I don't think I'll really write much here. I think the blog posts from 2022 pretty sufficiently summarize how I felt about the year, looking both inwards and outwards, small-scale to large-scale.
Previous posts talk about the politics, and the opinions, and the school stuff, there's a paper in there, there's some wilderness pictures in there, etc.
I don't really care to do the summary of all of that.
So, basically, all that's left to do is to wish everyone a good 2023. And give my list of favourite songs that came out this year..
So....I hope 2023 sees a world continuing to heal from the last few years, even if the healing is slow. I prefer slow, effective progress to stagnation or regression.
And with that...here's my 2022 favourite song lists. I've been slowly building the list up over the months and editing as needed. Adding the "Other Genres" section was sort of a last minute call, tbh. It probably looks like a lot of effort went into putting the list together, but when you're adding one or two new songs to a list every week for about a year, there really isnt much else to do beyond some small edits/changes and hitting "post" at midnight.
As always, I'll start with the warning that there is a lot of NOT SAFE FOR WORK lyrics and images in the linked videos. I know it might offend some sensibilities, but I like the songs. Sorry?
I split things up into 3 categories. The first is more Jamaica specific. The second is basically the rest of the West Indies. The third is all other genres. The lists are in no particular order. It's a list, not a ranking. Even if none of it is your thing, just hit mute, click the link, and give the artistes a view (and some payment via the views).
LAST WARNING! MATERIAL NOT SAFE FOR WORK OR FOR CERTAIN SENSIBILITIES IS CONTAINED IN MANY OF THESE LINKS!
Top Dancehall/Reggae/Jamaican tunes:
1)"Heavy" by Kybba, Kalibwoy,and Busy Signal (this is just a fun song to bop to. fun riddim, vocalists flows on point, and just really bouncy. songs like this are why I love dancehall so much.)
2) "Hills" by Protoje (this was a big vibe for me)
3) "In The Air" by Noah Powa (good workout song. I've wanted to have a Noah Powa song on my list for a while now.)
4) "Shine" by Koffee (my favourite song off her album. but the whole album is good)
5) "Revival Wine" by Savage Savo (these are my favourite types of Savage songs. He makes good dancers/party tunes.)
6) :"Lowe Mi" by Sevana (she had so many good songs, but this was my fave. Her song One More Time w/ Juls was almost my choice, but I htink her voice was just too powerful on this one. She showed all the range.)
7) "Ehh Yah Ohh" by Beenie Man (this is a fun workout song, too. very much a classic beenie showing, IMO.)
8) "Distance" by Richie Spice (Notnice made the perfect Richie Spice riddim, and Richie Spice made the absolute most of it.)
9) "Cool Reminder" by Elephant Man and "When I'm Alone" by Nordia Mothersille (Notnice nailed the Cool Reminder riddim. Classic dancehall. All the songs were good, but these two were the best, IMO. I like how they're totally different styles of song on the same riddim, too. Ele did a quintessential Elephant Man party song, and Nordia Mothersille made a bittersweet anthem for introverts. But the riddim works really well in both styles. I think that says a lot about the production, and also of the vocalists skills.)
10) "Bye Bye" by Shenseea (Loved her album Alpha, but this was the best Shen song of the year for me. I also really loved her "Hallelujah" cover. Range & versatility.)
11) "Africa" by Jahmiel and Bugle or "Legend" by Jahmiel and Masicka (couldn't decide, chose both)
12)"These Streets Know My Name" Skillibeng, Capleton, Sizzla, Buju Banton, Bounty Killer and some DJ guy (I loved these artistes teaming up..)
13)"Mi Nuh Know" by Shaggy (Shaggy with the aggressive banger in the same year he released an album of Frank Sinatra covers)
14) "Eediat" by Skeng and Jigsta (this is my annual disclaimer that West Indians are more open about sexuality than Americans and I'm sorry if you're offended, but not every culture is your culture. Like, here we would publicly crucify a musician with his hand around a womans throat in a video. But in dancehall culture, there's men and women artistes who have those themes and images in their videos, and portray them in a positive light. Some people like that kind of thing [with or without the leather-daddy fits]. Also, this song is just really fun. A good dance tune. Honestly, if there were an audio-only video for the song up, I would've posted the audio only) (I almost put "Set It" by Popcaan here, but he gets enough promotion from his affiliation with Sophie's Choice)
15) "Guaranteed" by Christopher Martin (it's just a fun song.)
16) "Bhuff" by Mr. Vegas (this reminds me of the Savage & Laa Lee song I had on last years list. but inna Vegas style)
17) "Cum Yah:" by Tosh Alexander (swagger anthem)
18) All Songs On the "Sports Range" riddim, produced by the World Team aka Billboard Selector aka BoomBoom & Harry Hype (All songs were equally good.)
19) "GPP" by Jada Kingdom (this wasn't what I was expecting from Jada. Honestly, this sounds more like a Nordia Mothersille song [exhibit 1, exhibit 2]. It's sort of funny, b/c Nordia definitely did a song on a riddim I would've associated more with Jada. It's like they switched styles for the year.)
20) "As a Bad B" by Marcy Chin (My president was getting a song on this list one way or another. It was almost Buzz, but AaBB is just so swaggy.)
21) "Dark Room" by Shane-O (Not really a fun song. In fact, it's really f'ing depressing. But Shane-O really makes you feel his words, and I think he really shows off his lyrical ability here. Still underrated, but never unappreciated.)
22) "Airplane Mode" by NationBoss and Chronic Law (Honestly, I never even thought about how good of a team-up these two would make)
23) "Controversy" By Yaksta (my only complaint was how short the song is. this could've been a 4 minute song easy.)
24) "Bounce" by Ding Dong Ravers (dancers king and the entire ravers court delivering. just fun, like mathematics)
25) "Bong Bing" by Laa Lee and Cristale (Laa Lee makes fun dance songs. "Bird" from last year was so good, but I chose Piy Piy last year.)
26) "Never Complain" by Rushawn (good up & coming artiste. I just found out abouth im this year. hoping for more great, thoughtful tunes from the young man)
27) "Far" by Rygin King and Morango (Rygin King's album Therapy was really good, but I liked this non-album song best)
28) ":Love Alone" by Tarrus Riley and Kabaka Pyramid (have to have one SingySingy tune on here. Liked this team-up a lot)
29) "One Team" by 10Tik and Skigad (I was definitely going to put a 10Tik song on here, and I wanted to get a Skigad song on here. They delivered.)
30) "Bubble It" by Spice and Yemi Alade (Spice linking up with Mama Africa is amazing. Love the result. This should be a club anthem everywhere. I really liked Spice's tune w/ Stefflon Don too, but Bubble It was/is next level )
31) "Profile" by Alkaline (The song goes hard. The video probably seems like...a lot...unless you understand the context. Alka put the video out about a month after the government in JA put a ban on certain types of songs and visuals. I saw the video as kind of an over-the-top protest of the ban. It's pretty meta when you take it in context. And it's not liek Alka's never done a little stirring of some controversy. )
32) "True Love" by Vybz Kartel (I didn't really expect WorldBoss to put out [or I guess re-release, since this is an older song] one of the more heartfelt songs of the year. For songs he actually released this year, I liked "RunDem File", ft. Shawn Storm)
33) "Keep That Fire Lit" by Mortimer (Mortimer doesn't put out 20 songs a year, butu when he puts something out, its perfect. One of my all time favourite songs is still "Lightning." Just a great song)
34) "Dinero" by Lila Ike
35) "Location" by Mavado
36) "Go Hard" by Teflon
37) "2 Face" by 450
38) "Headline Fi Front Page" by Morgan Heritage, I-Octane, Rytikal, & Jashii
39) "Remedy" by Kappa
Top Soca Songs
1) "Lift Me Up" by Rihanna (When I found out she was doing some songs for Black Panther 2, I told her she should do a soca song for the film & call it "Mas-kanda Forever Pon Di Road". She didn't. So this is here out of bitterness and spite on my part.)
(Note: I feel like I shouldn't have to say this, but I probably do: Rhianna and I don't actually talk. We only speak through our agents. [That second part is also a joke, meant to drive home the fact that the original comment is also a joke.)
2)"Bajan Girls, pt 4" by Peter Ram (because real Bajans make soca)
3)"Bashment (Action Start)" by DJ Cheem & Lil Rick (I love this riddim, and this was my favourite track on it)
4)"Calypso Baby" by Nailah Blackman (I love her voice. I think this is such a good riddim for her voice. I've been listening to "Touchdown" by Nailah and Faye-Ann Lyons a lot lately, too. )
5) "Big" by Olatunji (It's infectious)
6) "Strictly Backaz" by Mirrordan ( First, I love power soca b/c its definitely the best workout music. Second, I love songs about backaz that have the word backaz in the title. It's sort of amazing how many there are. I've considered making a whole playlist of all the songs about backaz titled "backaz" just to see how many there actually are. It may take generations to get even a close approximation.)
7) "Grind di dhal" by Ravi B, Nisha B, and DJ Ana & Ultra Simmo (chutney soca is underrated. I think it's a cool subgenre. It's a great example of how West Indies culture is really such a huge melting pot that is both respective of the component cultures AND is, at the same time, its own unified culture. It's a fun song, too. I like how they added in clips of fans dancing during the Friday Night Live parties DJ Ana & Ultra Simmo do virtually.).
8) "868" by Orlando Octave (I just love the riddim. Orlando owns it.)
9)"Old Dawg" by Jaiga (it's got a real vintage soca vibe)
10) "Rock So" by Blaxx (RIP Blaxx. This is another vintage-sounding tune)
11) "Happy Life" by Teddyson John (just a feel-good song)
12) "Location" by Preedy & DJ Private Ryan (big summer vibes tune.. Also: Dj Private Ryan makes really good mixes and you should check them out)
13) "Sweet Part of Life" by Kerwin DuBois (I call this style of soca "afro-chill soca". It's undeniably soca, but has some elements of African pop, and isn't super high tempo like power soca. I like it)
14) "On My Way" by Young Bredda (Just fun)
15) "Nasty Flow" by Nessa Preppy (I had a hard time choosing just one Nessa song. But I eventually had to admit this was my fave.. Private Ryan was the villain for teasing this song for like a month before FINALLY premiering it. I really liked "Shake it" w/ SHemmy J and DJ Ana, too.. A fun old school soca tune. I also liked "Who Ready with Alison Hinds)
16) "To Love My Rum" by Jah Reddis (I may not drink alcohol, but I can still appreciate a fun song even if it's about booze)
17) "Too Hott" by Marzville and DJ Spider
18) "Danger" by Skinny Fabulous and Problem Child (this is like the ultimate power soca team up)
19) "Doggie Woggie" by Mole (the riddim was totally made for Mole)
20) "Sweetest Mas" by Lil Bitts (this is a spirit of Carnival song. it just give a warm, celebratory vibe.)
21) "Bonjour:" by Motto (sort of a Soca-Zouk style mash up. Fun)
22)"Enough" by Nadia Batson and Farmer Nappy
23) "Mas" by Micha Teja and the Freetown Collective (a great song and a great video.)
24) "Floating in the Air" by Erphraan Alves
25) "Mor Balaam" Fiona Singh & Warchild (more chutney soca vibes Honestly, I wasn't sure how I felt about it the first time I heard it, but it grew on me.)
26) "Liki Tiki" by Kes and J Perry
Other Genres
1) "Amazing" by Mary J Blige (don't care that it came out at the end of 2021.Yes, MJB's album "Good Morning Gorgeous" came out in 2022 and was great, too. But this song is next level. One queen.)
2) "Slap" by Big Daddy Kane, Busta Rhymes, and Conway The Machine (A good year for oldheads like myself. This was a good team up and everyone brought it, but come on... Big Daddy Kane owned this. There's certain emcees like Big Daddy Kane, or Rakim, or Guru (RIP), or GZA, or Sean Price (RIP) where they just own every appearance on whom ever else's songs. It's not just presence, it's G.O.D.-tier skills .)
3) "Glorious" by Cormega and Nas and "Paradise" by Cormega & Havoc (I'll admit I'm a Queensbridge diehard. I like the song "Full Circle" that came out a couple of years ago with the original Firm, but just Mega and Nas together was even better. It felt more like two friends making up as opposed to two enemies being forced to apologize by their mutuals. So happy they buried the hatchet and made the peace. That's the biggest move for two respected legends. Havoc and Mega together was good, too. But it was really bittersweet to not have Prodigy in there [RIP Prodigy].. Mobb Deep/Mega was always a team up that brought heat. What's Ya Poinson off Murda Muzik is still my favourite song off that album and still a top 5 all time track for me.)
4) "Last Last" by Burna Boy. (this was like THE song of 2022. Everyone did a remix of it. And almost all of them were good.)
5)"In The Club" by Mahalia (Not a remix of 50's song)
6) "Vegas" by Doja Cat (showing scalp on Mark Zuckerberg's Racial Internet. Shout out to Nore. But it's cool to see Doja took off. Go To Town is still my favourite song by her, but this one is a close second)
7) "L'enfer" par Stromae (j'aime aussi son autre chanson, "Fils de joie")
8) "Likkle Miss (The Fine Nine Remix)" by Mrs. Petty, Spice, Destra Garcia, Patrice Roberts, Lady Leshurr, Pamputtae, Dovey Magnum, Lisa Mercedez, and London Hill (this was an unexpected remix of a remix of Skeng's song.. But the ladies took it for their own. )
9) "Karma" by Big Boss Vette (this is just hard. love it)
10)"soso" by Omah Lay
11) "Soweto" by Victony & Tempoe
12) "King" by Dadju
13) "Yagui Mouna" par Papche Warano (ok, lets be honest. 99% of us could practice dancing for 10 hours a day every day of the year for 10 years and STILL look like we're doing the hokey-pokey compared to those little kids in the video. the song is great, too. but the amount of natural co-ordination and natural rhythm you have to have to be able to dance that good at that age? Sheesh..)