top 20 2016 northwest hip-hop songs

RMR’s Top Northwest Hip-Hop Tracks 2016

 

If I had to use one word to describe Northwest hip-hop in 2016 it would be… major! And.. Since it’s already 2017, we figure it’s time for another local rap list.

I anticipate another case of butt-hurt local rappers posting Facebook statuses about being left off.  Those will be followed up with a not-so-subtle post full of “2017 is my year cuh.”  It’s all good though because Northwest hip-hop had a major year and we should all celebrate that, whether you’re on the list or not!

The goal of this list is to celebrate the local scene.  These following 20 artists put out dope content that caught our attention and created legitimate buzz. They are also some of my personal favorite records released this year.  

I aimed to take into account numerous factors:
  • Artists I actually listen to
  • Views and overall buzz
  • Quality of overall product

These records are the top 20 hottest tracks, NOT the top 20 tracks in order.  Tracks are limited to Soundcloud postings only, and since I don’t receive every album in the Northwest I may have missed some records (email us those!).  We also want to give a big shout out to all the managers, PR staff, social media managers, and the ‘other guys’ behind the scene that aren’t getting the respect they deserve!  You guys are major reasons why these artists have been successful as part of the 2016 northwest hip-hop scene.

Top 20 Northwest Hip-Hop Tracks 2016

Amine – Caroline

It was Caj Encee who said this song was likely to be the hottest song from a Northwest rapper in 2016.  Whether you like it or not, this was the biggest hip-hop track released from a local this year.

Amine really made a name off one song, breaking out on Spotify, radio, and even on television.   I was addicted off first listen and it hasn’t grown old yet.  I hope Amine comes up strong with a follow up and doesn’t fall into the Northwest ‘one hit wonder’ curse.

Raz Simone – Missin Joogs

Never a stranger to experimenting musical realms, Raz really let a banger fly out of left field this year.  Everyone really enjoyed this record a lot but it drew some criticism from those who anticipated more street music.

As usual with Simone, he kept the subject matter true to Raz and clearly had some fun with it.  This is a banger regardless, sing along.

Vinnie Dewayne – Full Ride

There may be more popular songs from the St John’s Scholar, but this record is the one for me.  As soon as this project dropped I had this joint on repeat for a grip.

Vinnie Dewayne‘s flow over that beat is HEAT.  Don’t sleep on the rest of his album.

Dave B – Right Here

Dave B has been chosen by Seattle’s elite as one of the next up.  We’ve been a fan since The Coffee, but more recently the musicality of Dave’s music has exploded working with Santigold and Jake One.

Tomorrow was an album that slid through the cracks for a few months but we are definitely fans. (Dave’s people..send us those press releases!?)  Right Here is beautiful music and you should not sleep on the rest of the album!

Malitia MaliMob – S.O.S.

This song dropped in 2015 technically but the S.O.S music video dropped this year so I’m counting it in the 2016 northwest hip-hop list!  Sport & Coke was my first introduction to Malitia Malimob and one of my favorite Northwest releases over the last year.

Mob Mix is another solid cut but the visual to S.O.S. was a movie!

Mic Capes – Jumper Cables ft. Vinnie Dewayne

Concrete Dreams was one of the best albums, if not the best album to come out of the Northwest in 201.

Big props to Mic Capes.  The album also had one of the best indie campaigns we saw locally all year as well.  Pushed as a true piece of art, he let the promotion and post-album release phase organically marinate.  I personally really, really liked ‘KKK,’ ’15 Cents,’ and ‘Razor Tounge.’  ‘Jumper Cables’ is a record that I feel has resonated more with people around me but is still one of my top records on the album.  This joint will have you riding around thinking your from the Norf side.

Gifted Gab – Lady of Leisure

Gabby released a great project this year.  She also teamed up with Swisher Sweets and released an official Swisha House Chopped and screwed version of Gab The Most High.  Major keys!

While the southern remix album didn’t stick in the Northwest on a major level, this is still a huge co-sign.  ‘Lady of Leisure’ has a great bounce and is also one of my favorite Gifted Gab songs to watch live.

Ryan Caraveo – Never Did

Ryan Caraveo really blossomed from ‘having potential’ to being on his way to become the next sensation out of Seattle.

With his mainstream ready sound, Maybe They Were Wrong has been clocking serious numbers online and Ryan has numerous shows booked.  I also really liked ‘We Don’t Need Em’ and ‘Perfect World’.

Huey P – Stupid

Huey P had a stupid year.  He opened for half of the major artists that came to Seattle and dropped a DJ Drama Gangsta Grillz project.

The 206253 album featured a diverse example of Huey’s talents and a feature from Tory Lanez.  Stupid may be catching popularity due to it’s party vibe but don’t miss the lyrics within Huey’s music, that’s where he really shines.

Macntaj – Lightwaves

Lightwaves may be my favorite joint out of the PNW this year.

Macntaj has proven he is a force to be reckoned with every release outside of Slightly Flagrant.  The Qreepz produced banger is just a taste of what the Seattle emcee has in stock for 2017.  I’m serious, don’t sleep on this name this year!

Clemm Rishad – What A Feeling (Prod. by Streetrunner)

After bringing the third edition of Dope Music Festival to the local scene, Clemm Rishad is ready to focus on himself.

Clemm worked with Meek Mill, Yo Gotti, and Zoey Dollars this year.  He’s just starting his solo music campaig.  With new solo music on the horizon, Rishad will continue to collaborate with one of my favorite industry producers, Streetrunner.

King Leez – Lookin ft. Kevin Gates x Cally Reed

I would have chosen ‘That Ain’t Love’ with Raz & Pusha T, but that song came out pre 2016.

I also would have chosen the intro from Supreme Being, but having Kevin Gates and Tacoma’s Cally Reed on this record is a little bit of a bigger deal.  Check out Supreme Being from front to back…twice.  King Leez has been an authority figure in the scene and he had one hell of a year.

Donte Thomas – Oceans

Donte Thomas is yet another Portland, Oregon rapper who is standing  amongst a bunch of talented rappers.  Often over looked in the PNW’s crowded talent pool, my favorite record off his album was the title track.  But with ‘Grayscale’ coming in at one minute and thirty one seconds, I had to choose ‘Ocean’s for the list.

TYuS – My Way

TYuS had a big year.  Signing with Warner Music and dropping one of the hottest RNB records this year, TYuS clearly has an industry ready sound.

There has been some online chatter about copying PND’s style and while I see the comparison, TYuS still makes great music.  I plan to see bigger things in 2017 for the Portland RNB artist.

Romaro Franceswa – No Enemies

Mirror from Romaro Franceswa was an incredible album.  It was both musically rich and very Seattle.  Dark collaborations with numerous local producers, musicians, and artists; Romaro has been primed to make noise for some time.

A lot of great music on here but ‘No Enemies’ is the cut.  Glad to see people catching on to his sound.

Sleep Steady – Danica

In a land rich with hip-hop groups, Sleep Steady is one of the Seattle/Tacoma area’s dopest duos.  I first saw Perry and Cid perform in 2009-2010 and remember that their talent stood out that early on.

Since those days, they’ve really developed a dope and unique sound.  Also one of the city’s livest performers, the Trunk Music is real.

Nacho Picasso – Lizzard King Jr (Prod. by Harry Fraud)

Nacho Picasso and Harry Fraud working is a beautiful thing to see.  They are great for hip-hop and what they create is ‘so Seattle.’  The art work to Anti-Hero looks like Seattle street art and the hints of rock music are reminiscent of our city’s musical roots.

Nacho continues to step things up with his music while staying to true to being the most unique individual of all time.

Eric G and Mackned – Nature

Mackned put out a crazy amount of music this year.  I mean, he put out a crazy amount of music the past few years.  He is truly one of Seattle’s unique stand out talents.

I’ve been a fan of Mackned’s production but Eric G is another monster.  There were so many ill records on their Atlantis EP!  I chose ‘Nature’ because that beat is so damn soulful, but there is heat everywhere.  Also don’t sleep on Mack’s Celebrity Etiquette.

Carl Roe – Lightspeed ft. John Crowne

There are a couple other songs on Carl Roe‘s 11 Chuck that I would play someone before I showed them this record.  With that said, this track is still my favorite record on the album and a great example of his talent.

The man produces, records, engineers, raps, and sings on ‘Lightspeed’.  With a little pop appeal and John Crowne on verse one, this is just a dope record.  Check out 11 Chuck, a very ‘hip-hop’ album with plenty of major co-signs.  I expect this album to continue gaining listens over the next year.

Illmaculate – Oscar Nomination

Illmaculate has been gawd mode since I lived in Portland back in 08.  A frequent on popular battle circuits and Team Backpack, Illmac never slouches.

His Still Standing album with Chase Moore really slipped under my radar but this record did not.  I will be going back and giving it some serious play and I recommend that you do as well.

Bonus:

Bonus: Brainstorm – Switch Up ft. Huey P and Christina Pallis

This was one of the later releases of the year.  My list was already done but it came on Soundcloud rotation and had to throw it in there.  The Seattle OG only stepped away from behind the boards a few times this year.

Plotting on retirement after the upcoming TCP3 album, Brainstorm slid a banger in there with this one.  The beat and bounce on this alone is dope but Huey, Christina, and Brain all do their part to complete the record.

Do you have a favorite from our top 2016 Northwest hip-hop tracks list?  Did we miss anything?  Leave us a comment or hit us on Twitter with YOUR thoughts!

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