2018 continued to be dominated by hip-hop as we’ve noticed in recent years. Drake ushered the new year with a feminist anthem with “Nice for What” then had us all dancing in the street to “In My Feelings” after the Shiggy challenge took over the internet. Post Malone and XXXTENTACION high jacked the music charts for the majority of the year with their tunes. I personally still have no idea what is an XXTENTACION and refuse to listen to Post Malone, I guess that means I’m officially old. Obviously, those artists didn’t make it to my playlist; however many artists did make it. Here are the songs I couldn’t stop listening to this year and my favorite albums.

SICKO MODE – Travis Scott feat. Drake

Travis Scott had us in a sicko mode with this insane track and crazy visuals for his first single off AstroWorld.

Nice For What – Drake

With the Lauryn Hill sample and bounce beat, Drake might have secured his classic hip-hop track of his career with “Nice For What”.

I Like It – Cardi B feat. Bad Bunny and J Balvin

Cardi B had an incredible year with her debut album, Invasion of Privacy. “I Like It” became the summer’s anthem with the sample of “I Like It Like That” by Pete Rodriguez that gave us all that summer feels.

thank u, next – Ariana Grande

We all rode that wild ride that was Pete and Ariana’s love affair this summer. We were all singing along to “thank u, next” when Ariana released her joyous breakup song. It became Ariana’s first #1 song in her career.

Nobody – Mitski

Mitski gives us a melancholy disco jam that we can’t help but sing along with the wallowing lyrics.

Shallow – Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga channel their inner rock powerhouse with “Shallow” for the theme song from A Star is Born.

Space Cowboy – Kacey Musgraves

Not to be confused with intergalactic when you read the title, Kacey Musgraves is flipping the coin on the title and giving space to her love on this mid-temple twang melodramatic ballad.

APESHIT – The Carters

It’s safe to say that even though XXXTentacion and Post Malone were on the top of the charts, but Beyoncé was 2018’s best rapper. She channeled her inner Migos on “Apeshit” and her husband is on the track too.

Happy Without Me – Chloe x Halle feat. Joey Bada$$

The Beyonce proteges unveiled they are more than a flash in the pan with their second album “The Kids Are Alright” and the standout track “Happy Without Me” proved the sister duos were crazy talented.

Tints – Anderson .Paak feat. Kendrick Lamar

Anderson .Paak returned on the scene with a banging new track that is breezy like his California soul.

My Favorite Albums of the Year

Hive Mind - The Internet

Voicenotes - Charlie Puth

Sweetener - Ariana Grande

Invasion of Privacy - Cardi B

Black Panther Soundtrack - Kendrick Lamar and Various Artists

The Kids Are Alright - Chloe x Halle

Golden Hour - Kacey Musgraves

Astroworld - Travis Scott

Lost & Found - Jorja Smith

Listen to the rest of the songs I couldn’t get enough of below