that would otherwise be somewhat boring into something which carries emotional weight and its minimalism works to great effect.
7. Love Scars
Album: A Love Letter to You
Released: 2017
Carrying on with the heartbreak theme, we have a slightly heavier offering from Trippie Redd this time around. The delicate guitar plucks have been replaced by a hefty bassline and autotuned vocals for a more aggressive take on the downfall of a relationship.
His minimal, borderline nonexistent use of any type of melody in this track is an interesting choice, and one which questions why as the only ‘melody’ we hear is a high-key whine. Maybe the vocals and lyrics do all the work here?
8. Till the End of Time
Album: A Love Letter to You 4
Released: 2019
Throughout his extensive discography, Trippie Redd has shown he’s more than a one-trick pony. In “Till the End of Time”, he brings a more pop-oriented approach to his musicality, with an acoustic guitar chord progression following his rather upbeat lyrics nicely.
The high-pitched synth elements rising and falling in the background are a nice touch and help create a warm atmosphere. I personally think this is one of Trippie Redd’s best songs as it shows his musical capabilities in a more raw and exploratory fashion.
9. Never Ever Land
Album: A Love Letter to You
Released: 2017
Flicking back to the positive side of the love spectrum we have “Never Ever Land,” and a return to Trippie Redd’s stripped-back, minimalistic melodies. This time around, his melodies complement the message of dealing with the desire to persist with a relationship that’s becoming problematic. The delicate keys work well to carry the weight of the lyrics and pack it into a more consumable and catchy package.
10. Love Me More
Album: A Love Letter to You 4
Released: 2019
Not so much a love song as it is more of a desire-for-love song, here we see Trippie Redd in a vulnerable state. You might not think that at first though, given that his first words in the track are “Internet money, bitch”.
Onto the track itself. His simple pining for his special someone is communicated in a raw and powerful way, while a heavy bassline carries the track forward. On the vocal front, Trippie Redd has a bittersweet undertone to his voice which compliments the song’s message very well. Melodically, I feel this is one of his strongest songs.
Jordan McEvoy is a UK-based music journalist. He’s also an avid concert-goer, amateur photographer, and part-time gig promoter. When he isn’t rambling about his love for metal, attempting to write poetry, or playing RuneScape for the 50th time, he’s usually surrounded by coffee and listening to techno or Woods Of Ypres.
