The top 100 Canadian songs of 2024

2024 was an interesting year in music — one that perhaps foreshadows the future of music-listening habits.

As we move further away from monoculture, and people’s musical listening experiences are increasingly curated by algorithms, ubiquitous songs that everyone from grandparents to their grandchildren know are becoming rare gems. In that way, a list looking at the top 100 Canadian songs of the year is more representative of the music that rose above the fray in each respective genre, rather than simply the most popular songs.

A committee of CBC Music producers considered streaming numbers, record sales, cultural impact and artistic merit when putting this list together, with an emphasis on highlighting artists from all 13 provinces and territories. Songs released between Nov. 1, 2023 and Oct. 31 were eligible for the list. It’s a big endeavour that gives us a small snapshot of the year in music. From the rap beefs that kept people glued to their phones to the songs with messages about social change amidst an increasingly uncertain world, this year was full of singles that got people talking.

Scroll through the list to discover the songs that made us dance, sing along and, most importantly, stop and think in 2024. 

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100. ‘Beautiful Neighbourhoods,’ Braden Lam

Braden Lam’s inviting voice rings out over gentle guitar and vibraphone on “Beautiful Neighbourhoods,” a timeless single that hums with warmth and longing. (Songs You Need to Hear, Oct. 9)

99. ‘Tides,’ Gnarwhal

Yellowknife band Gnarwhal fuses alt-rock and progressive metal on this fuzzed-out track that hits like a wall of sound while lead singer Mark Kilbride chants prophetic lyrics.

98. ‘Mr. Rain,’ Joce Reyome

“Mr. Rain” is a grooving blues number that finds Charlottetown-based Joce Reyome begging the rain to stay away, and in turn keep her woes at bay.

97. ‘Shine Your Light,’ Echoes Of… feat. Naja P and Maazes

Echoes Of…, a collective of musicians and producers who live in Iqaluit, teamed up with Naja P and Maazes for this serene, but uplifting, mood stabilizer.

96. ‘You’ve Got Gold,’ Hendrika

“You’ve Got Gold,” an empowering song about the magic in everyone, builds and builds until Hendrika unleashes the full powerhouse quality of her voice.

95. ‘Devil Talking,’ David Myles

A soulful rave-up from this master of entertainment from Fredericton, N.B., complete with sweet backup vocals from Reeny.

94. ‘Jiujitsu,’ Merv xx Gotti

Merv xx Gotti’s glimmering, guitar-driven bedroom pop hits its peak on “Jiujitsu,” a charming, mildly nonsensical song about going through the motions.

93. ‘I Feel Alive,’ Art d’Ecco

A wild, brassy, glam-rock dance-a-thon courtesy of this Victoria rocker on a rapid rise.

92. ‘The Raven and the Dove,’ Old Man Luedecke

A total sound departure from this Juno-winning banjo man from Chester, N.S., in that there is no banjo to be heard on this Afie Jurvanen-produced electro-indie makeover.

91. ‘Sunrise Roulette,’ Jordan Astra

The slinky production and swinging drums of “Sunrise Roulette” gets shoulders shimmying and toes tapping, while Jordan Astra sings about hitting the road, gambling with more than just money and losing track of the moments in between. (Songs You Need to Hear, Sept. 25)

90. ‘I Believe in Love (And It’s Very Hard),’ Rose Cousins

Few artists can move you from tears of sorrow to fits of laughter in one song, album or live set, but Rose Cousins can — and she does it effortlessly on “I Believe in Love (And It’s Very Hard).”

89. ‘Vibrations,’ Mick Davis and Thin Love

This was the most popular song of 2024 for seven straight weeks on CBC Music’s Top 20, thanks to the unabashed energy these Newfoundland rockers pour into it. 

88. ‘You,’ Wolf Castle feat. Zamani

Pabineau First Nation rapper Wolf Castle’s R&B collaboration with Halifax’s Zamani goes down real smooth, as “You” blooms into a gorgeous song about romantic devotion. (Songs You Need to Hear, May 8)

87. ‘Ayoye,’ Sarahmée

Senegalese Canadian rapper Sarahmée’s single “Ayoye” is packed with explosive energy and boisterous bars, as she melds hip-hop, Afrobeat, reggae and electronic sounds.

86. ‘Ghost,’ Sebastian Gaskin

With immense gusto, Sebastian Gaskin sings straight from their soul over sweeping, bombastic beats as they learn to accept that although they’ll never see the person they lost again, their spirit is always near. (Songs You Need to Hear, May 1)

85. ‘Wake Up,’ Backxwash

“Wake Up” is a shining example of Backxwash’s evolution: a seven-plus-minute epic, the track serves up an industrial metal soundscape as Backxwash turns out gospel-inspired verses, fighting through every line with heavy determination. (Songs You Need to Hear, April 24)

84. ‘El Cosechero,’ Lhasa de Sela feat. Yves Desrosiers

This posthumous release from the Félix and Juno Award-winning singer Lhasa de Sela is a stirring folk number sung in Spanish.

83. ‘Quviasukkuvit (If It Makes You Happy),’ Elisapie

Elisapie’s stripped-down cover of Sheryl Crow’s 1996 mega-hit “If It Makes You Happy,”  translated into Inuktitut, creates a warm, soft update titled “Quviasukkuvit.”

82. ‘Redneck Rehab,’ Corb Lund

Corb Lund infuses this country track with some stomp-clap-hey sensibilities as he sings about trying to ditch some unhealthy vices.

81. ‘Buffalo,’ the OBGMs 

The rip-roaring punk-rock single “Buffalo” reveals a tenderness to the OBGMs, as lead singer Densil McFarlane laments the end of a relationship: “Used to drive me to the show/ now we don’t even talk at all.”

80. ‘Jungle,’ Lou Phelps

Wealth is the name of the game on “Jungle,” a booming track from Lou Phelps where he raps about dripping in “Diesel, Kiko, acne” and everything in between.

79. ‘Pon My Mind,’ Bolu Ajibade 

“If you lost, I’ll find you/ puzzled, I will solve you,” sings Bolu Ajibade to a new love interest on this sultry Afrobeats tune that’s filled with passion.

78. ‘Evening Dream,’ Mo Kenney

This Dartmouth, N.S., singer-songwriter has a knack for steady melodies and choruses that pull on the heartstrings, and “Evening Dream” is one of their best.

77. ‘Get to You,’ Begonia 

Yearning is central on Begonia’s moody pop single “Get to You”: “And I can’t contain don’t even try/ like a star up in the sky you’re an explosion,” she sings as she burns for a lover.

76. ‘Babyboo,’  Sylo, Nonso Amadi

“Keep holding on, keep holding on, I’m there with you,” sings Sylo before his and Nonso Amadi’s vocals intertwine on this blissful R&B love song.

75. ‘Live,’ DijahSB and Veggi

DijahSB gets celebratory while romanticizing the grind, bringing their signature charm and humour to each verse: “Playing with the heat like Bron in his prime.”

74. ‘Come Out,’ Aysanabee feat. Raye Zaragoza

Gentle guitar and Aysanabee’s soaring vocals generate warmth on “Come Out,” a tender ode to lovelorn strangers seeking connection.

73. ‘Seven Ponds (live),’ Sina Bathaie

Sina Bathaie’s immersive live performance of “Seven Ponds” flows beautifully and spotlights the multi-instrumentalist’s knack for injecting his electronic music with the sounds of his Iranian heritage.

72. ‘Chabakrou,’ DJ Karaba, Kawtar Sadik

This sizzling house song blends Kawtar Sadik’s rich singing with DJ Karaba’s tropical beats for a transportive, summery listen.

71. ‘Pathways,’ Julian Taylor feat. Allison Russell

Julian Taylor and Allison Russell’s voices blend together effortlessly on this rootsy number about romance: “I’ll be there as we grow older,” Taylor sings, offering a love that’s eternal.

70. ‘Goon,’ Dear Rouge

Slick guitar and edgy vocals bring a defiance to Dear Rouge’s electrifying track that aptly describes the moment when unwanted male attention at the bar goes too far.

69. ‘Proppa Ghanda,’ King Cruff, Banx & Ranx 

Rapper/singer King Cruff, a grandson of Bob Marley, teamed up with Quebec’s hitmakers Banx & Ranx for one of the catchiest earworms of the summer.

68. ‘Shake,’ pHoenix Pagliacci 

This soulful single from pHoenix Pagliacci is supremely enthralling, speaking to the uncertainty and dread many people feel looming overhead.

67. ‘Botoxxx,’ Isabella Lovestory

Isabella Lovestory’s tongue-in-cheek lyricism — joking about Botox freezing her face so no one can tell she’s sad — amps up the fun on this high-octane, neo-perreo track. (Songs You Need to Hear, May 8)

66. ‘Silver Lining,’ Claudia Bouvette

Claudia Bouvette is Montreal’s rising alt-pop tour de force, and her song “Silver Lining” makes space for sadness while still breaking free of its stranglehold. (Songs You Need to Hear, Oct. 9)

65. ‘Neon Signs,’ the Weather Station

Toronto’s Tamara Lindeman tells a story of controlled confusion on “Neon Signs,” the lead single off her forthcoming album, Humanhood, set for release in early 2025.

64. ‘Back for More,’ Liza and Tobi

The old-school R&B of this duet from Toronto artists Liza and Tobi is a perfect hit of early aughts nostalgia, as they sing about irresistible attraction.

63. ‘Silencio,’ Patrick Watson feat. November Ultra

Patrick Watson’s characteristic, whispered falsetto is captivating on this song about the power of allowing silence in, and how it can make you a better listener. (Songs You Need to Hear, Oct. 23)

62. ‘The Angel and the Saint,’ Goldie Boutilier

A new beginnings anthem for anyone in need of one, “The Angel and the Saint” is Goldie Boutilier’s celebration of her own grit and perseverance after years of hardship.

61. ‘Pain or Pleasure,’ Moonshine feat. Amaal Nuux, Aluna, Vanyfox

In this infectious tune, batida (an electronic genre created by Lisbon’s African immigrant community) and R&B meet to encourage increased heart rate, hip-swaying and bodies melting together on the dance floor. (Songs You Need to Hear, Nov. 22, 2023)

60. ‘Slide,’ SadBoi

With a nostalgic beat that evokes “Tokyo Drift” by Teriyaki Boyz, and braggadocious lyrics that will make anyone feel like the hottest person in the room, “Slide” is the song to listen to while getting ready for summer exploits. (What is this year’s song of the summer?, June 26)

59. ‘Spiralling Out,’ Softcult

Softcult sisters Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn create a sound that feels like a happy memory from the late ’90s on this latest track.

58. ‘Get Back Again,’ the Tragically Hip 

Long considered the holy grail of unreleased Tragically Hip songs, this touching ballad was recorded for 1991’s Road Apples but was ultimately left in the vault until this year. Its staying power and beauty are undeniable.

57. ‘Daydream,’ Billianne

The Milton, Ont., pop-folk singer premiered “Daydream” live on NBC’s The Today Show, with an endearing performance that captures the song’s playfulness, her serene vocals playing tag with acoustic and electric guitar, drums and a resonant harp. (Songs You Need to Hear, May 1)

56. ‘My Forever,’ Sophie feat. Cécile Believe

This previously unreleased track appeared on British producer Sophie’s posthumous self-titled album, and it’s a touching ode to a close friend that takes on new meaning following Sophie’s death, with Cécile Believe cementing their friendship in song: “I want to go back to forever/ you’ll always be my forever.”

55. ‘Feeling Alive,’ Jayda G

“Feeling Alive” builds on the euphoric feeling peppered throughout Jayda G’s 2023 album, Guy, leaning into an even more upbeat dance sound. (Songs You Need to Hear, Aug. 14)

54. ‘Hey Mom I Made It,’ Sacha

The empowering song details the emerging country singer’s journey of personal growth and healing: “Yeah, I’ve been through hell and back again and I’m still standing,” she sings on the explosive, infectious chorus. (Songs You Need to Hear, May 1)

53. ‘Bomb,’ Kelly McMichael

Newfoundland-based singer Kelly McMichael blew up summer with this awesome ’90s throwback indie rocker that lands somewhere between Liz Phair and Sloan.

52. ‘About Us,’ Maggie Andrew

In this pop-punk song about domestic violence, the Halifax singer and 2024 Searchlight winner shows off her ability to craft an earworm while delivering heartbreaking material.

51. ‘Magpie,’ Peach Pit

Vancouver indie pop-rock group Peach Pit comes roaring in with the title track from its 2024 album, delivering a chef’s kiss of a live show sing-along.

50. ‘Love Like That,’ Jonita, Ali Sethi

“Love Like That” is a stirring merger of American pop with Indian folk — specifically, 13th-century Qawwali rhythms — as Jonita and Ali Sethi’s vocals soar on this duet about embracing an ideal love full of devotion. (Songs You Need to Hear, Jan. 24)

49. ‘Fortnight (Blond:ish Remix),’ Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone

While Taylor Swift’s original track builds drama through its subtle soundscape, the sonic stakes are raised on Juno-nominated DJ/producer Blond:ish’s official remix. (Songs You Need to Hear, June 5)

48. ‘Shine’, Ardn feat. SiR

Edmonton rapper Ardn teams up with American R&B singer SiR for a slow jam about rising above life’s challenges.

47. ‘Explode,’ Mother Mother

Mother Mother siblings Ryan and Molly Guldemond lean into the push and pull of loving too much and never knowing when to let go — until things explode, which they appropriately yell on the head-banging chorus.

46. ‘I Got You,’ Devon Cole

“I Got You” is an aspirational friendship model that the Calgary singer wrote for herself, but Cole’s sweet vocals and that catchy melody will get anyone hooked.

45. ‘Manic Pixie Pacifist,’ Haleluya Hailu

Over bright synths, cheery guitar and vibrant drums, Haleluya Hailu gives an indie-pop nod to one of the best-known character tropes in film: the manic pixie dream girl. (Songs You Need to Hear, Feb. 21)

44. ‘Cave,’ Wild Rivers

Knowing you need to leave a relationship is not the same as actually leaving but, while you’re in limbo, Toronto folk-pop trio Wild Rivers has just the right blues-inflected song for you.

43. ‘Validate,’ Clairmont the Second

Clairmont the Second’s dexterous lyrical ability is on mighty display on “Validate,” a song that starts with sirens ringing out and an unforgettable bar: “I cannot f–k with no frauds/ street’s cold but I never shiver.” (Songs You Need to Hear, Nov. 6)

42. ‘Hooked,’ Zeina

In English, Arabic and French, Zeina sings about all the ways she’s infatuated with her lover, uplifted by an earwormy melody that samples Shawn Desman’s snappy early aughts track “Shook.” (Songs You Need to Hear, Jan. 10)

41. ‘2wice Again,’ Planet Giza
“2wice Again” slides between R&B and hip-hop with ease, as MC Tony Stone infuses every lyric with charm and an old-school feel to the jazz-tinged beats that give the song an air of timelessness. (Songs You Need to Hear, Feb. 21)

40. ‘Body,’ Lokre

Leaving hyper independence behind, Lokre flits between soaring high notes and languid, deep tones effortlessly, as she recounts all the ways her love is blossoming and expanding for her new partner. (Songs You Need to Hear, April 3)

39.  ‘Off With Her Tits,’ Allie X

“An upbeat borderline ridiculous satirization of particularly agonizing thoughts that never give me a break,” Allie X wrote when she released this electro-pop song that builds and builds until everyone is screaming the title.

38. ‘Let it Rain,’ Valley

The alt-pop trio deliver a downtempo hit of nostalgia on “Let it Rain,” with twinkling bursts of piano that sound like raindrops splattering on the ground. (Songs You Need to Hear, Aug. 28)

37. ‘Easy to Miss,’ Mackenzie Porter

A country-pop ballad for the broken-hearted, “Easy to Miss” enumerates all the hard things after a breakup — except for the missing.

36. ‘Confusion Song,’ Luna Li

A lush pop meditation on the breakup recovery period, written during a time of big changes for Luna Li after she broke up with her partner of eight years, and moved from Toronto to Los Angeles. (Songs You Need to Hear, May 22)

35. ‘Need Nothing,’ Katie Tupper

The dulcet tones of “Need Nothing” are a balm, and Saskatoon’s Katie Tupper is at her best when she’s leaning into sweetness. (Songs You Need to Hear, March 6)

34. ‘Here to Stay,’ Boy Golden

Winnipeg guitar slinger Boy Golden delivers a stripped-down toe tapper that would slide perfectly into a barn dance playlist.

33. ‘In Montreal,’ Kaïa Kater feat. Allison Russell

“In Montreal” is Kaïa Kater’s nod to Leonard Cohen, Kate and Anna McGarrigle and “all the other incredible songwriters of Montreal” — elevated by two voices of folk music’s future. (Songs You Need to Hear, April 3)

32. ‘Fur Elise,’ Faouzia 

The Carman, Man., artist gives the classic Beethoven composition a modern twist in this heartwrenching song where she begs her lover to “play me like my name is Fur Elise/ lie to me and say you’ll never leave.”

31. ‘Ridin’,’ Jessie Reyez feat. Lil Wayne

This pearl-clutching rock-R&B number with highly suggestive lyrics, and a particularly raunchy verse from Lil Wayne, isn’t for the faint of heart. (Songs You Need to Hear, Sept. 4)

30. ‘Laminate the Sky,’ Ombiigizi

Daniel Monkman and Adam Sturgeon of Ombiigizi use the flimsy, laminated treaty cards they received in their youth as a symbolic motif on “Laminate the Sky,” a psych-rock song exploring freedom of movement, expression and self.

29. ‘In Emerald,’ Wyatt C. Louis

“In Emerald” is a musical postcard from a trip Wyatt C. Louis took to Seattle — a country-tinged folk song co-written with Nixon Boyd (Hollerado) and beautifully enhanced with pedal steel guitar played by Matt Kelly (City and Colour). (Songs You Need to Hear, Jan. 24)

28. ‘No Chill,’ PartyNextDoor

The Toronto R&B star flexes his vocal acrobatics over this moody track where he tries to show love to someone, but admits: “Ever since I copped you all that ice you got no chill.”

27. ‘One Last Dance,’ Baby Rose and BadBadNotGood

BadBadNotGood provides a wistful backdrop for Baby Rose’s lovelorn melodies, delivered through her achingly soulful voice.

26. ‘In 2 Deep,’ Chikoruss 

Montreal newcomer Chikoruss isn’t afraid to chase a girl who’s in a relationship in this glossy 2000s R&B-inspired number.

25. ‘Bucket,’ Ruby Waters

On “Bucket,” Ruby Waters’ voice is playfully elastic, stretching up as she tries to entice a lover to get into trouble with her before admitting she’s burning the candle at both ends. (Songs You Need to Hear, April 3)

24. ‘Black Ice,’ Rezz x Subtronics 

Two EDM powerhouses reunite for this chilling, nocturnal anthem, which takes listeners on a few exciting and unexpected turns.

23. ‘Corazón,’ Nelly Furtado feat. Bomba Estereo

“Corazón” is a celebration of Latin drums and sticking to your guns, and Nelly Furtado’s defiant lyricism is emboldened by the explosive percussion of Colombian supergroup Bomba Estereo. (Songs You Need to Hear, July 17)

22. ‘Did Life Work Out for You,’ Charlotte Cardin

“Did Life Work Out for You” is a tender song, with pared-back piano and shimmering guitar chords as Cardin sings with a mild country twang, reminiscing on a summer fling that perhaps could have been something more. (Songs You Need to Hear, Sept. 11)

21. ‘Dead Man,’ Alessia Cara

“Dead Man” is a tragic song about an ill-fated romance, and over a jazz-inspired drumbeat and bright bursts of horns Alessia Cara wonders: “If you really care, then why am I feeling you slip right through my hands?” (Songs You Need to Hear, July 24)

20. ‘To the Dancefloor,’ Debby Friday

“To the Dancefloor” is a call to all the club girls who believe anything can be solved with a night of hedonistic release, as Debby Friday delivers an anthem for surrendering to your desires and letting the rhythm take you. (Songs You Need to Hear, April 24)

19. ‘Red Future,’ Snotty Nose Rez Kids feat. Electric Fields

“We them ground movers, earth shakers, no saviour. While they preying on us, we been building something greater,” Snotty Nose Rez Kids rap on this powerful anthem that reminds the next generation that the future is in their own hands.

18. ‘Spit,’ Bambii feat. Beam and Lady Lykez

Bambii gets raunchy and feral on “Spit” — the synths ring out like sirens, the drums hit at hyperspeed and the reverberated bass creates a nocturnal atmosphere. (Songs You Need to Hear, Aug. 14)

 17. ‘My Way,’ Charlotte Day Wilson

The sleek opener to Charlotte Day Wilson’s sophomore album, Cyan Blue, “My Way” is both unabashed in its R&B swagger and in the Toronto artist’s starkly honest songwriting.

16. ‘Who’s Gonna,’ Lu Kala

The addictive bassline in “Who’s Gonna” officially opened the door to rising pop star Lu Kala’s funk era, and an unexpected sax solo really brings the song home. (Songs You Need to Hear, May 15)

14. ‘Bora Bora,’ AP Dhillon feat. Ayra Starr

A transportive track that fuses traditional Punjabi music with tropical Afrobeats grooves, from two rising stars in global music. (Songs You Need to Hear, Sept. 4)

14. ‘Takes One to Know One,’ the Beaches

Hot off the heels of their first Polaris Music Prize shortlist nomination, these Toronto rockers released an honest look into the messy layers that unravel as a relationship advances. (Songs You Need to Hear, July 17)

13. ‘How Far Will We Take It?,’ Orville Peck feat. Noah Cyrus 

Noah Cyrus’s voice beautifully complements Orville Peck’s signature baritone on this sombre ballad, one of many standout duets on the latter’s album, Stampede.

12. ‘All I Want is You,’ Cindy Lee

A perfect encapsulation of what it feels like to yearn for someone, as Cindy Lee’s Patrick Flegel admits in the most simple yet heartbreaking line: “All I’ve got is the truth/ all I want is you.”

11. ‘Honey,’ Caribou

An irresistible, pulsating bassline drives one of Caribou’s most rave-worthy tracks, complete with a drop that’ll land listeners into a blissful state of euphoria.

10. ‘Antidote,’ Karan Aujla

Karan Aujla’s “Antidote” is like a reflex test — if your body doesn’t respond immediately upon hearing this song, are you even alive? The Punjabi Canadian artist got his start writing songs for other artists, but since his 2018 breakthrough, Aujla has proven his own star power as a vocalist as well. His voice is mesmerizing and the production on “Antidote,” courtesy of Ikky, perfectly conveys the song’s push-pull that lives in every antidote — tempting fate and then trying to survive the aftermath.

9. ‘It’s OK I’m OK,’ Tate McRae

Although Tate McRae was barely alive at the time, she’s really leaning into the Y2K resurgence with “It’s OK I’m OK,” where her coy vocal delivery and the banging 808s would fit seamlessly on a pop-R&B crossover from the early 2000s. Nostalgia is very sexy right now, and modernizing a familiar sound or sample (as she did with 2023’s hit single “Greedy”) is a surefire bet — and one that’s paid off for McRae, to the tune of 130 millions streams on Spotify and counting. The music video takes things a step further with rhinestone mania, low-rise denim and trucker hats à la Simple Life, but most clearly, the choreo seems like an homage to Britney Spears at her peak. If there’s one thing McRae always delivers, it’s visuals that are just as scintillating as her music, and the video has already racked up 24 million views since its release in September.

8. ‘Timeless,’ the Weeknd and Playboi Carti

“Timeless” premiered at the Weeknd’s live-streamed São Paulo concert in September, just as he and Playboi Carti were each teeing up new albums. (Spoiler alert: the Weeknd’s upcoming album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, won’t be out until January 2025, and Playboi Carti’s is still pending.) The collaboration, which is the streaming superstars’ second together, opens with an ethereal mix of synths and the Weeknd’s falsetto before that smooth, slinky beat drops and Playboi Carti hops on  (with a production assist from Pharrell Williams). It’s a coming together of two of the most popular artists in the world right now — and the song, which has only been out for two months, has already amassed more than 270 million streams on Spotify, and 25 million on YouTube.

7. ‘Heart of Gold,’ Shawn Mendes 

On “Heart of Gold,” a standout track from Shawn Mendes’s latest album, the pop star sings about a childhood friend who died of an overdose. There’s a delayed sense of grief as he sings, “I didn’t even feel the pain/ and then it hit me all at once/ when we talked about you yesterday,” which nods to the cost of fame and how friendships can fade with time and distance. But on the other side of that heartbreak is an outpouring of love, a gratitude for the time they did get to spend together. “We shot for the stars/ I see you up there,” he sings to him. At his best, Mendes’s music can hold a multitude of staggering feelings and distill it into something truly beautiful and cathartic.

6. ‘Family Matters,’ Drake

May 3, 2024, will be remembered as a pivotal day in rap beef history, marked first by the release of Kendrick Lamar’s “6:16 in L.A.” and followed up shortly after by Drake’s explosive track “Family Matters.” A seven-minute trap and drill assault with three beat switches, “Family Matters” solidified that Drake could stand tall in the self-proclaimed “20v1” battle. While directly addressing accusations against him as well as returning pointed shots at Lamar, the Weeknd, Rick Ross, Metro Boomin’, A$AP Rocky and more, Drake’s fierce lyricism and unrelenting energy were a return to form, captivating fans and swinging the momentum, however briefly, in his favour. Even though he would ultimately lose, he was going to take most of his opponents down in the process. While Lamar’s “Meet the Grahams,” released less than an hour later and followed up the next day by “Not Like Us,” would prove to be too much to come back from, “Family Matters” still stands out as a defining moment. 

5. ‘Dirt Roads,’ Tia Wood

Tia Wood honours her Salish and Plains Cree background on “Dirt Roads,” a touching tribute to her home in Saddle Creek, Alta. Blending traditional Indigenous singing with a contemporary R&B/pop mix, she uses her striking vocals to evoke nostalgia: “Dirt roads lead me back home,” she sings. There’s so much heart in every verse and Wood makes you feel the immense joy, fear and hope she’s experiencing in real time, as she balances chasing success with staying grounded. Being unapologetically herself is what makes her artistry distinct, and the lyrics about her identity are proof: “Should I take out my braids or leave ’em in?/ They look at me like I’m a Martian.” The song appeared on her debut EP, Pretty Red Bird, and its anthemic, moving delivery cemented it as a standout.

4. ‘Imaan,’ Mustafa

The beauty of “Imaan” shines in its juxtapositions: Sudanese strings and the Egyptian oud meld with an acoustic guitar as Mustafa sings of a love between “two Muslims journeying through their love of borderless Western ideology and how it contradicts with the modesty and devotion in which they were raised,” as described in the press release. “There is nowhere for me to go (there is nowhere for me to go)/ Imaan, you hold/ everything in your palm,” Mustafa’s gentle voice rises with longing, while Swedish singer Snoh Aalegra steps in with backup vocals that add depth to the song’s already rich texture. “Bursting with emotion, ‘Imaan’ is a seismic followup to ‘Name of God’ that hints at how affecting Mustafa’s forthcoming debut album will be,” CBC Music’s Natalie Harmsen prophetically wrote in March 2024 when the song came out: Mustafa’s Dunya album nabbed the No. 1 spot on CBC Music’s “15 best Canadian albums of 2024.”

3. ‘Stick of Gum,’ Nemahsis

2024 was a sink or swim year for Nemahsis, and swim she did. The Palestinian Canadian singer-songwriter says she was unceremoniously dropped by her label in October 2023, after posting about “the occupation of my homeland.” In an interview with CBC Q‘ Tom Power, she shared that all her music industry connections cut off contact with her in the following weeks: “I was fully ostracized … I didn’t think there was going to be a future in music.” All of this on the precipice of her debut album, Verbathim, that she was worried might be shelved indefinitely. After another label letdown, she and her team made the decision in May to release the album independently, starting with the first single, “Stick of Gum.” Her defiance is palpable, as is her disdain for an industry that attempted to cast her aside. The driving guitar melody and buoyant synths rise above the fray, as Nemahsis unleashes layered lyricism about navigating the social politics of desirability and marketability. She filmed the music video in Jericho in the West Bank where her family lives, turning the song into an ode to her homeland as much as it is an indictment of her mistreatment.

2. ‘Bloom,’ Aqyila 

Aqyila’s dreamy vocals make “Bloom” the sweetest love song released this year. A snippet of the song went viral on TikTok before it was released, and by the time it hit streaming platforms it had already lived up to the hype: majestic instrumentation, complete with a sweeping string intro, brings Aqyila’s vision of a healthy relationship to life. “This kind of love is freein’ me,” she sings on the chorus, tenderly letting her feelings flow. It’s the tug of wanting to completely give in to her emotions that propels the song, and she sounds elated to have found a love that is gentle and kind. “Everything you do, how you call my name/ Sunday afternoon, come and make it rain,” she sings softly, the ecstasy of the romance taking over and allowing her to be mushy.

1. ‘Witchy,’ Kaytranada feat. Childish Gambino

Kaytranada and Childish Gambino cast their own spell with this golden-hued R&B ode to the magic of falling in love — the ultimate incantation. “Witchy” could have easily soundtracked Saturday nights at the roller rink in another era, but Kaytra’s sorcery here is the ability to make even the most vintage-sounding production feel thoroughly contemporary and fresh. As his alter ego, Childish Gambino, Donald Glover is clearly having the best time, his falsetto twinkling like a meteor shower. The result is a feel-good, star-dusted anthem of the year that conveys one of life’s pure pleasures: the dizzying, intoxicating, all-consuming enchantment of being thoroughly under another’s thrall.