I have however given considerable listen to many songs, and I will highlight my favorites. The listening period for this year is from December 25th, 2013-December 24th, 2014.
10. Live and Die in Chicago - King Louie
Even Kanye West has done an ode to Chicago, and it is a memorable song. King Louie represents the grittier and grimier drill side of Chicago music. His raps are often about drugs, women, and murder and this song encompasses all of those into an ode that praises the people as well as the city. "My city influenced my country, can't get away from Chicago," as he raps that if a person can make it in Chicago, they can make it anywhere.
9. Oya - Ibeyi
The French & Cuban twin sisters Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz are the group Ibeyi, which is a Yoruba word for 'twin.' These musicians make all original music (with some covers) inspired by the history of their culture. This song Oya, has it's namesake from the Yoruba diety of the winds. This song is bone chilling, and first gave me the feeling that I was walking into a forbidden forest. It is a slow moving, powerful song.
8. Heavenly Father - Isaiah Rashad
TDE newcomer Mr. Rashad had some big footprints to follow after. The indie music label has made a big impression here in the mainstream the last couple of years, and has been making noise in the quieter recesses of the internet blogsphere for a great deal longer. His debut project, Cilvia Demo, is an overall decent project. The standout here is the song Heavenly Father, with Isaiah chronicling feelings of depression, thoughts of suicide, and the anguish of loneliness. He comments on the time he's wasted drinking and having sex with meaningless women, and even words from his father. This is an emotional track that masks itself in an almost up-tempo beat and does well.
7. Egyptian Cotton - Big K.R.I.T.
It was a hard decision thinking of which songs I liked most from Big K.R.I.T. this year. He dropped 3 separate pieces of work and each was of quality. Egyptian Cotton however, surpassed even Mt. Olympus. He speaks of people's qualms wtih him leaving the hood for the suburbs, and recounts when he was much poorer. He rides this mellowly produced song ending on his triumph, and his now monetarily improved life, which is as smooth as its name.
6. Irie Trill Vibes - Leather Corduroys
This is definitely the hype song of my 2014. No matter where, even in church, I can recall the pounding bass and constants 'whoo!' of Joey Purp. This track is perfect for a party, extremely braggadocious and high powered from the hook until the very last few seconds of the song. This is stereo system ready.
5. Psuedo - Daniel Caesar
Daniel Caesar has a whole EP of tracks that could have been featured here. I chose Psuedo based on it's musical strength. The electric guitar riffs, smooth females background vocals, and steady "ooh ahh," takes listeners to a musical paradise.
4. Be Free - J. Cole (David Letterman Version)
The racial climate in America has changed, and not for better. Racial tension paired with questions on the dealings of police have charged America with protests and calls for changes in the judicial system. J. Cole has been involved in protesting and marching and has also made a song in regard to it all. On the original release of Be Free, he sang a mournful tune. In the live performance with David Letterman, Hollywood Cole added a verse. In it he speaks on the lack of change from President Obama and how the youth are not aiming for education. This performace, with the same minimal influence of instruments, presents Be Free in a much different light. J. Cole is not a singer and he is not attempting to professionally, but his voice gives chills. It is powerful and moving, and a song fitting for the African American effort.
3. Cavalier - James Vincent McMorrow
Techincally a 2013 release, its album wasn't released until 2014. Cavalier is an obscure song, with lyrics that cannot be taken literally in the verses. It is a somber song that comes full circle in the chorus, "I remember my first love. I remember my first love." Mr. McMorrow's falsetto and slow chord build up to the drums and added instruments makes this a song that may leave you emotionally changed after listening, reminiscing on your first love long after it fades out.
2. Deydration - Mick Jenkins ft. The Mind
Intricate flow, baritone voice, lyrically inclined, and informative are all words used to describe Mick Jenkins. This song is one of the absolute best of 2014, with use of his complex flow and power of his voice. Mick recounts life in Chicago, both in a general sense and through his personal story of going to jail for smoking. The instrumental uses heavy bass and a woman's vocals accompany the song along and is perfect for car play. The Mind's hook declares a simple yet powerful message, Chicago is home and it will always be.
1. Better in Tune With the Infinite - Jay Electronica ft. LaTonya Givens
Jay Elect should be better named Jay The Ghost-That-Won't-Drop-His-Album. For 4, now 5 years fans have been in wait for the album that was to come after Mr. Electronica's signing to Roc Nation. During this waiting period, there have been seldom and sporadic song releases and guest features. This is one of those, and although it isn't an album, it will do.
The song begins with a sample of a man answering a question about a higher power, and transitions to another man talking about ancient world leaders. All the while, a piano plays a simple melody as a violin strings along. This bleeds into Jay Electronica doing in 23 bars what many rappers cannot do in a whole album. He relates to the angst of the people in being the frustration of being misunderstood and mislabeled, advice from his grandmother, and how he is his own man.
LaTonya Givens then comes in and delivers some beautiful, soulful, touching lines, and the song ends. What's most impressive about the song is the total composition and how each part blends into the other. The song is a total effort, with a great sample, great bars, and great singing. Detox-like or not, if Jay's album sounds anything like this song, we're in for a treat.
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