These Artists Helped Me Survive 2020
Number three gave me clarity!
2020, the year that taught the world resilience and reminded everyone that we’re all susceptible to hardships regardless of our ethnic background or financial status. Finding coping mechanisms became a necessity for many around the world and I coped the same way I’ve done throughout my life, I turned to music. Free of genre loyalty, I dived head first into my Apple Music and plucked gems from every mood and country I could find. This article is dedicated to the top ten artists that helped me survive 2020.
1. Dreamville & J Cole — Revenge Of The Dreamers III.
You know the quiet and weird kids that sit in the back of the class but always have extra pencils they freely give you when you’re in need? (Me!) The Dreamville roster and affiliates are these kids all grown up. From JID to Bas and Guapdad 4000, this album is basically a buffet of talent. Just grab your fork, hit play and eat!
Favorite song: LamboTruck (Cozz feat. REASON and Childish Major)
2. Kirby — Sis.
Kirby has this 70s soul vibe that speaks to my heart. When I first heard her song Loved By You, I was perplexed about the song not being well known. “How can someone so talented fly under the radar,” I said to myself thinking surely this was a mistake? Sadly, it wasn’t but quarantine happened, and she went viral with her video about Aunt Jemima and more people found out how great her music is and began tweeting about her.
The video that made the creators of Aunt Jemima pancakes release a formal statement.
Favorite song: Velvet
3. Tobe Nwigwe — Cincoriginals
Lyricist, poet, family man, and visual artist also known as Tobe Nwigwe delivered two great albums this year. First, The Pandemic Experience that gave us this beautiful performance:
Second, he gifted us Cincoriginals and I haven’t stopped playing this album. Tobe Nwigwe is gifted with his understanding of the world around him and his ability to string words together to create music that makes us think without coming across preachy and rude.
Favorite song: Headshots feat. D Smoke
4. Jim Swim & Ade — Michelin Astronomy EP
I stumbled upon Jim Swim during quarantine and after he released this project he introduced me to ADE. Both artists are talented and serious about the art of music. I didn’t feel like I heard their songs before on another album by some other artist. Shortly after the release of Michelin Astronomy, I reached out to the artists and discussed their friendship, creative process, and the current condition of the world.
Emerald: When I think of Michelin Astronomy my nerdy brain thinks space tires, which is cool, but I don’t think that’s the intended purpose of this title. So, how did you come up with the title and what is it actually referencing?
Jim Swim: Michelin Astronomy is a reference to Michelin Stars for wonderful restaurants. It’s almost a cliché at this point, but music and cooking ARE so similar. The way we use similar ingredients to arrive at unique flavors. We can express ourselves as individuals in forms that are familiar to everyone. — we were using a bunch of cooking references in the bars we were writing, and then we had some non-sense syllables in place for the melody on the chorus of “Michelin Astronomy” and that phrase ended up fitting perfectly. The phrases could be translated as “The study of cooking excellence.”
Emerald: This is a duo EP with ADE, an artist I regrettably didn’t know about before this EP. What was it like creating this EP with ADE and with so much confidence and talent in this body of work, how did you maintain a productive and mutually beneficial creative environment?
Jim Swim: ADE (real name Bayo) is one of my very best friends and favorite collaborators. Since the first time we met, we have had an easy and fun time in the studio together. Our first song was called “Pray” and we spent most of the session talking about our spiritual philosophies. They are different, but we both listened and learned from one another. He is an amazing musician — he plays like 7 instruments, has an incredible voice, and is also a capable producer. Whenever we work, there is a lot of enthusiasm and willingness to experiment on both sides. I don’t ever really recall a time when ego has gotten in the way. We will challenge each other on musical or lyrical decisions, but it’s always in the best interest of the song, rather than our pride.
Emerald: Your friend and collaborator Jim Swim speaks very highly of you. What is it like creating music with someone who knows you beyond your talent?
ADE: I love that dude! Freaking Jim Swim is an absolute gem, and I’m honored to have him in my life as a collaborator and as a homie, It’s been great collaborating with him. He’s honestly one of the best lyricists I’ve ever met, and I’m extremely jealous of him, but he’s definitely helped me in upping my game as one as well! I think when we work together, we both have to bring our A-game because the other person is about to bring it and neither wants to be left behind! The first time we linked to work on music, we spent the whole 2–3 hours just talking about life, religion, and women we didn’t even get to the song! We just clicked, and I think it’s added a little something to each of our tracks! I’m not sure what it is, but it’s there. I’ve said this a lot, but I only want to work with people I vibe with musically and personally. Furthermore, I don’t know if I could work with a talented human who I didn’t like, if we’re going to be putting something into the world like that, I want to make sure there’s an alignment of energy. If not, I’m not about it.
Emerald: As a creative, this current atmosphere has sometimes felt suffocating. It seems the entire world is crumbling and personally, my writing has mirrored this sense of helplessness and pressure many are feeling. How did you both clear your mind to create an energetic EP in this climate?
Jim Swim: A home studio has been an absolute lifesaver over the past 7 months. I think this EP was some of the best escapism I have found during these solitary and bleak times. A lot of the bars are just our attempts at surprising ourselves and making each other laugh. We really were trying to be entertained while being entertaining. That said, “Don’t Take Advice” does touch on some heavier themes, but even in that song we were trying to get memorable bars off as much as express our truth. As a writer, I’m usually drawn to more “sincere” expressions. I want to get my whole soul out in a song. That’s definitely always going to be part of what draws me to write, but this was so refreshing and challenging for me. Just to have fun and try to sound dope. We wanted to make ourselves smile and help some other people smile in the process, I guess.
ADE: Honestly, music can be used as an escape or to properly process what’s going on in your life! I’m constantly using music as both. As a black man, seeing your brothers and sisters constantly getting killed by the ones hired to “protect” the community, can really take a toll to the point where you’re just tired. I wrote a song (that’s on my Instagram)about how tired I am of seeing all of that. That was me trying to process and get some feeling out. Sometimes you just need to step away from the world a little and just create fun, go-lucky music that makes you dance and smile despite the burning world around us!
Favorite song: Procedures
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5. Beyoncé- The Lion King: The Gift
The album opens up with the lyrics:
If you feel insignificant
You better think again
Better wake up because
You’re part of something way bigger
You’re part of something way bigger
Not just a speck in the universe
Not just some words in a bible verse
You are the living word
I remember this album getting mixed reviews from my fellow African Americans and I will admit I didn’t understand why we couldn’t enjoy an album that celebrated us in such a respectful and beautiful manner. As for me and my eardrums we appreciated the album and felt free and seen while playing this body of work.
Favorite song: Already feat. Shatta Wale & Major Lazer
6. Burna Boy — Twice As Tall
Before being African became cool, my big sister was a huge fan of Nigerian music and films. She introduced me to Burna Boy, and I’ve been hooked ever since. The power behind his songs takes over your body. This album is my favorite by him, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to have the ability to hear the music from the various countries in Africa.
Favorite song: Monsters You Made
The following are four artists that helped me remain calm and in control this year.
- Fireboy DML — Recently released the APOLLO album.
- Queen Naija — The album with no skips Missunderstood. My favorite song is Pretend. She is a great writer and singer. I hope the best for her and her family.
- Wizkid- Recently released the album Made In Lagos.
- Cleo Sol — One of my favorite R&B albums of the year Rose In The Dark
2020 is over at midnight but the stressors and hardship from this year will inevitably carry over into 2021. For the millions of people around the world and the actual four reading this (🧐), please don’t agonize over your future. We have no control over the things to come, but we have control over how we respond to intense stress. Choose to deal with others from a place of love. Listen more and practice compassion.
The fire of 2020 is over, let’s regroup, turn on some music and dance away sadness and hopelessness.
What has 2020 taught you about yourself?
