The List 2016

THE LIST '16

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME, I SHOULDN'T HAVE LEFT YOU... at all really. 

Thats my bad. 

 What's up world? It's def been a long time. And if you know me I've been working my butt off but I had to make some time to come back to the music. Also because my friend Kyle Knowlton doesn't know what rap music to listen to if I don't give you this list. The list as in previous years is not in any order. It's just a collection of the best music from front to back I've listened to this year. The synopses are short because I don't want my words to describe the music. I want the music to describe the music. Just give it a listen and if you like, you like and if you don't then don't ever come to my site again. :-) I'm kidding.

 Without further adieu, Jarilla Warfare's list 2016

Artist: Frank Ocean
Album: Blond
Label: Boys Don't Cry

I really don’t want to compare this to Channel Orange… So I won’t. It’s a completely different album than his debut. This album is Frank in his emotions, this is him being controversial and emphatic. The album doesn't have too much production (but he’s listed on every song) so I can’t speak heavily on it, but the soul he puts behind every track makes your hearts palpitations pulsate with the feelings he’s trying to convey.

Production: Frank Ocean, Om’Mas Keith, Malay, Pharrell Williams, James Blake, Thornalley, Uzowuru, John Brion, Rostam Batmanglij, Buddy Ross, Francis Starlite,

Guest Features: Amber Coffman, Beyonce, Jazmine Sullivan, Austin Feinstein, Yung Lean, Andre 3000, Kim Burrell

Beats: 4
Rhymes: 9
Life: 8

Kanye West
The Life of Pablo
Getting Out Our Dreams (G.O.O.D.), Def Jam

 I kinda like this Kanye. This more relaxed Kanye. The more jovial and witty banging on wax Kanye. Why do you repeat your lines so much Kanye? Do you think we don’t get what you said Kanye? Please believe all you have to do is say it once Kanye. Back to the wax Kanye. These tracks made math Kanye. Because you went back to booth and made us laugh Kanye. Ultralight Beams Kanye. Is what the people need Kanye. And this is why you made the list, thank you Kanye.

Production: Bump this I’m just gonna link the wiki for both. Too many features.

Guest Features: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Life_of_Pablo

Beats: 9
Rhymes: 7
Life: 7.5

Chance The Rapper
Coloring Book
Independent

 This album made all of want to go to church, albeit high, but go to church. This is just a fun album made by an artist that is full of charisma and promise. Chances’ bars are original and draw a vivid picture of happiness. People wanted another Acid Rap, but I think they got a bit of Holy Water and are quite pleased with it.

 Production: Kanye West, Social Experiement, Basstracks, Francis and the Lights, Lido, CBMIX, Stix, Rascal, Cottontale, Kaytranada, Garren, Cam O’bi

Guest Features: Kanye West, Chicago Childrens Choir, 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, D.R.A.M., Jeremih, Francis and the Lights, Young Thug, Lil Yachty, Saba, Justin Bieber, Towkio, Know Fortune, Jay Electronica, Nicole, Future, T-Pain, Kirk Franklin, Eryn Allen Kane, Noname, Ty Dolla $ign

Beats: 9
Rhyme: 8.5
Life: 9

A Tribe Called Quest
We Got it From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service
Epic 

What a pleasant suprise this was to hip hop and music in general. To many people (myself included) this is an Album of the Year contender off name alone, but the ability to get cohesive tracks from Q-Tip, Phife, Jarobi, Consequence and Busta Rhymes after all these years is a testament in itself. This album is political, lyrical, and a fitting end to a legacy of music that will live on forever. Just… enjoy.

Production: Q-Tip

Guest Features: Kendrick Lamar, Talib Kweli, Marsha Ambrosius, Busta Rhymes, Consequence, Elton John, Anderson Paak, Kanye West

Beats: 9
Rhymes: 10
Life: 10

Danny Brown
Atrocity Exhibition
Warp

The best part about Danny Brown is the part where he didn’t sign with 50 Cent. Look that whole thing up. He found a label that allowed him to be creative and produce music his way and let the public either follow or become his downfall. Atrocity Exhibition (which is a Joy Division song that's really creepy) is a compilation of futuristic/psychedelic productions and rhymes to match. Those that can get past Danny Brown’s high pitched voice that dominates the majority of the album will be in for quite the trip.

Beats: 8.5
Rhymes: 9
Life: 8

Anderson Paak
Malibu
Steel Wool

After hearing his coming out party on Dr. Dre’s Compton last year, I had high expectations for his second album. This album did not disappoint. His scratchy voice mixed with the variety of different beats and harmonies used for production (some self produced) gives this album replay value. The different topics touched on from love to race and politics are fully encompassed within Malibu and its truly one of the best albums of the year.

Production: Anderson Paak, DJ Khalil, Madlib, 9th Wonder, POMO, Jose Rios. Kaytranada. Like, Chris Dave, Hi Tek, Dem Joints, Callum Carter

Guest Features: BJ the Chicago Kid, ScHoolboy Q, Rhapsody, The Game, Talib Kweli

Beats: 8.5
Rhymes: 8
Life: 8

Kendrick Lamar
Untitled Unmastered
TDE

This is basically a compilation of tracks K. Dot did on different guest spots during late night shows and other live performances before the release of To Pimp a Butterfly. It doesn’t mean it isn’t ridiculously well written and performed however. It shows the transformation from Good Kid, MAAD City’s Compton influenced and themed album to a more politically charged and jazz-fused TPAB.

Production: Ritz Reynolds, Cardo, Yung Exclusive, Astronote, Thundercat, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Frank Dukes, Egypt Dean, Mono/Poly

Guest Features: None

Beats: 8
Rhymes: 10
Life: 7.5 (overshadowed by concept albums & mixtapes)

Nx Worries
Yes Lawd!
Stones Throw

Oh YES LAWD, Anderson Paak makes another appearance on the list with his album produced by Knxwledge. It doesnt sound like Malibu because of Knxwledges ability to create a diversity of sounds… and it’s a bit more… raunchy... PLUS IT HAS A RICK AND MORTY SKIT

Production: Knxwledge

Guest Features: None

Beats: 8
Rhymes: 9
Life: 8

Maxwell
BlackSUMMERS’night
Columbia 

Man… I’m a sucker for a new Maxwell album. Nothing stands out because everything is so consistent with his previous bodies of work, it’s all excellent. The deeper meanings in certain songs such as Gods makes me believe he will go down as one of the greatest singer songwriters of this era.

Production: Hod Davis, Musze(Maxwell), Stuart Mattewman

Guest Features: None

Beats: 8.5
Rhymes: 9
Life: 7.5

ScHoolby Q
Blank Face LP
TDE 

THis is probably Q’s most anticipated and compreHensive album wHicH has lead to accolades and an even bigger ego for tHis dude. Oxymoron gave tHe world and introduction to a unknown weed-Head wHo made party records. Black Face LP gave you a look at the potential of an artist waiting His turn.

Production: Alchemist, Tyler the Creator, Cardo, Cubeatz, Dem Joints, DJ Dahi, Frank Dukes, J.LBS, Larrance Dopson, Sounwave, Metro Boomin, Nez & Rio, Southside, Swizz Beatz, Tae Beast, Tony Russell, Willie B, Yung Exclusive

Guest Features: Kanye West, Jadakiss, Lance Skiiwalker, Candice Pillay, E-40, Tha Dogg Pound, SZA, Anderson .Paak, Miguel, Justin Skye, Traffic, TF

Beats: 10
Rhymes: 8
Life: 8.5

Noname
Telefone

This album is great to me because I used to only hear Noname Gypsy on features. Now with a full length album/mixtape she’s able to show her versatility from her own perspective and not have to follow someone else's cadence.

Production: Cam O’bi, Monte Booker, Pheolix, Saba

Guest Features: theMIND, Raury, Cam O’bi, Xavier Omar, Eryn Allen Kane, Akenya, Rayven Lenae, Joseph Chilliams, Saba, Smino, Pheolix

Beats: 7
Rhymes: 8
Life: 7.5

Ka
Honor Killed the Samurai

Roc Marciano and Ka are my guilty pleasures. Most people may call his flow boring and his asthetic the same but if you take time to actually immerse yourself in the music and listen to the message, you will realise the message. Honor Killed the Samurai is dark and feels like a training manual for those seeking to achieve the mindset of a warrior through street knowledge.

Production: Ka

Guest Features: none

Beats: 6
Rhymes: 9
Life: 7

Pusha T
Darkest Before Dawn
Def Jam/GOOD Music 

This isn’t My Name is My Name so don’t come into the album looking for it. This was supposed to be King Push but since that album isn’t fully complete we basically got a mixtape in album form. Pusha T doesn’t dissapoint however, the coke-flow is still well polished and it seems he always has an ear for beats and a knack for guest features

Production: Deafh Beats, Boi-1da, The-Dream, Metro Boomin, Frank Dukes, G Koop, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Hudson Mohawke, J. Cole, Mario Winans, J Gramm, Kanye West, Nashiem Myrick, Q-Tip, Sean C & LV, Timbaland, Yung Dev, Gianfranco Reverberi, Claudio Ghiglino, Susan Duncan-Smith, Rico Love, Baauer

Guest Features: The Dream, Rick Ross, Beanie Sigel, Ab-Liva, Kehlani, Jill Scott, Kanye West, A$AP Rocky

Beats: 8.5
Rhymes: 9
Life: 8

Skepta
Konnichiwa
Boy Better Know

Not gonna lie, when I was introduced to this, I was quite skeptical (ha!) but UK’s Grime scene deserves some love. This album is full with a different sound that has a laid back trap feel to it. The lyrics are on point and have the UK/Jamaican feel to them.

Production: Skepta, Blakie, Footsie, Jason Adenuga, Pharrell Williams, Ragz Originale

Guest Features: Pharrell Williams, A$AP Nast, Novelist, Wiley, Chip, Young Lord, D Double E, Jme, BBK

Beats: 9
Rhymes: 8
Life: 8

Vince Staples
Prima Donna 

Vince Staples has never been one to just give you a glimpse of what he has on his mind. Even with a 7 track EP, he still finds a way to justify his thug and take you on journey through Compton. He’s also never been a stranger to abstract production, this EP only shows his versatility.

Production: James Blake, No ID, DJ Dahi, John Hill

Guest Features: A$AP Rocky, Kilo Kish

Beats: 9
Rhymes: 8
Life: 5 

J. Cole
4 Your Eyez Only
Dreamville / Def Jam 

I’m loving the drop an album out of nowhere and create your own buzz without marketing techniques labels are doing nowadays. Coles’ 4th (4 Your Eyez Only) kinda clever for his fourth album is similar to 2014 Forest Hills Drive, this album is much more intimate and has a serious tone than his other mixtapes. I would however like to see him have at least 1 feature… collaboration is what hip hop was built on and he seems to only want to stay in his own lane… I guess I’ll just wait for the Kendrick collab album… *sigh*

Production: J. Cole, Elite, BLVK, Boi-1da, Cardiak, Chargaux, Childish Major, Deputy, Elijah Scarlett, Frank Dukes, Nate Fox, Nate Jones, Nico Segal, Peter Cottontale, Ron Gilmore, Steve Lacy, Theo Croker, Velous, Vinylz

Guest Features: None

Beats: 7.5
Rhymes: 9
Life: 8 

Solange
A Seat at the Table
Columbia 

 I really liked this album. Like Kevin Gates… Really Really. It was met with much (and deserved) acclaim and review. She’s different from big sis because she has a different message and a way she views the world and while she may not have the worldwide acclaim Queen B does, she’s well on her way. And the production…. whew...

Production: Solange, Raphael Saadiq, Troy R8dio Johnson, Raymond Angry, Questlove, Majical Cloudz, Q-Tip, John Kirby, Rostam Batmanglij, Sean Nicholas, Savage, Sampha, Kwes, Olubenga Adelekan, Adam Bainbridge, Patrick Wimberly, Dave Sitek, David Longstreth, Bryndon Cook, Sir Dylan

Guest Features: Lil Wayne, Sampha, The Dream, BJ the Chicago Kid, Kelly Rowland, Kelea

Beats: 9
Rhymes: 9
Life: 9.5