#HitsOfTomorrow: Preston Pablo, Kenya Grace and More ‘Should-Be’ Hits

And that’s a wrap! Well, sort of. #HITSOFTOMORROW concludes for 2023 this week. While there is likely to be a few noteworthy new releases in the final weeks of the year, my time now shifts to cranking out the Best of 2023. Stay tuned!

Of course the last week of the column happens to coincide with a new release from Beyonce! “My House” seems to be the right vehicle to both promote her soon-to-be-released Renaissance film and also parlay the more-than-any-person-living-or-dead Grammy winner into her more familiar soul/hip-hop world after a diversion to the dance world.

Already with a blockbuster touring movie of her own, Taylor Swift also seems to want to just one more release before the end of the year as she gifts her fans “You’re Losing Me” from the vault. The single is everything we’ve grown to expect and love from Swift and it is likely to become her nine-millionth Top 10 hit in the coming weeks!

Having said that, let’s get things started with our final SHOULD-BE hits of 2023. Here’s hoping some upcoming releases make their dent in 2024 and land a spot in my year end for next year! Here are this week’s #HitsOfTomorrow. 

“Paris” – Kenya Grace

What a difference a few months can make for an artist. Kenya Grace’s rising star seems to be ending 2023 shining brighter than ever and while “Strangers” continues to dominate the charts, “Paris” is likely going to be the single that keeps her on the charts in 2024. While there might be sonic holdover from her breakout hit, that’s a good thing – she’s creating a lane of her own at a time when many viral hits and singles fail to improve the visibility of the artist. This is clearly Grace’s sweet spot, and she has every right to milk it!

“Lover/Friend” – KAYTRANADA, Rochelle Jordan

I’ve yet to hear a record from KAYTRANADA that hasn’t hit it. But then, I also am tired of hearing his tracks make a dent years after they released. “Lover/Friend” has that right kind of immediate hit quality that perhaps should lead the artist and the single (featuring Rochelle Jordan) to a Top 40 hit. Post the holidays, I really hope the track takes off cause this sound is so fluid for mainstream playlists and truly KAYTRANADA needs to finally be a household name.

“Elevator Hum” – Declan McKenna

Casting a wider sonic range with the third release from his upcoming LP What Happened To The Beach?, Declan McKenna gives us something much more to hum about with “Elevator Hum.” The track marks a different direction for the artist, making it all the more exciting, given his range. The single could also prove to be a great introduction for many who are not fans yet as this more eclectic McKenna sound is something that could land him a Top 40 hit. The track screams a global viral moment waiting to happen, here’s hoping that’s just the case!

“Dance Alone” – Preston Pablo

2024 likely has a breakout hit on its hands with this R&B jam. Preston Pablo’s “Dance Alone” has already been getting some major love on TikTok and that was without the single even having officially released but now the sky’s the limit for the Canadian star who has already seen a very fruitful 2023. This is the early 2000s sound done right with the modern edge today’s tracks need. His global fandom should only help him here and here’s hoping we’re all dancing along through the winter and spring next year!

“Loverman” – Go-Jo

Indie and R&B usually give us things like SZA but Down Under, it gives us Go-Jo. The raspy-voiced singer has managed to find a fun way to fuse his indie roots with hip-hop and R&B without sounding gimmicky or “inspired.” “Loverman” is a slightly different direction for the artist who adds a psychedelic retro feel here that makes the song feel light and well, repeat-ready!

Even More Hits!

“Feminine” – Empress Of

“Company” – BOY SODA

“Twenty Things” – Nadine Shah

“Tea Lady” – Nia Chennai

Listen To #HITSOFTOMORROW Playlist on Spotify!