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 thought-provoking, socially conscious hip hop and everything in between. The countdown continues today with 20-11 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. Tomorrow, we release the final 10.
20. Zeds Dead – Stardust (Ft. Twin Shadow)
Off of the latest album Northern Lights Zeds Dead’s ‘Stardust’ keeps fans refreshed. The track’s bouncy beat, sparking electric guitar, and twinkling background vocals help Twin Shadow’s clear choral notes sink into your ear. This song’s nod to pure instrumental sounds attests to this duo’s unique and off-kilter bass music style. With heavy credentials from touring and producing with various other big names in the genre, ‘Stardust’ gives off a galactic glow just like a supernova. Zeds Dead had an exciting year starting their own label with an announcement in March, which means fans have a lot to anticipate in the (hopefully) near future.
19. Skepta – Man (Gang)
In 2016, Grime finally made its mark across the pond in North America. Skepta was the leader of this movement and his album Konnichiwa was easily one of the best releases of the year. ‘Man (Gang)’ is signature Skepta, blending a rugged grime beat with his boisterous bars. Featured just before the hyped premiere of Drake’s Views on OVO Sound Radio only furthered its hype. With ‘Man (Gang),’ Skepta cemented his status as one of the breakout rap stars of 2016.
18. Destructo x Wax Motif – Catching Plays (Ft. Pusha T and Starrah)
This is genre blurring at its finest. With elements of trap, rap and house ‘Catching Plays’ was an absolute monster. Destructo and Wax Motif are the current kings of G-House and this just underscored their claim to the throne. Pusha T delivered yet another stellar guest verse, blending tales of opulence and criminal activity. Rounding this one out came Starrah’s hype inducing vocals, perfectly bridging the gap between Pusher’s bars and the heavy drops.
17. YG & Nipsey Hussle – Fuck Donald Trump
‘Fuck Donald Trump’ has over 13 million views on YouTube and has been used by many Americans to work through some stages of grief that they are still coping with after the election. As old as the tradition of voting in America that has been critics of the candidates that have inspired many different forms of art. This politically-themed song propelled YG and Nipsey Hussle into a tour under the same name this fall, and have had dates for performances posted as late as November 30th.
This track is a powerful warning and touches upon the many issues of the hyper-racialized United States. In the beginning of the track’s official video there are a few clips that include anecdotes of discrimination, images alluding to the violent nature of the socioeconomic and ethnocultural conflicts that are televised, and at the end of the video there is a clip of Trump himself promising to build a wall to designate the border between the US and Mexico. This is an audio-visual performance displaying the country’s contemporary harsh-truths. The track’s style is tradition. The rhyming which refreshes the true tradition of Rap and Hip Hop: giving an outlet and a voice to the frustrations of those who are shamefully ignored and discredited.
16. The Weeknd – Starboy (Ft. Daft Punk)
The Weeknd was a staple in the game last year and this year he proved that he could be consistent and stay at the top with a couple other cats. The title track from his 3rd studio album Staryboy comes in at number 16 of our Top 50 and for good reason. First, let’s start with how he was able to get Daft Punk on the record with him. No easy feat to secure these two, as they are super selective with who they choose to work with. If being a top selling R&B act with a couple sold out tours wasn’t enough to solidify him as a star in the game, featuring Daft Punk on a single definitely was. The production on this track is incredible. It seems simple on first listen, but when you really sit with the song and take it in there are so many nuances from the bass line to the keys and even cadences Abel uses with his voice; that make this song so great. When you take a look at the visuals for this chart topping track, you can start to understand what Abel means when he sings “look what you’ve done, I’m a mothafuckin’ starboy”. In the video, The Weeknd kills off his old self, becoming the alter ego he has referred to as Starboy. Great song, great visuals and the album happened to be just as solid.
15. Chance The Rapper – Summer Friends (Ft. Jeremih and Francis & the Lights)
“0h, oh, oh, incredible,” the opening lyrics perfectly describe the vocal intro crafted by Francis & The Lights. It’s the type of unique sound that makes you sit up straight and say out loud, wow what is this? When the bass and drums start knocking you’re overcome with bliss. Chance’s verses take you back to childhood like a Ray Bradbury novel, reminding you of the magic that was summers off. From ice cream trucks, to summer camp and trips to Blockbuster. Chance manages to craft verses that are deeply personal while being incredibly relatable. Just when you thought the track was peak perfection and couldn’t get any better, Jeremih comes through and elevates it even higher.
14. Rae Sremmurd – Black Beatles (Ft. Gucci Mane)
You know that song everyone plays when they make a Mannequin Challenge video? This is that song. We’re not exactly sure how this caught fire, but boy did it catch and Rae Sremmurd’s rise to the top hasn’t slowed much. The duo out of Mississippi secured themselves as hit makers this year with their sophomore follow up. Enlisting Guwop to join them on this track with the help of Mike WiLL Made-It, Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi crafted the perfect party-started that went on to become one of the biggest tracks of 2016.
13. A Tribe Called Quest – We The People
We, the people. The same three words that are notably from the US Constitution, also became the title for a track coming off of the long awaited and anticipated ATCQ album. This joint made our list for a few reasons which we’ll address here but it is important to note that this album is the first major album from Tribe in 18 years. These legends were able to write and record most of the album prior to Phife Dawg’s passing (RIP) after being away from the game for almost two decades. And the best part is, they didn’t miss a beat. ‘We The People’ is a powerful and timely track considering the US Election and all the civil unrest in the US. Over production that could fuel the revolution, ATCQ go in on the conditions of “the people” (representing Blacks, Mexicans, Muslims and the LGBT community) and address how the police have been killing off people in the street. Powerful, timely and unfortunately – completely accurate. ‘We The People’ is number 13.
12. Drake – Controlla
As of this moment Views is 4x Platinum and has spawned some of Drake’s biggest hits. The album was described to be a soundtrack for those who experience the change in seasons like we do in Toronto (Winter and Summer). The album flows as such, starting in the cold and brisk winter, warming up to the summer time vibes and back to winter. Being the title was originally Views from the 6, it makes sense that there are multiple tracks with a dancehall influence as the Caribbean culture in Toronto (or the 6) is vast and beautiful. ‘Controlla’ is one of those tracks and it does not disappoint. When the track leaked earlier in the year, many people expected Popcaan to remain on the album version but that was not the case. Nevertheless, ‘Controlla’ still went on to be a great hit, influencing others to jump on the dancehall bandwagon (no shade, Tory – we fux with you). With Boi-1da, Supa Dups and Di Genius behind the boards, there was no way this wouldn’t be a certified hit.
11. Fat Joe – All the Way Up (Ft. French Montana and Remy Ma)
Coming in just shy of the top 10 is Fat Joe’s undeniable club banger. Featuring French Montana and Remy Ma, Fat Joe returned with a well crafted and certified hit. Produced by Edsclusive with some help form Cool and Dre, ‘All the Way Up’ became Joe’s biggest hit since his ’02 smash ‘What’s Luv’. The infectious beat combined with the chant like hook made for a club hit and naturally spawned several remixes including a verse from Hov.
Be sure to check out the rest of the list:
50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21
