My Top 50 Songs of 2024

REPLAY! REPLAY! REPLAY!

Even though we’re two days into the new year, I will still be here for the rest of the week (and maybe spilling into the next week) churning out the last of my end-of-year lists. My music reviews have been split into thirds: My Top 25 Albums of the Year, My Top 50 Songs of 2024, and finally my upcoming favorite music moments. As explained in My Top 25 Albums of the Year article, I’ve created a 150-song sampler filled with my 25 top artists—four songs a piece—with an additional 50 songs by different artists that had memorable hits, but not necessarily enough for a full four-song sampler. My favorite songs this year were very layer-focused. Whether that be layered echoes of beats or layered vocals to create that holistic fullness, RnB extensively staked its claim this year. Now, these songs were not all released in 2024; with plenty even from the 90s and early 2000s. Unlike the Albums list, these will not be ranked—only listed because that’s simply too much pressure and I’m just here to have fun. Every song will get a one-sentence review, so let’s just get into it!

50. Switch by DESTIN CONRAD

    Drawing inspiration from his Jamaican background, Destin Conrad introduces this Caribbean RnB fusion for a smooth and easy listen.

49. Counting Thunder by Loony

    One of the best executions of consistent flow changes in an RnB record I’ve listened to this year. It’s such a fantastic opener to an amazing album.

48. My Man by Mnelia

    For all those fun and flirty sensual summer nights, Mnelia’s high vocals alongside such crisp mixing provided the soundtrack to my summer months.

47. You Got Me by The Roots

    Lowkey my university days personified; It’s definitely shifted in meaning from my youth when I was in passive thought then.

46. Sossaup by KAYTRAMINE (ft. Amaarae)

    This has been my song since it dropped! Simple execution from Kaytranada, Amine, and Amaarae—which is its greatest strength.

45. I Get Lonely by Janet Jackson

    I played this almost every day on the train going home from work. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis you will forever be known as one of my favorite producers of all time.

44. we don’t move by BADMIND

    Stumbled upon Ambre and DESTIN CONRAD’s secret duo pseudonym and this is by far the highlight of the songs available. They’re the ultimate yearner’s guide of 2024.

43. Come Over by Aaliyah (ft. Tank)

    Another song I listened to almost every day this year. Tank’s background vocals seal the deal on the shape of the record.

42. RIIVERDANCE by Beyonce

    I would’ve never thought this was my most listened-to Cowboy Carter song but here we are. She said “Bounce”, so I did. Catch me at the tour in 2025.

41. Snooze by SZA

    Can’t believe this album was released two years ago because this song still has such a refreshing sound from her. SZA and Jazmine Sullivan are the Barry Jenkins of love lyricism and I’m all here for it.

40. Princess Going Digital by Amaarae

    Amaarae’s tone is the largest selling point of this entire album. Paired with this infectious beat, she’s unlocked the recipe for a trendy hit.

39. O.M.L. by Mack Keane & ESTA. (ft. DESTIN CONRAD)

    Specifically referencing the live version of this song, Mack and Destin’s vocals are blended so effortlessly here. Seeing their chemistry play out in this version increases the diligence handled with the production of this cut.

38. Things Are Getting Better by NERD

    This track literally feels like a Claritin pill. Amidst all the uncertainty in life, there’s one certain thing, and it’s that it keeps on going.

37. POF by Ari Lennox

    Dating is hard and this is the perfect tune to support that narrative. Ari captivates her audience yet again with this moody beat.

36. Spirit 2.0 by Sampha

My life’s proclamation into a song. Community and trust are everything.

35. Mad At Fire by Elmiene

When love isn’t strong enough to sustain a relationship, you turn to songs like these.

34. Kiss It Better by Rihanna

I know the choice is overall a good one, men who leave their relationships or don’t commit to someone who they’re already consistently showing up for because of their pride are evil. This song has been in my top songs every year since it came out in 2016.

33. Moment of Your Life by Brent Faiyaz (ft. Coco Jones)

Such an underrated cut from Brent, and one of my favorite features from Coco. The strings in this sound so good.

32. Be My Summer by Snoh Aalegra

Finally got into Snoh this year and I’m happy to say I’m very pleased (I was more of a Cleo Sol fan and she felt like enough for me in this style of RnB).

31. Complete Intro (Until It’s Done) by Kevin Ross

One of the best relationships I’ve seen an artist have with an instrumental in years regarding interludes. Another cut that’s been in my top listens since it dropped in 2020.

30. Heaven Sent by Keyshia Cole

I grew up with this song so it’s nowhere near new, but I listened to it in a coffee shop mid-crash out while doing work earlier this year and never let it go. It’s gained a new definition now that I’ve grown up.

29. It’s Not Me Its You by Mahalia (ft. DESTIN CONRAD)

It’s all said and done here!! Mahalia is really that go-to artist for eye-opening breakup empowerment BOPS.

28. Chances by Mack Keane

No shade to his individual artistry, but new-wave Robin Thicke SLAPS! Mack as a producer and lyricist has assisted in some of my favorite RnB records today.

27. 3 AM by HAIM

I love these girls. They are the best representation inspired by Fleetwood Mac, and Fiona Apple. HAIM has been part of the Indie scene’s backbone for over a decade and I’m ready for that new album in 2025 (which hasn’t been announced, but there’s been hints and teasers from their camp about it).

26. Auction by Sasha Keable and DESTIN CONRAD

I know y’all are probably tired by all the Destin in here but I don’t care. He will reach Ty Dolla $ign levels for his BGV and feature contributions. Sasha has this fullness in her tone that sends shockwaves of warmth and power that make this song the hit it is. This song is also how I found out about the artist/producer KWN.

25. Good Luck, Babe! by Chappell Roan

She ate. There’s not much to it. I’m always on the lookout for the next hot pop girly and while I’m not an avid listener, I 1000% understand why others are saying she’s next up. This and Hot To Go reaching peak status back-to-back like the way it did was astounding to witness.

24. Would You Mind by Janet Jackson

Last year, The Velvet Rope was one of my top albums—and generally is one of my favorite albums of all time. Janet is the epitome of sensuality and she means business.

23. Distance by Yebba (Specifically the Tiny Desk version)

Yebba is one of the most well-rounded artists. That’s all. A common theme in the music I enjoyed this year was centered around where you go when love just isn’t enough, and for Yebba, her safe zone was away.

22. Doubt by RISSA

I consider this a gospel song. The affirmations and conversation built is a prayer in itself.

21. 8 by Kehlani

While I wasn’t a fan of this experiential album, Kehlani was right about one thing and it’s that we all deserve to get ate¹.

20. Let’s Go Back by Jungle

Became obsessed with these groovy folks this year. The dance collective from Shay’s Dance Archive who have been part of the band’s storytelling for years makes their music a 4D experience.

19. Selfish by Slum Village (ft. Kanye West & John Legend)

Gained a deeper appreciation for Kanye and Pharrell's production from the 2000s this year. John Legend’s starting era when he was dedicated to the Black audience was true bliss and I wish I were an adult in this prime.

18. Worth It. by RAYE

Again, not to downplay an individual’s artistry—but modern-day Amy Winehouse is remarkable. Raye’s album is some of the most cohesive, gut-wrenching, and brutally honest work I’ve seen in the last decade.

17. Chest Pain (I Love) by Malcolm Todd

This is my TikTok acquisition of the year. Something about this song makes me want to do the Disney Knee Buckle Stance and swoop my invisible bang to the side. Excited to see more from him.

16. So Be It by Alex Vaughn

I’ve loved this song for a while, but Alex’s pen is 1000-0 in status.

15. I LUV HER by GloRilla (ft. T-Pain)

Such a refreshing take from GloRilla with a new female rapper and male RnB artist collab. This format is hard to come by in the modern day, and the song is catchy. She’s on fire!

14. Number One by Pharrell

Referring back to my deeper research into Pharrell and Kanye’s run in the 2000s, this song (and album) is a HIT. My man who doesn’t exist yet will indeed be posting me to this song one of these days.

13. Caught Up by FLO

One of their best songs to date. When I went to Kehlani’s Crash Tour stop in New Orleans a few months back I was just as excited to see them open as I was to see Kehlani! However, I’m tired of the references to Destiny’s Child and the 90s overall every time a new girl group erupts.

12. Charge It by ENNY

I did a discog dive of ENNY after Peng Black Girls reached its peak and thought she was good, but this past 1.5 years her singles have been great!! Consider me a fan.

11. Kerosene! by Yves Tumor

During a really hard time in my life, I ended up at their concert with my sister having little to no knowledge of Yves, and had one of my best concert experiences ever. Hearing this song live changed my life forever.

10. Angels in Tibet by Amaarae

Amaarae did what needed to be done. One of my top songs of the summer!

9. Every Hour by Kanye West Sunday Service

My favorite new-wave gospel songs. I grew up with heavy Baptist and Pentecostal beliefs, so a lot of the new artists and songs aren’t of much interest to me. What Kanye, Jason White, and the Sunday Service Choir did to many of the arrangements on Jesus is Born was remarkable.

8. Cry Everything by Kindness

Get me in a dark club packed to the brim with everyone sweaty dancing and drinking with this song playing STAT.

7. Dreams, Fairytales, Fantasies by FERG (ft. Brent Faiyaz & Salaam Remi)

Still bumping this track from FERG’s 2019 project Floor Seats. A lot of the time these days, rappers cannot outshine their RnB counterparts on a song together but FERG truly holds his own here.

6. Casio by Jungle

“I just want the keys back to my vehicle” made me cry when I first heard it.

5. Say You Want Me by Masego

With Masego, you’re always in for a ride of nearly perfect mixing, instrument arrangements, and a good groove.

4. OKAY by JT

Bad bitch affirmations for the win

3. Bigger In Texas by Megan Thee Stallion

The reclamation of power here of Megan returning to Houston…means something to me. Support and community was key in her album and mixtape released this year, which is something that truly shares the importance of Hip Hop today.

2. BIRDS OF A FEATHER by Billie Eilish

She ate this. I’ve been a very passive listener over the last ten years, but you can tell she really does work on her vocal performance and see that her intentions are being placed much more strategically with this album.

1. 30 For 30 by SZA (ft. Kendrick Lamar)

This just came out a few days ago, but I had to mention it because “that’s the way I like itttt”.

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Here’s the link to the full 150-song sampler. Cheers to 2025.

1. I’m aware of this grammatical error, it’s intentional to go with the innuendo of the song. 8 for ate.