Top 50 of 2023 / #25 – 21: Hip Hop, A Collective and Interesting Collabs

We have a top 50 first in this section of the list, so it is very exciting. We have also have a past top 50 member, someone who may appear again in the top 20 and and artist with their first top 50 appearance. So, lots going on in this section. Let’s start with a first for the Cigar Jukebox top 50.

25. The Ezra Collective: Lady

I think this is our first Afro Jazz cover on a top 50. The Ezra Collective, a 5 piece jazz group and previous OOPS! series member, has covered the Fela Kuti classic Lady. This was done in line with the 50th anniversary of Kuti’s record Shakara. The Ezra Collective’s spin on the track cuts the original in half with a sped up tempo and far more bass. This deepens the sound as those classic horns come in to remind you of the original’s greatness. Kuti’s original will always win out, but this is a fantastic cover.

24. El Michels Affair and Black Thought: Grateful

New York based soul collective El Michels Affair teamed up with Black Thought to put out Glorious Game. Black Thought is not a stranger to collabs and was on last year’s top 50 with his hip hop record of the year collab with Danger Mouse. This sees him in a similar vibe with him spitting bars over some spaceship 70s soul. This combination is instant classic material and you get the vibe that you are in some smokey 70s club hanging out with revolutionaries and musicians with bongos. This track is pure magic.

23. Skillex ft. Missy Elliott: RATATA

It has been a long time since we have heard from Skrillex, 9 years to be exact. He released Quest for Fire with an expansive list of guest artists including Missy Elliott. Missy has been busy in the last few years with an EP, an induction into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame and multiple guest appearances in 2023…we may even hear from her again on this top 50. This seems to be a match made in heaven with Skrillex’s electro symphony and Elliott’s iconic delivery. He has more bass in this than normal, but still finds time to do a big bass drop in the middle of the track. I would love to experience this track live and it is a good return to EDM for Skrillex.

22. Sam Smith and Kim Petras: Unholy

Once again, artists who I am really not that into put out something incredible in 2023. I have never been big into Sam Smith and this is their first time on a top 50…and what a song to come in on. From the church choir intro to Sam’s sexy devilish vocal to the intoxicating chorus, this track has it all. Kim Petras also brings it for one of the best bridges in 2023 pop. Unholy is everything I love about pop music and I could listen to it on repeat for hours.

21. GloRilla and Cardi B: Tomorrow 2

I am a big fan of both GloRilla and Cardi B, so having them on the same track is perfect. It has everything you think it would; powerful, full of sex, strong and may offend people…perfect. I feel like GloRilla and Cardi B are the next evolutions of Missy Elliott and Gangsta Boo and are only getting bigger. They may not be for everyone, but I love how women in modern hip hop are bringing that Gangsta Boo vibe to the masses.