YouTube Music: The Best Hip Hop of 2016
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Looking for the best hip hop music of 2016? Look no further than YouTube Music. From Chance the Rapper to Kendrick Lamar, our top picks will have you nodding your head all year long.
Best Hip Hop Albums of 2016
In 2016, the best hip hop albums came from a variety of different artists, ranging from veteran rappers to newcomers. Here are our picks for the best hip hop albums of 2016.
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
Lamar’s third studio album was one of the most highly anticipated hip hop albums of the year, and it did not disappoint. DAMN. is a masterful album that sees Lamar at the top of his game, both lyrically and musically. With hits like “DNA” and “Humble,” Lamar cemented his place as one of the best rappers in the game today.
Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book
Chance the Rapper’s third mixtape was one of the biggest surprises of 2016. Coloring Book is a joyous and positive album that finds Chance rapping about religion, family, and friendship over some of the most innovative production in hip hop today. Standout tracks include “Blessings” and “No Problem.”
Danny Brown – Atrocity Exhibition
Danny Brown’s fourth studio album is a dark and twisted look at Brown’s psyche, as he raps about drug use, violence, and sex over industrial-sounding production. Atrocity Exhibition is an unsettling but fascinating listen, and includes some of Brown’s best rapping to date. tracks like “Ain’t It Funny” and “Downward Spiral” are standouts.
Kanye West – The Life of Pablo
Kanye West’s seventh studio album was one of the most controversial releases of 2016. The Life of Pablo is a messy but often brilliant album that finds West at his most experimental, blending elements of gospel, R&B, and hip hop into a surprisingly cohesive whole. Highlights include “Ultralight Beam” and “Famous.”
Best Hip Hop Songs of 2016
The best hip hop songs of 2016 represent a diverse range of styles, from the experimental to the old school. This year’s crop of songs showcases the genre’s continued evolution while staying true to its roots.
Whether you’re looking for party anthems or reflective tracks, there’s something for everyone on this list of the best hip hop songs of 2016.
Best New Hip Hop Artists of 2016
The past year has seen a resurgence in the popularity of hip hop, with a new crop of artists breathing fresh life into the genre. Here are some of the best new hip hop artists of 2016.
Chance the Rapper: Chicago-based rapper Chance the Rapper exploded onto the scene this year with his self-produced album Coloring Book. The album, which was released exclusively on Apple Music, was praised for its inventive use of gospel and jazz samples, and earned Chance three Grammy nominations.
Kendrick Lamar: Kendrick Lamar had a breakout year in 2016 with his album DAMN., which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and earned him seven Grammy nominations. Lamar’s lyrical prowess and innovative production helped him cement his place as one of hip hop’s leading voices.
Migos: Atlanta trio Migos rose to prominence this year with their viral hit “Bad and Boujee.” The song, which features Lil Uzi Vert, peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making Migos the first hip hop group to top the chart in over 20 years.
Best Hip Hop Videos of 2016
As another year comes to a close, it’s time to look back at the best hip hop videos of 2016. This was a great year for music, with plenty of amazing artists dropping some seriously dope visuals.
Some of the best videos this year came from established artists like Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper, who both released groundbreaking videos that pushed the boundaries of what a hip hop video can be. We also saw some incredible debuts from newcomers like Anderson .Paak and Dave East.
And, of course, we can’t forget about Beyonce’s Formation video, which sparked controversy and conversation across the country.
So without further ado, here are our picks for the best hip hop videos of 2016.
