2016’s Best Hip Hop Songs

In this blog post, we will be counting down 2016’s best hip hop songs. This list was made based on popularity, sales, and reviews.

“Formation” – Beyoncé

“Formation” is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé for her sixth studio album, Lemonade (2016). The song was written by Khalif Brown, Asheton Hogan, Mike Will Made It, and Beyoncé, and produced by Mike Will Made It, Beyoncé, and Suga. “Formation” was released on February 6, 2016, along with a music video directed by Melina Matsoukas. The song peaked at number thirty-eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number two on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

In an interview with i-D magazine, Mike Will Made It spoke about the creative process that went into making the song:

“The whole record just came together so perfect. We just wanted to make a classic hip-hop record that felt like it could have come out in any era. I feel like we did that with ‘Formation.’ The concept of the song is so powerful too—just owning who you are and where you come from.”

“No Problem” – Chance the Rapper featuring Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz

“No Problem” is a song by American hip hop recording artist Chance the Rapper, featuring guest appearances from Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz. It was released on May 13, 2016, by Chance the Rapper’s label, independent record label Jeremih’s label and Atlantic Records. “No Problem” serves as the lead single from Chance the Rapper’s third mixtape, Coloring Book. The song was produced by Brandon Howard and Chad Baker of Two-9. The song samples “I Get High” byweed rappers Afroman and Charizma.

“One Dance” – Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla

“One Dance” is a song recorded by Canadian rapper Drake for his fourth studio album, Views (2016). The song features guest vocals from Wizkid and Kyla. It was released on April 5, 2016, as the lead single from the album. “One Dance” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became both Drake’s and Wizkid’s first number-one single in the US as lead artists. The song reached number one in several other countries, including Canada, Australia, France, Nigeria and New Zealand.

“Panda” – Desiigner

“Panda” is a single by American rapper Desiigner. The song was released on December 15, 2015, through GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings, as the lead single from his debut EP, New English (2016). The song samples “Panda”, a track from the American hip hop producer Menace. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.

“Work” – Rihanna featuring Drake

“Work” is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her eighth studio album, Anti (2016). The song was released as the lead single from the album on January 27, 2016. “Work” is a dancehall and R&B track that features a guest appearance from Canadian rapper Drake. Commercially, the song peaked at number one in Canada and number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100. “Work” eventually became Anti’s fourth single overall to peak at number one on the Rhythmic Songs airplay chart.

“Never Really Over” – Katy Perry

“Never Really Over” is a song by American singer Katy Perry. It was released on May 31, 2019, as the lead single from her upcoming fifth studio album Smile. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming her ninth solo single to reach the top position on the chart. Additionally, it peaked at number one in Australia and Canada, and reached the top 10 in more than 20 countries.

“Hotline Bling” – Drake

“Hotline Bling” is a song recorded by Canadian rapper Drake, which serve as the lead single from his fourth studio album Views. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Drake’s second top 10 hit, and topped the charts in several countries including Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd

The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” is one of 2016’s best hip hop songs. The Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye, is a Canadian singer, songwriter and record producer. He has released three studio albums, “Kiss Land”, “Beauty Behind the Madness” and “Starboy”. “Can’t Feel My Face” is the lead single from “Beauty Behind the Madness”. The song was written by Tesfaye, Max Martin and Peter Svensson.

“Truffle Butter” – Nicki Minaj featuring Drake and Lil Wayne

“Truffle Butter” is a song recorded by American rapper Nicki Minaj for her third studio album, The Pinkprint (2014). It was released on January 27, 2015, by Young Money, Cash Money, and Republic Records as the fourth single from the album. The song features guest appearances from Canadian rapper Drake and American rapper Lil Wayne. Both also co-wrote the song with its producers Mike Will Made It and Justin Bieber’s frequent collaborator Maejor Ali. “Truffle Butter” peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 13 on the Canadian Hot 100.

The music video for “Truffle Butter” was released on February 12, 2015, and was directed by Hannah Lux Davis. It features cameos from fellow rappers Tyga and Funkmaster Flex.

“Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)” – The Weeknd

“Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)” is a song by Canadian singer The Weeknd, recorded specifically for the soundtrack to the film Fifty Shades of Grey. The song was released through Universal Republic Records on 21 January 2015 as the lead single from the soundtrack. As of June 2015, “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)” has sold 1.5 million copies in the United States. Musically, “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)” is a midtempo R&B and pop ballad with an instrumentation consisting in heavy drums and a cascading piano riff.