Without a doubt, the year 2018 was jam-packed with great music. From rap to R&B, we just couldn’t get enough of songs that dropped within these past 11 months. There were projects released from seasoned vets in the game, all the way to tracks from rising stars. As much as you may have tried to block out a song or two, you would be lying if you said that you went one whole day without singing or humming a catchy hit that was climbing the charts.
Here at REVOLT, we loved a number of different songs that dropped this year, as well. Being the dope ass music company that we are, we couldn’t help but crank some new songs all throughout our office and vibe out to many of this year’s smashes. So, in honor of all of the great bops that we were blessed with in 2018, we’ve decided to give you REVOLT’s staff picks for the songs that we couldn’t keep off of replay.
Peep below and blast them yourself! And let us know what your favs are!
Migos ft. Drake – “Walk It Talk It”
I’m goofy and I love feel good music. The music video gives me life with the throwback costumes. The combo of Drake and Migos set me up for the concert when I took my son. – Robyn
ASAP Rocky ft. Skepta – “Praise The Lord (Da Shine)”
As soon as I hear the flute on this bad boy, I stop what I’m doing and lock into drip mode. AKA nothing and no one in the world can stop the fuego. ‘It raiininnnnns, it pourrrrsss.’ – Noah
Pusha T – “If You Know, You Know”
If you know, you know… – Noah
Jay Rock – “Win”
A true motto for 2018 from an L.A. legend. Lock in, level up, and win win win win win. – Noah
21 Savage ft. J. Cole – “A Lot”
‘Pray for Tekashi / They want him to rot / I picture him inside a cell on a cot / Reflecting on how he made it to the top / Wondering if it was worth it or not,’ J. Cole raps. – Noah
Anderson .Paak – “Bubblin”
Is anyone making hip hop with the same level of musicality as Anderson .Paak? This jam is overflowing (bubblin over?) with melody, varied cadences, and pure, infectious fun. I dare you: Try to be in a bad mood when this song comes on. – Hunter
Travis Scott – “Stargazing”
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Serving as the score for the ‘Astroworld’ trailer, ‘Stargazing’ set the tone for one of the year’s most impactful albums. The beat switch is iconic. – Chase
Drake – “Diplomatic Immunity”
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He’s untouchable… ‘Diplomatic Immunity’ is the first track released after Drake’s short hiatus that laid the groundwork for his record-breaking 2018. – Chase
Khalid & Swae Lee – “The Ways”
Separately, Khalid and Swae Lee are responsible for some of 2018’s most influential melodies. The two of them together on one track…say less. – Chase
Nipsey Hussle ft. Konshens and J. Black – “Succa Proof”
The perfect blend of west coast and dancehall energy…and a perfect reminder to keep suckers out your circle! – Tarik
Black Thought – “Twofifteen”
Grown man hip hop from a true lyricist, over a gem from 9th. Period. – Tarik
Childish Gambino – “Feels Like Summer”
Gave me all the SoCal feels this summer, riding with my top down. His melodic sound had me feeling like I was riding on waves! – Noel
Ceraadi – “Kung Pao”
I’m always here for a bad hip hop girl group! Dope track, fresh lyrics. It just makes you want to get up and dance. – Noel
88rising – “Peach Jam”
I got turned onto this Asian hip hop group and this song with 88rising. Joji & BlocBoy JB are fire! It has a grove that makes you want to sway back and forth. Like an old school vibe with new school energy. – Noel
Lil Wayne ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Mona Lisa”
One of my favorites on ‘C5.’ Weezy’s effortless bars and storytelling had this on repeat. – Kam
Mac Miller – “What’s The Use”
One of my favorite songs off ‘Swimming.’ Mac Miller’s musical creativity was at its peak with this album. – Ramukai
Tierra Whack – “Hungry Hippo”
My favorite song from her visual album. She’s so dope! – Ramukai
Buddy – “Trouble On Central”
Buddy has shown nothing but growth through his music. And this song is perfect. – Ramukai
Arin Ray – “Reckless”
Arin Ray is up next. Period. Don’t sleep on my guy. Period. Period. – Ramukai
A$AP Rocky ft. Frank Ocean – “Purity”
A$AP Rocky and Frank Ocean came together and made magic. – Ramukai
Sheck Wes – “Mo Bamba”
Sheck is a fav of the Audience Insights team. Every party I’ve been to in L.A. that this track has been played, a vicious mosh pit ensues and everyone completely loses their shit! I also just love Virgo rappers. #VirgosDoItBest MUD BOY!!! – Jazper
Drake – “God’s Plan”
Drake released this track the day of my baptism! He made it for me. The music video had me in tears. This year, Drake became the most streamed artist in Spotify history and is part of the reason hip hop continues to dominate as the #1 music genre. – Jazper
Travis Scott ft. Drake – “SICKO MODE”
An iconic collab of 2018. The transitions are HAM. Drake bringing Travis and new Lakers recruit LeBron James to perform ‘Sicko Mode’ here in L.A., on his tour with Migos, made for some of the most viral moments this year. – Jazper
Kelela ft. Princess Nokia, Jungle Pussy, Cupcakke, Ms. Boogie – “LMK_WHAT’S REALLY GOOD”
Not enough females here! This whole remix project is a gem. I’ve followed Kelela’s journey since the start. She’s an angel and is one my fav progressive R&B artists. Throwing all these up-and-coming female rappers on ‘Let Me Know’ made for a perfect reimagined banger from the sultry original. – Jazper
Jay Rock ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Wow (Freestyle)”
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Jay Rock and Kendrick together on any song is magic and ‘Wow (Freestyle)’ is no exception. The way they swag back and forth on the beat is infectious and brought me back to their ‘Black Hippy’ days. – Cena
Meek Mill – “Respect the Game”
I feel like ‘Respect The Game’ was one of the most slept on songs from his album. It’s dope to hear a modern take on a classic and how the messages still hold up in 2018. – Cena
Travis Scott ft. Gunna and Nav – “Yosemite”
Out of all the Gunna-assisted tracks from 2018, ‘Yosemite’ is hands down my favorite one. Turbo killed the production, and the way Trav and Gunna rode the beat was fitting to the theme of the album. – Cena
Burna Boy – “Ye”
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I think we’re about to see a huge explosion of ‘Afro-Fusion’ music next year, and Nigerian-born Burna Boy was leading that wave in 2018. This song just puts me in a good mood every time I turn it on. – Cena
Black Fortune – “Shake”
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You probably haven’t heard of the DMV’s Black Fortune yet. But, he quietly put out a banger of an album called ‘OsshRock’ at the tail end of 2018. His song ‘Shake’ is a standout track from the tape that I turn on when I’m trying to turn up! – Cena
JPEGMAFIA – “1539 N. Calvert”
This skittering and frantic track by the Baltimore rapper is so hyped and energetic. I can’t help but be ‘that guy’ on the subway head-bopping super hard. – Ken
Lotto ft. Abra – “Father”
A bass heavy, neck breaker from Awful Records’s leader Father makes for an excellent ‘I am absolutely feeling myself right now’ track, should you need one on deck. – Ken
Vince Staples – “FUN!”
A bouncy and percussive uptempo beat always suits Vince nicely, as does the inventive video for this song, which plays with Google Maps and takes us through Vince’s neighborhood. – Ken
XXXtentatcion – “SAD!”
Pure irony. This track marked a transformative moment in the slain musician’s career. For me, it generated excitement to see how X would have been able to evolve as an artist. Unfortunately, his life was cut short – but, his music lives on. – Courtney
Alina Baraz – “Fallin”
Smooth and classy – Alina’s entire album, ‘The Color Of You,’ was a breath of fresh air within the R&B world. With relatable lyrics, sis spoke to my soul. – Courtney
Metro Boomin & 21 Savage – “10 Freaky Girls”
Metro can’t miss and 21 Savage continues to impress me. He may not be the first one who comes to mind when you think of lyricism. But, if you listen, he has punchline after punchline… all delivered in his signature monotone, dry humor type of way. – Courtney
Cardi B – “Money Bag”
I put this on when I’m getting ready for a night out and it instantly make me feel like $$$. ‘I said, bae it’s a snack / he said it’s an entreee’ – Courtney
Pardison Fontaine ft. Cardi B. – “Backin’ It Up”
Gritty, braggadocious, sexy, New York street rap with a strong AF woman’s dominant bars. That’s right up this Bed-Stuy’s girl’s alley. – Isha
Meek Mill ft. Melii – “Wit The Shits”
I’m always here for female rappers murking bars and taking the respect that they rightfully deserve, especially when they talk their shit — and unapologetically — on the same track as a man and still hold their own. Harlem’s own Melii did THAT on this banger from Meek’s ‘Championships.’ – Isha
Kendrick Lamar ft. Future and Jay Rock – “King’s Dead”
I’m confident that I’m responsible for the majority of this song’s streams on Tidal. Hov, cut the check. – Isha
Cardi B – “Bickenhead”
This track makes me want to start a riot every time the beat drops. I love this damn song SO much. – Isha
Ella Mai – “Boo’d Up”
This was the song of the year! Don’t @ me. I fight back. – Isha
Plus, be sure to check out “REVOLT Rewind” on Dec. 28 at 10:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., and then, all weekend long on Dec. 29 – Jan. 1 only on REVOLT TV! Find out where you can watch the channel here ! And be sure to join the conversation using #RevoltRewind.