2016 was a pretty great year for music.
Of course, we had some good projects release from the mainstream elites like Kanye West's "The Life of Pablo," Drake's "Views," and Chance the Rapper's "Coloring Book."
We also had some gems from the likes of The Weeknd with "Starboy," the "Cozy Tapes" from ASAP Mob, as well as Tory Lanez' "I Told You."
Here's my personal ranking of the 10 albums I enjoyed most from this year. Also, DISCLAIMER: please don't get mad at me for not putting albums like Beyonce's "Lemonade" or be angry at me for where I ranked "Views." This is MY personal list.
Honestly, I listen to Beyonce's music, but not like that. If it's on the radio or someone puts it on, I'll take a listen. It's great music, but I don't listen to too much of R&B and stuff like that, and I definitely don't listen to the likes of country, rock or any other genre.
My taste in music is pretty much hip hop only, so any other genre will not be in this list. Also, remember everyone has their own opinion. You might think some (or all) of the choices in my list are trash. That's fine. We all got different tastes. You can roast my selections, I'm cool with it.
Here were the 10 albums that I enjoyed the most from this year. Disagree? Let us know what your favorite albums were in the comments!
10. Twenty88
Artist: Big Sean & Jhene Aiko
Favorite song: "Talk Show"
Seeing these two release an album together of nowhere was a surprise to me, but hey look—now they are dating.
I actually did not know what to expect when first listening to this album, but I was thoroughly surprised at how dope it was. I definitely enjoyed listening to each song.
Some of my favorites were "Deja Vu" and "On the Way" in this album. "Talk Show" is definitely my favorite song on the album. I love the bars and gems Big Sean drops in this song. It's easily one of my favorite songs of the year.
9. I Told You
Artist: Tory Lanez
Favorite song: "4am Flex"
Tory Lanez has always been an underrated artist, but he finally went mainstream in 2016. With hit tracks like "Say It" and "LA Confidential," people finally took notice of the up-and-coming Toronto artist.
"I Told You" was definitely his breakout moment. Some people were disappointed with the album, but I enjoyed listening to every song. The only problem I had was that there was basically a 1- or 2-minute-long skit for every song.
"4am Flex" is definitely my favorite track. I love the second half of the song when the beat switches up and Lanez goes in rapping. I wish that part was a bit longer, but that was the song I enjoyed the most.
I also wish Lanez would have included more songs like "Tim Duncan" that he's released before in the album, or made more songs like that for the album. Otherwise, I'd say it was a pretty good project.
8. Major Key
Artist: DJ Khaled (and a ton of features)
Favorite song: "Nas Album Done"
Say what you want about DJ Khaled, but I credit the dude for becoming mainstream in 2016 and expanding his brand. While he has released some dope projects in the past, "Major Key" was definitely his most mainstream joint yet.
Most Khaled songs were just jam-packed with features, but this album definitely had a better flow with them. We, of course, have hits like "Do You Mind" and "For Free." They are fun songs to listen to, and the big-name features went well in both tracks.
My personal favorite is "Nas Album Done." Nas drops straight bars in there, and he fits well with the beat. I also enjoy Bryson Tiller's feature on "Ima Be Alright." We also can't forget about "Jermaine's Interlude" with J. Cole.
Also, how could I forget the return of Jay Z on "I Got the Keys"? Khaled definitely deserves credit for that, because that is the most we probably heard from Hov in a song from 2016. Future also fits perfectly in that track.
Overall, a pretty nice project from Khaled.
7. Cozy Tapes Vol. 1
Artist(s): ASAP Mob
Favorite song: "Telephone Calls"
RIP Yams.
This was a pretty dope project from ASAP Rocky and ASAP Mob, and I also like how they incorporated features from the likes of Lil Yachty, MadeinTYO, Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J and more.
"Telephone Calls" is my favorite song for the sole purpose of Tyler, the Creator's verse in there. The beat is also crazy in that track. There's honestly not one song I dislike on this album.
You can't go wrong with tracks like "Way Hii" with Wiz and Rocky going back and forth, "Money Man," "Put That On My Set," "Crazy Brazy," and "London Town."
Good stuff from ASAP Mob.
6. Coloring Book
Artist: Chance the Rapper
Favorite song: "No Problem"
I am not the biggest Chance the fan, but I did enjoy "Coloring Book." Granted, I only liked a few songs, but the ones I liked were fantastic.
Songs like "All We Got" was a dope listen, which also featured Kanye West himself. "Mixtape" was a fun track, as well as "Angels" and "Smoke Break." "No Problem" is definitely my favorite track.
Good stuff. Don't really have much else to say on this one.
5. 4 Your Eyez Only
Artist: J. Cole
Favorite song: "Deja Vu"
When J. Cole released this album, it definitely brought back memories of when he dropped "2014 Forest Hills Drive." While I must admit that FHD is the better album, "4 Your Eyez Only" is definitely an awesome listen.
People hate on Cole for being "boring," but I actually enjoyed listening to every song. It told a story, and it is one of the dopest concept albums of the year.
My favorite track is definitely "Deja Vu," which basically has the same beat as Bryson Tiller's "Exchange." However, Cole's version on that beat is awesome. "Neighbors" is a cool listen, too.
I also really liked the title track, "4 Your Eyez Only." Despite it being nearly nine minutes long, it basically tells the story of the whole album. The last verse gives me chills.
"She's Mine Pt. 1" is favorite as well, just solely for the line: "You shine like the patent leather on my new 11s."
Another great album from Cole. Hopefully we get another great meme like "double platinum with no features" again.
4. Starboy
Artist: The Weeknd
Favorite song: "I Feel It Coming"
I was honestly surprised at how much I ended up liking this album. It's a different kind of sound than what I am accustomed to, as well as a different sound that I am accustomed to from The Weeknd.
I would have to say that this is my favorite album from Abel. There's so many songs I liked from this project. The hit single "Starboy," is up there, as well as "Secrets" and "Six Feet Under."
There's actually not one song I truly dislike in this album aside from the interlude. Kendrick Lamar's feature in "Sidewalks" was awesome. The Weeknd also had one of the best lines of the year with "Got a sweet Asian chick, she go lo mein" in the song, "Reminder."
I would have to say that "I Feel It Coming" is my favorite song. The Weeknd's voice and sound reminds me so much of Michael Jackson in that (hopefully I'm not reaching). The beat in that song and vibes from it are fantastic.
Superb project from Abel.
3. The Life of Pablo
Artist: Kanye West
Favorite song: "Father Stretch My Hands" Pt. 1 & 2
The release of this album was the weirdest of the year. I still remember Kanye on "Saturday Night Live" saying the album is out, only to go on his website and see absolutely nothing. It ended up being a Tidal-exclusive for about the first month, leading to many pirated downloads.
In the end, everyone got their taste of Yeezy's new album, and he did not disappoint.
For me, I can't listen to "Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1" without listening to "Pt. 2" right after. The songs go hand-in-hand for me, and it's a beautiful combination that ended up being one of my favorite songs of the year.
Other songs like "30 Hours," "No More Parties in LA," "Famous," and "Real Friends" were some of my favorite tracks in the album. I also ended up attending one of the shows on the Saint Pablo Tour, and it's so far the best concert I've attended.
Thanks for another fantastic project, Ye!
2. Views
Artist: Drake
Favorite song: "Controlla"
I am kind of surprised at how much criticism this album got. Had any other artist released this exact project (like Chance or Travis Scott), it would be considered great.
Because it is Drake coupled with the amount of hate he's received in his career, the criticism for "Views" was blown out of proportion in my opinion. Then again, I've always been a huge Drizzy fan, so I'm gonna like any album he comes out with.
There are some tracks I disliked, but the overall album was a great listen for me. "Controlla" somehow ended up being my favorite song, I don't know why. It was probably the song I listened to the most this year, and now it has me enjoying all those dancehall songs more.
Every track I enjoyed pretty much, though. The only songs I can't see myself listening to all that much is the "Summer's Over Interlude," "Redemption" and maybe "Keep the Family Close."
My favorite tracks would have to be "Still Here," "Grammys," "Child's Play," "Feel No Ways" and "Weston Road Flows." I did like "One Dance" and "Hotline Bling," but they ended up being overplayed too much that I wasn't too big on it anymore.
Anyways, I know I am going to get a ton of heat for placing "Views" so high, but it was probably going to be top 3 for me no matter what. The numbers speak for themselves on this album anyways.
The real thing you should be surprised about is why this album wasn't ranked No. 1 for me. I am actually shocked, too.
Here's the reason why:
1. Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight
Artist: Travis Scott
Favorite song: "Sweet Sweet"
Besides guys like Drake, Kanye, Jay Z and Future, the only other artist I am pretty much hyped on anything for is Travis Scott. I have always been a big fan of La Flame, and I think he might have released his best project yet with "Birds."
The main reason I had this over "Views" was because I literally enjoyed every single song from start to finish on this album.
I could listen to any song from "Birds" year-round and would not have a problem with it. With "Views," it's not exactly the case. Some songs fit in a certain time of year, while other's don't.
I could listen to any song from "Birds" year-round and would not have a problem with it. With "Views," it's not exactly the case. Some songs fit in a certain time of year, while other's don't.
I mean, hell, I can even listen to the "SDP Interlude" in the album without any hesitation to skip. That's how much I enjoyed this album. Along with that, the features Scott picked were just awesome.
Having the album start out with "The Ends" with a surprise guest verse from Andre 3000 was dope as hell. Then, you have Scott doing his own version on "Day N Nite" in "Through the Late Night" with Kid Cudi, bringing back great memories from around 2009.
"Sweet Sweet" would have to be my favorite track. It was so good that you even had guys like Kevin Garnett vibing to it. Other songs up there would be "Coordinate," "First Take," "Wonderful," and "Guidance."
Great work by Travis on this one. My favorite album of the year.
