A letter from our Editor-In-Chief Toya Haynes:
Hey Philly Soul Lovers,
I hope this year has brought you much joy and that you were able to spend some time listening to some great music. For the third year in a row, I have attempted the painstaking task of coming up with my favorite top ten songs from a list of over 100 songs released over the past 365 days from Philly Soul artists. I’ve been doing this for four years straight and have yet to keep it to ten songs. I simply can’t pick just 10 to talk about so here are 20 (and even that doesn’t seem fair at all) of my favorite songs of 2024:
- “Adrianna”- Lucas Wolfe
This song is gorgeous. Lucas Wolfe’s delivery is so sensitive yet strong in this ballad. - “All I See”- RNBISME
RNBISME’s Buried Emotions album is a good project. It was actually hard to come up with just one song to choose but this one is my favorite…this week. - “Baller”- Lukey, Joshua Bastion
I adore this collective. Lukey, Joshua Bastion, along with ANGELCONCEPCION have put out some good songs together and separately in 2024. I’m looking forward to hearing what they come up with in 2025. - “Bet On You”- QWN City
I have yet to see QWN City live and I am SICK about it. They are so good. “Bet on You” was written and co-produced by Dilemma so you know it’s on point. - “Breathe”- Khalil Amaru
I’d bottle this song and make a perfume out of it if I could. The sound is almost aromatic. So good. - “The Calling”- Jermaine Dolly
I did not hear a lot of noise about this one in 2024 and I don’t know how I feel about that! The lyrics and message are so good. Jermaine Dolly remains one of the most unique artists I’ve ever encountered since I first entered Philly Soul’s music scene, and not just in gospel either. I really like this song. - “Can’t Go” Dell-P ft. 4evertaylormade, Son of the 215, RNBISME
There are only two choices for me when someone samples the great Isley Brothers: absolutely love it or absolutely hate it. I absolutely love this one. Everyone’s flow did it justice and RNBISME is on the hook. Win win. - “Cliché”– Rated Art
To me, the mark of a perfectly crafted song is when you hear it once and then you can’t stop singing it. This was me for days after just one listen. It’s perfect. - “Company”– Re-Mus
I love the sincerity in this song. “Company” is a good song about partnership in love and I like that. - “COSMOGALACTIC LOVE”– Bymaddz
This is a groove. Reminiscent of older Philly Soul but very much now. - “Cynical Problems”– Fitch Means
If I were in an 80’s movie driving down Broad Street close to midnight, this would be the song playing during that scene. I know that may sound strange but any song that makes me reminisce on that era is a good one to me. Another solid song by Fitch Means. - “DRIVIN ME CRAZY”– UHMEER ft. Dayne Jordan
Another award for Hook I Find Myself Randomly Singing (after “Cliché”) is this one. I like this feel good song a lot. - “Fit In”– Taylor Kelly
Taylor Kelly really has a knack for relatability in her music. When she said “I wish I didn’t think I was dying every time that I have an ache or pain…”, I felt that. My NYE resolution? STAY OFF OF WEBMD. - “Good Time”– Mare
Mare is another good writer (and arranger). I love the variety of subject matter in her songs. This is a good song about how less can mean so much more. - “nice Over Egypt”– Chill Moody
Philly legend Chill Moody flowing over “Nights Over Egypt” by Philly legends The Jones Girls? nicethings indeed. - “Ode to Philly”– Carla Gamble
A beautiful love letter to Philly from the queen Vibe Specialist. - “Relax (Psalm 23)”– Sanovia
This is a great song to bring in any new year. It not only brings peace but motivation and affirmation. - “SHOWER SONG”– Tierra Whack
I too “sound great when I’m singing in the shower”. Soap and water gives me powers that unfortunately don’t translate to the outside. Again, relatable. - “Special One”– Nico Bryant ft. Virgo SZN
Another one not making it easy to just pick one song off of their project is Nico Bryant. This is my jam. - “Wake Up Sis”– Queen Jo
Being as though I’m one of millions of people with a resolution to make it to the gym more often, I’ve got to find a way to make this my morning alarm by January 1st. Queen Jo will have you walking like every street (and treadmill) is your runway.
Thank you for supporting Philly Soul! Hope to see you at a show next year!
Toya Haynes
Editor-In-Chief
Philly Soul Now