20 for 20 - Our Top 20 Favourite Jamaican Songs for 2020
Our culture was a festival of promise that was the fare that transported us on a trip of wonder and excitement to a place where life was not only fair but fun. With the ending of one of the toughest years in history, Very Culture alongside New Wave presents “20 for 20”, a list with some of Jamaican Music’s Finest Moments in song, that provided a musical quarantine zone that held despair out and kept hope alive and our vibes high.
Curated by Very Culture & New Wave Ja
Words by Hakeem ‘Uncle’ Bryan
Edited by Kangwa Sambo
Illustrations by Yannick Reid
There were many songs in 2020 that got us going, but these 20 stood out tall for us. We collaborated for weeks to decide our own top 20. We looked at a combination of song uniqueness, actual sonics, pushing boundaries, and impact. It was a really tough call, and we decided that for fairness, and inclusivity, we kept it to one entry per artiste, despite some artists on this list having multiple possible entries for a top 20 list. LET’S GO!
20. Follow My Lead - Friday Night Cru
The duo that is “Friday Night Cru”, brings a Friday night feeling, on “Follow My Lead”, channelling a Simon says command on the chorus “Boom, Boom, Yeah”, with Tessellated and Amaare, the group continues to explore genre-bending sounds, in one of our favourite songs of the year.
19. Kingman Ting - Ras-I
With “Kingman Ting” Ras-I found clever ways to champion regality into a shoulder-bouncing Jam that manages to turn an ode to the King into an irresistible earworm to keep you in motion the way “di Kingman live”, “wah dem aggo do fi stop Rasta” fi real.
18. Budum - Jada Kingdom
Onomatopoeia should be the name of this hit by Jada Kingdom hit. “Budum” is Jada Kingdom's ode to all the voluptuous women out there that not only possesses the 'heavy heavy' but the budum that will surely leave an impact anywhere they go.
17. Young Boss (Remix) - Blvk H3ro & Wayne J Feat. Skillibeng
Wayne J and Blvk H3ro already linked together to create “Young Boss” but the addition of 2020’s MVP Skillibeng injected another dose of adrenaline into the already rugged, boasy tune, where the three artistes seamlessly weave in and out of the song as if perfectly in sync. This Reggae-Dancehall fusion track off the duo’s The New Millenium EP is a welcome addition to this year’s musical tapestry, showing how well the two genre’s can complement each other.
16. Me and My Lady - Tessellated
2020 was the year Tessellated finally blessed us with his long awaited debut EP, Tropics Vol. 1, and on the self-produced (alongside Tera Kòrá) “Me & My Lady” he once again demonstrated his knack for seamlessly melting together genres to craft a new yet familiar sound. It’s impossible to hear “Me & My Lady” without moving something and the feel good song, dedicated to Tessellated’s lady, was the soundtrack to many an IG story emulating the song’s simple yet effective visualizer.
15. Note to Self - Jah9 feat. Chronixx
Sometimes songs can only be described as a feeling & “Note To Self (Okay)” is one such song. The iotosh & Runkus produced track is a long, warm, comforting hug from a friend at just the right time. In a year that undoubtedly proved challenging and confusing for so many of us the Chronixx assisted “Note To Self (Okay)” had one simple but profound (& not to mention timely) message “I’m gonna be okay”.
14. WYD - Royal Blu
The latest in a line of talented artists out of Spanish Town, Royal Blu, expressed his affection for his many amors on “WYD”. In a time when quarantining and social distancing was the order of the day Royal Blu’s captivating vocals and memorable lyrics about longing to not just be with but stay in the company of that special someone definitely hit different.
13. Fresh & Clean - Jaz Elise Feat. Govana
2020 was a huge year for Jaz Elise. As the most recent addition to Protoje’s In.Digg.Nation Collective Jaz Elise formally reintroduced herself with the release of the J.L.L produced banger “Fresh and Clean” featuring fresh new verses from Dancehall star Govana. Between the track’s bouncy production & her confident lyrics about staying “Fresh & Clean” Jaz Elise somehow also manages to neatly remind us to give thanks and be grateful in all things all while keeping us doukie bouncing from start to finish.
12. Honda (Remix) - Twani Feat. Skillibeng
This track is not like the horses at Caymanas but the beat patterns in Honda Remix will have your ears galloping. The “Honda” Remix had comedian-turned-artiste TWani inviting moments of spectacular lyricism by the St. Thomas native Skillibeng that gave our ears a high rev, as his fast-paced lyrics connected with TWani’s irresistible wail of a chorus, singing of the allure of the horse-powered Honda.
11. Shake - Skillibeng Feat. Jada Kingdom
Skilibeng's and Jada Kingdom's love ballad was a musical earthquake as it shook the earwaves. Their collab 'Shake' shook the nation, as well the ladies who responded to the call and for that we are glad.
10. Just A Minute - Masicka
Masicka is hailed by some as arguably the dancehall artiste of the year. With only 365 days in 2020, he took “Just a Minute” on the Dunwell produced marching band anthem, to let us know how his talent and charisma will be an ever-present force in dancehall.
9. I Spy - Lila Iké
“I Spy” is the Izybeats produced single from Lila Iké's debut project The ExPerience. An infectious jam that makes you want to ‘rent a tile’ with someone you’ve had your eye on, the flirtatious track showed us that we don't have to be cool and suave like James Bond to make our move if we see someone that catches our eye.
8. Likkle Bit A Money - Govana
A surprise track by Govana, seeing him collaborate with producer J.L.L., offering more diversity even after his album Humans and Monsters Are Not The Same earlier in the year. His animated lyrical stylings across the production came alive in the music video which served as meme gold as memes surrounding this hit permeated social media. No worries if you have likkle bit a money , ensure you don't have likkle bit of ________ (fill in the blanks as seen fit).
7. Mango - Sevana
On the lead single from Sevana’s 2020 EP Be Somebody she pays an ode to her favourite fruit, the Julie mango. On arguably the biggest hit of her career “Mango”, comparing the joy of love to her love for the king fruit of the tropics. Her love for mango was brought out yet again in the visual fruit salad that was her self-directed music video for “Mango” which was so highly rated it received critical acclaim, appearing on Vulture's “Best Music Videos of 2020” list.
6. Canary - Popcaan
Popcaan’s “Canary”, with its Latin flair on dancehall was a moment by itself, paired with the release of the Chromatic engineered FIXTAPE; the long-anticipated sequel to the legendary YIY CHANGE mixtape etched a permanent mark in dancehall history. Truthfully any song on this project could have made the list but just like the bird we keep on singing out loud “CUBAN LINK. CANARY, CANARY”.
5. Cool As The Breeze/Friday - Chronixx
Chron Dada gave us a summer anthem (with video to match) with “Cool As The Breeze/Friday” showing his lyrical dexterity, coupled neatly with the cool crooning - it’s hard to resist skankin’. Teaming this great song, with an even greater video showcasing the inner city as the true source of cultural excitement in Fashion, Dance and fun, cool as the breeze is one of the coolest songs on our list.
4. Call Me If - Dexta Daps
This tongue-in-cheek track from Dancehall crooner Dexta Daps features a smooth reimagining of Louie Culture’s 90’s Dancehall classic “Gangalee”, cleverly bridging the gap between old and new. The track was an immediate hit and its mixture of playful nostalgia, witty lyrics and catchy melodies meant even our grandparents could be caught humming it under their breaths. Outside felt like a figment of our imaginations in 2020 but still audiences never grew tired of this song, requesting that the selecta pull it up multiple times for the night
3. Like Royalty - Protoje Feat. Popcaan
"Like Royalty” felt like a cultural moment for Jamaican music bringing two heavyweights from reggae and dancehall - Protoje, and Popcaan, together. As the second single from Protoje’s In Search Of Lost Time, this track serves as a reminder that 'in loiffffeee' we should remember all those who played a role in our success regardless of our role “in loifffee”. Protoje pays homage to all his closest friends who helped him reach where he is today, while Popcaan does a retelling of his familiar journey to dancehall stardom.
2. Lighter - Tarrus Riley & Shenseea
“Lighter” was one of the catchiest songs of the year with the runaway hit featuring Dancehall’s Princess; Shenseea, and the musical stylings of “Singy Singy” - Tarrus Riley. Very few could resist the catchy, pop-styled flair of the Rvssian-Produced monster track as the song took over social media with the #lighterchallenge spreading like wildfire, making for some entertaining content across the internet - seeing Sandra from Braeton with the off-key pitch was Rising Star Gold.
1. Lockdown - Koffee
In 2020 Koffee once again displayed her hitmaking prowess on the Dane Ray produced “Lockdown”. In a year as trying and exhausting as 2020 “Lockdown” was the perfect counterbalance; a breath of fresh air and a timely reminder of the memories of the great outdoors and the festivities that await us when we can truly be outside together again. “Lockdown” permeated all ages, and all walks of life, as anyone could relate to this soundtrack celebrating the freedom we all long for.
2020 was a year that took a toll on many but the music released this year created love for all. Culture is all around us and it makes us who we are , as we embark on a new year we must ensure that in all things aim to be very culture. Happy new year! Looking forward to seeing all the new music in store from our favourite artists in 2021!
Check out our Playlists Featuring all the songs listed here!