As 2016 draws to a close you know we had to end the year by highlighting the best songs of 2016. As you’ve come to expect, this year’s list contains a broad array of musical styles and genres. We’ve got everything from ignorant turn-up bangers to though-provoking, socially conscious hip hop and everything in between. The countdown kicks off today with 50-41 and will continue throughout the week, ending on Friday. Check out our selects below and be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments.
50. Brasstracks – Good Love (Ft. Jay Prince)
2015 was a massive breakout year for Brasstracks. The Brooklyn duo’s blend of live horns and drums incorporated into their forward thinking production style made them a favourite online. With the release of their debut EP, Good Love, they cemented their status as one of the best new artists out. And the project’s title track led the way. With UK emcee Jay Prince, they created a feel good anthem that effortlessly embodied a classic boom-bap sound with a modern leaning. This is what quality hip-hop sounds like in 2016.
49. Lotus – Eat the Light
Lotus released a very much anticipated album that shared the name with their single ‘Eat the Light’. This genre-bending band with robust electronic roots and dank jam band ancestors fulfilled the prophecies and produced a stellar addition to their discography. ‘Eat the Light’ is a great example of this instrumental focused jam-band, electro-menagerie and is a frisky boogie down. Being so experimental doesn’t comprise Lotus’s organic sound that seems to be ushering them into a secure future amongst both alternative and electronic music fans. You can see Lotus on tour through the end of this month, and the winter keeping it cozy through the Midwest of the USA, and then they will be coming in hot for Electric Forest in June 2017. Got all that?
48. Bonzai – Where Are U Now
Bonzai’s ‘Where Are U Now’ is a masterclass in juxtaposition. The blend of deep and dark bass provide a perfect backdrop for Bonzai’s captivating vocals. The sirens in the background take you to a dreary street corner in London, but when the drop hits, it’s a completely 180. Magical flute sounds and majestic vocal chops transport you to a grassy meadow. As it drifts between these polar opposites, your emotions are flipped on their head several times over. ‘Where Are U Now’ is a bi-polar beauty.
47. 6LACK – PRBLMS
The R&B up and comer made a splash in 2016 with his LP Free 6LACK. The intoxicated and dark sound took listeners to familiar territories but 6LACK goes a little deeper with more trap heavy beats and darker stories from the street. The kid from Zone 6 (East Atlanta) released his album and immediately the people picked it up and showed love. PRBLMS is a dark, trap&b joint that has bear listing off his problems with women and his newfound fame. Produced by Nova, the beat weaves around 6LACK’s voice and you can tell the kid has some singing chops as he harmonizes the dark tale. Clearing the top 50, PRBLMS gets a well deserved #47.
46. Flosstradamus, FKi 1st, graves – Came Up ft. Post Malone & Key!
Trap legends Flosstradamus connected with up and comers FKi 1st and graves and added in Post Malone & Key! for the celebratory anthem ‘Came Up’. If defied genres, killed crowds and served as the 2016 soundtrack to success. Backed by a video that showcased Flosstradamus come up, this record is their public statement and reminder that they made it. The hopeful sound also serves as reminder that you can to. Inspiring and turnt? Now that’s a combination we can get behind.
45. Dillon Francis x NGHTMRE – Need You
Every year there’s numerous articles written about why this year is the year that Moombahton will return. 2016 didn’t see the genre’s return as a whole, but ‘Need You’ put Moombahton back on every main stage and club. The tracks sees Dillon Francis departing from his recent EDM sound and taking it back to the midtempo range he built his name on. Connecting with one of the hottest producers of the year in NGHTMRE, they set this one on fire. This track served as the go to for any DJ who wanted to take things up a notch and reminded us how ill Dillon Francis can be.
44. Joey Bada$$ – Devastated
Joey took some heat from fans of his gritty sound for this, but ‘Devastated’ is one of the best records Bada$$ has released in a minute. It’s a feel good summer tune that’s celebratory and uplifting. It’s the classic tale of overcoming self doubt and haters with a fresh sound. Plus it’s great to hear Joey return to the slightly smoother, less aggressive flow. This is top down cruising, pool parties and champagne toasts. Even if you aren’t living lavish ‘Devasted’ makes you feel that you are… or at least will be soon. Even if the feeling only lasts three and half minutes, you can always hit repeat.
43. Bro Safari – Reality
‘Reality’ is a song that Bro Safari released fall of this year that demonstrated his style of trap that is heavily infused with darker elements of bass music. The plunging drops, and erotic thrashing synths keep this song smoldering while his choice in vocalist stay fairy-like. You may have been able to catch him on THE PRETTY GOOD TOUR which has new dates to be announced. Add in the visually stunning video and this was a clear standout, proving Bro Safari has still got it.
42. Solange – Cranes in the Sky
Any younger siblings knows what it’s like to live in an older sibling’s shadow, but this is some other level type of stuff: Solange Knowles is Beyoncé’s baby sister. There must be a gene for being a serene songtress, and a knack for creating thought provoking lyrics in that family. ‘Cranes in the Sky’ is the first single off of Solange’s sophomore studio album A Seat at the Table. This track’s steady and wholesome percussion nourishes the delicate melody that is carried by Solange’s soft soprano tones. The harmonization of vocals gives off a soulful vibe, but still eerie and languishing. This quirky R&B gem is one of many off of her stunning visual album and will pull you in for the whole ride through. It has been well received and even peaking some mainstream interest after her performance on Saturday Night Live. In 2016 Solange finally stepped out from her sister’s shadow and wow’d the world.
41. Pusher – Clear (Featuring Mothica)
Pusher has been a local favourite for some time in Toronto. With the release of ‘Clear’ featuring Mothica, Pusher took his sound globally. The record has seen great success on Spotify, clocking over 7 million plays to date. It’s not just the popularity that lands it on the list but the overall quality. Pusher is an artist who spent the past few years experimenting across genres. With his New Laces EP he finally carved out his own sound and ‘Clear’ is the cornerstone. The combination of Mothica’s enticing vocals and Pusher’s twinkling synth plucks made this a record that defined summer.
