Betty Bibbs - The Story Of My Life [19??]

With the release year of The Story Of My Life a complete mystery, soul sister Betty Bibbs' b-side promises to be our most obscure track yet. Based on earlier releases in '65 and '68, however, we can presume that the song was likely recorded in the late '60s or early '70s. Don't be misled by the Motown label on the record though -  Bibbs hails from the deep south and, as a result, is able to inject a gospel quality into her music quite organically. Backed by a charming instrumental and a powerful choir, here she compellingly delivers a desperate but ultimately hopeful lament over her tumultuous romantic life.

[Best Of] Top 30 Songs of 2015

Here's a quick recap of my favorite tracks of the year. Even though I limited it to one per artist it still turned out to be pretty hip hop-centric, but hopefully there are a few joints y'all haven't heard before. Some of the bigger tracks aren't available on Youtube or Soundcloud due to copyright so those ones you'll have to hunt down yourselves.


30. Tennyson - Fault Line - Electropop


29. Action Bronson - Baby Blue (feat. Chance the Rapper) - East Coast Hip Hop

28. Freddie Gibbs - Careless - Trap Rap

27. Denzel Curry - Ultimate [Demo] - Memphis Rap, Trap Rap

26. Animal Collective - FloriDada - Psychedelic Pop, Electropop

25. Deafheaven - Brought to the Water - Black Metal, Shoegaze

24. Chance the Rapper - Angels - Hip Hop

23. Pusha T - Untouchable - Hip Hop

22. Dr. Dre - Animals (feat. Anderson .Paak) - West Coast Hip Hop

21. Jay Rock - Vice City (feat. Black Hippy) - West Coast Hip Hop

20. Young Thug - Raw (Might Just) - Trap Rap, Cloud Rap

19. Penthouse Penthouse - 69 Camaro (feat. Bobby Saint) - Synthpop, R&B

18. Future - Slave Master - Trap Rap

17. Lil Ugly Mane - Leonard's Lake - Instrumental Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop

16. Vince Staples - Summertime - West Coast Hip Hop, R&B

15. Post-Malone - White Iverson - R&B, Trap Rap

14. Drake & Future - Diamonds Dancing - Trap Rap, R&B

13. Mourn - Your Brain Is Made of Candy - Indie Rock

12. Youth Lagoon - Highway Patrol Stun Gun - Indie Pop, Dream Pop

11. James Blake - The Sound of Silence (feat. Justin Vernon) [Cover] - Gospel

10. Drake - Hotline Bling - R&B, Pop Rap

9. Travi$ Scott - 90210 - Trap Rap

8. Grimes - Realiti [Demo] - Synthpop, Electropop

7. Beach House - Space Song - Dream Pop

6. Kanye West - Only One - R&B

5. Lupe Fiasco - Mural - Hip Hop

4. Wet - Deadwater - Indie Pop, Dream Pop

3. Childish Gambino - So Into You [Cover] - R&B

During a recent appearance on Australian radio station triple j, Childish Gambino completely revamped Tamia's 1998 classic So Into You into a song of his own for their Like A Version segment. In delivering a spectacular vocal performance over jazzy live instrumentation as opposed to the original pop beat, Gambino manages to (quite successfully) stretch his wings a bit musically. The minimalist approach and live radio setting make for a very intimate atmosphere and render the cover all the more powerful and infectious.

2. Kendrick Lamar - u - West Coast Hip Hop

Releasing one of the greatest modern hip hop albums to date in March, it would be criminal to exclude Kendrick from this list. After having months to absorb his radio-friendly lead single i, Kendrick's unparalleled emotive delivery on the juxtaposing track u was that much more devastating on first listen. One can hear the deep conviction in every word he manages between the sobs, bottle clinks, and calls for room service. The song represents a low-point in the story arch of To Pimp A Butterfly as Kendrick struggles with his most excruciating fears and doubts, but artistically it is a high-point for him as he succeeds in fully pulling the listener in to this hotel room where he is pouring his heart out, first in outrage and then, during the latter half, in agony.

1. Jamie xx - Good Times (feat. Young Thug) [Demo] - Trap Rap, UK Bass

Before the phenomenal In Colour dropped earlier this year, a demo of Jamie xx's track with Young Thug, Good Times, leaked. The album version would later add Popcaan to the mix and reverse the order of the verses but only to the song's detriment. The demo version is much more succinct in showcasing Young Thug's ridiculous versatility and hilarious quote-ables over one of Jamie's greatest instrumentals. Thugga's singularly unique delivery can certainly take a while to acclimate to before being able to properly appreciate its intricacies. That being said, this is probably the best place to start as Jamie's production - including the wonderfully sampled hook - has much more pop appeal than the trap instrumentals Young Thug typically appears over. However, every other copy of the demo has been removed from the internet, so I uploaded my own copy to Vimeo for y'all to hear it.

Tennyson - Fault Line [2015]

Released just a few weeks ago, the Like What EP is only the latest in Tennyson's engrossing stream of output over the last few years. The Edmonton duo has managed to channel influences from pop, EDM and ambient music into songs as addictive as Fault Line that sound ready-made to blow up. This upbeat track is unusual though in that 18 year old Luke Tennyson's vocals sometimes verge on raps here due to how well he flows over the lush, entrancing electronic instrumental. 

DJ Zirk - Ana 4 Ya Hoez [2001]

DJ Zirk is one of the many under-appreciated artists in the Memphis rap scene. Getting his start in '94 with the 2 Thick EP, he showcased his ability early on for crafting dark, grimy, lo-fi bangers in line with his city's new sound. Track 6 off the EP, Ana 4 Ya Hoez, stands out in particular with its catchy hook, hard-hitting bassline, and interweaving samples that instantly mesmerize the listener. The samples are pulled from The Isley Brothers' 1973 track Summer Breeze, which has been flipped rather extensively in hip hop but never quite as brilliantly as here. Clearly Zirk thought the song was special too as he used a remastered version to open his 2001 album of mixes Underworld. This is the version that appears above as the clarity and slowed down samples of the mix just pack that much more of a punch than the original.

Pablo Gad - Sad Mistake [1980]

Releasing only six albums since his '77 debut International Dread, British-based Pablo Gad has remained an elusive figure despite a number of early classic singles. He was discovered by The Equators' frontman Winston Fergus, whose band also provided the backing for his first recordings. His sophomore effort Hard Times has become an underground staple of roots reggae, revered for its reverb and dub-soaked production. Sad Mistake is exemplary of Gad's conscious, Rastafarian lyricism and knack for riding a smooth, pulsating rhythm.