As we pass the midpoint of January, it’s high time to dust off the Tracks rankings, now that Christmas music has officially moved off the charts and we can get a clear picture once more. In the month or so since the annual holiday takeover threw a wrench in our plans, some new energy has come into the Tracks universe, with Djo, Esdeekid, and Pooh Shiesty emerging as the most significant.
The first case is one of synergistic promo, as the United Kingdom’s Esdeekid had already been gaining momentum far before he made his debut here. While certainly deserving of buzz on his own merits, some internet “sleuthing” regarding his mysterious personality and the possibility that one Timothee Chalamet could be the man behind the mask only added to the legend.
With “4Raws” gaining traction online, things hit a fever pitch as Marty himself hopped on a remix, one of the splashiest in an already unmissable promo run surrounding his Josh Safdie contender. Adding an A-lister in that regard has proved an easy way to widen the scope of an already sturdy internet sensation, and no doubt proved red meat for the die-hards of either man. On our end, all of that culminates in “4Raws” and EsDeeKid sitting at #17. With the year in its infancy, there’s no reason to expect it to fall out, especially as the remix is weeks old at the time of this writing.
Djo And Pooh Shiesty Take Alternate Routes To The Top
In another crossover event, the stardom of the Stranger Things alumni is at its fever pitch in the afterglow of the Netflix smash’s series finale. Yet, each member has taken their own route in how to best manifest that. Djo, or Joe Kerry, already experienced a windfall during the show’s earlier seasons, made a savvy play by dropping off a new LP a few months before the final season began. However, as the curtain falls on Stranger Things, it’s been a more archival release taking over. “End of Beginning,” following in the footsteps of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” shockingly takes over the #1 spot, understandably riding across-the-board numbers to that position. Top 10 in all categories outside of some streaming, the song is easily the biggest of Djo’s career, and should prove an incredible launchpad as Djo considers what a post-Netflix life looks like for him.
Finally, Pooh Shiesty and his “FDO” are undeniable for us. Joining a long lineage of “First Day Out” style songs, the comeback effort marks his first after an early prison release. As such material has proven before, it’s often a “strike while the iron is hot” situation, aiming to capitalize on the renewed spotlight. Still, the timing here, let loose smack in the middle of December, is noteworthy all the same. While we and so many artists take off the tail end of the year, given the inescapability of holiday fare, that does present an opportunity for those willing to meet the challenge. “FDO” arrives at #11 on our list and could be a real factor as the year begins to take shape.
As always, you can check out the music featured throughout this piece wherever you stream your music.
