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Top Tracks of 2015: Radio, Hip-Hop/R&B and Trap

December 31, 2015 Stephanie Kim

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE! I've created three Spotify playlists — the best releases in radio, hip-hop/rap and trap — to recap music in 2015.

Best of: RADIO

The catchiest songs on the radio this year, that you just can't help but sing along. It was a real game-changer to see some of the more underground electronic producers like Skrillex and Diplo (aka Jack Ü), Major Lazer and DJ Snake — collaborating with pop stars like Justin Bieber and MØ, and really gaining traction in the mainstream.

 

Best of: HIP-HOP/R&B

Considering the heated feud between Drake and Meek Mill, and albums like What a Time to Be Alive by Drake and Future and Beauty Behind the Madness by The Weeknd being released this year, 2015 marked a big year for hip-hop, rap and R&B.

 

Best of: TRAP

Here are the hardest-hitting trap tracks released this year — making it the perfect soundtrack for your New Year's Eve. The two most notable, head-banging releases that I believe "won" this year are Flosstradamus' Soundclash EP and Bassnectar's Into The Sun (more dubstep than trap).

 

You can follow the playlists on Spotify here: Radio, Hip-Hop/R&B, Trap.

In dec15, playlist, music Tags radio, hip-hop, rap, r&b, trap, playlist
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Top 15 Remixes of 2015

December 29, 2015 Stephanie Kim

It's that time of the year.

Here are my 15 favorite remixes (plus runner-up tracks) – spanning genres from house to hip-hop to trap, and more – released in 2015.

Listen to the Full Playlist

15. "Fly (FKJ Remix)" by June Marieezy

Genre: Electronic / Vocals / Jazz

French producer FKJ's playful, sophisticated electronic production, combined with the butterfly-inducing vocals of June Marieezy, is just pure bliss.

Runner Ups:
"Unstoppable" (FKJ Remix)" by Lianne La Havas
"Rehab (Tom Misch Remix)" by Amy Winehouse
"No Less (Kartell Remix)" by SG Lewis


14. "MY TYPE" by SAINT WKND x SAINT MOTEL

Genre: House / Electronic / Pop

SAINT WKND's bright, feel-good house remix of indie pop band SAINT MOTEL's "My Type" made the soundtrack of my summer. As SAINT WKND adds gorgeous crescendoing buildups and lively arpeggio riffs to the original, it's hard not to imagine yourself riding the waves or simply in paradise while listening to this one.


13. "Sea of Voices (Galimatias Remix)" by Porter Robinson

Genre: Electronic / Smooth / Funk

Porter Robinson is typically known for his video game-like sound and influences from Japanese culture. But in this remix, Danish producer Galimatias beautifully transforms Porter's ambient, cinematic "Sea of Voices" into a more romantic, yet equally funky track that really captures the clarity of singer Breanne Düren's vocals.

Runner Up:
"Fantasy (Pomo Remix)" by Alina Baraz & Galimatias


12. "TTU (Too Turnt Up) (feat. Waka Flocka) [TroyBoi Remix]" by Flosstradamus

Genre: Trap / Club / Hip-Hop

While I do love the original of Flosstradamus' "TTU (Too Turnt Up)" featuring Waka Flocka for its in-your-face bassline, TroyBoi's remix showcases his weird (and wonderful) wonky trap style in that dirty drop that makes TroyBoi's sound incredibly unique in today's EDM production game.

Runner Ups:
"Dum Dee Dum (NGHTMRE Remix)" by Keys N Krates
"Acrylics (RL Grime Edit)" by TNGHT


11. "Juice (AObeats Remix)" by London

Genre:  Tropical / Future / Trap

This catchy, hip-hop-influenced (and free!) remix of London's 2008 song "Juice Box" sets AObeats' style apart from other producers relying on overly high-pitched melodies and shining synths to create unique-sounding future bass tracks.

Runner Up:
"Weekend (Jai Wolf Remix)" by Mocki


10. "jealous (carmack remix)" by Kehlani

Genre: Smooth / Vocals / Rap

Mr. Carmack gives upcoming singer/songwriter Kehlani's otherwise bouncy track "Jealous" – featuring raps by Lexii Alijai – a dreamy, deeply seductive revamp. Carmack's gorgeous, echoey introduction instantly takes me to another world.


9. "Down For You (Djemba Djemba Remix)" by Kehlani

Genre: R&B / Pop / Electronic

I couldn't help but include another Kehlani track – but one that shows off the versatility of Djemba Djemba's typically hard-hitting trap production. As someone notes in the comments section of SoundCloud, this song really feels like "fine wine."


8. "Magnets (SG Lewis Remix)" by Disclosure & Lorde

Genre: Chill / Electronic / Ambient

Up-and-coming producer SG Lewis took Disclosure and Lorde's "Magnets" to a new level of chill. Read my Song of the Week post about it here.


7. "Heart Attack (feat. Owl Eyes) [Snakehips Remix]" by Flight Facilities

Genre: Vocals / Future / Chill Trap

I've been addicted to this smooth, R&B-infused rework of Flight Facilities and Owl Eyes' emotive and atmospheric "Heart Attack." Snakehips' heavy layering of synths and eclectic vocal samples adds the ultimate chill vibe to this irresistibly seductive track.


6. "The Dopest (Cesqeaux Remix)" by Moksi

Genre: Club / Trap / Party

With those eerie, bass-heavy buildups and breakdowns in Cesqeaux's remix of "The Dopest," it's pretty hard to find a trap remix released this year that goes harder than this one.

Runner Up:
"On My Way (Valentino Khan Remix)" by Axwell & Ingrosso


5. "6th Gear (feat. Kstylis) [GTA Remix]" by Diplo & Alvaro

Genre: Club / Trap / Electro

Miami duo GTA dropped this high-energy, drum-heavy remix of Diplo and Alvaro's "6th Gear" with mind-blowing kicks, hard bass drops and super catchy vocal chops.

Runner Up:
"Bad Man (Skrillex Remix)" by Ragga Twins


4. "Talk Talk (11LIT3S x Emoh Remix)" by George Maple

Genre: Vocals / Future / Bass

You can always count on Emoh Instead (aka What So Not) to create an atmosphere in his music. This collaborative remix of Australian vocalist George Maple's "Talk Talk" with 11LIT3S is filled with tense future-bass synths that create add dark, heartrending yet beautiful body to the song.


3. "Kingpin (feat. Big Sean) [Salva Remix]" by RL Grime

Genre: Electronic / Hip-Hop / Rap

Salva's remix of RL Grime and Big Sean's "Kingpin" is definitely "out there." It may take a while to get your ears accustomed to the wonky, elephant-like drop in this song, but it's oddly addicting. Regardless, that initial trap buildup never fails to draw me into this otherworldly hip-hop track.


2. "Know Yourself (Ekali Remix)" by Drake

Genre: Hip-Hop / Trap / Bass

One of my most-played tracks of the year. While this remix doesn't deviate too much from the original, Ekali adds his signature hard-hitting bass in just the right places, and makes Drake's "running through the 6 with my woes" lyric sound even more badass than it already is.


1. "Weight in Gold (Louis Futon Remix)" by Gallant

Genre: R&B / Soul / Electronic

I knew before even creating this list that I would make this song was my #1 remix (and even track!) of the year. Having Louis Futon play this song during his set at ODESZA's concert in DC was a pretty awesome experience too. (But that still had no influence on making this song on the top on this list.)

Flawlessly combining traditional elements of R&B with a more modern future bass sound, Louis Futon manages to really open up — rather than overpower — Gallant's enrapturing vocals. Futon really gives this song his golden touch by adding some vibrating synths that make this track so fresh and listenable, that it really never gets old.


Thanks so much for reading and listening. Happy almost New Year!
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In dec15, music Tags remix, electronic, house, trap, playlist
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