2013 is coming to a close, so what better time to force my opinions upon the masses. I mean, c'mon, who doesn't love a year end list? I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for them. Since I have access to Wi-Fi, a laptop, and a barely read blog, I thought why not make my own.
My goal is to hit you guys with at least ONE different list a week, along with whatever the other dead beats that sometimes write for the blog decide to contribute. Between the new puppy and the craziness of the holidays, we'll see how that goes.
The first list is my top 20 songs of 2013. You might recognize some of these from being featured in some way on the blog, others are new to the audience. Either way, you're welcome.
20.) Audio Push - Shine (Prod. by Hazebanga & Eric Choice)
This little nugget is off the Cali duo's album Come As You Are. This is perfect chill music. From the Janet Jackson sample to the Chris "Smokey" Tucker bridge, this is just a fun song from start to finish. They were on the bubble until I realized their video for the song pays homage to Friday. Sold.
19.) Nike Nando - Valerie (Prod. by Drew Beats)
Besides year end lists, I'm also a sucker for storytelling. Nike tells an intriguing tale about the trials and tribulations of interracial dating. It was off his SPRDLV album and it was love at first listen. The slowed down Pharrell sample is almost hypnotic.
18.) Chance The Rapper ft. Childish Gambino - Favorite Song (Prod. by Nate Fox)
Chance and Childish...how could this not make the list. Off his critically acclaimed Acid Rap mixtape/album, this bouncy summertime track was my favorite. I worked out for like a month and a half this summer, and this was on my gym playlist, so you know its real.
17.) Kanye West ft. Charlie Wilson - Bound 2
Possibly the only track on Yeezus that I really like. The beat had an old school appeal to it, took me back to the pre-Kardashian/backpack wearing Kanye that I used to know.
16.) Janelle Monae - Dance Apocalyptic
Ms. Monae released one of the most refreshing albums of the year, The Electric Lady, and this was one of the standout tracks. This high energy song had me looking silly in my car to neighboring vehicles numerous times this year.
15.) Jordan Bratton - The Grey
This up and coming R&B artist put the music world on notice this year with the release of his debut album Grey Area, and song led the way. He has sort a Chris Brown-ish sound to his vocals, but don't hold that against him. He possesses something that Ike Turner Jr lacks...substance.
14.) Robert Glasper Experience ft. Common & Patrick Stump - I Stand Alone
Many of the songs from Black Radio 2 could have made this list, I just chose the one I listen to the most. This is a great restart/reflection song after a long day of work.
13.) Lupe Fiasco ft. Ed Sheeran - Old School Love (Prod. by DJ Frank E)
I hate to admit it, but this syrupy song from Lupe's soon to be released album, Tetsuo & Youth, was a creeper. I thought it was just another pleasant song from Lupe, but as you can see, it grew into one my favorites this year. Ed Sheeran blends on the hook beautifully.
12.) Schoolboy Q ft. Kendrick Lamar - Collard Greens (Prod. by THC)
Q dropped this gem at the end of the summer, and proved that K. Dot isn't the only Black Hippy that deserves the spotlight. This lead single has the hip-hop world salivating at the thought of what else Schoolboy Q's debut album, Oxymoron, has to offer.
11.) Jhene Aiko ft. James Fauntleroy - Wrap Me Up (Prod. by Tae Beast)
This was a pleasant surprise considering Jhene released it after dropping her Sail Out EP, which did not feature this jam. I think we just got the tip of the iceberg for these two in 2013, and hopefully in 2014 these Cocaine 80s contributors give us much, much more.
10.) Aloe Blacc - Love Is The Answer (Prod. by Pharrell)
This was already featured on the blog this year, rather than rehash my love for this song, just click here.
9.) Janelle Monae ft. Miguel - Primetime
Yessir, you read that right. Two songs from one album. I told you The Electric Lady was something serious. I love this song, take me back to the classic R&B duets of Tammy & Marvin or Babyface and Mariah. If had to re-do my wedding, this song would be the new number one contender for my first dance (sorry Stevie).
8.) The Internet - Dontcha (Prod. by Chad Hugo)
I hope you didn't think the R&B options within Tyler The Creator's Odd Future clique ended with Frank Ocean, and that Pharrell was the only one from The Neptunes doing work in 2013. The Internet relaxed my soul when they dropped this one. This was a well deserved throwback to stylings of Groove Theory's Tell Me and Koffee Brown's After Party.
7.) J. Cole ft. Kendrick Lamar - Forbidden Fruit
False advertising aside (K. Dot only did the hook, no bars), this was my favorite song on Jermaine Cole's second studio album, Born Sinner. I loved the fresh interpretation of A Tribe Called Quest's classic Electric Relaxation. I don't know how one manages to smooth out an already crisply ironed beat, but that's exactly what Mr. Cole did with this one.
6.) Jay Z - Somewhereinamerica (Prod. by Hit Boy)
With all the songs that people drool over on Magna Carta Holy Grail, this little two and a half minute gem is the one that stands out for me. In the over-produced opus to "luxury rap" that is MCHG, stood this beacon of hope which I look at as Hov's little mini-message that you sometimes say the most with the least...if that makes any sense at all. Just listen to the song.
5.) Busta Rhymes & Q-Tip ft. Kanye West & Lil Wayne - Thank You
Personally, I could have done without the Weezy and Yeezy ad-libs, but there is no such thing as perfection in this world. Some might say this song is too new to be this high my list, and to that I say fuck off...this is my list. If this is a sign of things to come, then I suggest that Bussa Bus and Tip quickly transform their upcoming collaborative mixtape, The Abstract and The Dragon, into a full blown album.
4.) Mayer Hawthorne - Her Favorite Song
This song is a throwback to old Earth, Wind, & Fire songs. Hawthorne is very underrated in the R&B game, but this is a world class song, so hopefully more love comes his way soon. Please check out his album Where Does This Door Go.
3.) Justin Timberlake - Pusher Love Girl (Prod. by Timbaland)
JT and Timbo...what more do I need to say. I'm just a junk-junk-junk-junk-junkie for this song.
2.) Les Sins - Grind
You might know Les Sins better as Chaz Bundick of Toro y Moi fame. Grind is a little bit "dancier" than what we are used to hearing from Chaz, but if different is wrong, then I don't want to be right. I discovered this song in April, and its still a mainstay in my go to playlist. It never gets old. It may just make my 2014 list.
1.) Kendrick Lamar ft. Jay Z - Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe (Remix) (Prod. by Sounwave)
Very self explanatory. You got the rookie of the year and the greatest of all-time on a very Aquemini-ish beat. This is like Kobe passing the torch to D Rose (yeah, that's right...Chicago, trick).
Well there it is, my top twenty songs of 2013. Let's see if I'm motivated enough to hit you with another list next week. If not, see you in 2014. Once again, you're welcome.
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