If there’s one thing musicians hate, it’s lists. They are subjective and opinion-based, a long collection of words arbitrating what’s good and what’s bad.
In the words of Erykah Badu, “I am an artist and I’m sensitive about my ish.”
But great art sparks conversation. With so many incredible songs released this year, it’s only right to round up some of the best dropped by ӣƵ artists. In no particular order, here are 24 of my favorite songs released by ӣƵ natives in 2024. Some you’ve probably heard, and some you may have missed. However, each one adds to the city’s musical landscape as the artists carve out their own lanes in the entertainment industry.
Musician Owen Ragland tours in this school bus that he also uses as a stage.
Whitworth ‘Why We Have to Go’
Bedroom-pop artist Whitworth burst onto the scene as a child piano prodigy growing up in Webster Groves. As a teenager, he started producing beats and connected with ӣƵ hip-hop artists looking for groovy new sounds with emotional melodies and catchy hooks.
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After years of being behind the scenes, Whitworth took a leap of faith in 2023 when he dropped out of college to pursue his own music dreams as a solo artist. He bought a tricked-out school bus and converted it into a tour bus with a giant stage on the back.
A song from his debut LP “Earth to Dreamer,” Whitworth’s “Why We Have to Go” is eloquent and dreamy.
Beginning with subtle violins before diving into a slow, disco-like rhythm, Whitworth’s voice is moving as he sings meaningful lyrics about life, dreams and love. Like every song on the album, “Why We Have to Go” is emotionally explosive, setting the tone for a future of memorable music from the up-and-coming artist.
Sexyy Red at her sold-out Enterprise Center show in 2024.
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Sexyy Red featuring Drake ‘U My Everything’
ӣƵ rapper Sexyy Red has had a successful year from start to finish. Before dropping her highly anticipated and subtly controversial lip gloss line in November, Big Sexyy ran the airwaves with hit after hit including “U My Everything” featuring rapper Drake.
After building a friendship with the Canadian rapper that the entire world watched unfold on social media, Sexyy Red released “U My Everything” in May on her album “In Sexyy We Trust.”
The song dropped at the height of an intense rap beef between Drake and Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar, further establishing Sexyy as Team Drake. The song featured Drake and samples “BBL Drizzy,” a beat that fellow ӣƵ–native Metro Boomin produced to mock Drake during the rap beef.
Producer Metro Boomin preforms during ӣƵ City SC’s CITY Block Party on March 3, 2023, at Lou Fusz Plaza outside of CityPark.
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Metro Boomin and Future featuring Travis Scott and Playboi Carti ‘Type S—t’
Speaking of Metro Boomin, the super producer dominated 2024 by doing what he does best — making hit records. Born Leland Wayne, Metro Boomin started producing beats before he graduated from Metro High School in 2009. His hard work paid off and led to producing for artists like Future, Post Malone and Drake.
This year, Metro Boomin dropped two albums with rapper Future including “We Don’t Trust You” and “We Stil Don’t Trust You,” earning him 2025 Grammy Award nominations in every hip-hop category. The albums were blatant shots fired at rapper Drake: The song “Like That,” featuring Kendrick Lamar, kicked off the feud between Lamar and Drake.
Although “Like That” became a mainstream banger, Metro Boomin’s “We Don’t Trust You” had many incredible tracks that didn’t get their due when the rap beef ensued. Standing out from the rest was “Type S—t” featuring rappers Travis Scott and Playboi Carti.
With ringing chapel bells kicking off the song, “Type S—t” has top-notch production with the beat switching half-way through to give listeners a different vibe. Each featured artist complimented each other excellently and brough their own unique flair to a song full of feel good, party energy.
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Janet Evra ‘Dancing by Myself’
Janet Evra is making her own mark on the jazz industry. The singer and bassist moved to ӣƵ and fell in love with the city. Originally from England, Evra is in a lane of her own, playing her instrument and singing beautiful, jazzy lyrics in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
Her newest single, “Dancing by Myself,” is about dodging love while out on the town. Her voice is vibrant and light, like a hummingbird fluttering by on a spring day. The groovy rhythm with guitar riffs and brassy horns elevates the song to new heights, with the repeated hook becoming a mantra by the song’s end. Evra lets it be known that there’s nothing wrong with dancing alone, and she sounds damn good saying it, too.
Keyon Harrold
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Keyon Harrold ‘The Intellectual’
Keyon Harrold’s song “The Intellectual” is a good example of why the Ferguson jazz trumpeter is nominated for Best Alternative Jazz Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards. But Harrold was a musical force long before his recent nomination.
He played with rapper Common during his NPR Tiny Desk Performance in 2016 at the White House; provided the trumpet sounds for Don Cheadle in the Miles Davis biopic “Miles Ahead;” and has been featured on songs by Jay-Z, Maxwell and Beyonce. Harrold isn’t new to jazz music. He’s true to it.
His song “The Intellectual” opens with the sound of a thunderstorm that’s replaced by piano that keep the song’s rhythm. Harrold’s trumpet emerges on the track like a light in the darkness. It’s smooth and fluid, still leaving room for the other instruments to shine. “The Intellectual” is a masterpiece, and by the end of the song, the listener is left wanting more.
Thankfully, Harrold’s album “Foreverland” is full of fantastic tracks, featuring artists like Common, PJ Morton and more.
Katie Klein ‘Twenties’
ӣƵ is overflowing with fresh, young talent. A newcomer to the music scene is singer-songwriter Katie Klein. Her latest single “Twenties” is heartfelt and transparent. It’s a coming-of-age story about realizing who you are when you are young, facing your demons and conquering the person in the mirror before your youth runs out. Klein is a gifted songwriter and credits Taylor Swift as one of her biggest music inspirations. Currently a senior at Webster University, Klein started writing songs when she was 8. Now 21, Klein bares her truth for all to see on “Twenties” and is a must-watch artist for the ӣƵ music scene.
Nikki Glaser
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Nikki Glaser ‘Someday You’ll Die’
Nikki Glaser has always served up a hefty dose of the truth as a stand-up comedian. Her funny quirks landed her a gig hosting the 2025 Golden Globe Awards and a Best Comedy Album Grammy nomination for her comedy special “Someday You’ll Die.”
Glaser recorded a theme song for the special under the same title. Like her stand-up style, Glaser is keen on keeping it real as she sings about the fragility of mortality, battling through emotions, and finding her way as an individual. Glaser has an interesting way of making dark humor feel good and, although she repeatedly tells the listener they’ll die someday, the upbeat song makes you want to live every day to the fullest.
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Golliday ‘Dallas’
Although some might argue that real R&B music was left in the ‘90s, ӣƵ native Golliday is bringing back the soulful sounds everyone has been missing. His song “Dallas” showcases the feel-good vibes he brings to the music scene while crooning about love and loss under the moonlight.
The beat is funky, with a bass line breaking down midway through the track before Golliday pops back in to reiterate the savagery of heartbreak. There are sensual background vocals, impressive high notes and relatable lyrics, certifying Golliday as a rising star on the R&B scene.
Ludo
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Ludo featuring Funky Butt Brass Band ‘Dead Man’s Party’
Who doesn’t love Ludo? The ӣƵ natives took the charts by storm when their song “Love Me Dead” peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Alternative Songs Chart in 2008. A lot has changed for the band since then, and although they’re in different places in life and broke up for a spell, Ludo is still linking up to make music.
Before their annual HalLUDOween show in 2024, the band released “Dead Man’s Party,” a cover of the 1985 Oingo Boingo song. Ludo brought in fellow ӣƵ musicians the Funky Butt Brass Band to accompany them on this musically intricate cover that was perfect for the Halloween season.
Smino performs Sept. 9, 2023, at Music at the Intersection in ӣƵ.
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Smino ‘Polynesian’
Smino has always been an extremely saucy emcee with an unmatched swag. Although the ӣƵ native didn’t drop an album this year, he dropped a handful of singles and feature verses including “Polynesian.” The record is full of bars, magical lyricism and the signature wordplay Smino has become known for. Its good rap music with lyrical substance with Smino switching up his flows and incorporating a few harmonies into the verses. Smino is a hometown favorite who has continued to deliver high-quality songs since he entered the rap game in 2009.
SZA is set to head out on tour with Kendrick Lamar next year. Jon Gitchoff
The rest of our favorites
Sza - “Saturn”
Dj N'Dre - “2 Da Lou”
Boy for Everything - "Last Night Was a Movie"
Nandostl - “Lookin for Me”
Occults - “Strawberry Moon”
Aida Ade - "How You Love"
Souls of Liberty - “White Castles”
Starwolf - “Tropical Disco”
Mai Lee - "Come on Over"
25toLifeڱٳܰԲAungelaԻThrilla Thrill - "STL Weapons"
Tonina - “Aurelia”
Davie Napalm - "Napalm135"
Mattie SchellԻWhat the Chuck! - "You Never Can Tell (Rock and Roll)"
Tef Poe - “The Book of Ferguson”
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