The top songs that brought us joy in 2022

This year was filled with music that brought us catharsis, tears, and, most importantly, joy. From Beyoncé to Doechii, genres like House, pop, Hip-Hop, and everything in between dominated 2022.

Here are the top five songs out of the 22 picks that brought us joy from Black artists this year.

5. Tomorrow 2 - GloRilla & Cardi B

The Memphis rapper, GloRilla, hit the scene with her summer hit “F.N.F (Let’s Go).” But her team-up with Cardi B on “Tomorrow 2″ is the undeniable track that solidifies her rise in the music industry. The two MCs match each other’s cocky energy and bold delivery throughout the remix. The track’s message is clear: “Everyday the sun won’t shine, but that’s why I love tomorrow.”

4. Plan B - Megan Thee Stallion

The Houston Hottie previewed “Plan B” at Coachella 2022. The track is a freestyle of Megan Thee Stallion venting about past relationships. The Hot Girl Coach raps over a sample of Jodeci and Wu-Tang’s “Freak’n You Remix” and uses the double entendres of contraceptive Plan B One-Step pills as an alternative to staying in a relationship that no longer serves her.

3. Persuasive - Doechii

Doechii took the music scene by storm this year. The Tampa, Florida native wears many hats: rapper, singer, and songwriter. On “Persuasive,” she puts each of these skills to work to create the club anthem of 2022. Over a pulsing beat, “Persuasive” serves as an ode to marijuana. The self-proclaimed Swamp Princess released the infectious track in tandem, with the signing announcement to Top Dawg Entertainment and Capital Records.

2. Break My Soul - Beyoncé

Queen Bey returned this summer with the lead single for her seventh studio album, Renaissance. “Break My Soul” samples Robin S.’s 1990 hit “Show Me Love” and NOLA bounce Queen, Big Freedia’s 2014 “Explode.” It’s an anthem of resistance and resilience of not being broken down and finding that also honors the Black queer community and their contributions to House music and broader culture. Bey truly sparked a musical renaissance with “Break My Soul.”

1. About Damn Time - Lizzo

After a three-year hiatus from her 2019 album release, Cuz I love You, Lizzo returned with “About Damn Time” to begin her Special era. The funky disco-pop track uses the flirty production to chronicle Lizzo’s return. Lizzo’s been dealing with depression and coping with the current state of the world — as many of us have over the past few years. The song is about making it through a tough time and celebrating that survival, as she sings in the chorus, “I got a feelin’ I’m gon’ be alright.”

Check out the full 22 tracks that brought us joy on Spotify.