The Best Hip Hop Music of 2016
A look at the best hip hop music of 2016. Featuring Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Chance the Rapper, and more.
Introduction
The top hip hop songs of 2016 includes a little bit of everything from relatively unknown artists to some of the biggest names in the genre. This list includes the top 100 hip hop songs of 2016 as determined by popular vote. You can vote for your favorite songs below, and if there are any songs missing from this list that you think should be included, feel free to add them as well!
Best Hip Hop Albums of 2016
The year 2016 was a great year for hip hop music. A lot of great albums were released and there was a lot of variety in the music. This list will go over the best hip hop albums of 2016.
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. was not only the best hip hop album of 2016, but one of the best albums of the year period. Featuring hit singles “HUMBLE.” and “DNA.”, Kendrick delivered a masterclass in modern hip hop that showcased his fantastic lyricism, undeniable flow, and incredible storytelling ability. With production from Mike Will Made It, Sounwave, and 9th Wonder, DAMN. is an essential hip hop album that everyone should own.
J. Cole – 4 Your Eyez Only
2016 was yet another great year for hip hop music, with a number of excellent albums being released by both established artists and newcomers to the scene. J. Cole’s “4 Your Eyez Only” was one of the best albums of the year, and it’s certainly worth seeking out if you’re a fan of hip hop music.
Cole’s fourth studio album, “4 Your Eyez Only” is a deeply personal and introspective record, with the rapper exploring a number of themes including fatherhood, family, love, and loss. The album was preceded by the release of two singles, “Deja Vu” and “Neighbors”, both of which received positive reviews from critics.
Critics consensus was that “4 Your Eyez Only” was another strong effort from J. Cole, and that it showcased his continued growth as an artist. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 492,000 copies in its first week. If you’re looking for some of the best hip hop music of 2016, be sure to check out J. Cole’s “4 Your Eyez Only.”
Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book
If there was any rapper having a breakout 2016, it was Chance the Rapper. The 23 year old from Chicago released his third mixtape, Coloring Book, to wide critical acclaim, and even managed to breakthrough to the mainstream with his festive jam “No Problem” featuring Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz. Coloring Book is a joyous ode to Chance’s hometown of Chicago, filled with gospel choirs and jubilant brass lines, and features guest appearances fromBNJMN, Jeremih, Justin Bieber, Lil Yachty, Noname, Raury, Ty Dolla Sign and more.
Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory
Sometimes an album just hits you at the right time. In the case of Vince Staples’ Big Fish Theory, it was the perfect blend of smart, introspective lyrics, boundary-pushing production, and overall tightness that made it one of 2016’s best hip hop albums.
On Big Fish Theory, Staples dives deep into the murky waters of modern life, touching on everything from love and relationships to race and social injustice. And while he doesn’t shy away from the dark stuff, there’s also a good amount of playfulness and humor sprinkled throughout the album.
musically, Big Fish Theory is a true melting pot, with elements of trap, grime, house, and techno all coming together to create something unique and exciting. It’s experimental without being overly cerebral, and catchy without being trite – a perfect balance that few artists are able to strike.
If you’re looking for an album that Will challenge you both lyrically and musically, Vince Staples’ Big Fish Theory is definitely worth checking out.
Logic – Everybody
Logic’s third album, “Everybody,” is a conceptual record about race, religion, and mental health that tries to bring people together. The 27-year-old rapper, born Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, isn’t afraid to be vulnerable on the album. He speaks openly about his battle with anxiety and depression, which he’s spoken about in interviews before. On the title track, he raps about how he wishes everybody could see the world through his eyes. “I know some of y’all don’t like thinkin’/ But I was born without a silver spoon in my mouth/ I’m tryna make a change for the better/ And if it starts with me, then that’s cool.”
While Logic is known for his fast-paced rapping style, he slows things down on “Killing Spree,” a song about gun violence. He addresses the issue head-on, rapping from the perspective of both the victim and the shooter. “I seen a young man die on these streets/ I seen his mama crying and I can’t sleep/ I pray to God that he take me instead,” he raps. “I don’t wanna live in a world where nobody wins/ ‘Cause killing spree killin’ me deep within.”
Best Hip Hop Songs of 2016
The year 2016 was a great year for hip hop music. We saw a lot of new artists emerge and some old favorites make a comeback. There were a lot of great songs released this year, but there are a few that really stood out. Let’s take a look at the best hip hop songs of 2016.
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.”
“HUMBLE.” is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on March 30, 2017, as the lead single from his fourth studio album, Damn. (2017). The production was handled by Mike WiLL Made-It, and the song features a guest appearance from American rapper Barrino. “HUMBLE.” topped the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Lamar’s second number-one single on the chart and his first as a lead artist.
J. Cole – “Deja Vu”
J. Cole’s “Deja Vu” is one of the best hip hop songs of 2016. The track is produced by Cole himself and Boi-1da, and it samples Bryson Tiller’s “Exchange.” On the song, Cole reflects on a past relationship and how it ended abruptly. He also touches on the idea of Deja Vu, and how sometimes life can feel like one big loop.
Chance the Rapper – “All Night”
Chance the Rapper’s “All Night” is one of the best hip hop songs of 2016. The track, which is produced by Liam Hayes, features a sample of the late Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire. “All Night” is a positive and uplifting song that celebrates Chance’s come-up in the music industry. The track peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it Chance’s highest charting single to date.
Vince Staples – “Big Fish”
“Big Fish” is a song by American hip hop recording artist Vince Staples. It was released on October 19, 2016, as the lead single from his second studio album, Big Fish Theory (2017). The song was produced by Christian Rich.
Logic – “1-800-273-8255”
“1-800-273-8255” is a song by American rapper Logic. The song was released on April 28, 2017, through Def Jam Recordings and Visionary Music Group, as the third single from his third studio album, Everybody. The song features guest vocals from American singer-songwriter Alessia Cara and Khalid. The song peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The song’s title is the telephone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the United States. The song’s lyrics deal with suicide prevention. In an interview with Complex, Logic said that he was inspired to write the song after hearing stories from fans about how his music had helped them through dark times in their lives.
The music video for “1-800-273-8255” was directed by Chris McKay and premiered on August 1, 2017. It features Logic, Cara, and Khalid performing the song in front of a live audience intercut with footage of people of different races, sexual orientations, ages, and religions discussing their challenges and how they overcame them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 2016 was a great year for hip hop music. We saw the return of some of our favorite artists, as well as the rise of new stars. It was a year of creativity and innovation, and we can’t wait to see what the next year brings.
