So you’re at the club every night, spend your days scanning Soundcloud and check your inbox every other moment for blasts with the latest tunes. You’re up on your music. Even so, we’re betting there were a few tunes that dropped in the past 12 months which you missed. Here’s some of our picks for 2013’s best kept secrets in the worlds of reggae, dancehall, soca, EDM and more.
Click here to start the countdown.
10. Chi Ching Ching, “Mr. Air Wick”
Standing over 6 feet tall with one of the boldest fashion senses around, Chi Ching Ching is easily one of the most noticeable personalities in Kingston. But up until now he hasn’t had that hit to buss him beyond Jamaica to di world. Dropped in the spring on Supa Hype’s Air Freshener riddim, “Mr. Air Wick” is a manifesto befitting his stature, and possibly his best track to date. —Jesse Serwer
9. Lyrikal, “25/8”
We’ve all been there: at a party we wish would never end, ever. Some of us might want to go at it all day, or even all week. Trini soca artist Lyrikal takes it a step further in “25/8,” advocating for just “one extra hour and one extra day” to feed an unbreakable partying habit because, well, “24/7 is never enough for we.” The Ma$tamind and Kay Gee production was actually released in time for Cropover 2012, becoming a soca staple and achieving party anthem status in Carnival season 2013, and it is not difficult to see why. With lyrics touching on alcohol, backsides and of course a party that “cannot done,” “25/8” epitomizes the sentiments of all dedicated feters, and adherents of bacchanal. —Marcha M. Johnson
8. Masicka and Kabaka Pyramid, “Choppingz”
With a name like “Choppingz,” this collaboration between up-and-coming dancehall artists Kabaka Pyramid and Masicka (both great lyricists, might we add) at the very least promised intrigue, and we can now attest that it is well worth more than a few replays. It’s an interesting conversation between friends, riddled with wordplay and interwoven into an amalgam of hardcore dancehall, Busta Rhymes-like rap and the kind of raw talent you might encounter at an open mic poetry session. Cool, right? Kabaka has been ‘leading the way‘ in his own right and we’re expecting big things from him this year; Masicka definitely holds his own too. He’s been around for a minute, so we’re hoping he builds enough steam to take off this year. If you haven’t heard it yet, we dare you to peep this no-chill track and, just for fun, try learning the words… —Tami Tsansai
7. Jovi Rockwell, “I Got You”
After several years with no new music (read our interview to see what she’s been up to), Miami-via-Jamaica’s Jovi Rockwell re-emerged in August with “I Got You,” a wicked fusion of reggae and funk that sampled James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good).” Producer REO of the Soundkillers did all the right things with the funk staple to get this “I Got You” sounding fresh, while Jovi turned up her usual swagger, with some serious trash talking. We couldn’t say it any better than the Godfather himself: So good! —Jesse Serwer
6. Mr. Easy, “The Don”
We were the first site to pick up on this wicked tune from supremely underrated veteran Brooklyn singjay Mr. Easy, and we’ve been playing it and hyping it to anyone who’ll listen since. We even gave the Ricky Blaze-produced track—a perfect blend of ’90s dancehall vibes and modern production techniques— an honorable mention in our countdown of 2013’s toppa top reggae tunes. Folks are still sleeping, so you’ll still be ahead of the curve (and probably catch a few forwards) by dropping this one at your next dance. —Jesse Serwer
5. Freetown Collective and Q-Major, “Good Swimma”
Reggae and trap mesh splendidly in this uplifting track from Trinidad’s Q-Major and Freetown Collective. Featured on the soundtrack to the movie God Loves the Fighter, “Good Swimma” incorporates EDM influences without ever losing its relaxed, distinctly Caribbean feel. God Loves The Fighter director Damian Marcano also made a can’t-miss video for the song showcasing the beautiful Trinidad coastline. The uniquely Trini tune will definitely have you “a believer” by the time you finish listening. —Natalie Weiner
4. The Partysquad, “The Lion”
Amsterdam crew The Partysquad’s fusions of Dutch house and reggae have been a major influence on Major Lazer. In fact, one of Diplo and crew’s most pivotal hits, “Original Don,” is actually a Partysquad production. In 2012, the duo of released an entire EP’s worth of reggae/house hybrids aptly titled Badman Rave, and they continued the vibe this past spring with “The Lion.” While it was somewhat forgotten by summertime, we have great memories of “The Lion” mashing up the place during Winter Music Conference last year in Miami (where Major Lazer debuted it during one of their Ultra Fest sets). Just try not to feel hyped up after hearing this one play. —Jesse Serwer
3. Ninjaman, “Iron”
Ninjaman kept himself busy in 2013, steadily releasing new music throughout the year, and finishing with a show-stealing Boxing Day performance at Sting (pictured above). While his triumphant comeback anthem “Ninja Mi Ninja” made the Jamaican music charts—and enough waves for a solid placement on our list of the year’s best dancehall— other tunes were more slept on. “Iron” was, arguably, the best of these. The kung-fu samples and RZA-esque piano sounds which start the track are a fitting beginning for an artist who famously inspired Method Man’s “Bring the Pain,” while the lyrical threats are classic Don Gorgon. Honorable mention goes to “Gweh (Wi Nuh Taste N Buy)” on DJ Frass’ dope Pop Style riddim, the most up-to-di-time tune of Ninja’s improbable comeback. —Jesse Serwer
2. Jamtech Foundation featuring Bounty Killer, “Dedicated”
Swedish beatmakers Jamtech Foundation were blending dancehall with electronic music way before that was a thing (and before the term “EDM” was really in use, even) but they saved their wickedest work for 2013 and this tune featuring the Warlord, Bounty Killer, on a blistering 808 trap beat. We heard more “traphall” as the year went on, but “Dedicated” is easily the most striking such fusion to date. Bounty’s trademark cross angry miserable vocals sound just right over the track’s 808 snare claps, ominous strings and organs evoking Rick Ross’ “Hustlin.” —Jesse Serwer
1. Gappy Ranks and P-Money, “Baddest”
As a DJ, you’re constantly getting music sent to you by new artists, established artists and many that don’t deserve the title artist. Most DJs just play whatever the bigger DJs are playing on the radio or in the clubs. But once in a while you hear a brand new song that you know will smash any dancefloor, you know that no one in the crowd knows the song, yet you just know people will react. The first time I heard Gappy Ranks’ “Baddest,” I knew I had to play it that night, it got an instant reaction from the crowd, had to pull it up and all that. Dancers rushed the DJ booth asking “what tune is this?” and I knew I’d found the next banger. Literally every time I’ve played it, people wild out and ask me, what song, and by who. The beat subtly samples K7’s “Come Baby Come,” and sounds something like a Ron Browz type production but works perfectly behind Gappy’s brilliant wordplay and punchlines. Selectors, play this one and thank me later —DJ Gravy
Not everyone missed this tune from Nigeria’s Burna Boy. The artist, who we named No. 3 on our list of Artists to Watch for 2013 had a big year back home in Naija, and this sharp video for “Yawa Dey” earned him props from our channel partner, OkayAfrica, among other international outlets. But this tune, with its nods to the classic Bam Bam riddim and the early ’80s deejay styles of Eek-A-Mouse, et. al, is just so good and so dancehall, we feel it is our duty to advocate for its adoption by the reggae sounds of the world. —Jesse Serwer
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