TOP 20 OF 2020

GREENTEA PENG

This'll be the second year running that Londoner Greentea Peng has made it in our top 20, and it's for a very good reason. This year, the emerald guru has blown us away with heavy, dub-licious singles that unify the divided voices of the city, and tackle some of the roots of modern day suffering. From the nag champa-scented dub sounds of 'Ghost Town', to bossanova-style guitars on 'Hu Man', which tackles the intricacies of identity, to her most recent single, the bewitched 'Spells', that sees Greentea's soulful vocal flow sooth the mind, it's clear that 2020 has been a triumph for Greentea. On top of that, her music videos are pieces of political art in themselves. Take 'Ghost Town', directed by Melody Maker - shot on the Aylesbury Estate in Walworth, it draws attention to a large housing estate that faces demolition, and tenant displacement. Gentrification is a running theme, also seen in the 'Revolution' video (also directed by Melody Maker), filmed in Ridley Road Market in Dalston; an area that holds a strong sense of community, sadly threatened by overpricing of rents. 2020 has shown that Greentea Peng is on a revolution-seeking quest for equality. -Ellie Rose-Davies

Listen