Online ire over viral list of top 100 San Diego music artists

When local hip-hop artist Brandon “B-Turn” Turner created a top 100 list of San Diego music artists to watch in 2023, he had no idea how wild the online ride he was about to take would get. Turner posted the list in meme form on Facebook and Instagram, where it quickly caught the attention of the local music community. “I’ve always been one to give people their flowers while they’re still here,” says Turner, “and there’s a crazy amount of talent in San Diego.”

The Instagram post garnered over 400 likes and more than 250 comments, comments that included reactions of gratitude, excitement — and anger. One artist who did not make the list commented, “Horseshit I got left out..fux coming for you in the comments, I’m actually gonna come for you.” But despite the expressions of disappointment and the online threats against him, B-Turn emphasizes that the list reflects only his personal assessment. “I don’t know who needs to hear this,” says Turner, “but no one’s opinion matters other than your own. Don’t take it personal. These lists are not ‘factual,’ nor are they anything other than my opinion. There is no right or wrong answer. I don’t even know every single artist from San Diego, so please remember that before coming for my head.”

Not all reactions coursed with venom; some took the trouble to defend Turner. “Most people upset about this probably couldn’t name 100 artists in San Diego, and even if they could, they wouldn’t have the drive to even make a list,” one user said. “Better watch ya neck B-Turn. People in they feelings,” another remarked.

As Turner began putting the list together three months before the new year hit, his idea was to curate a list artists who stood out in some way, shape, or form — though most of the choices were based on musical ability. B-Turn believes the post blew up because San Diego has so much talent, and because there’s so much hunger in the city. He also thinks that the list triggered artists in the way it was intended. “If it motivated you, it was meant to motivate you. If it upset you, then it was meant to upset you. Sometimes people need to hear somebody else’s truth to realize that it may not be in alignment with their own. They can do whatever they want to do with that knowledge.” (Hip-hop’s competitive nature is another reason that B-Turn thinks the list earned so much attention, although it does include genres other than hip-hop.)

Asked who among his choices could make the most noise in 2023, B-Turn says “It’s hard to narrow the list, but the artists I listen to the most and keep in the heaviest rotation are Ill Nicky, Jon Keith, and Tulengua. They all have their own level of success, and I see all three of them going very far next year. One reason: the quality of their music is appealing to the ears, and it’s the realness and raw emotion they put into their music. It’s the energy they put into it.”

The list was dismissed by some who felt that established mainstream performers such as Nick Cannon didn’t deserve to be there. But Turner stands by his decision to include both the bigger performers and himself on the list. “I assume any artist making a top artist list to look out for is going to put themselves on it. I may not put myself on a top ten list or even a top 25, but I’m damn sure putting myself in a top 100 list.”

The online mob noticed one local performer who was notably absent from the list, which led to more suggestions about who Turner should have included. “Nobody got left off,” Turner says. “They were somebody who didn’t stand out to me to make the list. But since then, one person has come up, and in this moment, if I remade the list, they would be on it. And that is Dane Amar. I didn’t really know much of his music, but after checking him out, he’s probably one of the most followed artists in San Diego.”

Because the top 100 choices have drawn so much response, positive and critical, B-Turn plans to make the list an annual project. He says he hopes it will keep artists “motivated and hungry.”