Get Out’s Daniel Kaluuya picks his 10 favorite British songs of 2017
Fun fact about Daniel Kaluuya: his music taste is better than yours. In between starring in a little movie called Get Out (2017), in which he played the hapless victim of his girlfriend’s nightmarish family, and filming a major role in the forthcoming superhero epic Black Panther (due out in 2018), the breakout British actor spent the year jamming to the finest music his country had to offer. Now he’s selected his ten favorite tracks of 2017 for us, ranging from J Hus’s exuberant hits to London anthems from Giggs and Stormzy.
“Shade,” IAMDDB
DANIEL KALUUYA: Probably the last song of the year that I couldn’t stop playing, this song makes me want to get Ubers for no reason. My current account tells me not to.
“The Essence,” Giggs
KALUUYA: This is the realest. Giggs is the realest. The Mayor of London delivers another classic.
“Did You See,” J Hus
KALUUYA: Due to this song I’ve been looking into the cheapest way to turn up to a rave in a black Benz and leave in a white one, no luck yet.
“Leave Me,” J Hus
KALUUYA: “I know an arm robber, used to be a shoplifter
Now me and him got beef, and we no longer speak
Still walk his nan across the street
Still put that motherfucker in a body bag
Still help his mother with her shopping bags”
…we all have that one friend.
“Ruler,” Giggs
KALUUYA: “Man had to kick the door. Man wasn’t supposed to knock.” Mood of 2017 and life to be honest.
“Question Time,” Dave
KALUUYA: Post-Brexit, Post-May, Post-Corbyn, Post-Grenfell. Dave articulates everything I’ve been thinking about British politics in a 7 minute song.
“21 Gun Salute,” Stormzy feat. Wretch 32
KALUUYA: Favourite song on Stormzy’s album, Wretch singing makes too much sense. Had this on loop for the whole of March.
“Skeng,” Geovarn feat. Belly Shalin
KALUUYA: This song makes me want to buy a Vauxhall Astra, speed down Tottenham High Road and illegally double park outside a barber shop just to find out he’s double booked my appointment.
“No Don,” Lotto Boyz
KALUUYA: Birmingham and 2017’s response to “Back Then” by Mike Jones. Addictive tune. That drop.
“No Love,” Donae’o
KALUUYA: Donae’o is too cold, he’s been dropping bangers since 2000. My favourite song on his latest mixtape, surprised it didn’t catch on more.
“Mean It In The Morning,” Loyle Carner
KALUUYA: The flow. The beat. The pockets. The bars. You can also feel he’s just getting started.