Singles of 2013

Last year was one of the best for releases and genuinely quality of music from my aspect. Some great singles made their way from album to airwaves, so here is a list of what I felt were the 10 best.

10. Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams & Nile Rogers - Get Lucky

When we all saw an advert at the same time with Pharrell's ageless face pop up and start singing the catchy hook, you could rest assured that it wouldn't be the last time we'd hear the catchy melody. Memorable on so many levels the funk enthused dance hit took the world by storm and deserves a place on this list. 

9. Rocko feat. Rick Ross - UOENO

I bet when Rocko coined this ridiculous acronym he didn't expect the slurry of remixes and controversy that came with it on the back of Ross' verse. Luckily the strength of the music and catchiness of the record kept it on airwaves and the phrase UOENO spread like wild fire across the internet and cemented Rocko's hit to be lodged in our minds for months on end. 

8. Ace Hood feat. Rick Ross & Future - Buggatti

I'll admit I didn't give this song the time of day initially, but when I went to see Joe Budden live in London 2 days after the song had hit the internet and his warm up DJ played this, you cannot deny the strength of the record. From the start of the recognisable hook by Future, followed by the 'turn up' ad-lib its hard not enjoy and be taken in and lost in the expense quotes from Ace Hood and Rick Ross.

7. Wale feat. Tiara Thomas & Rihanna Bad/Bad (Remix)

You know the strength a song when you are in a bar and women are drunk singing the chorus off key. This was one that proved it, the simple chords and strings across a melodic sound with the back ground sound of bed springs set the platform for Wale and Tiara Thomas to croon their way on the hit at the top the year then summer hit and Rihanna found herself on the remix. Usually I'm critical of Rihanna overly sexing things up but for this song she got it right, her and Ralph exchange racy lines between one another to make this more than a hit single. This will be heard for years to come.

6. Fabolous feat. 2 Chainz - When I Feel Like It

Fab announced this song by the cover art on Instagram and it excited me, Loso being one of my favourite artists ever and 2 Chainz my favourite artist over the last 12 months? surely this couldn't miss. It didn't. This song didn't seem to make everyone too excited, but for me it played and played very well. Each rapper known for their quotable punch lines delivered exactly what we'd want from them. Both artist's have had silent critics and to do a song like this to show the power that they posses musically only made sense to establish what we already knew.

5. Drake - Started From The Bottom

This record is one where you remember where you were when you first heard and the conversation you had straight after. Every time Drake has a new project, he finds a new song with a new sound and this was no different, his style changed, his sound changed and we had a new Drake. For the first time Drake had gone on a solo record and chose to acknowledge the star that he had become and get cocky with it, as he had touched on before this was the first time to do it on a solo record to a mass audience, and so many people joined that audience. Like it or not, this song will be referenced for years to come.

4. French Montana - Ain't Worried About Nothin'

I haven't always been a fan of Montana, he closed out 2012 with 'Pop That' which just didn't grab me. Then a few months later this single surfaced and it was exactly what was needed, a simple drum line, catchy chorus, simple verses and a snappy intro. having been in an arena when this song is played in a mix, showed the strength when 8,000 people sing along and time the notorious 'HHAAAANNNN' ad-lib to perfection. From this single and the 'Excuse My French' album, Montana would take my most improved artist award if there was one to be given.

3. Pusha T - Numbers On The Boards

Kanye let this fly by his twitter account on the day Jay-Z released 'Open Letter', surely after the phone call from Push himself? HA. The simple drums and minimal beat mixed with King Push's cocaine filled lyrics made this a stand out hit from the year. Each line, holding 3 or 4 meanings with precision timing and deliverance to the beat made for an emphatic hit and perfect first single for Pusha's coming debut album.

2. 2 Chainz feat. Pharrell - Feds Watching

Its fair to say that Pharrell had quite a successful year and his guest spot on this single made no difference, the signature drum sounds that we know and love Pharrell for were utilised and exploited to their hit potential by 2 Chainz, the first collaboration between the 2. This song was famously recorded straight after the grammy's from scratch with both men in the studio doing all the engineering themselves. The song had a fantastic summery feel with a hook that ford people to dance. 2 Chainz signature style came across over the strings and added verses that made for a great platform for his sophomore album. 

My favourite story about this particular song was, both Chainz and Pharrell turned up to Pusha T's album listening in New York and weren't allowed in due to doormen claiming they didn't believe they were who they said they were. At that point all Pharrell would need to do is sing a hook surely? anyway the 2 then took themselves to a club, told people at Pusha's listening and after the listening had Fab, Push, Kanye and a few other names in a club performing hit after hit for free just to provide entertainment for people in there. Wonder if those doormen are working now? 

1. J. Cole feat. Miguel - Power Trip

Myself being a massive fan of Jermaine Cole, was worried he'd suffer the same fate as many have previously of a amazingly strong debut album and subpar second album. Cole was delivering small doses of good music in his 'Truly Yours' series, then on valentines day he gave us an offering of a different kind of love story. Cole produced this himself so we were due a treat anyway, and this was a real treat, starting with a simple melody, the beat then builds into a slowed down drum pattern with the overall beat coming together with the memorable tune. When we hear 'got me up all night' the goosebumps begin to show then the first verse hits and Cole does what he does best and begins to tell a story through his verse, then Miguel and his noticeable lyrics come in and we know we are witnessing a hit. Currently the second biggest selling hit of Cole's career, no disappoints were anywhere near Cole or his Dreamville camp in 2013.