2020: The Year in Songs
December 31, 2020
Cover Design by Jode-Leigh Nembhard
2020: The Year In Songs By Kevin: Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal
2020: The Year in Songs By Stanley: Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal
First, thanks to anyone that has listened to a playlist, downloaded, stopped by the site, etc. — we greatly appreciate it, and don’t take for granted anyone that’s supported in any capacity! At many points throughout the year, making playlists, looking for new music, and sharing it has served as a [necessary] outlet. It’s also been a means of staying afloat, having something to listen during my #QuarantineWalks, as well as something to look forward to when the days start running together. Without question, these are a set of practices that will be necessary going forward.
To commemorate the year, Kevin and I made our own, individual playlists comprised of our top 100 songs. Below, we wrote a bit about some of the ones we wanted to highlight. We hope you enjoy the playlists!
Kevin: Radiant Children — Mind Control
2020 has been the year of many things – many of them bad. For me and many others, it has been the year of self-care (mediation, mantras, yoga, etc.) as we continue to work from home. Radiant Children’s Mind Control is Headspace in the form of atmospheric-soul music. There may only be approximately 15 words in this song, but there is something powerful in repeating the lyrics I’m in control, of my body, I’m in control, of my mind. In a year where we, as an entire world, feel like everything is out of our control due to a certain fast-spreading virus, allowing ourselves to remember to exercise the control we have over our mind and body is extremely important. Oh, and the album is really good, so there’s that as well – check it out!
Stanley: The Bul Bey & Corey Bernhard — Cloud Hoppin’ (feat. Jill Ryan)
Earlier this month, I got the chance to sit down with The Bul Bey and Corey Bernhard to discuss their new project, creating throughout the pandemic, and more. One of the things I learned from them is the value of making art that moves you, the artist, personally, and to be honest in your approach. Their new EP is a wonderfully crafted body of work that sees each artist constantly elevating each other. This song in particular, Cloud Hoppin’, is one of my favorites from the project. The laid back beat from the 808s, the pitched up guitar(s), keyboards and overall production put you in a trance, locking you into the groove. The Bul Bey’s verses and Jill Ryan’s added vocals take the song even higher. And on the hooks, The Bul Bey and Jill Ryan sing: I been gettin’ more sleep, I been drinkin’ more water, I been workin’ on me — a mantra indeed.
Kevin: Oscar Jerome (feat. Brother Portrait) – Your Saint
This is undoubtedly one of my favorite albums of the year. Oscar Jerome’s guitar playing is front and center on this project and, in my opinion, that was the correct call. On Your Saint the guitar is there, but this song packs its most poignant message - Your saint only cares for money, don’t you touch his sense of pride. This year has brought renewed discussion around “social justice.” In that we have calls to re-distribute wealth, defund the police, etc. but all we see is that our country (‘Murica) only cares about money and property (his pride). I’m not sure if this is the message Oscar Jerome wants the listener to leave with, but the “saint” here can be understood to be our leaders and how they only care when their sense of pride is threatened. Towards the back end of the song, Oscar Jerome allows his band to let loose, as this is a staple throughout the album. In this track, the saxophone closes it out with a frenzy that feels cathartic in many ways.
Stanley: Terrace Martin — Voice of King Nipsey (Feat. Grey Area)
Terrace Martin is one of my favorite producers/musicians/songwriters/artists working today. I probably have at least 5 songs on my playlist that he’s contributed to in some capacity. Terrace Martin typifies what it means to engage in the many traditions extending from Black American Music, as he constantly blurs the [perceived] lines between genres. On this song, The Voice of King Nipsey, Martin is accompanied by Jazz his band, Gray Area. It’s one of the standout tracks from his EP, for me. And though it doesn’t have any words, it’s a lyrical, and at times, poetic tune.
Kevin: Anderson .Paak – Lockdown
Who thought .Paak would write the protest song of 2020 (*slow clap*)? This track sits right at the center of the musical Venn diagram for me. Incisive lyrics/bars, smooth production, and overall .Paak aptly captures the boots on the ground account of a protest. Lockdown, in my mind, succeeds because .Paak is captivating – he makes you listen. Throughout the song it feels like the listener travels with him through the streets. The song doesn’t really say anything that we don’t already know per se, but I don’t think that is a negative. There is something to be said for an artist capturing the mood and energy of a protest and eventual uprising. .Paak also knows that the song must sound good, so heads will bop. And shoutout Jay Rock – great verse in the video that didn’t make the studio version here.
Stanley: Ben Williams — Come Home
Earlier this year, I wrote about Ben Williams’ new album I Am A Man. His album connects time and sound, serving as a bridge between the Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike and the contemporary movement for Black lives. In a year like 2020, Williams’ album was a sounding board for me, encapsulating the many emotions, peaks, and valleys that have been felt. Set to the sound of a distorted guitar, pulsating bass, and powerful drums, Come Home tells the story that so many Black folk have told, and desires held — to simply get home at the end of the day; that the routine traffic stop would be just that: routine; that living and life not be made an obstacle course.
Kevin: KAMAUU (feat. Adeline) – MANGO
Okay let’s talk about something that is evergreen and not 2020 specific – this would be the topic of break-ups! Full disclosure, it took me about 15 listens to finally hear the words to this song. I just could not get past the bassline and groove. Adeline came to play – literally. The bassline is the star of the show for me. But after we get past the musicality of it all, we hear some of the most mature lines about love out there in any capacity. Giving it up is not giving up, ‘Cause I love you, and what is, never selfish and of service/purpose. KAMAUU and Adeline show us that we don’t have to be petty about a situation that is just not working out. Or if your significant other found someone else that floats their boat just a little bit more. Love is never selfish, unconditional and… eh, this may just work more in theory, but still, I appreciated the maturity, and more importantly the music!
Stanley: Distance — Yebba
I remember when I first got word that Yebba had a new song out — I ran to my nearest streaming service and hit play as fast as I could. I think the next thing I did was go to Instagram and that’s when I found out this song included: ?uestlove on drums, Pino Palladino on bass — the rhythm section from Voodoo in case you were wondering — backing vocals from DIXSON, trumpet from Keyon Harrold, keyboards from James Francies and James Poyser, organ from Shedrick Mitchell, and production from Mark Ronson. This alone took me minuets to process! Distance is an incredibly composed song, that moves dynamically in way that feels gratifying.
Yebba, I’m excited for whatever you do. I’ll wait forever and a day for your album. I’m on your time.
Kevin: Lianne La Havas – Courage
Album of the year people.
Stanley: Lianna La Havas — Read My Mind
What Kevin said. (Also, this is my most listened to song of 2020, so there’s that, too).
Kevin: Black Thought – State Prisoner
Okay, Philly’s finest checking in. Any narratives out there that say rappers (aside from Jay-Z) become out of touch and washed as they age should look Black Thought’s way. The narrative is powerless against him. The longer he raps, the more powerful he becomes. I’m not entirely sure I have heard someone put together concepts, bars and words like Thought does. State Prisoner is a part of the Streams of Thought series that sees Black Thought step away from The Roots. Here, he essentially does his best Hulk Hogan impression and runs wild all over the beats. I, for one, am glad that this exists, and he is getting the credit he deserves as a GOAT.
Stanley: Derrick Hodge — New Day
I absolutely love Derrick Hodge’s new album, Color of Noize. I was first introduced to Derrick Hodge through Robert Glasper’s band, The Experiment. Since then, I’ve followed Derrick Hodge and his solo work, as well. To me, Derrick Hodge’s work always has a level of depth and gravity — it always feels like more; it’s what I appreciate about him most. On New Day, Hodge offers a level of optimism, openheartedness, and honesty we all can use.
