10. Lost f/Loud, "Parano"
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Album: Heritage
Two of Montreal’s biggest francophone rappers teamed up for a single rooted in the times. As the title suggests, the two are paranoid in myriad ways, and while the two jumping on a track should be a triumphant moment, it’s almost like they’re joining forces out of necessity rather than celebration. Add a sample from a CAQ politician spouting anti-immigrant rhetoric, and you’ve got one of the most political tracks to come out of Canada in 2023.
9. Sadboi, "Potential"
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Album: n/a
Toronto’s SadBoi has steadily dropped tracks for over a year now, and so far “Potential” stands as the best example of the artist at her best: catchy hooks and bars over dancehall and U.K. garage beats. Her caustic wit and putdowns, in this case wondering why a partner’s potential didn’t live up to the hype, contrast the upbeat, dance-heavy backing perfectly. It’s a party, but you might be the uninvited guest.
8. Charmaine f/Chenzehn, "Hood Rat S***"
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Album: Press Play
As we’ve seen in the US, there’s a big market for fun and nasty rap tracks. Not surprisingly, we’ve got talented artists taking on the style in Canada too, and perhaps no one did it with more panache this year than Toronto’s Charmaine. Towards the end of 2023, Charmaine had some big moments in the form of the theme song to Bria Mack Gets a Life and new album Press Play, but it’s hard to resist the confident vibes on “Hood Rat S***.”
7. AR Paisley, "Let's Slide"
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Album: n/a
“Hey Ma” by Cam’ron is an indisputable classic, and sometimes it’s just best to leave those untouchables alone. Toronto rapper AR Paisley decided to accept the risk by giving the sample a spin, and ultimately he made it his own in a fresh and convincing way. One part homage, one part proving ground, Paisley continues to show his MC skills don’t need to be discounted. He also knows his way around a summer, breezy track.
6. Why G f/Dr. Bushman & Bundog, "Expendables"
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Album: n/a
This one could've also been Dr. Bushman and Fleedoe's "YWR," but the combination of Bushman with Why G and Bundog, along with producers Money Musik and BillyOnDaBeat, makes for a solid starting 5 on the track. At a short and sweet 1:53, the Toronto rappers get to the point, and the song benefits from it. The Toronto scene can only benefit from strong collaborations, and this one reigned in 2023.
5. Lu Kala, "Hotter Now"
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Album: n/a
How do you follow up “Pretty Girl Era” and a massive Latto placement on “Lottery”? With an even bigger track, which Lu Kala delivered on “Hotter Now,” a bright and bouncy pop anthem that continues to push the Canadian’s crossover capabilities to the forefront. Lu Kala’s self-assurance is addictive, and a pick-me-up when you need it most. It also keeps whetting our appetites for an eventual album, which should secure her place as one of Canada’s top exports.
4. Mustafa, "Name of God"
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Album: n/a
Everybody’s waiting on the follow up to Smoke Also Rises, and Mustafa is finally back to give fans a taste of what’s to come. He teased a comeback earlier with a collaboration on “Walk Em Down” from Metro Boomin’s Heroes & Villains before returning in earnest with one of his best songs yet. It’s an introspective song that asks a lot of big questions in the face of adversity, and one that truly strikes a chord for anyone suffering through loss.
3. Drake f/J. Cole, "First Person Shooter"
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Album: For All The Dogs
The Boy had a few highlights on For All The Dogs, but we gotta shout out this one for getting J. Cole his first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. For Drake, it was business as usual until the massive music video that followed, with scenes shot atop Scotiabank Arena in his hometown. It’s easy to take for granted two superstars jumping on a track together, but it’s really hard to deny these two are simpatico in a way that a lot of leading rappers aren’t. We may never get a full record with the two, but at least we had “First Person Shooter” and “Evil Ways” this year.
2. Tate McRae, "Greedy"
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Album: Speak Later
If there’s one Canadian artist who undeniably broke through this year, it’s the Calgary pop singer. Not that she wasn’t already big before, but “Greedy” launched her into a completely different stratosphere. Now she’s on the cover of Billboard and the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. Yeah, the pads might be on the wrong way on her album cover, but she’s hitting targets few Canadian acts ever reach, and “Greedy’s” domination of the Spotify Global charts can’t be ignored.
1. Daniel Caesar, "Always"
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Album: Never Enough
For anyone who’s ever felt a breakup, Caesar’s got you. “Always” is tender to the core, almost cloyingly so, but it’s hard to deny the impact the torch song had on securing Caesar’s return after a few years on unstable ground. Never Enough had a few tracks with the ability to run wild, but “Always” was an easy point of entry and kids on social media ran with it. You need at least one “phones out” song in your live repertoire, and Caesar now has a major one that can fill up a sold out Scotiabank Arena or Madison Square Garden.
