Best Music of 2019
Whose ready to talk music? I did it in 2016, 2017, and 2018! So you should get the idea by now. If not, I’m about to list 20 of my favourite albums for the year and 10 of my favourite songs that don’t appear on any of those albums. This is all in an effort to reflect great music even if it didn’t come in the form of a full album.
As per usual, you can follow along with a Spotify or Tidal subscription. Let the party begin!
Albums
Album/Rank:
#20- The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience by The Lonely Island
Standout Track:
"IHOP”
Why Though:
I’m a fan of The Lonely Island. Plain and simple. I’ve never been let down by a show, movie, or album they’ve been a part of. While this isn’t my favourite outing for the group, Bash Brothers, provides me with everything I love from these guys: earnest music that happens to be funny. Check out the Netflix special for visuals and cool cameos.
Album/Rank:
#19- El Capo by Jim Jones & Heatmakerz
Standout Track:
”Nothing Lasts” (ft. Fabolous & Marc Scibilia)
Why Though:
Jim Jones just keeps getting better. I used to dismiss him as the Diplomat who gave great interviews and whose aggression made for interesting beefs even with JAY-Z. But in recent years Jim has BEEN RAPPING. He’s had some great guest verses and some solid projects, but this team up with Heatmakerz is a great mix of classic Dipset feel and Jim being able to showcase his growth as a rapper.
Album/Rank:
#18- Floor Seats by A$AP Ferg
Standout Track:
”Pups” (ft. A$AP Rocky)
Why Though:
I really don’t know why, but Ferg has an energy on tracks that makes me genuinely excited about his music! With the standout track he took me back to DMX days and I’m happy for that, but overall, Floor Seats provides fans another slice of life from Ferg that makes you feel like you’re getting to hang with a good friend.
Album/Rank:
#17- Baby on Baby by DaBaby
Standout Track:
”Taking it Out”
Why Though:
I didn’t expect to be such a big fan of a rapper named DaBaby, but here we are. After a bunch of great guest appearances (see the singles list) I had to listen to what happened when Mr. Kirk got to put together a whole body of work. While his full on debut release named after his last name didn’t really impress me, his March mixtape? proved to be the DaBaby album that delivered on the promise of all the guest verses I’d been hearing.
Album/Rank:
#16- Family Ties by Fat Joe & Dre
Standout Track:
”Heaven & Hell”
Why Though:
What a lovely surprise! Fat Joe has finally wore me down and I can enjoy a full Fat Joe project. Maybe it’s because he went in with Dre for the whole album. I think Fat Joe has one of the best ears in Hip Hop but always felt that it translated to great singles and maybe even B-Sides but a less than cohesive album overall. Family Ties, possibly Joe’s last album, doesn’t suffer from that for me.
Album/Rank:
#15- The Big Day by Chance the Rapper
Standout Track:
”Big Fish” (ft. Gucci Mane)
Why Though:
Did I miss something? Did Chance say something wild about how he tries to police his daughter’s sex life? Did he get caught up in a domestic abuse issue? Was he talking about slavery being a choice or wearing a red hat with pride? What’s with the hate for this album? I’ll be the first to admit that I laughed very hard at all the “I love my wife” memes … but Chance the Rapper makes music I really like. And The Big Day definitely features more songs I like than duds.
Album/Rank:
#14- Late Night Feelings by Mark Ronson
Standout Track:
”Late Night Feelings” (ft. Lykke Li)
Why Though:
An album about troubled relationships? All set to funky throwback instrumentation? I’m in! I also appreciated the all female cast. Concept isn’t everything though. The execution of the concept is where the magic comes in. The album feels like a true journey. I do feel like the album stumbles a bit in the second quarter but gets right back on track for a strong finish.
Album/Rank:
#13- Born 2 Rap by The Game
Standout Track:
”Stainless” (ft. Anderson.Paak)
Why Though:
I’m a big fan of The Game’s first two albums and even The Documentary 2. Outside of those albums, though, I tend to think his projects can feel overstuffed. Like it’s a task to get through the whole thing, however, Born 2 Die manages to avoid that. There is a clear through line throughout this album with samples I genuinely dig and tend to match up with what any fan of The Game would expect and enjoy.
Album/Rank:
#12- Legacy! Legacy! by Jamila Woods
Standout Track:
”Zora”
Why Though:
Jamila’s soothing voice is definitely a plus for Legacy, but its the subject matter that keeps things interesting from track to track. Jamila’s frustrations and concerns pretty much line up with mine so it is probably a better listen for me than others.
Album/Rank:
#11- Ventura by Anderson.Paak
Standout Track:
”Make it Better” (ft. Smokey Robinson)
Why Though:
I’ve always wanted to like a full Paak project, and thanks to what seemed like an afterthought, Ventura is that project. Everything that feels magic about Anderson is sustained throughout the whole album. I’m also glad we dropped the hip hop pretense and commit to the soul music we all knew we should have been making all along.
Album/Rank:
#10- uknowwhatimsayin¿ by Danny Brown
Standout Track:
”Belly of the Beast” (ft. Obongjayar)
Why Though:
The man who may have created one of the best modern day theme songs may have switched up the hairstyle but Danny’s distinct approach to rapping is still present. There is a mix of fun and true darkness at play that feels unique to Danny. With some great production to back him, the album feels like a more consistent effort than past albums.
Album/Rank:
#9- One of the Best Yet by Gang Starr
Standout Track:
”From A Distance” (ft. Jeru The Damaja)
Why Though:
When I think of classic hip hop, the sound I think of is the DJ Premier sound, so yeah… the new Gang Starr album is going to rank fairly high on this list!
Album/Rank:
#8- Bandana by Freddie Gibbs & Madlib
Standout Track:
”Giannis” (ft. Anderson.Paak)
Why Though:
I’m a big Madlib fan, word to madvillainy! I don’t know why Freddie and Mad didn’t end up on a list before this year, but they’re here now. Plus it’s got one of the only instances of me understanding why Anderson.Paak gets labeled as a rapper sometimes.
Album/Rank:
#7- The Lost Boy by YBN Cordae
Standout Track:
”We Gon Make It” (ft. Meek Mill)
Why Though:
With Cordae and DaBaby being on this list you’d think that I’m actually up on new music. The truth is that, especially in YBN Cordae’s case, these are just new artists that are still making music close to what I loved when I was around their age. There is no mumble rap to be found here. You can even hear real drums and dope samples instead of just 808s. I was not looking to like this album but it really sneaked up on me and stuck with me throughout the year.
Album/Rank:
#6- Retropolitan by Skyzoo & Pete Rock
Standout Track:
”Glorious”
Why Though:
Another album with a rapper and a producer going in all album long and it’s right up my alley! Break beats, soul samples and Brooklyn rapping. STICK IT TO MY VEINS, BRUH!
Album/Rank:
#5- Igor by Tyler, The Creator
Standout Track:
”A Boy is a Gun”
Why Though:
You didn’t read that wrong. A Tyler, The Creator album has made it into my top 5! I’ve never been a fan, but as Tyler has channeled his penchant for being shocking into making listenable music, he’s shocked me by creating a true musical work of art. Listening to him chronicle his feelings about a potential lover is great! Igor gets crazy at times, but unrequited love is definitely my thing, no matter then medium.
Album/Rank:
#4- Chasing Summer by SiR
Standout Track:
”Mood” (ft. Zacari)
Why Though:
TDE is definitely a crew to be reckoned with. SiR sings about exactly puts him in the mood for sex as well as his preference in weed all while feeling relatable to this mid 30s married man. There’s gotta be something to that, right? I definitely slept on SiR’s earlier work but Chasing Summer is an undeniable expression of SiR as a talented force to be reckoned with.
Album/Rank:
#3- Ugh, Those Feelings Again by Snoh Aalegra
Standout Track:
”I Didn’t Mean to Fall in Love”
Why Though:
It might be my age, but I was definitely feeling the R&B wave this year. Snoh is an artist my cousin who is younger and cooler than me has been trying to get me to listen to for a while and I’m glad I finally broke down and tried something new. Because It felt like a throw back to the sounds I actually enjoy and Snoh has a very interesting voice. I look forward to her next album.
Album/Rank:
#2- Wow… That’s Crazy by Wale
Standout Track:
”Love & Loyalty” (ft. Mannywellz)
Why Though:
You’re not just getting great beats and rapping on this album! You’re getting an artist’s heart on a platter with Wow… That’s Crazy. Wale digs deep and allows you to examine, along with him, all of his triumphs and failures as he tries to learn how to love himself. While Wale is no stranger to baring his soul, this effort felt the most cohesive.
Standout Track:
”Whoopi”
Why Though:
I’m a Rapsody stan. But there is no denying that she really went off on this album! It retroactively makes me want to put her on the top female MCs list I made awhile back and give her proper respect. I digress. The great rapping is a given. However, consistently great production throughout and an added bonus of catching which line or part of the sample in the song led to a historic figure becoming the namesake of the song is also a fun perk of Eve.
Singles
Song/Rank:
#10- “Use This Gospel” by Kanye West (ft. The Clipse & Kenny G)
Why Though:
I can’t help it. No matter how many prematurely removed from the oven hot takes Kanye gives us, and how he holds his music for ransom… every project he releases has at least one song that just works for me. He’s a talented mad man who needs help… but he can still deliver. Use This Gospel features the reunion of the Clipse over a door ajar notification and it feels like an experience. This is, in no small part, due to the amazing Kenny G solo at the end.
Song/Rank:
#9- “Panini (Remix)” by Lil Nas X (ft. DaBaby)
Why Though:
I bet you thought Old Town Road would show up somewhere on this list and yet it’s the Nirvana-aping hook of Panini that works for me from “Country” star Lil Nas X. And if it weren’t for the DaBaby assist I don’t think this song would have even broke through to this list.
Song/Rank:
#8- “Boasty” by Wiley (ft. Steflon Don/Sean Paul/Idris Elba)
Why Though:
I didn’t know I wanted to hear Idris Elba rapping. It turns out he’s good at that too! But it was also nice to hear Sean Paul again and to be introduced to British Nicki Minaj. Try not to sing this hook for days on end after just one listen. Cheers, Wiley.
Song/Rank:
#7- “Portals” by Alan Silvestri
Why Though:
I needed two things for Endgame to work for me. Cap getting a dance with Peggy somehow and a cool way for the heroes to come back. Welcome to the soundtrack of the magical moment that started with “on your left” and featured Wakandans coming out of PORTALS! I’m getting chills just writing about this. AVENGERS… assemble.
Song/Rank:
#6- “All For Us” by Labrinth & Zendaya
Why Though:
In another Idris like instance. I knew Zendaya had a music career but I was happy enough to engage in her film and television career. Then that sneaky so and so married the two and joined Labarinth for a song that would close out the first season of her amazing show Euphoria. The song works even without the amazing visuals and tie in to the show due to the haunting choir and great vocal tones throughout.
Song/Rank:
#5- “Black Savage” by Royce da 5’9 (ft. Sy Ari Da Kid/White Gold/Cy Hi The Prince/T.I.)
Why Though:
It’s no secret I think Royce is one of the best rappers! It’s great to hear him on this subject matter and over this kind of instrumentation. I heard he’s doing an album where he produces each track and if this is any indication of what I’ll be hearing, then I’m all in!
Song/Rank:
#4- “Mood 4 Eva” by Beyoncé (ft. JAY-Z/Childish Gambino/Oumou Sangaré)
Why Though:
First things first! There is a superior extended version of this song that you’ll have to head to Tidal for (linked above)! Now that that’s out of the way, The Carters WENT OFF with flow and metaphors and smilies, oh MY. I’m happy Childish Gambino made it on to the song but was hoping for a bit more from him.
Song/Rank:
#3- “Stay High” by Brittany Howard
Why Though:
Sound & Color was a classic and I have been waiting to get that vibe again from Brittany since. This track was the closes I got to that in recent years. I was also happy that since I had to look up music videos for this post I got to see this amazing video for the first time.
Song/Rank:
#2- “Highest In The Room” by Travi$ Scott
Why Though:
I don’t know what it is, but clearly Travis has the cheat code that unlocks the music appreciation center in my brain. I rarely know what he’s singing about and for some reason that doesn’t bother me. It’s the right collection of instrumentation and melodies for me almost every time.
Song/Rank:
#1- “Under The Sun” by Dreamville [J.Cole x Lute] (ft. DaBaby & Kendrick Lamar)
Why Though:
This is the DaBaby feature that made me realize I am a fan, but it’s also the song that tricked me into thinking the whole album would be like this. Classic J.Cole move… to be honest. If Dreamville’s album sustained this vibe for a whole album… maybe even only 60% of it they would have had album of the year for sure!
-YG