Winners of 2017

Top 10 Songs of 2017

1. Bodak Yellow

Cardi B's Bodak Yellow allowed her to reach levels that would take most rappers years to accomplish. Her take on Kodak Black's No Flockin instantly became the number one song with the first bar. After only being acknowledged as a rapper for 2 years, the young rapper is already being compared to veterans like Nicki Minaj. I'm interested in seeing where Cardi's talent takes her. 

2. XO Tour LIfe

If you doubted Lil Uzi Vert in 2016, well 2017s XO Tour Life changed everyone's opinion of Uzi. He officially became a rock star with this hit single. As an Uzi fan since the release of Luv is Rage in 2015, I'm happy and excited to see the level of success he's received in a 2-year time span. His future is bright, if he remains true to himself.

3. Humble, Love (8)

The year 2017 also solidified Kendrick Lamar's value in hip hop. Yes, I know that Lamar is already placed on a high pedestal, but this year with singles like Humble and Love, and really the entire Damn album was good, he reclaimed his spot over J. Cole and Drake. The 7-year debate finally ended, and only will be revived if Drake or J. Cole have super amazing albums, because they both dropped the ball in 2017.

4. Wild Thoughts

What I like about Bryson Tiller is, he manages to receive major spotlight and still somehow be low key. In 2017, everyone was blasting a hit song that included Rihanna and a rapper/R&B, but it was not Drake. After skyrocketing to the top of the charts with Trapsoul in 2015, Tiller received all kinds of comparisons, and fans wondered if he would follow up or live up to comparisons like Drake. In 2017 not only did Bryson Tiller release a highly underrated album True to Self', but Wild Thoughts exceeded everyone's expectations. The song sounds like Drake would be the perfect fit, but Bryson Tiller fits perfectly without skipping a beat. We don't even miss or want Drake on Wild Thoughts.

5. Bad and Boujee

In 2017 Migos replenished their entire career with their album Culture. Before 2017, Quavo was receiving most of the spotlight, making Takeoff and Offset, the "Michelle" or the "Khloe Kardashian" of the group, but now they're yet again recognized both individually and in unison. The single Bad and Boujee completely dominated the radio. Every time you wanted to turn the song off it was like you couldn't, because you wanted to hear everyone's part, and not just one persons. 

6. Rockstar

Although I don't agree with Post Malone recent comments, that I also feel is disrespectful to hip hop, in 2017 he seriously blew up. The album Stoney released at the end of 2016, and marinated until songs like Congratulations, and Rockstar topped the charts in 2017. Now you don't turn on the radio without hearing one or the other. Unfortunately, Stoney is the last of me listening to Malone, because of his recent comments, I personally won't support the disrespect to the genre I love. 

7. Maskoff 

I won't lie, when I first heard of Future in 2010, I wasn't impressed, and I considered him as "just another Atlanta rapper," but throughout this entire decade Future has proved me wrong. His unique style, that he has remained true to, won my heart over in 2014, and to see him still making hits while remaining himself in 2017 is beautiful. In 2017 Future solidified a spot for himself in hip hop history. Not because mask off was oh so great, but because he fulfilled his expectations, charted without changing and officially crossed over. Future is now a household name, and HNDRXX was lit. 

9. Unforgettable

In 2017 hip hop listeners found out that French Montana is Moroccan, and that the features on his songs are what makes the song. The song “Unforgettable” which features Swae Lee from Rae Sremmurd, is unforgettable. This fun culturally diverse party anthem shows us how talented the young Swae Lee truly is, while raising the question of Slim Jimmy's value to the group. However, Swae Lee always responds positively in unison with Rae Sremmurd as a group. After Black Beetles dominated 2016, audiences are still anticipating Rae Sremmurd’s next project, just as much as they are for a solo album from Swae Lee.

10. The Weekend

If you've never heard of SZA before 2017, then in 2017 you probably jumped on her bandwagon. Her album Ctrl has every girl ok with saying their "The Weekend" girl. SZA is sexy and talented, this album explores both of those realms and vocals like no other. As a fan of SZA in 2014 when she released her debut album Z, I can't truly say that I'm infatuated with Ctrl. Although the album suits the mainstream appeal, that clearly defines why SZA acquired this mega new fanbase, many of her older fans have established the feeling that she has “sold out.” Besides that, I'm proud to see her finally receive the accolades that she has, because they’re long overdue. Well done SZA!