The Janky New Year Top 10 Albums of 2016 Rated by Contributors

What the fuck is up with publications that post their best of, year end lists of favorite records, songs and shows at the beginning of December? What’s more important- getting it out first or getting it “right”?

Run the Jewels by Chad Wadsworth at Day for Night Fest, Houston

RTJ3 dropped on Xmas Day, hardly enough time to absorb an entire album, much less rank it toward the top for top records of the year. But I would be pulling my own hair out if I missed acknowledging El-P as one of the best producers of this era, (sans the ghost writers that have become customary at his level). El-P is one of the most underrated rappers in hip hop, maybe because of the un-equaled political and social rhyme and flow of Killer Mike, who probably SHOULD crush Kanye in the 2020 Democratic Primary for president, not to mention the vocal booth but would bet most pure hip hop publications would favor Life of Pablo over the 3rd album by two middle aged guys who were probably pretty close to looking for a day job before their self titled debut album dropped in 2013.

Day For Night Fest: Futurists of Audio & Visual Converge in Houston

In my research to more effectively make this point, I can’t imagine ANY self respecting hip hop focused publication didn’t either hold off on pushing their year end lists out after Childish Gambino dropped on the 2nd and both Ab-Soul and J. Cole unleashed full length efforts on the 9th, with the latter tying my tangential thoughts on the Best Albums of 2016 together quite nicely with Cole’s masterpiece track “False Prophets” that dares hardcore Kanye West fans to take stock and was ultimately and inexplicably EXCLUDED from Cole’s “4 Your Eyez Only” LP. Not that it would’ve made my album list anyway.

Tyler and Kanye Photo Bomb shot by Grady Brannan — Tyler and Kanye Photo Bombed by Danny B- shot by Grady Brannan

That’s a big portion of the 2016 Best Album pre amble dedicated to hip hop from a publication that focuses so much of it’s attention on independent rock based bands that are typically launched in a garage. We haven’t been able to find a consistent focus to put our stamp on Rap reporting, yet. That’s one reason all of us at Janky Smooth are so excited for 2017 and the newer contributors that YOU can trust to “get it right” on rap and beat culture enough to let them loose without worry while I’m slam dancing at a Blazing Eye show. We are no hive mind here at Janky Smooth and while I have no issue with publishing a review or ranking I personally disagree with, I’m not going to let someone who’s favorite M.C. is Eminem or Jay-Z be our main representation on our views on Rap, even though those dudes rank pretty fucking high in the mainstream rap-o-sphere. But… I could be over thinking things. Just a bit.

Without further adieu, our Janky New Year, Best Album of 2016 list from the invaluable contributors here at Janky Smooth. Happy motherfuckin New Year you janky motherfuckers*

And… Don’t forget to SAVE THE SMELL!