So, a lot of bad happened in 2016. A lot. Like a lot a lot. Like it sucked. But I have said this a million times and I will say it again: one thing that did go right in the year 2016 was music. If you know me, you know how much I love music. I have a super eclectic taste of what I like to listen to, which I get from my dad. I will listen to reggae, hip-hop, Latin, alternative and everything in between. When people ask me what type of music I listen to I respond: “Anything and everything except heavy metal and country” ( I promise I have given both genres sincere efforts, I just simply cannot vibe with them.) With that being said, through all of the horrid occurrences of the year 2016, one thing that has kept my spirits high (or as high as possible), was how great of a year 2016 was for music. SO. MANY. GREAT. MIXTAPES. AND. ALBUMS. It was honestly overwhelming, but in the best way possible.
I’m not going to stress myself out and attempt to make a list of best albums of the year across all genres, but I will do some categories for hip hop and r&b albums of 2016. I am in a music groupme called “Music Nerds” which is the best. It’s a groupme that consists of about 75 producers, DJs, artists, and music enthusiasts. We discuss old music, new music and share music that we stumble upon that may be new to others’ ears. Of course, a topic of discussion around this time was best and worst of 2016. We came up with a list of categories, submitted individual nominations and then compiled a list of the best of the year. I am going to snag a few of those categories and add some categories of my own and give my nominations.
Best Collaboration Project: Twenty88- Big Sean and Jhene Aiko
This one still gets weekly plays from me.
Rookie of the Year: Anderson .Paak- Malibu
Fun fact: my Dad put me on this guy a while back. Forever thankful that he did.
King of Trap: Gucci Mane- The Return of East Atlanta Santa
Gucci is so love or hate. He dropped 3 albums this year making up for lost time. #teamlove
Best Female MC: Noname- Telefone
Fell in love with her from features heard on a few Chance the Rapper songs. You can feel the beauty of her soul through her lyrics.The album is gold.
Most Important Album: We Got it From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service- A Tribe Called Quest
First of all, let's be in awe at the fact that A Tribe Called Quest dropped an album, right? Just the political album we needed at the perfect time.
Most surprising Album (in a great way): Awaken, My Love! - Childish Gambino
A lot of people could not get down with this album because of how different of a sound it had. I absolutely loved it. I keep saying that it sounds like he and Parliament Funkadelic (who I love) sat down and made an album together. I was so here for it. All of it. You go, Donald!
Best mixtape of the year: Cozy Tapes, Vol. 1 – A$AP Mob
I don’t even know if this is a mixtape or an album. I've heard it referred to as both, but it needed to make a category on my list because it bangs.
Best R&B Album of the year: A Seat at the Table – Solange
Beautiful. Empowering. Amazing. Yes, yes, yes for the #blackgirlmagic
Best Hip Hop Album of the year: Birds In the Trap Singing Brian Mcknight- Travis Scott
I'll probably get the most disagreements from this one, but I stand firm. Gets daily plays from me still. So excited to see him at BUKU fest!
Best Album: Coloring Book – Chance the Rapper
Do I need to explain this one? So proud of Chance for this one #blackboyjoy (even though I think it falls in the category of mixtape?)
Albums that I feel bad about not including on the above list (no particular order):
ANTI- Rihanna
Blond- Frank Ocean
The Sun's Tirade- Isaiah Rashad
Blank Face- School Boy Q
The Divine Feminine- Mac Miller
Big Baby D.R.A.M- D.R.A.M
Neon Haze- K. Roosevelt
Are these the only albums that I thought were good this year? Absolutely not. Again the amount of music dropped this year is insane. Enough to last all of 2017 if need be, but continue to bless us, music gods, with the heat next year!
