10. Isaiah Rashad – The Sun’s Tirade

Despite being signed to Top Dawg Entertainment, Isaiah Rashad’s magnificent debut, Cilvia Demo, didn’t attract near the attention it deserved. Over time, however, the Chattanooga-born rapper started to draw more and more attention for his aggressively personal stories of family, fame, and struggle. The Sun’s Tirade, his sophomore album, is a far larger project than Cilvia, stretching 17 tracks and over an hour in length, and while it feels somewhat overambitious, it’s a nonetheless incredible project. From showing his father Cilvia Demo, to the drug addiction that plagued his tour with ScHoolboy Q and almost got him dropped from TDE, to the stories of a tumultuous childhood that filled his early work, The Sun’s Tirade is a series of personal stories. Rashad is a born storyteller, with a voice that’s at once subdued and passionate, delivering tales of real-life struggle while stunting on his new lifestyle. With tongue-in-cheek jokes and insults, and a steady arsenal of Outkast references, Rashad’s music is as fun as it is effecting. The instrumentals bounce with a subtle energy, and fantastic guest verses from Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock can’t help but elevate the album. Syd, Kari Faux, and SZA all grace the album with beautiful hooks, and newcomers Hugh Augustine, Zacari, and SiR all delivered impressive features. The Sun’s Tirade may not be as concise and impactful a project as Cilvia Demo, but it’s nonetheless a massively successful followup from TDE’s secret weapon.

9. Noname – Telefone

For a while, hoping for a full album from Chicago rapper Noname seemed a lot like waiting for Detox or Act II, but this year the 25-year-old proved everybody wrong by finally dropping Telefone. Recorded with a small group of friends and collaborators that includes Saba, Cam O’bi, theMind, and Phoelix, Noname delivered a project that’s both charming and harrowing. The cover art shows a young black girl with a skull balanced on her head, a perfect visualization of the concept of death that lingers over Telefone. “Casket Pretty” in particular talks about the massive amount of death that occurs during the Chicago summers, but “Shadow Man” finds Noname, Saba, Smino, and Phoelix planning their funerals, and “Bye Bye Baby” is written to a child Noname had aborted. The instrumentals are lush, bright, and airy, and Noname’s has a remarkably calm and easy-going flow that she uses to deliver some truly phenomenal songwriting. Aside from the aforementioned features, Raury, Eryn Allen Kane, Ravyn Lenae, Xavier Omär all appear on the project; many of the same artists appear on Saba’s Bucket List Project and Mick Jenkins’ The Healing Component, as the three Chicagoites have managed to form a kind of impromptu supergroup of bright young Chicago talents. Telefone is as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking, and anyone who’s been paying attention Noname’s many beloved guest verses (Chance’s “Lost” and “Israel”, Mick Jenkins’ “Comfortable”, Donnie Trumpet’s “Warm Enough”, etc.) will be more than impressed with her debut project.

8. Kendrick Lamar – Untitled, Unmastered

This year, Kendrick Lamar proved that he can drop a compilation of unreleased b-sides and it can still be better than just about anyone else’s album. After previewing many of these tracks on various talk shows and awards performances, a well-timed tweet from LeBron James lead to the release of a compilation album of songs that didn’t make it onto To Pimp a Butterfly. Jay Rock, SZA, Cee-Lo Green, Punch, Bilal, Anna Wise, Robert Glasper, and Lance Skiiiwalker were all involved on the project, which had production from Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Frank Dukes, Cardo, Sounwave, and Terrace Martin. It’s a rough album, and it’s somewhat understandable why some of these tracks didn’t make it on Kendrick’s last album: some of them are strange, abstract concepts that fit with neither the tone nor the theme of TPAB. The album’s clear highlights are “Untitled 02 | 06.23.2014”, a track about Kendrick’s come-up from the streets of Compton that manages to namedrop everyone at Top Dawg Entertainment; and “Untitled 07 | 2014-2016”, renamed “Levitate”, a three-part opus on an emotional rush that clocks in at over eight minutes long. Untitled Unmastered doesn’t have the pristine quality of Kendrick’s studio albums, but it’s an illuminating look into his process, and a testament to his ridiculously incredible abilities as an artist.

7. A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It From Here, Thank You 4 Your Service

Nobody expected this album to happen, especially after the tragic passing of founding core member Phife Dawg, but the massively influential rap group managed to record the majority of their sixth album before Phife’s untimely death. We Got It From Here, Thank You 4 Your Service reconnects Phife, Q-Tip, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad with Jarobi White, a member of A Tribe Called Quest who left after their first album; frequent collaborators Busta Rhymes and Consequence also both make several appearances, providing some of their best material in years. The new album made a lot of new connections for ATCQ as well, as We Got It From Here had features from André 3000, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Anderson .Paak, Elton John, Talib Kweli, and Jack White. The record serves as a final goodbye to both ATCQ and Phife Dawg, and while it’s a tearful goodbye, it’s a triumphant one as well. Every member is at the top of their game, with Phife and Q-Tip trading verses like it’s still 1993, Jarobi White proving that he never should have left the rap game, and Muhammad giving the best of his heavily jazz-influenced production that he’s known for. With a distinct political edge, We Got It From Here is a powerful album that’s determined to take a stand, and ATCQ make the best of their finale. It’s a more than worthy addition to an already legendary career, and indisputable proof that ATCQ are one of the greatest acts in hip hop history.

6. Childish Gambino – “Awaken, My Love!”

Childish Gambino is one of my favourite artists of all time, and I had high expectations to the followup to his 2014 mixtape/EP STN MTN/Kauai. Gambino had been showing signs of diverging from strict rapping for a while ago, but nothing could’ve prepared fans for his new sound: a mix of Funkadelic, Parliament, and Prince that finds ‘Bino flexing his absolutely incredible singing chops. Between the R&B-influenced Kauai and “Awaken, My Love!”, Gambino’s voice became refined enough for him to hit jaw-dropping falsettos and altering his voice in previously unimaginable ways. Producer Ludwig Göransson stated that Gambino used no vocal manipulation for the record, proving that the actor/writer/singer/rapper/producer/coder really can do anything he sets his mind to. Awaken opens with “Me And Your Momma”, a slow-burning track that begins like a lullaby and progresses into a guitar-woven funk ballad to the mother of his child that manages to work in some subtle references to Outkast’s “Miss Jackson”. ‘Bino’s new child is a key factor in this album, particularly in the uplifing, emotional track “Baby Boy” that encourages his son to “walk tall, little one”. “Boogieman” addresses public perception of black people, Zombies addresses sycophant fans, “California” is a funky, often ridiculously cheeful reggae ode to the golden state. Perhaps the strongest moments on the album, however, are on “Redbone”, a sexy R&B track that features Gambino’s most impressive vocalisations, and the finale “Stand Tall” about perseverence. “Awaken, My Love” is probably the biggest sonic left turn that an artist has made this year, but Gambino embraces the transition with grace and proficiency. 

5. Beyoncé – Lemonade

Beyoncé already proved herself as the queen of surprise album drops with incredible visual accompaniment, but with Lemonade she perfected the formula she used for her 2013 self-titled album. Lemonade is an attack on a cheating husband, that may or may not actually refer to her husband Jay Z (it probably does, but nothing’s been proven). Through the fantastic music the cinematic album-length music video, Beyoncé showed fierceness and unflinching strength in the face of a harrowing and disrespectful situation. From suspicion, to pain, to anger, to forgiveness, Lemonade is an emotional journey from the persepctive a hurt woman who’s love has been tainted. With appearances from Kendrick Lamar, the Weeknd, James Blake, and Jack White, it’s an album that’s both powerful and heartbroken, and Beyoncé’s renowned vocals are the best they’ve ever been. From the “Maps”-referencing “Hold Up”, to the defiant “Freedom”, to the black power anthem “Formation” that introduced the album back in February, it’s an album of incredible variety and experimentation that found Beyoncé receiving nominations in the pop, rap, rock, and urban categories of the 2017 Grammys. The standout moment on the album occurs on “All Night”, which not only features some of the best producing Diplo’s done in his entire career (with a pitch-perfect sample of the horns from Outkast’s “Spottieottiedopaliscious”), but some incredibly sweet and strong vocals from Beyoncé. She’s been one of the biggest artists in the world for years, but with Lemonade it’s clear that Beyoncé is only getting better and better.

4. Kanye West – The Life of Pablo

Every time I listen to this album it gets better. Kanye managed to create a gospel album, but as he stated himself, “it’s the gospel according to ‘Ye, not exactly what happened in the bible”. The Life of Pablo opens with “Ultralight Beam”, probably the best song released this year, a five-minute intro to the album’s spiritual and religious motivations that finds Kanye, The-Dream, and Kelly Price singing, Chance delivering an absolutely phenomenal verse, and Kirk Franklin blessing the track with a prayer. The musically ‘gospel’ aspects kind of taper off after that (only to be recalled in tracks like “Waves” and “Saint Pablo”), but TLOP is almost characterised by its ridiculous variety of sounds. Each track is wildly different from the last, and while this makes the album seem directionless, repeated listens help the listener to understand Kanye’s intentions. TLOP isn’t as flawless as My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, as concise as Yeezus, as emotional as 808s & Heartbreak, but it’s a mixture of everything Kanye’s released previously. There are moments of pure perfection, from the samples in “Famous” to the Metro Boomin tag on “Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1”. Aggression and tenderness exist back to back, sometimes even on the same track. The instrumentals are exciting and cinematic, and Kanye still holds his title as the undisputed king of sampling. Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, Rihanna, Young Thug, Vic Mensa, Ty Dolla $ign, Sia, Sampha, the Weeknd, and many more are all involved on the album’s 20 tracks, as well as producers Madlib, Mike Dean, Hudson Mohawke, Boi-1da, Frank Dukes, Cashmere Cat, and Swizz Beatz. The Life of Pablo has been pulled, revised, altered, extended, and remixed, and the media has scrutinised the many moments where Kanye’s ego and controversial nature gets the better of him. It’s an imperfect album, but the imperfections make it so much more vulnerable, as Kanye’s flawed and broken self continues to get played out on the world stage. Name one genius who ain’t crazy.

3. Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book

Acid Rap, Chance the Rapper’s second album, was his introduction to international acclaim, and brought attention to the entire SaveMoney crew and the neo-soul movement occuring in Chicago hip hop. Through this mixtape’s acclaim, and a tour with Childish Gambino, Chance attracted acclaim and respect across the board, and quickly became one of the biggest acts in hip hop. With Coloring Book, he secured his place as a top-tier rapper with a flair for innovation and positive vibes. The feature list alone is enough to make this one of the 2016’s most impressive accomplishments, with Kanye West, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Jay Electronica, Young Thug, Future, Justin Bieber, Lil Yachty, T-Pain, Eykah Badu, Francis & the Lights, Saba, and many more showing up on the 14-track project. With god-praising gospel numbers (“Blessings”, “How Great”), single-ready dance tracks (“No Problem”, “All Night”, “Angels”), and vibe-heavy, emotional works of art (“Summer Friends”), Coloring Book is a fully accomplished work of music that’s both cohesive in its sound and experimental in its approach. While Acid Rap had a College Dropout-level sense of an innovative, trend-setting, genre-inspiring introduction to a new artist, Coloring Book is a refined and perfected product of intense dedication. 2016 was Chance’s year, and he took the spotlight with grace, ease, and humility.

2. Anderson .Paak – Malibu

Starting out as a member of the acclaimed underground Hellfyre collective under the name Breezy Lovejoy, Anderson .Paak managed to turn some important heads with his 2014 Venice album, but he never really received the attention he deserved. Signing to Aftermath and appearing on five tracks off Dr. Dre’s Compton changed everything, however, and when .Paak dropped Malibu in the beginning of 2016, it was to nearly universal acclaim. Anderson .Paak takes a funky, soulful, joyous approach to R&B, with a whiskey-smooth voice and a penchant for catchy, impressive songwriting. With his band, the Free Nationals, and production from Madlib, 9th Wonder, DJ Dahi, Kaytranada, and Pomo, the instrumentals on Malibu pop with an organic energy. The album opens with “The Bird”, a tender beginning that introduces the listener to .Paak’s magical vocals. “Am I Wrong”, “Come Down”, and “Parking Lot” are dance-ready pop singles, and much of the album is upbeat and exciting, but .Paak isn’t afraid to slow down for tender ballads like “The Waters” and “Light Weight”. ScHoolboy Q, Rapsody, BJ The Chicago Kid, Talib Kweli, and the Game all provide excellent guest verses that fit with the album’s sunny, West Coast-vibe. Anderson .Paak had a banner year, and with every feature appearance and album release, he’s proved himself as an undeniably incredible performer.

1. Frank Ocean – Blond

Following a Grammy-award winning, life-changing album like Channel Orange is one of the most daunting tasks a performer could have, and Frank Ocean took his time with it. After an extensive marketing process that felt more like performance art than anything else, Frank dropped Endless, a visual album about patience and artistry that fulfilled his Def Jam contract, thus allowing him to release Blond a few days later independently. Blond is nothing less than phenomenal, and absolutely immaculate record that addresses so many profound ideas that it’s impossible to list them all. While Channel Orange dealt with learning to understand yourself and dealing with the complexities of romance, Blond seems concerned with self-love and embracing Ocean’s ambiguous sexual orientation. Both albums found Ocean asking a lot of questions, both simple and profound, but with Blond the New Orleans singer turns inward for his most introspective, yet universal work to date. Opening track “Nikes” is an immaculately-crafted track that introduces the mellow, atmospheric mood of the record, filled with clever turns of phrase on the concept of hedonistic pleasure. As the album progresses, love, hate, growing up, loss, dependency, relationships, and a myriad of other personal subjects are laid bare and dissected. Ocean wears his heart on his sleeve for the entire record, and leaves no stone of his psyche unturned. At times witty, and at others heartwrenching, Blond is an emotional rollercoaster that yields a different experience with every listen. Featuring songwriting and production credits from Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, James Blake, Pharrell Williams, Tyler the Creator, and Yung Lean, Blond also includes a gospel performance from Kim Burrell and an absolutely killer verse from André 3000. There aren’t enough good things to say about this record, as it often feels more like a personal odyssey than a piece of music. Frank Ocean is, disputably, one of the defining artists of his generation, and with each release he cements his legendary career even further.