It’s that time of year – or it was about six weeks ago – when I embark on the farcical task of listening to every song released in the preceding 12 months. My own playlists are combed through, along with countless other ‘end of year’ lists from every genre possible, in an attempt to convince myself I haven’t missed any gems.

If you wish to indulge my annual obsession (now in its 14th year) please listen below and then check out numbers 151-200, 101-150, as well as the top 50. The list was 700 tracks long originally so everything here is bloody brilliant.

If you prefer playlists, there’s plenty of those too so you can listen at your leisure…

PLAYLISTS:
(TOP 200 TRACKS OF 2018)

👂🔊LISTEN ON

APPLE MUSIC ,SPOTIFY OR YOUTUBE

51.Cleo Sol – Why Don’t You

52. Drake – Don’t Matter To Me (feat. Michael Jackson) / Gods Plan / Nice For What / …

53. Tracey Thorn – Dancefloor / Dancefloor (Pearson And Lindblad Italo Remix)

54. Bbymutha & $hoey – Bbc

55. Jean Grae & Quelle Chris – My Contribution to This Scam / Peacock

56. Mx Blouse – Is’phukphuku (feat. Thor Rixon, Jakinda & Albany Lore)

Sandiso Ngubane aka MxBlouse is a Rap/Kwaito/Gqom artist…their latest single Is’phukphuku, translates from isiZulu to mean “idiot”, and is a reflection on free expression, safe spaces and the agency of womxn.

“The idea behind this, as with the collaboration with Thor Rixon, Jakinda and Albany Lore, is to emphasise and highlight my love for all forms of creativity, my faith in South African artists, and long-standing agitation for supporting local at all times, wherever possible.”

Follow Mx Blouse on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and SoundCloud.

57. Lucy Dacus – Night Shift

58. Grupo Magnético – Vulcano V El Gato (Medley)

59. Selecta J-Man, Cheshire Cat & Origin One – Coconut Chalwa (Origin One Remix)

60. The Melting Ice Caps – The Frame

61. SOAK – Everybody Loves You

62. Tessela – Glisten

63. Shit and Shine – You Were Very High / Yeah I’m On Acid

64. Oscar #Worldpeace – No White God

65. Denis Jones – Jazz Squared

66. Darkie Fiction – Bhoza / My Ntliziyo

Darkie Fiction’s debut single ‘Selula’ contained some magic sonic signal that caused any listener to dopily lollop along in a half dance/half skip whilst grinning from ear to ear… maybe that’s just me but some songs have an energy that makes you smile (and move).
The bands’ self-professed mission statement is to help (South) Africans make music that is true to themselves, rather than following say America. Rapper Katt Daddy and vocalist Yoza Mnyanda grew up on kwaito, afro-funk, neo-soul and hip-hop and artists like Brenda Fassie, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu, Steve Kekana, TKZee and Boom Shaka.

They say the follow up single, ‘Bhoza’ #Bhoza “epitomizes a proudly South African, VUK’UZENZELE (“Wake and up and do it yourself”), warm and uplifting song for all ages”. Stick it to the man, make sure they understand. Viva!
They closed a triumphant 2018 which saw them reaching out beyond SA, appearing on Apples Beats, and releasing a third single. Katt Daddy and Yoza Mnyanda are a couple as well as bandmates and ‘My Ntliziyo’ which is Xhosa for ‘My heart’ is presemably a loce song to each other. Awwwwww.

67. G Flip – About You

68. Sharon Van Etten – Comeback Kid

69. Chronixx & Green Lion Crew – Life over Death (Suns of Dub Remix)

70. The Beths – Little Death

71. Lil Wayne – Uproar (feat. Swizz Beatz) / Let It All Work Out

72. Spice – Gum

73. General Degree, Liondub & PA – Ruff It Up (Liondub & PA Remix)

74. Molly Nilsson – Gun Control

75. Shenseea – Pon Mi

Dancehall was born rude but Shenseea may have wrestled the crown of smuttiest MC from Spice with ‘Pon Mi’, a track entirely dedicated to the…erm…plumpness of her pussy. Fans of dancehall will be resolutely unshocked but the bonkers music video doesn’t so much ‘jump the shark’ as examine it with a speculum.
It starts in the back of an ambulance with Shenseea, legs parted and up around her shoulders, presumedly requiring an emergency gynaecologist. And who is the doctor, yes it’s also Shenseea. Over the course of two and a half minutes, Shanseea gives her kitty cat a clean bill of health, while singing/rapping with her legs constantly splayed.
“It way too fat, it a have on too much weight, it a draw too much attention anytime we go a road”.
Midway through Shenseea squirts in her own face…
The tune is also fat.