1.
2. Clipse - "I'm Not You"
No, no, no. I told you. I live this steel drum shit.
Who said steel drums need to be about tropical vibes? The Neptunes produced this one, and Clipse, Jadakiss, Styles P, and Rosco P. Coldchain keep things raw for a definitive piece of proof that steel drums + coke rap is a beautiful combination.
4. Hot Chip - "One Life Stand"
Year released: 2010
Why was Hot Chip's 2010 album One Life Stand so enjoyable, especially tracks one, three, four, and six? Well, maybe because they enlisted steel drum player Fimber Bravo to contribute his colorful sounds to those songs. Hot Chip's music has always had a lush, welcoming feel to it, and those steel drums just add to that, turning the breakdown on "One Life Stand" into your own personal beach party.
7.
8. Kyla La Grange - "The Knife"
Kyla La Grange’s latest album Cut Your Teeth is a big departure from her earlier, rootsy sound. It's got more of an electronic feel, which is cool, but it's the steel drum we really wanted, and Kyla delivered with a highlight from the album, "The Knife."
Even better? This video of Kyla performing the song:
11. The Knife - "Heartbeats"
A synth-driven, Scandinavian indie pop love song may not seem like the place for the steel drum to make an appearance. Well, it is. The Knife pulled it off flawlessly with the indie classic "Heartbeats," and it worked on "Pass This On" too.
13. T.O.L.D. - "Lucifer's Eyes"
T.O.L.D. uses steel drums on "Lucifer's Eyes" as a twinkling, delicately mournful counterpoint to the steady beat. When we asked him why he went for steel drums told us:
When I was 7 years old, my older brother had a friend called OJ. OJ was my hero, OJ played the steel drums.
OJ was a true hero.
Everyone who plays steel drums is a hero.
16.
17. M.I.A. - "Bingo"
M.I.A.'s music draws influences from all over the globe, so it's no surprise that at least one of her songs has steel drums in it. "Bingo" was one of the biggest tracks from her debut album Arular. Do you know why?
Probably because of those steel drums to be honest.
20.
21. 50 Cent - "P.I.M.P."
50 Cent's always been keeping it real/You're not a motherfuckin' pimp unless your drums are steel
23. Jamie xx - "All Under One Roof Raving"
Jamie xx has been featuring steel drums heavily in his work for a while now, starting with "Far Nearer," his debut solo single, continuing through the Gil-Scott Heron remix album We're New Here, The xx's second album, and now his continuing solo output. His most recent release, "All Under One Roof Raving," is a mixture of sounds that only he could make work—there are vocal samples from an abstract short film about the UK dance scene called Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore, breakbeats, rich bass, and, of course, the twinkling steel drums.
26.
27. The Grouch - "Simple Man"
I'm a simple man. All I need is steel drums.
29. La Roux - "Tropical Chancer"
With a song called "Tropical Chancer," it's no surprise that La Roux went down the steel drum route (in this case, digitally manipulated), and her calypso-influenced song strikes a perfect balance between playful (the production) and pissed off ("He’ll trade your loving for the things he’s never seen").
32.
33. Blood Orange - "Chamakay"
The video for Blood Orange's "Chamakay" was shot in the South American nation of Guyana, and features lots of shots of Dev showing off his enviable dancing skills, some beautiful sunsets, and even, around the three minute mark, a very #rare, very special sighting of....
35. Lykke Li - "A Little Bit"
A little bit in love with steel drums. Honestly, are those even steel drums? Maybe just a little bit of steel drums. Do you see what I'm doing here? Getting a little bit annoying already, huh?
