If there was any doubt of this year’s seismic Hip Hop presence, we received six more albums this past Friday evidencing 2016’s dominance. With drops from J. Cole, Ab-Soul, Post Malone, Tech N9ne, Charles Hamilton and Hodgy, our musical agenda is filled to the brim. This influx of music provides this classic Hip Hop year with even more depth and breadth—I’m curious if anyone rushed their release just to be associated with 2016.
This list is more telling than it lets on to be. J. Cole has been relatively quiet for the past two years, but decided to shock us all with his surprise December 2nd album announcement; Ab-Soul watered his longest album drought with Do What Thou Wilt.; Post Malone is proving that he’s more than a one hit wonder with his studio album debut; Tech N9ne is proving that Hip Hop isn’t just a young man’s game; Charles Hamilton returned from limbo; Hodgy broke out of his Odd Future chains with his rookie release. December 9th was no ordinary Friday.
I’m sure some of these artists are a little pissed at Cole for stealing the day. I can just picture Post Malone twirling one of his braids around his finger while fighting back tears complaining, “Why did Jermaine have to take my day? That’s cold.” Sure, rappers surface confidence levels are through the roof, but they’re aware that J. Cole is eating into their streaming numbers and wallets. That has to be at least a tiny bit unsettling, even for the most braggadocio spitters.
If you haven’t checked out any of these other projects yet, I get it—J. Cole is priority. But that’s what I’m here for. Check out my five favorite tracks from all of these projects below:
4 Your Eyez Only by J. Cole
Do What Thou Wilt. by Ab-Soul
Stoney by Post Malone
The Storm by Tech N9ne
Hamilton, Charles by Charles Hamilton
Fireplace: TheNotTheOtherSide by Hodgy