I’m a chaotic person at heart, so I wasn’t at all disappointed to see that my 2020 Spotify Wrapped data is as all over the place as I am. I was actually quite proud.
My top genre this year was alternative R&B, which gives me instant summer flashbacks. The sound is smooth and soothing, and soundtracked sunny days when I’d spend most of my time in whatever green area I could find, keeping my spirits up in the sun with a tinned cocktail.
My most played R&B singer – and most played artist overall this year – is Ari Lennox. She fast-tracked her way into my heart years ago with her signature vibrato, and her 2018 debut album, Shea Butter Baby, has the power to transport me to an incredible trip to Los Angeles, unlocking special memories of palm trees and intimate late-night conversations with friends.
Those summer months were full of good times, but earlier, between March and June, I didn’t leave my house. The first lockdown hit my mental health hard, and Feel A Way by H.E.R. appearing in my top tracks of 2020 certainly speaks to that. The standout lyric: “I’ve been trying so hard not to go off but you’re trying me” completely mirrors what I was feeling at the time. H.E.R. also has a positive association, listening to her reminds me of my interview with her in February, just before the world changed, and experiencing her warmth and spirit first-hand. As I’m writing, I’m realising that most of what I’ve listened to in 2020 has been about yearning for life before the pandemic and a need for comfort during it.
Amapiano, a South African electronic genre that mixes deep house, jazz and heavy gqom basslines is another top genre and one I found huge comfort. When I nearly lost my father to coronavirus, amapiano – upbeat enough to remind me of better times dancing with friends, but soft enough to help me process my emotions – sat with me during twilight hours like a good friend. Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa are two of my top artists of the year because of this, while Weyo by JazziDisciples, with its soulful vocals and piano chords, also appears in my top tracks for 2020. I’ll always be thankful for their soulful vocals and piano chords soothing my knotted stomach while my dad lay in intensive care.
With nothing being normal this year, I’m grateful for the music that reminds me of everyday life. UK alternative hip-hop, another top genre, is there because of drill music. With hard-hitting kicks, sharp snares and double time hi-hats, this sound takes me back to the underground. Drill is my stress ball, it used to be the perfect sound for busy commutes as an outlet for my frustration at travelling through London in rush hour; sometimes it felt like the only thing preventing a case of train rage. Then there’s dancehall, which as a proud, waist-whining West Indian, I was pleased to see in my top five genres of 2020. It’s hugely nostalgic to me, taking me straight back to childhood and reminding me of who I am, no matter what madness life is putting me through.
That’s the power of audio. It can bring you back to moments of pleasure and help you create a new reality when real life isn’t all that. C-Side by Khruangbin and Leon Bridges, another top track of mine this year, takes me back to sipping sorrel at sunset on the top of a hill. Deh Deh by Unknown T reminds me of cracking jokes on Twitter – I recently tweeted that it would be my song of choice if I ever had to perform at the X-Factor final. Lastly, Free Nationals, with their 70s-inspired soul appear in my top listened artists and top listened-to tracks in the form of Eternal Light featuring Chronixx – a song that feels like hugging someone you love in bed on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I wasn’t getting any love during lockdown so fantasising about it was the next best thing.
A journey through my sounds of 2020 wouldn’t be complete without a special mention to my most listened-to podcast, 1Xtra Talks. I recently joined the 1Xtra family as the new host of 1Xtra Talks, where every Sunday I lead discussions on issues from food poverty to Black British art and storytelling. Seeing it in my Spotify Wrapped reminds me that, even though this year has been tough, there’s plenty for me to be proud of. And as I look ahead to 2021, I’m excited to be in a position to give that special joy only audio can offer, having received so much from it over the years. So here’s to another year full of song, sound and plenty of sorrel.
Relive the music and sound that got you through 2020 with Spotify Wrapped
