Best Albums of 2020 Artist Edition: Jesswar

This year, in addition to our own Best Songs of 2020 and Best Albums of 2020, we asked some of our favourite artists to tell us about their favourite releases of this year as well. Throughout a confusing and isolated year, music in particular has been a place of refuge for many, with the communities that surround this music becoming more important than ever. Here, we ask artists from various communities whom we love and admire to engage in the very reason we exist: sharing music.

From emerging artists to living legends, acts with cult followings to artists on the verge of truly breaking through, this series includes so many different people. Hip hop, dance, psych, rock, pop, electronic and much more, the genres and sounds in this series are as varied as the metaphorical pages of Purple Sneakers itself, and offer something for everyone no matter what your taste might be. We’re so thankful to all the artists who provided their own lists, and to the extensive communities we’re grateful to tell the stories of every day.

For the Purple Sneakers team’s own count downs, read our Best Songs and Best Albums of 2020. To read the full Artist Edition series, check it out HERE.

If you're going to release one single in a year, you want it to be a show stopper. A complete moment that makes everyone pay attention, and which will hold for long enough to bridge the gap between this single and whatever is still to come. Jesswar's 'Venom' is all this and more. A total obliteration of anyone who has ever doubted or crossed her, as well as a warning shot that she really is the real deal, 'Venom' is Jesswar no longer asking for what's hers but taking it by any means necessary. Released alongside visuals directed by Colin Jeffs and Kevin Bar, which serve as an invitation for viewers to experience unbridled Pasifika excellence, Jesswar in her own words invites anyone who thinks they're up for the challenge to "come and get it." If there was any doubt that Jesswar is one to watch, 'Venom' swiftly puts that to bed. Keep your eyes peeled for Jesswar's rise!

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