How They Made Us Feel: The Best Songs of 2023
2023 was a very dynamic year for music. Artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift dominated the live music landscape with their sold-out stadium tours; Sexyy Red, Ice Spice, Kaliii and others continued the resurgence of female rappers, while established acts like Cardi B and Latto expanded their catalogs with hot singles and memorable guest verses. R&B vets like Mariah Carey and Miguel took over TikTok with rediscovered gems, and newer acts like Victoria Monét, Coco Jones, and Chloë made their mark with impressive projects and enchanting live performances.
Needless to say, it was incredibly difficult to sort through my ranking of this past year’s best tracks. But I did my best, selecting a diverse set of songs that reflect some of the best displays of talent and authenticity we were blessed to behold throughout these twelve months. With that, I give you: my list of the top songs of 2023!
Oh, and … stream my “Best of 2023” playlist now!
First up: the top ten, sorted from ten to one. Following those entries, you’ll find the rest of the list.
#10: “Call My Name” by Jordin Sparks
A vocal titan reminds the industry of her secret sauce with this awe-inspiring display of pure talent.
#9: “All Things” by Kirk Franklin
A gospel legend blesses listeners with a soothing, catchy, and uplifting reminder of God’s omnipotence.
#8: “Control Freak” by FLO
Intended as a treat for fans, this track proves that every song this British girl group drops has hit potential.
#7: “Round and Round” by Saint Smith
An underrated vocal acrobat channels his influences with his own spin, gliding across this masterpiece of a track.
#6: “Just Relax” by Lola Brooke
Armed with a perfect sample, an emerging artist gifts the world with a fresh summer staple.
#5: “Expensive” by Maiya The Don
Having launched her music career a mere year ago, this New York native produces her best song yet with this know-your-worth anthem.
#4: “Paid In Pleasure” by Janelle Monáe
In search for a song that feels like a warm, sensual day on a tropical beach? Look no further.
#3: “BONGOS” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion
The WAP girls reunite for a bouncy club hit that’s even more fun than their previous collab.
#2: “Insomnia” by Lendryx
A smooth crooner nails the late-night R&B sound with this intricately-crafted, radio-ready triumph of talent.
#1: “How Does It Make You Feel” by Victoria Monét
An established singer-songwriter affirms her prowess as a solo artist with this instant classic.
The rest of my list follows as below:
#11: “Changed” by Tamar Braxton
Assisted by a familiar melody, one of the past decade’s R&B greats makes it look effortless with her first major single in six years.
#12: “Angel” by Halle
Our Ariel sticks the landing perfectly on this hauntingly-beautiful transition from the seas of Disney.
#13: “What It Is (Block Boy)” by Doechii
A versatile rapper sings her way onto radios across America with this haunting earworm.
#14: “Body Do” by Chloë
An instantly-iconic intro captures the audience’s attention to fully experience this offering of dance-club-perfection.
#15: “Put It On Da Floor Again” by Latto ft. Cardi B
Two of the most-discussed female rappers of this era complement one another perfectly on this memorable remix.
#16: “Double Back” by Coco Jones
A former Disney star continues to write her new chapter, skating effortlessly over a well-mixed SWV sample.
#17: “On My Mama” by Victoria Monét
Persistence pays off for this not-so-newcomer who perfects the breakthrough-hit formula on this GRAMMY-nominated track.
#18: “CUFF IT (WETTER REMIX)” by Beyoncé
The Mother of the House of Renaissance flawless flips her 2022 top-10 dance hit into an intricate slow jam with a life of its own.
#19: “Boom Pt. 2” by Mello Buckzz ft. Latto
An established star stamps her status as one of the industry’s best assisters with her guest verse on the remix to Mello Buckzz’s viral Chicago hit.
#20: “The Rush” by Janelle Monáe ft. Nia Long and Amaarae
A seductive narrative moment from Nia Long fits perfectly on this beautifully soft, sensual song—easily one of the standout tracks from The Age of Pleasure.
#21: “MY HOUSE” by Beyoncé
Surprise-released as the end-credits song for the RENAISSANCE film, this track perfectly blends the sounds of Beyoncé’s two greatest recent concert spectacles: Beychella and the RENAISSANCE World Tour.
#22: “Off the Wall” by BFF
Two siblings with massive talent seamlessly channel a classic hip-hop chorus into a fresh TikTok hit.
#23: “Don’t Play With It (Remix)” by Lola Brooke ft. Latto and Yung Miami
Three of hip-hop’s most entertaining emcees come together to deliver this energetic remix to Brooke’s breakout single.
#24: “Fly Girl” by FLO ft. Missy Elliott
A talented trio impresses their stock-watchers with this Missy Elliott-assisted bop.
#25: “Move Like The Baddest” by Norris Jay
An industry newbie gives Trina her flowers and celebrates baddie-dom on this GRMW anthem.
#26: “I Don’t Mind” by Chloë
A rising multi-hyphenate casually cooks up a captivating scene-stealer on her debut album.
#27: “Take Care of Me” by Saint Smith
Perfect for a weekend drive in the sun, this catchy single proves Saint Smith’s ability to craft a hit.
#28: “Smoke” by Victoria Monét ft. Lucky Daye
Two of contemporary R&B’s smoothest vocalists join forces for this 420-friendly anthem.
#29: “Curious (Remix)” by Eric Bellinger ft. Lil’ Kim and Lola Brooke
Idol and inspiration come together on this nostalgic blend of R&B and hip-hop, marking the Queen Bee’s first official track appearance in four years.
#30: “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM” by Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar
Reuniting with Beyoncé for the third remixed track from RENAISSANCE, K.Dot satisfies the Beyhive with a memorable guest verse that instantly makes *this* the essential version of the song.
#31: “Love Life” by Doja Cat
#32: “Cobra” by Megan Thee Stallion
#33: “Seven” by Jungkook ft. Latto
#34: “No Fake Love” by Queen Naija ft. Youngboy Never Broke Again
#35: “Christmas Party for Two” by Brandy
#36: “cut” by Tori Kelly
#37: “Beama” by Shenseea ft. Lola Brooke
#38: “Mr. D.C.T. Pt. 2” by Bandmanrill and Maiya The Don
#39: “Hollywood” by Victoria Monét ft. Earth, Wind & Fire and Hazel Monét
#40: “DELRESTO (ECHOES)” by Travis Scott ft. Beyoncé
#41: “So Sexy” by Smiles Official and Trina
#42: “Champagne Shit” by Janelle Monáe
#43: “Point Me 2” by FendiDa Rappa ft. Cardi B
#44: “Alright” by Victoria Monét
#45: “Never Lose Me” by Flo Milli
#46: “Whine” by Mya ft. Bounty Killer
#47: “I’M THAT BITCH” by BIA
#48: “roots” by j.corbé and colB.
#49: “Gangsta Boo” by Ice Spice ft. Lil Tjay
#50: “Bad Bitchery” by Robin Fierce
#51: “WANT EM HOOD” by Lakeyah
#52: “You” by Lola Brooke ft. Bryson Tiller
#53: “Body” by Maiya The Don
#54: “No Angels” by Coi Leray ft. Lola Brooke
#55: “Water” by Tyla
#56: “Too Fast” by Jay Rock ft. Latto and Anderson .Paak
#57: “Blame Yourself” by K. Michelle
#58: “K Toven” by Kaliii
#59: “Pray It Away” by Chloë
#60: “Phenomenal” by Janelle Monáe ft. Doechii
#61: “Workin’ Hard — Terry Hunter Remix” by Mariah Carey and Terry Hunter
#62: “Yours, Saintly” by Saint Smith
#63: “You Wish (Remix)” by Flyana Boss ft. Missy Elliott and Kaliii
#64: “DISSOLVE” by Offset
#65: “Tightrope” by Tinashe
#66: “Made For Me” by Muni Long
#67: “THAT ONE” by Chris Pierce
#68: “Cadillac (A Pimp’s Anthem)” by Victoria Monét
#69: “Dance The Night” by Dua Lipa
#70: “HOTTER NOW” by LU KALA
#71: “Cha Cha Cha” by GloRilla and Fivio Foreign
#72: “WORTH IT” by Offset ft. Don Toliver
#73: “My Love Is Like … Wo — DJ Flex Jersey Club Remix” by Myá and DJ Flex
#74: “Keep It Cute” by Maiya The Don
#75: “Forever” by Ciara ft. Lil Baby
#76: “Still Believe in Love” by Mary J. Blige ft. Vado
#77: “Good Bye” by Victoria Monét
#78: “unbelievable” by Tori Kelly ft. Ayra Starr
#79: “Princess Diana” by Ice Spice
#80: “Kill Bill” by SZA ft. Doja Cat
#81: “In Your Hands” by Maiya The Don ft. Ty Dolla $ign
#82: “Baddd” by BFF
#83: “Get Away, Stay Away” by LeeBruh Greene
#84: “No Love Shemix” by Flo Milli, Trina, Maiya The Don, and J.K. Mac
#85: “Rich Baby Daddy” by Drake ft. Sexyy Red and SZA
#86: “Haute” by Janelle Monáe
#87: “Annihilate” by Metro Boomin, Swae Lee, Lil Wayne, and Offset
#88: “Forces” by Lendryx
#89: “Needs” by Tinashe
#90: “Deli” by Ice Spice
#91: “YOU” by K. Michelle
#92: “FINE AS CAN BE” by Offset ft. Latto
#93: “Throw Us Away” by Drew Sidora
#94: “Type A Party” by Ciara
#95: “If You Want My Love — Jaye Locke Remix” by Jordan Occasionally and Jaye Locke
#96: “Is that Okay?” by colB.
#97: “$100 Bill” by Big Freedia ft. Ciara
#98: “Area Codes” by Kaliii
#99: “ISSA PARTY” by Latto ft. BabyDrill
#100: “SkeeYee” by Sexyy Red
