Justine Skye’s 2014 single “Collide” has become a sleeper hit thanks to TikTok. Listening to “Collide” in 2023, I’m instantly taken back to aesthetically pleasing Tumblr blogs, physical Complex magazines and Skye’s star on the rise with her switch in labels from Atlantic Records to Roc Nation. “Collide” felt like a reintroduction to a growing artist offering dreamy R&B cuts with the perfect 808s to compliment Justine’s commanding vocals. The Brooklyn native utilized her talent and social status to become an internet star and I’m still holding out for the mainstream world to pay attention to the multiple projects Skye has blessed us with, each filled with potential hits that can easily fit into R&B rotation today.

If you’re late to the Justine Skye bandwagon lemme introduce you to some of my favorite cuts from her discography so you can beat TikTok to the next viral sensation:

Emotionally Unavailable (2015) - This project definitely made me pay attention to Justine Skye’s momentum as a legitimate artist beyond her notoriety as an internet socialite:

“I’m Yours”: A now nostalgic, feel good record about falling in love with someone new.

“A Train”: If I was in New York in 2015 this song would’ve been on repeat on my train ride back from a hookup with a toxic situationship that I couldn’t shake.

8 Ounces (2016) - Can we discuss how fucking iconic Justine Skye is for tapping The Dream and Tricky Stewart to produce and write this EP? Such a fun and left leaning R&B project that was ahead of it’s time and showcased Skye’s range as an artist:

“Tonight”/“Jezebel”: “Tonight” is a brooding, sexy interlude that still makes The Dream stan within me scream. As it effortlessly transitions to the biting kiss off “Jezebel”, you can’t deny young Skye ATE this up!

“Still”: The melody on this one is addictive and Skye’s vocal delivery compliments it beautifully.

Ultraviolet (2018) - When Justine dropped this you couldn’t tell me she wasn’t about to be a MF popstar. The music industry really dropped the ball on properly supporting young Black women in that era (and now). Skye and Tinashe instantly come to mind when I think about the potential they were showcasing to be the new generation of mainstream Black hitmakers:

“Goodlove”: BOP! Still hits and needs to be rediscovered in 2023.

“Back For More”: Justine and Jeremih made a very special record. The Nelly “Flap Your Wings” sample is unexpected and adds a fresh sound to the collaboration.

“Heaven”: Listen to the opening lines and tell me you didn’t automatically fall in love with the song…

Bare With Me (2020) - Now I was pissed when this perfect EP turned album dropped and it was still crickets. Blending R&B, Afropop and Afrobeat influences, Justine was ahead of the trend in the States (We know internationally both genres have respectively dominated for decades). I would love to see the mainstream discover this project in this era:

“Secrets”: P2J and Ari PenSmith brings this bop to life with their playful production and expertise in the Afrobeats genre. Justine floats on this song and I love hearing her own her power on this song.

“Too Much”: Obsessed with the delivery of this song. Justine slid on the song and her confidence shines all over the bright, rhythmic production.

Space & Time (2021) Timbaland executive produced Skye’s second album Space & Time and you can hear how tuned in both artists were with each other. This project began in 2020 as a creative outlet during the pandemic and it showcases their love for R&B and timeless music:

“Intruded”: In a perfect world this song would be a modern R&B classic. The girlies with their fingers on the pulse of today’s music got to experience this swoon-worthy record.

“Do It Right”: The chorus got IT

You know me, ain't the only one I see
Ain't the only one I need here
But if you play your cards right, hmm
Baby, you're mine, only for the night
Can you do what I like?
Wanna know if you can do it right, yeah