Before I start my article, I’d like to make sure you know you’re about to read SOMEONE’S OPINION. If your favorite artist or track isn’t featured, don’t get mad. There’s a chance I didn’t listen to it, but, even if I did, my list shouldn’t change what you like. If you like listening to an artist or sound, then enjoy it.
Format # – Track Name (Artist, Album [if on one])
Honorable Mentions:
- Headstone (Flatbush Zombies, Vacation in Hell),
- Sicko Mode (Travis Scott, ASTROWORLD),
- SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK (Joji, BALLADS 1)
25 – Story of Adidon (Pusha T)
This track may be an iconic diss track in a few years, but the memes and reaction it’s generated already make me feel obligated to acknowledge it.
24 – After The Storm (Kali Uchis/Tyler, the Creator, Isolation)
With a retro club feeling, this pop track was absolutely perfect for the Columbian artist (Kali Uchis) and Golf boy (Tyler, the Creator).
23 – Rose in Harlem (Teyena Taylor, K.T.S.E.)
Part of the G.O.O.D. Music album rollout, Teyena Taylor delivers a track that shows great versatility on her overlooked project K.T.S.E.
22 – My Forte ($ilkMoney, I Hate My Life)
With the constant, yet repetitive, motion the beat perpetrates, the track sounds like a robot controlled by $ilkMoney himself. Let
21 – Don’t Get Chipped (Vince Staples, FM!)
The song’s title indicates a dangerous setting, and the hectic beat and aggressive
20 – Drip Too Hard (Lil Baby/Gunna, Drip Too Hard)
Completely carried by a great beat and catchy lyrics, Lil Baby and Gunna prove to have a great knack to make hits.
19 – Potato Salad (Tyler, the Creator/A$AP Rocky)
This song has two things in spades: personality and suaveness. Both artists on the track are top of their classes in those categories.
18 – DISTRICT (Brockhampton, Iridescence)
Experimental yet smooth, the track is electrified by great verses from some of the group’s most charismatic members (Matt Champion and JOBA).
17 – Overdue (Travis Scott/Metro Boomin, NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES)
Off Metro’s new project, this track gives “Rodeo” vibes with a transportive beat that’s in constant motion. Travis does enough to not mess it up.
16 – Grace and Mercy (Mick Jenkins, Pieces of a Man)
The beat sounds like it was sourced from a retro arcade game, with a bass thrown over. I’m not complaining though.
15 – Paramedic! (Kendrick Lamar/Zacari/SOBxRBE, Black Panther)
The San Francisco Trio, SOBxRBE, empties the clip on this West Coast banger with unmatchable energy.
14 – Reel It In (Amine, ONEPOINTFIVE)
A bouncy banger that highlights the fantastic personality that Amine possesses.
13 – RIP (Playboi Carti, Die Lit)
While “Flatbed Freestyle” is indeed a great song, this song has a less cartoonish version of Playboi Carti and has almost industrial production.
12 – 2009 (Mac Miller, Swimming)
A beautiful piano and string intro put Mac’s fantastic ear for great music on display, but it’s his lyrics about growth that makes the song
11 – OKRA (Tyler, the Creator)
Disgusting bass and fun Tyler bars, what more can you want?
10 – Games We Play (Pusha T, Daytona)
An aggressive delivery coupled with classic cocaine bars from King Push himself. Even I felt belligerent while listening.
9 – Off Deez (JID/J.Cole, Dicaprio 2)
This track features rapid-fire everything from the two Dreamville rappers. J. Cole may have to be scared that he isn’t the best artist on his own label at this point.
8 – Ghost Town (Kanye West, ye)
Kanye West orchestrates an anthem dedicated to personal freedom from internal demons. His use of featured
7 – Can’t Say (Travis Scott/Don Toliver, Astroworld)
Don Toliver’s vibrant delivery melts into the instrumental to generate a satisfying banger. Despite Don’s solo project not impressing, he should chalk this year up as a win based
6 – Baby I’m Bleeding (JPEGMAFIA, Veteran)
Experimental and abrasive, Peggy has an infectious energy that seems to thrust itself in the listener’s face. “Veteran” is also a top-10 album (MY OPINION) for the year, if you wish to hear more from the Baltimore artist.
5 – Bubblin (Anderson .Paak)
Anderson .Paak is the master composer over a chaotic orchestra. There aren’t many artists that could use such a tumultuous beat to its full extent, but he pulls it off. It wasn’t placed on his latest album “Oxnard,” but it still should be accounted for when discussing Anderson’s great year.
4 – Clout Cobain (Denzel Curry, TA13OO)
Mesmerizing in nature, the track is fantastically catchy yet filled to the brim with dark tones and subjects. Denzel Curry proves he’s one of the most dynamic artists in hip-hop right now. To put out a track like this after releasing “Imperial” only two years
3 – Ace (Noname/Smino/Saba, Room 25)
Featuring three of Chicago’s most promising artists, “Ace” displays three unique personalities and styles seamlessly. Smino provides smooth vocals and suavity. Noname gives a confident yet quirky verse that displays exactly why she’s so relatable. Saba rounds out the track with a technical rap clinic.
2 – 4th Dimension (KIDS SEE GHOSTS, Self-Titled)
The sample, the Kanye verse, the Cudi vocals, this track never stops giving. Kanye’s verse is one of the best he’s had in recent memory based off charisma alone. The percussion and sample sound like they were meant for each other, despite the sample being around 70 years old. Even with Kid Cudi’s more relaxed delivery, the track still feels energetic in an uncanny fashion.
1 – PROM/KING (Saba, Care For Me)
Seven minutes is all it took for Saba to masterfully paint a picture of his relationship with his cousin that passed away. Through their first encounters, to the growth of their relationship, Saba seems to propose that the friendship side of family is much more powerful than simply being family.
Halfway through the track, it transitions to a much faster speed that gives an urgency, as if life itself is starting to fly by and build. At the climax, we’re left with the story of the day his cousin was killed, and you can’t help but feel empty knowing you just listened to someone pour out their heart into this amazing track.
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