As 2015 wraps up, it’s time to reflect on another incredible year musical. To do so, we’re counting down the top 100 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 will be counting down 20 tracks per day and today we bring you 100-81. If you dig our selections be sure to share. If you disagree with some of the picks let us know why in the comments below. Without further adieu we present our picks for the top 100 tracks of 2015.
100. Choppa Dunks – Fade
100 bpm twerk anthems with pitched down rap vocals are nothing new or terribly original. Yet somehow Choppa Dunks managed to make ‘Fade’ feel incredibly fresh. Something about the swagged bars and distorted low-end bass make this inescapable and absolutely murderous live. It’s the type of low end bass that you feel in your chest even if you’re listening with headphones on. It reverberates deep into your soul and that’s something special.
99. G-Eazy – Random
G-Eazy hit a lot of cities in 2015 performing music from his debut album with little snippets of singles from his latest. One of the illest tunes from his latest offering is ‘Random‘ and trust us, this definitely deserves a spot on the list. The track features an aggressive and ignorant beat and an equally aggressive flow from the Bay area rapper. Though it hasn’t reached new heights in popularity, the track was only fully released recently but was a major hit among his core fan base.
98. Fetty Wap – 679 feat. Remy Boyz
What a year for the Paterson, New Jersey come up. In 2015, Fetty Wap jumped on the scene with an arsenal of hits, one of which happens to be ‘679’. It technically dropped in 2014, but was re-released with a video in 2015. With a snappy, feel good beat combined with an infectious hook, ‘679’ became a big hit. The track also features some of Fetty’s Remy Boyz including Monty and P-Dice. Of all the verses on this track the clear winner is Monty who brings a very Mase-like flow to open, hold and close out his verse. The melody on ‘679’ feels like early 2000’s stunt type shit but it’s got that 2015 trap flavour with its drum arrangement.
97. Drake and Future – Jumpman
Both of these artists individually had huge years. Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late went platinum while Future’s DS2 proved that his work ethic matched his consistency in making hits. When the two rappers began hinting towards a collaborative project, the Internet went nuts. Some fans went as far as creating a website that hosted a countdown to said project. However, it was actually revealed through a few Instagram posts from Drizzy and Hendrix that they would release an 11 track collaborative mixtape titled What A Time To Be Alive. The tape dropped September 20th and ‘Jumpman’ instantly became a fan favourite. With Metro Boomin behind the production, Drake and Future stunt all over the beat with one of the year’s catchiest hooks (“Jumpman, Jumpman, Jumpman!”). You can bet this song will still ring off in the new year but it definitely killed in the latter half of 2015. It’s basic AF but you love it and so do we.
96. Lil Dicky – Save Dat Money feat. Fetty Wap and Rich Homie Quan
The most serious funny rapper with the funniest name ever did a track with one of todays biggest hitmakers (Fetty) and Rich Homie Quan – and it killed. Lil Dicky rose to fame throughout 2015 with the help of this single and the incredible music video that came along with it. The rapper used a pop rap beat, added Fetty as the hook man and got half a verse from Rich Homie Quan – blending his marketing chops with his undeniable lyricism and flow.
95. Milo & Otis – Trap Arms
How can you not like a track dedicated to the genre’s greatest body part dance. In the past few years trap arms have become a global phenomenon, so it’s only right someone dedicated a track to them. With a cinematic intro, a fair bit of humour and a smashing trap drop, this became a certified trap anthem. Arm yourself.
94. Future – Fuck Up Some Commas
Future had a big year. A phenomenal year. His tracks were everywhere – radio, clubs, cars and social networks. DS2 performed commercially and satisfied critically. When Future dropped ‘Fuck Up Some Commas’ it took a couple weeks for it to bubble to the top of the trap but when it did, it was instantly everywhere. Produced by Southside, ‘Fuck Up Some Commas’ featured a money hungry Future working to earn and spending it all in one night. The catchy hook coupled with a banging trap beat was an easy home run for Future Hendrix.
93. Braeden Bailey – Legend
Dallas producer Braeden Bailey breathed new life into Drake’s ‘Legend’ with his synth heavy remix, released on the independent producers’ EP Seven. According to Bailey’s Bandcamp page, the producer is “…searching to find a new sound.” Taking some time to look through and listen to said Bandcamp page reveals the work of a strong up-and-comer with solid production abilities and a respectable output. Keep an eye on Braeden Bailey to continue climbing the ranks in the future.
92. Lady Parts – Samson
What happens when you blend Half Baked samples with abusive percussion and some mind bending sounds? Thankfully Lady Parts decided to find out. ‘Samson’ is a perfect mash of pop culture and raw production that is fully laced. The drum patterns are pure insanity and any time you flip Dave Chappelle successfully you get extra love.
91. Caribou – Can’t Do Without You (Kidswaste & Manilla Killa Cover)
Taking on Caribou’s ‘Can’t Do Without You’ is no simple task. The original packs so much beauty, emotion and progression that most re-imaginations couldn’t begin to simulate. That said, Manilla Killa & Kidswaste managed to do some major justice. Everything about it is different, from the vocals tones to the melodies. What remains in tact is the deep emotional mood that is implored. Twinkling keys meet tuned vocals and massive future bass drops for a lush 2015 sound.
90. Riff Raff – Tip Toe Wing In My Jawwdinz (Jauz Remix)
2015 has been a big year for Jauz. With the Bass House subgenre steadily rising in popularity, Jauz’s solid mix of hard hitting house beats with gritty dubstep-like sound design seems to borrow the best of both worlds, as evident in this Riff Raff remix. Jauz makes great use of Riff Raff’s polarizing style by turning his catchy hook into an anchor for the song while sprinkling in rhymes and pieces of verses to give the track some vocal tone. All while shuffling hi-hat rhythms and a fat, womp-y bassline push the track forward with a fun intensity.
89. Ghastly – Every Night
2015 was a huge breakout year for Ghastly and his strongest offering came in the form of ‘Every Night’. From the gorgeous LA inspired breaks to the massive deep wubs, this track payed homage to the classic house sound all while showcasing the future.
88. Rowdy Rebel – Computers ft. Bobby Smurda (Vices x Gutta Remix)
You’d be hard pressed to find another track that demonstrates the evolution and pushes the boundaries of what Jersey Club can be. The upbeat intro sets an expectation that is absolutely obliterated as gun-cocks give way to one of the hardest club drops you’ll encounter. The viciousness subsides for just long enough for them to hit it once more with a deeper wonkier section. Add to the fact that this can make a hater fall in love with a Rowdy Rebel & Bobby Smurda track and it’s quite a feat.
87. Habstrakt – Gimme ft Badjokes
Dubstep seems to be making somewhat of a comeback – possibly related to the rise in popularity of Bass House, a subgenre frequented by some modern dubstep producers that allows wiggle room outside of the usual dubstep tempo and production practices. Habstrakt, a (mostly) dubstep producer, pushes all the right buttons with his track ‘Gimme’; a thumping house track with enough wobbles and metallic synths to satisfy the basshead in us all. By pushing stylistic boundaries and working to create a fusion between traditionally opposed genres, this track, and others like it give us that dark and grimey sound we all know, but in a new package that moves faster and is less alienating than the somewhat undesirable label that dubstep has become in recent years.
86. Tsuruda x G Jones – Push
When two unique and creative producers like G Jones and Tsuruda team up, you know the result is going to be interesting. While both of these producers had big years and released some solid tracks, this one is by far our favourite for its creativity alone. What starts off as a head-bobbing West-coast style trap beat quickly melds into something much more, utilizing a plethora of interesting sounds and building some serious energy that surely moved more than a few dancefloors in 2015. Keep an eye on both of these producers in 2016 as they will surely continue to reinvent old styles and push the boundaries of whatever genre-labels us woeful music bloggers impart on them.
85. Jack Ü – Febreze feat. 2 Chainz
Diplo and Skrillex formed their partnership long ago but it was in 2015 where they killed the charts, radio, clubs and festivals with their Jack Ü tracks. ‘Febreze’ featured a hype trap beat complete two verses from 2 Chainz formerly known as Tity Boi. While the horns wail over a combination of epic builds and equally epic drops Chainz spits the hilarious but effective line “I’m the shit, I should have febreze on me”, inspiring the track title and the several vocal chops throughout the track. The duo’s production skill is unquestionable and they shine throughout the year but shine brighter on this track securing the 85th spot in the top 100 – and surely some of the top 20.
84. Kehlani – The Way (Gladiator Remix)
As Gladiator continued to explore a wide variety of genres in 2015 they’re future R&B rework of Kehlani’s ‘The Way’ was by far their strongest offering. The progression and movement from downtempo to sunshine future bass and back around make this one truly special. The breakdown for Chance’s verse helps to make it a focal point while creating a completely different realm of emotion. Kehlani got remixed a lot this year, but this is the one you need to be listening to.
83. Branchez – Cuenta
After remaining quiet for most of the year Branchez crept out of the jungle with a fierce mind-fuck of a trap smash. ‘Cuenta’ packs everything from verbal gun shots, to military inspired snare rolls, high-pitched vocal chops and a bazooka of bass. This is the auditory equivalent of chewing too much Khat while wandering through an enemy infested the jungle, but way more fun.
82. Rihanna – BBHMM (Brenmar x Gutta Remix)
In a year littered with ‘BBHMM’ remixes one stood above them all. The collaborative effort of Brenmar and Gutta took the smash hit to the club. It was as infectious and catchy as the original but took it to new heights. The added Drake samples, vocal chops and immense energy made this an irresistible favourite.
81. Madeon – You’re On (Feat. Kyan)
Hugo Pierre Leclercq (Madeon) became a viral sensation in 2011 with a YouTube video of him performing a mashup he called ‘Pop Culture.’ It contains almost 40 different songs live on a Novation Launchpad. It’s an impressive example of how remixing and producing can be adapted into a live show.
When his first official album, Adventure, dropped in March, I didn’t have any expectations. I felt that his style was a bit gimmicky, perhaps because of his instrument of choice. Surprisingly enough, Adventure is a cohesive and interesting electronic album; a linear project that gives the impression that it is, in fact, an adventure. From start to finish, key vocal additions and catchy pop arrangements end up contributing to one of my favourite dance albums of all time, and ‘You’re On’ is represents it well.
