Was 2016 a mess? Arguable. Regardless of 2016’s highs and lows, its music from Beyonce’s visually and lyrically striking Lemonade, to the late David Bowie’s haunting Blackstar, to Kanye West’s controversial rap behemoth The Life of Pablo, it is safe to say that 2016 has been a memorable year in music. It took some digging through my Spotify account to be able to recount all the great records released this year, and I even had a bit of a difficult time narrowing all the tunes. Because 2016 was subject to so many album releases, I decided to break down the best into categories. Please enjoy my thoughts, ramblings, and anecdotes on what my humble opinion considers to be the best music of 2016.

I personally believe this year was most incredible for R&B and rap music. Many artists tackled the issues of today by creative means, creating what I consider to be the best pool of music in 2016. Below I have reviewed what I believe to be the best five R&B and rap albums this year. A reminder that my opinions are of little value and there were many great contenders this year, I just was able to narrow it down to here.

R&B

5. A Seat at The Table by Solange/ Awaken, My Love! by Childish Gambino

Solange released an album of beautiful, alternative R&B tunes that further established her own seat at the table in the artistic R&B community. I was ready to leave this spot for Solange, but upon hearing the newly released Awaken, My Love! By Childish Gambino I had to make this a tie. Gambino’s new album is a brand new sound for him, consisting of experimental soul tunes that were a step away from his unique rap. Both albums were great pieces of alternative R&B and I hope they continue to develop their artistry in the future.

4. Blonde by Frank Ocean

It arrived. Finally. Frank Ocean’s long awaited album was finally released this August, and it was well worth the wait. Ocean further develops his soulful voice in this album with slow, meaningful, and often psychedelic tunes, and continues to create a musical legacy of raw, emotional R&B.

3. Starboy by The Weeknd

The Weeknd continues to take the R&B industry with his new record Starboy. The Weeknd continues to show a darker, more artistic side to hip hop with songs like “Party Monster” and “Sidewalks”. He dives deeper and darker into more experimental R&B, a further step away from some of the dancier tunes from Beauty Behind The Madness, and continues to blur the lines between dark, artful R&B and smooth radio pop.

2. Anti by Rihanna

When the hit “B—- Better Have My Money” was released, I knew I was in for a new experience from Rihanna. Months later, Rihanna released her Anti record, and with this album the young girl from Barbados finally established herself as one of the most influential artists of our time. Rihanna showed off her island roots through several dance hits, such as “Work” (my personal favorite song from the album that never ceases to make my happy), and displayed her vocal prowess, such as “Love on the Brain”. With Anti, I truly consider Rihanna an album artist and await whatever hit she releases next.

1. Lemonade by Beyonce

Beyonce’s Lemonade exuded pure power and artistry. Beyonce utilized diversity in genre to express different emotions towards different types of betrayal in this album. Reggae, dance, and rock were used to express bitterness and anger towards infidelity, country and hip hop were used to express feminine pride and contempt towards men, ballads were used to express forgiveness, and soul was used (in the song “Freedom”, which I consider to be the allstar of the album) to express black power in the face of racism. The unique sounds were tied together with a beautiful visual album, coupled with powerful spoken word recitation. From my experience at the Formation World Tour, Beyonce’s prowess does not stop at music making; it is definitely arguable that Beyonce has become one of the greatest performers of today. Lemonade was a politically charged work of art that left me with only one question: how does she even get better than this?

RAP

5. Views by Drake

In all honesty, I miss old Drake. His 2013 record, “Nothing Was the Same” was a wonderful display of his charm and rap prowess. Views was full of hits such as “Hotline Bling” and “One Dance” definitely a new, dancier sound blended with his standard rap choices (making this album more hip hop than rap), but it also served as a throwback to a more sentimental Drake lesser seen in “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late”. I might just enjoy this album because I missed the Canadian boy with the weird eyebrows, but I enjoy it nonetheless.

4. Still Brazy by YG

I had not heard of YG, but once I turned on my radio to “Why You Always Hatin?” on my way home from work one night, I was sold. This west coast hip-hop call back to older gangster rap is consists of unapologetic lyrics laid out over classic beats. The all-star award from this album goes to the powerful “FDT”, a song in which YG makes his feelings towards our President Elect very clear.

3. Coloring Book by Chance the Rapper

Chance the Rapper really exhibited his originality with Coloring Book this year. His raspy voice, powerful rap, mixed with optimistic gospel tunes uplifted listeners, while also addressing topics important to him. Chance’s ability to continue making honest yet spiritual rap made Coloring Book one of his best records, and one of the best in 2016.

2. We got it from Here … Thank You 4 Your Service by A Tribe Called Quest

A Tribe Called Quest created an amazing listening experience with their 2016 record. We got it from Here … Thank You 4 Your Service’s sound and political agenda reflected Tribe’s own old-school rap origins. By utilizing styles of the past while addressing issues of today, A Tribe Called Quest created quite the powerful album.

1. The Life of Pablo – Kanye West

Although I, along with many others, see Kanye West as a rather aggressive, and often bigoted person, I absolutely commend this album and West’s brand of art. Its a beautiful, honest, paranoid mess lifted up by respectable rap, gospel, and hip hop sounds. West’s ability to create and curate this work really established him as an artist this year, making The Life of Pablo what I consider to be the best rap album of 2016

2016 was also a great year for rock. Old faces came together for some incredible new records. My personal favorite rock album this year was Blackstar by the late David Bowie. Blackstar was Bowie’s parting gift to this world, a distorted beauty that gave us a glimpse into the starman’s last views on earth. He helped shape art rock, so it is no surprise that Bowie has left behind perhaps one of the best albums the genre has ever seen.

An honorable mention in rock this year was The Rolling Stones Blue & Lonesome. This record of cover songs was certainly a throwback to their most classic work, and I commend the band’s continuing ability to produce admirable classic rock and roll through electric blues. Another great rock album this year was Iggy Pop’s Post Pop Depression, a well-made punk protest, (which is definitely what Iggy Pop does best).

Pop saw some great albums this year too. Star prefomer Bruno Mars released his upbeat 24K Magic, Ariana Grande released her sultry Dangerous Woman, Lady Gaga released her countrified artpop Joanne, and Sia released This is Acting, what she and I alike consider some of her greatest hits.

As successful and well-made I consider any album aforementioned to be, my personal favorites I cannot stop listening to would have to be:

5. Awaken, My Love! By Childish Gambino
6. Starboy by The Weeknd
7. Joanne by Lady Gaga
8. Blackstar by David Bowie
9. Lemonade by Beyonce

There was a huge score of music released this year, I could not fathom taking every work into consideration. Other students at Hingham High School had their own ideas of their top five albums of the year. Senior Holly Coughlan reminds me to not forget to mention Car Seat Headrest’s alternative record Teens of Denial. I asked some students for their top five albums as well, senior Italia DeCola’s top five were:

5. I Still Do by Eric Clapton
6. Untitled Unanswered by Kendrick Lamar
7. I Like It When You Sleep But You’re So Unaware Of It by The 1975
8. Stranger to Stranger by Paul Simon
9. Blackstar by David Bowie

2016 left many people exhausted, frustrated, and changed, but its music kept people together, it united us. I highly anticipate future works of all artists mentioned in this article, and cannot wait for what 2017 may hold in store for us musically.