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Best Songs of 2017

We've said something similar introducing this list for the past five years, but it continues to be true—playlists and streaming have changed the way music is consumed, and they've changed the way it's promoted and marketed as well. A few big playlist placements, a rabid SoundCloud following, or a viral moment can be more effective than a traditional rollout, and we're seeing more and more artists achieve success in a shorter and shorter time frame. Whether this success is sustainable over a long career is a different question altogether, but it's an intruiguing, volatile time for the music industry.

The album format will always hold a special place in our hearts (check back on Thursday for our Best Albums of the Year list), but changing times bring changing approaches, and it will be interesting to see creative new ways of sharing music over the next few years. In the meantime, the rise of streaming and decline in importance of radio has leveled the playing field for unsigned artists and independent labels, and we're seeing more new artists make their mark.

From those rising stars who are changing the paradigm to more experienced artists who are still taking risks, 2017 was an exciting year for music. Here are the 50 Best Songs of 2017.

Check out our list of Best New Artists of 2017 here and Best Music Videos of 2017 here.

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  • 50. Post Malone ft. 21 Savage - "Rockstar"

    "It’s a lifestyle," Post Malone told us back in September about his hit single "Rockstar." Over a booming beat, Malone and 21 Savage drop lines about girls, drugs, and money in such a blasé way that it feels almost incomprehensible to the average person. But the song isn't about relatability. Instead, it's three minutes of escapism, allowing the listener to inhabit a world and mindset usually privy to a select few. "Rockstar" succeeds because of this seductive glimpse—an anthem for both those that know, and those that wish they did.—Katie Kelly


  • 49. Mac DeMarco - "On The Level"

    It’s very surreal to talk about how much Mac DeMarco has matured, but that’s the main element that shapes his latest album, This Old Dog. Instead of goofy love songs and odes to his favorite brand of cigarettes, the album explores what it means to grow up. Mac sings about his misdeeds and who he’s alienated along the way, acknowledging that he hasn’t always been the easiest person to love. “On the Level” conveys all of this in its emotion rather than Mac’s lyrics, and that’s a feat that deserves to be applauded.—​Joe Price


  • 48. Cousin Stizz ft. Offset - "Headlock"

    "Headlock" premiered on Beats 1 back in April. Zane Lowe was on-air at the time, and he played it on repeat for close to an hour, his zeal becoming more convincing with each passing listen. This is one of Cousin Stizz's biggest moments and the production is key. The flute sample is perfect for his nonchalant flow—it's the same sort of clean, inviting loop that gave Monda and Suffolk County such replay value. Stizz also pulled in Offset for a guest feature, a collab that's surprising on paper and magic in practice. Boston and Atlanta united to turn what could have been just another song about drinking and drugs into a summer anthem.—​Graham Corrigan

    Watch our Who Is? with Cousin Stizz here.


  • 47. Lil Pump - "Gucci Gang"

    “Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang (Gucci gang) / Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang (Gucci gang).” Those are lyrics from one of the most inescapable rap songs of 2017. Lil Pump’s “Gucci Gang” is repetitive, juvenile, and totally self-indulgent—but we can’t get enough of it. There’s something to be said for a song that allows anyone to jump in and sing along to the words on their very first listen.

    2017 was a dark, politically divided year as a whole, but (as strange as this might sound) some of the most unifying moments of the year for me involved chanting “Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang,” with crowds of strangers. It's no accident this was a favorite for DJs at concert halls and nightclubs around the country. Lil Pump is for the people.—Eric Skelton


  • 46. Jessie Reyez - "Shutter Island"

    Angel Diaz said it best when he wrote, "Jessie Reyez' voice is like a Henny Colada; smooth and sweet, but more than capable of fucking you up." With superb songwriting skills and the voice to boot, Jessie Reyez is set up to be a superstar. "Shutter Island" is a prime example of how she's able to capture all the angst of a relationship, but sing it in a way that makes you want to hear it over and over again. To put it plainly: Jessie Reyez is a bad bitch. She forgot it for a second, but after hearing "Shutter Island" you never will.—John Walaszek

    Watch our Who Is? with Jessie Reyez here.


  • 45. Cardi B - "Bodak Yellow"

    "Bodak Yellow" is everywhere. There hasn't been another song in 2017 that's had the effect Cardi B's breakout single has had in the past six months. Topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart in September, "Bodak Yellow" made Cardi first solo female rapper to hit No. 1 since Lauryn Hill in 1998—an impressive feat for an artist who only released her debut mixtape last year. Its many accolades and enormous popularity aside, it should be acknowledged that "Bodak Yellow" is not a perfect song. But anything that might be construed as a minor flaw is overwhelmed by Cardi's boisterous personality and sheer confidence.

    “It makes you feel like a bad bitch. It gives you this self-esteem,” Cardi B told New York Magazine in November (she graced the cover that month). “Sometimes I don’t feel like I’m the prettiest, sometimes I don’t feel like I’m on top, and when I hear ‘Bodak Yellow’ again, I’m like, ‘Yeah! I’m that bitch!’” Being the ultimate Everywoman, Cardi B has something special, and she's only going up from here.—Joyce


  • 44. Little Dragon - "High"

    After 2014's Nabuma Rubberband, Little Dragon kept busy with high-profile features for De La Soul, Flume, Kaytranada, and Mac Miller. They seem to be on speed dial for any artist searching for a futuristic twist—the Swedish quartet has been one of electronic music's most consistent groups over the past decade, and they showed why when "High" dropped in February. It's an interesting choice for a lead single—the mellow, foggy vibes contrast with previous hits like "Shuffle A Dream" and "Klapp Klapp," but after hearing Yukimi Nagano's airy vocals and those quavering synths, it makes perfect sense.—Graham Corrigan


  • 43. SAINt JHN - "3 Below"

    Brooklyn’s SAINt JHN cruises through bass-backed boasts with a coldness that betrays inner pain on "3 Below." His relationships are quarantined, compartmentalized, kept at an arm’s length, but a frozen heart has never sounded so good. Troubled undertones aside, “3 Below” is one hell of a track to nod (or scream) along to, and if you've seen SAINt JHN live, you know this one goes off. It’s a welcome opportunity to proclaim perseverance. For those striving to keep it moving, SAINt JHN is the fuel.—Alex Siber

    Watch SAINT JHN perform "3 Below" at SXSW 2017 here.


  • 42. Reo Cragun - "On My Way"

    "On My Way" feels like one of those songs that could only exist in 2017. Blending elements of rap, R&B, pop, and life experiences, Reo Cragun created something wholly unique in a crowded 2017 field. The Washington-born, L.A.-based artist followed it up with his excellent Growing Pains mixtape in August, with "On My Way" as the opening track.

    "There have been times where I felt like a lot of people wanted me to give up," Cragun told us, "but I'm not one to quit on things I feel so strongly about. I know that the world needs to hear my story so that's really kept me going." Even more impressive? Cragun says about 70% of the song was freestyled. Big things on his horizon.—Graham Corrigan


  • 41. A$AP Ferg - "Plain Jane"

    No matter how you felt about A$AP Ferg's Still Striving, you can't deny that Ferg knows how to ride a beat. The Kirk Knight-produced "Plain Jane" has a simple callback on the hook, letting way for the bass-heavy trunk rattler. Lil Wayne taught us the importance of letting the beat build, but on "Plain Jane," Ferg applies that lesson to his flow. By the end of the track, the intensity of Ferg's delivery is contagious. This is one of those tracks that you can slide into the playlist for heads who aren't up on Ferg and turn them into believers. Do your job.—khal


  • 40. Gucci Mane ft. Migos - "I Get The Bag"

    An Atlanta legend and one of the new wave’s most successful acts had fruitful relationship in 2017 in the form of Gucci Mane and Migos' collaborations. “Met Gala” with Offset was one of the best tracks from Gucci’s 2017 project Droptopwop but “I Get The Bag” is a genuine hit, even though it’s partly a remake of Migos’ May release “Slippery.”

    On “I Get The Bag,” Quavo comes through with another unforgettable hook while Gucci and Takeoff handle the verses, and it might just be Takeoff who shines brightest. Either way, this track went to No. 11 on the charts, and proved yet again that Gucci Mane’s reign is far from over.—Alex Gardner

    Read a statistical breakdown of each member of Migos' success in 2017 here.


  • 39. Future - "Mask Off"

    "Mask Off" is one of Future’s best tracks yet. There’s a reason it's his highest-charting single to date, and a lot of that comes from Metro Boomin’s fantastic production. It’s not as intense ("Fuck Up Some Commas," "March Madness") or emotional ("Just Like Bruddas," "Hardly") as some of his other highlights, but that’s also what makes it stand out in his discography. The hook is fantasically subtle, building on the flute-heavy production to fantastic effect.

    The subtle melody lingers long after the track finishes, making it infinitely replayable, even ten months down the line. It’s Future’s shining achievement of 2017, and his ability to gain commercial success without compromising at all makes him one of the most important figures in rap music today.—Joe Price


  • 38. St. Vincent - "Happy Birthday Johnny"

    On St. Vincent's Masseduction, "Happy Birthday, Johnny" is a softer moment in an album packed with colorful exuberance and excellent guitar licks. Known for penning vividly poignant lyrics, the singer/multi-instrumentalist provides a heart-wrenching recollection of moments spent with someone once very dear to her heart. The piano ballad is rife with longing and nostalgia, but as she's is never one to give too much away, listeners are left wondering what went wrong between them, experiencing St. Vincent's broken heart through every note and every lyric.—Joyce

    Read our breakdown of the 15 Best St. Vincent Songs here.


  • 37. Drake ft. Jorja Smith & Black Coffee - "Get It Together"

    If you were there when More Life debuted on Beats 1, you might remember your Twitter timeline going bananas over "Passionfruit," christening it "the one." And while it did make it to radio, it feels like its reign on the top was short, while the real "one," "Get It Together," was laying in wait for you to get intoxicated by its seductive groove.

    Repurposing a Black Coffee track and placing the sultry sounds of Jorja Smith on the track were bonuses, but you can't act like this is all them: Drake's "get this shit together" in the hook is pure, simplistic poetry. "Get It Together" will be one you'll be calling back to when its time to get sly with bae in the dark corners of the club, trust.—khal

    Watch Black Coffee explain how he ended up on Drake's album here.


  • 36. Syd - "All About Me"

    The members of The Internet turned up in 2017. Steve Lacy, Matt Martians, and lead vocalist Syd all dropped solo projects, but the first single from Syd's Fin still caught us off guard. We'd become used to hearing her voice over lush, funky soundscapes, but "All About Me" is an in-your-face track, closer to the pop mainstream than any of The Internet's sprawling, experimental R&B.

    The beat is icy and electronic, the hook is polished, and Syd doesn't hold back. "All About Me," was produced by Steve Lacy, who is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young artist/producers in the game—long may his and Syd's creative partnership continue.—Alex Gardner


  • 35. Travis Scott - "Butterfly Effect"

    This might just be the perfect Travis Scott song. Murda Beatz's airy, feather-light production gives Travis plenty of room to flip between bubbly upper octave Audemars boasts and gravelly, profound odes to his friends. He's absolutely skating here, filling space with ad-libs and hesitations that make the whole production spill over your eardrums like a fizzy champagne toast. This is one of the few solo offerings we got from Travis in 2017, but it also served as reminder of how easy he makes it look. This is a certified hit, and a sure sign that Astroworld will be worth the wait.—Graham Corrigan

    ​Learn everything we know about 'Astroworld' here.


  • 34. SmokePurpp - "Glock in My Benz"

    Despite what its name might suggest, "Glock in My Benz" isn't loud, aggressive, or abrasive, like some of the other music that Florida rapper/producer Smokepurpp has been involved with. It's extremely welcoming, and a well-written song that packs a punch by delivering hook after hook through its 3:21 runtime.

    The 808-heavy, melodic TM88 production gives it just the right amount of emotion, and "no such things as friends" is on par with Uzi's "all my friends are dead" in terms of phrases that repeat in my head throughout most hours of most days. Smokepurrp's album DEADSTAR arrived this fall, and proved his potential to transition from niche SoundCloud vibes to legitimate hits. Put this on the radio.—Jacob Moore

    Watch our Music Life with Smokepurpp here.


  • 33. Smino - "Anita"

    An impassioned love letter; a defiant stand against racial politics; another Smino and Monte Booker classic for the books—“Anita” is a lot of things, pulling its weight no matter how you slice it. The track is playful and occasionally kiddish, entertaining despite the severity of its content.

    Smino’s lyrics bounce from Midwest ice cream chains to transatlantic trips, and then there’s Monte Booker, whose loose production evokes as much positivity as a neighborhood cookout blessed with the finest barbeque. And if that wasn’t enough? “Anita” paved the way for blkswn to touch down and blow minds. This one stayed in rotation all summer and then some.—Alex Siber

    Watch our Who Is? with Smino here.


  • 32. Yaeji - "Drink I'm Sippin On"

    New York City via Seoul producer and singer Yaeji solidified herself as one of the most important artists in dance music when she released “Drink I’m Sippin On,” the lead single from the stellar EP2.

    Building on her distinct take on house and hip-hop, which she fostered on her first EP, “Drink I’m Sippin On” is such an immediate and catchy track that it doesn’t even matter most listeners don’t understand what she’s singing and rapping about. Effortlessly switching between Korean and English, her hushed melodies and danceable rhythms shine through regardless of language barriers.—Joe Price


  • 31. Yung Lean - "Red Bottom Sky"

    On “Red Bottom Sky,” Yung Lean outlines what it is that’s led him to this transformative moment. “I lived a thousand lives but I’m still searching,” he sings. Constantly shifting and evolving his sound from his divisive beginnings, the idea of Yung Lean as a character is fading. “Paint a picture like Van Gogh I’m cursed man,” he continues.

    Jonatan Leandoer Håstad, the artist behind Yung Lean, is finally at one with his art. Trial and error has got him this far, and it’s a glorious, gorgeous song entirely removed from his earliest output. Excesses have led him to introspection, and “Red Bottom Sky” is Yung Lean at his most bare.

    With some of Gud’s finest production, “Red Bottom Sky” plays out like a deconstruction of Yung Lean’s music. It’s the prettiest song he’s ever released—if Unknown Memory was an outsider's take on American rap, “Red Bottom Sky” is an amalgamation of those influences alongside a long lineage of Swedish pop music. It’s remarkable that, after being dismissed by some listeners as nothing more than a meme, Yung Lean has found a way to innovate and provide something no one else is capable of producing. If Yung Lean was indeed cursed as he sings here, “Red Bottom Sky” sees the curse lifted in grandiose fashion.—Joe Price


  • 30. Miguel ft. Travis Scott - "Sky Walker"

    Miguel’s comeback single for his fourth LP may not have become the late-summer smash it so rightly deserved to be, but it’s still a perfect dab of laid-back L.A. R&B. “Sky Walker” is one of those tracks that at first feels too slow for a party and too trappy for more intimate settings, but the charisma of Miguel (and a strong, melodic verse from Travis Scott) make it the kind of song that transcends context and is simply a celebration.

    It’s a little campy—the opening line is "Quick to dead the bull like a matador"—yet still sensual, druggy, and above all else welcoming in a way that has become truly unique to Miguel. In the hands of a less assured artist, “Sky Walker” could have easily been all about talking down to the detractors, but while Miguel and Travis Scott do a bit of that the song is much more about making sure you’ve got a drink in your hand and that the pool is the right temperature.—Grant Ridner


  • 29. Sigrid - "Don't Kill My Vibe"

    Scandinavia's got another one. 20-year-old Norwegian artist Sigrid's debut single "Don't Kill My Vibe" dropped this year via Island Records, and it's an anthemic piece of pop that showcases the young singer's songwriting skills. When she was still in high school, Sigrid had local success—she even hit national radio with her second-ever song—but now she's splitting her time between Norway and London and sounds ready for international attention. It can be a challenge to make a song this accessible without making it too basic and predictable, but there's a strength in Sigrid's delivery that makes "Don't Kill My Vibe" both extremely immediate and powerful at the same time.—Jacob Moore


  • 28. J Hus - "Did You See"

    Common Sense, the 2017 album from British rapper and singer J Hus, is so consistently excellent that it's difficult to pick a best song. Whether you want a slow jam, a party track, or an uplifting message, there's a track for you, with the soundscapes influenced by hip-hop, UK garage, Afrobeats, dancehall, and more.

    Throughout it all, J Hus's personality shines, as does his songwriting ability. "Did You See" is one of the album's most low-key tracks, but Hus still glides over the slow-burning beat with a catchy hook, multiple quotable lines, and a sprinkling of his own slang. J Hus is a star in the U.K. and America is now starting to catch up too. Don't get left behind.—Alex Gardner


  • 27. Young Thug - "Killed Before"

    Young Thug is one of the most fearlessly creative artists in music today. You never know what to expect of him, from the county inspired moments on Beautiful Thugger Girls to turned up rap bangers like "Three" on Super Slimey, his collaborative project with Future. The two stars on an album together was definitely a moment, but the highlights came on solo tracks like Future's "Feed Me Dope" and Young Thug's outstanding "Killed Before."

    On "Killed Before," Thug pushes his voice into new places, experimenting with melody and tone while dropping quotable line after quotable line. He compares himself to a peacock, says he won't go broke until 2070, and reminds us that his style is all his own when he sings, "She is not my dresser, she just irons my clothes." There was a time when some people thought Thug's success was luck and he wouldn't last. How wrong they were. As Young Thug continues to push boundaries and break rules, it still feels as if it's just the beginning of a long career of innovation.—Alex Gardner


  • 26. Nilufer Yanya - "Baby Luv"

    Some of the best songs are ones that could almost be major pop hits but don't try to be. Nilüfer Yanya's "Baby Luv" is one of those songs. The rising London artist is an extremely talented songwriter, but she never takes the most obvious route. "Baby Luv" is a slow-builder with a touch of dissonance, and while it's catchy enough to get stuck in your head (for months at a time), it's interesting enough to never feel basic or stale. Plus, it sounds awesome live.—Jacob Moore

    Watch Nilüfer Yanya play "Baby Luv" live in studio here.


  • 25. Corbin - "All Out"

    The silence from Corbin after abandoning his former name Spooky Black was deafening. Following his collaborative EP with Bobby Raps, Couch Potato, there was an extended hiatus that lasted over two years before his long-awaited debut album finally arrived. When it surfaced, Mourn was an entirely different album than his earlier output might have indicated. Instead of a forlorn, R&B album carried by his ghostly presence, we were treated to a dark, gothic album a little more Joy Division than Keith Sweat. With a post-punk aesthetic, and far heavier lyrics than Black Silk, the resulting album outdid Corbin’s initial promise.

    One of the album’s standout moments, “All Out,” outlines the meat of what makes up the paranoid album. The Shlohmo and D33J production slowly boils over as Corbin goes from snarling to screaming. It's a painful declaration of love, longing for a safe place to escape from the darkness that surrounds the couple at the center of the album’s narrative. “Done being anywhere but your side,” he exclaims as the production winds itself down, like the calm after a storm. It’s desperate and brooding, but it’s also beautiful.—Joe Price


  • 24. Jaden Smith - "Icon"

    Jaden Smith has believed he’s an icon since birth—and he might be right. The son of two A-list Hollywood celebrities, he made his major motion picture debut at the same age that most of us attend kindergarten. He followed this up with a series of iconic moments including wearing a bat suit to Kanye West’s wedding and attending the Met Gala with his sheared-off dreads as a date.

    Like it or not, Jaden has become an icon to a generation of eccentric kids, and he lets us all know about it on one of his most confident songs to date. Over a powerful Lewis and OmArr-produced beat, Smith rattles off a series of his accomplishments and lays out his wildly ambitious vision for the future. "Look, we don't know no one like you / Gold grills and you dance like Michael." Iconic.—Eric Skelton


  • 23. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie ft. Kodak Black - "Drowning"

    A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie is a star in New York and has gained national attention with "My Shit," but it feels like his true breakout moment is still yet to come. With "Drowning," which peaked at #38 on the Billboard chart, A Boogie has his biggest release to date, a moody track with a quotable-filled Kodak Black guest verse.

    Fitting in perfectly with the melodic direction much popular rap is moving in, A Boogie sings both his verses and that catchy hook over twinkling keys from producers Jahaan Sweet and Quasi​. The chorus is the star here, but Kodak Black deserves special mention for this uniquely absurd line: "I'm the shit I'm fartin', I don't know how to potty." "Drowning" is more late night vibing than club turn up, and it's one of the year's most addictive songs.—Alex Gardner

    Watch our Who Is? with A Boogie here.


  • 22. Sampha - "Reverse Faults"

    Sampha's long-awaited Process album was one of the year's most ambitious releases. He's exploring so many different sounds and directions, but the pure emotion of his voice is a thread that keeps things cohesive. Nowhere is that more apparent than "Reverse Faults," where Sampha swings from an anxious, fluttering verse to an absolutely euphoric chorus. That drop around the two-minute mark is one of the best music moments of 2017, and makes the verse come into sharp focus through the contrast. "(No One Knows Me) Like The Piano" might be the tearjerker, but this is the Sampha song that will stand as a testament of his vision.—Graham Corrigan


  • 21. Ski Mask The Slump God - "Catch Me Outside"

    Of all the South Florida rappers to emerge from the underground in 2017, Ski Mask The Slump God asserted himself as one of the most dynamic, charismatic artists of the group. He had a handful of standout moments this year, but “Catch Me Outside” is the most clear representation of everything he does so well.

    Over a sticky Missy Elliott sample, Ski Mask uses his raspy vocals to deliver a series of hilarious off-the-wall references—bouncing from Peter Griffin’s belly to the Kellogg’s tiger to his limousine penis. Uh-huh ayyye. This is youthful, exuberant rap at its best.—Eric Skelton

    Watch Ski Mask the Slump God get interviewed by puppies here.


  • 20. Playboi Carti - "Magnolia"

    “Yo Pierre, you wanna come out here?” If you heard those seven words in the company of other humans in 2017, you could immediately feel a shift in the room’s energy. One of the year’s most addictive songs, “Magnolia” checks all the boxes of a modern hit. Over booming yet charmingly unpolished production from Pierre Bourne, Playboi Carti rattles off a series of bite-sized quotables and ad-libs that aren’t necessarily lyrically complex or deep, but are incredibly fun to sing along to. If you haven’t randomly yelled “In New York I Milly Rock” in a crowded room, you haven’t experienced 2017.—Eric Skelton


  • 19. Kodak Black - "Tunnel Vision"

    Kodak Black's Breakfast Club interview gives a fascinating look into the mind of the young Florida rapper. Even when he's explaining fairly simple things, he's got a compelling way with words that makes him such a natural rapper. That comes across in his interviews, but even more clearly in his music.

    His subject matter is not unlike a lot of artists'—the struggles that come with success, the yearning for a better life—but it's all in the way he says it. Whether poignant or comically blunt, Kodak is supremely entertaining and when that gets packaged with the right beat and a good hook, he's undeniable. "Tunnel Vision" is the perfect example.—Jacob Moore


  • 18. GoldLink ft. Brent Faiyaz & Shy Glizzy - "Crew"

    Let’s start off by admitting that “Crew” was actually released in December 2016. Now that those minor details are out of the way, we can talk about how GoldLink’s single slowly gained momentum in the months following its release, until it found a way to completely take over. Throughout the year, and especially this summer as the single skyrocketed up the Billboard charts, GoldLink’s collaboration with Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy could be heard at every party, in stores, and blasting through the speakers of passing cars.

    GoldLink, Brent Faiyaz, and Shy Glizzy all have their own styles that come together on this track to create a seamless and arguably flawless effort. GoldLink’s melodic delivery floats gracefully over the production with a fluidity he's been honing for years. Shy Glizzy enters with a jarring verse that brings the energy of the single to a new level, but Brent Faiyaz’s laid-back chorus is certainly what ties it all together. Each artist’s part on “Crew” is catchy, fun, and essential to the final product.

    There’s no doubt that this song will get even more attention after being Grammy nominated, and there’s no expiration date in sight—“Crew” will continue to age like fine wine.—Adrienne Black

    Watch GoldLink's episode of What Had Happened Was here.


  • 17. Rex Orange County ft. Benny Sings - "Loving Is Easy"

    Rex Orange County's "Loving Is Easy" is special. It's the kind of song that people will learn on guitar to impress their crushes, put on romantic playlists, and even play at weddings. Quite apart from the touching lyrics ("Loving is easy / When everything's perfect / Please don't change a single little thing for me," he sings), Rex Orange County's incredible songwriting skills are made clear here more than ever before. He’s still only a teenager, he’s still learning and growing, yet he’s already writing classic sounding records like this.

    In a year when Rex collaborated with Tyler, The Creator, dropped his own album, and performed live with Skepta, a two-and-a-half minute long single was the highlight. The future is bright, the future is Rex Orange County.—Alex Gardner

    Read about Rex Orange County's journey from school choir to high profile collaborations here.


  • 16. Daniel Caesar - "Get You"

    Daniel Caesar’s single “Get You” featuring Kali Uchis was officially released on October 20, 2016, but there’s no doubt that it reached its full potential this year as part of his his incredible album Freudian. Months before its release, Caesar delivered a preview of just how deep in our feelings he was going to make us dive.

    "Get You" is a moving love song, one that could strike a chord with even your most unromantic friend. The power of the song is its intimacy. Caesar doesn't sound like he's making a generic love song about just anyone, every word feels very direct, as if these lyrics were only meant for the ears of his muse.

    After the release of Freudian, there was no question that a Daniel Caesar track needed to land on this list. We just couldn't decide on one. With a practically flawless run from start to finish, any song from Caesar’s album was eligible to be chosen but none of them felt as deserving as “Get You.” This is the one that will pull new listeners in, and brings old listeners back for more.—Adrienne Black


  • 15. Toro y Moi - "Girl Like You"

    I respect every twist and turn in Toro y Moi's career. The man born Chaz Bundick has authored a variety of musical projects spanning a host of genres—March's Star Stuff album with jazz duo The Mattson 2 is one of the year's most creative and rewarding deep listens, but it sounds nothing like "Girl Like You," which dropped unexpectedly in June.

    The latter is a revival of the Anything in Return Toro, a lo-fi sound full of warped synths, earnest, purposeful vocals, and a trip-hop backbone. It's his most immediately addictive song in some time, and was the first single off 2017's 808-heavy Boo Boo. The accompanying press release had Bundick waxing poetic on the benefits of space and ambience: "I’d listen to the same ambient song over and over again," he said, "Trying to insulate myself from reality. I fell in love with space again. By the time I felt ready to begin working on a new record, I knew that this idea of space within music would be something that propelled my new work forward."—Graham Corrigan

    Read our interview with Toro y Moi here.


  • 14. J.I.D - "Never"

    This year, the gap between lyrical rappers and [insert your choice of antonym here] rappers was wider than ever. There was a shift in the energy of most young up-and-comers, but a few proved that technical rap skills and smart lyricism are still effective. One of the most impressive in 2017 was Atlanta's J.I.D. He can rap with the best of them, but songs like "NEVER" still go off in a live setting, and for hip-hop fans that aren't impressed by simple formulas involving loud bass and repetitive hooks, it was nice to have some fresh talent with more to offer—and to see them receive the attention they deserve.—Jacob Moore

    Read our interview with J.I.D here.


  • 13. King Krule - "Dum Surfer"

    After signaling his return with the baleful “Czech One,” King Krule used the second single from The Ooz to completely juke our expectations. “Dum Surfer” is chaotic and clanging; crash cymbals clatter like a waiter dropping plates, and the vocal pitch shifting is so jarring it sounds like a war between the angel and devil on Archy Marshall’s shoulders.

    Lyrically, the track is a vivid, inventive, and slightly gross account of a never-ending night. “I’m a step from madness as I puke on pavement slabs/Got a bit embarrassed, need to get back to the lab,” he sings. The guitar chords are gorgeous and melancholy, but feel like a dispatch from some other, more sober reality, like we’re hearing what’s playing at the bar Archy is clearly too drunk to still be in.

    The Ooz is a sludgy record where tracks bleed into one another like bleary nights on a bender, but “Dum Surfer” still stands out as the song that best encapsulates that woozy, adversarial feeling you get when you realize you’ve had a few pints too many. When we spoke to him around the album's release, Krule talked about the importance of making physical art, and if “Dum Surfer” isn’t quite tangible, it does leave a kind of haze in the air as it fades out.—Grant Ridner

    Read our interview with King Krule here.


  • 12. 6LACK - "That Far"

    As our use of social media increases, so does the number of critics. But instead of shying away from them, 6LACK decided to release a single that addresses those naysayers directly. "That Far" features the elements that earned Free 6LACK praise, but with more refinement, his hypnotic vocals daring critics to fuel his fire over dark, swirling production. Even beyond his lyrics ("I can never worry 'bout the next man / Been too busy focused on the next plan"), "That Far" shows yet again that 6LACK's moody, melodic approach can result in a razor-sharp song with pop potential.—Joyce

    Watch 6LACK perform "PRBLMS" in New York City.


  • 11. Trippie Redd - "Love Scars"

    Trippie Redd is one of the most surprising stars to break out this year, and “Love Scars” was his calling card. Trippie has a wild energy, unique look, and comes from Canton, Ohio. Although he can definitely rap (see: "Can You Rap Like Me?" and "Hellboy"), it's about much more than bars for Trippie.

    "To create my own style, I combine three or four different styles and put them together," he told us. "That's Trippie Redd's style. Hip-hop, R&B, alternative rock, and pop." With booming production, a big hook, and a delivery that has much more in common with pop punk than rap, "Love Scars" blew up this year, putting Trippie Redd at the forefront of a new wave of artists taking popular music in interesting new directions.—Alex Gardner

    See what happened when we spent 24 hours in Miami with Trippie Redd here.


  • 10. Brockhampton - "Star"

    On their first tour as a group, a tour they told me wasn’t going to happen (these guys been lying all 2017), Brockhampton played “Star” more than any other song. In fact, they replayed the song eight times or more during an encore on at least three separate occasions. With the energy of the track, it makes sense. The beat, which remains one of the year’s hardest, is tailor made for a live setting. The verses, which come at a breakneck pace, are ridiculously quotable. It’s by no means a full indication of what these guys can do, but it is one the year’s most infectiously energetic rap songs.

    "I might go Interstellar, I feel like Matthew McConaughey​,” raps Dom McLennon right at the start, letting us know exactly what kind of song this is. The references only ramp up from here. “Secret Agent Cody Banks, quarter pound of the dank,” Ameer Vann raps near the start of his verse. But nothing prepares first-time listeners for the line Kevin Abstract raps at the beginning of the song’s closing verse: “Heath Ledger with some dreads, I just gave my n***a head.”

    Casually challenging rap’s often rampant and toxic masculinity while dropping memorable non-sequiturs simply highlights what makes Brockhampton such an essential boyband. Brockhampton owned 2017, and “Star” offers a tantalizing hint as to why.—Joe Price

    Learn more about each member of Brockhampton here.


  • 9. Ty Dolla Sign ft. Jeremih - "Dawsin's Breek"

    Ty Dolla $ign's Beach House 3 is just more proof that Ty is one of the best in the game right now. He's fluent in sounds ranging from minimal R&B to radio-friendly pop, and there's some magic in his collaborations that brings everyone together on the same page. There are four or five other songs from the album that could have easily made this list, but "Dawsin's Breek" with Jeremih and Mike WiLL Made-It is a low-key masterpiece.

    "Dawsin's Breek" takes simplicity to the extreme with a repetitive melody that sounds like some alien combination of a children's song and a traditional call-and-response work tune, but Mike Will's production ushers it into another planet. In times when almost everything sounds like some version of something else, "Dawsin's Breek" is a one-of-a-kind gem.—Jacob Moore

    Get to know Ty and the member's of his new label here.


  • 8. Tyler The Creator ft. Rex Orange County & Anna of the North - "Boredom"

    Perhaps no artist showed as much musical and personal maturation in 2017 as Tyler, the Creator. “Boredom” features not only one of the most gorgeous backdrops on Flower Boy, but a message about the corrosiveness of being alone that everyone has felt at some point.

    “Boy, my bedroom floor is a cereal burial, I'm serious / I ate 'em all, dry boxes, bodies, yeah I caught 'em,” Tyler raps, his filthy room a prison he can’t seem to escape. Rising singers Rex Orange County and Anna of the North provide jolts of vocals that add depth and sweetness, while the song’s closing synth and string showcase is among the best arrangements of Tyler’s production career. Flower Boy was deservingly praised for its vulnerability and deep insight into Tyler’s one-of-a-kind psyche, but with “Boredom” he crafted a record as sonically beautiful as it is thematically universal.—Grant Ridner

    ​See what we learned from Tyler, The Creator's 'Cherry Bomb' documentary here.


  • 7. 21 Savage, Offset, and Metro Boomin ft. Travis Scott - "Ghostface Killers"

    Of all the collaborative mixtapes 2017 brought us, 21 Savage and Offset’s Without Warning was the one that really caught listeners off-guard. With Metro Boomin providing all the production, two rappers at the top of their game were given the perfect playing field to flaunt what makes them both stand out. The opening track, however, proved hard to top, even if the mixtape provides moments that come close.

    21 Savage and Offset both had an amazing year—“Bank Account” was everywhere and so were the Migos in general. But the best thing either of them did comes right at the start of Without Warning. Staying true to mixtape’s name, “Ghostface Killers” is an outright assault. A surprise attack, it has one of the year’s hardest hooks and 21 Savage’s first-line (“Kim Jeong, yeah big bombs”) hasn't got old yet. “Ghostface Killers” hits like a ton of bricks.

    A cartoonish, but no less grim depiction of violence and impending threat, “Ghostface Killers” is the type of hellish song only 2017 could produce. From the eerie beginning to Travis Scott’s cinematic closing verse, no rap track this year successfully made such an uneasy atmosphere so appealing.—Joe Price


  • 6. SZA - "The Weekend"

    SZA's Ctrl dropped in June. Since then, the sheer brilliance of the album has dawned on the public bit by bit—the accompanying tour has sold out, her SNL performance was fantastic, and I'm starting to see people call her "Momma SZA" online (which should stick). Ctrl was an earthquake we're still feeling—every track a different kind of heartsick confession that found a mirror in us all.

    But "The Weekend" is the heartbreaker, the one that induced a collective gasp on release day. There's something so beautiful and bittersweet about SZA's frank approach to side chick—sorry, weekend chick—politics. She's at her melodic best, reducing us all to puddles with soaring vocal runs. When you have Miguel covering your hook as he potters around art museums, something's going right.

    And that production! Longtime and little-known SZA producer Cody Fayne aka ThankGod4Cody made a musical waterbed with electric keys and snaps, and Solana made it her own. Production credits list Justin Timberlake as a writer, for an ingenious flip of his "Summer Love / Set The Mood" and don't sleep on the outro, either.

    This song an indication that SZA is well on her way to becoming a songwriter capable of operas, film scores, her own brand of sonatas. "The Weekend" is special.—Graham Corrigan


  • 5. Vince Staples ft. Kendrick Lamar & Kučka - "Yeah Right"

    Vince Staples' entire Big Fish Theory album sticks a big middle finger up to genre conventions and rap expectations. He raps over a beat that sounds like UK garage at one point, has Damon Albarn and Ray J on a song together, and keeps experimenting throughout.

    "If a photographer took the same picture over and over again, you'd call them crazy, right? If an architect built the same house, if a designer made the same clothes, if a painter made the same painting—we'd all discredit them," Vince said to LA Weekly in explaining why he is compelled to explore new sounds. Songs like "Yeah Right" show why outlooks like Vince's are so vital. He has Kendrick Lamar delivering a fiery verse over production from Flume and SOPHIE​ that sounds like a malfunctioning robot, a sugary pop hook from Kučka,​ and his own verse that takes aim at the way people so often define success for rappers. Your fave could never.—Alex Gardner

    Read how Vince Staples found his bold new sound on 'Big Fish Theory.'


  • 4. Lorde - "Perfect Places"

    Don't let the upbeat production fool you, Lorde's anthemic "Perfect Places" is about all the unbearable ugliness that comes with growing up. Inspired by a summer spent between New York and New Zealand at 19 years old, Lorde recalls hating all of the headlines, her heroes dying, and how loneliness is an unimaginable punishment. So she escapes into these perfect places, partying every night away.

    It's a constant struggle to ignore reality, as these moments away from reality are only temporary, and Lorde captures this internal conflict in a way that is both forthright and poetic. The song is her coming to terms with the fact that there are no real "perfect places," and though she's still battling with the awkwardness and frustrations of adolescence, "Perfect Places" is one of Lorde's most mature offerings yet.—Joyce

    Follow the rise of Lorde, from talent shows to pop stardom here.


  • 3. Kendrick Lamar - "DNA"

    We had a lot of trouble choosing which Kendrick Lamar song would rank highest on this list. "Element," with its hypnotic melodic hook and pointed lyrics, sat in this spot for a while, as did "Duckworth," with its goosebump-inducing ending, and undeniable banger "Humble."

    In the end, though, we couldn't escape "DNA." In case anyone thought otherwise while he experimented with funk and jazz on To Pimp a Butterfly, King Kendrick returned in 2017 to remind us that he's the best rapper alive. "DNA" features some of his fiercest rapping over a monstrous Mike Will Made-It beat, and just when you think the ride couldn't get any wilder, the beat switches up around the two-minute mark and Kendrick blacks out.

    "You mothafuckas can't tell me nothin'," Kendrick raps at the beginning of the second verse, and he's right. He's at the top of his game, from music to live shows to videos (he made four of the year's best music videos), and we're privileged to be witnesses.—Alex Gardner

    Watch New York's take on whether Kendrick Lamar is the best rapper alive here.


  • 2. Frank Ocean - "Chanel"

    After a few years of silence, Frank Ocean swept back into our lives in 2016 with two albums, a video, and a magazine. Many of us assumed he'd quickly return to the shadows, but with a series of festival headlining sets and the Blonded radio shows on Beats 1, he rarely left the conversation in 2017.

    Sharing new and old music from around the world on Blonded with the help of co-hosts Vegyn and Roof Access, and regularly debuting new music, the show is essential live listening—if you catch it, that it is, as there is no regular schedule and shows are often announced only hours before they start. "Chanel" was debuted on Blonded 002 in March, and it was a special moment.

    The new track was played for an hour, with a version featuring ASAP Rocky appearing on occasion, and this hypnotic loop was the perfect introduction to a song that touches on themes like duality and Frank's bisexuality. On "Chanel" we get all of Frank's talents on full display—he's singing and rapping, he's painting vivid images and making direct statements, and pop culture references are littered throughout, from filmmaker Gaspar Noé to 21 Savage.

    Frank Ocean continued to surprise us with new music after "Chanel," and "Biking (Solo)," "Lens," and "Provider" could all have made it onto this list. In the interest of sharing as wide a variety of music as possible we only chose one song from each artist, and "Chanel" just edged the others out. Whichever track is your favorite, we can all agree on one thing: Frank Ocean had a stellar 2017.—Alex Gardner


  • 1. Lil Uzi Vert - "XO Tour Llif3"

    2017 was the year when the entire world started believing Lil Uzi Vert when he says he's a rockstar. On “XO TOUR Llif3,” Uzi brings together electric charisma and pop punk undertones over a contemplative TM88 beat, and he captures a complicated mood somewhere between numbness and euphoria. It's an urgent song about relationship troubles and substance abuse, but when you play it in any room with more than three people, it turns into a celebration.

    This brash, bittersweet tone has been bubbling on alternative rappers' SoundClouds for a couple of years now, but Uzi's “XO TOUR Llif3” is more evolved—focused and fine-tuned like a pop song with none of the reckless disregard for structure so common in the underground. It's one of the most inescapable tracks of the year, and even ten months after its February release, we still aren't sick of it.

    At the very least, "XO TOUR Llif3" will be remembered as a 2017 anthem—one that amassed over a billion streams in the year and cemented Lil Uzi Vert as a superstar. If things keep going the way they are, however, the song could end up with an even more significant spot in hip-hop history. As alternative-minded, so-called "SoundCloud rappers" continue to cross over into the mainstream, this song could be remembered as a signal of things to come.

    Whatever happens, we'll look back on “XO TOUR Llif3” as the standout moment to the strange and exciting year of music in 2017.—Jacob Moore​

    Check out Don Cannon and DJ Drama's explanation on the rise of Lil Uzi Vert here.

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