If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late I’ve already posted the first one of these already (pun intended). All jokes aside if you are also keen on the UK urban music you should also check the blog post I did last week which provides my #UKTop5Top20 here.
Without question, the genre of music I listen the most is US Hip Hop. I listen to in the house, on the bus with friends and pretty much everywhere in between that. This year I’ve really found myself listening to what many are labelling as mumble rap. Arguably, artists branded “mumble rappers” are carried by the production and choruses opposed to the actual hardcore substance which is hip-hop at it’s origin.
This is a view I don’t wholeheartedly agree with or particularly care for too much for. My reason? I take music for what it is and if I’m looking for something to stretch my mental capacity I pick up a book. That being said like with anything it’s good to have balance and that’s what the playlist at the bottom of the post should provide!
Disclaimer: As with my previous post, not all the songs I wanted to put in the playlist are on SoundCloud free version so I had to compromise with some(especially Drake ones!)
1. Tory Lanez
In my opinion, for the last two years Tory has been highly underrated despite a string of great projects (from EP’s to Mixtapes). In 2016 he took the year on his back and put his all into delivering a diverse range of songs. These covered street vibes and crossovers to the mainstream with songs like the Grammy-nominated Luv. You can read my review of the I Told You album here and look forward to what he’s got coming; maybe Chixtape 4/New Toronto 2 on the way?
2. Gucci Mane
Gucci Mane’s work rate in 2016 has been absolutely relentless; two albums(Woptober and Everybody Looking) and two joint mixtapes (Free Bricks 2 ft Future and 1017 vs The World ft Lil Uzi Vert). It is this very work rate and some real standout like features like Black Beatles which have converted me from someone who never listened to Gucci to a fan. I’m also looking forward to his third album of the year The Return of East Atlanta Santa.
3. Drake
The commercial appeal of Drake in 2016 is unquestionable with his highly successful album Views. This rightly resulted in him also being nominated for 8, yes 8 Grammys. Although, Views is definitely not my favorite project from him and I do share some of the opinions of Joe Budden that it felt lackluster. I am looking forward to what he does with the More Life” playlist” whenever it comes out.
4. Future
Future really ran hip hop in 2015 with his trio of free mixtapes(Beast Mode, Monster and 56 Nights) and two albums(DS2 and What A Time To Be Alive ft Drake). This year did feel like he stepped off a bit to allow some people catch up with his catalogue. Although, on the flipside, there was more sequencing in his releases. Purple Reign and more notably the collaborative Project ET (which I reviewed here) were two solid projects of 2016.
5. Young Thug
Last but most definitely not least Young Thug, one of the most controversial dressed artists in Hip Hop. When thinking through this list he was the one I knew had to be on it somewhere; almost purely for the sheer amount of times spent playing Digits and Floyd Mayweather. In my eyes, this was the year he established as more than feature artist with 3 very unique projects and one real standout Jeffery.
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And we are done here folks, I should be back next year 😉
1. I Told You
2. Jeffery
3. Everybody Looking
4. Views
5. Project ET(free download)
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