There is no ranking here because I listen to too much rap music. Just a list of tracks I was bumping all year. Enjoy.
Pouya ft $uicide Boys “But Wait There’s More”
Standout cut from Pouya’s debut album “Underground Underdog”. Awesome display of lyricism from both camps who use similar speedy flows.
Lil Uzi Vert ft Gucci Mane “Changed My Phone”
The best record from Uzi and Wop’s collab project. Straight flames.
21 Savage “Dip Dip”
While most hype’s would have picked more popular records like “X” or “No Heart” my favorite track from 21 is the more energetic “Dip Dip”. It so different from the molasses like pace of his other songs and a great showing of his versatility.
Lil Bibby “You Ain’t Gang”
I didn’t like this joint when it first released on Tidal but it quickly grew on me. One of the best gym anthems of 2016.
G Herbo “Run It Up”
If only “Strictly For My Fans” had dropped earlier this year Herb would have been a shoe in for my top rapper list. Although SM4F came late in the year it still boasted amazing cuts like the super tough “Run It Up”
Denzel Curry “Knotty Head”
2016’s “Imperial” was a huge step in Denzel Curry’s career. The ex Raider Klan member made his individual presence known to the masses and got the XXL Freshman cover, as well as a remix from Dade County Don Rick Ross.
XXXTENTACION “Yung Bratz”
Songs like the hyper abrasive “Yung Braz” are the joints that I feel will propel X to the next level. Its so left its right.
$uicide Boys ft Chris Travis “Water Suicide”
Another one of my gym anthems from this year. Perfect music to hurt yourself to.
Travis Scott “Goosebumps”
The title and chorus literally deliver its promise every time. No further explanation is needed.
Travis Scott ft Kid Cudi “Through The Late Night”
The first collaboration with Travis and his idol Cudder did not disappoint. Still gives me the chills to this day.
Xavier Wulf “Cold Front”
Xavier is one of the leaders of the underground and he further cemented his place in the scene with the reception of his “Tundra Boy 2” tape and its highlight cut.
Kodak Black “Like Dat”Â
“Like Dat”is one of the many hits Kodak blessed the public with before his jail time. And it still stands as a smash at the end of the year.
Gucci Mane “Hi-Five”
Gucci had so much material to pul from this year picking only a few tracks I liked from him was hard. But “Hi-Five” is a certified smash.
2 Chainz ft Quavo and Gucci Mane “Good Drank”
Mike Dean blessed Tity Boi with one of the hottest beats of the year and he took full advantage. While “Hibachi For Lunch” wasn’t that big of a release for 2 Chainz this song definitely made its mark.
Gucci Mane ft Bryson Tiller “Drove U Crazy “
I think I did a backflip or something whenI first heard this song. It’s destined to touch radio waves in my opinion. Another home run for GuWop.
Lil Uzi Vert “Do What I Want”
While “The Perfect Luv” tape doesn’t measure up to “Lil Uzi Vert Vs The World” in my opinion, “Do What I Want” is as good as any of the songs on that project. Its placement in a Jordan Brand commercial is sure to extend its longevity as well.
Famous Dex “Drip From My Walk”
I tried my absolute hardest to try and not like Dex and his music when he first came out but it eventually consumed me. He is the embodiment of energy and it bleeds through every song he makes.
Lil Yachty “Shoot Out The Roof”
Yachty’s music is fun and bright an positive yet people still feel the need to hate on it. I for one enjoy a bunch of songs by him the jovial “Shoot Out The Roof” being one of them.
The Underachievers “Play That Way”
Issa and AK are lyrical titans and can tap into any kind of vibe they wish, a talent that I admire and value highly today. “Play That Way” shows their hard and gritty Flatbush roots combined with their lyrical dexterity.
Ab-Soul “D.R.U.G.S”
Soul is one of the most slept on artists in TDE and in the rap game as a whole. “Do What Thou Wilt” is an amazing piece of work and D.R.U.G.S a banging single.
Danny Brown ft Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar, and Earl Sweatshirt “Really Doe”
Danny is one of the most enigmatic and colorful characters in rap today and “Atrocity Exhibition” is a sonic representation of his craziness. “Really Doe” gathers some of the best bar for bar spitters in rap together on one unreal posse cut.
The Cool Kids “Connect 4”
Chuck Inglish and Sir Micheal Rocks made their triumphant return to music this year with “Runnin Man” and “Connect 4”. Their seamless chemistry show how a duo is supposed to sound.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie “Timeless”
A Boogie was a force in 2016 and he followed up his more lady friendly tracks like “Friendzone” and “My Shit” with the hard braggadocios cut “Timeless”.
Future and Drake “Used To This”
At this point no one can deny the full proof formula that is a Drake and Future song. “Used To This” is no exception.
Migos ft Lil Uzi Vert “Bad and Boujee”
You know you like this. Everyone does.
DSAVAGE “Tendencies”
DSAVAGE will soon be a force to be reckoned with and “Tendencies” is phenomenal start. Look for him and the rest of the Cutthroat Boyz to make strong moves in 2017.
Divine Council ft $ilk Money and Andre 3000 “Decemba” Remix
Divine Council took full advantage of their Andre 3000 look by turning “Decemba” into a cinematic experience. Look for the boys from Virginia to reach crazy new heights next year.
Rich Chigga “Dat Stick”
While the hype surrounding Chigga was very similar to what drew people to the terrible Slim Jesus, the main difference is that Rich Chigga can actually flow and has a way smarter vision for what he wants to do with his career. I’m rooting for Rich Chigga heavy in 2017.
Kid Cudi “Rose Golden”
Cudi’s last album harkens back to his original sound and its fucking glorious. “Rose Golden”is a sonic movie and their should be essay’s written on the genius of Cudi.
Mick Jenkins “Spread Love”
Most rap music today is materialistic and self centered and misogynist, and while I love that music it’s always nice to see artists making music about the healing powers of love.
Divine Council ft Cyrax! “Cant Afford Me”
Cyrax! claims that one of his biggest influences is Jodeci, so it makes sense that he delivers most of the melody centered tracks that the group offers. “Cant Afford Me” being a major highlight from them.
DSAVAGE ft UnoTheActivist “In My Body”
DSAVAGE and Uno two of the young gunners from Cutthroat Boyz combined for a dope ode to Xanax. Don’t do drugs kids. Or do.
I learned in 2016 that Key! is one of the most instrumental players in the Atlanta hip hop scene and it made me check out his music a choice I will never regret. “New Money” shows that Key! has a major grasp on the culture and what people want to hear.
Young Thug ft Offset, Quavo, and Young Scooter “Guwop”
I don’t think I’ll ever 100% understand how Thug’s mind  works and why he chose to call this song Guwop. The JEFERY side of Thugs music is wacked out and awesome.
Young Thug “Memo”
“Memo” is my favorite joint from Slime Season 3, and the ultimate Thugger cut in my opinion.
Chance The Rapper ft Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz “No Problem”
Chance catapulted himself into legit A-list stardom this year mainly due to the traction of this bright summertime slapper.
A$AP Mob “Yamborghini High”
ASAP has proven that they are the most influential clique to have come out in the past few years songs like “Yamborghini High” further imprint their legacy. It’s everything Yams would have wanted. RIP YAMBO
French Montana ft Kodak Black “LockJaw”
It be hard to watch ya cash when them bands keep droppin. That is all.
Schoolboy Q ft Jadakiss “Groovy Tony/Eddie Kane”
Q delivered the best rap record of this year the grimy “Groovy Tony” a clear indicator of the uber hip hop zone he was in this year.
Schoolboy Q ft Vince Staples “Ride Out”Â
Two of the hottest crips in the game combine for the ultimate song to driveby to.
Kendrick Lamar “Untitled 07 (Levitate)
Drugs won’t get you high like this. No No No.
Action Bronson ft Big Body Bes “Durag vs Headband”
Lines like “I’m a psychedelic image of a black vulture trapped inside a past soldier”. To me prove that Bronson is one of the G.O.A.T.’s. We need Blue Chips 7000000000000 ASAP.
Joey Fatts ft Vince Staples “Farrakhan”
Crip cousins unite for a gritty slapper.
Vic Mensa “16 Shots”
Vic shares his emotions and thoughts concerning  the tragic death of Laquan McDonald with this uncompromisingly angry track.
Meek Mill ft Tory Lanez “Litty”
Meek made a triumphant return to the rap game with DC4 and “Litty” was a fitting war cry. Drake dick riders be damned.
A$AP Rocky ft Tyler The Creator, Yung Gleesh, and Playboi Carti “Telephone Calls”
Shout out Chicago’s own Plu20 Nash for the backdrop to this heater from the Cozy Tapes.
This is a list based solely on my personal opinion, eclectic taste in music, and who I listened to most this year. If you don’t agree or think I’m crazy I don’t care and you are right. Enjoy.
10. Famous Dex
Dexter is part if the new wave of artist who’s music is entirely composed of energy. While some disagree with the “mumble rap” title given to artists like Dex I think its fitting and nothing to be ashamed of. They do mumble a lot, and it sounds great. With hits like “2 Times” “Drip From My Walk” and “Hit Em Wit It” combined with all the work he’s put in with Rich Forever captain Rich The Kid it was impossible to ignore Dex this year.
9. Lil Yachty
Back in April when I first started this blog I wrote an article titled “Lil Yachty Is The Truth”. This was upon me first hearing his breakout tape “Lil Boat” and more specifically the song “Out Late”. Obviously a few idiots disagreed with me but Yachty’s output helped me prove them wrong, you can’t front on someone who puts out a 2X platinum single in 2016, when its nearly impossible to sell music. Yachty dominated the internet in 2016 as well as smashed numerous features and his “Summer Songs 2” mixtape. QC is damn near the new Mowtown at this point.
8. Lil Uzi Vert
Uzi’s 2016 was probably one of the most high profile considering the placements and collabs he racked up. From the collab project with Gucci to records with Wiz Khalifa, Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj, ASAP Ferg, and the near flawless “Lil Uzi Vs The World” tape and now buzzing single “Do What I Want” Uzi and his mumble rap counterparts took my playlist by storm in 2016.
7. Divine Council
I found about these kids this year and have been obsessed ever since. ICYTWAT, Lord Linco, $ilkmoney, and Cryax! have an undeniably fun chemistry that bleeds through every track they are on together or apart. Songs like “Cant Afford Me” “Council Shit”, “Dick In Da Dope” and “Decemba” were all the convinving I needed. While Divine Council is still pretty unknown to the masses the only other evidence I needed besides their great music is the cosign they received from the legendary Andre 3000. 3 Stacks isn’t just gonna do a song and direct a video for a group that has no talent or isn’t going to go anywhere. Opening up for Young Thug and 21 Savage on the HiHorsed Tour isn’t a bad look either. These kids are in for the long haul trust me.
6.21 Savage
Drake wasn’t lying when he said 21 had all the juice earlier this year.While high profile collabs like “Sneakin” with Drizzy,”Offended” with Meek Mill and “X” with Future cemented 21 in the rap landscape. His solo work to me is what is really compelling. Songs like “Dip Dip”, “No Heart” , “Red Opps” and “Skrt” to me are a better look at what 21 has to offer. This man raps like a fourth grader who got called in class and its game changing, who would have thought?
5. XXXTENTACION
My feature on X is one of the most popular articles on this blog and for good reason. X to me has the most potential to go really big out of anyone currently popular in the underground. Songs like “Look At Me” “I Love It When They Run” and “Yung Bratz” show the promise in XXXTENTACION’S unapologetically genre bending, and boundary pushing music. He will be free soon so look for X to fuck up 2017 properly.
4. Gucci Mane
I listened to more Gucci this year than I ever have in my life. Most likely because in his career which spans decades, he has been putting out some of the best music he ever has. His most recent jail stint has changed him all for the better and the music reflects that. “Everybody’s Looking” “Woptober”, “The Return of East Atlanta Santa” and “1017 Vs The World” are all in the top 10 of his best albums to me and they all dropped in 2016. Gucci fathered the style of most of the popular rappers out today and it was fitting that he received the attention and praise he deserved upon coming home.
3. Kodak Black
As soon as I heard “Skrilla” by Kodak I knew there was something special about the kid. The work he put in the rest of the year proved that fact to me. Songs like “LockJaw” “Shit On Me”, “Vibin In This Bih”, and “Like Dat” are undeniable in my opinion. Having just been released from prison in a Gucci like fashion I’m sure Kodak has plenty of street stories to share come 2017. He’s one of the young legends to appear this year.
2. A Boogie
Artists like A Boogie look to be the saving grace for those who claim New York is dying and has completely lost its identity in the rap world. Boogie’s style has that trademark New York grit combined with the ever popular vibing and melodizing that has taken over the game. Songs like “Macaroni”, “Friendzone, “My Shit”, “Bag On Me”, and “Timeless” should prove to anyone that A Boogie is here to stay.
1. Travis Scott
I have been thoroughly invested in Travis Scott since Owl Pharaoh and “Birds In the Trap Sing McKnight” showed his progression and command of his style that I wanted him to display. The album is damn near flawless to me and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. All Hail LaFlame.
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