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Best of 2021. This year is only 50 because, honestly, rap really bored me this year and not a lot grabbed me outside of it. Yes, there were absolutely highlights this year, and had I not added WLR to my lists last year, I’d consider that album good enough to justify 2021 musically by itself. Nothing topped it, or really came close to it, though. We saw Carti’s most direct student, Mario Judah, who created his own WLR before Carti dropped, basically drop off the face of the earth; except for his biggest moment to date, arguably the best song to actually drop this calendar year, his unofficial remix of “Miss The Rage”, which was somehow better than the version Carti was on. Thankfully, in his stead, we got another brilliant student of Jordan Carter in Yeat; a kid who almost single-handedly carried the rest of the year.

No, my list doesn’t include RXK Nephew, because ODB and Lil Bisms are played out in 2021. Nor does it include Piano G, because between him and Lil Tjay, I never wanted to listen to rap playlists once in 2021. I also don’t need Armand Hammer in my life; I’ll just go listen to a DJ Clue mixtape if I want to hear mediocre rappers do things over late 90s grimy instrumentals

1. Playboi Carti - Slay3r

2. Mario Judah - I Miss The Rage

3. Baby Keem - Family Ties (feat. Kendrick Lamar)

4. Yeat - Get Busy

5. Lil Nas X - Industy Baby (feat. Jack Harlow)

6. Kanye West - Off the Grid (feat. Fivio Foreign & Playboi Carti)

7. Pierre Bourne - 4U

8. Nardo Wick - Who Want Smoke (feat. Lil Durk, 21 Savage & G Herbo)

9. LPB Poody - Batman

10. Young Nudy - Scott Evil

11. SoFaygo - Knock Knock

12. Doja Cat - Kiss Me More (feat. SZA)

13. Don Tolliver - Way Bigger

14. Billie Eilish - Oxytocin

15. Young Thug - Bubbly (feat. Travis Scott & Drake)

16. 21 Lil Harold - Freak Hoe

17. Dusty Locane - Rolando (Caught In The Rain)

18. Slowthai - DEAD

19. JPEGMafia- THOT’S PRAYER!

20. Isiah Rashad - From the Garden (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)

21. Travis Scott - Mafia

22. Duke Deuce - Duke Skywalker

23. Turnstile - Alien Love Call (feat. Blood Orange)

24. Westside Gunn - Hell On Earth (feat. Benny The Butcher)

25. Yves Tumor - Crushed Velvet

26. Sahbabbi - Bread Head

27. Lancey Foux - sweet!

28. ILoveMakonnen - Whoopsy (feat. payday)

29. Soulja Boy - Rick & Morty

30. RX Papi - Terry

31. Yung Fazo - Adding (feat. SoFaygo)

32. YBN Nahmir - Opp Stoppa (feat. 21 Savage)

33. Trippie Redd - Miss The Rage (feat. Playboi Carti)

34. 454 - Kobe

35. Tyler, the Creator - Massa

36. EST Gee - 5500 Degrees (feat. Lil Baby, 42 Dugg & Kylo Rodriguez)

37. Bia - Can’t Touch This

38. Kodak Black - Z Look Jamaican

39. Cico P - Tampa

40. Drake - Fair Trade (feat. Travis Scott)

41. City Girls - Twerkulator

42. Chief Keef - Harley Quinn

43. Guapdad 4000 - How Many

44. Valee - y (feat. Z Money)

45. Rooga - GD Anthem

46. Maxo Kream - Big Persona (feat. Tyler, the Creator)

47. Wizkid - Essence (feat. TEMS)

48. 21 Savage - Knife Talk (feat. A Project Pat Sample & Drake)

49. Lil B - RIP Lil Peep Based Freestyle

50. Abra - Unlock It (feat. Playboi Carti)

Just know, if WLR really does drop on Christmas, it will be the album of the year.

Edit: I told y’all

1. Playboi Carti - Stop Breathing

2. Headie One - Only You Freestyle (feat. Drake)

3. Roddy Rich - The Box

4. Drake - Pain 1993 (feat. Playboi Carti)

5. Lil Uzi Vert - Prices

6. The Weeknd - After Hours

7. 21 Savage - Glock In My Lap

8. Travis Scott - Franchise (remix) (feat. Future, Young Thug & MIA)

9. 645AR - Yoga

10. Young Thug - Out West (feat. Travis Scott)

11. Thundercat - Dragonball Durag

12. Zack Fox - Stick! (Feat. Fabo)

13. Lil Yachty - Flex Up (feat. Playboi Carti & Future)

14. King Krule - Stoned Again

15. Childish Gambino - 19.10

16. Baby Keem - Hooligan

17. Lil Baby - We Paid (feat. 42 Dugg)

18. Tame Impala - Is It True

19. Young Nudy - No Comprende

20. Don Tolliver - Cardigan

21. Slowthai - Enemy

22. Yves Tumor - Kerosene

23. Future & Lil Uzi Vert - That’s It

24. 03 Greedo - Bands In Da Basement (feat. Chief Keef)

25. Freddie Gibbs - God Is Perfect

26. Sleepy Hallow - Deep End Freestyle

27. StaySolidRocky - Party Girl Remix (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)

28. Sahbabbi - Purple Umbrella

29. Gunna - Blindfold (feat. Lil Baby)

30. Tisakorean - Did You Know (WiFi Password)

31. Lil Tecca - Dolly (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)

32. Partynextdoor - Loyal (feat. Drake)

33. Kid Cudi - Heaven on Earth

34. King Von - Gleesh Place

35. Chief Keef - Bang Bang

36. Frank Ocean - Cayendo

37. Future - Rockstar Chainz

38. Blood Orange - Call Me (feat. Park Hye Jin)

39. Nav - Yung Wheezy (feat. Gunna)

40. YN Jay - Coochie

41. Guapdad 4000 - Platinum Falcon

42. James Blake - Before

43. J Balvin - Rojo

44. Kenny Mason - PTSD

45. Meekz - Like Me

46. Pop Smoke - Yea Yea

47. Userdeleted_95 - Dark Mode

48. 42 Dugg - Palm Angels In the Sky

49. Juice WRLD - Blood On My Jesus

50. Internet Money - Lemonade (feat. Don Tolliver, Nav & Gunna)

51. Benny the Butcher - 3:30 in Houston

52. Rod Wave - Rags 2 Riches (remix) (feat. Lil Baby)

53. Bad Bunny - Safaera (feat. Jowel & Randy and Nengo Flow)

54. The 1975 - If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)

55. DaBaby - Practice

56. Lil Keed - Wavy (remix) (feat. Travis Scott)

57. Kanye West - Wash Us In The Blood (feat. Travis Scott)

58. Jackboy - Like a Million (feat. Kodak Black)

59. Ty $ Sign - Ego Death (feat. Kanye West & FKA Twigs)

60. Hoodrich Pablo Juan - Tu Can Sam

61. Cardi B - WAP (feat. Megan Thee Stallion)

62. Sada Baby - Whole Lotta Choppas

63. Drakeo The Ruler - Ion Rap Beef (feat. Earl Sweatshirt & 03 Greedo)

64. BIGBABYGUCCI - Rest In Peace Miss Rose

65. Lil Gnarr - Perc 300 (feat. Germ)

66. Kodak Black - Dummy Green

67. City Girls - Pussy Talk (feat. Doja Cat)

68. Boldy James - Scrape the Bowl (feat. Benny the Butcher)

69. Mulatto - Muwop (feat. Gucci Mane)

70. Lil Eazyyy - Onna Comeup

71. DDG - Moonwalkin in Calabasas (feat. Blueface)

72. Monsta - Spazzin (feat. Young Dro)

73. Billie Eilish - Therefore I Am

74. Marshmello - Baggin (feat. 42 Dugg)

75. Rahli - Clip Hangin (feat. Lil STL)

76. Jojo - Reanimator (feat. Yves Tumor)

77. Special Interest - Disco III

78. Grimes - 4AEM

79. Sech - La Luz (feat. J Balvin)

80. Gucci Mane - Nasty (feat. 21 Savage & Young Nudy)

81. M Huncho - Indulge (feat. D Block Europe)

82. Juicy J - Gah Damn High (feat. Lex Luger & Wiz Khalifa)

83. Masego - Mystery Lady (feat. Don Tolliver)

84. Father - Risotto

85. Money Man - 24 (feat. Lil Baby)

86. Duke Deuce - Crunk Ain’t Dead (Remix) (feat. Lil Jon, Juicy J & Project Pat)

87. Mac Miller - That’s On Me

88. Megan Thee Stallion - Savage

89. Westside Gunn - Allah Sent Me (feat. Benny & Conway)

90. Brent Faiyaz - Fuck The World (Summer in London)

91. 070 Shake - The Pines

92. Stunna 4 Vegas - Do Dat (feat. DaBaby & Lil Baby)

93. Z Money - Cold Cuts

94. Flatbush Zombies - Afterlife

95. Tokyo’s Revenge - GOODMORNINGTOKYO!

96. Sheff G - Tip Toe (feat. Sleepy Hallow)

97. Ovrkast. - Two Minute Bars (feat. Mavi)

98. SAINt Jhn - Smack DVD (feat. Kanye West)

99. JPEGMafia - Rough 7 (feat. Tommy Genesis)

100. Mario Judah - Die Very Rough

1. Playboi Carti - Whole Lotta Red

2. Lil Uzi Vert - Eternal Atake/LUV Vs The World 2

3. The Weeknd - After Hours

4. Yves Tumor - Heaven To A Tortured Mind

5. King Krule - Man Alive!

6. Drake - Dark Lane Demo Tapes

7. 21 Savage & Metro Boomin - Savage Mode 2

8. Tame Impala - The Slow Rush

9. Thundercat - It Is What It Is

10. Don Toliver - Heaven or Hell

11. Gunna - Wunna

12. Lil Baby - My Turn

13. Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon III: The Chosen

14. Sahbabbi - Barnacles

15. Mario Judah - Whole Lotta Red

1. Playboi Carti - Molly

2. Blood Orange - Dark & Handsome (feat. Toro y Moi)

3. Young Nudy - Pissy Pamper (feat. Playboi Carti)

4. Young Thug - Hot (feat. Gunna)

5. Lil Keed - It’s Up (Freestyle)

6. Tame Impala - Borderline

7. Solange - Almeda (feat. Playboi Carti)

8. Tyler, the Creator - Earfquake (feat. Playboi Carti)

9. Baby Keem - Orange Soda

10. Lil Uzi Vert - Free Uzi

11. Frank Ocean - In My Room

12. Tisakorean - Double Dare (Soapy Anthem)

13. Lucki - Glory Boy

14. JPEGMafia - PTSD

15. Future - Please Tell Me

16. YNW Melly - Rolling Loud

17. Pi’erre Bourne - Poof

18. Offset - 100 Racks (feat. Playboi Carti)

19. Skyxxx - Hotboy

20. Kanye West - Follow God

21. Splurge - Margiela

22. Polo G - Through Da Storm

23. Ambjaay - Uno

24. Yo Gotti - Pose (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)

25. Lil Nas X - Old Town Road

26. FKA twigs - home with you

27. Father - Handful

28. Toro y Moi - Ordinary Pleasure

29. Chief Keef & Zaytoven - Ain’t Gonna Happen

30. James Blake - Mile High (feat. Travis Scott)

31. Billie Eilish - bad guy

32. Gunna - Cash War

33. Griselda - Dr. Bird’s

34. Chance the Rapper - Hot Shower (feat. Madeintyo & DaBaby)

35. (Sandy) Alex G - Gretel

36. Rosalía - A Pale

37. Lancey Foux - India

38. Kodak Black - Pimpin Ain’t Easy

39. NoCap - Exotic Freestyle Pt 2

40. NLE Choppa - Shotta Flow

41. Rich the Kid - Splashin

42. Shordie Shordie - Bitchuary

43. 03 Greedo & Kenny Beats - Aye Twin (feat. Key!)

44. YG - I Was On The Block (feat. Valee & Boogie)

45. Quin Nfn - How I’m Living

46. Pop Smoke - Welcome to the Party

47. Lil Tecca - Ransom

48. Juice WRLD - Bandit (feat. NBA YoungBoy)

49. Yung Bans - 100 Shells (feat. YNW Melly)

50. YungManny & Xanman - First Day Out

51. Unotheactivist - Them Sirens

52. Mustard - Baguettes In The Face (feat. NAV, Playboi Carti & A Boogie)

53. Lil Peep - Ratchets (feat. Lil Tracy & Diplo)

54. Goonew - 6 Feet

55. Kelsey Lu - I’m Not In Love

56. Kobe Jxrdan - Girl In Florida

57. 22Gz - Sniper Gang Freestyle

58. Lil B - Secret (feat. Tommy Wright III)

59. Q Da Fool - Work (feat. Splurge)

60. Doja Cat - Tia Tamera (feat. Rico Nasty)

61. DJ Snake - Loco Contigo (feat. J Balvin & Tyga)

62. Lil Tracy - Alone In My Castle

63. Teejayx6 - Dark Web

64. Roddy Ricch - The Box

65. Lil Gotit - Oh Ok

66. Key! - Miami Too Much

67. Megan Thee Stallion - Cash Shit (feat. DaBaby)

68. Co Cash - Bonjour

69. Sheff G - We Gettin Money

70. Sada Baby - Pimp Named Drip Dat

71. Earl Sweatshirt - Mtomb

72. Sickboyrari - Narnia

73. Teyana Taylor - We Got Love

74. Peewee Longway - Fiji Water

75. Vegyn - Nauseous/Devilish (feat. JPEGMafia)

76. 9lokknine - Beef (feat. NLE Choppa)

77. Benny the Butcher - 18 Wheeler (feat. Pusha T)

78. MDMA - Give No Fucks (feat. unotheactivist)

79. Dababy - Suge

80. Lil Tjay - FN

81. Danny Brown - Theme Song

82. Valee - You & Me Both

83. Westside Gunn - Kensington Pool

84. Don Tolliver - No Idea

85. Bladee - Be Nice 2 Me

86. Thom Yorke - Traffic

87. Plies - Drip For Sale

88. Schoolboy Q - Water (feat. Lil Baby)

89. Gucci Mane - Big Boy Diamonds (feat. Kodak Black)

90. Famous Dex - Rockstar Lifestyle

91. Lana Del Rey - the greatest

92. The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

93. MoneyMan - Exotic Freestyle

94. Germ - Bloody Shoes

95. YungManny - Meade Baby (feat. Splurge)

96. Trippie Redd - The Grinch

97. Earthgang - UP

98. Zack Fox & Kenny Beats - Jesus Is The One (I Got Depression)

99. Rico Nasty & Kenny Beats - Hatin’

100. J Cole - Sunset (feat. Young Nudy)

1. Playboi Carti - wholelottaleaks

2. Lucki - Freewave 3/Days B4 III

3. Baby Keem - Die For My Bitch

4. Young Thug - So Much Fun

5. JPEGMafia - All My Heroes Are Cornballs

6. Lil Keed - Long Live Mexico

7. FKA Twigs - Magdalene

8. Blood Orange - Angel’s Pulse

9. Solange - On My Way Home

10. Lancey Foux - Friend or Foux

11. Tyler, the Creator - IGOR

12. YNW Melly - I Shine, You Shine, We All Shine

13. Griselda - WWCD

14. Future - The Wzrd

15. Splurge - Glenn Baby 2

16. Pi’erre Bourne - TLOP4

17. Young Nudy & Pi’erre Bourne - Sli’merre

18. Tisakorean - Soapy

19. Gunna - Drip or Drown 2

20. James Blake - Assume Form

1. Kanye West - Yeezus

2. Playboi Carti - Die Lit

3. Young Thug - Barter 6

4. Frank Ocean - Blonde

5. Future - Monster

6. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

7. Travis Scott - Rodeo

8. Drake - Nothing Was The Same

9. Rich Gang - Tha Tour: Pt. 1

10. Chief Keef - Finally Rich

11. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, MAAD City

12. Future - DS2

13. Waka Flocka Flame - Flockaveli

14. The Weeknd - House of Balloons

15. Travis Scott - Days Before Rodeo

16. Kanye West - The Life of Pablo

17. Schoolboy Q - Habits & Contradictions

18. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly

19. Blood Orange - Negro Swan

20. Lil B - 6 Kiss

21. Chief Keef - Almighty So

22. ILoveMakonnen - ILoveMakonnen (EP)

23. Tyler, The Creator - Bastard

24. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

25. Lil Peep - Come Over When You’re Sober Vol. 1

26. 21 Savage & Metro Boomin - Savage Mode

27. Spaceghostpurrp - Blackland Radio 66.6

28. Migos - Culture

29. Kid Cudi - Man On The Moon II

30. Lil Uzi Vert - LUV Is Rage

31. Lucki - Freewave 3

32. Drake - Take Care

33. Travis Scott - Astroworld

34. XXXTentacion - ?

35. ILoveMakonnen - Drink More Water 4

36. Tame Impala - Currents

37. Key! & Kenny Beats - 777

38. Kendrick Lamar - DAMN.

39. Lil Yachty - Lil Boat

40. Playboi Carti - Playboi Carti

41. Father - Young Hot Ebony

42. ARAABMuzik - Electronic Dream

43. James Blake - Overgrown

44. Pusha T - Daytona

45. Earl Sweatshirt - EARL

46. Rick Ross - Rich Forever

47. Kodak Black - Institution

48. Sahbabbi - SANDAS

49. Tay-K - #SantanasWorld

50. King Krule - The OOZ

51. Lil B - Blue Flame

52. Mac Miller - Faces

53. Young Scooter - Street Lottery

54. Gucci Mane - Mr. Zone 6

55. Young Thug - 1017 Thug

56. Chief Keef - Bang 2

57. A$AP Rocky - Live.Love.A$AP

58. Lorde - Pure Heroine

59. Childish Gambino - Because The Internet

60. Danny Brown - XXX

61. Roc Marciano - Marcberg

62. Rihanna - Anti

63. Kanye West & Jay-Z - Watch The Throne

64. Drake - If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late

65. Juicy J - Rubbaband Business 2

66. XXXTentacion - 17

67. Big Boi - Sir Lucius Left Foot

68. Baby Keem - Die For My Bitch

69. Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

70. Pusha T - My Name Is My Name

71. Lil Peep - Hellboy

72. Ab-Soul - Control System

73. MGMT - Congratulations

74. Fetty Wap - Fetty Wap

75. FKA Twigs - LP1

76. Kids See Ghosts - Kids See Ghosts

77. Gunna - Drip Season 3

78. Trippie Redd - A Love Letter To You

79. Lil Uzi Vert - Lil Uzi Vert Vs The World

80. JPEGMafia - All My Heroes Are Cornballs

81. Sleigh Bells - Treat

82. Chief Keef - Back From The Dead 2

83. Future - 56 Nights

84. Vince Staples - Summertime 06

85. Lil Keed - Long Live Mexico

86. 2 Chainz - TRU REALigion

87. Young Thug - So Much Fun

88. Travis Scott - Birds In The Trap Sing Bryan McKnight

89. Blood Orange - Angel’s Pulse

90. Rick Ross - Teflon Don

91. Lucki - Watch My Back

92. Earl Sweatshirt - I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside

93. Future - Future

94. Future - HNDRXX

95. Migos - YRN

96. 21 Savage & Offset - No Warning

97. Gucci Mane - Trap Back

98. Curren$y - Pilot Talk

99. Main Attrakionz - 808s & Dark Grapes 2

100. Tyler, The Creator - Flower Boy

1. Kanye West - New Slaves

2. Chief Keef - Love Sosa

3. Travis Scott - Drugs You Should Try It

4. Lil Uzi Vert - XO Tour Lif3

5. Soulja Boy - Xan With That Lean Pt 2

6. Frank Ocean - Nights

7. Young Thug - Danny Glover (2 Bitches)

8. Lil B - Pretty Boy Remix

9. Future - Codeine Crazy

10. Playboi Carti - Flatbed Freestyle

11. Metro Thuggin - The Blanguage

12. Kanye West - Runaway (feat. Pusha T)

13. Chief Keef - Don’t Like (feat. Lil Reese)

14. Father - Look At Wrist (feat. ILoveMakonnen & Key!)

15. Gucci Mane - Beat It Up (feat. Trey Songz)

16. 21 Savage & Metro Boomin - No Heart

17. Migos - Bad & Bougee (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)

18. Kendrick Lamar - Untitled 02

19. Meek Mill - Dreams & Nightmares

20. Blood Orange - Dagenham Dream

21. Kid Cudi - GHOST!

22. Kodak Black - No Flockin

23. Waka Flocka Flame - Hard in the Paint

24. Tyler, The Creator - Yonkers

25. Travis Scott - 90210 (feat. Kacy Hill)

26. Lil Peep - White Wine (feat. Lil Tracy)

27. Juicy J - Zip & A Double Cup

28. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You

29. Young Thug - Check

30. Kanye West - Monster (feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross & Nicki Minaj)

31. Rocko - UOENO (feat. Future & Rick Ross)

32. Young Thug - Hot (feat. Gunna)

33. The Weeknd - The Hills

34. Rick Ross - BMF (feat. Styles P)

35. ILoveMakonnen - Sex, Love & Extacy

36. Blood Orange - Dark & Handsome (feat. Toro y Moi)

37. Lil Yachty - 1 Night

38. Childish Gambino - Redbone

39. A$AP Rocky - Wassup

40. Odd Future - Oldie

41. Drake - Trust Issues

42. Travis Scott - Goosebumps (feat. Kendrick Lamar)

43. Travis Scott - Sicko Mode (feat. Drake)

44. Playboi Carti - Magnolia

45. XXXtentacion - Fuck Love (feat. Trippie Redd)

46. Future - Thought It Was A Drought

47. Schoolboy Q - n****Hs.already.know.davers.flow

48. A$AP Rocky - Kissin’ Pink (feat. A$AP Ferg)

49. Spaceghostpurrp - The Truth

50. Nicki Minaj - Beez In The Trap (feat. 2 Chainz)

51. Frank Ocean - Nikes

52. YNW Melly - Murder On My Mind

53. Earl Sweatshirt - EARL

54. Rae Sremmurd - No Type

55. araabMUZIK - Underground Stream

56. Tame Impala - The Less I Know, The Better

57. Solange - Almeda (feat. Playboi Carti)

58. Sahbabbi - Titanaboa (feat. T3)

59. Lil Keed - It’s Up Freestyle

60. Lil Baby - Freestyle

61. Kanye West & Jay-Z - No Church In The Wild (feat. Frank Ocean)

62. Kodak Black - Tunnel Vision

63. Fetty Wap - 679 (feat. Monty)

64. Lucki - Freewave Freestyle 1

65. Fat Trel - Respect With the Tech

66. Ab-Soul - Terrorists Threats (feat. Danny Brown & Jhene Aiko)

67. Jay Rock - King’s Dead (feat. Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake)

68. Rowdy Rebel - Shmoney Dance (feat. Bobby Shmurda)

69. Kanye West & Jay-Z - N****s In Paris

70. Tay-K - Murder She Wrote

71. Vince Staples - Norf Norf

72. James Blake - Life Round Here

73. Lil Uzi Vert - 20 Mins

74. Lil Peep - Beamer Boy

75. The Weeknd - What You Need

76. Migos - Versace

77. OG Maco - U Guessed It! (Feat. Key!)

78. Kendrick Lamar - Alright

79. Xxxtentacion - Sad!

80. Kendrick Lamar - Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe

81. Frank Ocean - Channel

82. Drake - Hotline Bling

83. Chief Keef - Blow My High

84. Future - Throw Away

85. ILoveMakonnen - Tuesday

86. Main Attrakionz - Chuuuch

87. King Krule - Dum Surfer

88. Jai Paul - BTSTU

89. ZMoney - 2 16’s (feat. Valee)

90. FKA twigs - 2 Weeks

91. Sheck Wes - Mo Bamba

92. Waka Flocka Flame - Karma (feat. YG Hootie, Popa Smurf & Slim Dunkin)

93. Jidenna - Long Live The Chief

94. Young Thug & Travis Scott - Pick Up The Phone (feat. Quavo)

95. Juice WRLD - Lucid Dreams

96. Speakerknockerz - Lonely

97. Bobby Shmurda - Hot N****

98. Drake - In My Feelings

99. Young Scooter - Runnin Out Of Money

100. Frank Ocean - Siegfried

101. Rihanna - Consideration (feat. SZA)

102. Kodak Black - Like Dat

103. Migos - T-Shirt

104. Sleigh Bells - Infinity Guitars

105. Tame Impala - Borderline

106. OJ Da Juiceman - No Hook

107. Jamie XX - There’s Gonna Be (Good Times) (feat. Young Thug & Popacaan)

108. Beyoncé - Drunk In Love (feat. Jay-Z)

109. Lil Peep - Lil Kennedy

110. T.I. - All About The Money (feat. Young Thug)

111. Gunna - Drip or Drown

112. Waka Flocka Flame - My G

113. Tyler, The Creator - Earfquake (feat. Playboi Carti)

114. Lorde - Team

115. Usher - Climax

116. Big Boi - Shine Blockas (feat. Gucci Mane)

117. Fredo Santana - Jealous (feat. Kendrick Lamar)

118. Valee - Shell

119. Lucki - Glory Boy

120. Lana Del Rey - Video Games

121. Lil B - Wonton Soup

122. Lil Peep & Lil Tracy - Witchblades

123. ZMoney - Regular

124. Lil Reese - Us (feat. Chief Keef)

125. DJ Nate - Gucci Goggles

20 Albums for 2018

100 songs was easy. 20 albums? Honestly, rather difficult, though I either love or greatly admire all the projects here. So many of my favorite, long established artists left me down - but that’s okay. Travis and Carti are my new Kanye and Drake (keyword being mine) 1. Travis Scott - Astroworld 2. Playboi Carti - Die Lit 3. Blood Orange - Negro Swan 4. XXXTentacion - ? 5. Gunna - Drip Season 3 6. Pusha T - Daytona 7. Key! & Kenny Beats - 777 8. Sheck Wes - Mudboy 9. Young Thug - On the Rvn 10. Lil Peep - Come Over When You’re Sober, Vol 2 11. Metro Boomin - NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES 12. Lil Baby - Street Gossip 13. Trouble & Mike Will Made-It - Edgewood 14. Kids See Ghosts - Kids See Ghosts 15. Sahbabbi - Squidtastic 16. Tierra Whack - Whack World 17. Kodak Black - Dying to Live 18. Lil Baby & Gunna - Drip Harder 19. Trippie Redd - A Love Letter To You Vol 3 20. Saba - Care For Me

100 for 18

I wrote down 100 before noz posted his. I love noz, just want you to know I’m not a style stealer. That’s a Gunna reference because he was one of my favorite artists this year. It was an incredible year for music. Not for anything else, though.

1. Travis Scott - Sicko Mode (feat. Drake)

2. Sheck Wes - Mo Bamba

3. Gunna & Lil Baby - Drip Too Hard

4. Kanye West & Lil Pump - I Love It

5. Playboi Carti - Flatbed Freestyle

6. Juice WRLD - Lucid Dreams

7. Drake - In My Feelings

8. Jay Rock - King’s Dead (feat. Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake)

9. Lil Yachty - Mickey (feat. Offset & Lil Baby)

10. Lil Baby - Yes Indeed (feat. Drake)

11. Young Thug - Sin (feat. Jaden Smith)

12. Sahbabbi - Anime World

13. SOB x RBE - Paramedic (feat. Kendrick Lamar)

14. Lil Pump - ESKEETIT

15. Blockboy JB - Look Alive (feat. Drake)

16. Kanye West - All Mine

17. Blood Orange - Dagenham Dreams

18. Gunna - Sold Out Dates (feat. Lil Baby)

19. XXXTentacion - Hope

20. Meek Mill - Trauma

21. Childish Gambino - This Is America

22. Lil Wayne - Uproar

23. Pusha T - Come Back Baby

24. Tay-K - After You

25. Famous Dex - Japan

26. Lil Peep - 16 Lines

27. Key! & Kenny Beats - Toronto

28. Metro Boomin - Don’t Come Out The House (feat. 21 Savage)

29. Rae Sremmurd - Up In My Cocina

30. Hoodrich Pablo Juan - The Matrix

31. Kids See Ghosts - 4th Dimension

32. Chief Keef - Belieber

33. Saba - Life

34. Mac Miller - Self Care

35. Kodak Black - Calling My Spirit

36. Glokknine - Crayola

37. Trouble & Mike Will Made-It - Kesha Dem

38. Jaden Smith - Ghost (feat. Christian Rich)

39. Trippie Redd - Love Scars 3

40. Vince Staples - Tweakin

41. Gucci Mane - Father’s Day

42. Tierra Whack - Sore Loser

43. Mike Will Made-It - The Mantra (feat. Pharrell & Kendrick Lamar)

44. Skooldagoon - Respect (feat NFL Bossman)

45. Takeoff - Last Memory

46. Cardi B - I Like It (feat. J Balvin & Bad Bunny)

47. Yung Bans - Ridin (feat. Landon Cube & YBN Nahmir)

48. Mariah Carey - Giving Me Life (feat. Slick Rick & Blood Orange)

49. Valee - Womp Womp (feat. Jeremih)

50. Future & Juice WRLD - Jet Lag (feat. Young Scooter)

51. Big Baby Scumbag - Hammer Time

52. DaniLeigh - Lil Bebe (remix) (feat. Lil Baby)

53. Lil Uzi Vert - New Patek

54. ZMoney - Bitcoin

55. Pierre Bourne - Planet Namek

56. Splurge - Intro Pt 2

57. Benny the Butcher - Scarface Vs Sosa, Pt 2

58. The Weeknd - Call Out My Name

59. 16yo - Young Scooter (feat. Yung Bans, Tracy & D Savage)

60. Young Nudy - Indastreet

61. Future - Cuddle My Wrist

62. Nas - Adam & Eve (feat. The-Dream)

63. Shoreline Mafia - Musty

64. 03 Greedo - Basehead

65. Joey Purp - Elastic

66. Young Scooter - Trippple Cross (feat. Future & Young Thug)

67. JID - Off Deez (feat. J Cole)

68. Malick McFly - Blood In My Eye

69. A$AP Rocky - Gunz N Butta

70. Quavo - Fuck 12 (feat. Offset)

71. City Morgue - Caligula

72. Rico Nasty - Trust Issues

73. Blueface - Dead Loc’s

74. Key Glock - Russian Cream

75. Chance The Rapper - I Might Need Security

76. Earl Sweatshirt - Peanut

77. FBG Duck - Slide

78. JPEG Mafia - Does This Ski Mask Make Me Look Fat? (Feat. Heno.)

79. Roc Marciano - Fabio

80. Lil Wop - Extensions

81. Wifis Funeral - IMVU

82. Sada Baby & Drego - Blxck Party

83. Kierra Luv - You Lied To Me

84. Lucki - Root of All

85. Shy Glizzy - Free 3

86. Roddy Ricch - Die Young

87. LGado - Fuck Yo Club (feat. Valee)

88. Fiji McIntosh - Metallic Withdrawls

89. Migos - Flooded

90. NAV - Know Me

91. Baka Not Nice - Tings On Me

92. Lil Gotit - Superstar (feat. Gunna)

93. Ski mask The Slump God - Coolest Monkey In The Jungle (feat. Sahbabbi)

94. Peewee Longway - I Can’t Get Enough

95. G Herbo & Southside - Bonjour

96. Ohgeesy - Heavy

97. Co Cash - Cash Day

98. Kami - Reboot (feat. Chance The Rapper & Joey Purp)

99. YNW Melly - Slangin That Iron

100. Roota Bang - Money Long

Lil Peep “Lil Kennedy”

Lil Peep is the type of artist I want to write about. Thousands of words have been said about Peep, especially since his passing last November, but none of them have really explained my personal connection with Lil Peep’s music. None of them have conveyed the impact this kid’s music has had on my own life.

I wish Lil Peep would’ve been making music when I was a teenager, or in my early twenties; maybe he would’ve helped me with my own struggles with anxiety and depression, long before I knew of how detrimental my mental health would be to my dreams. Sure, music of Peep’s ilk has existed for years, from Bright Eyes to Elliot Smith, and plenty of lesser artists in between.

Hip-hop even tried to introduce this vulnerable side with Kanye’s 808s and Heartbreak/Kid Cudi, but while I loved both of those, they felt surface level. Kanye has made far more emotive records since, I feel, with unreleased tracks like “I Feel Like That”, and Cudi’s loneliness, while I still love his records, always felt very shallow. Maybe it’s not fair to say someone expressing themselves, at such a level, isn’t very deep, but I don’t feel like Cudi ever articulated those feelings of anguish to the degree I had hoped for. At the very least, Cudi touched on feelings I was familiar with, but he didn’t speak for me.

Along came Peep. While his peers rapped and sang about similar subjects, and plenty of them arrived on the scene before Peep himself, they never reached the emotional apexes that Peep managed to hit on almost all of his records. His catalog really is insane, with over one hundred songs, and very few of them feel like filler. Among these songs, he shared so many vivid details of his own struggle with anxiety and depression, with a self awareness that is rare for an artist in any genre. This kid put fucking literal peeps on one of his mixtape covers, and called himself “Lil Bo Peep” on any chance he was given. But that wasn’t the only thing that made Peep self aware.

Peep knew he was going to die young, as anyone who indulged in a lifestyle like his should be prepared for. Despite this, he cultivated a massive fan base in a very short period of time thanks to his transparency, fans that could see themselves in the same smiling disguise Peep usually displayed for the camera. Perhaps none of his songs were as transparent as “Lil Kennedy”.

“They don’t see me ‘less I pull up Lamborghini/everybody wanna be me until they pull and they meet me,” Peep raps in a somber tone, a short anecdote that may describe Peep’s career (and life) in a nutshell. No one paid attention to Peep until he was flossing just a little bit, and now everyone is envious of the man until they meet him themselves, seeing that all that show money didn’t change the broken shell of a man inside the exotic car. It brings up the age old question of “does money buy happiness?”, which anyone with depression can answer with a resounding “no.” It’s like those people who asks why people like Cobain took their lives at the peak of their relevance; the simple answer being that monetary wealth maybe a bandage, but it will never be a solution.

“I’ma die slow, sweetie, I ain’t never had a meaning/just another fucking junkie, drain my blood, but don’t be greedy,” is probably one of the most poignant lyrics in a discography full of macabre feelings and self-fulfilling prophecies. Peak levels of nihilism, and it only leads into one of my favorite Peep lyrics, which I think might be the most beautifully morose thing he wrote: “leave some liquid for the centipedes, they eat away my memory/feed me to my enemies.” This is a play on letting the maggots eat at your decaying flesh, but using centipedes in their place, something Peep was very afraid of according to a GQ interview. Eating away his memories could be taken in a couple different ways, whether that’s his very body/essence, or hinting at something different, where these centipedes are literally eating away his memories; it’s all up to interpretation, but I’m leaning towards the former.

“Lead me to my death, I’m Lil Kennedy/I ain’t got no remedy, bury me/pocket full of ketamine, methamphetamine,” is, or should’ve been, one of the more controversial things Peep said in his career. Embracing drugs as universally frowned upon as ketamine and methamphetamine goes beyond even rapper-levels of drug fetishization. This further enhances the earlier lyrics of being “just another fucking junkie,” as Peep essentially expresses doing any drug he could get his hands on to numb the pain (Peep has said in interviews that he never bought his own drugs, and only did whatever was presented to him on any given night - a move literally no one should follow). This is also the beginning of him drawing comparisons to JFK on the track, one that doesn’t quite make sense, but does allow for some very effective writing “put me in the limousine, drive me to destiny/pussy on the leather seats, music and ecstasy.”

“She don’t think I’m sexy but I can’t let that get to me” is going back to the opening lines of people only wanting to associate with him because of his new found fame and wealth. She’s consenting to sex here, but not because she’s genuinely interested in Peep, but more so in his “clout”; a fact that does no good for Peep’s self esteem, but still, he can’t refuse. This is one of the few times I’ve ever seen a rapper discuss a groupie in such a light, but sex usually seemed very intimate in Peep’s world; not so much an act of victory or celebration, but one that brought two souls closer together. Not here though, like the pitfall of drugs, this is merely a way to pass the time.

I didn’t know Peep, so I can’t speak for his character, but he truly seemed like a kid with a heart of gold, which is especially rare for the scene he was in. He didn’t surround himself with the best people - obviously - but that’s not my place to judge. All I can judge Peep on is his own interviews, his lyrics, and other’s accounts of him. Going on all those things, I honestly doubt we see another artist like Peep in a long time.

#lil peep

(Archives) Beautiful Lou Interview

Beautiful Lou is a producer, who also happens to occasionally rap, residing in San Antonio, Texas, who can always be reached at his #rare Tumblr. - http://beautifullou.tumblr.com/

His career may appear young, but his signature trademark of dark almost hymn-like gothic vocal samples combined with a slowed down BPM that is always screaming to be Screwed (pause?). Having produced for Lil B (Cocaine and the Illusions of Grandeur remix), Main Attrakionz (primarily Squadda, having produced on his I Smoke Because I Don't Care About Death album as well as the more recent Black Kings), and many talented lesser known emcees (Western Tink and Yachtsmen certainly come to mind first), Lou's profile has raised greatly since I met him a year ago.

I recently asked Lou for an interview, and he happily obliged; hopefully I can showcase the man behind the music as well as the producer and rapper in the light he deserves. Admittedly nervous about conducting my very first interview, I called up Lou on his phone and got ready to break that cherry (||).

Firstly, thanks for fucking with me, bro. You have no idea how much I appreciate your support; we're coming up in this game now together, and that seems so appropriate. But before we get to anything, because of how refined your music is, I really need to ask; how long have you been producing? Rapping?

Three to four years, but like a lot of the shit you're hearing now is pretty old. When I was in Dallas, I was more active making new beats, but when I moved to San Antonio, I couldn't really get anyone to rap on my shit. I liked the lyricists, but they weren't really feeling my shit, I guess that wasn't they were looking for. So, when I moved to San Antonio, I started fucking with the Internet real heavy - that lead me to Lil B, Squadda B. I was really about trying to keep it Texas, y'know, local; that's just the sound that I wanted to help promote, the artists around here. But when I checked with these people online, they had a style that really brought something to rap. They're kinda doing things on an avant-garde level, but they still keep it street.

Now that's kinda leading me to getting attention around here, with Lil B popping off, Squadda B getting attention from the blogs, which is crazy because I did production on SNYL from I Smoke Because I Don't Care About Death. Your style is very different from any producer I'm hearing out there; it obviously shares some sonic qualities with the emerging Based genre of production, specifically the lo-fi, scratchy effect, but it differs so greatly from producers like Clams Casino or Keyboard Kid. All those melancholic droning-samples, the dirty 808s, the funky bass reminiscent of Pimp C's trademark Southern comfort; it's all so welcoming, so breathtaking.

Who're some of your inspirations, past and present?

It's weird because I didn't even hear of Clams or Keyboard Kid before working with Lil B; but present, now I'm just listening to like a lot of the shit they're putting out, anyone that's working with Lil B. It's cool to be able see people that're in my same lane, really just soaking it up, seeing the type of sound we're created. Past? Really, the first CD that I bought with my own money was OutKast - Aquemini. That shit pretty much defines the type of sound that I'm trying to do. It just has a lotta screwed elements to it, especially on Aquemini; it just feels like Texas. Because we've been doing that down here, the pitched the horror music and stuff, y'know; it's a crunchy sound. Especially synths, and those types of instruments, they sound real good to me; it just creates a certain broken digital sound. But definitely Screw and Pimp C, just that sound that'll stick with you.

I know you're very #based, but your production bleeds with such sorrow - you seem like such a positive, upbeat guy from what I've heard from you and the times we've exchanged messages over the net. Even now on the phone, your tone is still bright, uplifting; does this music come from a certain place in your soul? Are you letting the song cry, word to Hova?

I guess I'm just trying to hit the emotion with that song - you know, those screwed vocals are just so sad, they hit that emotion with you. Like that first time I heard, even though it wasn't a pitched down vocal, you know that RZA song, Tearz? From 36 Chambers? The first time I heard that shit, it just hit me so emotionally; I just didn't know music could hit that chord with you. Just the way he pitched up chopped those vocals, pitched them up. Just something about that really stuck with me; those voices. Like that song I just gave to Lil B, the Illusions of Grandeur (Remix), there's just this sample there - and to me, his voice just makes the beat. It's just so dark and lonely.

So, Lou, you finally released your EP recently, something I've been waiting on personally for quite awhile. The EP isn't completely full of Lou raps - which kinda saddened me. The other tracks are exceptional, especially Squadda B's Black Kings and Lil B's Cocaine, two songs I was already a big fan of going into. But do you ever think you'll take up the mic more? I fucking love your flow man.. maybe it's that Southern drawl you have, but I don't think anyone sounds as good on your production as you.

I dunno man, the producer thing popped off more; like I'm getting a lot of request for beats, and sometimes they'll request a feature too, because they've heard me do these freestyles. I mean, if I could - to be honest man, I dunno anyone around here who really has a proper studio, or even a mic or anything. In Dallas it was a lot easier, but here in San Antonio, there's not that many people doing it. But, once I get some more money saved up, I'm gonna try to get more studio time and everything. I think the direction I really wanna take is doing more freestyles, because I really like performing; that's what I wanna do more of, and of course I'm gonna do more songs. Plus, the video aspect has really popped off; you know, people just like watching that type of shit, the freestyle videos.

Yeah, I remember you dancing around in the video from the Letedra Bal4head, with you dancing around in the rain, that was just entertaining as hell.

[Lou laughs] Yeah, you know, I just had a lot more time back then, but now I'm so busy. I had so much more time back then when I first moved to San Antonio, no one was was really paying attention to me. But now, I'm just trying to get everything together; but I intend on doing more videos here when I get the time.

Where do you get most of your samples from? A lot of the samples are just so bleak, but I can't tell if they're taken directly from other musical outlets or not. At times I can't tell if you screwed the original sample to a crawl or if you happened to record a choir of dying angels. I mean that in the most complimentary way, too; a choir of dying angels is pretty epic.

I used to do soul beats, but now, I just sample a lot of New Wave, a lot of 80s artist from the French scene; those voices, those instruments, they're really the type of thing I'm looking for. Like I used to be a really big fan of Prince, so that's the time period I really look for. I go to a lot of different places to get like 25 cent CD's, you can find a lot of shit. I do like vinyl, but it's just a lot easier with CD's, plus they were more popular during that time frame I was looking for, and you know, no one's really mining that period. Plus a lot of the homeboys know the type of music that I like to sample, so they find stuff and bring it to me.

You've worked with some fantastic talents, and all of you continue to keep pushing out great music on a seemingly daily basis. Who're you working with now? Who do you really want to work with that you haven't had the opportunity to yet?

Well, right now I'm working with Western Tink; he came down here for SXSW. We did some songs, shot some videos. I really like him, think he's got a lot of potential, so I want to push him. He's really got a good sound, a good ear; I mean, some people don't like he raps, they think he's too basic, but he really get a good point across. Squadda B and the whole Green Ova crew, they've shown me a lot of love, so I'm really just trying to fuck with me. Pretty much Lil B too, man; I'm grateful that he's been working with me. That's pretty much it; I mean, I got Sed the Dean from Ohio, and Sam Rubik outta Brooklyn. They both pretty much hit me everyday, and I like their shit, I'll put it out.

And I'm really trying to fuck with Soulja Boy, man; I like that you write a lot about Soulja Boy, dog. There's just something about him; just the way he writes a hook, they're just so catchy. Even when he's just fucking around, he can't help but write a good chorus. I was really hoping the Lil B connection would help me, he said he'd send some stuff his way, but I don't really have an email for him.

But yeah, I really want to work with a lot of local talent; I like looking at the local scene, like K-Dog productions, it's got a lot of potential. It reminds me a little bit of the Dallas scene from like 07, 08. It's just the scene moves so quick; y'know, it's not like the scene has really moved, I dunno if you listen to much Dallas music -

I used to listen to Tum Tum's album a lot when Caprice Muzik was popping, but that's really as far as I go.

Yeah, I used to stay like right down the street from T-Town Music where Tum Tum was signed. I used to play beats for him - a lot of my older shit, my early shit. It was pretty wild, I hung out with him, a lotta local dudes; it was just fun being a part of that when that was starting to blow up. Like Mr. Pookie, Mr. Lucci, that was from around the way, around Simpson Grove, just being able to see them on TV, it really influenced me, anything that I really did.

Random as hell, but I need to hear Beautiful Lou laced Brick Squad with some beats, man.

Shit man, a big reason I even got into your blog was how much you were writing about Gucci. Like, he's one of my biggest influences, especially with the Burrprint [3D]; and he'd be like, the number one dude I want on one of my beats, dog. Like, even though I don't think it's his style, I think he can really come out of left-field. Like shit he does, like Anti-Social, all the singing and shit, I love that shit, man. But yeah, if I could get one rapper on my beat, it'd be Gucci.

Yeah man, Gucci's my favorite rappers, I've been listening to him and writing about him for way too long, taking it way too seriously.

Yeah man, but there is a lot of layers, and no one else really appreciates that shit. Like, that's why we're fucking with you and the other blogs, because no one writes about that type of shit, I don't think anyone else sees it. Like, growing up around those lyrics, I was always wondering "how come no one's into this shit?" Like everyone is all bigging up deep lyrics, conscious music, that shit, and I'm not trying to be too harsh on it - but no one's really paying attention to what we're doing. Just talking about money and riding around smoking weed in a creative way, just having a good time over crazy beats and shit. To me, Gucci like epitomizes that shit - I could go on about that for days.

I think that's the type of thing I wanna hear on my beats, you know, even though my shit is dark and ethereal shit, I just want people to talk about money, and just talking shit on my beats, just because it's such a great contrast to the beat. Like, all that shit, I listen to that shit all day.

With Lil B blowing up and being all over MTV, opening the doors even further for original, somewhat ambient producers/rappers like you, I've gotta ask; do you have dreams of ever going mainstream?

Shit, I'm glad just being local - even though I'm on the blogs, on the Internet, that's cool too. Like, I dunno if you read what I wrote, but I wrote that I used to just read rap magazines all day, just reading XXL and the Source at grocery stores when I was a kid. Like, the blogs are like the new magazine to me. I mean, I'm not gonna say that's good enough for me, but it still really trips me out. That's really all I got into it for at the first, just dreaming about you know, one day making it in the magazines. Even though it's really hard to make money outta music right now, it's just important to me to be talked about, to be a part of hip-hop history. Like you guys are really archiving it, putting it into context for everyone. Just getting recognized is all I need - I mean, I could make some money, I've been getting offers and everything - but just being talked about is enough.

#beautiful lou

I’m Late: 15 More for 2017

1. Lil Peep & Lil Tracy - White Wine 2. Zmoney - Two 16s (feat. Valee) 3. Hoodrich Pablo Juan - Zombamafoo 4. Gunna - Drip or Drown 5. Valee - Miami 6. 03 Greedo - Bally & Balmains 7. Yung Bans - Right Through You 8. Drugrixh Peso - Don’t Do The Love (feat. Hoodrich Pablo Juan) 9. 6ix9ine - Gummo 10. Drakeo The Ruler - Out the Slums (feat. 03 Greedo) 11. Lil Dude - Only Option (feat. Hoodrich Pablo Juan) 12. Yunggoth - Crying (feat. Lil Peep) 13. SOB x RBE - Anti 14. Young Dolph - Thinking Out Loud 15. Jack Harlow - Dark Knight

50 For ‘17

Long year. 1. Lil Uzi Vert - XO Tour Lif3 2. XXXtentacion - Fuck Love (feat. Trippie Redd) 3. Kendrick Lamar - Humble 4. Playboi Carti - Magnolia 5. Future - Mask Off 6. Migos - T-Shirt 7. Kodak Black - Tunnel Vision 8. Drake - Portland (feat. Quavo & Travis Scott) 9. Trippie Redd - Dark Knight Dummo (feat. Travis Scott) 10. Young Thug - Tomorrow Til Infinity 11. Blac Youngsta - Hip-Hopper (feat. Lil Yachty) 12. 21 Savage - Close My Eyes 13. Offset - Ric Flair Drip 14. A$AP Mob - Feels So Good 15. Gucci Mane - Met Gala (feat. Offset) 16. Lil Wop - Lost My Mind 17. Travis Scott - Butterfly Effect 18. 21 Savage & Offset - Mad Stalkers 19. Tyler, The Creator - 911/Mr. Lonely 20. Ski Mask the Slump God - Catch Me Outside 21. Cardi B - Bodak Yellow 22. Goldlink - Crew (feat. Gucci Mane, Brent Faiyaz & Shy Glizzy) 23. Smokepurpp - Fingers Blue (feat. Travis Scott) 24. Sahbabbi - Marsupial Superstars (feat. T3) 25. Lana Del Rey - Summer Bummer (feat. A$AP Rocky & Playboi Carti) 26. Future & Young Thug - All da Smoke 27. Jaden Smith - Batman 28. Chief Keef - Couple Coats 29. Baka Not Nice - Live Up To My Name 30. Lil B - DJ BasedGod 31. Young Nudy - EA (feat. 21 Savage) 32. Lil Pump - Crazy 33. 2 Chainz - Riverdale Rd. 34. Rae Sremmurd - Perfect Pint (feat. Gucci Mane & Kendrick Lamar) 35. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie - Drowning (feat. Kodak Black) 36. Big Sean - Who’s Stopping Me 37. Tay-K - The Race 38. Vince Staples - 745 39. Gorillaz - Saturn Barz (feat. Poppacaan) 40. Juicy J - Feed The Streets (feat. Project Pat & A$AP Rocky) 41. Rich the Kid - New Freezer (feat. Kendrick Lamar) 42. Frank Ocean - Biking (feat. Jay Z & Tyler, the Creator) 43. Unotheactivist - Fabo 44. A$AP Ferg - Rubberband Man (feat. Cam'ron) 45. Bryson Tiller - Get Mine (feat. Young Thug) 46. Jay Z - 4:44 47. Ramriddlz - Melanincholy 48. Young Mavu - Black Magic 49. Lil Yachty - Lady In Yellow 50. Lil Peep - The Brightside

Top 40 of 2016

For collections sake. 1. Travis Scott - Goosebumps (feat. Kendrick Lamar) 2. Kendrick Lamar- Untitled 02 3. French Montana - Lockjaw (feat. Kodak Black) 4. 21 Savage - No Heart 5. Gucci Mane - St. Brick 6. Kanye West - FML (feat. The Weeknd) 7. Young Thug - Slime Shit (Feat. Yak Gotti, Duke & Peewee Roscoe) 8. Migos - Bad & Boujee (feat. Lil Uzi Vert) 9. Young Thug & Travis Scott - Pick Up The Phone (feat. Quavo) 10. Childish Gambino - Redbone 11. Desiigner - Timmy Turner 12. Kodak Black - Slayed (feat. Lil Boosie) 13. Famous Dex - Drip From My Walk 14. Frank Ocean - Nights 15 DJ Khaled - Tourist (feat. Travis Scott & Lil Wayne) 16. Rae Sremmurd - Black Beatles (feat. Gucci Mane) 17. Meek Mill - Offended (feat. Young Thug & 21 Savage) 18. Future - Too Much Sauce (feat. Lil Uzi Vert) 19. Rich The Kid - Run It Up (feat. Young Thug) 20. Lil Yachty - Fucked Over 21. Lil Uzi Vert - Money Longer 22. The Weeknd - Secrets 23. Clams Casino - Be Somebody (feat. A$AP Rocky & Lil B) 24. Schoolboy Q - That Part (feat. Kanye West) 25. Drake - Still Here 26. Post Malone - Broken Whiskey Glass 27. 2 Chainz - Good Drank (feat. Gucci Mane & Quavo) 28. Ab-Soul - Beat The Case (feat. Schoolboy Q) 29. Belly - Consuela (feat. Young Thug) 30. Chance the Rapper - No Problem (feat. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz) 31. DRAM - Broccoli (feat. Lil Yachty) 32. Jay IDK - Boy's Innocence (feat. Fat Trel) 33. Rihanna - Consideration (feat. SZA) 34. Lil Boosie - No Drake On (feat. Lil Scrappy) 35. Danny Brown - Really Doe (feat. Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul & Earl Sweatshirt) 36. Pusha T - Circles (feat. Ty $ Sigh & Desiigner) 37. $uicide Boy$ - South Side $uicide (feat. Pouya) 38. Rossi Rock - 19&55 39. Gucci Mane & Future - Selling Heroin 40. A$AP Mob - London Town

40 In 15

2015. The year of the surprise album, a marketing gimmick that was once known as the "Beyoncé" but is now just the music industry's second best attempt at keeping albums from leaking. Their first best attempt is releasing albums on Friday, which is still difficult to adjust to. Or maybe their best and most successful attempt was giving all this money to streaming services? Does anyone download music anymore? Do people still use their laptops? Can I get all of Young Thug's mixtapes uploaded on Apple Music? Gucci already did this, so I'm not going back to the dark days ever again. 2015, a year where the most touted "underground" rapper is a Lil Boosie rip-off and Earl Sweatshirt stopped caring about making good music, but critics seemed to like that. 2015, the year where Meek Mill's career was derailed while media publications tried to end Drake's, then he released a funny video and everybody loves him again. 2015 isn't much different than the last 5 years, except my listening habit has decreased and my cynicism towards music journalism has reached its apex, a point where the only thing that would ever make me write about rap again would be a really good Gucci Mane album. These aren't all rap songs. Rap is great right now, but it's because of a handful of individuals, not a overflowing pool of them. Also, I am not a rap blogger. Nor a blogger. Just a passing memory. PS: it's been almost a year now. Long Live A$AP Yams. 1. Young Thug - Check 2. The Weeknd - The Hills 3. Future - Slave Master 4. Drake - Hotline Bling 5. Vince Staples - Norf Norf 6. Kendrick Lamar - The Blacker The Berry 7. Travis Scott - Maria, I'm Drunk (feat. Young Thug & Justin Bieber) 8. Fetty Wap - 679 (feat. Monty) 9. Jidenna - Long Live The Chief 10. Metro Thuggin' - Speed Racer 11. Lana Del Rey - Salvatore 12. Jamie xx - Good Times (feat. Young Thug) 13. Drake & Future - Jumpman 14. Peewee Longway - Purpose 15. FKA twigs - Mothercreep 16. Jay Rock - Vice City (feat. Black Hippy) 17. Dr. Dre - Genocide (feat. Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosious & Candice Pillay) 18. A$AP Rocky - L$D 19. Rich Homie Quan - Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh) 20. Mackned - White Mountains 21. Adamn Killa - Feel Like I'm Ja Rule 22. Rae Sremmurd - Unlock The Swag (feat. Jace) 23. ILoveMakonnen - Swervin' 24. Big Sean - Blessed (feat. Drake & Kanye West) 25. Eearz - Work Ya Muscle 26. Tyler, The Creator - Buffalo 27. Jeremih - Planez 28. Tinashe - Party Favors (feat. Young Thug) 29. Father - Please Stop Making Fake Versace 30. DJ Holiday - Everyday (feat. Young Thug) 31. Ty $ Sign - Blasé (feat. Future & Rae Sremmurd) 32. Mac Miller - 100 GrandKids 33. G Herbo - Rollin' 34. Lil Bibby - Aww Man (feat. Future) 35. Pusha T - Untouchable 36. Puff Daddy - Workin' (feat. Big Sean & Travis Scott) 37. Belly - Might Not (feat. The Weeknd) 38. Chief Keef - Laurel Canyon 39. Monty - Change Ya Life - (feat. Fetty Wap) 40. Kanye West - All Day (feat. Allen Kingdom & Theophilus London)

50 in '14

Last year, I said that I was struggling with my year end wrap-up - not surprising considering how distant I've become from this scene I love the last few years. For those wondering, I'm still here, even if I'm not writing about all this rappity rap I'm enjoying. Mostly because it's easier for me to digest it that way.

But I was struggling last year, which is surprising, considering that was the Year Of The Big Rap Album and 2014 will go down as the worst year for rap albums since 2008. I had to dig a lot deeper for the music I would come to find this year's best, and maybe that's why I appreciate it more overall.

I also got to cheat thanks to Young Thug's various projects and features; truthfully, this could've been a list of 50 Young Thug songs and would have had the same effect (it would've been missing Makonnen and Rae Sremmurd songs, though, which is why I'm not about to do that).

1.Metro Thuggin - The Blanguage 2. iLoveMakonnen - Sex, Love & Ecstasy 3. Rae Sremmurd - No Type 4. Young Thug - Eww 5. Father - Look At Wrist (feat. iLoveMakonnen & Key!) 6. OG Maco & Key! - U Guessed It 7. Drake - 0 To 100 8. Future - Radical 9. Gucci Mane - Top In The Trash (feat. Chief Keef) 10. Rich Gang - Lifestyle 11. Young Scooter - Runnin' Outta Money 12. Shy Glizzy - Awwsome 13. Travis Scott - Skyfall (feat. Young Thug) 14. Chief Keef - No 15. O.T. Genasis - CoCo 16. Rick Ross - Sanctified (feat. Big Sean & Kanye West) 17. SD - Circles 18. Peewee Longway - Sneakin' & Geekin' 19. Rowdy Rebel - Shmoney Dance (feat. Bobby Shmurda) 20. Black Portland - Movin' 21. Riff Raff - Tip Toewing In My Jawdinzzz 22. G-Unit - Nah I'm Talkin Bout 23. God - Genesis (late 2013 - but fuck it this shit needs recognized) 24. T.I. - All About The Money (feat. Young Thug) 25. Schoolboy Q - What They Want (feat. 2 Chainz) 26. Bobby Shmurda - Bobby Bitch 27. Lil Herb - On My Soul (feat. Lil Reese 28. Key! - Geekin' (feat. iLoveMakonnen) 29. Raury - God's Whisper 30. Young Chop - Bang Like Chop (feat. Chief Keef & Lil Reese) 31. Freddie Gibbs - Old English (feat. Young Thug & A$AP Ferg) 32. Mac Miller - Uber (feat. Mike Jones) 33. ZMoney - 10 Hours 34. OG Maco - 12 Bricks 35. Ab-Soul - Closure 36. Nicki Minaj - Chi-Raq (feat. Lil Herb) 37. YG - 1AM 38. Rich Homie Quan - Hate I 39. King Louie - BON 40. Tyga - Hookah (feat. Young Thug) 41. Meek Mill - Off The Corner (feat. Rick Ross) 42. Rocko - Luv 43. Lil Wayne - Take Kare (feat. Young Thug) 44. Big Sean - IDFWU (feat. E-40) 45. Juicy J - Holy Ghost (feat. Lil Bibby) 46. 2 Chainz - Woulda Coulda Shoulda (feat. Lil Boosie) 47. Metro Boomin - Chanel Vintage (feat. Future & Young Thug) 48. Yung Gleesh - Wasabi 49. Run The Jewels - Close Your Eyes And Count To Fuck (feat. Zack De la Rocha) 50. Migos - Fight Night

(Bonus) Albums/Mixtapes: 1. iLoveMakonnen - EP/Drink More Water 4 2. Rich Gang - The Tour Vol. 1 3. Future - Monster 4. Father - Young Hot Ebony 5. Travis Scott - Days Before Rodeo 6. OG Maco & Key! - Give Em Hell 7. Black Portland - Black Portland 8. Gucci Mane - Trap God 3 9. Riff Raff - Neon Icon 10. GOD - Before The Bible

What happened to this place

My struggling attempt at a "Best of 2013"

Is it me, or has this year been the most disappointing year we've had in rap since at least 2008? I can't say it's been the least exciting, because let's face it - 2013 was the year of the Big Rap Event. Everyone who holds even a modicum of relevancy released an album this year, which in turn led to more Complex articles than anyone should ever have to bear on their timeline, dashboard, or feed. The problem isn't so much that these Rap Events outweighed the good albums they produced, as that was bound to happen. It's just how badly these releases let myself - and most of the rap community at bay - down in terms of sheer disappointment.

I struggled with this list. I don't even love a lot of these songs on here, but they're on here. In order to give a more focused and concise effort, I cut the standard 50 to 40. I originally had 50, but at least ten of those songs I've probably listened to a grand total of 3 times, at best. I could've made a list of 50 if I had allowed myself to repeat artists, but that would've looked like a playlist consisting of Yeezus, NWTS, and YRN.

I feel like it's fitting that the majority of these songs are sonically dark, drudging, and full of a paranoia and nihilism not seen over the last few years, as this year in rap was an especially dreadful one. I also find it fitting that there's two songs on my list called "RIP"

Enough with all that; here's my top 40 for anyone who cares.

1. Kanye West - New Slaves 2. Rocko feat. Future & Rick Ross - UOENO 3. Drake - Started From The Bottom 4. Migos - RIP 5. Young Scooter feat. Gucci Mane - Work 6. Young Thug - Two Cups Stuffed 7. Future feat. Casino - Karate Chop 8. ScHoolboy Q - Man Of The Year 9. Gucci Mane - Point In My Life 10. Fredo Santana feat. Kendrick Lamar - Jealous 11. A$AP Ferg feat A$AP Rocky - Shabba 12. King Louie - Michael Jordan 13. Tyler, The Creator - Bimmer 14. Mac Miller - The Star Room 15. Zmoney - Regular 16. Pusha T - King Push 17. Chief Keef - Baby What's Wrong Wit You 18. Zebra Katz - Pulla Stunt 19. Atmosphere - Bob Seger 20. Earl Sweatshirt feat. Vince Staples & Casey Veggies - Hive 21. Juicy J feat. Justin Timberlake - The Woods 22. A$AP Rocky - Long Live A$AP 23. Casino feat. Mexico Rann - Diamonds Drippin' Wet 24. Fat Trel - Make It Clap 25. Childish Gambino - Crawl 26. Chance The Rapper - Paranoia 27. Lil Reese feat. Fredo Santana & Lil Durk - Wassup 28. James Blake feat. RZA - Take A Fall For Me 29. OJ Da Juiceman - No Hook 30. Rich Gang - Tap Out 31. Lil Bibby - Whole Crew 32. Waka Flocka Flame feat. Gucci Mane & Young Thug - Fell 33. 50 Cent feat. Kendrick Lamar - We Up 34. Young Jeezy feat. 2 Chainz - RIP 35. Danny Brown feat. Charli xcx - Float On 36. Riff Raff - Dolce & Gabana 37. Kevin Gates - Arms Of A Stranger 38. Trinidad James feat. Fabo, Danny Brown & Playa Fly - Quez 39. Ace Hood feat. Future & Rick Ross - Bugatti 40. Gorgeous Children - Liberace Gems

As for albums/mixtapes, there's only a handful of these I still listen to all the way through to this day - but here's a top ten.

1. Kanye West - Yeezus 2. Drake - Nothing Was The Same 3. Migos - YRN 4. Young Scooter - Street Lottery 5. Young Thug - 1017 Thug 6. Childish Gambino - Because The Internet 7. Chief Keef - Almighty So 8. A$AP Ferg - Trap Lord 9. Pusha T - My Name Is My Name 10. Mac Miller - Watching Movies With The Sound Off

Khalil Nova - 808s of Life (Mishka, 2013)

I try not to get sentimental on here, but I'm so proud of how far my brother Khalil has come. No words are needed, simply download the sequel to the tape that ushered in a new era.. 808s of Life.

#khalil nova #808s of life #mishka #georgia

Chance The Rapper & Nosaj Thing - Paranoia (Songs From Scratch, 2013)

The hype machine behind Chance The Rapper is pretty incredible. A lot of people have credited it as an organic rise from the bottom, and I certainly don't doubt this. But can I ask exactly where it was that everyone hopped aboard the Chance bandwagon? A year ago, his blog presence was minimal at best thanks to "Juke Juke," a great song which actually utilized one of the most cliche samples in hip-hop to great effect. "Juice" was a pretty incredible single and benefitted greatly from the Keef and Trel name-drops, which let a more street-oriented fanbase know Chance was with the shits. Acid Rap was eagerly anticipated by those who were touched by the single, but the sheer amount of press that this tape has gotten greatly exceeds any of the subsequent leaks that mostly flew under the radar with the exception of some hardcore fans.

I ask these questions, but I really do like Acid Rap. I'm not in love with it, but it certainly is the beginning of a very prosperous career. The production is very lush, and the somewhat muted music contrasts well with Chance's over-animated flow. But of all the songs present on Acid Rap, "Paranoia" - a hidden song that follows "Pusha Man" which would be released as a single for Songs from Scratch a mere couple days later - is the crown jewel of this mixtape.

Over a very minimalist beat provided courtesy of Nosaj Thing, Chance encapsulates Kendrick Lamar's entire good kid, m.a.a.d city into one song. Chance is clearly caught between worlds, a survivalist instinct implanted in a kid who just wants to see the sun, but can't because of the harsh reality he's faced with. Dead children are mourned over, but also accepted as just another casualty in a city with no soul. Chance mentions some residents who had just moved there, and claims they won't be there for long. Is he condemning them for this? Or does he envy them? Everyone dies in the summer, so Chance prays to God for a little more spring. But he realizes the summer is inevitable.

#chance the rapper #nosaj thing #acid rap #songs from scratch #chicago

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