Top 10 Songs | 2016
It’s 10am on Friday, December 30, 2016. I’m currently stuck on a train platform in Brussels on my way from Rotterdam to Paris for the night. Rather than punch a Francophile in the face for killing my limited time in Paris, I’ll use this passion for good and reflect on my favorite songs of 2016.
From favorite to favoritest, these are the 10 songs that got me through my travels, stress, countless hours of work and late nights in 2016. Too lazy to read? Skip the bullshit and listen to my playlist.
10 Two Birds, One Stone // Drake
2016 was the year of Drake, but really, what year since 2010 hasn’t been? One Dance is cool and I loved Controlla (see below), but this is without a doubt his realest flow of the year. This track got popular because of the (inappropriate?) shots at Cudi, but I’ll never get sick of listening to Drake rap about the pain of being rich and his come up.
Here’s to more subliminals in 2017. More Life.
9 New Person, Same Old Mistakes // Tame Impala
I love me some Rihanna, but this original will always be the better version — no competition. The production, the spacey vocals, the ride out, I live for allodis.
8 Party Monster // The Weeknd
My relationship with The Weeknd is basically my relationship with all men. Shit is so great in the beginning and then boom — utter and frequent disappointment with a few moments of hope sprinkled in between. Starboy changed that and got us back on track though. Party Monster is the perfect mix of the international party boy and the guy that made House of Balloons.
7 Bounce Back // Big Sean
Yo this track made me realize, I love Big Sean! He used to be one of those who would release fun tracks and you’d be like, “aight cool”, but now I find myself actually anticipating his music. Like, I’m actually really excited for his new album.
Considering I spent an 8 hour road trip laughing at the absurdity of his lyrics, his come up has been pretty fucking refreshing. I’m proud of him.
6 For Real // Tory Lanez
In some ways, this song should be my number one. You know how you have that one track that gets you hype in the morning on the way to work?
If I’m bout to get dressed, cuss someone out and or get into a sweaty workout, this is always the track I start with.
Pro Tip: Don’t disrespect the production with cheap headphones. For real.
5 Fuck With Myself // BANKS
Anddd the most underrated album this year — aside from Ramriddlz’ Venis, of course — goes to BANKS’ The Altar. The album is full of bangers and the production is A1. Fuck With Myself is the perfect anthem for 2016 — on one hand, she’s her biggest fan and on the other, she causes herself the most harm, but either way, she’s that bitch.
4 Controlla // Drake & Tory Lanez
Technicallyyyyyy, ima give this to Drake, pero Tory’s version is better, fuck your feelings.
Drake started this dancehall wave that I pray stays in 2016, but Tory’s flow is exponentially more appropriate for the track. His accent is more authentic, his content is stronger and he rides the beat the entire song, from singing to rapping. #NewToronto
3 Love // Hamza
Although this is from 2015, I wasn’t put on to Hamza until this year (thank you #DiscoverWeekly). I usually hate any type of foreign rap, hip hop and baby Futures, especially French speaking ones, but Hamza changed the fucking game. I thought maybe I was biased because I can actually understand all of the nasty shit he’s saying, but the other Geniuses seem to fuck with him as well.
Check out the Belgian rapper’s latest, Santa Sauce.
2 Venis // Ramriddlz
The opening track from Ram’s Venis. Perfect intro for an album completely dedicated to women and always makes me feel like I’m on a tropical beach.
And the way this dude throws in Arabic in his songs? Bahabek moot.
1 Bodmon // Ramriddlz
Because of this song alone, I wish Spotify told us how many times we’ve played a track. I’ll never forget Kenny and I getting the Spotify notification that the album was available while we were getting ready to dip out of Belize. Aside from traveling the world, that was probably my top moment of 2016.
I fucking love Ramriddlz. He’s the young, light skin, Egyptian boy of my dreams. His producer/bestie Jaegan is not only almost my name twin, but a fucking genius. People attack me for despising the mainstream, but if shit like this actually made it to radio, then maybe I wouldn’t have so much disdain in my heart.
The lyrics are playful, the beat is smooth as fuck and I promise you, you won’t be able to not dance or smoke a blunt to this.
Honorable Mentions
Got It Good // Kaytranada feat. Craig David
Saugod & Super Saugod // Ramriddlz
Whole Lotta Lovin’ // DJ Mustard & Travi$ Scott
Pana // Tekno
through the late night // Travi$ Scott feat. Kid Cudi
Highlights // Kanye West feat. Young Thug & The Dream
Although 2016 was a long list of failures (including J. Cole’s boring ass album), musically, it didn’t disappoint. Thank you, Spotify, for none of this would be possible without you!
