As 2014 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on a stellar musical year.To do so, we’ve rounded up the top 50 songs of the year. In developing this list we weighed each track against the following criteria: overall song quality, impact and popularity, and support (blogs, charts, DJs, etc.). The list will be broken out over the next 5 days counting down 10 tracks per today. Today we kick things off with 50-41. Let us know your thoughts on our picks and look out for the rest of the list this week.
50. Bobby Shmurda – Hot Nigga
Bobby Shmurda. This 20 year old Brooklynite came out of nowhere and took the internet by storm. Two-stepping his way to our 50th spot, Shmurda dropped undoubtedly one of the biggest one hit wonders of the year. The track dominated radio, clubs and Vine with everyone doing their rendition of the Shmoney dance. Since releasing the track in July, Shmurda has signed to Epic Records and has performed ‘Hot Nigga’ on stage with Meek Mill, Jay Z and even made his TV premiere on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Not only was this track everywhere all at once but it also had one of the biggest catch phrases of the year. It’s almost impossible to say “about a week ago” and not have someone scream out like Bobby does. In August the track received its Reggae remix featuring Junior Ried, Movado and Popcaan and in September Chris Brown, Fabolous, Jadakiss and Busta Rhymes dropped the official rap remix. Regardless of how weak the song might be lyrically, it became a quick viral sensation and got a whole lot of love on radio and in the clubs.
49. Rae Sremmurd – No Type
With awkward rappers like Makonnen and Dej Loaf on the rise commercially, Rae Sremmurd represent a marriage between that and what most would call normal. Examine the first few bars, for example. Everything seems hunky dory until ‘you ain’t got no life.’ It’s the sort of lyric that makes you laugh a little inside for its unabashed directness, but it’s an example of the lyrical spontaneity we’ve been looking for in rap music for some time. With a ton of DJ support and remixes including a stellar twerk rework from Party Favor, ‘No Type’ ensures that the Brown brothers won’t be just another one hit wonder.
48. Schoolboy Q – Studio (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid)
ScHoolboy Q has had a pretty stellar 2014 considering his debut album has sold more than 300,000 units and was recently nominated for a Grammy. One of the tracks from Oxymoron stands out and is one of the best records of the year. Q’s ‘Studio’ featuring BJ the Chicago Kid on the hook has the Hoover Street come up rapping about how he plans to get down with his girl if and when he makes it out of the studio. The beat includes hard hitting drums and pitched up bed squeaks as if Trippy Turtle produced it and the vocal sample brings a whole other level of sexy to the track. Receiving a remix later in the year from Nas, ScHoolboy definitely scored himself a hit for the year.
47. Ryan Hemsworth – Snow in Newark
Last December, Ryan Hemsworth gave us a bunch of awesome remixes and a coded promise: 2014 would be a big year for him. A massive amount of touring, remixes, collaborations, and a record are proof that this is true. But also 2014 marked a big change in his music, and we can see that in ‘Snow in Newark,’ the first single from Alone for the First Time. A somber chord progression plays over a syncopated snare and hat beat as Ryan delves into the realities of being a touring musician. Rather than further the stereotype of being a quirky DJ/producer, Ryan Hemsworth shows a completely different side of himself in song writing. This leaves me only to wonder what 2015 will bring for Hemsworth.
46. Majid Jordan – A Place Like This
Majid Jordan is name that became very familiar in 2013. Largely responsible for Drake’s mega hit ‘Hold On, We’re Going Home’ the duo began to step out on their own this year. Their A Place Like This EP is evidence of the immense potential they possess. The title track received a ton of spins and buzz online. The gripping and unforgettable vocals accompany the downtempo beat perfectly. Though technically considered pop, their music packs a realness and sentiment that is unseen in mainstream music.
45. A$AP Rocky – Multiply
On heavy rotation since its release, A$AP Rocky’s ‘Multiply’ is a certified banger. A lot of the credit goes to the production on this joint. Producer Curtis Heron captures that ignorant rap vibe really well and avoids using trap-like elements in the entire beat. In fact, when the beat switches for a quick 8 bars, there’s almost an absence of trap snares, but the beat still bangs. Flacko does a great job of taking control and introduces some catchy bars like “fuck with a nigga like me, R.I.P. my nigga Pimp C, HBA shit is weak you can keep that, shit I might fuck around and bring the jeep back”. One of the hardest rap tracks of the year, ‘Multiply’ takes the 45th spot.
44. Tennyson – With You
There is no doubt in my mind that 2015 will be a big year for Tennyson, but it’s still 2014, so get familiar with their iTunes/SoundCloud releases. ‘With You’ combines crisp keys and smooth jazz rhythms that together create a sound that is sophisticated, but not too busy or cluttered. It stands out as the culmination of their musical progress thus far and has helped them garner enough attention to be recruited for Ryan Hemsworth’s Sucker for Punishment tour this fall.
43. Future – Move that Dope (feat. Pharrell, Casino and Pusha T)
Though I’m not a big fan of Future, this track has made an impact that cannot go unnoticed. Featuring Pharrell (who has had a great year himself) and Pusha T, this song became every hustler’s theme music. Soon after dropping, it became a social media craze especially on Vine and though it wasn’t very radio friendly, it garnered major spins in the clubs. In fact, it won a BET Hip Hop Award for Best Club Banger. With great production provided by Mike WiLL Made-It, Future and his homeboys snag the 43rd spot.
42. Vices x Jailo – Loving You (Long Time)
Jailo & Vices came out of nowhere and absolutely killed 2014. There are a handful of tracks from each that could’ve made the list, but it’s their first collaboration that eventually claimed the spot. A perfect blend of future bass and Jersey club, the song represents a sound that has become immensely popular within the year and will continue to expand in 2015. This is beautiful music; plain and simple.
41. Dakat – Stability
Future bass became one of the dominant genres of the year. The sound evolved and blended throughout 2014 and the term can be loosely applied to a wide range of music. That said, Dakat’s ‘Stability’ may be the best example of quality future bass. The exotic chanting, warming melodies and wonky bass combine for a sound that takes listeners on an unforgettable journey. When Dakat put the song out he was completely unknown. Thanks to this and a steady stream of quality music he has grown into a respected artist and earned thousands of fans.
