Spotify Wrapped 2021: My Top Songs

<![CDATA[<p style="text-align:auto">Spotify Wrapped 2021 is officially here!</p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><figure><img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/84c03e_d7f5907a9c7f4585995ac0a3e04870ac~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1400,h_1050,al_c,q_80/file.png" width="1400" height="1050" title="Image"></figure><p style="text-align:center">Photo by <u><a href="https://unsplash.com/@alexbemore?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral" target="_blank">Alexander Shatov</a></u> on <u><a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral" target="_blank">Unsplash</a></u></p><p style="text-align:left"></p><p style="text-align:auto">In the spirit of the holiday season, I’ll be wrapping up a few of my top songs and sharing them with all of you! Here are a few of my most-listened-to songs of 2021.</p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><p style="text-align:auto"><strong>H.E.R — Damage</strong></p><p style="text-align:auto">Album: Back of My Mind</p><p style="text-align:auto">Release Date: 2020</p><p style="text-align:auto"><strong>How did I discover this song?</strong></p><p style="text-align:auto">While sitting in the beauty shop one week, I caught H.E.R. playing on the radio. It was the first time I had ever heard the song, but the nostalgic feel set the scene to the perfect wind-down, leaving a lasting impression on my ears.</p><p style="text-align:auto"><strong>Why is it on my most played list?</strong></p><p style="text-align:auto">Something about the song’s nostalgic essence keeps it on repeat. “Damage” is a sample of Herb Alpert’s 1987 record “<u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLmIN6oy7xo" target="_blank">Making Love in the Rain</a></u>,” featuring Lisa Keith and Janet Jackson vocals. Though I’m a self-proclaimed 90’s r&b geek, I believe that some of the best samples come from the ’80s. H.E.R. put her foot in this one.</p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><p style="text-align:auto"><strong>Tyler, The Creator — See You Again (feat. Kali Uchis)</strong></p><p style="text-align:auto">Album: Flower Boy</p><p style="text-align:auto">Release Date: 2017</p><p style="text-align:auto"><strong>How did I discover this song?</strong></p><p style="text-align:auto">After skimming through YouTube on a quest to find the perfect video, I ran across Tyler, The Creator’s Lollapalooza 2021 set. Although I’d known about Tyler, The Creator, for years, I had never heard “See You Again.” I instantly became a fan!</p><p style="text-align:auto"><strong>Why is it on my most played list?</strong></p><p style="text-align:auto">This song makes you feel like you’re in a movie scene, running in a field full of flowers in a long white dress. It’s such a beautiful love song! Very soundtrack-esque. I feel like the album <em>Flower Boy </em>contradicted a lot of Tyler’s early work, like <em>Goblin</em>, which was a bit darker and rage-filled. Some would describe albums like <em>Goblin</em> as horrorcore, a sub-genre of hip-hop with dark imagery and aggressive lyrical delivery. I genuinely admire Tyler, The Creator’s evolution as an artist. As a sucker for a good ol’ love song, I adore when Hip-Hop artists get a little sappy and sentimental.</p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><p style="text-align:auto"><strong>Kehlani — Hate The Club (feat. Masego)</strong></p><p style="text-align:auto">Album: It Was Good Until It Wasn’t</p><p style="text-align:auto">Release Date: 2020</p><p style="text-align:auto"><strong>How did I discover this song?</strong></p><p style="text-align:auto">Let me just preface this by saying I am in love with Kehlani! So it doesn’t surprise me that she’s the most played artist on the list this year. I’m not 100% sure when I discovered this song, but I’m sure I came across it while listening to the album.</p><p style="text-align:auto"><strong>Why is it on my most played list?</strong></p><p style="text-align:auto">“Hate The Club” is such a beautiful blend of smooth jazz r&b. She and Masego do a phenomenal job painting the scene through lyrics and instrumentation. I can easily envision myself in the club with Kehlani, a jazz band playing onstage, smoke in the air, and the annoying ex walking by with a smug look on his face. It’s relatable, a great listen, and Masego’s saxophone, *chefs kiss*!</p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><p style="text-align:auto"></p><p style="text-align:auto"></p>]]>