Entertainment

Iggy Azalea's Comin' At Ya Like a Dark Horse

by Alex Kritselis

Iggy Azalea’s long-awaited debut album The New Classic has leaked online, and that means we finally get to hear the Australian rapper’s new Katy Perry-penned track, “Black Widow.” Featuring British singer Rita Ora, “Black Widow” is an eerie rap-pop fusion with a soaring chorus and a catchy trap breakdown. From the song’s structure to its “trap-lite” beats (a term coined by Idolator’s Carl Williott), “Black Widow” sounds a lot like Perry’s “Dark Horse” — but I have a feeling that’s exactly why the song appealed to Azalea in the first place. With her latest song “Fancy” steadily climbing the charts and a rumor that she's featured on Ariana Grande’s upcoming single, “Problem,” do you think Azalea’s poised for stateside stardom with “Black Widow”?

As soon as you press play, “Black Widow” grabs a hold of you with its powerful, almost menacing chorus. Over handclaps and ominous synths, Ora sings with a growing intensity:

I’m gonna love you until you hate me

And I’m gonna show you what’s really crazy

You shoulda known better than to mess with me harder

I’m gonna love you, I’m gonna love you, I’m gonna love you

Like a black widow, baby

Then, over a spooky instrumental that sounds like something out of a horror movie, Azalea begins to rap about a love gone sour:

It’s just a cat and mouse game, always starts the same

First we’re both down to play, then somehow you go astray

Went from nothin’ to somethin’, likin’ to lovin’

It was us against the world, and now we just fuckin’

But instead of the two lovers going their separate ways amicably like mature adults, each holding a cardboard box full of the stuff they left at the other person’s house (what fun would that be?), Azalea decides to make her soon-to-be ex pay for their failed relationship by revenge-loving him to DEATH (or something like that). Ora continues:

You used to be thirsty for me

But now you wanna be set free

This is the web, web that you weave

So baby now rest in peace

Whoa, I guess it’s curtains for this dude! Much like “Fancy,” you’ll be bopping your head to “Black Widow’s” verses and singing-along to its chorus — only this time, the song will likely be sending chills down your spine. If we’re talking hit potential, “Black Widow” is Azalea’s best bet on The New Classic. Ora confirmed on the red carpet at the MTV Movie Awards last Sunday that the two women are going to shoot a music video for the song, so presumably it will be released as a single at some point in the near future. I'm excited for Azalea — it really seems like everything's coming together for her.

Give “Black Widow” a listen below.

Image: Iggy Azalea Source/tumblr