Top Hip Hop Music of 2016

A look at the top hip hop songs of 2016. This year’s list features Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, and more.

Kendrick Lamar- DAMN.

Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. has taken the hip hop world by storm in 2016. The album is a masterpiece, with each track packing a serious punch. Lamar’s delivery is on point, and the beats are catchy and fresh. If you’re looking for some new hip hop to add to your collection, Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. is a must-have.

J. Cole- 4 Your Eyez Only

On December 9th, 2016, J. Cole released his fourth studio album and follow up to 2014 Forest Hills Drive. The album, named 4 Your Eyez Only, was released with no prior advertisement or promotion other than two trailers directed by Cole himself. The lack of promotion led many to believe that the project would be a surprise release, similar to Beyoncé’s 2013 self-titled album. However, on December 2nd, two days before its release, the album’s tracklist was revealed via iTunes. The standard version of the album features 10 songs, while the deluxe version has 4 additional tracks.

The first single from the album, “Deja Vu”, was released on November 3rd, 2016 along with its accompanying music video. The second single, “Neighbors”, was released on December 1st, 2016.

4 Your Eyez Only debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 492,000 equivalent album units in its first week. Of that sum, 363,000 were in traditional album sales. It is Cole’s fourth consecutive number-one album in the United States and became his second highest-selling album in a week behind 2014 Forest Hills Drive’s 528,000 equivalent units moved in its debut frame. In Canada, the album debuted at number one on the Canadian Albums Chart selling 30,500 copies in its first week.

Chance the Rapper- Coloring Book

In 2016, Chance the Rapper released his third mixtape, Coloring Book, to critical acclaim. The mixtape was praised for its innovation, creativity, and cohesive sound. Chance the Rapper’s experimental use of gospel-style music helped to shape the sound of hip hop in 2016 and beyond.

Drake- Views

Drake’s album “Views” took the hip hop world by storm in 2016. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and spawned several hit singles, including “One Dance” and “Hotline Bling”. “Views” was Drake’s most successful album to date and cemented his place as one of the biggest names in hip hop.

Kanye West- The Life of Pablo

Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo was one of the most popular albums of 2016. West is known for his versatile and innovative style, and this album is no different. The album features a mix of genres, including hip hop, R&B, and gospel. West’s unique blend of styles has made him one of the most popular and successful rappers in the industry.

Rihanna- Anti

Rihanna released her eighth studio album, Anti, in 2016 to critical acclaim. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making it Rihanna’s second album to reach the top spot on the chart. Anti is a departure from Rihanna’s previous albums, which were mostly uptempo pop songs. This album features more R&B and hip hop songs, and was praised for its lyrical depth and Rihanna’s vocal performance.

Beyonce- Lemonade

Beyonce’s “Lemonade” is one of the top hip hop albums of 2016. The album was released on April 23, 2016 and features the hit singles “Formation” and “Sorry”. “Lemonade” debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 653,000 copies in its first week.

Solange- A Seat at the Table

In 2016, music critic Solange released her third album, A Seat at the Table. The album was widely acclaimed by fans and critics alike, and was nominated for several Grammy awards. It peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, making it Solange’s first number-one album in the country.

A Seat at the Table is a soulful, introspective album that explores themes of race, identity, and self-acceptance. The album’s standout tracks include “Cranes in the Sky” and “Don’t Touch My Hair”, both of which have become popular anthems for black women.

In a year that was marked by racial tension and political turmoil, Solange’s album served as a much-needed reminder of the beauty and strength of black womanhood.

Run the Jewels- RTJ3

Run the Jewels, an American hip hop duo consisting of rappers El-P and Killer Mike, released their third studio album, RTJ3, on January 13, 2016. The album was highly acclaimed by music critics and is considered one of the best hip hop albums of 2016.

A Tribe Called Quest- We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service

A Tribe Called Quest’s sixth studio album, released on November 11, 2016, exactly one week after founding member Phife Dawg’s death. It is their first album in 18 years, following 1998’s The Love Movement, and features contributions from longtime collaborators Busta Rhymes andConsequence, as well as Parquet Courts, Kendrick Lamar, Elton John, André 3000, Jack White, Talib Kweli, Conway, Anderson .Paak and Kanye West among others.