With 2018 drawing to a close, and everyone making lists of their favorite music of the year, we decided to compile a list of our top 25 tracks. There were big album releases this year — ranging from old-skool legends like Ziggy Marley, to modern roots revivalist Proteje, to dancehall icon Popcaan — but the singles finding their way onto sound systems around the world this year were even more varied, with an international flair that continues to fuse influences from London to Lagos to Kingston (with plenty of other stops in between, like New York and Toronto). With that in mind, these are the tunes that enjoyed the heaviest rotation on our ATX Sound System over the past 12 months. Here’s to 2019!
1. “Addi Right Size” – Vybz Kartel, Lolaa Smiles, Eagle Sound
2. “Hard Drive” – Rvssian, Shenseea, Konshens
3. “Body So Good” – Popcaan
4. “On The Low” – Burna Boy
5. “Ben’ Ova” – WSTRN
6. “Banana” – Jada Kingdom
7. “Rice & Peas” – Chi Ching Ching
8. “Drogba (Joanna)” – Afro B feat. WizKid
9. “Last Night” – Kranium
10. “Netflixxx & Chill” – Moyann (pictured above)
11. “T-Shirt Weather” – Busy Signal
12. “Up Top” – Teejay
13. “Enjoy The Moment” – Charly Black
14. “Doing U” – Maleek Berry
15. “Legacy” – Rygin King
16. “Ouchea” – Ili Sanchez, Vybz Kartel
17. “Look Good” – Gyptian
18. “Emotional” – Kamille feat. Kranium and Louis Rei
19. “Rope” – Chi Ching Ching
20. “Mirage” – Alkaline
21. “Prove Dem Wrong” – Ding Dong
22. “JA Party” – Tifa
23. “Winningz” – Hard Fi Deal Wid
24. “From Morning” – Addis Pablo feat, Shanique Marie
25. “Rehwe Mie Enyim” – Y-Bayani and His Band of Enlightenment, Reason and Love