2020 has been…well…a dumpster fire and we’re not at all sad to see it go. But we want to raise one last White Claw to the things that kept us going this year—the music, the memes, and the hopes for a better 2021. idobi’s hosts have chosen their top picks of 2020 to remind us all what a wild year it was—get scrolling and say cheers to the new year.
—
Jess Bowen
Babes Behind the Beats Co-Host
Best Album:
Some Still Morning by Handsome Ghost
Best Song:
“Seven” by Taylor Swift
Best Music Video:
“This Is It” by Marshall
Favorite Collaboration:
“Bored” by Tessa Violet feat. Misterwives
Moment that Made it Better:
My girlfriend and I adopting our puppy, Pepe.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
Getting bit in the face by my brother’s chihuahua mix and having to go to the emergency room during a pandemic to get stitches.
Favorite Meme:
Biggest Wish for the Future:
To play shows again ASAP.
–
Brett Davern
The Brett Davern Show and Radioactive Dads Host
Best Album:
Monsters by The Midnight
Best Song:
“Blink 182+u” by Cali Rodi
(This song is my new “Party in the USA”, yes that is a good thing)
Best Music Video:
I’m not sure if this counts or not but I can’t stop watching Anderson .Paak’s Tiny Desk performance video on YouTube… in fact I don’t even know if that was this year but it’s awesome!
Favorite Collaboration:
I refuse to name one, too many good ones, see what I did there?
Moment that Made it Better:
The moment that made it better for me was the simple little nod my wife gave me after waking me up one Saturday morning to let me know that Joe Biden was officially projected to win the election!
Most Punk Rock Moment:
The way so many people came together to protest injustice all over the world.
Favorite Meme:
Biden Metcalf pic.twitter.com/tBReaC3H1M
— 6’9″ Cinephile (@MoJordan44) November 6, 2020
Someone photoshopped Joe Biden’s head onto my favorite Seahawks WR DK Metcalf’s body and then photoshopped the state of Georgia on another football player so that it looked like Joe Biden was chasing down Georgia… It made me smile so big!
Biggest Wish for the Future:
That the new normal will be better than the old normal but it will feel calm and feel normal.
–
Katie Leclerc
The Brett Davern Show Co-Host/Producer,
Radioactive Dads Producer
Best Album:
Razzmatazz by I Don’t Know How But They Found Me
Best Song:
“Alaska” by Little Hurt
Best Music Video:
“How You Like That” by Blackpink
Favorite Collaboration:
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
Moment that Made it Better:
All of the ridiculous Christmas decorations I put up in my apartment.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
The 50th anniversary Pride/BLM parade in West Hollywood
Favorite Meme:
When someone Photoshopped all the democrat leaders faces onto the cast of the Avengers fighting Thanos Trump!!
Biggest Wish for the Future:
I just want the new iPhone.
–
Sasha & TS
Cool Nerd Weed Show Hosts
Best Album:
Run the Jewels by RTJ4
Best Song:
“Oh Yeah!” by Green Day
Best Music Video:
“911” by Lady Gaga
Favorite Collaboration:
“Blow Me” by The Used feat. Jason Aalon Butler
Moment that Made it Better:
When 5 more states ended Cannabis Prohibitions.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
When Milwaukee Bucks players boycotted game 5 of the NBA playoffs in protest.
Favorite Meme:
Biggest Wish for the Future:
Live music and the end of cannabis prohibition will happen in 2021.
—
Day Al-Mohamed
Geek Girl Riot host
Best Album:
A Holly Dolly Christmas by Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton’s first holiday album in 30 years. FIGHT ME.
Best Song:
“30” by Wallflower
HOLY SHIT WHERE HAVE THESE GUYS BEEN IN MY LIFE?
BUT I was listening to this one ALL THIS YEAR (and especially election week) so I think it also deserves a place on the list even if it is a bit older:
“Which Side Are You On?” by Rebel Diaz ft. Dead Prez and Rakaa Iriscience.
Best Music Video:
“Everything I Wanted” by Billie Eilish
Downright disturbing but I also noticed it was directed by Billie Eilish…are we going to see more film-related career choices?
Favorite Collaboration:
“WAP” by Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
Not because I love the song but because s*** did it bring up a lot of conversations about how women’s bodies work and I learned that the whole damn world is a lot more ignorant and critical and hypocritical of women’s sexuality than I thought. >:-(
Moment that Made it Better:
Getting a Hallmark subscription for 1 month to watch all their Christmas movies. (Yes, I mean ALL. This girl needs her HEAs, especially in 2020.)
Most Punk Rock Moment:
Kamala’s Converse.
Favorite Meme:
Anything relating to “Zoom-fatigue” or Baby Yoda.
Biggest Wish for the Future:
United effort to address the world’s racial and economic inequities (and a few other inequities too) and environmental degradation. Culture change is hard but we have to be willing to even begin.
—
Kat Bittner
Geek Girl Riot Host
Best Album:
Map of the Soul 7 by BTS
Should have been nominated for album of the year, but will spare everyone my rant.
Best Song:
“We Lost the Summer” by TXT
Song about the pandemic and what we lost, but done like a summer song.
Best Music Video:
“Black Swan” by BTS
They released the Art Film version with the MN Dance Company. The MV is a contemporary dance piece that opens with a quote by Martha Graham that inspired the choreography: ‘A dancer dies twice – once when they stop dancing, and this first death is more painful’.
The official MV has the members performing in Los Angeles Theater and wonderfully plays on light and shadows.
Favorite Collaboration:
“WAP” by Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
’Cause I appreciate a song that’s in your face about women’s sexuality and all the thirsty fan edits I saw on stan Twitter that used this song!
Moment that Made it Better:
Celebrating the election results in DC and literally dancing in the streets right by the White House.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
Stacey Abrams with other groups and countless others in their get out the vote campaign in turning Georgia blue.
Also jokingly the fly just camping out on Mike Pence’s hair during the Vice Presidential debate.
Favorite Meme:
The 2020 calendar mood and how it started vs. how it’s going.
Biggest Wish for the Future:
Like everyone to see family and friends in person again. For politics, business, and culture to have more diverse representation especially in leadership roles.
—
Cub
Geek Girl Riot Host
Best Album:
Sawayama by Rina Sawayama
Best Song:
“Tokyo Love Hotel” by Rina Sawayama
“Ghosting” and “Fairy of Shampoo” by TXT
Best Music Video:
“MAGO” by GFRIEND
Favorite Collaboration:
“Wish You Well” by Gadgets feat. i9bonsai
“Vamp” by Notlocked feat i9bonsai
Moment that Made it Better:
Listening to music.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
Styles going genderless (fashion wise).
Favorite Meme:
Any cat meme.
Biggest Wish for the Future:
To go back to live concerts.
—
Mel N.
Geek Girl Riot Host
Best Album:
BE entered my world unexpectedly, at a time when I needed it most. This is an album where you actually feel the emotion and the care they have for the world that surrounds them and most of all, their fans. Truly a beautiful gift.
Best Song:
“Life Goes On” by BTS
This one really touched my heart greatly and made the biggest impact in my world recently. BTS have a way of making you feel as if they are singing directly to you and saying all the things you are feeling. Very moving song…
I will say, though, that “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd is incredible and also needed to be mentioned.
Best Music Video:
“Dynamite” by BTS
What a fun and colorful confection of musical greatness! Do you see a pattern here? I love these guys. BTS really pulled through for me and the A.R.M.Y in 2020. Bringing joy, understanding and HOPE to so many feeling a bit lost. “Dynamite” also brings BTS their very first Grammy Nomination which is an incredible honor and a first for a Korean Group.
Favorite Collaboration:
“Blueberry Eyes” by MAX feat. Suga
They took this incredible collaboration a step further bringing Steve Aoki in for one electrifying Remix! Definitely a sexy fun song dedicated and written to MAX’s beautiful wife Emily. In the video she is gorgeously pregnant and on December 1st they welcomed a sweet baby girl named Edie Celine.
Moment that Made it Better:
The moment ALL TWTA fans have been waiting for…The White Tie Affair finally releasing “SEASONS” after 10 friggin’ years!! Once this was released, it was only a matter of time until they announced a TWTA Reunion. Now come on 2021…you gotta turn this crap around and rid us of this covid so we can see this happen!!!
Most Punk Rock Moment:
Mass ordering tickets to an event you have NO INTENTION of attending.
Favorite Meme:
Biggest Wish for the Future:
My wish for the future is to live in a world without fear. Fear of my children getting sick, Fear of losing everything because of govt choices, Fear of all people not being treated fairly and equally…Wouldn’t a world where people actually cared and helped one another be so much more beautiful?
—
Sara Scoggins
Let’s Talk Host
Best Album:
Petals for Armor by Hayley Williams
Best Song:
“Adore You” by Harry Styles
Best Music Video:
“Kyoto” by Phoebe Bridgers
Favorite Collaboration:
Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner on folklore
Moment that Made it Better:
Biden/Harris for the win!
Most Punk Rock Moment:
“Will you shut up Man?” – J Biden
Favorite Meme:
Biggest Wish for the Future:
Sanity.
—
Ryan Skyy
Life Rhythms host
Best Album:
What’s Your Pleasure by Jessie Ware
Best Song:
“Before U” by Sonny Fodera
Best Music Video:
“WAP” by Cardi B
Favorite Collaboration:
“Head and Heart” by Joel Corry & MNEK
Moment that Made it Better:
Debuting Season 1 of Life Rhythms on idobi.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
Trump Supreme Court justices refusing to do his bidding.
Favorite Meme:
Lizzo dressed like the fly on Pence’s head.
Biggest Wish for the Future:
That the consciousness of the world will continue to grow and expand.
—
Seb Lefebvre
Man of the Hour Host
Best Album:
Folklore by Taylor Swift
Best Song:
“Chinatown” by Bleachers / Bruce Springsteen
Favorite Collaboration:
“Dionne” by The Japanese House feat. Justin Vernon
Moment that Made it Better:
When Ready Player Two came out.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
When idobi Radio managed to keep on delivering even tho everything was shutting down.
Favorite Meme:
Biggest Wish for the Future:
That 2021 actually comes. Also, concerts.
—
Shawn Kupfer
Metal DNA Host
Best Album:
There were so many good ones this year, but I’ve found myself coming back to “Vårjevndøgn” by Isengard and “10 Years Gone” by Deafheaven a lot.
Best Song:
Have you *heard* the Two Minutes to Midnight cover of “Dead Man’s Party”?!
Best Music Video:
“No Glory in the West” by Orville Peck
Favorite Collaboration:
Without a doubt, the Emma Ruth Rundle/Thou collab album “May Our Chambers be Full”
Moment that Made it Better:
Most Punk Rock Moment:
“will you shut up, man?”
Favorite Meme:
Biggest Wish for the Future:
A return to something more normal; seeing everyone out at shows again when it’s safe.
—
Jaret Reddick
Rockstar Dad Show Host
Best Album:
See Through it All by Don’t Panic
Best Song:
“Dicked In Dallas” by Trey Lewis
Best Music Video:
“Keep On Chasing” by Less Than Jake
Favorite Collaboration:
“Erase Me” by Bowling For Soup feat. 10K.Caash
Moment that Made it Better:
The new Borat movie being released.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
Mike Tyson boxing at 55!
Favorite Meme:
Biggest Wish for the Future:
Health and happiness to anyone reading this.
—
Ryan Seaman
Ryan Seaman and Friends host
Best Album:
Moral Panic by Nothing But Thieves
Best Song:
“Hey Girl” by Boy Pablo
Best Music Video:
“30” by Badflower
Moment that Made it Better:
When my band finally got to release an album and our song “Leave Me Alone” peaked at #2 on the Alt Charts so far.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
Joe Biden becoming the next President.
Favorite Meme:
You know the one…
Biggest Wish for the Future:
For the world to get back to normal and for everyone to be happy and we can all live our lives to the fullest again.
—
Angelo Gargaro
Spinning Thoughts Host
Best Album:
20/20 by Knuckle Puck
Best Song:
“Sanity for Summer” by City Mouth
Best Music Video:
“Snowblood” by ERRA
Favorite Collaboration:
“OBEY” by Bring Me The Horizon feat. Yungblud
Moment that Made it Better:
All of the incredible livestream events bands put on that proved that our industry may be knocked down, but we aren’t staying down without a fight.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
The 2020 Election.
Favorite Meme:
I’m not really into memes, but this year felt like we were all living in one.
Biggest Wish for the Future:
I hope that after a year full of sadness, adversity and hate that we can all find the hope and strength to be better and do better next year.
—
Scott Waldman
Waldman’s Words Host
Best Album:
Brain Pain by Four Year Strong
Best Song:
Cyanide by Creeper
Best Music Video:
“E.O.T.E.” by Frank Zummo feat. Dying in Designer
Favorite Collaboration:
“Lovestruck” by Ryan Skyy and Sadie Rose Van
Moment that Made it Better:
Bye Don.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
Covid screwing everything up was punk AF… Not!
Favorite Meme:
Biggest Wish for the Future:
More Pizza.
—
Emily Berke
Waldman’s Words Co-Host
Best Album:
Superbloom by Ashton Irwin
Best Song:
“Kingslayer” by Bring Me The Horizon and Babymetal
Best Music Video:
“E.O.T.E.” by Frank Zummo feat. Dying in Designer
Favorite Collaboration:
“Kingslayer” by Bring Me The Horizon and Babymetal
It’s too good it’s on this list twice.
Moment that Made it Better:
Everytime Joe Biden won the election.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
Anytime I see Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox together.
Favorite Meme:
B*tches off the xans
Biggest Wish for the Future:
A little normalcy.
—
Jed Fuchs
Waldman’s Words Co-Host
Best Album:
Afterburner by Dance Gavin Dance
Best Song:
“Y2K” by Sincerely
Best Music Video:
“Jesse’s Girl 2” by Coheed and Cambria w/ Rick Springfield
Favorite Collaboration:
“The Pink Phantom” by Gorillaz feat. Elton John and 6LACK
Moment that Made it Better:
Four Seasons Total Landscaping.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
Shutting down Hollywood and Highland with Refuse Fascism LA demanding “Trump/Pence Out Now”.
Favorite Meme:
Biggest Wish for the Future:
Full cultural liberation. Systematic dismantling of oppression.
—
Sean Cowhig
The Way Highway Host
Best Album:
Circles by Mac Miller
Best Song:
“Breathe Deeper” by Tame Impala
Best Music Video:
“WAP” by Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
Favorite Collaboration:
“Godzilla” by Eminem and Juice WRLD
Moment that Made it Better:
Hell Den Season 2 airing on SYFY.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
Nathan Apodaca sipping his cranberry juice.
Favorite Meme:
How it started…how it ended (all of them)
Biggest Wish for the Future:
A Vaccine!
—
Wesam Keesh
Wesam’s World Host
Best Album:
Fear Inoculum by Tool
Best Song:
“Pneuma” by Tool
Best Music Video:
“Again” by Keesh
Favorite Collaboration:
“Godzilla” by Eminem feat. Juice WRLD
Moment that Made it Better:
The creation of a vaccine in a short time.
Most Punk Rock Moment:
When L.A. got to see 121 degrees.
Favorite Meme:
Biggest Wish for the Future:
People become more empathetic and work towards a common goal of integrity, respect, and honor.
