I’m an avid music listener (boasting a collection of 483 albums, totalling 5,312 songs) but rap and R&B are truly my favorite genres, making up well over 80% of the aforementioned collection. I could talk for hours about all my favorite albums or artists or songs, so instead I’ve decided to list for you the 5 best hip-hop/R&B albums of released in the first portion of 2016.
#5 - Sept. 5th - dvsn
This album is Toronto R&B (the sound originally started by Drake and expanded upon by the likes of the Weeknd and young up-and-comer Bryson Tiller) at its finest. The sometimes dark and dreary, sometimes light and up-tempo beats never fail to bring to mind reminiscence of both times you felt at your worst, and times you were at your best. When you were laying in bed wondering what the point of all of it was, as well as when you were loving life and usually loving someone else. If this does one thing better above all else, it would be its ability to immediately bring to mind your significant other, bringing back those oh-so-lovely memories you crafted with one another when your relationship was fresh and exciting, and reminding you of your happiest moments with them.
#4 - Bankroll Mafia - Bankroll Mafia
A new “super group” spearheaded primarily by early 2000s king T.I. (now known as Tip) and the ever-incomprehensible Young Thug. This album is a complete 180 from the previous Sept. 5th, being a hearty 17 track long album of absolute bangers that make you feel like you’re the king (or queen.) These tracks are not lighthearted or romantic. These tracks are hard-hitting, bass-heavy party tracks. These are not the kind of tracks you listen to while laying in bed contemplating life, these are the tracks you listen to you when you are ready to GET SHIT DONE and they do that very well, having great production and lively and energetic delivery from everyone involved.
#3 - Imperial - Denzel Curry
Denzel Curry is a fairly recent addition to hip-hop, beginning his career in 2011 with various mixtapes, but hitting his stride in 2013 when he released his debut album Nostalgic 64. Like Bankroll Mafia, the only way to describe most of the tracks on this album is “hard.” Denzel Curry never fails to deliver his energetic, almost angry flow, but unlike Bankroll Mafia, these tracks aren’t just for partying, these songs sometimes tackle very real issues that plague the hip-hop community (such as lean abuse) and society in general, such as just being different from your peers.
#2 Slime Season 3 - Young Thug.
Okay, I have to admit. I’m a huge fan of Young Thug, but am aware that he is not everybody’s cup of tea. I will admit that he’s a little incomprehensible, a little strange, and that almost all of his music is about money, drugs and women. But that’s fine because he doesn’t pretend to be anything more, and Slime Season 3 is just as indulgent in those topics as his other music, but it does it better than any of his others. Though short, bearing only 8 tracks, it hits every note that makes Young Thug one of the better rappers around. From the hard-hitting “With Them” about being a famous rap star in Atlanta, to the soft, crooning “With It”, an almost romantic crooning melody. All 8 tracks are incredibly produced, and backed by Young Thug’s strange, compelling flow.
