In which friends of the blog weigh in on 2020.

Acclaimed producer, rapper and singer Stas Thee Boss supplied written commentary with her list of top ten projects of the year, and singled out key tracks that I rounded up in a playlist.

It's really been interesting to get inside three producers' minds so far with these year end lists: fish narc, Jake One, and now Stas. There's definitely an overlap in vibe on Stas and Jake's; no shared songs, though.

Thanks Stas!

Shabazz Palaces - The Don Of Diamond Dreams
I know I had some involvement in it’s creation, but the guy is always ahead and right on time. On this particular project, he sounds like Lil Tracy’s Dad. Fast Learner had my nose open and made me C-Walk (celebratory) Money Yoga, BRUHHHHHH.

KeiyaA - Forever, Ya Girl
I was intro’d to KeiyaA and her music just this year, and my life has been better for it. What a gift she has given up with this project. The production feels like a gentle kiss. A Mile, a Way is super special to me. I tried to sample the same song she sampled but she did it with way more swag.

Liv.E - I Couldn’t Wait To Tell You
I love this album so much that I made How It Made Me Feel a ringtone for my text messages. And when Liv.e randomly texts me to say some silly shit and her song comes on, I smile really hard. Mejiwahn is a GOAT. The Black Constellation vibes out to SirLadyMakemFall like it’s our anthem.

Fly Anakin & Pink Siifu - FlySiifu’s
This is hands down the best album to drop this year and a very very long time. Top to bottom, these niggas fucking ate! I’ve played Kin’tro over and over and over on walks from the train to my house to my kitchen to my bathroom. Both of their voices are super unique and hypnotic. Both short kings that I bow to. All my love and ovaries to this album. Can we even talk about Jay Versace’s production on Mind Right? Nawww...

Quelle Chris & Chris Keys - Innocent Country II
I gotta be honest, I have a lot of friends on this album, but that’s why this shit slaps and this is my list. Sudden Death is brilliant and helped keep me happy during this shitty shitty year. Everybody's verse on Sacred Safe is a Grammy. Quelle Chris is my favorite rapper.

Yves Tumor - Heaven To A Tortured Mind
When I first heard this album, I had to curse out my best friends and fellow tastemakers. I’d not heard of Yves and I know that they had and blocked me from that knowledge. This album is so triumphant and so Black. Super Stars feels like Sly and also feels like what Donald Glover wished his album sounded like.

Thundercat - It Is What It Is
When you get 4 black men named Steve together and they make Black Qualls, you have to stan. Thunder was the last live show I saw before COVID-19 shut down the entire music industry. What a great way to end the world. I made sure to cop a Dragonball Durag and rocked it before the remix came out. I’m so proud of my guy Thunder, he’s been through a lot and he’s only becoming more and more prolific.

Flo Milli - Ho, Why Is You Here
She really spits. It’s actually not fair how good she is at only 20. I love how she belittles men and trolls their insecurity. Beef FloMix is a great place to start, she carries the spirit of Kari Faux. The SWV flip on Weak is straight up legendary. I hope Coko, Lelee and Taj loved it as much as I did.

Blvck Spvde - Svmthingz & Nvthingz Sessions
My big bro Blvck sliddddd again with another classic record. My jam is Parallel Blvck produced by the almighty Ohbliv, the beat sounds like the Flinstones. I think it’s the hand drums and mallets. An undeniable headnod happens at 2:58 on SumthnWeLUV, shout out to my sis Billz Egypt.

James Blake - Before
Do You Ever, that’s it. Thanks.