The Top 100 Songs of the year watch list started out with 305 songs. I narrowed it down to 256, and then selected my top 100 songs from there. 2022 was one of the greatest years for music as all the big wigs came out to play. Beyonce, Drake, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, Dreamville, hell we even got an all-time verse from HOV; this year was incredible. Here are my favorite 100 songs from 2022.
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/top-100-songs-of-2022/pl.u-55D6Pv5TVxGDMY
100. Sky Lounge Music/NO SECRET
Artist: Blxst/Drake
Album: Before You Go/God Did
Plays: 45/22
There's no better way to start a list than with a combo of the two best intro songs of the year. Cheyenne Wright comes in and takes center stage as she sings into your soul, "Before you go I, gotta let you know." Drake warms up the mic and leaves us hanging with pressure bars in a low volume.
99. How Do I Make You Love Me?
Artist: The Weeknd
Album: Dawn FM
Plays: 75
On first listen, I was confused. I didn't know what Abel was up to. After about the 3rd listen, I was hooked. The Weeknd is bus driving music from soccer games at 9 PM on a Friday Night. It's definitely techno, definitely pop, but the sounds are incredible. The way this song bleeds into Take My Breath is one of the best transitions and is the reason why
98. Survivor's Guilt
Artist: Joey BADA$$
Album: 2000
Plays: 8
A song dedicated to the loss of one of his best friends who was a rapper, Joey does an incredible job of getting his emotions out and explaining his Survivor's Guilt. A man who has seen a great amount of success through records and on screen, and yet still has to deal with these struggles. In an inner reflective record that reminds me that you never have it as good as you think.
97. Why Did I?
Artist: Tory Lanez
Album: Sorry 4 What
Plays: 8
The chorus makes all of Tory Lanez songs and Why Did I is just another example of this. Lanez does an incredible of job with up tempo songs, and Why Did I allows him to sit in his pocket and flow comfortably. It's a feeling men deal with whenever outside with something that's not secured. "All this money in here, why did I bring you outside?
96. Dancing With The Devil feat. Pusha T and Landstrip Chip
Artist: Babyface Ray
Album: FACE
Plays: 45
From the production to the flows, these men captured the sound and dark grim that should sound like one that's dancing with the devil. The sound was best for me during workout, Pusha T just has that exercise flow. Partner that up with a great chorus and you have a hit.
95. Top Notch
Artist: City Girls and Fivio Foreign
Album: Single
Plays: 41
At the release of this song I just knew this was a top 100 song. Fivio had just released his album and was hotter than fish grease, and the City Girls are always one really good beat away from being them. Each of these rappers brought their A game and produced a quality record.
94. Don't Forget Me
Artist: Yung Bleu
Album: Tantra
Plays: 10
Released in November, Bleu made a late push dropping Tantra. The opening song is classic Bleu. His voice is one of a kind, and he understands where his sound is at it's best. "You running out of tiiiime, it's never the right time to say goodbye, no baby I don't wanna fight, it's hard to love, it's hard to make sacrifice."
93. Midas Touch
Artist: Kodak Black
Album: Back For Everything
Plays: 54
"I need a black to boost my high, I don't wanna rap til I shoot my guy!" Kodak be sanging from his heart: "And it ain't yall fault completely, it's the life we force to live. My nigga wanna see me dead 'cause I be shining more than him." Kodak get on the beat and ride the rhythm as good as any person in music. Midas Touch is 3 and a half minutes of just that.
92. Privileged Rappers
Artist: Drake and 21 Savage
Album: Her Loss
Plays: 20
We get a heavy flexing Drake, followed by some great quotables about privileged rappers. "I hate a privileged rapper that don't even know what it take, that ain't had a hit since he signed." It's nice to see that we're not the only ones who deal with women who be pump faking. Why you over here at 1AM to sit on the edge of the bed. Seriously, like how you come over the spot when you know it's your time of the month? What's wrong with her.
91. Moscow Mule
Artist: Bad Bunny
Album: Un Verano Sin Ti
Plays: 19
Yes, I really listen to it. Yes, I really enjoy it. No, I don't know a word that the man is saying. It sound good though. Next Song.
90. Stayin' Alive
Artist: Drake and Lil' Baby
Album: God Did
Plays: 18
A very fun take on the Bee Gee's "Stayin' Alive" record, Drake and Lil' Baby give some B efforts for a smash single for Khaled's star studded God Did. The chorus is catchy as ever, and Drake and Baby keep your heading knocking, good work.
89. Dis & That
Artist: NBA YoungBoy
Album: Colors
Plays: 13
This sound is so Louisiana. That’s the great part about YoungBoy. He’s always him and that includes the melodic, somber version and also the in your face Louisiana bump, bump version too. Dis That is as catchy as they come, and when it comes on in a club there’s a bounce like no other.
88. Vette Motors
Artist: YoungBoy Never Broke Again
Album: The Last Slimento
Plays: 18
Not too many songs depict YoungBoy as well as this one. The beat is easily griddable, plus a lil rhythmic, murder talk, with chant easy lyrics. While it may not represent the darker, melodic Youngboy, my personal favorite version, it still hits for me.
87. Sleep At Night
Artist: Chris Brown
Album: Breezy
Plays: 30
A smooth breakup record is always needed, and from the opening sounds Brown executes this one. The falsetto chorus flexes his ability as a singer to not only touch, but live in the upper octaves, and the lyrics prove that this is a veteran, experienced singer singing the emotions of people. Well done.
86. Is What It Is
Artist: Reason and Jay Rock
Album: Single
Plays: 19
Reason is one of the best rappers in the game ever. He went crazy, but Jay Rock dropped a top 10 verse of the year on this one.
"Had to cope with nothin' but alcoholics and smokers in my family tree
Grams of dope, distribute it, to snort it like a privilege
Gutter like Skid Row, litty like a cigarette
Don't question why I'm here, I treat this like a stimulus
Stretch it then flippin' it, hustlin' like an immigrant"
85. Realest feat. Jeezy
Artist: EST Gee
Album: I Never Felt Nun
Plays: 16
EST Gee is one of the best rappers to release since 2020, and this album is actually pretty good. Lotta of the songs made my workout playlist, but this song makes the Top 100 because of a legendary performance form Jeezy. Jeezy runs it back like its '06 all over again letting out over 120 seconds of classic flow.
84. Flight's Booked
Artist: Drake
Album: Honestly, Nevermind
Plays: 66
Anybody could've sung this song behind this incredible production and it would've landed on this list. The sounds are elite from the sample at the beginning, to the drums entrance. While Drake doesn't perform flawlessly on this record, the production carries the song throughout. Definitely a vibe in the right enviornments.
83. Neck & Wrist feat. Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams
Artist: Pusha T
Album: It's Almost Dry
Plays: 36
Monster instrumental and big time flow from Push and Jay-Z as they deliver again as a duo on a song. The drug talk is at the top level when these two talk dope together. Add Pharrell's impeccable adlibs and you've got one of the best pure rap songs of the year.
82. Passing Time
Artist: Chris Brown
Album: Breezy
Plays: 43
If the chorus is good, chances are Chris Brown is going to have a hit. Not only is this chorus amazing, but the production of the song is outstanding. It starts slow, but when the beat kicks in it creates a vibe that one of the best vocal surfers in music slides on easily.
81. Talk To Me Nice feat. Meek Mill, Blxst and Moneybagg Yo
Artist: The Game
Album: Drillmatic Heart vs. Mind
Plays: 19
Upon first listen, there were thoughts this album could top the year. Talk To Me Nice is one of reasons why, as it went to my workout playlist instantly. Meek Mill pops the song off like it's 2016, mixing in bars with the beat in Prime Meek fashion. Blxst does a great job on the chorus and Game and Moneybagg Yo give great efforts rounding a great song.
80. Not Finished
Artist: Lil' Baby
Album: It's Only Me
Plays: 13
"Hate it had to come to that, but ain't no coming back it is what it is." Baby's album may not have been the best of the year, but records like Not Finished remind you that he's still as good as they come when he decides not to waste a word. Mixtape style fashion, Baby raps from start to end and made the workout playlist boom in 2022.
79. Liability
Artist: Drake
Album: Honestly, Nevermind
Plays: 60
Drake sent me back to Trust Issues in 2011 with this feel. After an album of experimenting with European Techno styles, Drake pushes the clock back a decade and makes a chopped and screwed sound track that reminds everyone that he's the GOAT of emo rap. What girls say? "It's just the vibe you give."
78. PARTY
Artist: Quavo and Takeoff
Album: God Did
Plays: 24
Quavo and Takeoff are in prime condition over an incredible Party All the Time sample. Quavo delivers some great punches at the beginning, but this record was the Takeoff show. This was before he was murdered, so they knew his verse was outta there when he recorded this one. "Let's Get It. We did It. I'm committed. We all in it. In the city. We get litty. Get out ya feelings and go get some benji's."
77. Here We Go... Again feat. Tyler the Creator
Artist: The Weeknd
Album: Dawn FM
Plays: 93
This was when I fell in love with the album. The Weeknd gives us the Snowchild flow to start the song off, but the production gives new Michael Jackson. The Quincy Jones blessing should let you know where the sound was headed. It's an incredibly smooth record, one that as I type I can't believe it's this low. "My new girl, she a movie staaaaarrr. My new girl, she a movie star."
76. What It Is
Artist: Amber Mark
Album: Three Dimensions Deep
Plays: 37
One of the more refreshing projects of 2022, Amber Mark definitely left her stamp on the year. Her single What It Is, is a throwback that relies on her beautiful sound to carry throughout the entire song. Her lyrics are clean and simple, and relies on her talent to shine through the music. Amber Mark reminds me of H.E.R. and this was a great introduction to her talent this year.
75. HOLY GHOST
Artist: Future
Album: I Never Liked You
Plays: 56
The beat just sounds like a riot is about to take off. This song blew through the speakers of summer workouts whenever I had the aux, and is a Gameday Favorite for me. The beat reminds me of a modern Rick Ross chant song, and with the Wizard on the vocals, it's a slap out the park. Future's best with a chorus, but this song is ripped from the beginning to the end and is one of the highlights from a very good "I Never Liked You" album.
74. Savior (Interlude)
Artist: Baby Keem
Album: Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers
Plays: 32
I hated Range Brothers, so when I heard Baby Keem as the song started I was weary. No need to be at all. Keem takes off in the same fashion as Kendrick and absolutely lets it rip nonstop for 2 minutes. "You ever see your mama strung out while you study division, ya uncle ever stole from ya day after Christmas... Grandma shooting niggas blood on the highway" - Keem raps from a personal place and with the dramatic chords of the orchestra, it's a perfect mesh of flow, bars and instrument. Great song.
73. Like A Jungle
Artist: NBA Youngboy
Album: Single
Plays: 20
This C-Murder remake struck hard when I first heard it. The bass feels so No Limit, and Youngboy's awareness to jump on one of Louisiana's hidden gems in Like A Jungle, proves this kid is just not playing whenever he's in the studio.
72. F**k Da Industry
Artist: YoungBoy Never Broke Again
Album: The Last Slimento
Plays: 10
Yeah! Pussy Ass Nigga still can't keep up with me! Yeah! He Been Killing Shit but still can't Fuck with Me! This song went dumb in the weight room this year, and once every week, the weight room exploded whenever this song got played. Youngboy's energy is contagious, and with great chant records like this one, it's easy to see how he's so influential in young rap today.
71. Rich Spirit
Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Album: Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers
Plays: 38
I love a great beat when the bass shines through, pair that up with Kendrick's ability to add his own staccato, percussion sound with his voice and we have an automatic entry to the list. That ability to make your voice a part of production allows for him to cremate records and produce classics at any given time. Add in a great whooo sample and you have yourself a certified Kendrick jam.
69. Count Me Out
Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Album: Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers
Plays: 27
If I was to ever live my fantasy and fight an armature mma fight, this would be the song I'd walk out to. The music is soft and simple, but Kendrick's flow is further from this. It's a self reflection song, that screams of self motivation, and the external drive he gets when people count him out. Production wise it's a great mix of crescendo sounds that drive the song. It's a great song for sure.
68. Golden Child
Artist: Lil' Durk
Album: 7220
Plays: 27
MAN WHAT! A 2 minute song that is a great description for what Durk's music is like. He's a rhythmic guy with a melodic flow that can surf a beat with some of the elite guys in music today. Golden Child is full of descriptive moments that let you know Durk lives what he's about.
67. Easy feat. Kanye West
Artist: The Game
Album: Drillmatic Heart vs. Mind
Plays: 16
I don't know what to think of Kanye anymore. I really don't care that I'm indifferent about him nowadays. Throughout all his personal shit in 2022, Kanye dropped some incredible verses through feature work this year, Easy being the best of all the work. We'll always remember this breakup with Kim, maybe not all the details, but that's the bad part when your ex is a petty rapper. The bars about Pete will forever be funny.
66. Crown
Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Album: Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers
Plays: 30
This song touched my soul personally. "You say no and all you've done gives them amnesia. One thing I've learned, love it change with the seasons and I can't please everybody. No, I can't please everybody. Heavy is the head that chose to wear the crown. To whom much is given, much is required now." Kendrick talks about the pressures of expectations of wearing the crown, and why he deserts the game for so long. There are some lyrics that go with my personal life, that brought a comfort and relief to know that other people can feel verbatim to what you experience.
65. Love In The Way feat. Nicki Minaj
Artist: Yung Bleu
Album: Tantra
Plays: 6
This sample is incredible. That mixed with a reggae style beat, and the Moon Man sends this one into outer space again. This is Nicki Minaj's bag. This beat, this style, this flow just fits her bag quite comfortably and she flawlessly skirts through her verse and adds a great sound to what is already a good song.
64. Private Island
Artist: Gunna
Album: DS4EVER
Plays: 59
Private Island starts DS4EVER off and sets the tone and mood of the whole project. Gunna ain't broke no more, and he's about to let you know all about it. The beat is cool, the bass rumbles and Gunna stays and flies in a comfortable pocket on this smooth record. "I'm just kickin it with a baddie smokin on exotic...."
63. Outside feat. YG
Artist: The Game
Album: Drillmatic Heart vs. Mind
Plays: 17
The West has a seasoned sound and flow, and you hear that accent shine through The Game and YG's voice as the Californians own their dialect and let you know they were outside as youths. YG shines in one of the verses of the year, "I'll really fund a war, I'll really do a sneak attack just to up the score."
62. Soul Child feat. Lil Wayne
Artist: Yung Bleu
Album: Tantra
Plays: 5
Bleu didn't waste a Drake feature, and Weezy doesn't waste any opportunities. The Musiq Soulchild sample is crazy. This is the perfect beat for Bleu's style, he can croon over this beat perfectly and Wayne shows he's still in his prime. "The world, Craig." Wayne has had some of the brightest features of the game, and competes with verse of the year for this work.
61. BackOutsideBoyz
Artist: Drake
Album: Her Loss
Plays: 22
Drake jumps all over this fun, autotuned out beat, and laces the perfect flow to fit on top of this record. Drake has a different accent for every song, I still haven't figured out where this sound originates, but it's perfect for this record. "Ion know nun bout no crime or no news, I'm a owl, but I'll never tell you who... she a 10, but it sound better on mute." The petty guy shows again, showing social awareness with the Ice Spice diss. The guy's good.
60. VIRGO'S GROOVE
Artist: Beyonce'
Album: RENAISSANCE
Plays: 9
Virgo's Groove is one of the best musical productions of the year. Nobody is better than Beyonce, and when she decides to be in control and let it go on a production like this it's kinda tough to compete. I didn't think that the entire album met my expectations, but it's not because of Virgo's Groove. She let's it go for about 6 minutes, signs of a black woman who grew up in church and don't know how to end a song, but it's quality for every single second.
59. 300 Blackout
Artist: Kodak Black
Album: Kutthroat Bill Vol. 1
Play: 15
This song feels like a punt return. The ball's in the air for a second, but when it comes down it's on. Kodak catches the punt and takes off and instantly gets busy. It's fun to listen to his opinion and take on life. "It's fucked up what they did to Young Thug, can't let em get me.... I'm a one man army, don't need no click, don't need no indictments.
58. Tomorrow 2
Artist: Glorilla and Cardi B
Album: Anyways, Life's Great
Plays: 17
Producers come out to play when Glorilla shows up, and "Cheese, his name is cheese" showed up when he made this beat. Glorilla and Cardi have the perfect flow and sound to go on top of this. Cardi is the top rapper in the female game, and for her to bless Glorilla, the closest thing in impact to Cardi, gives me the greenlight to love this moose knuckle woman.
57. Savior feat. Baby Keem and Sam Dew
Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Album: Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers
Plays: 22
"Bitch. Are you happy for me?" Kendrick let it all hang on this one, not biting his tongue about any topic that he wanted to feed into. We got Covid, Kyrie, Kanye and Drake, plus Russia Bars. The highlight of the song is when the background vocals yell, "Your really wanna know? How I get so low? Only way to go. High up!" Kendrick really was rapping and snapping on this one, one of my favorites from Mr. Morale.
56. Chronicles feat. H.E.R. & Lil' Durk
Artist: Cordae
Album: From A Bird's Eye View
Plays: 37
How talent is Cordae? This lisp having 20 something year old is incredible with wordplay, and grabbed one of the most talented women in the game to feature on this one. H.E.R's voice is flawless on this track, especially the tenor that sings underneath her main verse. Durkio gives one of those on time singy flows that matches the beat. Cordae had a damn good album this year, and dominated radio waves this year with Chronicles.
55. Spread Thin
Artist: Mariah The Scientist
Album: Buckles Laboratories Presents: The Intermission
Plays: 13
So the talent doesn't match the face. Mariah just doesn't look like those sounds are coming from her. Spread Thin is a little wordy, she runs the chorus a little together. Ok the hate is over. I love this song. The lyrics are on point, and the chorus she pens to go along with this melody is simply perfect. It's a perfect mesh of bass and melody and her voice coats this track perfectly. Job well done.
54. BREAK MY SOUL
Artist: Beyonce'
Album: RENAISSANCE
Plays: 20
I hated this song when it came out. The Blaze has a way of making you enjoy a song, because every time you get in the car they're going to play it. I honestly didn't enjoy this song until Beyonce's album came out. It fit the album way better than just a stand alone single. Big Freda' oughta be considered feature of the year because his sound on this song really pushes the tempo and keeps thing bouncing. Beyonce is an exceptional singer, and if you learn to enjoy the Jersey House Music, this is one of the colder productions of the year.
53. Hours and Hours
Artist: Muni Long
Album: Public Displays of Affection
Plays: 27
So I cheated a little bit. This song came out in November of 2021, but it dominated all of 2022. Probably the first song I knew word for word this year. Muni sings a simple, yet incredible ballad, that celebrates the love of her life. She sings of the love it brings, the state she was in before she found this love, and how much there is a true appreciation of this surprise love. It's a beautiful ballad, and I've heard a number of women butcher it this year, which is typically a great sign for a song.
52. Silent Hill feat. Kodak Black
Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Album: Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers
Plays: 44
One of the frustrating things about Kendrick is that he can do this anytime he wants to. The beat is main stream esque, the flow is common and easily understandable, and the content is simple. Kodak comes in and brings another 5x of juice, but this is the simple record, that if Kendrick decided to make an album with 9 of these, he could be the hands down GOAT of this thing. But he doesn't. So he's not.
51. Never Hating feat. Young Thug
Artist: Lil' Baby
Album: It's Only Me
Plays: 14
When you see feat. Young Thug, during a year where he's locked up, and the DA is making it look like he's not getting out anytime soon, you know the other artist is about to rip through their end of the bargain. Baby don't waste any time, going hard from the first beat drop, and of course Thugga gives us a verse that's on par with some of his best work.
50. I Heard You're Married feat. Lil Wayne
Artist: The Weeknd
Album: Dawn FM
Plays: 82
Lemme start with this: I love this song. The Weeknd's voice is flawless on this one. The placement of the song on the album makes this stick out even more because it's hidden behind some slower tracks on the back end of the album. It's a couple of yall that need to hear this: "If you don't love him, just do yourself a favor and just leave him... your number in my phone I'm gon delete it, I'm way too grown for that deceiving." Wayne has an incredible verse, maybe his top of the year. This is one of the best of the year, and I'm really surprised I only had it at 50.
49. About You
Artist: Blxst
Album: Before You Go
Plays: 33
One of the best, reflective songs that you'll hear this year. Blxst ain't playing games with this woman, telling her how special she is, and how she oughta take advantage because usually he'd be somewhere playing round with a hoe. Ok maybe not in those words, but same meaning. It's a well sung song, that expresses love for a woman, something that you rarely hear these days from a rapper/singer.
48. Possessive feat. Yung Bleu and Lil Wayne
Artist: Chris Brown
Album: Breezy
Plays: 46
Insert the Chris Brown formula here. In an incredible slowed sample, a super smooth beat that allows him to get off some crazy dance moves, and a simple but awesome chorus that allows him to sing his ass off. Bleu has an incredible opening verse, he really "sets the tone." Wayne delivers a prime like verse, and CB finishes the song off strong. One of the better efforts this year.
47. Rich Flex
Artist: Drake and 21 Savage
Album: Her Loss
Plays: 22
Most noted for the gay memes that were associated with "21 can you do sumn for meeeee," Rich Flex is one of the hardest songs that came out this year. 21 starts the song off with his typical Savage flow, but when Drake comes on the track singing "ALL YOU HOES, ALL OF YOU HOES, NEED TO REMEMBER WHO YALL TALKING TO, IT'S THE SLAUGHTER GANG CEO," it sorta set it in stone that Drake is him. It's a great first sound to an album, a great introduction to the style of Drizzy we'd get on this album.
46. Pushin’ P feat. Future and Young Thug
Artist: Gunna
Album: DS4EVER
Plays: 66
This song dominated the top of the year, blasting through speakers and having everyone using the 🅿️ emoji this year. It’s a great beat, and an A effort from everyone involved. The P references were of plenty and even scored Gunna a seat on The Shop this year. Good work.
45. Over
Artist: Lucky Daye
Album: Candydrip
Plays: 32
The lead single from an incredible album, Over is a proper introduction to the sound and direction of Candydrip. The chorus, the most important part of an R&B song, is flawless and Daye executes as a singer as cleanly as possible.
44. FNF
Artist: Glorilla
Album: Anyway, Life’s Great
Plays: 13
LETS GOOOOO ON GANG! The Independent of 2022, Big Glo's got everybody going crazy with this impromptu spelling bee. This song dominated the radio, and could be the song of the year for a lot of people. I hear Glorilla and I’m just proud her ghetto ass done made it. Good for you boo.
43. California Breeze
Artist: Lil' Baby
Album: It's Only Me
Plays: 21
Baby is officially one of them ones. While this isn’t his best song of the year, Baby continuously remains at the top of the game, which I can’t figure out why it works so well. Other than being honest and dropping Instagram quotes throughout his lyrics, his voice and style shouldn’t work. But it does, and it does especially here with California Breeze. Somber sounding songs tend to be where he’s at his best, and this number further proves it.
42. Make Me Say It Again, Girl
Artist: Ron Isley, The Isley Brothers, Beyoncé
Album: Make Me Say It Again, Girl
Plays: 11
For a man that made between the sheets over 40 years ago, there’s no way he should sound as polished and clear as he does as this age. Beyonce, understood the moment, who she was with, and most importantly who she is when singing this woman. She didn’t over power Ron, but she also didn’t shy away from the moment. It’s what you would expect from these two in maybe 2002. For this record to be done this year is absolutely insane.
41. Out Of Time
Artist: The Weeknd
Album: Dawn FM
Plays: 66
After such a timeless record it’s only fitting that the closest thing to a Michael Jackson record fit right after this. A Quincy Jones interlude is played right before this song, and it’s so appropriate because this song could be on Thriller and no one would blink. The Weeknd had one of the greatest albums I’ve ever heard, Out of Time is one of its best songs.
40. Cosmic
Artist: Amber Mark
Album: Three Dimensions Deep
Plays: 40
Amber Mark was incredible this year and Cosmic is the best song from her project. The title is so appropriate because the instrumental makes you feel like you’re coasting through a beautiful cosmic wave in outer space. It’s a gentle holler, one that can trigger true emotional responses. A beautiful number.
39. Take My Breath
Artist: The Weeknd
Album: Dawn FM
Plays: 65
Depending on the day, this song could be anywhere from 60-10. The instrumental is flawless and the Weeknd sounds incredible on this song. It's one of the longer songs of the year at 5:40 seconds, but when Able gets to crooning you'll know why. "I saw the fire in your eyes," is simply bone chilling. This song keeps getting bumped towards the front, and will finally receive a home here at 39.
38. Middle Of The Ocean'
Artist: Drake and 21 Savage
Album: Her Loss
Plays: 12
You know the year is stacked when Drake’s best lyrical performance only lands you around 40. We’ve seen this set up before. A beautiful sounding instrumental, slow so The Boy can pick his way apart and bar you up like 10th grade in chemistry class. The amount of quotables in this jam packed 5:40 song is ridiculous. If I quote one line I’d have to quote em all, but “Ermata here fresh off divorce, and I’m tryna look in her eyes, maybe express some remorse, if she wanna rebound with me, I’m down to go get her some boards.”
37. Petty Too feat. Future
Artist: Lil' Durk
Album: 7220
Plays: 39
Sassy. Sassy. Sassy. Bitch you petty, bitch I’m petty too. Let it be known to these hoes, not a game shall be played. The beat sounds like Future and Durkio are supposed to be on this, and both men bring their A game for a great moment in 2022.
36. Best Friends
Artist: The Weeknd
Album: Dawn FM
Plays: 94
Best Friends is super poppy with hip hop drums that makes a tremendous rhythm for one of the best artist in the world to have a lot of fun with. Long story short, shorty caught feelings after saying she wasn’t the one to catch them. Now we’re just best friends cuz we can’t fuck no more. Things you want I’m not searching for, guess you’re my best friend now.
35. Livin’ Wild
Artist: Gunna
Album: DS4EVER
Plays: 90
Gunna gets real as ever, talking bout heath failures to pledging his allegiance to his partners. He’s smooth as ever on this one, and the Keith Sweat sample just helps this thing get over the top. Just listen to the bass on this song. I wanna learn how to play bass and go play at the Turnip Green Festival, fuck it.
34. Less Than Zero
Artist: The Weeknd
Album: Dawn FM
Plays: 70
Did I tell y’all The Weeknd had the Alvin of the year already? If not, atp I’m cool with admitting it. This is a beautiful, poppy ass record, but man is it ever good. This is as good as vocally we’ve heard from him. What a great song?
33. World Watching feat. Lil Tjay and Yung Bleu
Artist: Fivio Foreign
Album: B.I.B.L.E
Plays: 38
Bleu dropped a potential verse of the year on top of this Ellie Goulding Flashing Light remix. For one I loved the original song, so when I heard it initially I rolled my eyes. Fivio is up first and he lights it up immediately. Those drill base runs are crazy and they bounce the spot every time they drop that adds an insane element to the song. It’s well produced and executed incredibly well.
32. Don’t Break My Heart
Artist: The Weeknd
Album: Dawn FM
Plays: 71
I didn’t even like this song initially. Something bout driving home late at night will have you experimenting with songs, and when this one clicked it fucking clicked. Vocally, The Weeknd is in his prime. He sounds like Michael, but darker in cooler. He’s mastered his sound, and his skill set as a singer is on display here, hearing him hold and stretch notes flawlessly. The guy’s good.
31. Johnny P’s Cadillac
Artist: Benny The Butcher & J. Cole
Album: Tanna Talk 4
Plays: 66
This song came on the scene early and held on all year. This lyrical assault over the top of a soul beat was meant for both Benny and J. Cole. Their bars are relentless, you can see the spark of competition arise in Cole. It’s a fun experience hearing them rip and it’s one of the top moments of the year for sure.
30. Text Go Green
Artist: Drake
Album: Honestly, Nevermind
Plays: 36
The song is a smash before Drake ever says a word. One of the best produced songs of the year, the beat and instruments take you away by themselves. Drake’s lyrics are classic Drake. Lotta of emotions, lotta I’m over you. Text go green is a hard line. Cuz you know when you get blocked it hits a little different.
“Rough. You’re dealing with me rough. I know you like it rough, but this might be too much.” This was an incredible song. It’s crazy it’s in the 30s.
29. Guess
Artist: Lucky Daye
Album: Candydrip
Plays: 49
This is the one. Lucky Daye went off on this one. Everything about this song is incredible. The sample is insane, and Daye does a good job of using it, but not over doing it. He doesn’t do any of Usher’s runs, just lets the chorus run in the track. That’s impressive.
28. The Heart Part V
Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Album: Single
Plays: 18
First off, I cut the song off 15 seconds into the song, because I needed a break. Did these boys really just sample Marvin Gaye? Ok they did. And they did as well as Kendrick Lamar could possibly do. The culture talk is insane. Kendrick basically says I’m not accepting that bullshit as my culture. He’s making a push for the culture to be better. In his last verse he speaks through the lenses of Nipsey Hussle, allowing us to he thoughts about the legacy and the heart he leaves behind. It’s dope work man.
27. Altar
Artist: Kehlani
Album: blue water road
Plays: 39
I was in love with this song from the first sound. I love Kehlani’s voice and when she is dialed in on a slow pop tempo she shines. “Now you’re clooooossseeeeerrr.” She is so talented, and her voice, while not the strongest, is really talented.
26. Enchanted Waterfall
Artist: Tory Lanez
Album: Alone At Prom
Plays: 56
The first song of an album called Alone At Prom is properly introduced with dramatic notes and a banging 80's style melody. Tory comes on singing hard as shit. The chorus is catchy, it's a tremendous sound, and the saxophone blend coming into the 2nd verse is ridiculous. This is a fun record.
25. What Happened to Virgil feat. Gunna
Artist: Lil' Durk
Album: 7220
Plays: 46
A song dedicated to the Louis designer Virgil Abloh, that really had nothing to do with Virgil other than making for a great chorus and Durk flexing his rap/singy style. "Omg, what happened to Virgil? I wish my brother had made it out surgery, I be up thinkin' that shit do be hurting me, If they gone catch me them niggas gone murder me oh no ohhhhh." Gunna's verse is as melodic as Durk's. His verse, not that much to do with Virgil, but "RIP Prince, I'ma pour up some purple."
24. I Hate U
Artist: SZA
Album: SOS
Plays: 47
December of 2021, SZA dropped this incredible record that got radio play for the next 12 months. It's the SZA we know and love, with raw and honest lyrics and incredible runs. The song probably shouldn't have worked the way it does. It's a really poppy beat, but SZA's delivery is what makes this whole thing work. You can tell it's TDE. She like that.
23. Broke Boys
Artist: Drake and 21 Savage
Album: Her Loss
Plays: 18
The song starts off like your favorite video game ever. Drake snaps the first verse completely. The rhythm, the cadence, the voice: it's all there on this one. 21 starts his verse with some great adlibs. "Yeah I got my stripes, but fuck Adidas nigga. Hoes on me like I'm Justin Bieber nigga." The second half of the song takes the energy levels to another level. Drake shines through the second part absolutely flexing on you Broke Boys. I'm broke, but I ain't the broke he was talking bout. Even though Drake probably wouldn't talk to the broke boy. Oh well.
22. Roster
Artist: Jazmine Sullivan
Album: Heaux Tales Mo' Tales
Plays: 42
Floored. First time I heard this song, I was absolutely floored. The originality, the talent, the music, all out of this world. Jazmine is so talented. The lyrics bring the same shock value from an honesty standpoint as the original Heaux Tales. You can't help but to love the energy she brings on this song, whether you agree with it or not. A real life gem. Potentially the Goat. She still uses fuckin' bridges for one. And the bridge is on fire. Literally burning. Burning from fuckin' talent. "And the world's too big, to think so small. I've got room to love em all. Cuz they always answer when I call. Baby I got room to love you all."
21. Love You Better
Artist: Future
Album: I Never Liked You
Plays: 21
I have no idea what the sample is, but it's pretty damn cool. Future's a home run hitter that hits for average when it comes to singing. It's either a hit or a smash. Love You Better is a smash. Future's lyrics don't always make sense, but we're not here for the poetry levels. It's an incredible sound that flows extremely smooth. Great song.
20. WHEN SPARKS FLY
Artist: Vince Staples
Album: RAMONA PARK BROKE MY HEART
Plays: 34
An incredible song about a gun. It's great writing, great personification shown throughout the record. Vince is special. He's fully in his bag, when the beat is up tempo over a smooth singing sample. Last year he came up big on the list with a couple of songs in the Top 30, and WHEN SPARKS FLY is an example of repeated dominance from Vince. Great song.
19. In a Minute
Artist: Lil Baby
Album: Single
Plays: 48
"How can I lose when we the who's who." This song could be anywhere in the top 25. It's one of Baby's best ever. Peak Baby. Rapper's new chorus's are them rapping catchy bars, and this chorus is as contagious as ever. This song dominated the weight room, radio, and my air pods all throughout 2022.
18. Pussy & Millions feat. Travis Scott
Artist: Drake and 21 Savage
Album: Her Loss
Plays: 22
The production is slept on this album. The music is doing some things behind these two throughout the entire song. Flurries of notes here, sounding like a 1970's black love scene. Drake's chorus is top tier, catchy and easily chanted. His verse is why he is who he is. Nobody can recreate the sound he has and he shines vocally here, more than anywhere else on the album. 21's verse is right on time. 21's one of the best R&B beat rappers in rap, and he flexes his flow excellently here. You can hear Travis warming up, humming underneath the last stretch of the first half of this song. Drake does a good job of properly introducing, and as soon as the beat drops Travis takes off. "You held it down for me right on my own, young nigga get it just tryna get home, I gotta rolodox all on my own and it's still wrong."
17. south to west
Artist: Gunna
Album: DS4EVER
Plays: 91
"yea. yah." Gunna's great for an up tempo hit and this year's was "south to west." One of the best vocal surfers in music, Gunna up his volume and octave whenever the beat switches. If you can sit still whenever this comes on then I don't wanna be around you. The beat makes you move, and with the melodic talents of Gunna, this one is a hit.
16. Blu Moon
Artist: They.
Album: Single
Plays: 44
Plays: 44
"Girl you been caught my eye, thinkin we might tonight." I was introduced to They. through this song, and am I ever so glad that I did. This feels like a Blackstreet song from the 90s; from the beat to the hard singing from the very beginning. These guys are smooth, their lyrics are focused, and they made one of the best songs of 2022.
15. Psychic feat. Jack Harlow
Artist: Chris Brown
Album: Breezy
Plays: 66
From the Cassie sample, which I didn't hear it right off the bat, to Brown's exceptional vocal performance, this song is as good as any Brown's made. Harlow's verse is one of his best of his career. He has a great delivery, has some trendy lyrics, and used Cassie's hook in his verse. One of the many A+s this year, Psychic is great.
14. Spin Bout U
Artist: Drake and 21 Savage
Album: Her Loss
Plays: 23
The Give Me Your Lovin' sample sets the mood right away. It's chopped up a lil so it gives it that Houston sound familiar with Drake. 21 Savage gives us a great intro, but the song starts when Drake says, "The way, you make me feel these days, sumn get dropped for ya baby girl, smoke a nigga top for ya baby girl..." Drake is tough, and Spin Bout U is as tough as it gets. The singing performance is Peak. The bars are a little timed stamped, which typically doesn't age well, but I believe this song will be timeless. It's an incredible sound, great song.
13. Slide
Artist: Chris Brown
Album: Breezy
Plays: 54
Brown shines vocally here. The formula is set for him, and this is just a plug and go automatic hit. The beat doesn't do too much, but leaves so much canvas to paint, and that's just what he does. The chorus is crazy good, super simple with a fun run to butcher when you imitate. I could listen to this song everyday, and I probably have since I've heard it.
12. Overdrive
Artist: Drake
Album: Honestly, Nevermind
Plays: 64
This song is super pop. The first verse through it doesn't really catch you until the chorus. When that beat drops and Drake "Find My Love" 's his way into his second verse my head is in full knock mode. Drake doesn't really flex his vocals throughout this song, but that's ok because the real star of this show is the beat.
11. Dark Hearted
Artist: Freddie Gibbs
Album: $oul $old $eparately
Plays: 32
A song perfectly titled, the beat makes you enter cypher mode, and I don't want to hear anything light when the beat sends you to cypher mode. Freddie's voice is perfect for this song, and gets on top of this flow immediately. The verse and the chorus just blends together, so it sounds like Gibbs is giving us consistent bars for 3 minutes. Gibbs is a master of melodies, and can find and access them with relative ease. The guy is good.
10. Hours in Silence
Artist: Drake and 21 Savage
Album: Her Loss
Plays: 21
Drake's first stanzas are Prime Drizzy. I'm definitely using "I think I could fuck the idea of him outta your mind." That's a fucking line. The amount of one liners in this song is simply ridiculous. 21 puts his best performance from the album on this song.... Just to be outshadowed by Drake not ending a song for the next 2 minutes. Drake goes to classic mode giving his own outro, full of bars sung in his only fashion.
9. BPW
Artist: Jazmine Sullivan
Album: Heaux Tales Mo' Tales
Plays: 54
The introduction sounds like a sex scene from Shaft. Except the main character ain't the shaft. It's Jazmine. And the Best Pussy in the World. I wanna see it. I wanna feel it. She sung too good about it. Like too good about it. The first time I heard it I got uncomfortable. I was intimidated and turned on all at once. By the end of the song I was ready to get in her dm's and asking her "can I love you bitch? damn."
8. Sticky
Artist: Drake
Album: Honestly, Nevermind
Plays: 52
The first rap song from the Techno album was greeted in open arms, and Sticky stuck around the entire year. The song has that Austin EDM bounce to it, but the delivery is still very much rap, and it creates a hella vibe and energy. Drake flexed many different sounds on "Honestly, Nevermind," but the best were when he decided to rap. Even on this techno beat, the bars are just different. "When everything is put to rest, and everybody takes a breath, and everything gets addressed, it's you alone with your regrets, all that talk about the best? You know how sticky it gets."
7. Sacrifice
Artist: The Weeknd
Album: Dawn FM
Plays: 93
The Weeknd is true pop, and this evolved sound to get this point in his career is emphasized by Sacrifice. This song is incredible. I know I've mentioned Michael Jackson a lot, but I don't know how you listen to this and don't hear the King of Pop. The Weeknd is confident in this sound, as he's never been mixed and sounded any clearer than he does on Dawn FM. He created hits with this past album and Sacrifice was the biggest one. Just hearing him howl the chorus leaves me in awe. The dude is good.
6. Circo Loco
Artist: Drake and 21 Savage
Album: Her Loss
Plays: 26
The bass is massive on this one, and it adds the extra punch for Drake to be at his pettiest of levels. Outside the shots taken, Drake is still a captivating lyricist and on this Pop-Hop type beat, Drake shines over the top. 21 comes in with venom. 21 just raps. It ain't always the most captivating or smartest thing in the world, but 21 raps with conviction every time he shows up. He shows up no bigger than on Circo Loco. "Hit my line you know the head was great, aw yeah aw right don't do romancing. One more time you gotta run the fades. One more time."
5. Jimmy Cooks feat. 21 Savage
Artist: Drake
Album: Honestly, Nevermind
Plays: 53
The beat is so damn smooth, I don't think it would have mattered who jumped on this song. The beat by itself is a top 10 song, but when you throw on the talents of The Boy, you got a certified smash. This song dominated the year as soon as it touched down. 21's verse is a crowd favor. It goes up outside whenever his part comes on. I saw it too many times to sleep on the back half of this song. Incredible effort from everyone involved. Top 5 Song.
4. Puffin on Zooties
Artist: Future
Album: I Never Liked You
Plays: 86
One of the first instant hits from "I Never Liked You." There wasn't a gym selfie or video that didn't have this one attached to it. The song is the title. It's Future ripping from beginning to end with a hard chorus, a similar formula from Accepting My Flaws, except this one is way cooler. Future's crescendo's with the song can't be taught, and the lyrics "bitch so pretty look better than Cassie," is one of the most memorable lines from the entire year.
3. WE (Warm Embrace)
Artist: Chris Brown
Album: Breezy
Plays: 76
An instant smash. The formula repeated once again flawlessly, and another incredible song from Chris Brown. The production incredible. The sample in the lyrics, to only take the "wrap you in my warm embrace," and to create original lyrics around him show his veteran savvy. CB is one of the most talented people to ever walk Earth, and Warm Embrace is one of his greatest pieces of art ever.
2. Wait For U feat. Drake and Tems
Artist: Future
Album: I Never Liked You
Plays: 86
There's no doubt that Tems is the reason why this song is as incredible as it is. The sample from Higher is absolutely incredible, credit to the producer for finding that sound and hearing what could it be. Future and Drake absolutely knock this one out the park. Both verses are both vulnerable and honest and are the perfect fit for this style of beat. Drake delivers one of his best assist ever. He channels the raspy sound from In The Morning, and speaks straight stanzas to this woman. The sound creates pain, that only can be expressed through those lyrics. This song is a special one.
1. Is There Someone Else
Artist: The Weeknd
Album: Dawn FM
Plays: 108
108 Plays from January to December 2022. The song is bled perfectly into from Best Friends on the album. It hits you in the mouth right away with a banging beat and incredible sped up sample. The Weeknd's voice is flawless, and the story he tells is captivating and easy to follow. The production is insane, and I honestly can't tell you what's better between his voice and the sounds of the song. He uses a cleaner version of 80s laser sounds that flash throughout the chorus. The breakdown after verse 2 is all time good. This is one of my favorite songs ever. If Michael Jackson was in his prime making music in 2022 it would sound like this.
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