Niaz’s picks:
Vince Staples – MAGIC
MAGIC was the leading single off of Vince Staples’ fifth studio album, Romana Park Broke My Heart. The song, like a lot of the others off the album, is reminiscent of the late 1980s, early 90’s hip-hop, G-Funk, West-Coast sound. “If I gave a f*** about a citch, I’d always be broke. I’d never get to pull up in a Benz with my locs” is a nod to Kurupt’s verse on “Ain’t No Fun”(another ode to that West-Coast, G-Funk sound).
Produced by Twice as Nice, My Best Friend Jacob, and Mustard, the song does its job at making the listener feel as though they’re at their local Los Angeles function, hitting that two-step on the dance floor with their homies.
Brent Faiyaz – All Mine
Brent Faiyaz released Wasteland in July this year and he brought the smooth and cool R&B vibes. Produced by Brent Faiyaz, “All Mine” is a song that can be played on repeat. This slow jam does a good job at making one reminiscent of that one relationship that though has no potential to blossom into something romantically official, it’s still satisfying and fun for the moment.
“I know that I’ve been the worst, but I’ll love you better.”
Brent has a way of delivering this message in a sultry and seductive way. However, the message further proves the ongoing notion that the self-proclaimed “Ghetto Gatsby” is “toxic”.
“All Mine” was the highest charting song off of the 19-track project debuting at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 1 on the Urban charts. He released an accompanying music video to the song starring Joan Smalls.
Jessica’s picks:
Steve Lacy – Bad Habit
Steve Lacy had a great year as a breakout artist dominating Billboard charts and proving why he’s the one to watch. Releasing his second studio album Gemini Rights in early 2022 singer and producer Steve Lacy has had a phenomenal start. Bad Habit is a mashup of rock, R&B, indie pop and hip‑hop all in one song. compiled with notes of messy beats, heavy beats and an on-going guitarDominating social media as well as receiving Grammy nods. “Bad Habit” is the first song to ever top their Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot R&B Songs, Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, Hot Rock Songs and Hot Alternative Songs charts at the same time. Its groovy and melancholy vibe is why Bad Habit was completely memorable for 2022.
Ice Spice – Munch
Being crowned “rookie of the year” by Billboard, Ice Spice has all eyes on her. Her breakout single “Munch (Feelin’ You)” is all the sass Drill rap needed. The viral sensation amassed over 2.4 billion views and over 500,000 creations on social media, from fans screaming the famous tagline “You thought I was feeling you” Spice created a lane of her own. That social media success offered up a huge uptick in global streams surpassing 34 million streams landing the Bronx artist on several charts. The hype surrounding this nonchalant track is what makes Ice Spice a rare breed when it comes to breakout artists.
Natalee’s picks:
Dreamville- Stick feat. JID, Sheck Wes, J.Cole, Kenny Mason
Coming straight off Dreamville’s D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape, “Stick” is all about guaranteeing violence against those “talkin’ too brazenly.” With the support of DJ Drama—JID, J.Cole, Kenny Mason, and Sheck Wes give their opps no mercy as they annihilate them in the worst way. Moreover, these naysayers meet their maker with lyrical ammo that’s just as deadly. J. Cole even said it best when he spits, “Bullet hit his mouth, at least he died tastefully.” Ultimately, the dark, triumph-styled trap production sets a tone for them to settle the score and flex.
A fed-up JID raps, “F–k around and shoot the cavalry up/Bullets sneezing,we got allergies/we got alibis/We got calibers, categorized/FN, b—h, capitalized, better recognize/I got sick and tired of lettin’ b—–s slide.”
Rico Nasty – Vaderz feat. Bktheruler
Her creepy-esque trap offering, “Vaderz,” attests to this very paraphrase as it shows the rapper’s cadence (and lyrical) dexterity as she weaves canny punchlines with solid rhymes.
Going bar for bar with Bktherula, the Las Ruinas creative expresses that “she ain’t cut like these b—-es and can’t pretеnd,” The Georgia-based wordsmith follows Rico’s energy, dropping her bars in an off-beat style. She alludes that these females are “bananers if she thought I was green and insane like Invader Zim.”
‘Fayo’s picks:
SZA – Shirt
From her second and critical opus SOS, SZA croons about dispelled love affairs, winded out romance, and the aftermath of a broken heart. Almost talking to herself throughout the entering of the record, her ability to meander through her normal regista and wrenching falsettos as she absolves herself of a wasted love, in a convictional tone that not many artists can muster – was possessive. She’s one of them ones.
Kendrick Lamar – We Cry Together feat. Taylor Page
King Kunta will never fail to deliver some poetic justice. Invoking innovation, this record goes on to show how Lamar always challenges himself to deliver art rich in novelty and originality. Sounding nothing like anything out at the moment, the Pulitzer winner’s introspective and often controversial ability to cover uncomfortable topics will always crystallize him as one of the greatest artists to grace the microphone. In Hip Hop, not many can take the risks Kendrick affords himself. To deliver a performance worthy of an Oscar, and to address the pink elephant in the room that is feminism, gender violence, among a slew of current cultural issues was imperious.
Muvas Milk – Candy Queen
Perhaps one of the most ethereal vocal performances this year, reminiscent of a young Mariah Carey – Muvas Milk may not be in the limelight or in the news cycles but quality music is not based on popularity or the clout charade. The thudding drums, nostalgic synths, pinpoint writing and her vocal texture colliding almost felt surreal and outer body. “Still get chills at every moment” she said.
Tallie’s picks:
SiR – Nothing Even Matters
This was the year I discovered SiR and got a chance to become familiar with his catalog– and I’m hooked. Not only is he super underrated, but his sound can truly be described as ethereal. The R&B song features a hard-to-miss sample from D’Angelo’s “Send It On.” This dreamy track is definitely going to stay on repeat.
Fivio Foreign – What’s My Name (with Queen Naija & Coi Leray)
Let’s not forget Fivio dropped one of the best debut projects, B.I.B.L.E. this year! The Brooklyn rapper made his official debut created a drill sound that had crossover appeal. The Destiny Child tinged song was one of my favorite tracks and showcased Fivio’s R&B side. I particularly enjoy this side of him.
Drake and 21 Savage – Spin Bout U
No explanation needed. Drake and 21 Savage easily had one of the best chemistry’s on this song in particular. Not to mention, all 16 songs of the collaborative album Her Loss, debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Joony – Wildin
Joony is going to have a big year in 2023. After being featured on Brent Faiyaz’s album Wasteland this year on the track “FYTB,” he kept the momentum going to hold audiences over with an album of his own Pretty In Black. “Wildin” is one of those songs that’s short, but leaves you wanting more. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for Joony in the upcoming year.
Kalen picks:
Power – Gunna ft Drake
Just when we thought we heard everything Gunna had to offer on his DS4EVER, the Atlanta rapper surprised fans with his erotic banger “P Power”. With Metro Boomin behind the boards, the blaxploitation-style baseline and horns combined with distant moans embody an undeniable tale of ecstasy-filled debauchery. Gunna doesn’t let the beat goes to waste as he floats effortless with his signature flow and the essence of the Black Hugh Hefner.
“She sniffin’ that flour, we geekin’ for hours,
Get play as a player, that P get devoured
Told my brother, ‘She ours’”
Topped off with a solid guest appearance from Drake, the track sounds like the missing piece that made Gunna’s last installment of “Drip Season” complete. Easily, “p power” is one of this year’s standout collaborations.
The Heart Part 5 – Kendrick Lamar
The complicated, multi-faceted message that Kendrick Lamar delivers on his latest album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers is better summarized with his prior release of the complex promotional single.
The songs marks the fifth chapter of his “The Heart” series and arguably his best to date. The instrumental is built around a fitting Marvin Gaye sample “I Want You” as he pleads with his fans to maintain their support at him indifferently for his critiques regarding what “the culture” has become.
“Ni**as goin’ to work and sellin’ work, late for work,
Workin’ late, prayin’ for work, but he on paperwork,
That’s the culture, point the finger, promote ya”
Bringing the track to life even more, the accompanying visuals features Kendrick’s face morphing into five of black media’s most prominent and controversial figures. With each face change, it becomes clear that each line of his verses aren’t just links to the story, but passages that represent each featured celebrity’s story. When we’re talking about the best of this year, “The Heart Part 5” represents some of the most layered musical art pieces any genre in 2022 has to offer.
