JAY-Z’s annual end of the year playlist has been released. The 2020 Vision COVID 19 playlist, which consists of 40 different songs, came out on the Tidal streaming service on Thursday (Dec. 3), giving fans a glimpse of the songs that got Hov through this wild and crazy year.
Naturally, the Brooklyn native featured a few of the artists signed to his Roc Nation record label. Jay Electronica, for example, secured three spots on the playlist with songs “Universal Soldier,” “Ghost of Soulja Slim,” and “A.P.I.D.T.A.” from The Written Testimony album that marked his return to the game after a decade long hiatus and has a few verses from JAY himself.
Griselda Records — who inked a management deal with JAY’s label last year — also made the final cut. The Blueprint emcee included “One Flight,” the Benny the Butcher and Freddie Gibbs collaboration he reportedly helped to arrange. Conway the Machine’s “Spurs 3” is on the playlist as well as “Allah Sent Me” and “Clairborne Kick” from Westside Gunn’s Pray for Paris project.
Big Sean and Megan Thee Stallion — who he texts regularly with words of encouragement— also appear on the highly sought list of songs.
Hov’s playlist gives a nod to seasoned veterans Lil Wayne, Freddie Gibbs, Drake and 2 Chainz. He specifically praises Busta Rhymes’ “Look Over Your Shoulder” featuring Kendrick Lamar as well as songs “Spicy” and “Car #85” from former rival Nas’ Hit-Boy produced album King’s Disease.
In recognition of the younger artists of this generation, JAY-Z salutes Apple Music of the Year artist Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Roc Marciano, Morray and the late Pop Smoke.
Additionally, Burna Boy’s “Twice As Tall” adds some international flavor to the playlist alongside “Black Parade” from his wife Beyoncé.
It’s obvious the 4:44 star has been listening to a lot of music during this pandemic. His recently released playlist follows the mid-year Songs of Survival 2 list he dropped over the summer.
Check out JAY’s 2020 Vision COVID-19 playlist below.