Mids: Some of my favorite songs/projects from 2016

3 min readJan 4, 2017

2016 was a strange year. Not surprisingly, it produced some great music.

I’m not a fan of ranking music numerically, so here’s my completely subjective list of my favorite rap songs and projects of 2016 in no particular order:

PROJECTS

Cousin Stizz — MONDA

Boston is not typically associated with rap, but Stizz’s project puts Massachusetts on the map. Containing only one feature (by the mercurial Larry June), MONDA shows that Stizz is here to stay. Listen: 500 Horses

YG - Still Brazy

In a project that doesn’t contain a single DJ Mustard beat, YG crafts what will go down as a classic West Coast album. Each of YG’s albums have been stronger than the last — which is no small feat given his body of work. Listen: Who Shot Me?

Nxworries - Yes Lawd!

Anderson.Paak had solid year, picking up features from Mac Miller and Schoolboy Q to Kaytranada — in addition to being named one of XXL’s Freshman.

Yes Lawd!, released by Stones Throw, is a departure from the funk-driven Malibu and instead lets Paak use his voice to maximum effect over Knxwledge’s sparse, soul-sampling beats. Listen: Lyk Dis

Vince Staples - Prima Donna

Prima Donna, the follow up to his excellent debut Summertime ’06, further explores Staples’ experience with fame over angry, minimalist beats. The EP features some extremely dense subject material condensed by Staples’ precise rapping. Listen: Prima Donna

SONGS

Migos - Cocoon (feat. Young Thug)

Migos quietly reasserted themselves into the mainstream with Cocoon and Bad and Boujee (which should be on this list in it’s own right).

It was also a banner year for Young Thug guest verses (see his feature on Gucci’s Guwop Home or Chance’s Mixtape). We get the best of both Migos and Thug on this track.

Mac Miller - Dang! (feat. Anderson.Paak)

This song features one of best hooks of the year, thanks to Paak. Miller is his usual goofy self and Kaytranada brings his trademark groove to the mix.

Kendrick Lamar - untitled 07 | levitate

Levitate, levitate, levitate.

21 Savage - No Heart

Backed by Metro Boomin beats, 21 Savage deadpans about trapping throughout Savage Mode. Many of the songs fail to stand out because Savage doesn’t use any inflection in his voice. No Heart does, and it makes all the difference.

Future - Inside the Mattress

2016 saw the end of Future’s incredible mixtape run. Purple Reign, released just as the year began, captured some of the last vestiges of that streak. Both Inside the Mattress (produced by duo Nard & B, who get the most out of Future), and Perky’s Callin, are better than anything on his studio album EVOL which was released shortly after.

Rae Sremmurd - Black Beatles (feat. Gucci Mane)

Before this song became a part of a meme, it was the best song off of SremmLife 2. Swae Lee showcases why Beyonce brought him in for sessions on Lemonade and Slim Jxmmi does what he does best — compliment Lee.

“They know me” will go down as one of the all time great ad-libs.

Sauce Walka - Oochie Wally

Tink - Aquafina

Shy Glizzy - Bankroll

Dae Dae - Wat U Mean

Young Thug - Harambe

French Montana - Lockjaw (feat. Kodak Black)

Jimmy Wopo - Elm Street

Dreezy - We Gon Ride (feat. Gucci Mane)

YG - Word is Bond (feat. Slim 400)

Noname - Forever (feat. Ravyn Lenae & Joseph Chilliams)

Kodak Black - Slayed (feat. Boosie)