Best of 2020: The WDET Playlist
Listen to the songs and albums that got the WDET music hosts through 2020.
For most of 2020, we were unable to pack into concert venues or onto dance floors, but that didn’t stop artists from releasing songs and albums that have come to define this crazy year.
To the musicians who overcame the challenges of isolation, economic uncertainty and all-around mayhem, we thank you for bringing us new music to brighten our spirits during an otherwise arduous time.
Without further ado, here’s the music that got the WDET music hosts through 2020.
Listen to the top tracks of the year:
Did you miss our mid-year best of 2020 playlist? Check it out now.
Want to jump to your favorite host? Click their name below:
- Ann Delisi, Ann Delisi’s Essential Music
- Ryan Patrick Hooper, CultureShift
- Ed Love, Destination Jazz
- Jeff Milo, Milo Minute
- Jon Moshier, Modern Music
- Rob Reinhart, Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music
- Nick Austin, Soul Saturday
- Ismael Ahmed, This Island Earth
Ann Delisi, Ann Delisi’s Essential Music
| Top Tracks | |
| Jorja Smith | Rose Rouge |
| Butcher Brown | Tidal Wave |
| Madelyn Grant | Reasons |
| Lianne La Havas | Bittersweet |
| Laura Rain and The Caesars | Different State of Mind |
| Low Cut Connie | Private Lives |
| Alex Aiono | Happy Ending |
| Early James | Blue Pill Blues |
| Khruangbin | So We Won’t Forget |
| Black Light Collective | Detroit Urban Radio |
Ann’s Favorite Stories of 2020:
- John Prine, the “Singing Mailman,” In His Own Words
- Remembering John Lennon: Musician, Artist, and Advocate
- Stevie Wonder, Michigan Legend: Listen to Ann Delisi’s Three-Part Tribute
- Bill Withers Just Wanted You To Feel Alright
- Peter Gabriel, Now 70, Is Still Making Music and Fighting for Human Rights
Ryan Patrick Hooper, CultureShift
| Top Tracks | |
| SAULT | Free |
| Perfume Genius | Without You |
| Dehd | Desire |
| Bully | Every Tradition |
| Phoebe Bridgers | Kyoto |
| Andy Shauf | Fire Truck |
| Lianne La Havas | Bittersweet |
| Nana Adjoa | No Room |
| Arlo Parks | Green Eyes |
| Peach Pit |
Ryan’s Favorite Stories of 2020:
- Juggalos Take WDET’s Faygo Taste Test Challenge
- “Deacon King Kong” Author James McBride on the Music That Changed His Life
- DJ Mike Huckaby Called Detroit Home. His Music Moved People Around the World.
- Motown’s Lamont Dozier Started as a Janitor. Then He Wrote 500 Songs.
- ‘Puppy Dog Bounce’ is the Cutest Video of the Year (So Far)
Ed Love, Destination Jazz
Check out Ed Love’s full list of his favorite albums of 2020 »
WDET’s Ed Love celebrated 60 years on the air in 2020. Tributes from colleagues, musicians and fans poured in. See the full virtual gallery »
Jeff Milo, Milo Minute
| Top Tracks | |
| Zilched | The Morning |
| Ally Evenon | Too Late |
| Matt Jones and the Reconstruction | The Good Life |
| don’t | Yellow Feathers |
| Loose Koozies | Slow Down Time |
| White Bee | Atlanta |
| Jibs Brown | For the Sake of Time |
| TART | Little Death |
| Zoos of Berlin | Lambeth Walk |
| Dani Darling | S+M |
Jeff’s Favorite Stories of 2020:
Jon Moshier, Modern Music
| Top Tracks | Top Albums | ||
| Fontaines D.C. | A Hero’s Death | Fontaines D.C. | A Hero’s Death |
| Pottery | Take Your Time | The Budos Band | |
| The Budos Band | Sixth Hammer | Doves | |
| Gordi | Unready | Khotin | Finds You Well |
| Shadow Show | Charades | Pottery |
Rob Reinhart, Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music
| Top Tracks | |
| The Freedom Affair | One Nation |
| The War and Treaty | |
| Cautious Clay | Agreeable |
| Molly Tuttle | Olympia, WA |
| Lianne La Havas | Can’t Fight |
| Tank and the Bangas | Self Care |
| Sturgill Simpson | The Storm |
| Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings | |
| Gorillaz | |
| OK Cowgirl | Get Gone |
Nick Austin, Soul Saturday
| Top Tracks | Top Albums | ||
| Cory Henry | Happy Days | Cory Henry | |
| The HamilTones | Celebrate | Angela Muñoz | Introspection |
| Seba Kaapstad | Konke | Cleo Sol | |
| Kirby | Apple | Ledisi | The Wild Card |
| Potatohead People | Hidden Levels | Jacob Collier | Djesse, Vol. 3 |
| Top Local Releases | |
| Charity | Tender Headed |
| Moodymann | Slow Down |
| Saxappeal | |
| Madelyn Grant | Reasons |
| Mayaeni | Miss Me |
Ismael Ahmed, This Island Earth
| Top Albums | |
| Roy Ayers, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Adrian Young | Jazz Is Dead 2 |
| Mualtu Astake and the Black Jesus Experience, GEMA | |
| Cindy Blackman Santana, CMG | |
| Mydy Rabcad, Nova | Glamtoni |
| Newen Afrobeat | Curiche |
Trusted, accurate, up-to-date
WDET is here to keep you informed on essential information, news and resources related to COVID-19.
This is a stressful, insecure time for many. So it’s more important than ever for you, our listeners and readers, who are able to donate to keep supporting WDET’s mission. Please make a gift today.
