Flying Over 2019, Pt. I: Ladies Flex On!

Trying to pull off a comprehensive year-end playlist at the last hour is not only close to mission impossible, but also a stressful endeavour that doesn’t make sense in the middle of a festive season. Still, here we are. We spent the year in the moment: constantly absorbed in the deluge of music as it was gifted to our ears. So you’ll forgive us if we’re just starting to take a step back, looking at the major trends, and trying to project what we wish is to come in 2020. We intend to develop these ideas further later in January.

2019, Year of the Dominant Feminine

It has been a long time coming too. Traditionally, hip-hop has always had a lady repping in the elite. Why there wouldn’t be more than one has always been to dubious reasons. Last year’s undisputed champion, Cardi B, has probably wondered the same thing and moved to change the tide. Unlike Nicki Minaj before her, Cardi B has been much more eager and prompt to encourage and promote her fellow female rappers.

And it paid off. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion dominated the airwaves, the charts, the dancefloors, and the strip clubs. Not far behind, we’ve been feted with the likes City Girls (welcome home JT!), Doja Cat, Ms Banks, Rico Nasty, and Saweetie. What’s more there was…diversity: we also got to celebrate the brilliance and genius of Little Simz, Rapsody, Sampa The Great and more. This tilt to a more balanced representation has also extended to other genres from dancehall and R&B to música urbana and afrobeats.

Last year, I was hopeful to witness a year like the one that is just elapsing. God answered myour prayers!

Pick your preferred platform for the playlist

Notable Projects

The Tracklist

A little note:
This playlist is derived from a master list compiled by Commish Elom, Wraith Yoshi, It’s Just Sen and myself. Commish Elom, Hopiho, It’s Just Sen, Wraith Yoshi and a super fan contributed additional insights.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Hewa Yasin

I wrote as kid. (I'd die if you'd ever get your hands on those poems.) And I wrote as a teen. (We thought our raps would spearhead revolution.) I write these days to share my joys and perspectives. I am as subjective as they come. I found a bunch of blessed souls that are just as expressive. And Africa is all the better for it. (I think I never really changed.)

Latest posts by Hewa Yasin (see all)

• Teintée Africaine | Tourmaline | Dawn - December 27, 2023
• Teintée Africaine | Tourmaline | Nights - December 6, 2023
• LYS24 – SMTHLKBTTR2 - October 24, 2023