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.
Who is A$AP Ferg checking for these days? And what's Leon Bridges' favorite song of the year? Here's part four (of five installments) of your favorite artists listing their favorite songs of 2015 and why.
Check out part one, part two, and part three now.
A$AP Ferg
Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"
"I love the video that they shot, it reminds me of 'Hood Pope.' Just the song and the energy that was behind it, and Pharrell is on the beat and singing. We needed that song when everything was happening, Kendrick was talking for the people."
Kari Faux
Thundercat, "Them Changes"
"It's a funky ass song that makes me really happy and I can't help but sing whenever I hear it. It's one of those songs that you hear and wish you wrote."
Issa Gold of the Underachievers
A$AP Rocky, "LSD"
"Being someone who advocates for psychedelic use, it was interesting to see someone else express how they felt using the substances through hip-hop. And he nailed it. The music video was an excellent depiction of what someone would see on psychedelics, and the song was excellent so it was a win for the LSD community. He also opened up a lot of people to trying or even just discussing LSD and that was cool to see."
Webster X
Kid Cudi, "Love"
"It explains every feeling I felt this year—too 'happy to be alive' right now and everyone with that shared feeling knows it's time to show 'em what you're made of.' But in another world you could totally be like."
Joey Purp
Future, "March Madness"
"Definitely 'March Madness' by fire marshal Future, retro super Future, Future Hendrix, because it's damn near the perfect trap song."
Speak
Kelow, "Finna"
"I've played this while djing and watched a room full of strangers punch each other out. Fuck a boys club. Rap needs more like her."
abhi//dijon
Ramriddlz, "Sweetersound"
"He sounds like he's having more fun than anyone this year. Also it's hilarious he calls himself Ramrod."
London O'Connor
Tobias Jesso Jr., "Without You"
"It's something we've all experienced (or it's coming for you) but he's vulnerable enough to express how it really feels."
Grace Mitchell
SBTRKT, "NEW DORP. NEW YORK"
"Dat vocal mixing doe. So many textures and layers. Like a damn onion. Every song off of the Treats album by Sleigh Bells. Rocked all the way down to San Francisco from Portland and all the way up listening to it top to bottom. Daydreaming of '80s Bay Area punk scene and taking notes on overdrive distortion the whole way. "Guillotine" by Death Grips. Gonna sample the shit out of those guttural shouts as soon as I get Vince Staples to do a collab with me."
Leon Bridges
Bryson Tiller, "Don't"
"I love his take on the Trap and R&B vibe. He is a cat that holds close to where he's from and is very thankful for his success. He's going to go far."
T-Wayne
Drake, "Know Yourself"
"I know a nigga named Johnny Bling/He put me on to the finer things/Had a job sellin' Girbaud jeans/I had a yellow TechnoMarine/Then Kanye dropped, it was polos and backpacks/Man, that's when Ethan was pushin' a Subaru hatchback/Man I'm talkin' way before hashtags."
Kalin of Kalin & Myles
Chris Brown and Tyga, "Ayo"
"This one of them records whether it comes on at the club, a birthday party, or even in your headphones and instantly it makes you want gig to it."
Myles of Kalin & Myles
OMI, "Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)"
"This was my favorite song of 2015. Production has a warm vibe that feels great, the trumpet and the drums got me feeling like I'm on the beach. And then the lyrics are awesome. Being faithful in a relationship and finding somebody that you love is so tight. And I hope one day I can find myself a cheerleader too."
KeithCharles Spacebar
Tame Impala, "Eventually"
"Brilliant production, no one is making more sense sonically than Kevin Parker but as a fan what he's saying just resonates."
Nef The Pharaoh
Kamaiyah, "How Does It Feel"
"Kamaiyah's a Bay Area native from Oakland and the reason I'm picking this song is because it's an anthem about coming from the struggle and finally getting a taste of success."
Well$
Macca Wiles, "Mr. Finesser"
"Despite Macca being from London, the beat, the flow, the delivery all take me back to when Gucci Mane and Zaytoven were like Kobe & Shaq. Vibes and memories, plus it's a banger.”
Maxo Kream
Chief Keef, “Bouncin”
"The reason: "Something something something I forgot now/I was thinkin bout my gwaup and pulled my gwuap."
IAMSU!
Jay Ant f/ G Eazy, "Fully Focused"
"My song of the year pick is gonna be Jay Ant's 'Fully Focused' because it describes my mindset in the game."
Jack Garratt
Thundercat, "Them Changes"
"One of the freshest tracks to come out this year. It feels timeless and familiar, but totally unheard of and constantly surprising. With drums that could have been swept up from the cutting room floor of Stevie Wonders home studio, to a bass so wah-wah'd it could have been swept up from the cutting room floor of Stevie Won… etc, this song takes all the right inspirations from all the right places and leaves me feelin’ funkier than I should at 5:43 on a cold December afternoon in Glasgow."
Rome Fortune
Demo Taped, "Cozy"
"The song writing and production are grade A. Very impressive for anyone let alone an 18-year-old dude from Atlanta. I love a lot of the new music coming from ATL but it can become a bit repetitive so it's cool to see someone doing what they truly like to do instead of an attempt at fitting in."