Best of 2024 | Albums | Songs | Irish albums | Irish songs | Best Of Podcasts | Guest lists |
JWY is a Dublin-based DJ with roots in Ghana, India and Surinam, born in Amsterdam. Jo-Ann Ahia is a founder of foxgluv, which is an inclusive platform specifically created to highlight female, non-binary, and trans creatives with a diverse range of genres and backgrounds.
JWY’s style combines a mix of bass-heavy genres such as Afro/Carribean-inspired riddims, UKG, breaks, grime, drums, baile funk, and more.
Here are JWY’s 10 tracks of the year.
Extra Musica – Etat-Major (Uproot Andy Bololo edit)
A dear friend of mine (Josh aka DJ Rockdove) first played this at a house party and I fell in love with it straight away. It reminds me of the songs my dad used to play in his shop when I was growing up and it has such a feel good uplifting vibe. Hearing this song being played out loud on Dame Street during my Culture Night gig is a moment I will never ever forget.
Ke Yen – Warps Don’t Lie
This song is a mix of nostalgia plus guaranteed assshaking for me, because it incorporates ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ by Shakira which we have all grown up with, but it’s been edited in a way where you can’t help but go crazy when it comes on.
I was doing a set for Rathaus at Beyond The Pale and when I tell you I was shitting myself haha I really was, it felt like I couldn’t get it together so I tried to power through it. Then when this track came on I finally felt settled. The amazing dancers Hannah aka climbwallsweird and Maebh aka Freckled Foxx came on and gave the best performance with this song in the background and it’s one of those moments that reminded me that OK we got this, it’s gonna be A-OK.
Busy Twist – Etali Nga Te
This song has always been special to me because it has been with me throughout my DJ journey. I am a firm believer of speaking things into existence so I’ve always said when I get my Boiler Room set, no matter how long it takes I will end it with this song.
Electric Picnic this year was the most magical so far for many reasons, I got to spend it with a lot of special people and we all were one big community going to each other’s sets and spending time in between them.
So I was with my love Lucy aka Dj Get Luc(y) and we went backstage to get some drinks and lo and behold I saw the Bust Twist, but because he is someone who I have looked up to for years I immediately went into shy mode and asked Lucy to ask him if it was him haha and it turned out it was. I was telling him how much this song meant to me and my Boiler Room plan and then another person popped up and said “guess who I am?”! And it was the vocalist of this song! When I tell you I will never ever forget that moment. That was extremely special to me.
RDX – JUMP
This song is a song I used to listen to for yeaarrss way before the DJ journey started so getting to play it out loud specifically this year has been so special. The vocals combined with the drums just makes every single person want to let loose and go crazy.
Faluma – Ding Ding
This song is special to me as it comes from Surinam so whenever I listen to it or play it, it is a shoutout to my amazing mother who showed me this kind of music when I was young. I ended my Open Ear set with it and it was truly a moment I won’t ever forget. Open Ear is such a special festival that I recommend to anyone to visit at least once.
2k22 – Casement
I am obsessed with drummy tunes and this one is perfection, the way it starts off slow and then builds up is something everyone needs to hear.
Little Simz – Gorilla
Had to shoutout the queen! Really been enjoying all of her older/newer tunes. She deserves all the recognition she gets and more.
CJ (synccity) – LPFJ2P
I had to add one of my favourite baile funk tunes of the year. It’s such a beautiful genre and have been really enjoying mixing it with different genres and it just never gets old. Special moment was to get to play it at the Cork Jazz Festival for my collective Foxgluv this year as it was one of those moments that meant a lot to me.
Doubt – Friotaiocht
Ollie is one of my all time favourite producers and he never misses. The way he combines hard drums with trippy intrumentals is so special and this song specifically has such an uplifting vibe that I had to play it multiple times throughout the year. Definitely check out all of his tunes.
Atro – Hot (Atro funky refix)
I stumbled across this song by accident and it’s been on replay ever since. This had to be my festival song of the summer played in every set. If you check it out you can hear why. It’s perfect.
Best of 2024 | Albums | Songs | Irish albums | Irish songs | Best Of Podcasts | Guest lists |
