The Best Music of 2015 is…

For most people, December is about family, holidays, and winter vacations. To me, because I am an overzealous, music-obsessed marketer, December means: Q4 BOOKINGS!!!, official GRAMMY nominations and the hottest of the hot takes on all things music and music industry. The latter is actually the most exciting and enjoyable for me mainly because writing is my one true love but also because music writers are so passionate and angsty.

For the next month and a half, I know that almost every music publication will contain the most relentless thinkpieces on the most trivial matters such as: which artist should have been nominated for a GRAMMY, what the GRAMMYs got right/wrong, what a GRAMMY even means in [enter year here], if the GRAMMYs even matter, predictions about who will be the first to flop, predictions about who will be the breakout star in [enter year here], which genre will take over in [enter year here], and — my absolute favorite — the reflective personal essay on why the writer is quitting/falling out of love with music. Reading music writing brings me great joy and is only second to watching anything produced by Monami Entertainment.

This series of writing almost always kicks off with Best Of/Year End lists, which I just simply like to refer to as The Lists™. This is where music writers take out their aggressions on artists who gave them subpar interviews by not including said artists’ music on those coveted lists. This is where music writers take fandom to new heights. The Lists™ are, as the kids say, LIT.

But now that my marketing job is taking over my life, and I can’t spend all day listening to and debating about music anymore, I can’t relate to many of The Lists™. They don’t pander to my not-quite-30, urban professional music tastes. So, I’ve created my own list (in no particular order, of course) compiled of music I bought this year, that came out this year, or artists I’ve liked from concert performances I’ve seen this year. I say all that to say: The best music of 2015 is probably, maybe, possibly not on this list. You will deal.

Albums

The Internet — Ego Death

Sultry. Syd the Kid does sultry right, every time. She doesn’t get credit for it because the American music fans are not so ready to accept a masculine-leaning (or gender nonconforming), lesbian R&B singer. Matt Martians is a talented producer who continues to evolve, makes smart choices for his music partner’s vocals, and isn’t afraid of collaboration. On Ego Death, they manage to create a sound that pulls from a rich R&B history while exploring a jazz n bass future. The Internet is amazing. Just stop letting Matt sing background during live shows.

Tame Impala — Currents

This album made me want to start a relationship, break-up with that person, and move on in the most positive way imaginable. That didn’t happen but I still really like this album anyway. It’s the happiest break-up album I’ve ever heard. We need more break-up albums like this.

Kendrick Lamar — To Pimp A Butterfly

Riveting. Five stars. Pivotal. Moving. The feel good album of 2015. A defining moment in history.

Jazmine Sullivan — Reality Show

This album made me realize that every relationship I’ve ever had was futile. But it also made me reflect on how my generation enters relationships and what it means for us to love one another. I didn’t learn anything particularly poignant from Jazmine’s lyrics (those of us who are not-quite-30 are still screwed), but this album goes right up there with Teedra Moses’ “Complex Simplicity” (2004) for me. It is everything.

Travi$ Scott — Rodeo

Corey and Aaron have been trying to get me to listen to Travi$ Scott for forever, but I have been reluctant because, lately, I’ve been growing out of music that is both trap and trap-ish. Trap adjacent, if you will. Earlier in the year, I finally conceded because I went to the Rodeo Tour starring Young Thug and Travi$ Scott w/ Metro Boomin’. I gained a better appreciation for his music but not his live performance. You could say that I anticipated the Rodeo album because I wanted to know if he’d be sticking with his similar style post-Yeezus. It’s gutsy to have your style, um, heavily borrowed upon by such a popular artist and still stick with it. But that’s exactly what he did and I have to respect that. Also, I’m not gonna sit here and act like “Antidote” and “3500”—the two lead singles—weren’t my damn jams. My favorite track on the album is still “Oh My/Dis Side” which features Quavo of the Migos. Now that should’ve been a single.

Kamasi Washington — The Epic

I write so much about rap that people don’t realize I’m a jazz kid. Both of my parents are jazz musicians. That is something that’s hard on you when you’re a kid but as you grow into adulthood, you realize it gives you character. Kamasi Washington’s album is aptly titled. It’s long as hell, but you don’t necessarily want for it to end. It pays homage to jazz traditions while exploring some elements of new age jazz that people my age are really into. The Epic toes a fine line of almost being a jazz’n’b record or almost being an album Quincy Jones released in the sixties/seventies (I’m thinking The Quintessence). It stays very familiar to the trained ear while offering something unexpected to both jazz aficionados (my dad) and newbies alike. I listen to this album a lot while I’m working. Or cleaning the house. Or whatever.

Snoop Dogg — Bush

Snoop has never been more adult than he’s been on this album. This album enlists his longtime collaborators (at this point) Pharrell and Charlie Wilson and it’s so good. Bush is the album I think Snoop wanted to make when he released “Sexual Eruption” way back in 2008. I can’t believe I’m about to type these words, but this album is very “grown and sexy”. Snoop barely utters a curse word on this album (unless we’re counting “ass”), he doesn’t do much traditional rapping, he gets Charlie Wilson to say just about anything, and he also has a song with Stevie Wonder. This album makes me wish Soul Train was still alive.

Chris Stapleton—Traveller

After his performance on the Country Music Awards, we started selling Chris Stapleton merch like crazy on Merchbar. The moment he opened his mouth to sing his first note on that stage was the moment the world started buying everything he was selling. I, on the other hand, had never heard of the guy. So I went to Spotify, as one does, and was pleasantly surprised. He’s got some talent, but I consider him to be the Future of the Country world. His lyrics strike you and you’re immediately drawn to the nonchalant sorrows yet at the same time you’re worried for his emotional well-being. Substitute Future’s lean for Whiskey and you almost have the same people.

Alabama Shakes—Sound & Color

This album had me all in my feelings for reasons unknown. Brittany Howard, why must your vocals slay my entire life like this?

Thunderbitch—Thunderbitch

Since we’re on Alabama Shakes and all, this might be a great time to mention that anything Brittany Howard touches is pretty much solid gold. Thunderbitch is a band also led by Howard with support from some of her ATO Records labelmates. If Alabama Shakes has the ability to get you in your feelings (on occasion), Thunderbitch slaps the sense back into you.

Songs

Drake “Know Yourself” (If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late)

First of all, Drake, A-1 trolling this year. I tip my fascinator to you, sir. Second of all, I don’t care who wrote this damn song because it’s probably my favorite Drake song of 2015. Yes, I like this song better than “Hotline Bling” a.k.a. “Cha Cha Reprise”. Plus, the part where the beat switches is my absolute favorite part of the song and since it sounds like you’re just riffing here anyway, I’m sure you wrote it. Like, it’s December and I’m still playing this song.

Migos “Pipe It Up” (Young Rich Nation)

Migos album was really disappointing but this song was not. I’m glad Offset is back and I hope they can redeem themselves. “Pipe It Up” was good but I’ll admit the video completely got me hooked on it. Rap videos that feature kids dancing win me over every single time.

Hiatus Kaiyote “Breathing Underwater” (Choose Your Weapon)

I love Nai Palm’s voice. I love the way Perrin hits them smooth drum breaks. Paul is walking the hell out of that bass. And Simon got them keys groovin’. (I also really like this entire album but I told myself I was only going to do 10 albums and 10 songs so…)

Fake “Jumpman” (What A Time To Be Alive)

Yes, Fake is the name I gave to rap’s newest super duo, Future and Drake. I wish this entire album was songs like “Jumpman”, a song that has been my daily 5:00am alarm since its release. Drake’s second verse is some of Drake’s best rapping in 2015.

Fetty Wap “Rewind” (Fetty Wap)

Yeah, Fetty Wap blurs that fine line between fake rapper and pseudo singer but on “Rewind” he is purely Fetty Pendergrass. I love me a ratchet quiet storm song, y’all.

Ty Dolla $ign f/ Jagged Edge “Straight Up” // Ty Dolla $ign f/ Babyface “Solid” (Free TC)

Come through, Jagged Edge! Come on, Babyface! It’s hard for me to choose just one song from this album. For starters, this album is extremely well-produced. It is tailor-made for Ty$. It checks all the boxes on the checklist for a “hit” album. In the Bay Area, at least 4 out of the album’s 5 singles made the radio. But, surprisingly, it was not an immediate hit. If you’re one of the people who did not listen to the album, I would recommend starting with one of these two songs. “Straight Up” has a well placed sample, and on “Solid” Ty$ somehow convinces Babyface to harmonize with the lyrics “Big kush, long money, bad girls, real n*ggas here with me” which makes it worth it.

Tessa Thompson “Grip” (CREED Soundtrack)

CREED was an incredible film and I walked away wanting two things: a date with Michael B. Jordan and this song playing on an endless loop.

Jidenna f/ Roman GianArthur “Classic Man” (The Eephus)

Yes, I put my friends on The List™ and I know that this is probably biased but the internet agrees with me as it is the 5th most streamed hip-hop song of 2015. I’m wondering how long it will take for Jidenna fans to discover Fear & Fancy.

Young Fathers “Rain or Shine” (White Men Are Black Men Too)

It’s like if N.E.R.D. kept that same gritty feel from the In Search Of… album with added harmonies from Cee-Lo Green in the Gnarls Barkley era, so basically TV on the Radio for millenials. That’s not a diss.

Nef the Pharaoh “Big Tymin”

This was probably the best song of 2015, honestly.

If you want to stay up-to-date with the music I’m listening to, you can follow me on Spotify (which I use pretty heavily).