Year-End List: Best of the Best of 2016

After dropping numerous lists, which artists, albums, and songs were the consensus best of the best of 2016?

2016 hasn’t been a great year for musicians – celebrities in general.  The music world has lost a number of icons, including David Bowie, Prince, and George Michael.  In the midst of tragedy, the music continued to thrive – for the most part.  This list extracts the best of the best from our year-end lists, including lists that didn’t materialize.

Best Record/Song:

Kanye West featuring Chance the Rapper, Kelly Price, The-Dream and Kirk Franklin, “Ultralight Beam” (The Life of Pablo)

• “Ultralight Beam” is the best song from The Life of Pablo. Minimalistic yet epic, Kanye West has crafted a spiritual masterpiece assisted by a chilling gospel choir, a rousing Kelly Price, and the fiery, pitch-perfect rhymes from Chance the Rapper.

• Runner-up: Lukas Graham, “7 Years” (Lukas Graham)

Best Album:

Beyoncé, Lemonade [Sony]

• Lemonade is a bold album that finds Beyoncé at her rawest. While she incorporates expected styles – pop, R&B, and hip-hop – she also adds elements of rock (“Don’t Hurt Yourself”) and country (“Daddy”).  That doesn’t even account for socially conscious and politically-charged moments such as “6 Inch Heels,” “Freedom,” and “Formation.”

• Crème de la crème: “Formation”

• Runner-up: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Skeleton Tree [Bad Seeds Ltd]

Best Pop Song:

Lukas Graham, “7 Years” (Lukas Graham)

• “7 Years” is the rare meaningful, yet catchy pop song. Lukas Graham Frontman Lukas Graham Forchhammer possesses a distinct voice perfectly suited for this reflective number. “7 Years” is realistic, hypothetical, and captivating all-in-one.

• Runner-up: The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey, “Closer” (Collage)

Best Pop Album:

 Norah Jones, Day Breaks [Blue Note]

• Norah Jones returns to form on her latest album, Day Breaks. Whether or not Jones would agree, Day Breaks, feels like a full-fledged return to her jazz-pop sensibilities.  On “Tragedy,” she masterfully blends singer-songwriter, jazz, and soul, playing to her eclectic strengths without alienating her base. “Flipside” incorporates some terrific abstract-sounding jazz harmonies.  Neil Young sounds exceptional in her hands on “Don’t Be Denied,” which certainly could be mistaken for an original.  Promo single “Carry On” is none too shabby in its own right.

• Crème de la crème: “Tragedy”

• Runner-up: Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman

Best Rock Song:

David Bowie, “Blackstar” (Blackstar)

• “Lazarus” was actually ranked higher on the 50 Best Songs of 2016, but the title track is (arguably) the best song off the album and the best rock song of 2016.

• Runner-up: Beyoncé ft. Jack White, “Don’t Hurt Yourself” (Lemonade)

Best Rock Album:  

David Bowie, Blackstar [Columbia]

• David Bowie passed away just two days after releasing Blackstar on his 69^th As sad as it was to see the iconic artist die, Blackstar showcased the ever restless, evolving Bowie in top-notch form.  “Blackstar” is among the year’s most enigmatic songs clocking in at just under 10 minutes.  “Lazarus” eerily foreshadows Bowie’s death (“Look up here, I’m in heaven / I’ve got scars that can’t be seen”).  On “Girl Loves Me,” Bowie incorporates a made-up language coupled with gay slang (Nadsat and Polari).  Bowie definitely went out on top.

• Crème de la crème: “Blackstar” 

• Runner-up: Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Getaway

Best Alternative Album:

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Skeleton Tree [Bad Seeds Ltd]

• In 2016, few albums shined as bright as Skeleton Tree. The latest Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds LP is epic. It marks the first album released by the collective following the death of Cave’s son, Arthur. Clearly, Cave put every ounce of himself into this album.  The listener can perceive the depth of emotion. Cave’s loss can never be understood by those who haven’t experienced such, but he conveys it as accurately, authentically, and humanly as possible through the music.

• Crème de la crème: “Jesus Alone”

• Runner-up: Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool

Best R&B Song:

Maxwell, “Lake by the Ocean” (blackSUMMERS’night)

• “Lake By the Ocean” superbly reminisces back to neo-soul’s glory days. Signature Maxwell, the R&B heartthrob flaunts his incredibly, pure vocal tone, drenched in an ocean of SEXY-ness. “Pretty Wings” can’t be topped, but “Lake by the Ocean” is an awesome attempt nonetheless.
• Runner-up: Solange, “Cranes in the Sky” (A Seat at the Table)

Best Urban Contemporary Album:

Beyoncé, Lemonade [Sony]

• Lemonade is a bold album that finds Beyoncé at her rawest. While she incorporates expected styles – pop, R&B, and hip-hop – she also adds elements of rock (“Don’t Hurt Yourself”) and country (“Daddy”).  That doesn’t even account for socially conscious and politically-charged moments such as “6 Inch Heels,” “Freedom,” and “Formation.”

• Crème de la crème: “Formation”

• Runner-up: Solange, A Seat at the Table

Best R&B Album:

Childish Gambino, “Awaken, My Love!” [Glassnote]

• Donald Glover Aka Childish Gambino is incredibly talented. Known for his acting and rapping, on his third studio album, “Awaken, My Love!”, he trades rap for singing. It’s a risk, but the reward is great. “Awaken, My Love!” is a throwback soul album, unlike anything else released over the course of 2016.  Gems are abundant, whether it’s the love-centric “Me and Your Mama,” the lustful “Redbone,” or the paternal “Baby Boy.”

• Crème de la Crème: “Me and Your Mama”

• Runner-up: Michael Kiwanuka, Love & Hate

Best Rap Song:

Kanye West featuring Chance the Rapper, Kelly Price, The-Dream and Kirk Franklin, “Ultralight Beam” (The Life of Pablo)

• “Ultralight Beam” is the best song from The Life of Pablo. Minimalistic yet epic, Kanye West has crafted a spiritual masterpiece assisted by a chilling gospel choir, a rousing Kelly Price, and the fiery, pitch-perfect rhymes from Chance the Rapper.

• Runner-up: Rae Sremmurd ft. Gucci Mane, “Black Beatles” (Sremmlife 2)

Best Rap Album:

A Tribe Called Quest, We Got This…Thank You 4 Your Service [Epic] 

• Following an 18-year hiatus, A Tribe Called Quest returned to release their final studio album. We Got It from Here…Thank You 4 Your Service is magnificent sixth album by the legendary hip-hop group. Amazingly, they don’t compromise their style, delivering a classic, yet fresh album.  Jam-packed with gems, among the elite are opener “The Space Program” (tackles black inequality), “We the People…” (tackles the unrepresented in America), and “Lost Somebody” and “The Donald” (tributes to the late, great Phife Dawg).

• Crème de la Crème: “The Space Program” 

• Runner-up: Chance the Rapper, Coloring Book

Best Country Album:

Sturgill Simpson, A Sailor’s Guide to Earth [Atlantic]

• Sturgill Simpson also separated himself from other country artists in 2016. A Sailor’s Guide to Earth transcends country, showcasing incredible eclecticism. Ask yourself, how many times in modern country music are horns used? Also, ask yourself this question – how many country artists cover Nirvana (“In Bloom”)? More country artists should do as Simpson says – “Brace for Impact (Live A Little)” – go beyond the label country!

• Crème de la Crème: “Welcome to Earth (Pollywog)”

• Runner-up: Maren Morris, Hero

Photo Credit: Columbia