billdifferen's favorite songs of 2022 (SO FAR) [MY FAVORITE ALBUMS TOO!]

 

 Alright folks, before we begin this ride, I guess I'll make this my "Halfway Through the Year Roundup Extravaganza That Every Music Website Does" type post and start off with a list of my favorite music releases of the year so far. No, I'm not writing about them because the folks here at billdifferen.blogspot.com don't pay me enough to do that shit, so just enjoy this very pretty picture instead. Regardless, all of these releases are stellar and are deserved of a listen, so check some of these out if you can. 


 Okay, now for what we're here for...

 

Yeah..... I did.......

 
 



No, but for real, I keep asking myself if 2022 has been a good year for music, and to be honest, earlier in the year, I wasn't really feeling it. But now that we've approached the halfway mark, I think I gotta say that it's been a DAMN good year so far (Now ask me about anything else in 2022, I probably wouldn't say the same 😬). Regardless, we're here to talk about some good music - whether you're about to agree with me in the next few minutes or not. What I did here is that I tried to reflect on MY FAVORITES and not "the best", so don't expect no damn wah wah Big Thief bullshit or me trying to be a poptimist while I look at you with a fluoride stare. Okay, maybe I might still give you the fluoride stare talking about this stuff here, but I just want to show you how fucking crazy the state of music is right now. So I rounded up a selection of varied, but all exceptional tracks from throughout the year. I thought it was ridiculous to rank most of them, so I'm just listing them leisurely other than somewhat ordering the last 10 to have some objectivity? I don't know, but I hope you'll find at least something new here. If not, then my boss (me) said that they'll have to shut down the website :(

Okay enough stalling, here's 50 of my favorite tracks from the year so far. Enjoy!


SAINT MERCATØR - SHE SAID[Prod. JJ.AHOLICS]

  You already knew that I was going to start off with some hard ass left turn, so here we go... Soundcloud is seriously home to some of the most unhinged music on Earth right now, and New York's SAINT MERCATOR is someone you can only describe as absolutely fucking unhinged. Discovering them was a prime "have we gone too far?" moment. The exaggerated vocal runs like they're a psycho singing the national anthem at a minor league baseball game on Memorial Day coupled with this beat that constantly sounds like it's coming off the rails finally materializes the concept of "Outsider Pluggnb" (The closest y'all will ever see me acting like I go on RateYourMusic). They're like some type of Gen Z Wesley Willis in terms of just pure absurdity mixed with genius. I even get a early 2010s Makonnen-vibe from it too. Man, it is so obnoxious... but I love it so damn much. With other tunes like "THE MALL" and "LIVE YOUR LIFE" you can tell that MERCATOR is not fucking around, despite the droves of folks who think that this is ass or some dumb shit like that. I bet 20 dollars at least one of those folks' favorite song right now is from the Jack Harlow album so what the fuck do I care about their opinion about this. We need more outsiders in this crazy world and MERCATOR is making sure they're in their own universe.  

 

Viviane CHIDID Ft. Bass THIOUNG - SWEET GAME


 

 First off, big shoutout to mi compa Leonel at Passion of the Weiss for having one of the best weekly music roundups on the internet right now with their "Afro Jams of the Week" column. Every damn week, they just go in and showcase some of the best music out of the unfathomable musical toybox that is Africa. Thanks to them, I've learned about so many different genres from so many different countries  - It's mindboggling to realize how much music people here have NO idea about from there. One of my favorite discoveries of the year from them has been the popular Senegalese genre of mbalax, a style very reliant on particular drums, like the sabar and talking drum, as its percussion produces these uniquely crazy textures that I can't get enough of. Look at this song from Senegalese pop singer Viviane CHIDID featuring Bass THIOUNG (sick ass name btw) called "SWEET GAME." It starts off pretty tame, to be honest, as it's some standard pop fare, with that subtle Ginuwine Pony bass tone in the background. Then, when the drums pick up.....dude... The tempo fluctuations are almost like a damn islurwhenitalk song. The drums are constantly running around your ears. Viviane sounds angelic all top of the madness. I just love it dude. Yeah, it's pop music, but it's astronomically more complex and fun than any bullshit The Boy Leroi (or whatever the hell his name is) song we got over here. Regardless, go spend a little time going through Leonel's column if you can, as there's so much more incredible shit like this you're missing out on!


Dino Btw - BABY [Prod. Alright Slash]

God, I love bounce music. It's seriously one of New Orleans's greatest gifts to the world, ever since the inception of them using the Triggaman beat back in late 80s (That Showboys song does not get enough credit for how influential it was in hip hop). Since then, it has evolved into this relentless behemoth of a regional dance genre that has birthed so many NOLA legends, like Big Freedia, Nicky Da B, and Magnolia Shorty. In the last few years, bounce music has given light to so many newer artists, as it's still in good hands with stars like Vickeelo, Bog Vonnie, and the focus here: NOLA's Dino BTW. With the Alright Slash-produced "BABY," Miss Dino confidently shines, as she sure says a lot of wild shit (*cue me eyes-wide-opened and mouth agape like a Puritan from the 1800s*). But that's what bounce music is - Liberating and Expressive! There's nothing like it on Earth. All in all, the way the song slowly builds and finally culminates with the beat drop and preceding mind-numbing chops and stutters makes this so damn addicting. It only adds to the insane run Dino is having this year, as her 2 previous songs "10th Ward" and "Uh Oh" are just as insane. God fucking bless New Orleans.

 

YN Jay Ft. Babyface Ray - Coochie Island [Prod. Wayne616 & BlueStrip]

Here, we got 2 of the best in Michigan get together on this really lush beat and act like a Yin and Yang to each other. Jay starts off being his usual obnoxious self, rhyming crazy and baby 5 times in a row and stating his fears of becoming a father, and then Ray responds mellowly by flexing on my poor ass and doubting if I even wanted to go to Coochie Island. If Coochie Island is just a buncha green screens, then I might have to pass to be quite honest. Out of everyone in the continuously-flourishing Michigan scene, funnily enough, these 2 have the best albums of the year so far with FACE and Young, Wild, and Free. Both endlessly talented.


ChaosYSL & Tenkay - Based Livin [Prod. ChaosYSL]

When it comes to dual threats on SoundCloud, one of the best around right now is #twilight producer ChaosYSL and Houston's Tenkay - an energetically angelic combo of hazy nostalgia: nightcore-esque speed, jerk beats, and music that just sounds like kicking it with your friends. Here with "Based Livin," all 3 of those aspects hold true, as the dynamic duo hypnotize the listener with this beat that sounds like it literally came from heaven. It's airy, euphoric, and uplifting(I sound like someone on the internet who reviews weed strains over here). It really picks up once the song is slowed down and restarted, as the sobering change only adds to the intoxicating grip this song has on me. It just feels like two bros cutting up, and it really does live to the moniker of "Based Livin." Also, when they said "I'm not like you [buddies]/I am built different," that was an obvious shout out to me, of course (Shut the fuck up - It's not). Still, the future of SoundCloud is continuously bright, thanks to folks like these two.
 
 

CASH COBAIN & CHOW LEE - JHOLIDAY/VACANT [Prod. Cash Cobain]

 
 
That Cash Cobain & Chow Lee album is seriously one of the best hip hop albums this year that no one ever talks about. The godfather of sample drill goes absolutely insane the entire time, as his Bronx drill prowess is now being met with his own interpretations of club beats, adding to the already booming club rap scene that has picked up this year. With this music video showcasing two cuts off of that album, I feel like these two songs meld perfectly together, as "JHOLIDAY'S" half-time feel serves as a great intro to the more upbeat and infinitely dancey "VACANT." Sure, the bars aren't revolutionary - They both kinda have that 2Rare horny syndrome here, but it's just so damn fun. I mean, even the music video is hysterical with these VH1-Pop-Up-Video-esque captions letting us know who finished the bottle of Henny and that Cash was panicking during the shoot. It just looks like a great time. But overall, the Sample God has probably found the best balance between club music and drill motifs, as he has one of the most refreshing sounds in this ever-growing scene of hip hop. Bronx Club sure does have a nice ring to it.... 
 

KRONE - GAS TANK [PROD. @_ANAKARIS]

  If you're ever on Soundcloud and are in the need of music that just sounds absolutely disgusting and gritty, then rapper/producer KRONE is the guy for you. That orc-like guttural tone coming from him is maniacal, and I just can't get enough of it. This year he dropped a collection of tracks ORK CENTRAL that is full of these murky textures, met with KRONE radiating his menacingly warm breath down your neck like the big ass green monster he emulates. With "GAS TANK," KRONE clashes with this beat riddled with these falling sheets of dissonance that rattle my entire body like one of them huge singing bowls. It's like you're sinking into this giant vat of viscous acid while KRONE pulls out a folding chair and just watches you slowly suffer. It's noxious, nasty, and above all, UNIQUE. Great shit. Lastly, "BLACK SWAMP" is another song of theirs that I didn't want to leave out - just insane.

NBA YoungBoy - Mr Grim Reaper [Prod. Vadebeatz]

 
 
There's not too many folks in hip hop right now better than YoungBoy. The fact that he's only 22 with such an incredibly deep catalogue of music already is something more people should appreciate, in my opinion. So far, his 2022 has been stellar, dropping a wide array of hits like "Bring It On," "Emo Love," and more recently, "Proud Of Myself."  While all of those are really really good songs, the one that I keep thinking about is "Mr Grim Reaper," a really personal and sincere look into YB's experience with loss over his life. Hearing him talk about the loved ones he's lost and plead with the Grim Reaper to leave his family alone sends chills down my spine. It's emotional, and makes you want to root for him to succeed in this wicked industry. With the 30 track behemoth that is The Last Slimeto coming out in August, I am very eager to see what YB gives the world next, as he's already one of the best of his generation.
 

vnmpire - DIMITRESCU [Prod. KTO]

 Now this shit......good god.... MURDERDRILL is totally something that could only be from the ridiculous world of Soundcloud. It has that same rawness and that oh-fuck-they're-really-bout-it-bout-it feeling as the very controversial Norwegian black metal scene of the early 90s. The young ages of the artists in both scenes are very similar too, as vnmpire is just 15 years old making these world-ending sounds. This teenager from Queens is not fucking around either here, because my god, this shit is insane. The beat from KTO/Entity is oozing with dread and despair, while vnmpire is calling out fakes ("How the fuck you screamin' lucifer when you a Christian" lmao) and letting people know what MURDERDRILL really is. Like I said before, this shit is metal as fuck, and it's a lot better than most of the bullshit coming out of metal today. Very intrigued to see how this style evolves over the future...

Thaiboy Digital - I'm Fresh [Prod. Whitearmor]


 

As someone who has kept up with them since the beginning, it has been so strange, yet absolutely gratifying seeing the rise of Drain Gang over the last few years. All 3 members have grown immensely since the beginning, and it's cool to see them all become the best versions of themselves. I really like them all, but if I had to choose a favorite, it would easily be Thaiboy. From his DJ BILLYBOOL monkier to some of Drain Gang's greatest songs, I'm constantly invested on what he'll do next. With his latest single "I'm Fresh," he continues to wow me, as it's one of his best songs to date. It seems that it's actually impossible for Whitearmor to make a bad beat, as he makes this really ethereal and drill-tinged instrumental for Thaiboy tell us how fresh he is and also that he "loves them pesos. Jeff Bezos." On top of that, I just love the video for this, as it shows the trio, plus a super rare appearance by Whitearmor (I really didn't know what the fuck this dude really looked like until this video), have fun while on their US tour. The shots of Thaiboy drinking at a Mexican restaurant with a sombrero on and doing that weird-ass hand dances with Ecco and Bladee happily dancing along in the background brings me so much joy. As we're approaching almost 9 years since the first Gravity Boys album, the evolution of the trio has been truly something beautiful to witness.

Rari 9 - Easter 22'

My favorite NOLA bounce DJ right now is easily DJ Rari 9, this 17 year old prodigy coming out of the Lower 9th Ward. Their mixture of taking familiar songs and giving it that unique NOLA flair and making these bite-sized mixes that make South Louisiana hotter than it already is makes Rari one of the most compelling DJs to keep up with. Rari's best claim to fame this year so far has been this Easter mix that he dropped back in April, mostly due to the traction that it has gained on TikTok. The mix starts off with NOLA's usual mind-melting goodness of stuttery chops and drums that make the trees in your backyard start twerking, but it really takes off once Rari decides to mix Louie Ray's "Cash App" and Bog Vonnie's "Come Close" together, creating this barrage of raw and unhinged energy. By the end of this mix, your hair will probably be all fried up like a troll doll, but you'll probably be replaying this back again and again and again. I don't know what type of addictive shit they put in bounce music, but it's sure as hell isn't FDA approved. Thank god...


PHELIMUNCASI - I don't feel my legs [Prod. DJ Nhlekzin]

 
 
I know it's been said probably 100s of times already, but there is no other label at the moment exhibiting futurism in electronic music better than Nyege Nyege Tapes. The Kampala outfit is one of the vital reasons behind why Africa is rightfully being considered an experimental music hotbed right now. One of their best acts is easily PHELIMUNCASI, a trio from Durban who makes some of the most unique gqom music in the country. An album inspired by their leftist activist work, they dropped Ama Gogela in May, which just adds to the already-ridiculous repertoire Nyege Nyege already has. It's an insane collection of relentlessly leftfield gqom music that is best defined by its opener "I don't feel my legs." The slow buildup leading into this kick-in-the-chest of a beat drop that is met with this coalition of undecipherable voices hovering around you is absolutely insane! While I don't know a lick of Xhosa, the energy from all 3 are easily translatable and it's off the damn charts. They each accompany this really busy gqom beat perfectly, as by the end of the song, I feel like my brain has been flipped upside down. It's 4 minutes of just head-spinning greatness. You can't find shit like this anywhere else.
 

DJ PH MPC - TERROR DO SISTEMA (MEGA DOS ENVOLVIDOS 021)

 

I could do a whole list like this with just funk music (and I actually might just do that), because that's how much good shit there has been from the country so far this year. Out of all of the numerous unique styles of funk, the one that keeps me wanting more is BH funk, the atmospheric and moody style that has spread all over the state of Minas Gerais and has made a name for itself as one of the best styles in this giant funk landscape. One of the best producers in that style is easily Contagem's DJ PH MPC, someone who is a master of creating that dark and brooding atmosphere that Belo Horizonte is so well-known for. Nothing describes that more than his MEGA DOS ENVOLVIDOS series, 20+ tracks that perfectly define everything great about BH funk: absurd sampling, that anxiety-inducing feel, and just sheer innovation and creativity. With his latest edition to the series, "TERROR DO SISTEMA," everything I previously said has been turned up to 11. I know I've said atmosphere a bunch of times here, but dude, the ATMOSPHERE created with BH funk is something you can't find anywhere else. It's a really unique and very modular style of funk that seems like it will have eternal longevity with how producers like DJ PH MPC are constantly elevating this genre. I'll just be cowering in fear waiting...

DJ ARANA feat MC PIPOKINHA - CADE VOCÊ MAGO - POÇÃO MISTERIOSA

 
Out of anyone in Brazil (hell, the entire world) right now, there is no one else that confuses the fuck out of me more than the Sao Paulo magician that is DJ ARANA. From the Ed Hardy trapper hat like he's a South Park character to the magic robe straight out of aisle three at the Spirit Halloween, ARANA's alter ego almost feels as absurd as questionably-problematic Nordic metal dudes wearing chainmail in 20 degree weather; regardless, his unique look coincides perfectly with the outer-dimensional sounds he creates, as he is one of the most popular mandelao funk producers doing it right now. An MC who matches that same unorthodox energy is MC PIPOKINHA, someone who just attracts absurdity (still, what the fuck is this song man), so I was pretty terrified once I saw that these two made a song together, as I had NO idea what it would sound like. Well for starters, the fact that the most normal thing about this song is that it samples Eminem is pretty telling. DJ ARANA's beat sounds like it was conjured up in some type of dark chamber, as it's met with these reverberated dial tones that sound like they were performing a seance on a Nokia phone. Pipokinha adds to that with a delivery that sounds like she's been hypnotized by a dude wearing Ed Hardy, so they're a perfect match here. The video sure is something else, and that's all what I'll have to say there. However, I did find it funny as hell when Pipokinha tried kissing Arana with his mask on. This shit is just ridiculous, and I love it.

Cayo - Tonight [Prod. Luciid & K1]

Deer Park's Cayo is someone who I just randomly stumbled upon earlier in the year, and I keep find myself going back to their page to listen to them. They are seriously a versatile rapper, as they can handle anything from drill, to plugg, to club beats. You can also tell that fellow Texan iayze has a bit of an influence on them, as the vocal inflections are very very similar, but Cayo has enough personality to make it his own as well. My favorite tune of his is easily "Tonight," where Cayo beautifully croons over this really opulent and extravagant regalia-type-beat that sounds like it came from some high-budget Miyazaki-type film. The "We gon' be okay" from Cayo sounds so uplifting on top of the symphony effortlessly playing along, as it feels like you're taking a long night drive down I-45, but with a horse and carriage. But seriously, the wave of these really orchestral and lavish regalia beats is something people need to keep an eye on, as it has unlimited amounts of potential to grow within the next few months. If only Beethoven was alive....he woulda blown up with this shit......

iayze - Get Low [Prod. Evasion2k & TGWOG]

Yeah this really isn't a regalia beat, but this is the only thing I can think of when I see iayze's name:



st47ic - velma

 When it comes to the dark and brooding sounds of the SoundCloud underworld, one of my absolute favorites wreaking havoc there is st47ic, a 17 year old who makes some of the most dense-sounding and psychedelically hellish soundscapes right now. In a lot of their tunes, st47ic is mostly drowned out by some of the most deranged instrumentals being used by absolutely anyone right now (and most of this shit is self-produced). The thickly hazy textures being produced here really remind me a lot of the undecipherable haze of shoegaze mixed in with a lot more doom and gloom. That can be seen with "velma" above, as the tune feels like you're in some type of blissful eternal daze, but turns out, you're locked inside of someone's car trunk. It's suffocating, yet absolutely beautiful at the same time. This and a lot of other artists in that circle always remind me of this really underrated metal band from the late 2000s called The Angelic Process. They both have this wall-of-sound-like monolith-ness to them, and the just absurd depth of the textures being created here feels like you're being pressed to death like Giles Corey. There's so much potential around this type of style on SoundCloud, and my only hope for it is that it continues to sound ridiculously evil (just like this one that sounds like a haunted house meets CoD Zombies).

BLACK KRAY - WASSUP [Prod. shinju]

 The longevity and sheer consistency from this Virginia legend is something a lot of people take for granted. For almost a decade now, Black Kray has been one of the most important figures of his generation, as he continues to expand his already one-of-a-kind sound. With "WASSUP," Kray continues to mesmerize, as he sounds otherworldly here, hovering over this really beautiful beat from Germany's shinju. The music video here just adds to that hypnotizing feeling, as it validates the holy enigma-like presence that I always get from Kray. Like what someone said in the comments, "god was in his bag when he made black kray." Little does that person know, Black Kray actually made God, so they messed it all up...

kyenn - wokieslush [Prod. bbyazul x inci0 x xandror2]

I really don't keep up with a lot of music in the hyperwhatever/digithingy landscape, but if it's good, I'm bound to find out about it, and I sure as hell did when I discovered Houston native kyenn. Their EP boosterpack from January hooked me from the start, as kyenn introduced me to their unique and very maximalist sound, thanks to some of the most insane beats I have ever heard in my life. The energy exuded from their music almost makes you feel so jittery and wired, like drinking five of those really shitty 300mg of caffeine energy drinks at once. The maximalism comes in because the sillyteam member is expressively spazzing over these ridiculously hectic beats. Nothing causes that heart-racing feeling better than "wokieslush," 2 minutes of kyenn lassoing you around, creating a glitchy tornado of sounds coming from the NASA computer and Sega Genesis flying towards you. You don't get a single moment to breathe here, as you are just being bombarded by bassy forcefields, 90s boyband-esque string hits, and hyperventilating arpeggios that all have your head-spinning. You might need a valium after this one...

TEXAS BOYZ - Awready

 
 I try not to get too suckered into listening to a lot of shit coming from TikTok, but this one sure as hell got me. It really sounds like some type of song off of a lost tape from 1994 found behind an HEB in Houston. Like I said, thanks to TikTok, I found out about the TEXAS BOYZ and this duo really is a great homage to the classic Houston sound that it emulates so well. Obviously, the dancing in the video plays a huge part in its popularity, but I can't get over how old-school it sounds, despite still having that modern-internet-music vibe. God bless Htown.

SteezTheProducer x HaZeTheProducer - "Scarface" Cypher


Y'all really thought I was leaving out club tunes???? Look in the mirror right now, because you look like boo boo the damn fool if you thought I wasn't gonna add one! Right after I was done that club music roundup that everybody loved (tysm), this ridiculous collab from the Kane and Undertaker of club music decided to conveniently come out, which would've easily been #1 on my list because WHAT THE FUCK. The ferocity and outright insanity of this song baffles me. How the fuck can I be baffled by a genre of music so damn much - I'm a sucker! Regardless, the melody that sounds like hovering UFOs from a 50s B movie accompanies this eternal explosion of Tony Montana samples and bassy roundhouse kicks to your head, which together, makes me feel like one of the cockroaches who got hit with the grenade launcher at the end of Scarface. Steez starts off immediately by grabbing you and giving you a tombstone piledriver (that chop with the 808s...WTF), then HaZe proceeds to chokeslam you off of the Empire State Building, adding in absolutely ridiculous samples from Spongebob, The Boondocks, and I think Kim Possible too? My god. A while back, AyooLyve called both of these guys' style "Heavy Metal Club Music" and he's honestly right. The textures seriously remind me a lot of that dissonant metal music that dudes who work at breweries listen to like Gorguts. This is obviously better though. A lot better.

Grupo Diez 4tro - El Fantasma

 In the world of Corridos Tumbados, a lot of the big figureheads have kinda stagnated, in my opinion, as you got folks like Natanael Cano making some bullshit with Steve Aoki, but that doesn't mean that the scene still isn't thriving, as you have tons of really great artists right now like Ivan Cornejo, Polo Gonzalez, and Grupo Los de la O. I don't know....just the way these artists take the type of regional Mexican music I would hear at my grandmas as a child and gild it with flashes of hip hop culture both aesthetically and musically makes me so enthralled with it all. One of my favorite grupos in the whole scene is easily Northern California's Grupo Diez 4tro, 4 dudes who got me hooked immediately upon hearing "En El Refuego" early last year. That song is ridiculous, and I think a lot of the appeal comes from the frontman's gravily unique voice (also that damn haircut), as it's one of the most distinct voices out of anyone doing corridos right now. With "El Fantasma," you can tell the growth the group has achieved over the last year - The musicianship of the guitarists is absolutely insane, the bassist is out of his damn mind, and the vocalist's expressive storytelling is the piece de restistance (wrong language lol) of the tune. Even if you don't understand Spanish, you still gotta check this one out, as it perfectly describes what Corridos Tumbados really is. Time to bring back the Edgar cut....

Rihanna - Sex With Me (Pluggnb Remix) [Prod. Willare, Datkiddmix, Spookjamie]


This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it shows how irresistible the pluggnb sound truly is. I've seen a few of these before, but absolutely nothing can top this remix of a Rihanna cut from her best album. She sings over these really lush chords that sound like glistening water, and it's just so weird how perfectly this fits together. It seriously sounds too good to be true, but get Rihanna in the studio with someone like Dylvinci or Goyxrd immediately so my brain can explode. Go show your friend who knows nothing about plugg this, and I bet you they'll start taking note. Insanity. Speaking of insanity, the dj slurrr mix of this is even more insane. They have to shut SoundCloud down before people start doing this with Joyner Lucas or some shit like that.

Jana Rush ft. DJ Paypal - Lonely

 
 
After dropping of the best footwork albums in a really long time with Painful Enlightenment last year, I really didn't expect Chicago's Jana Rush to come back in 2022 with more mind-melting goodness, but damn, did they do that. With Dark Humor released back in March, Jana continued her crazy run with another ridiculous collection of some of the most unique footwork on Earth. Nothing describes that head-scratching insanity greater than the DJ Paypal collab "Lonely," a complete deconstruction of the opener to the iconic free jazz genesis that is Ornette Coleman's The Shape of Jazz to Come. Jana and Paypal team up and turn Coleman's wailing into this erratic and glitchy footwork mess - It fits perfectly with the saxophonist's absurd ingenuity back in 1959. I bet folks who listened to that album back in the late 50s, probably just wearing a suit in their house, were probably just as perplexed as us listening to this tune right here.

dj slurrr - pussy got power


(Free Gunna, Thugger, and everybody in YSL)
I'd slap the fuck outta Drake though.

 

Knucks ft. SL - Nice & Good [Prod. Knucks]

 
 I'm not even going to lie here: I have been so behind on and uninterested in UK hip hop these last few years. I think a bit of the luster of their drill scene went away when New York took influence around 2018/2019, but every now and then, there's always these flashes of brilliance that grab me back in. My favorite UK song so far this year is easily this Knucks and SL collab that is just so damn smooth. Taking Knucks's mellow, jazzy influence and bringing in SL's carefree and witty personality (he was FIFTEEN when he made this), you have a match made in heaven here. Their differing flows meld together smoothly as the black and white contrasts in the really well-shot music video compliment it perfectly. SL's flow is just crazy as he's just casually sliding over that drawn-out horn sample from Knucks's great production efforts. Just a really easy listen among all of the other chaos that I'm talking about here.

smokingskul - light 2 [Prod. boolymon]


 
 
 

 Enough said.
 

Shawny Binladen - Backblock [Prod. y3tga]

 
It's really hard to choose just one Shawny song when determining a favorite, because of his constant stream of quality releases that are abundant with songs of bite-sized, infinitely replayable lengths. But, there's just SOMETHING about "Backblock," the closer to Merry Wickmas 2 (Delxue). While being one of the most important figures in sample drill, I always get hyped when I hear him on non-sampled beats, because here, he's rapping on some real evil villain shit thanks to producer y3tga. I just picture Shawny in some type of Transylvanian castle in the mountains where there's lightning going off behind it, and he's just at the window rubbing his hands like Birdman - It's so sinister and Shawny just adds onto it with a half-time and slower interpretation of his usual constant flow that almost puts you in a trance. Like I said with the runtime of these songs being usually under 90 seconds, you're prone to just replay them over and over again. Because of that, I'm starting to think that all of Grinchset have successfully brainwashed me, as all I do lately is listen to their shit. Living in the US, I could be brainwashed by a lot worse, so thanks to all of them in Queens for blessing me with that.
 
 
 

Still here? Damn.. I'm surprised! Alright, before we reach the best of the best here, I just want to add a few honorable mentions, A.K.A. "The Tracks that I Forgot About After Finishing This List Because I'm A Fucking Idiot." Now we got 50 tracks in all on here; does it make this list "credible" or do I have to list and rank 200 of them all fucked up like I'm a publication that talks about Rotating Rocks. Hell if I know. Here's some extra shit that I didn't want to miss:

Who the hell would've thought that the theremin would make a comeback? It's been over a century since the primitive instrument's inception, but now, you have one of the most popular funk producers in Brazil using it like a weapon. That warrior is Belo Horizonte's DJ WS DA IGREJINHA, someone who has ridiculously made hit after hit after hit after hit in BH's already insanely saturated scene. When I mean that this dude uses the theremin, I'm serious, as there's countless tunes that utilize that ghastly robotic voice. Most of those tunes just feel like a baile party inside of the ghost houses from Mario - You even have the boos wearing Oakleys in there too. But seriously, it's insane how WS has incorporated it so effortlessly into BH's highly atmospheric style, and he shows that easily on "TOMA PAU PIRANHA," as the theremin is just looming over, ready to beam you up its spaceship. Add in those really fat horns and that sample from the intro of "My Humps," that's transformed into this almost Disintegration-Loop-like haze, and you have one of the most insane funk songs of the year so far. It's so alien-sounding (literally and figuratively), and it just continues to prove that no one else on Earth is making music like the crazies in Brazil.

  

9. L-Gante x DT.Bilardo - Ropa Trucha [Prod. Eric Santana & DT.Bilardo]

 

 When it comes to South American artists, there's very few people that come close to Argentina's L-Gante, el rey de la Cumbia 420. The 22 year old really blew up last year with his absolutely LEGENDARY BZRP Music Session appearance, as he showed the world his unique approach to cumbia music, adding in shades of reggaeton and enough weed to please people who watch Pineapple Express 5 times a week in 2022. L-Gante looks like a cross between a GTA Online character and someone who would be playing left wing at Inter Milan, and his voice and cadence is so drawn out and lazy, but it works perfectly with the slow and almost offbeat reggaeton-ish beats that he works with. He still considers himself a pure cumbia artist, but it's hard to ignore how complex and futuristic his style is compared to the standard sounds of his country. With "Ropa Trucha," L-Gante exhibits a new generation of the cumbia sound, as he adds in influences of drill that seamlessly feel like it belongs to the Cumbia 420 aura. The way this song switches so passively from those syncopated drill drum patterns to the more labored and standard cumbia bounce is just insane. The thing with Cumbia 420 is that you can never prepare for any of the bullshit that they throw at you. The first time I heard the song transition to that slowed and throwed reggaeton beat around 1:45, I threw my headphones off of my head. This man is a fucking menace! But seriously, L-Gante is seriously one of the most intriguing artists right now in South America that you need to check out if you haven't already.

8. lucifer - start praying [Prod. abluntz]

 
The thing I love about Lucifer is that he doesn't give a fuck. He doesn't give a fuck about you, me, or anybody else. Shit, I bet he doesn't even give a fuck about the gas prices either. Lucifer just does Lucifer, as he has continuously been one of the most varied and compelling artists to keep up with in the last few years. Whether he lets his demonic presence near an ENRGY beat, some SigilDrill, god damn Mint Condition, or even his own creations, Lucifer never falters and just doesn't stop astounding me. Out of everything in his prolific repertoire this year, the one that continues to stand out to me is "start praying," a song that feels like you're staring at a crystal ball glancing into the future, as this form of hellfire and brimstone awaits you from the other side. Lucifer rides over this beat with confidence, as UK producer abluntz has these coldly chilling piano tones gently blanket over these creepily stoic chords and tremelo'd lead synth that sounds like it's going to die at any moment. The song itself feels like it's finally the end of the world, as you feel it beneath your feet, but somehow, you are just ready for this shit, turning to the doom and dread into pure bliss. Dude's still only 19/20 years old, so it's actually scary to think about what could be next for him, as he has so many years ahead of him. I'll just be here for the ride, while also watching TikTok videos of people using his songs with Spongebob clips. Crazy ass world...

7. tisakorean - POCKET FULLA DUCKS [Prod. Tisakorean]

 
 You know that big megachurch in Houston that that evil Joel Osteen motherfucker owns? Tisakorean should totally buy it off of him and open up the Church of Silly, because I would take that 2 hour commute every single damn week for the rest of my life. Tisa really is one of a kind, and what hasn't been said already about one of the most interesting artists in all of music right now??? He released 1st Round Pick back in February, and I swear to god, there's no way you can find 10 minutes of music better than that ANYWHERE this year. While "BACKSEAT" seems to be the cut from there that I see most people talk about (and with good reason!), I just still keep coming back to "POCKET FULLA DUCKS." The video with Tisa and friends at their place of worship, a Chevron in Houston, just adds to the silliness that this song is oozing with - those deep pan flute tones do not sound of this planet. Just like with every release that we've gotten from Tisakorean, I'm just left baffled and dumbfounded with how great it is for having someone this unique and just FUN. Whether he's dropping a snippet of dancing on the street with his friends, doing a freestyle in a school uniform, or slowly becoming the greatest skater ever to live, a glimpse into the world of silly is always something to forward to, as Tisakorean's positive aura produces this incredibly instant dopamine rush like no one else. With an unlimited amount of potential and possibilities in how he can grow his sound, which is absurd to even think of, there's only one thing that we can do while we wait, and that's getting sillier and sillier as each day passes. In Tisakorean we pray: In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Silly. Amen.

6. kynlary ft. d0lly - love eternal [Prod. tgwog & d0lly]


 

"Who the fuck is kynlary?"  

That's a question that I've been constantly asking myself the past few months. Like, what's with Twilight, and what the hell is pandora??? I literally know nothing about this enigma, other than that they are one of the most underrated artists on SoundCloud right now, as there is no one ON THE ENTIRE DAMN INTERNET who sounds like this angelic being. The way that kynlary just emotively croons while pitching up their voice with this super exaggerated and contrived approach is something that is almost indescribable if you've never listened to them before. You know that one old American Dad episode where the dad was obsessed with the singer from My Morning Jacket, thinking they were some type of otherworldly being because of their singing? That's me with this motherfucker. Put it on, and I start floating. Now, add in one of the best of this generation, dolly, and that's a formula for me to start doing cartwheels. And man, does "love eternal" make me do cartwheels.... (I cannot do cartwheels). This feels like a song that was made 5-10 years too early - It's so ahead of the curve and sounds like nothing else right now. The unorthodox vocal performances from both kynlary and dolly are celestial and divine - They compliment each other perfectly, as angels guiding you the promised land. The beat from tgwog and dolly feels like you're being sucked into a black hole while reveling in paradise, due to those ridiculous 808s that envelop the entire song at times. It's just a minute and half of heavenly euphoria. However, kynlary is seriously someone who is deserved of a special deep dive for another day, so be on the lookout in the future! [Edit: Literally the day I finish this, the motherfucker deleted almost all of their tracks. Trying to stay calm.]

5. NR Boor x Ot7 Quanny - Slidin [Prod. quaskiano]

 
North Philly's Ot7 Quanny is seriously one of my favorite rappers right now. That low pass filter he puts on his shit every now and then has nicotine in it, plus his effortlessly unconcerned delivery is almost like WD-40 for the beats he gets on - Quanny's what they need for them to flow smoothly. He's seriously one of Philly's best rising rappers right now. Whenever Ot7 Quanny collabs with NR Boor, you know some shit is about to go down. "Dior Dior" from earlier this year is RIDICULOUS, but "Slidin" is the ONE. When you're given a beat that sounds like it came from one of those sacred towers in the Halo games, as it's shrouded with an ethereal choir coming from another planet, you just have to body it. Boor's energy is a little more subdued than Quanny's, but his bars are a lot more passionate and melds real well with the ominous instrumental. Now when Quanny comes in, he wittily completes the tune super confidently, saying stuff like "Google '[buddies] with a bag' and you gon' see a pic of us," and that obvious Friday reference: "I wonder what was going through Craig mind when he put his ratchet down | Debo woulda tried to punch me I woulda clapped em down." Damn lmao. Such a cold and damn good song, and a great exhibition of why Philly is one of the best rap cities right now.

4. DJ Travella - Crazy Beat Music Umeme 1

 You know... There's really not that many "rockstars" anymore. I'm sorry, but you cannot be a rockstar if you've been punched in the chest 65 times or if you're fucking Imagine Dragons or some other fake band like that. Carti's all we got over here. However, there's hope though, because there's this 19 year old from Dar Es Salaam who is destined to be the next great rockstar in this world, but he's not using no damn guitars -  He's got a wireless keyboard, and he's not afraid to melt your brain with it. DJ Travella might seriously be my favorite artist this year so far. He's Singeli's next great, adding onto the list of out-of-this-world Tanzanian legends like Jay Mitta, Bamba Pana, and Duke, but there's just something different about this kid. With Mr Mixondo released back in April, I feel like DJ Travella has elevated and garnered the next generation of Singeli, adding in numerous slight influences like London grime, Atlanta trap, and happy hardcore. Usually, most Singeli albums are 30-40 minutes of you getting your brain vaporized by those quick tempos, but the way Travella gives the listener room to breathe, while still maintaining that distinct chaos is what makes Mr Mixondo the best Singeli release yet. Nothing summarizes the chaos of this album better than the opening track "Crazy Beat Music Umeme 1," as it's the aural embodiment of being strapped to the outside of a rocket ship that's taking off at warp speed. The 15 second intro is the engine firing up and then you are blasted immediately into disintegration. Just go listen to it, and probably hold onto something as well for safety's sake. Also, check out his Boiler Room performance at Primavera Fethhtival (making fun of Spanish people here) if you really want to see real rockstar shit.

3. SET DA TREND - GET HOME [Prod. Cash Cobain]

 
New York's drill scene really has endured many hardships in such its short history. From losing greats, either through tragic violence or the evils of our justice system, to having to deal with fucking idiots who have nothing going on in that brain of theirs, I always see people on the internet say that "New York drill is dead," and to be quite honest, I really don't agree with that. Right now, you have places like the Bronx advancing NY's drill evolution to new horizons, and there's many rising stars there to root for. Out of anyone there this year, no one has made a better tune than 18 year old Set Da Trend, as "Get Home" might be one of the best rap songs ALTOGETHER this year. I've had my complaints in the past about sample drill and how it got a bit old to me, but with madmen like Cash Cobain, I really do feel like that this style is finally moving forward and becoming the best version of itself. Like seriously, the Faith Evans sample is worth the price of admission alone here, but it's Setty's passionately open and heartfelt bars, discussing loss and the hard struggle of coping with those losses, that make this such an incredible song. Above all else, I really see this tune up there on the "No Suburban"/ "Welcome to the Party"/"Don't Start" tier of all time NY drill songs. It's genre defining, flawless, and an all timer. Drill surely isn't dead; that's for damn sure...

2. Duwap Kaine - My Girlfriend [Prod. ChrisSaves]

 
I could have easily made this list just Duwap Kaine songs from this year, if we're really being honest. In a few years, I feel like more people will see the Atlanta native as an almost Sosa-like figure, in regards to how influential they are to a generation of rappers, because I think that a large majority of people on SoundCloud would be nowhere without Duwap. He's only 20 years old, and it feels like he's accomplished so much in such a short amount of time, as the growth and versatility in his sound has exponentially increased by the year. This year so far, Duwap is really living up to that claim, as he's released a multitude of ridiculously good singles and one of the best albums of the year with A Doggs Influence, an exhilarating 42 minute journey through the future with one of the best minds in music right now. Kaine never ever holds back. He keeps pushing the limits of his once-in-a-generation style by getting on beats that no one else would even touch and beating the shit out of any expectation that you had before clicking play- The dude is absolutely insane. No song from that album brings me more joy than that damn opener "My Girlfriend," as it perfectly describes Duwap Kaine's purely mad genius. When you're already sampling theme songs from UPN shows, I'm immediately on board, but having Duwap give a fiery sermon on top of that has me doing suicides down the pews at the local church. Having instances like him obnoxiously mispronouncing words like "Lu-fi-sah" or utilizing that autotune to make a choir sent from the heavens is what makes Duwap seriously one of one. I really don't know what music would sound like today if he never touched a microphone. It sure as hell wouldn't sound as interesting, that's for sure. A young legend.

1. Zahsosaa x Dsturdy - Shake That [Prod. DJ Crazy]

 
 
You knew this was coming. Don't even act surprised! Sure, if you want to get your little nerd glasses out, this "technically" came out the last week of December of 2021, but quite frankly, I don't give a shit. This is the song that defines the year for me so far. Yes, you can add Bandman into this too, but what Philly and Jersey have done with club music these past few years is something that will be looked upon for decades to come. Because of these teenagers, you now arguably one of the biggest artists on Earth hop on that wave too (with, of course, underwhelming results - them halfassed club beats). It will obviously only grow larger now, but nothing can ever beat the influence and power that "Shake That" has had over the year so far. It has had an entire planet replicating those dance moves, whether they look stupid or not, and has launched Philly into being a huge hotbed for hip hop right now. It's hypnotizing, due to DJ Crazy's insane production, and that incredible energy is met perfectly with the unreal performance of both rappers. In addition to this, Zahsosaa and Dsturdy both have other heaters as well that are must-listens. Alright, just press play already! Now if you have never heard this song before, I need you to play it 15 times in a row immediately and after that, make a TikTok account. Those are the rules. But seriously, thinking of what the future holds for club music has me both giddily excited and scared as shit (but mostly excited!). The possibilities are endless, but it's a guarantee that Philly (and Jersey) will continue to astound the world with their outright brilliance. *cue me shittily doing the shake that dance like the dude at the end of the video to close out the list*
 

Holy shit, we finally made it to the end. If you didn't like a single thing from this list, then you literally just clicked on the link to get here and just immediately scrolled to the bottom and left, so that's on you. No, but honestly, I really hope you were able to find at least something new here today. This took a lot of time to put together, so I appreciate you checking this out! Hopefully I'll be able to put out a few less-lengthy pieces in the future, so be on the lookout. Always keep them ears curious, and go listen to some damn music already! Take care!