Since we are wrapping up this year, and the decade, I thought it was only fitting that I created a list of my favorite songs and videos that I’ve come across throughout the year. Thank you to the artists, managers, publicists, and labels who submitted 1,000+ songs to us this year. We hope this collection of songs and videos inspire artists to start or continue working with us in the future. Without further delay, our 10 favorite songs and videos of 2019!
Our 10 Favorite Songs (Audio)
These two lists were not easy to come up with. Especially with some songs having both audio and video. Some of these songs I have played repeatedly since discovering them. Others are songs that I have newly discovered, but have already jumped the ranks. I have embedded the SoundCloud link if one was available. Hit the play button to check them out and not have to leave the page.
“Adieu” by Austin Riddle
This song is one on the most slept on songs released in 2019. Honestly, I can’t remember where I found this song, but I’ve been rocking with it for months. Austin Riddle, an artist from Birmingham, AL, is a classically trained concert and jazz pianist who has crossed over into the R&B world. My hope for the new year is to hear more songs like this from him on a more consistent basis. Adieu is available on both Apple Music and Spotify.
“P.P.B.” by Jay Waves
After listening to his latest project, Desert Water, I came away with a few favorites. But this song stood out from the beat to the in-song monologue and the narration in the lyrics. The song is a whole vibe. It’s easy to see the story play out in your head while listening to the song. P.P.B. is available on Apple Music and Spotify.
“Fuckboy” by Saint Lewis & Kennyflowers
This song is new to the play rotation, but immediately jumped a few spots. The first collaboration between Saint Lewis and Kennyflowers was a hit and should lead to many more joint projects. The two took a risk to see how edgy they could be in a song without going overboard. That’s what makes it a great song. It’s real. Although, it probably plays into the assumptions some women think about men… Still a great song! Fuckboy is available on Apple Music and Spotify.
“Miami Way” by Zaro Vega
Another vibe right here! There are a few reasons this song is one of my favorites of the year. First, Zaro’s trip to the city inspired him to create this song from the beat to the production. He imagined it being a sort of theme vacation song for those visiting Miami, painting his memories and what people are to expect in the song, hence his mentioning of the beaches, heat, yatchs, beautiful people, etc. Second, the work put into the song is crazy. Zaro authored, performed, produced, mixed and mastered the song himself. All him! By himself! In the studio! Holding it down… You get it. Even the girl sounding vocals is Zaro. He used lots of effects to create the high voice, then harmonized with it throughout the song in his regular choice. The guy was a magician with this one. Miami Way is available on Apple Music and Spotify.
“Last Time” by Reece
It cannot be denied that this song comes from a real place, which is a reason it’s one of my favorite songs of the year. Even if you’ve never been in the same situation explained in the song, you can feel the pain in Reece’s delivery. When it’s said that music is an expression, this the example. Last Time is available on Apple Music and Spotify.
“Taste” by Juicy
This is another song that came out of nowhere for me. Not sure when or where I first heard this song, but it’s been in my song rotation for a while. Because of the production, I thought this was a mainstream song For a long time. But when I shared the song with others and they asked me about the artist, I realized that Juicy was a newer artist. I spent months trying to find more information about the artist, and recently found her on social media (🙌🏾💯). This song is a quick track, but it’s bold and it hits! The song and artist are bound to start trending upward. She has the stuff like Bugs Bunny (space jam reference)! Taste is available on Apple Music and Spotify.
“Love In The Sky” by McClenney ft. April + VISTA
This song is melodic on another level. A musical masterpiece in my opinion. The collaboration in this song was perfect with McClenney, a Grammy award winning singer and songwriter, teaming up with April, a violinist/pianist/vocalist, and VISTA, a producer/bassist/composer. When you listen to this song, you will see why it is one of my favorites. Love In The Sky is available on Apple Music and Spotify.
“The New Ma$e” by Cory P.
This song was put together correctly. From the build-up in the beginning, the Coming to America sample, to the catchy “Oh, that’s crazy!” chant after every line. Honestly, I think if this song was released in another scene, it would have been pushed to the top with the proper support from the city. For me, this is the “get ready, get the vibe right” song you play before hitting the scene. Better yet, this is the perfect house party song, if folks still do house parties. The New Ma$e is available on Apple Music and Spotify.
“Nothing Without You” by Josiah Bell
Every time this song comes on, and I am not in the middle of doing something really important, I have noticed that I stop and sing along. This song is mellow, but is song with a purpose, from the heart. This is the opposite from some of the other songs on this list which gets you up and hopping around. This songs forces you to reflect. The descriptive lyrics helps you see the vision Josiah Bell saw when he wrote this song. I used to saw R&B was fading, but I feel Josiah Bell is set to surprise us with more of this type of magic in the new year. Nothing Without You is available on Apple Music and Spotify.
“Fiya” by Iguocho
This is another song that, in my opinion, should be surfing around the net a bit more. This song fits the wave of the rising Afrobeats genre. However, here we have a female artist coming with the same fiya! Even though this would be classified in the new genre, this has a bit of a late 90s or early 2000s sound to it that I like. Back when dance groups were more common, if this song had been out then, I think this would have been a choice for many routines. Fiya is available on Apple Music and Spotify.
Our 10 Favorite Videos
Just like the audio list, this list was tough to cut down to just 10. I’ve come across many great videos this year but these are the videos that stood out to me. Some of these videos would have been in the audio list as well, but thought but since both were great, we moved them here to make way for a few more audio track and break a couple of ties. I hope you enjoy them all. Let me know what you think about our selection.
BIRDCITYVIEW 