Image via Complex Original
Earlier this month, we released our Best Songs and Best Albums of 2015 lists, respectively.
As usual, these year-end lists get people charged up. How could we put Rae Sremmurd's Sremmlife at No. 3 on our list?! Do they even write their own rhymes?! Where's the real hip-hop?! So, in light of all the surrounding controversy of the lists we argue over for weeks, we had an idea: ask the artists.
What were Lil Wayne and Mack Maine blasting down at their Miami mansions all summer? Who does Logic really fuck with? And what's 2 Chainz been dabbing to? Here's part two (of five installments) of your favorite artists listing their favorite songs of 2015 and why.
Check out part one here.
Spank Rock
Bok Bok and Sweyn Jupiter, "Papaya Lip Gloss"
"If my soul was pressed on vinyl it would sound like this."
Salaam Remi
Drake, "Energy"
"From first listen, it had me stuck on 'We gon see.' Perfect 'F the haters' anthem for this year. And Boi-1da's bass slides and hypnotic pianos provide the right bed."
Soulja Boy
G-Eazy, "You Got Me"
"I just came across it one day on the Internet and thought it was a dope song. I really like the second verse he switched it up with the swag and shit. It’s just something different and something dope."
bLAck pARty
Nicki Minaj f/ Drake and Lil Wayne, "Truffle Butter"
"I like Nicki Minaj's ability to make hits. And the beat is really dope, too. Wayne had an all-star verse."
Tunji Ige
Jon Waltz, "Anna"
"I wish I wrote it, and it has that early [Justin Timberlake] feel but perfect for 2015."
Abra
Tokyo Vanity, "That's My Best Friend" / Young Thug, "Best Friend"
"I got to bring one of my best friends with my tour with me to be my tour manager, and every time before my show she would hype me up when I was nervous by saying, 'That's my best friend, go best friend, you betta, she finna!'"
Elijah Blake
OMI, "Cheerleader"
"Being an island boy myself, you can't beat a good riddim and melody."
Charles Hamilton
Jidenna, "Classic Man"
"This song has a very retro vibe, despite how futuristic the melody is. There's also Drake and Future's 'Jumpman.' I like that the listener gets to hear Drake out of his comfort zone, and I finally understood the appeal of Future with this song. And Fetty Wap, 'My Way.' This song is a modern look at the promises men make for love."
Your Old Droog
Drake, "Back to Back"
"It was a real moment. You don't really see stuff like that in hip-hop anymore. People were attempting to end son's career and he fired back crazy. Every line was potent, and the song was a banger too. The DJs who were ranting about reference tracks and whatnot still spinning that record at nauseam today, so it goes to show what kind of game it is. But that's the record of the year by far."
Skizzy Mars
Mac DeMarco, “No Other Heart”
"I think the best songwriters deliver the most relatable concepts in a simplistic, understandable form. I think Mac was the best at that in 2015 with this album and particularly this song. I never get tired of it because I can relate. It's genius to me."
Jehnny Beth of Savages
Kendrick Lamar, "King Kunta"
"I love this album. It’s the album I’ve been listening to the most since it came out, and it’s wonderful. He uses music to give back to the people and really talks about what really touches him. I think if you listen to it five or six times, you get to a point where you can’t live without it. Every time I listen to it again, there’s always something new to hear. It’s very rich, really amazingly produced. It's free jazz. So many different layers. What touches me is his attitude with realizing that his position gives him a responsibility, and that’s something I really feel close to."
Thelonious Martin
NxWorries (Anderson.Paak and Knxwledge), "Suede"
"This might be one of the best R&B songs this year that if you weren't paying attention you missed out on. Knxwledge murdered the beat, and Anderson showed us why Dr. Dre and countless others have called upon him for his golden voice. My second favorite is Key! 'KeyDigital.' Key! and Sonny Digital link up for such an undeniable record. The shit slaps so hard. It would be easy for me to put a Future song or a Kendrick record. But as someone who searches the earth for different shit to play or honor the overlooked, this record makes me happy when I play it for people and they're surprised on how hard it goes."
Daye Jack
The Weeknd, "Can't Feel My Face"
"The melodies on 'Can't Feel My Face' are insane. The Weeknd killed it, and I love the way the chorus comes in!"
Kwabs
Erik Hassle, "Natural Born Lovers"
"His is the voice I've been most excited about hearing this year."
T.I.
Travi$ Scott, “Antidote”
"I couldn’t be more proud of my lil bro Travi$ Scott and to be a part of his career. ‘Antidote,’ the first single from his debut album, Rodeo, is my pick for the song of the year in 2015.”
Leaf
Young Thug, "Power"
"I'm just really impressed with what Thug has been doing ever since he's come out. I love his melodic arrangement and his beat selection. London on da Track always kills it though."
Bosco
Dornik, "Shadow"
"I love the musicianship in this song, how it builds and opens up in the chorus. The playful melodies complement the music in a perfect marriage. When listening to this track it reminds me of MJ '80s/'90s era and the 'sexy-cool' vibe. Dornik does a great job at playing between those dimensions. Great California cruising music."
Rockie Fresh
Justin Bieber, "What Do You Mean?"
"The vibe was too right. I don’t dance much, but I hit a few moves every time I hear this song."