As I look back at what 2015 brought us musically, I can’t help to think that we were really blessed to have so much selection in music to choose from. I have chosen my nine favorite projects of 2015, and I’m pretty sure they’re a lot different from many lists when it comes to some projects in particular. I do have to add that the majority of the music that I listen to is in my car, on my commute to work, while working out, or while I’m in the act of getting prepared for my upcoming struggles in life so my list is definitely biased to what I’ve been going through all year round. There were so many projects that I wish I could put on here, but these projects are consistently being played by me. Check out the albums I chose as my favorite of 2015 below.
Jeremih – Late Nights: The Album
The first single for Late Nights: The Album was released in June… of 2014! By the looks of it, I thought that we would never see this album. Jeremih wasn’t really too vocal with the way that his record label handled the album situation until after its release. With all the controversy surrounding the release of the album, I’m glad it finally came out. The album takes you through a few different trips while Jeremih shows off how he can switch his voice. I definitely recommend this album to played after a night of partying or clubbing to wind down the mood.
My top tracks from this album are “oui”, “Paradise”, and “Woosah”
Towkio – .Wav Theory
I feel like SAVEMONEY has got to be one of the most hardworking groups around. With that being said, Towkio is not one to disappoint with this particular project. The way that Towkio switched up from a pop type of track to a bar for bar track on this project was a great trip. It was very well unexpected on my end. Towkio has the talent of keeping any listener’s attention on .Wav Theory. Aside from a putting together a pretty dope project, he’s put on a hell of a live show. If he’s ever in your town, make sure to catch one of his sets.
My top tracks from this album are “Involved”, “I Know You”, and “God In Me”.
Vince Staples – Summertime ’06
I like the direction that Vince Staples took with this album in particular. He went a little darker and meaner with this project, and I love that. It looks like double albums are the thing nowadays, and I find it hard to understand why. But I’m not complaining… More for us! Summertime ’06 is full of hard, visual lines and Staples takes us through his streets while still touching on society’s issues. No I.D. produced the majority of the project, so you know he had a lot of input for this album. If you haven’t caught Vince Staples live, please do so! We were able to catch him a couple of times this year and we were definitely impressed.
My top tracks from this album are “Mamacita”, “Hang ‘N Bang”, and “Norf Norf”.
Hurt Everybody – 2k47
These three dudes are dedicated to their craft. I don’t think they’re ever not working. Whether it be individually or together, these dudes are always on the grind. 2K47 is a showing of how talented and dedicated to their craft the trio is. You can find the likes of Mick Jenkins, Twista, Saba, Alex Wiley and even Twin Peaks as features on the project. I hadn’t heard of these guys until maybe two years ago, and I can tell you that they have matured and are ready for bigger movees in the future. Supa BWE, Carl and Mulatto should have a 2016 full of surprises and 2K47 is a perfect introduction to anyone who hasn’t heard of these guys.
My top tracks from this album are “Before The War”, “Computer”, and “White Owl”.
Martin $ky – Everywhere But Here
I think Everywhere But Here has been my favorite release from the local Chicago scene. Martin $ky is a one man show. He produced this project (aside for one track) and he wrote the whole album. This truly is a “solo project”. You can tell that Martin is hungry by taking a listen to Everywhere But Here. Since Martin produced all of the songs, his rhymes are perfectly structured for the beats. I don’t think many are as talented as Martin, and if this is only the beginning, I’m curious to see what he has to offer this up coming year.
My top tracks on this album are “Plug”, “Everywhere But Here”, and “Undefeated”.
A$AP Rocky – AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP
Hands-down my favorite album this year. I remember when this album dropped, it was the beginning of summer and I was pretty sure that this album was going to be the soundtrack to the summer. I was definitely right about this. The album flows perfectly and the sound takes you on various trips as you go from track to track. A$AP is not afraid to experiment with his sound and he shows it on A.L.L.A. with each and every track. There are a handful of tracks that are constant rotation in my car as I’m making my morning commute to work.
My top tracks from this album are “Back Home”, “L$D”, “Canal St.”.
Bodega Bamz – Sidewalk Exec
If there was an album that I was really excited about this year, it was Sidewalk Exec. The album takes into the life of the neighborhood sidewalk executive with help from his close alliances in Joell Ortiz, A$ton Matthews, Flatbush Zombies and the late great A$AP Yams. Bodega Bamz’s offering has a feeling of that boom-bap New York era sound to it with hints of trap. The way that Bodega paints a picture is unmatched and he definitely does it with this album. Bodega continues to be one of the more interesting rappers coming out of New York, I’m sure he’s going to have a lot more for us in this upcoming year.
My top tracks from this album are “Invoice”, “I’m Ready”, and “El Rey”.
Joey Bada$$ – B4.Da.$$
I think Joey Bada$$ had one of the dopest marketing campaigns of all time. When the daughter of POTUS approves, you know you’re reaching the masses. B4.Da.$$ is one of my favorite projects to come out this year. The debut album portrays the New York rap culture and screams self expression. I typically use this album as a pre-workout shake to get me in the zone for what’s to come.
My top tracks from this album are, “Christ Conscious”, “Hazeus View”, and “Paper Trail$”.
Travi$ Scott – Rodeo
Here’s another album that I was excited to hear this year. I think everyone was really anticipating Rodeo to be one of the year’s best albums months before it even came out. Many artists would crumble and fail on pleasing the fans with what they want, but Travi$ Scott really did give us one of the best albums of the year. The production of this album is extremely strong to the point that you can’t find a negative in any song. I’m pretty confident when I say that Travi$ Scott had a great 2015.
My top tracks from this album are, “3500”, “Antidote”, and “Flying High”.
