A 2022 mixtape
The world is yours
Keeping the now 5-year-old tradition, I put together a list of some of my favorite songs of the year (so far). I am publishing this a bit early this year. It’s going to be a busy December and I wanted to make sure to get it done. The list is ordered so the songs flow well. Enjoy!
The songs
Fkn Around (feat. Megan Thee Stallion) by Phony Ppl — Euphonyus.
Phony Ppl is a five-member band based in Brooklyn. Megan Thee Stallion and Phony Ppl premiered the song exclusively at NPR Music during 2019’s Tiny Desk Fest, before releasing it in 2022. Don’t miss the performance, they do a great set!
Creepin’ — Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, & 21 Savage.
The buttery smooth song, produced by Metro, is a cover of the 2004 R&B hit I Don’t Wanna Know by Mario Winans and P. Diddy. Interestingly, the 2004 song samples Boadicea — a 1986 instrumental by Irish singer and songwriter Enya. Boadicea was also sampled by the Fugees in the 1996 hit Ready or Not.
I loved the comic book illustrations that Metro released, announcing his collaborators on the album.
Vegas by Doja Cat —ELVIS (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
This song was released as the lead single from the soundtrack of Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biopic, ELVIS. Produced by Yeti Beats and Rogét Chahayed, the song samples Hound Dog by Shonka Dukureh—also released as part of the movie soundtrack.
The 2022 version of Hound Dog, is a cover of the 1952 classic by Big Mama Thornton. Elvis released his famous cover of the song in 1956.
I got a chance to watch the movie in theaters and highly recommend it.
Extra Credit by Big K.R.I.T. — Single. Extra Credit is another great single from the Mississippi-born rapper. You might be interested to know that K.R.I.T. stands for King Remembered In Time.
Couldn’t Be Done (feat. Kelly Price) by Freddie Gibbs — $oul $old $eparately.
Produced by Super Miles and Swoope the song samples the 1973 Norman Feels song entitled They Said It Couldn’t Be Done.
Leak It by Ari Lennox & Chlöe — age/sex/location.
This song is written by Chlöe, Ari Lennox, WU10 and Cardiak and produced by WU10 and Cardiak and is a work of art. No filters necessary.
Betty (Get Money) by Yung Gravy — Single.
Matthew Hauri, better known as Yung Gravy, is a rapper from Minnesota. Here’s the music video for this uplifting song.
The Root of All (feat. Lil Wayne) by Preemo & Slick Rick — Hip Hop 50: Vol. 1.
This song is made by hip hop legends. It’s the first official collaboration of Lil Wayne with Slick Rick and Lil Wayne with DJ Premier.
GOD DID by DJ Khaled (feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend, & Fridayy)— GOD DID.
The title track received Song of the Year and Best Rap Song at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. Hov did.
Rich Spirit by Kendrick Lamar — Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.
Produced by DJ Dahi, Jahaan Sweet, Frano and Sounwave, the song features background vocals by Sam Dew. The music video features Kendrick on a phone that’s off the hook.
Hexie Mountains by Orville Peck — Bronco.
Orville Peck is a South African country musician based in Canada. Bronco is his second studio album. He takes inspiration from 60s and 70s country and California psychedelic rock music. The music video is full on vibes.
Hotel by Montell Fish — Single.
Written and produced by himself, Hotel is Montell’s first single after his debut album Jamie.
Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) by Kate Bush — Hounds of Love.
Released in 1985, it’s odd to include this song on this list. But due to its appearance in Stranger Things in May 2022, Running Up That Hill peaked in charts all around the world. And given we were already in the midst of overdosing on 80s nostalgia, the song became an anthem for the year.
Black Leaves by KIRBY — Single.
My list would be incomplete without a KIRBY song. This single is the theme song for ABC’s new limited series Women Of The Movement.
I’M THAT GIRL by Beyoncé — RENAISSANCE.
It was difficult to pick just one song from this album. Produced by Beyoncé and Kelman Duran, I’M THAT GIRL samples Still Pimpin—a 1994 song by Memphis producer Tommy Wright III, featuring vocals by Princess Loko.
Somebody Like You by Bree Runway — Single.
Bree Runway is a British rapper and songwriter who considers her songs to be genre-fluid and spanning pop, trap, dance, R&B, rock, and hyperpop. I’m absolutely in love with her voice.
WAIT FOR U (feat. Drake & Tems) [Instrumental] by Future — I NEVER LIKED YOU.
I love instrumentals and am excited about the full instrumental version of I NEVER LIKED YOU. Produced by FnZ and ATL Jacob, WAIT FOR YOU samples the song Higher by Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems.
MS. MURAL by Lupe Fiasco —Drill Music in Zion.
This song is the final installment of Lupe’s Mural trilogy, following Mural Jr. and Mural. The naming convention draws from the Pac-Man series of arcade games. The album cover hints at a Pac-Man character.
Million Dollars Worth of Game (feat. 42 Dugg) by 2 Chainz — Dope Don’t Sell Itself.
Produced by Lil Ju Made Da Beat, this song masterfully samples a 1955 song called Neele Aasmani by Geeta Dutt. The beats are out of this world.
Scooby Snacks (feat. Mach-Hommy) by Your Old Droog — YOD Wave.
Your Old Droog (YOD) is a producer and rapper from Brooklyn, Mach-Hommy is a rapper from New Jersey. At the time of writing, Your Old Droog has released 10 studio albums and EPs in 2022 alone.
Streaming options
The playlist is available on Apple Music, TIDAL, and Spotify.
Thank you for reading and listening. Let me know your favorites this year!
Peace,
DJ Pardis
