Best Music of 2016
Just a heads up 2016 is not as eclectic as the 2015 list. It's Hip Hop heavy! I wonder if that comes from not going to work with Pauline anymore, wanting to listen to actual rapping as I had to rap on an album, or I'm just becoming an old man who isn't willing to branch out anymore.
And, no, I can't in good conscience list everyone's new favourite album Subtle but Tasty by Sick,Wicked&Nasty as one of the best albums of 2016. So get that crazy idea out of your head now! What I can do is tell you about what music I listened to and thoroughly enjoyed that helped me during the recording process of the aforementioned album!
Albums
Rank/Album:
#20- We Got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service by A Tribe Called Quest (November 2016)
Standout Track:
"Kids" (ft. André 3000)
How:
I'm more of a De La Soul fan than A Tribe Called Quest... yeah I know I'm a terrible rap fan. But here we are with ATCQ being on this list and De La Soul nowhere in sight in a year where they both dropped an album. It's just that good. There is something to how they were able to make an album that sounds current without losing what it is that makes them who they are!
Rank/Album:
#19- Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight by Travis Scott (September 2016)
Standout Track:
"Through the Late Night" (ft. KiD CuDi)
How:
Another surprise appearance on this list. I wrote about my disappointment in KiD CuDi, before he told everyone he needed to get better. However, it would appear that Travis Scott was able to put together a great album that also featured KiD CuDi back in his zone! Yes there's some great tracks but this song brought one of my favourite artists back to life in my eyes.
Rank/Album:
#18- Do What Thou Wilt by Ab-Soul (December 2016)
Standout Track:
"RAW (backwards)" (ft. Zacari)
How:
Yeah I'm all in when it comes to the original four TDE horsemen but I've always been waiting from this album from Ab. Maybe I just got used to his style this time around but word to the opening track, this album has an energy I felt has been missing to previous Ab-Soul projects, and I appreciate that.
Rank/Album:
#17- Views by Drake (April 2016)
Standout Track:
"Child's Play"
How:
I know some people, who appear on this list, may not have felt this album was inspired. I also might be bias what with my enjoyment of Drake hooks in general, however, you can't deny that Aubrey delivered a memorable album this year. It's certainly not his best work but it definitely grew on me.
Rank/Album:
#16- Major Key by DJ Khaled (July 2016)
Standout Track:
"Holy Key" (ft. Big Sean/Kendrick Lamar/Betty Wright)
How:
I never thought a DJ Khaled album would be on any list I create. Mostly because they come and go without me feeling strong feelings for the project as a whole despite some good singles here and there. However there was a clear direction for this album and it features some great combinations of artists with consistently strong production throughout, That's a MAJOR KEY!
Rank/Album:
#15- Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (OST) by The Lonely Island (June 2016)
Standout Track:
"Hunter the Hungry Is Gon' Eat" (ft. Chris Redd)
How:
Another caveat here. I love The Lonely Island un-ironically. I think they're great at what they do. And while this isn't my favoruite album by them, it helps that the movie is so great and this is the best way to relive some great moments on my commute to and fro. Even if you haven't seen the movie, it's great listening to some of the most popular artists being paid homage or getting lightly ribbed like the track I selected that is an ode to Tyler, the Creator.
Rank/Album:
#14- Blank Face LP by ScHoolBoy Q (July 2016)
Standout Track:
"JoHn Muir"
How:
Q might actually be my favourite TDE artist of 2016. He consistently had dope guest verses and this album overall is a solid listen. I mean.. I'm probably in the minority here but I'm not the biggest fan of the first couple songs on this album. While it does take a while for this album to get going for me, it doesn't look back once it takes off.
Rank/Album:
#13- Campaign by Ty Dolla $ign (September 2016)
Standout Track:
"3 Wayz" (ft. Travis Scott)
How:
What a surprising year! I always liked Ty's voice but couldn't find a full album I dug by him. Maybe I just convinced myself to like this one, but there is something to be said for me liking most songs on the first listen.
Rank/Album:
#12- Crown by Rapsody (November 2016)
Standout Track:
"Gonna Miss You" (ft. Rapael Saadiq)
How:
I've always dug Rapsody's delivery and now I have an album where I can dig it for an extended period of time. I also appreciate the throwback production style. Speaking to samples will never not be dope in my eyes! Go head, Rap, let the sample breathe!
Rank/Album:
#11- The Hamilton Mixtape by Various Artists (December 2016)
Standout Track:
"Wrote My Way Out" (ft. Nas/Dave East/Lin-Manuel Miranda/Aloe Blacc)
How:
I don't want to meet the person who doesn't enjoy Hamilton. I mean, I haven't seen it yet but Pauline and I score every road trip we take (even if it's just to the grocers) with the Broadway cast album. Now we can switch things up with original pieces like the song I picked and re-interpretations of some of the great songs from the show! This mixtape might be up higher than some people might like, but the cast album isn't eligible and these songs mean way too much to me!
Rank/Album:
#10- Always Strive and Prosper by A$AP Ferg (June 2016)
Standout Track:
"Let it Bang" (ft. ScHoolboy Q)
How:
I legitimately didn't see this coming. I've had fun listening to past Ferg singles, but this album was something special. When it first came out, there were like 5 favourite songs! It'll be interesting to see how it ages with me, but it was amazing the first 10 times I listened to it.
Rank/Album:
#9- Hidden Figures (OST) by Pharell Williams (December 2016)
Standout Track:
"Able"
How:
No shots but this is what I think friend of the blog, Donald Glover, was going for when he made his album this year. It's soulful, it's funky but the vocal performances actually come through all the ambience creating a palatable music experience. Word to Despicable Me, I dig Pharell in soundtrack mode!
Rank/Album:
#8- Rage and the Machine by Joe Budden (October 2016)
Standout Track:
"I Gotta Ask"
How:
2016 was the year I got back on board with Joe Budden. It started off as me listening to his (what I thought were) insane conspiracy theories about Drake and Jay Z on his podcast. But then he started dissing Drake and probably Jay Z and I started remembering why I used to like his music. Sounds like he got inspired. The result? A great album which brought him back to good production to compliment his BARS! I mean any Wexford student or fan should appreciate him pulling a Jay Z over an Into the Woods sample.
Rank/Album:
#7- Us or Else by T.I. (September 2016)
Standout Track:
"40 Acres" (ft. B Rossi & Killer Mike)
How:
T.I. low-key put out one of the more important albums of the year. It's a shame it's just an EP. If you're looking to feel militant in the face of Trump's America and an overall lack of empathy for people who feel they're rights are legitimately under attack then play this EP. And as soon as you hear Killer Mike's verse on the song I picked you'll forget where you are and put your fist up in the air.
Rank/Album:
#6- A Seat at the Table by Solange (September 2016)
Standout Track:
"Junie" (ft. André 3000)
How:
More music for you to listen to when feeling like you need another boost of confidence. This album did have to be pushed on me. I wasn't feeling it at first, but slowly it crept up on me. I was listening to some of the better music of the year Master P interstitial and all.
Rank/Album:
#5- Coloring Book by Chance the Rapper (May 2016)
Standout Track:
"Same Drugs"
How:
You'd think with a post about my top 10 songs by a guy who still hasn't put out an official album, he'd be higher up on this list, but that's just how surprising this year has been. There is something about this album that keeps it out of the number one spot that has nothing to do with how much I liked the other albums more that I just can't put my finger on. Maybe it was the timing after Kanye mania. Maybe it's how some songs featuring Justin Bieber just fall flat for me. I don't know.
Rank/Album:
#4- Lemonade by Beyoncé (April 2016)
Standout Track:
"Freedom" (ft. Kendrick Lamar)
How:
I keep hearing the younger Knowles sister bested Ms Knowles Carter but I've gotta say... No. I am not a Beyoncé fan. But, the way she was able to become more relatable this deep into her career is something to appreciate. I'm not here to debate how much of this album is true or false. All I'm saying is Beyoncé went from untouchable godess to a person who got cheated on like most mortals for a quick minute. She even went further by giving a voice to all of her emotions during that time. That's dope. Plus JUST BLAZE IS BACK Y'ALL!!!
Rank/Album:
#3- The Life of Pablo by Kanye West (February 2016)
Standout Track:
"Real Friends" (ft. Ty Dolla $ign)
How:
What a year Kanye! I mean thank you for playing my wedding even though I took shots at you earlier in the year. You're a better man than I am for that even though you did sample the same song Sick,Wicked&Nasty did. And I guess you were having a rougher time than I thought, but let's keep this about the album. Have you ever wanted new music from Kanye that actually plays like a retrospective. There is something for College Dropout to Yeezus and everything in between fans on here. I know that it feels a bit disjointed but that's the life of a Kanye Fan, dawg! Also nothing beats the experince of going into this album cold and hearing who pops up on each track.
Rank/Album:
#2- Westside Highway Story by NO PANTY (September 2016)
Standout Track:
"Gato"
How:
Thank goodness for the RapRadar podcast! Their interview with Salaam Remi put me onto his latest project with Joell Ortiz, Nitty Scott, and Bodega Bamz. This was as close to an album with no skippable tracks as I could get this year. It even inspired me to change up some verses and have something new for the Sick,Wicked&Nasty album release show. So hats off to NO PANTY!
Rank/Album:
#1- A Gorgeous Fortune by KAMAU (July 2016)
Standout Track:
"Jusfayu" (ft. No Wyld)
How:
I had no idea this guy was from Toronto. This was the most surprising part of the year! I heard this song because of Insecure, but it was clear this was my favourite project of the year when I couldn't find a downside to this album. This is an example I'll always put forward for a perfect album. I love this music and style. Real talk, I'm pretty sure my grandmother tried to put me onto this guy.
Singles
Rank/Song:
#10- "All The Way Up (Remix)" by Fat Joe & Remy Ma (ft. Jay Z/French Montana/Infa-Red)
How:
I'm pretty sure everyone agrees the original version is the superior version. HOWEVER! The fact that Remy Ma got to work with her favourite rapper and two people who had a long standing beef got on the same track is more important! Also did you really think I was going to go this whole post without bigging up a Jay verse?
Rank/Song:
#9- "Ooouuu" by Young M.A
How:
I didn't want to like this track, it's just Pauline's favourite '14 banger done by a woman right? Nah, son! It's catchy and not for nothing but isn't it nice to hear rappers rapping instead of singing? Plus, now that I've heard "Eat" I think it's safe to say I look forward to more Young M.A!
Rank/Song:
#8- "Redbone" by Childish Gambino
How:
I didn't hate the full album, but as I stated earlier, it was a bit too experimental with me and seemed to favour instrumentation over blending music and singing. This was a rare instance of both coming together nicely.
Rank/Song:
#7- "Really Doe" by Danny Brown (ft. Kendrick Lamar/Ab-Soul/Earl Sweatshirt)
How:
I'm a big Danny Brown fan, but didn't find much on his latest album that spoke to me. That doesn't mean it wasn't without some gems and this west coast love fest definitely stood out the most. Here's a funny story about Ab-Soul not realizing he could use a different flow from Danny on the track.
Rank/Song:
#6- "What Else You Need to Know" by The Lox
How:
I saw a whole lot of "it's the same" in the comment section when this song came out, but there's something nice about member berries... I mean hearing something new from a group who was there for you since you were a kid that doesn't sound like they lost a step.
Rank/Song:
#5- "Black Man in a White World" by Michael Kiwanuka
How:
HAVE YOU SEEN MY BAND? I'm kidding! But I am the only black guy in the group. Anyway let's just say I get what Michael is getting at literally and figuratively. I got a real Aloe Blacc vibe from him but I didn't take to the rest of the album like I did to this amazing song.
Rank/Song:
#4- "Solo (Reprise)" by Frank Ocean (ft. André 3000)
How:
I get it, this is just an excuse to have yet another great 3 Stacks verse featured on this list. Why didn't I use a track from the album featuring Frank vocals? Because I didn't really think the album was all that. This actually was dope and felt like there was some aggression and passion involved. However, "Ivy" is the goods!
Rank/Song:
#3- "Desperado" by Rihanna
How:
Do I like this song so much because Pauline has created her own lyrics about finding an old avocado? Yes. Does that mean the song isn't all sorts of dope anyway? Nope. Go ahead, listen to it and then tell me you're not humming it at least three times a day for a week.
Rank/Song:
#2- "Black Beatles" by Rae Sremmurd (ft. Gucci Mane)
How:
I just didn't like the second album as much. I feel like they were trying to grow up, and decided to not have as much fun. This song however kept the good times rolling from the last album and even had an artist I don't much care for deliver on the track as well! I mean last year Sir Paul was all about Kanye but this year he let Rae Sremmurd know he's got love for them too. Or doesn't know who they are and likes hearing his name. Either way.
Rank/Song:
#1- "Drug Dealers Anonymous" by Pusha T (ft. Jay Z)
How:
Because if this isn't your favourite moment of the year then you're name must not be Daniel... seriously, Jay says my name in the song. More importantly this is a feather in both rappers caps but I was more worried about Jay on this one and he showed me there is no need to worry about him. AND THAT'S HOW YOU BOOK END A YEAR WITH JAY Z, BABY!
-YG