Released at the top of 2016, Malibu actually serves as album no. 2 for the singer/rapper. So prolific in its sound and approach, the record is a melting pot of R&B/Soul, Hip Hop, Rock and much more. In what was able to afford Anderson .Paak the opportunity to connect further with old and a new set of fans, the album itself is easily among the best that music has seen this year. From the journey that is “The Season/Carry Me,” to the feel good nature of “Come Down,” Anderson .Paak started off 2016 with a massive bang that will continue to ring on for many years. Slept on, but appreciated by his solid following, Malibu has elevated Anderson .Paak all across the board.

One of a few releases from the Dreamville collective in 2016, the latest from Bas is a body of work that hits hard upon the first listen. Undeservingly so, being overlooked by the majority, Too High To Riot is a sophomore effort that tells a profound story with the quality and precision to match. Home to gems like “Housewives” and “Black Owned Business,” Bas went forth to prove that J. Cole isn’t the only Dreamville rapper that can get busy behind the mic through storytelling, wordplay, hard-hitting bars, and honesty that goes on to connect with listeners much further than surface level.

If you’ve never heard of Elzhi, just know that his latest album, Lead Poison, is another example of how pain often helps in the production of the best art. Fighting the good fight against depression, the birth of Lead Poison came and is home to the woes of life like betrayal, childhood pain, and everything in between. A vivid display of his pain at that moment of his life, Elzhi created an album that is very much the soundtrack of many lives across the world that often go unspoken about or brushed under the rug. Sad, introspective, and redeeming, Lead Poison is vulnerability at its best.

Depending on who you ask and just how old they are, it’s possible that some people may not recognize Joe Budden for his musical contributions to Hip Hop. For fans, and even naysayers, Rage And The Machine was a pleasant reminder of the lyrical prowess that Mr. Budden is in possession of. Displaying a vivid wave of various emotions, Rage And The Machine is an emotional rollercoaster gone right. Blending every great aspect of his artistry, Joe Budden makes one thing clear. He can still go with the best of them in today’s Hip Hop climate.

Almost 5 years in the making, Royce DA 5’9’s Layers had a lot to prove coming after his 2011 release. Scaling back and offering a more raw approach on records like “Misses” and “Shine,” Layers still comes with quintessential Royce Da 5’9 style. Showcasing his ability to be weave in and out of various rapping styles, Layers goes on to ensure the world that a box is not what the rapper should be put in as he has so much more to offer than what meets the eye.