Singled out for the sound of 2023
Stevie G with Jazzy, whose ‘Giving Me’ was the tune of the summer.
I was fairly cynical about 2023’s album offerings last rtime but this time out things are going to be a lot more positive, as we dissect the singles that got the parties moving this year. Here’s 10 of my favourites.
10 Byron Messia and Burna Boy-‘Talibans II’
Talibans was already a huge breakout smash from the Jamaican-born artist, but the addition of Burna Boy helped make this one of the jams of the summer. Burna himself had another strong year, and the sounds of Africa spread far and wide. There’s a strong relationship between Jamaican Dancehall and West African Afro pop and Talibans II is a great collaboration.
9-Skepta andRyder-‘skeptacore pt.3’
Skepta’s Amy Winehouse rework is currently gaining some traction but for me, it was this co-sign with young producer Ryder which made more of an impact. Ryder reworked a number of Skepta’s tracks into a new sonic direction and the results are amazing. A great launchpad for Ryder and a reminder that there’s few better MCs on the planet than Big Smoke.
8-Bibi Babydoll ftDJ Brunin XM-‘Automotivo’
Brazilian funk has been a soundtrack to many of the best club sets for a number of years, and I love playing it at festivals and at parties. This is a typically sexually explicit jam, but an anthem of empowerment too. The music is irresistible and exciting, and it always lifts the roof for me
7-Kaytraminé- ‘Who He Iz’
So much of my top singles are collabs and this one is very special. Kaytranada and Animé dropped a great project together and this one has one of rap’s best rhymers riding on a beat supplied by one of this generation’s greatest producers. It’s impossible to hear this and not nod the head, and it’s another dance-floor banger too!
6-AbbieLee-‘Make u happy’
Ireland is on the cusp of something special and there’s a lot of talented artists out there ready to take off. I’ve been working with one such artist, AbbieLee, for a few years now, and I’m really excited for what she has got coming next, which includes a tune with a big name producer in 2024. I produced her own debut single Circles myself, but “Make u happy” is a better indication of where she is going, and it finds Abbie effortlessly gliding over some jazzy house grooves. Remember the name!
5-2Point1- ‘Stimela ftStunna & Ntabi Sings’
If you aren’t watching what is happening on the African continent with music right now I feel sorry for you. Afrobeats, Afro-pop, Amapiano and many other genres are responsible for some of the most dynamic music right now and this South African jam is one of many great examples I could have picked. Quite simply a huge banger!
4-Sexyy Red-‘SkeeYee’
The girls continue to rule mainstream rap and this young St Louis rapper had a hell of a year. She started it with Pound Town, later assisted by a Nicki Minaj remix, and she continued with huge features on tracks by Drake, DaBaby, NLE Choppa. SkeeYee is one of those jams that might not change the world, but when it drops in the club the place goes wild. I love it!
3-Tems-‘Me & U’
A lot has changed since Tems last released music on her own two years ago. She has now become one of the world’s most recognised voices and her earlier work has blown up much bigger, while remixes, reworkings, songwriting and other features have helped accelerate things too. Thankfully, Tems seems to be fully aware that it is her voice and writing that is at the crux of her ascent and Me & U is a fantastic single produced with Guiltybeatz.
2-PinkPantheress feat Ice Spice ‘Boy’s A Liar pt 2’
Another collaboration that went global, this one transformed an already decent pop song into an international smash. Two vibrant young artists who have emerged in the last few years converged perfectly on this catchy upbeat floorfiller. A short and sweet portal into the minds of two wonderful young stars.
1-Jazzy-‘Giving Me’
It could only be Ireland’s finest, Jazzy! It was the tune of the summer and it’s the tune of the year. The Dublin singer has had an incredible 2023 and this track hit at just the right time. Her regular collaborators Belters Only were on the boards for a track that went to number in Ireland, and she had an incredible year.
This is just the start of a fantastic career for Jazzy and indeed Belters Only!
