My "end of the old year, beginning of the new year" post is going to be short this year.
There's not a lot to say that wasn't covered in other posts. A few things for here, though:
I moved across the country. I love the new math programme I'm in, but I miss Oregon/the Pacific Northwest. I miss the hikes, the weather, and the clean air. When my schooling is done (noting the possibility I may have to move again for a PhD programme), I'm 99% sure I'll be moving back to the PNW. Or maybe Jamaica.
I still don't particularly like Joe Biden as president, but he's better than what would have been the alternative. And, really, he's done what I was hoping he'd do: repair international relationships, clean up 45's economic mess (the social mess...that's going to take everyone's efforts, not one president), and navigate the COVID mess under the guidance of science and not impulse/public opinion. For the most part, anyway.
I do think he inherited a....tough situation. The previous president left a huge mess at home and abroad. Biden & Harris also inherited a global pandemic (including supply hiccups), trade fallout from the previous regime, some pretty intense natural disasters, and the fallout from an attempted coup. That's a lot, experience or no. I'm not going to be mad that they haven't solved racism, or forgiven student loans (although they have stalled the return of interest accrual a few times, so be thankful for small miracles), or cured cancer. I'm a little upset that they aren't being more vocal about the Roe V. Wade cases.
Aside from that...see my previous posts for how I felt about 2021.
And, of course, I have to leave my lists of top dancehall & soca tracks for the year. I'm following the same self-imposed rules as last year (e.g.; only one entry per artiste). The dancehall list is mostly unordered, but the multiple songs tied for #1 stood out a little more than the others for me. I also tried to include artistes who didn't show up in previous lists. I'll also be adding "honourable mentions" slowly and at a later date than the initial posting of the list. I won't be doing descriptions like I did last year. I just don't have the time (because...SURPRISE!...math grad school is pretty time consuming). Links to the videos/songs will be posted, though maybe not right away; click on the song title if you're interested. I admit to stretching the rules a bit on dates. Some came out late 2020, or I otherwise didnt hear them until 2021.
As always, assume songs are "not safe for work".
I want to give a special thanks to Fame Frequency and the World Team (Boom Boom & Harry Hype) for the live events that helped me get through the last year. It was always something to look forward to while sitting inside during COVID.
Favourite song, and genre:
"Un Coup" by Fally Ipupa & Dadju (technically came out in 2020, but I didn't hear it until Jan. 2020. So whatever.) (this is sort of a rhumba/afrobeats hybrid song, in French. I love the video, too. It's simple but it all the colours and costumes just pop.)
Top 25 dancehall tracks of the year
1) A)“never give up” by mavado
B)“humans” by nation boss
C)“cancel rape culture” by marcy chin
D)“start di benz” by kappa di gringoboss
E) “go dung dey” by spice (ft. sean paul and shaggy)
F) “roll deep” by10tik
G)”Ambition” by Yaksta
H) "heaven passport" by skeng & yeng
I) "nuh trust mankind" by alkaline
J) "knock ee ball" by tugstar w/ BoomBoom
2) “diggy dee” by charly black & sak noel
3) “trust people” by intence & “bouu yaah” by iwaata
4) “piana” by skillibeng
5) “in my life” by vershon
6) “run run” by shenseea
7) “my story” by mr vegas
8) “corner” by masicka and tarrus riley
9) “lord luci” by tommylee sparta
10) “blood affi run” by champagnie (aka scorcha dan)
11) “STOP” BY I-OCTANE
12) “piy piy” savage savo & laa lee
13) “journey” by 450
14) “jungle” by jada kingdom
15) “bad gyal” by busy signal
16) “yo pull up” by ding dong
17) “dat easy freestyle” by bad gyal jade
18) “believe” by kabaka pyramid
19) “go fi mine” by blvck h3ro
20) "nah trust nobody" by chronic law
21)”1up” by squash and "dem nah dweet" by shawn storm
22) “drug smuggler” jafrass ft. Nordia mothersille
23) “pressure” teejay & vybz kartel
24) “media” by jahshii
25) “we alright” by shane-o
Honourable Mentions:
"West Indies" by Koffee;"Bang Bung" by Bounty Killer & Busy Signal, "Jerusalem" by Teflon; "Hilltop Camp" by Munga Honourable, Natural Flames, & Ice Block; "Live It Up" by Jahmiel;
Top 20 Soca tunes (a couple are from late 2020...but idgaf b/c theyre good tunes)
1)"it don't matter" by hey choppi
2) "stress reliever" by kerwin dubois & destra
3)"j'aime cela" by kofiyourstruly
4) " nobody" by farmer nappy
5) "act up" by mole & cjuh
6) "problem" by magikal
7) "good times" by preedy
8) "right here" by kino & riggy atmosphere
9) "captivate ya" by jai-a
10) "bun it" by astro
11) "too badmind" by bmwa
12) "watch ova wi" by jonnelle & trinidad killa
13) "backaz" by boyzie
14) "help me" by problem child
15) "turn up" by nailah blackman & teejay
16) "we need another karnival" by verseetyle
17) "soca therapy" by patrice roberts
18) "10 outta 10" by machel montano
19) "touching it" by nessa preppy
20) "sunglasses and soca: pitch lake, trinidad" by dj ana (a selector set...not a song, but it was such a fun vibe that I had to put it on the list. there's a lot of fun facts about pitch lake throughout the video, too)