Let me start this off by addressing a few things about hip-hop in 2015. I’ve read countless recaps and Best Of lists from 2015, which I do every year, to make sure I didn’t miss out on anything and to see how much my opinion of the year’s music varies from other hip-hop fans. One reoccurring theme I read was that 2015 was a great year for hip-hop. And I have to start right off the bat by saying, no it was not. Good? Sure, I can go with that. But great? Not so much.
Why don’t I think 2015 was great? Because a lot of the albums I saw on these lists I believe to be garbage. Before we go any further, if you are expecting to see Future, Young Thug, Travi$ Scott, Fetty Wap, Ty Dolla $ign or Rae Sremmurd on this list in any capacity I’d advise you to just leave now. Not gonna happen. I tried to be open minded. I tried to give those artists and their albums a fair chance and I couldn’t stomach it.
I’m sorry but I like my hip-hop to actually be comprehensible. You can have banging beats, but you need to actually be good lyricists too. And the trap sound just isn’t cutting it for me. Which made me reflect on my own opinion of hip-hop. Am I a hip-hop snob? And the answer is no. I’m not a hip-hop snob, I’m just getting old. 2015 was the first time I realized I’m getting older as a hip-hop fan and what the youth find entertaining, I find nauseating.
But I did say that 2015 was a good year for hip-hop and I don’t want that to be overshadowed by my dislike for what is considered popular hip-hop today. So let’s explore what made 2015 a good year.
Best Songs
20. “The Rising” – Action Bronson feat. Big Body Bes
Action’s Mr. Wonderful was a solid album from start to finish. There are plenty of good moments on that album and I enjoyed it more than I remembered as I went back and listened again to prep this list. While the best track on the album is “Easy Rider,” that came out in 2014 (see Best of 2014) so I went with my second favorite track on the album which is “The Rising.” The beat on this track is really good and was used for the 2015 NFL Draft which I loved hearing. Action does his thing on here and Body ends it with more of his usual hilarious ad-libs about being a thug.
19. “That’s Love” – Oddisee
I could’ve gone so many different directions with Oddisee’s The Good Fight. That album is just stacked with quality songs. But the positivity, the lyrics, the flow and the execution of “That’s Love” wins in the end. When I say I want lyricism in my hip-hop, Oddisee is a prime example. “That's Love" begins with, "When you told me the truth even if it really hurt cause you knew a lie was worse (that's love)/When you let me borrow money that you didn't really have cause you knew what I was worth (that's love)." The song is beautiful throughout and the horns make it sound like it could be on Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment's Surf, which I mean as a very high compliment.
18. “Nightcrawler” – Czarface feat. Method Man
Czarface always makes this list hard for me because of how consistently good the songs are on their albums. The guest spots were spot on again on their second album but hearing Method Man in top form will always win me over (especially after listening to The Meth Lab which was just so underwhelming). I give a runner-up nod to “Deviatin’ Septums” as the beat was hard and I loved the Road Warriors interview they used at the end.
17. “Tree of Life” – Logic feat. Slug & Killer Mike
This song came out late in 2015 and was not on Logic’s The Incredible True Story for some reason. But it’s so good. The beat uses a similar sample (Common’s “The Corner”) but it has its own personality. The track is easy to listen to and the only word I can use for it is enjoyable. Combine guest spots from Slug (you’re going to do alright by me if Atmosphere is involved) and Killer Mike, who is probably my favorite MC right now (seriously, he’s killing everything) and you’ve got yourself a winner.
16. “Don’t Trip” – Game feat. Dr. Dre, Ice Cube & will.i.am
The nostalgia of seeing Straight Outta Compton can’t be lost on me and this track brought back so many good memories with Dre and Cube’s inclusion. There’s also the influence of Digable Planet’s “Rebirth of Slick” with will.i.am’s production that makes this song a winner to me. It just feels like an old-school party track and I loved it the first time I heard it.
15. “Another Time” – DJ EFN feat. Inspectah Deck, Guilty Simpson & M.O.P.
DJ EFN pulled out a who’s who of hip-hop for his album Another Time. Seriously, everyone was on that album from MC Eiht to King Tee to Redman to Talib Kweli to Sean Price to Ras Kass to Masta Ace to N.O.R.E. to O.C. to Keith Murray to Juvenile, and the list keeps going. But the title track was my favorite as Deck does what Deck does best by starting a song with a top notch verse and then you finish with M.O.P. and it’s over.
14. “Woke Up Dead” – Murs
I am a huge Murs fan and I really enjoyed Have A Nice Life (it was my hardest cut from the Best Albums list). Thought about going with “Mi Corazon” for the list, but the beat to “Woke Up Dead” and the commentary about growing up in a gang filled environment hit the mark in so many ways. Murs discusses being profiled as a gang banger due to where he lives and the guilt of association that “Woke Up Dead” is really about starting each day behind the eight ball because of his environment and the color of his skin. It’s deep and it’s dope and it’s what makes Murs such a good MC.
13. “Paper Trail$” – Joey Bada$$
Joey’s album was a tough omission for me. He continues to really bring that golden age hip-hop feel to his music. This track was produced by DJ Premier and showcases Joey’s skills in grand fashion. The beat is vintage, the samples for the hook are classic Premo and Joey has plenty of dope lines such as, “The kid ain’t been the same since Biggie smacked me at my Christening.” Now that’s how you pay homage to the glory days of hip-hop.
12. “One Shot, One Kill” – Jon Connor feat. Snoop Dogg
This track was on Dr. Dre’s Compton but is credited to Jon Connor which in and of itself is incredibly dope. I had several songs from Compton that I debated but the beat on this one and the ferociousness in which Snoop opens the track with made it the choice. I haven’t heard Snoop this aggressive in a long time and then Connor closes it out with another solid verse. Hopefully this is the launching pad for Connor’s career as he is well deserving of his place among top MCs in the game right now.
11. “Mode” – Prhyme feat. Logic
Found on the Southpaw soundtrack, this song could’ve easily been included on Prhyme’s terrific album from 2014. The beat of course is on point with DJ Premier behind the boards and Royce continues to show why he’s such a good fit for Premo beats. Logic closes out the track with a verse that proves he can hold his own with a lyrical heavyweight like Royce.
10. “Yesman Shit” – Apollo Brown feat. Sean Price and Reks
This song is going to get extra points because of the passing of Sean Price in 2015, but damn if it isn’t a great way to remember him. He starts the song with, “I come from Brownsville, you come from who cares?” It’s so mean and in your face and it’s what made me love Sean Price on the mic. Reks is also a personal favorite of mine so I loved having him share mic duties with Sean P. Apollo Brown’s production fits both MCs and the sample-heavy hook with Big L lyrics puts a nice bow on the song.
9. “Mural” – Lupe Fiasco
How does one sum up an almost 9-minute lyrical tour de force like Lupe’s masterpiece “Mural” in one paragraph? You don’t. This is what a lyricist is. This is what wordplay and metaphors are all about. This is MCing at its finest. I didn’t know where to put this on the list because I didn’t really know how to sum it up. At 8:49 in length it breaks up the flow of any playlist, but then again it keeps your attention the whole time. It stands on its own, period.
8. “MPA” – Pusha T feat. Kanye West, A$AP Rocky & The-Dream
This song sounds like it could’ve been included on Kanye’s MBDTF and it would’ve fit right in. Had this song come out earlier in the year it may be even higher on my list. There’s nothing to not like about this song. The beat is really, really good, the hook fits perfectly and Pusha shines on his own delivering the three verses. It just sounds like it belongs on MBDTF and I mean that in the best way possible.
7. “Norf Norf” – Vince Staples
Vince Staples impressed the hell outta me last year with his EP, Hell Can Wait. The sound was so grimy and stripped down and he showed how good of a lyricist he was. Then he turns around and unleashes a double-album in 2015 following a similar formula but giving us more. And there’s no better representation of the skill, the style or the sound you’re going to get with Vince Staples than “Norf Norf.” This is one of the hardest records of 2015 and my favorite off an album that had plenty to choose from.
6. “Holy Ghost” – A$AP Rocky feat. Joe Fox
I’ll discuss A$AP’s album in further detail later but when it was good, it was really good and there were many songs I debated including on this list. But “Holy Ghost” just had a feel to it that stuck with me the entire year. A$AP was on top of his game both lyrically and with his flow on this track and then Joe Fox’s vocals set in and it becomes a complete song. Every time this track came on my iPod I reached for the volume button and it just took me to another place which makes it the standout track from the album for me.
5. “The Blacker The Berry” – Kendrick Lamar
After “i” was released I was less than enthusiastic about Kendrick’s album. Not that it was a bad song, but he was coming off “Control” where he was so angry and aggressive and ripped the game apart and then went with a happier sound on “i” and it just didn’t fit for me. All worries were alleviated after I heard “The Blacker The Berry.” Kendrick is aggressive, he’s got that extra snarl in the tone of his voice and the message is so potent on this track. I know people will point to “Alright” as the best on the album and the significance of that song is not lost on me, but I’ll take “The Blacker The Berry” over “Alright” every time.
4. “Rubble Kings (Dynamite on the Streets)” – Run The Jewels
How I wish there was a Run The Jewels album in 2015. They just haven’t missed yet. Killer Mike’s career is at an all-time high as his partnership with El-P has brought out the best in him. This song is exactly what you’d expect from RTJ and further establishes how great they are as a duo. Mike leads off the song and sets the tone right away and you can file this song away as another victory for Run The Jewels.
3. “Cat Food” – Aesop Rock
Aesop treated us to a 2-song EP with “Cat Food” and “Bug Zapper” and both were excellent. While my older brother prefers “Bug Zapper,” I’m rolling with “Cat Food” as I love everything about it. The beat is produced by Blockhead, who I believe has been the best producer to fit Aesop’s style for his career. It was great hearing the two of them collaborate again and Aesop never misses lyrically.
2. “Sunday Candy” – Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment
This song is just so enjoyable and so happy and so positive and such a great mood changer. Chance The Rapper wrote this ode to his Grandmom over a jazzy, upbeat selection and it just hits on all cylinders. Chance’s cadence, his lyrics, his delivery are all fantastic. The hook is excellent and the instrumentation from the band fits like a glove. You have no choice but to smile when you hear this song.
1. “Born To Shine” – Big Boi & Phantagram feat. Run The Jewels
I always find it interesting when my Song of the Year isn’t included on any other list. Either I have really different taste or no one heard the best song of 2015. Either way, I stand by this selection as the No. 1 song selected for 2015. The beat, the hook, the lyrics, they are all top notch. And Killer Mike opening the song with “I walk in, Ric Flairing/Long fur coat wearing,” gets me every time. Big Boi’s verse to close the song is also excellent. It’s my favorite narrowly over “Sunday Candy” for best of 2015.
Best Albums
10. Every Hero Needs A Villain - Czarface
Czarface released their second album and followed the formula that made their first release so successful - a vintage, golden era hip-hop feel with well executed samples, bangin' beats and bars. Inspectah Deck and Esoteric share mic duties and continue to throw verbal jab after verbal jab. There aren't concept songs here, just rewind quality verses and head nodding beats. The album also hits it on the nose with guest spots much like the first album did, as there are appearances from Method Man, GZA, Juju, Large Professor, Mayhem Lauren, MF Doom and R.A. The Rugged Man. There really isn't a weak moment on the album, but it doesn't do anything to advance from the first album. It's more of the same and in this case that's just fine.
9. Silkies & House Shoes 2 - Tay Butler & Haz Solo
This album is probably my favorite desk album of the year. I used to judge albums on how well they passed the car test, meaning does the album hold my attention while driving and does it make me want to reach for the volume knob or does it pass by mostly unnoticed or even worse make me want to change albums while driving. But after getting new computer speakers, I spend more time listening to music while working from home or surfing the 'net and the same holds true of the desk test - does the album hold my attention while I'm doing something else. Anyway, long story short, Tay Butler & Haz Solo's Silkies & House Shoes 2 was my go-to album while on my home computer. I don't know exactly how to put my finger on it, but there's something that just clicks between Butler and Solo. There's certainly a vintage feel on the entire album best captured on "Old Plair," as well as the Wu-Tang ode "Cuban Linx," and perhaps my favorite track, "Always Gonna Be Good." The Milwaukee duo have a smooth charisma together and deliver an underground gem.
8. King Push - Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude - Pusha T
Pusha T's second solo album dropped very late in the year so it didn't get as much play but damn did it make an impact. The production is top notch and Pusha delivers throughout. He kicks off the album with "Intro" which sets the tone for the rest of the way - it's dark, brooding and pulls no punches. The Timbaland produced "Untouchable" follows with a spot-on Biggie sample for the hook and more non-apologetic rhymes from King Push. It's only 10 songs so the quality has to be there and for the most part it is (not a big fan of "Retribution" but that's really the only misstep for me).
7. At.Long.Last.A$AP - A$AP Rocky
When this album shines, it shines as bright as anything released in 2015, but at 18 songs there is some filler and that hurt the overall quality of the album which lands it at No. 7. Let's just focus on the good moments as they deserve the recognition. First there's the opening track, "Holy Ghost" which I already discussed above, then there's the other Joe Fox assisted tracks "Max B" and "Pharsyde" which are both excellent. This album is extremely guest heavy, some worthwhile, others forgettable, but none more exciting than hearing Mos Def on the closing track, "Back Home." Other highlights include "Wavybone" featuring Juicy J & UGK, "Everyday" featuring Rod Stewart (yes, that Rod Stewart) and Miguel, "Electric Body" featuring Schoolboy Q and "Jukebox Joints" featuring Kanye West (see, I told you there's a lot of guest spots on this album).
6. The Good Fight - Oddisee
Oddisee continues to impress the hell out of me. He produced the entire 12-track album and carries all of the mic duties aside from a guest spot from Tranqill on the album's closing track, "Worse Before Better." The album title is very much a statement about Oddisee's role in hip-hop - he's an underground artist who values lyricism over simplicity and respects the craft so much that he'd rather make quality music and remain a relative unknown than make radio-friendly garbage for the sake of getting airplay and becoming famous. But don't get it twisted, Oddisee doesn't use the album to discuss his place in hip-hop ("Want Something Done" takes care of this in one track), instead he touches on a variety of subjects such as love ("That's Love"), loyalty ("Meant It When I Said It"), prejudice ("Book Covers") and inner conflict ("Contradiction's Maze"). The album is well rounded, thought provoking and well executed from start to finish. This is real hip-hop in every sense of the word.
5. Tetsuo & Youth - Lupe Fiasco
If lyricism means the most to you as a hip-hop fan than this is probably the Album of the Year for you. If you like your music to challenge you, to make you think, to inspire you, then this album is for you. If you like your hip-hop to sound like anything that's getting played on the radio, then you'll have zero interest in this album. There's nothing commercial about it. There's nothing radio friendly on the album (maybe "No Scratches" if you were really trying to find a single). It's not my favorite Lupe album, but it certainly feels like his own personal masterpiece as he made the album he wanted to make. The first 3 songs all clock in at over 5 minutes, with "Mural" showcasing Lupe spitting for 8+ minutes. There's so much substance here that's impossible to tackle in a single paragraph. Just get the album and go somewhere you can listen without interruption because this album will require your full attention.
4. Summertime '06 - Vince Staples
Happy is not a word I'd use to describe Vince Staples double-disc. The production is dark, the mood is stormy and the lyrics are honest and bleak. No I.D. and Clams Casino provide the perfect background for Staples to present his story to the audience. After 2014's EP Hell Can Wait it was clear what Staples was capable of and this album is a full extension of those capabilities. "Lift Me Up" gets things started and sets the tone for the rest of the album followed by the best track on the project, "Norf Norf" which I believe will be the hallmark song of Staples' career. From there each song continues to carry the theme of the album - dark, stripped down and unapologetic. It's a helluva debut from one of hip-hop's most promising young MCs.
3. Compton - Dr. Dre
Will we ever get Detox? At this point who cares? It was just great to hear a new Dre album. Now where does this album stack up in comparison to The Chronic and 2001? It doesn't and that's the biggest mistake you can make heading into this album. Dre cares about flawless production value and all the smallest details that make a song sound great, not about recapturing his glory days or making a sequel to his previous work. Compton is the next chapter in Dre's career, period. And the sound quality is outstanding as Dre is able to weave so many different elements into his production and make each song blend into each other seamlessly. As for the MCs on the album, Dre uses a mix of new and old to make his music come to life and the results for the most part are excellent. I haven't heard Snoop as hungry as he is on "One Shot, One Kill," since Doggystyle, Eminem destroys his verse on "Medicine Man," Xzibit sounds completely refreshed and aggressive on "Loose Canons," Game snarls all over "Just Another Day," and Kendrick Lamar's fingerprints are all over "Genocide," "Darkside/Gone," and "Deep Water." I read somewhere that people were excited about Compton for a minute and then forgot all about it. I'm not really sure how that's possible, but if you are among those that dropped Compton from your rotation I encourage you to go back and listen again. It's another win for Dre.
2. Surf - Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment
If you're looking for the polar opposite of Vince Staples' Summertime '06, you'll find it in Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment's Surf. This is the feel good album of the year in hip-hop. The music is upbeat, jazzy (obviously when it comes from Donnie Trumpet) and positive. The album was released for free on iTunes and was critically acclaimed for good reason. Donnie Trumpet is jazz trumpeter Nico Segal and The Social Experiment consists of musicians Peter Cottontale, Greg Landfair Jr., Nate Fox and the reason I downloaded the album in the first place, Chance The Rapper. Chance more or less plays the host throughout the album and his role is perfect for the sound of the group. Right from the opening track, "Miracle" you are drawn in and taken on such a fun, happy journey. This is a great summer album for certain. While there are plenty of guests on the album (Busta Rhymes, Big Sean, J. Cole, Janelle Monae, Erykah Badu, just to name a few), the true stars throughout are the musicians themselves. I came to this party for Chance The Rapper, but damn am I glad I got to meet the rest of the band. This would be Album of the Year on many years, but well, you know what's coming next...
1. To Pimp A Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar
It's the Album of the Year. There's no arguing. There's no nitpicking. There's nothing comparable. It's the best hip-hop album of 2015 and the best album of 2015. Every publication gave To Pimp A Butterfly a rave review, it won Grammy for Rap Album of the Year and captured four other Grammys. There's nothing new I can write about the album that hasn't already been said or discussed. So I'm going to give my honest take on the album and leave it at that. First of all, it is NOT a classic. Let's relax here. The album came out in March of 2015, that's less than a year ago. Albums don't become classics in 11 months or any amount of time before that. Albums become classics after they've been given time to age. If To Pimp A Butterfly is still as strong in 2020 as it is now, than we can have the classic conversation. Secondly, I'm sort of wishy-washy on this, but I think I still prefer good kid, m.A.A.d city over TPAB, but it's close. Thirdly, I absolutely agree that it's a bold piece of art that deserves all the praise it has received. It deserves to be labeled great. It deserves to win awards. It deserves the No. 1 spot. What Oddisee, Murs, Scarface, Lupe, Vince Staples, Pusha T and so many others discussed in their music in 2015, Kendrick was able to encapsulate it all and do it better than anyone else. Time will tell if it goes down as a classic. But the debate over Album of the Year ended in March of 2015.
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