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.). We’ve been counting down 10 songs per day and today we’re breaking down tracks 20-11. Don’t forget to sound off in the comments below and look out for the top 10 tomorrow!
20. Flosstradamus – TTU (feat. Waka Flocka Flame)
If you don’t know Flosstradamus, you are truly missing out on some serious head bangers. Not only did this track become one of the biggest anthems for 2014, it also made it to Hollywood and was featured in the sequel to the Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill cop dramedy 22 Jump Street. ‘TTU’ features Waka Flocka Flame screaming “turn up” over big drums and loud horns. For about two minutes the track carries the same tempo and then it literally turns up. The joint is an ultimate crowd pleaser and since its release it has appeared at festivals everywhere.
19. PARTYNEXTDOOR – Recognize (feat. Drake)
You might be asking yourself “damn, these dudes put another OVO artist on this list?” And to answer your question, I speak for all of us when I say “how could we not?” The first signee under the OVO Sound label dropped his second effort this year and the lead single from the joint dominated radio and DJ set lists. ‘Recognize’, also produced by PND, had all the elements of a hit. The beat featured all the drums and hi-hats to please trap heads and the hook and guest verse from Drake featured all the r&b and rap-esque vibes. Coming off his ‘Over Here’ single from last year with Drake, Party had to prove that he was here to stick around and he delivered.
18. A$AP Mob – Hella Hoes (Thugli Remix)
First and foremost, A&AP Mob is already well known for their trap-like beats and provocative bars. The current kings of ignorant rap tunes get their track remixed by one of the fastest rising producer duos. Thugli have been busy dropping gems and touring across the continent and this ‘Hella Hoes’ remix is the best way to understand their quick rise. Staying true to the original tune, Thugli (Pat Drastik and Tom Wrecks) manage to keep the best vocals of the original and add a ton of harder drums and slapping snares to the beat. The melodious synth is sure to keep you jumping and yelling “I got hella hoes!”
17. Branchez – Truth
Branchez burst onto the scene in 2013 with an amazing bootleg of Rihanna’s ‘Stay’. Since then, he has improved with each release. His crowning achievement to date is ‘Truth’. The track effortlessly combines garage bass lines with Jersey club breaks. The simple and gorgeous vocals make it impossible to resist. A testament to the song’s quality, it gained support from some of the hottest DJs out including Skrillex, Zeds Dead, Benzi, RL Grime and many more.
16. RL Grime – Core
Number 16 on our top 50 list comes from LA based producer RL Grime. Close to the end of the summer, RL Grime prepped the internet for his ‘Void’ LP with his first offering from the upcoming album. ‘Core’ is the quintessential track for any dystopian future flicks for the next two years. The track is extremely well produced and fits so well within the concept of Grime’s Void LP that it’s very hard to ignore. The beat features epic builds and even more epic drops. The loud, alarm-like synth and drums make you feel like you’re fighting a war of epic proportions, while the braggadocious vocal that repeatedly boasts “who do that shit that I do” makes you want to finish your last set when you’re in the gym. This hard hitting track is an undeniable example of RL Grime’s talent.
15. DJ Sliink x Trippy Turtle x Hoodboi – Sucka Remix
This was a huge catalyst in the explosion of Jersey club in early 2014. With three of the hottest club producers connecting, the track brought Jersey’s sound worldwide. This enabled it to be picked up by a wide variety of DJs and even though it came out at the top of year, it got played hard until the end of summer. There were hundreds of Jersey club remixes of R&B songs but this one really stood out. There’s been debates about the authenticity of artists outside of Jersey adopting the sound, but having one of the biggest New Jersey artists, DJ Sliink, working with Hoodboi (LA) and Trippy Turtle (Norway) helped to demonstrate that good music is all that really matters. Love may be for sucka’s, but this remix most certainly is not.
14. Ginuwine – Pony (eSenTRIK Remix)
Remixing one of the sexiest club anthems in human history is no easy task. Sure, if you do it right it can be huge, but the expectations are immensely high. Not to worry, eSenTRIK was more than up to the task, seamlessly infusing elements of trap and Jersey club. The energy is far more intense and dare I say the addition of hard kicks and bed squeaks make this even sexier. Gonna get nasty!
13. Jack Ü – Take Ü There
Ever wonder what would happen if two of the biggest and most inventive producers in electronic music were to create a super group and then add the hottest vocalist of 2014 to their track? ‘Take Ü There’ is just that. Keisza’s vocals are addictive and enticing and the beat is wild. The fact that they cut this track in an Ibiza hotel room only makes it that much more awesome. It’s great to see two of the most popular producers resist selling out and focus on pushing music forward. Hats off to Jack Ü.
12. Keys N Krates – All The Time
“And I gotta stay high all the time”. The Toronto trio showcase their keen ability to flip a simple and repetitive sample into something amazing. Reworking Tove Lo’s ‘Habits,’ the trio takes the lyrical content and bends the vocals while recreating the beat. The result is deeply emotional and addictive. Despite its January release this got spins through the summer and still sounds as good as the day it dropped.
11. Common – Rewind That
Easily one of the most emotionally gripping rap songs of 2014. ‘Rewind That’ has Common reflecting on the some of the key relationships throughout his career. The first verses are dedicated to the two producers who he started with: Twilight Tone and No I.D. The stories set the tone, but it’s the verses that explore his relationship with his late friend and collaborator J Dilla that make this so impactful. “I stayed away sometimes, in other words I ran, til one day J brought me this TV stand, it was a gift so I couldn’t refuse it, it came from his heart, I regret I didn’t use it, the lupus got worse and, for what it’s worth, I wanted him to have a Grammy before he left this earth…You never gone, you live forever through song, I feel it when I see ’em with them Dilla shirts on, I know you’re still shining, from heaven you watch me, watch me put this Grammy on the stand you got me.” If you didn’t give this track a few spins, be sure to take it in now. Be forewarned: you will definitely be moved.
