Lifestyle

AP's song of the year: Keedron Bryant's 'I Just Wanna Live'

Posted December 09, 2020 6:00 am

By MESFIN FEKADU

This cover image released by Warner Records shows "I Just Wanna Live," by Keedron Bryant. Bryant's song was named one of the top 10 of the year by the Associated Press. (Warner Records via AP) The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - The top 10 songs of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu (a playlist of the songs can be found here ):

1. Keedron Bryant, 'œI Just Wanna Live": During times of turmoil and unrest, people respond differently. Some protest. Some cry. And some sing. Following the gruesome death of George Floyd, Johnnetta Bryant turned to God and asked for a pray - and the lyrics to 'œI Just Wanna Live" were born. She asked her son, then 12-year-old Keedron Bryant, to sing the song and the rest is for the history books. Keedron Bryant's powerful performance about being a young Black man in today's world went viral, with everyone from Barack Obama to LeBron James praising the future superstar and his family for their strength and positive message. The song not only helped Keedron Bryant land a record deal, it helped heal the world at a time when music is a language that unites us all.

2. Chloe x Halle, 'œDo It": To the window, to the walls, 'till the sweat drops down my... Chloe x Halle took us to the clubs - aka the living room - during a pandemic year when we desperately needed an epic dance tune to help us get through the day.

3. Mickey Guyton, 'œBlack Like Me": Digging deep to write personal lyrics about her upbringing - and being that rare Black singer on the country music scene - Mickey Guyton birthed a beautiful, touching song that is bound to become a country music classic.

4. Kelly Rowland, 'œCoffee": A smooth, sexy number from a R&B goddess.

5. Charlie Wilson featuring Smokey Robinson, 'œAll of My Love": Uncle Charlie plus Uncle Smokey equals musical bliss. The soul icons joined forces for one of the year's best collaborations that will surely put a smile on your face.

6. Roddy Ricch, 'œThe Box'ť: Insert fire emoji here.

7. Dua Lipa, 'œDon't Start Now": With this addictive pop gem and updated dance moves, Dua Lipa is well on her way to world domination.

8. Gabby Barrett featuring Charlie Puth, 'œI Hope'ť: Breakthrough country singer Gabby Barrett already had a hit with the original version of 'œI Hope," but then Charlie Puth slide into her DMs and asked to add his vocals to the song and update the beat. The result is an undeniable pop smash.

9. Pop Smoke featuring DaBaby and Lil Baby, 'œFor the Night": Late rapper Pop Smoke clearly had a knack for hip-hop melodies, which explains why most of his songs have exploded on TikTok. 'œFor the Night" is a monster hit that also featured other acts leading the new class of rap.

10. BLACKPINK featuring Selena Gomez, 'œIce Cream": K-pop all-stars BLACKPINK came out swinging with this trap-pop bop that was as sweet and irresistible as ice cream.

FILE - In this May 28, 2020 photo, Halle Bailey, left, and her sister Chloe Bailey, of the R&B duo Chloe X Halle, pose for a portrait in their backyard in Los Angeles to promote their latest release, "Ungodly Hour." The duo's song "Do It" was named one of the top 10 of the year by the Associated Press. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2020 photo, Mickey Guyton appears in Los Angeles. Guyton's song "Black Like Me" was named one of the top 10 of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press

FILE - Kelly Rowland arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala in Culver City, Calif. on Nov. 9, 2019. Rowland's song "Coffee" was named one of the top 10 of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2018, photo, Charlie Wilson performs during "An Opry Salute to Ray Charles" at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. Wilson's song "All of My Love," featuring Smokey Robinson, was named one of the top 10 of the year by the Associated Press. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File) The Associated Press

FILE - Roddy Ricch performs at the 7th annual BET Experience in Los Angeles on June 21, 2019. Ricch's song "The Box," was named one of the top 10 of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press

FILE - This Jan. 26, 2020 file photo shows Dua Lipa at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Dua Lipa's song "Don't Start Now" was named one of the top 10 songs of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press

FILE - Gabby Barrett arrives at the CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn. on June 5, 2019. Barrett's song "I Hope," featuring Charlie Puth, was named one of the top 10 songs of the year by the Associated Press. (AP Photo/Sanford Myers, File) The Associated Press

FILE - This image released by Republic Records shows rapper Pop Smoke. The late rapper's song "For the Night," featuring DaBaby and Lil Baby, was named one of the top 10 songs of the year by the Associated Press. (Tracy Awino/Republic Records via AP, File) The Associated Press

FILE - Rose, from left, Jenni Kim, and Lisa of Blackpink perform at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. on April 12, 2019. Their song "Ice Cream," featuring Selena Gomez, was named one of the top 10 songs of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press

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