Dope music. Dope artists. Dope year.
With all of the celebrity deaths and tragedies that have happened over the past 12 months, 2016 has been a rocky year. We’ve lost legendary hip-hop icons while others have had emotional breakdowns. But there’s been at least one good thing that has come out of this year, and that’s the music. In 2016, we’ve received great projects from great artists who have stepped their game up. From Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book to Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo, this year has been a great one in music.
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A Tribe Called Quest
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Before releasing their late album, We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, ATCQ last album happened in 1998. The group then announced their split. Years later, the group reunited to make new music before the passing of Phife Dawg. It wasn’t complete during the time of his death, but the other members completed the album.
Continuing the Legacy
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The album features collars from André 3000, Kendrick Lamar, Jack White, Elton John, Kanye West, Anderson Paak, Talib Kweli, Consequence, and Busta Rhymes.
A day after the album’s release, Q-Tip and Ali performed two songs on Saturday Night Live in front of a mural of Phife Dawg. The album peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.
D.R.A.M.
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D.R.A.M. rose to the music scene with his singles, “Cha Cha” and “Broccoli.” His new album, Big Baby D.R.A.M., featured “Broccoli,” “Cute,” and “Cash Machine.” It debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and No. 12 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. “Broccoli”, featuring Lil Yachty, was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Performance.
