December is a special time of the year for everyone. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid, or just the end of the year, there is plenty to look forward to. For music lovers, December brings an extra gift: Spotify Wrapped. This past year, I listened to over 600 hours worth of songs from all genres from Pop and Indie to Rap and EDM (except country, I can’t stand country) and after all this listening, there were five songs that I listened to more than any other. Whether you don’t listen to music and are looking for good artists or are a seasoned Spotify member looking for new tracks to add to your playlist, I hope you enjoy my top five songs of 2020.
- Dior – Pop Smoke
Starting us off is the Big Woo himself, Pop Smoke. First coming on to the rap scene in late 2019, Pop Smoke’s unique style set him apart from other rappers. Raspy vocals and a fast style of rapping reminiscent almost of British drill music defined his early projects, giving them a different feel from other music on the market but making each song sound the same. In his final album, Pop Smoke broke from this mold and delivered a variety of tracks, some with his signature style and some more melodic. Dior is the song that made Pop Smoke a household name, blowing up on TikTok and becoming a staple for parties. Sadly, Pop Smoke was here for a good time, not a long time. His untimely death earlier this year will likely prevent him from dropping more music, leaving his listeners yearning for more.
- UCLA – RL Grime
Next, we depart from the rap that fills my playlists. Electronic music didn’t used to be my thing, however, after watching his set at Lollapalooza in 2019, I started to consider myself a fan of RL Grime. In a year spent isolated inside, blasting this song while in my car took me back to memories of summer, mosh pits, and large crowds–all unimaginable now. I will admit, I might be a little biased in my feelings towards this song, it’s named after my top college. Despite this, the song is definitely a banger and something to blow out the speakers to.
- Martin & Gina – Polo G
Returning to rap, the list wouldn’t feel right without Polo G. I am proud to say that I have been a fan of the Chicago rapper long before he blew up, back when he dropped his second ever song. Off of his most recent album, Martin & Gina differs from what most people would imagine when they think of a rap song. It is slower and more melodic than most rap tracks with a guitar background that, while probably fake, is a nice refresher from electronic beats. With lyrics comparing his relationship to that of the main characters from the tv show Martin, the song is also a great love song, a song I want to play at my wedding someday.
- Prices – Lil Uzi Vert
Even before I opened the list, I knew this song would be near the top. Off of his much anticipated album Eternal Atake, this song was playing in the background during a lot of my 2020, from the moment I found out about school being cancelled “for two weeks” in March to poker nights with my friends. While I won’t claim the song holds deep lyrics or a unique sound, the stereotypical Lil Uzi high pitched lyrics and ad libs combined with hype lyrics and a beat with lots of built in drops makes a great summer song, one that I am sad that I did not get to enjoy live.
- Flaws and Sins – Juice Wrld
Finally, we have reached the top of the list, the song I spent the most time listening to during this past year. A different take on a rap love song, Flaws and Sins is my favorite Juice Wrld song, an honor considering how much I listen to the artist. Clever lyrics, my own desire to be unique, and lots of memories cement this song as my favorite of the year. It was first introduced to me by a friend who recently moved away so I’ve been listening to it lately to remind myself of old memories. Nostalgia or not, this song is definitely a certified banger, another staple of windows-down summer driving. Juice’s music is mostly considered emo rap, a genre perfect for teens and young adults in their feels. If you are looking for a more lighthearted love song, I would suggest Robbery, another Juice classic and favorite of mine as this song is a bit darker (probably not a selection for my wedding). While Juice and the emo rap genre as a whole may not be for everyone, I really encourage you to give this song a try
Hey, Odawg. I really like your list. I also don’t listen to too much edm but UCLA is a really good song(I may be a bit biased too since UCLA is a pretty high on my list too). I agree, though, I think its the feeling of freedom taht the song UCLA gives when you listen. It’s reminiscent of a fonder time. For me though I’d have some The Kid Laroi on my top 5 list. I think his music is kind of similar to Juice Wrld so I’m guessing you’d probably like it too.
Hi Odawg,
I hadn’t really appreciated Spotify’s Wrapped as much as I do now that you presented it as something to be thankful for as we celebrate this holiday season. It truly is a gift of nostalgia and remembrance of the fun times that were had while listening to our favorite artists of the year. Music certainly holds a unique ability to latch onto some of our favorite memories and become associated in that way.
With that being said, I liked your top 5. I certainly agree that Prices by Uzi is a selection which cannot be questioned- it is simply, in your words, a banger. What’s more, I appreciated seeing Polo G breach your top 5. Martin & Gina is actually not my favorite song of his, but it would be hard to imagine a top 5 for 2020 which did not feature his name. Unfortunately, however, I was a little thrown off by your choice for song of the year. Where I come from, that would be called a cold take. First, Flaws and Sins wasn’t released in 2020, so I question its deserving of being on this list. Additionally, I find that Juice has released a plethora of songs better than this, although we are each entitled to our own taste, of course.
Nonetheless, I commend you for sharing your musical interests with us all, and hope that 2021 brings more bangers into your life.
Howdy Owen, the yearly Spotify wrapped always gives us a chance to reflect on the year in music and take us back in time a bit. The list you’ve complied here is very respectable and I to enjoy Gina and Martin and Lil Uzi’s Eternal Atake. I think the timing of EA is really critical to it’s impression for years to come, I remember blasting the album all day at my one and only track meet of the year, and now whenever I listen to it, it seems like an ode to simpler times.
Hi Odawg,
This is a really solid list of songs. I don’t know why or how I never discovered UCLA sooner, but I’ve been blasting it ever since I read your blog, and it’s undoubtedly a banger. I was also a big fan of Uzi’s album Eternal Atake. Considering how it came out roughly around the start of quarantine, listening to it also reminds me of what now seem like simpler times in hindsight.
Hola Owen,
I like your list a lot. I have to say UCLA is one that I played a lot during the summertime and is no shock that it would be on anyone’s top 5. Dior by Pop Smoke is also one of my favorites, personally I would have this higher than number 5, however, I would put it higher on the list. I would even put it in front of Flaws and Sins especially since it wasn’t released in 2020. Other than that, your list is really solid!!
Hey Odawg,
I think you have a pretty solid list here. UCLA is a banger for the ages, an anthem that I played during summer with the windows down a stupefying amount of times. I also enjoy your inclusion of Pop Smoke on this list, although I actually believe Element is a better song of his. Martin and Gina always hits, though, and there had to be an Eternal Atake song in there, which I also think you got right. If we are talking about songs released in 2020, I must say, however, that my favorite is without a doubt Blue World, released on Mac Miller’s posthumous album Circles.