18 on the Rocks Music – The Best of 2018
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If you’re looking for a great playlist of the best music from 2018, look no further than 18 on the Rocks Music. This music blog features a wide range of artists and genres, all of which are sure to get you moving. So check it out and start grooving to the best music of the year!
Best Albums of 2018
In a year of comebacks, returns to form, and exciting debuts, these are the albums that stood out from the pack in 2018.
Arcade Fire – Everything Now
After a somewhat divisive last album, Arcade Fire came back swinging with their fifth LP, which saw the band experimenting with new sounds and textures while still staying true to their anthemic roots. Everything Now is an ambitious album that is both fun and thought-provoking, and it solidifies Arcade Fire as one of the best bands of our generation.
Janelle Monáe – Dirty Computer
On her third album, Janelle Monáe fully embraces her status as a pop icon while still maintaining the sense of innovation and creativity that has made her one of the most exciting artists in music today. Dirty Computer is a slick, well-produced record that sees Monáe taking risks both musically and lyrically, and it’s all the better for it.
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
Kendrick Lamar’s fourth studio album was one of the most anticipated releases of the year, and it did not disappoint. DAMN. is an intense, intimate look at Kendrick’s life and relationships, set against a backdrop of some of the best hip-hop production we’ve heard in years. It’s a masterful album from one of the best rappers alive today.
Sufjan Stevens – The Greatest Gift Mixtape – Album of Demos & Outtakes from Carrie & Lowell
This mixtape of demos and outtakes from Sufjan Stevens’ 2015 album Carrie & Lowell was a welcome surprise for fans this year. The tracks are intimate and raw, showing a different side to Stevens’ songwriting than we’ve seen before. It’s a fascinating insight into his creative process, and a must-listen for any fan of his work.
Best Songs of 2018
This was a great year for music, with a wide range of artists and genres represented in the best songs of 2018. From trap to indie pop, there was something for everyone – and these are our picks for the best songs of the year.
“All Nights” by Illenium ft. Annika Wells
This song is an emotional rollercoaster, with beautiful melodies and touching lyrics offset by a hard-hitting drop. It’s a perfect example of Illenium’s trademark sound, and Annika Wells’ vocals are stunning.
“SAD!” by XXXTentacion
This was one of the most controversial songs of the year, but there’s no denying that it’s a catchy tune. It perfectly captures the feeling of heartbreak and loneliness, and XXXTentacion’s raw emotion is captivating.
“Havana” by Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug
This song is impossible to resist, with a catchy beat and addictive hooks. Camila Cabello delivers a sultry performance, and Young Thug provides an unexpected but welcome addition to the track.
“rockstar” by Post Malone ft. 21 Savage
This was one of the biggest hits of the year, and for good reason – it’s an absolute banger. Post Malone and 21 Savage sound great together, and the sheer energy of the song is infectious.
Whether you’re looking for something to dance to or something to cry to, these are the best songs of 2018.
Best Music Videos of 2018
There was a lot of great music released in 2018, but there were also some amazing music videos to go along with it. Here are 18 of the best music videos that came out this year.
1. “This Is America” by Childish Gambino
2. “Apes**t” by The Carters
3. “Nice For What” by Drake
4. “No Tears Left To Cry” by Ariana Grande
5. “PYNK” by Janelle Monáe
6. “I Like It” by Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
7. “All The Stars” by Kendrick Lamar & SZA
8. “God’s Plan” by Drake
9. “FEELING MYself” by Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack
10. “No Limit” G-Eazy feat. A$AP Rocky & Cardi B
11.”IDGAF” Dua Lipa 12.”One Kiss” Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa 13.”Havana” Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug 14.”Dirty Sexy Money” David Guetta feat. Charli XCX & French Montana 15.”All I Wanna Do”lost Kings feat. Wiz Khalifa & Social House 16.”Back To You” Selena Gomez 17.”Let You Love Me” Rita Ora 18.”Thank U, Next” Ariana Grande
Best Live Performances of 2018
2018 was a pretty incredible year for music. We saw huge comebacks from groups like My Chemical Romance and Gorillaz, surprising new releases from the likes of Beyonce and Childish Gambino, and some truly iconic live performances. Here are eighteen of the best live performances of 2018.
1. Kendrick Lamar at the Grammys
2. U2 at the E3 Expo
3. Arcade Fire at Coachella
4. Lorde at Lollapalooza
5. Chance the Rapper at Bonnaroo
6. Bruno Mars at the BET Awards
7. Ed Sheeran at Glastonbury
8. Lady Gaga at the Super Bowl LI Halftime Show
9. Kendrick Lamar, Dave Chappelle, and Isaiah Rashad at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts
10. Foo Fighters at Cal Jam
11. Arctic Monkeys at Reading Festival
12. Khalid at Coachella
13. Harry Styles at The Forum
14. Justin Timberlake at the iHeartRadio Music Festival
15. Sam Smith at The O2 Arena
16.. Cardi B at the MTV VMAs
17.. Taylor Swift at the AMAs
18.. Billie Eilish on ‘Saturday Night Live’
Best Music Festivals of 2018
The past year has been an incredible one for music, with new artists and old favorites alike gracing the stage at some of the best music festivals around the world. From Coachella to Lollapalooza, there was no shortage of amazing performances to choose from. And, as we move into 2019, there are already a number of great festivals lined up. So, if you’re looking for an excuse to get out and enjoy some live music this year, here are 18 of the best music festivals happening in 2018:
1. Coachella (Indio, California)
2. Lollapalooza (Chicago, Illinois)
3. Bonnaroo (Manchester, Tennessee)
4. Hangout Music Festival (Gulf Shores, Alabama)
5. Governors Ball Music Festival (New York City, New York)
6. BottleRock Napa Valley (Napa Valley, California)
7. Sasquatch! Music Festival (George, Washington)
8. Firefly Music Festival (Dover, Delaware)
9. Electric Daisy Carnival (Las Vegas, Nevada)
10. Movement Electronic Music Festival (Detroit, Michigan)
11. The Governors Ball Music Festival (New York City, New York)
12. Boston Calling (Boston Massachusetts)
13. Firefly Music Festival (Dover Deleware )
14. Hangout Fest Gulf Shores Alabama )
15 outside Lands San Francisco California )
16 Austin City Limits Zilker Park Austin Texas )
17 Voodoo Fest New Orleans Louisiana )
18 Life is Beautiful Downtown Las Vegas Nevada
Best New Artists of 2018
In a year that has seen the music industry turned on its head, it’s hard to predict who will come out on top. But if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that 2018 has been an exceptional year for new music. Here are 18 of the best new artists of 2018, in no particular order.
SZA
SZA made a huge impact in 2017 with her debut album “Ctrl,” and she’s been riding that wave of success ever since. She’s been nominated for five Grammy Awards, and she’s already won a BET Award and an MTV Video Music Award. Her unique blend of R&B, soul, and hip-hop has won her fans all over the world, and there’s no doubt she’s one of the best new artists of 2018.
Khalid
Khalid burst onto the scene in 2016 with his single “Location,” but it was his 2017 debut album “American Teen” that catapulted him to stardom. He’s since won a Grammy Award, five MTV Video Music Awards, and an American Music Award. His laid-back R&B sound is the perfect soundtrack for any situation, and he’s quickly become one of the most popular artists in the world.
Cardi B
Cardi B first gained attention as a member of the hip-hop group Migos, but she soon struck out on her own with the release of her debut single “Bodak Yellow.” The song was an instant hit, and it propelled her to stardom. She followed up with her debut album “Invasion of Privacy” in April 2018, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. She’s become one of the most talked-about artists in the world, and there’s no doubt she��s one of the best new artists of 2018.
Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello first gained prominence as a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony, but she left the group in 2016 to pursue a solo career. She released her debut single “Crying in the Club” in 2017, and it was an instant hit. Her debut album “Camila” was released in January 2018 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. She’s since won two Grammy Awards and an MTV Video Music Award, and she shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa rose to prominence in 2016 with her self-titled debut album, which spawned the hit singles “Be The One�� and “Hotter Than Hell.” She followed up with her second album “Future Nostalgia” in April 20208 , which debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart. Her unique blend of pop, dance, and R&B has won her fans all over the world ,and she shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon .
Best Comebacks of 2018
In 2018, we saw a lot of great music comebacks. Some artists hadn’t been around for a while and others were returning after a hiatus. Here are 18 on the Rocks Music’s best comebacks of 2018.
We saw some old favorites return this year, including Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, and Panic! at the Disco. All three of these artists brought something new to the table with their comebacks. Timberlake’s album “Man of the Woods” was a departure from his previous work and Aguilera’s album “Liberation” was her most personal yet. Panic! at the Disco returned with an eclectic mix of sounds on their album “Pray for the Wicked.”
We also saw some newer artists make their mark this year. K Pop group BTS made history as the first Korean act to top the Billboard 200 chart with their album “Love Yourself: Tear.” Their success is proof that K Pop is becoming more popular in the West. Another newcomer, Billie Eilish, also made waves this year with her debut EP “Don’t Smile at Me.” At only 16 years old, she is already being hailed as a fresh voice in pop music.
2018 was a great year for music comebacks. We can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store!
Most Shocking Moments in Music of 2018
As the year comes to a close, we take a look back at some of the most shocking moments in music of 2018. From Kanye West’s controversial MAGA hat to Ariana Grande’s engagement, here are 18 on the Rocks moments that had us talking.
Kanye West stirs up more controversy with MAGA hat
In September, during a performance at SNL, Kanye West made headlines when he donned a MAGA hat. This act divided fans and On the Rocks followers alike, with many people wondering if West had lost touch with reality.
Ariana Grande gets engaged
In October, Ariana Grande announced that she was engaged to Pete Davidson. The news came as a shock to many, as the couple had only been dating for a few months. However, it seems like they’re happy and in love!
Cardi B becomes first female rapper to top Billboard Hot 100 chart
In April, Cardi B made history when she became the first female rapper to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart with her song “Bodak Yellow.” This was a major milestone for female rappers and for Cardi B herself!
Best Collaborations of 2018
In a year where hip-hop and R&B continued to dominate the music landscape, there were plenty of amazing collaborations to go around. Here are our picks for the best of the best.
1) Beyoncé & Jay-Z – “APES**T”
The Carters are back and better than ever! This lead single off of their joint album, EVERYTHING IS LOVE, is a certified bop. The visuals for this song are also incredible, with the couple paying homage to some of history’s most famous works of art.
2) Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin – “I Like It”
Cardi B had one of the biggest years in music in 2018, and this collaboration with Bad Bunny and J Balvin was a huge part of that. “I Like It” is an insanely catchy tune that will have you dancing all night long.
3) Drake & Michael Jackson – “Don’t Matter To Me”
This posthumous collaboration between two legends is everything we could have hoped for and more. The track, which appears on Drake’s latest album, Scorpion, finds Jackson’s vocals being expertly mixed with Drake’s own to create a truly special track.
4) Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “All The Stars”
The lead single off of the Black Panther soundtrack was nothing short of amazing. Kendrick Lamar and SZA complement each other perfectly on this hypnotic track that is sure to stay stuck in your head for days on end.
5) Maroon 5 & Cardi B – “Girls Like You”
This feel-good summer anthem was one of the biggest songs of 2018 thanks in large part to its star-studded music video. Featuring cameos from some of Hollywood’s biggest female stars, the video is a celebration of women of all shapes and sizes.
Best Album Covers of 2018
In today’s music industry, album covers are just as important as the music itself. They provide the first impression of the artist and the album, and can often be the deciding factor in whether or not someone picks up a particular record.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of 18 of the best album covers of 2018. From Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. to St. Vincent’s Masseduction, these are the graphical representations of music that caught our eye this year.
