ELSV'S 2020 - TOP SONGS OF 2020
AND HERE IT IS… ELSV’S TOP SONGS OF 2020
#20 - RYAN DESTINY - “THE SAME” - Fresh off the cancelling of Fox Hit TV Show “Star” Ryan Destiny releases her debut single and video / reworked and featuring Tobi Lou. “The song is about a guy giving little to no effort, playing games, and at a lot of times it seems as if men can really act simply... all the same,” Destiny said.
#19 - JHENÉ AIKO - “TRIGGERED (FREESTYLE)” - “You muh fuckin’ right I’m triggered.” The track is the first offering lifted from her 3rd studio album Chilombo and takes the form of a freestyle in which she opens up about her confused feelings following a split.
#18. NAS - “ULTRA BLACK”
#17. POP SMOKE - “DIOR”
#16. CHLOE X HALLE - “WONDER WHAT SHE THINKS OF ME” - Its the harmonies and the way Chloe x Halle’s vocals compliment each other and the build to the final moments of the song. “You’ve done this before, so/ who are you to judge me?
#15 - BRANDY - “SAY SOMETHING”
#14 - VICTORIA MONÉT - JAGUAR
#13 - JOJO - “COMEBACK”
#12 - J ALPHONSE NICHOLSON - “FALLIN”
#11 - FUTURE - “LIFE IS GOOD”
#10. RO JAMES - “ROSE”
#9. TEYANA TAYLOR - “CONCRETE”
#8. BRANDY - “RATHER BE”
#7. KID CUDI - “TEQUILA SHOTS”
#6. KEHLANI - “CAN I”
#5. CHLOE X HALLE - “DO IT”
#4. OMARION - “INVOLVED”
#3. NAS - “King’s Disease” - The opener for the album really sets the tone. From the lyrics to the production. I just wish it was longer, though Nas expresses he said what he needed to say on a lot of the records and didn’t need to extend them. So, can I breathe? Can I walk? Can I speak? Can I talk? Can I floss without you wanting me outlined in chalk?
#2. SZA - “Hit Different/Good Days” - Its the way SZA sings the story. Its usually so raw and unconventional. And if it’s any indication of what’s coming for her next album. I need it now. Out of my way, you out of pocket, need clear vision, boy (Vision), Can't trust decision when you near me, Get myself caught in your crossfire, You a wild one, and I'm wading in you like it's cool water, Like it's cool when you pull up boo'd up with a new and it's not me — With the video ending with Good Days (which SZA fully released 12.25), its the icing on the cake. Gotta let go of weight, can't keep what's holdin' me
Choose to watch while the world break up in front of me — Perfect record during these times
#1. Ro James - “Plan B” - Just ahead of releasing his sophomore album ‘MANTIC’, Ro James unveiled his Brandy assisted song “Plan B” - The song features Brandy’s harmonizing around Ro James’ vocals. You hit me like a heartbeat, so fast, like a heart attack, I don't know where I am, And I don't know where you are, Who do you think you are? And who do you think I think I am?
ELSV'S 2020 - TOP ALBUMS OF 2020
AND HERE IT IS… ELSV’S TOP ALBUMS OF 2020
It’s been an interesting year for music and releases, especially in a Pandemic, with no concerts and a number of releases pushed back or put on hold because of the uncertainty of times. As 2020 went on, and the world seemed to get back on track and through it all some artist took their creativity to the next levels.
Albums that’s been in the rotation this year
Kehlani - “It was good til it wasn’t”
Eric Bellinger - “Eric B For President: Term 3”
Ye Ali - “Traphouse Jodeci 2”
Jojo - “good to know”
Pop Smoke - “Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon”
Omarion - “The Kinetion”
Chrystian Lehr - “Offline II”
Alicia Keys - “ALICIA”
Teyana Taylor - “The Album”
Honorable Mention - KiD CuDi - Man On The Moon 3: The Chosen
#5. JHENE AIKO “CHILOMBO” - You can expect a sonic experience when it comes to Jhene Aiko’s music. And with this release, the journey of sounds that Jhene Aiko puts together will always bring out an out of body experience through the conversations of relationships turmoil. Is good to see an album be an album; that isn’t 30 minutes. The album features the singles Triggered (Freestyle), None of Your Concern, Pussy Fairy (OTW,) and Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.). Standouts / Favorites include Speak, Tryna Smoke, and Summer 2020.
#4. NAS “KING’S DISEASE” - Back for his 13th studio album; a needed shift from the 6-7 ‘Wyoming Kanye Sessions’ Albums. The album for me brings back a mix of Nostalgia with something new. You get classic Nas. Its the opening and closing of the album. The launch of this particular story. By definition, “king’s disease” is when a person develops gout. Also called the disease of riches, it can be contracted as the result of the overconsumption of certain foods, mainly meat, seafood, and alcohol. As the common theme of the album, Nas uses this as a metaphor for how, in life, one must focus on the right things and avoid indulging in negative behavior. The album features the singles Ultra Black and Replace Me featuring Big Sean. Standouts / Favorites includes King’s Disease, The Cure, and Full Circle.
#3. BRANDY “B7” - Finally. After almost 8 years since her previous studio album, Brandy releases B7. A clear shift from her previous works which saw her getting more personal than ever before. B7 including a change in format then her previous work, saw Brandy being more involved in the process and writing more; Taking us on her personal journey of the pass 8 years, from her mental health struggles to heartbreak and more. The album includes the singles Baby Mama featuring Chance The Rapper, Borderline and No Tomorrow. Standouts / Favorites includes, Saving All My Love, Unconditional Oceans, Rather Be, and Say Something.
Tim Saccenti for Setta Studio
