A playlist is like a solid investment portfolio. You gotta keep it diverse, son. With that in mind, we’re searching all corners of Australia (except Tassie. Sorry Tassie) and all the finest genres to curate only the choicest cuts for your ears. Here’s nine tracks to add to your Best Of 2022 playlist with the quickness.
1300, "Oldboy"
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Sydney’s 1300 are making a lot of noise, and I like it, you know, like, like-like it, like love it actually. “Oldboy” is ready made for your double subbed up Impreza, with a guarantee your rear windshield will be rattling up and down the highway, causing bystanders to contract rubber neck syndrome. High-octane flows from everyone involved here, paired with visuals that went above and beyond make this a certified hit. If you aren’t going out to purchase a Korean to English dictionary, then I’m sorry to tell you, you’re sort of doing yourself dirty. Yeol-e yeol!
Siala, "Blackout"
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I know this came out on the last day of Jan, but this track is that good it bypasses any and all rules, so no questions. NSW Rapper Siala hits us with the KO punch with “Blackout”, a song that’s sure to put you on your ass. With the rapper delivering hypnotic melodies, complex storytelling and playful cadence switch-ups all over the glitchy production from Brisbane’s own Nerve. With “Blackout”, Siala is letting the whole scene know, she ain’t here to fuck around, quickly becoming one of the most ear-catching artists to drop this year. We want more, NOW!
YP, "Out Of Sight"
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A new side to YP has been unlocked! Fresh out from a stint in prison, which obviously gave the Western Sydney rapper of One Four a lot of time to reflect, he delivers “Out of Sight”. While all of Australia was anxiously awaiting the first appearance of YP, expecting another Drill classic, he hits us all with the swerve and produces something straight from the heart. With this weight-off-the-shoulders cut YP delves into industry struggles, while setting his sights on the future, which will only include those important to him. Those who were there for him when he was in greens.
Pania, "Tiki"
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We are witnessing our very own Rihanna come to life, and it’s one of the most exciting journeys to be a part of. Melbourne’s own Pania has blessed us with “Tiki”. One thing’s for sure, if this track doesn’t get played in every R&B club on our shores, and abroad, then it ain’t no R&B club I want anything to do with. Pania’s soulful, confident vocals pair beautifully with the, you-don’t-wanna-dance-but-you-have-no-option-but-to-dance beat. Get ready to hear this one on your next night out, or 10, or just put it in your calendar for the rest of the year to be safe.
Dante Knows, "My Bad"
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“my baD” is the first track from Danté Know’s genre-breaking & experimental EP “phase one”, produced by Tasker – which sees the pair dive into their bag of tricks to pull out one hell of a white rabbit. The Cudi-esque production on this track was pure *chef’s kiss* with enormous drums, mean riffs and electronic cutaways sprinkled throughout. The chorus on this track is designed to blow the roof off any stadium in the world with its strong & catchy delivery from Danté. There’s not much out there that sounds like “phase one”, so I’m gonna need a phase two, three & four, for scientific purposes.
Huskii, "Toxic"
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I’m a Huskii stan, always have been, always will be. Why? Because Huskii is the definition of ‘a diamond in the rough’, and there’s nothing more satisfying than watching the journey of that diamond slowly get uncovered by everyone that comes across it. Huskii did just that with his debut album ‘Antihero’, letting Australia know, we have a one-of-a-kind artist in the mix. “Toxic” is potentially Huskii’s most complex and well-developed tracks to date. Huskii’s self-aware story telling paired with his intricate rhyme style makes this one a stand out. I know I’m not alone when I say, I’m beyond excited to see what’s next.
YNG Martyr, "Love Boy"
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Have you ever heard a song on Spotify and all you want to do is reach through the cover art and strangle the artist that made the song so damn catchy because it’s all you hear all day, everyday? Yeah, that’s this song. YNG Martyr gives us “Love Boy” a track seemingly dipped in polish and dripping in excellence from start to finish. The hook on this track is a literal hook, and I’m just a fish that wanted a little nibble, who ended up in Martyr’s boat unsuspectingly bopping away to this track with the rest of my school of homies.
Mog.Y, "That's My Girl"
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Melbourne’s Mog.Y has carved out a special place in listener’s hearts with his ever-developing signature style of delivery mixed with his over-indulgence in the art of steez. “That’s My Girl” sees Mog.Y fire off with a barrage of hard hitting bars over a beat that belongs in an underground jazz club serving up highballs, and highballs only. Braggadociously sweet-talking his way through the track while delivering a flow that’s as contagious as… you know. If Mog.Y keeps going undetected, spreading musical heat to the masses, we may have a Mogdemic on our hands.
Elsy Wameyo, "River Nile"
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The Nairobi-born, Adelaide-based superstar that is Elsy Wameyo has dropped something incredibly special, and we should all be grateful our ears have been treated so well. With “River Nile” you are forced to listen multiple times. Why? Why the fuck not? The self produced beat is hypnotic, slick and exciting. Paired with this are Elsy’s confident, character-filled vocals which slip between singing and rapping, allowing Elsy to showcase her raw talent while reminding us that she’s got (cue in Sway) BARS SON! This track truly sounds game changing, and to say I’m excited for Elsy’s upcoming Nilotic EP, would be a severe understatement.
