2016 has been a very important year for music. There has been releases from everyone's favorite artists: Kanye West, Beyoncé, Shawn Mendes and more. However, it seems that a lot of artists have had amazing music, but it hasn't been as popular as other releases. In this article, I'm going to talk about my four favorite albums of this year that I haven't heard many people talking about.

1. If you liked The Life of Pablo by Kanye West, then you need to listen to:

While Chance the Rapper has been making music and performing since 2011, he’s just started to find his way into mainstream culture and his most recent mixtape, Coloring Book, makes it clear that we’re going to be talking about him for a while. Coloring Book provides the perfect mix between upbeat raps and slower singles. He addresses his career, talent, and faith all through his music while keeping the listener wanting more. Also, if you still doubt Chance’s credibility, he even collaborated with Kanye West on The Life of Pablo appearing on the tracks “Ultralight Beam” and “Waves.”

Listen to Coloring Book here: https://soundcloud.com/rapfavs/sets/coloringbook

2. If you liked Lemonade by Beyoncé, then you need to listen to:

Beyoncé took over the early half of 2016 with the release of Lemonade, so it makes sense that her sister, Solange Knowles, would take over the second half with the release of her album A Seat at the Table. With sultry vocals and meaningful lyrics, the 21 track album expresses the struggles of being a black woman in American. While every song is slow as expected with an R&B album, the album doesn’t bore and each song is just as memorable as the last. The songs probably won’t be appearing on the top 40 radios anytime soon, but it’s an album that’s already in a league of its own.

Listen to the A Seat at the Table here: https://play.spotify.com/album/3Yko2SxDk4hc6fncIBQlcM

3. If you liked To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar, then you need to listen to:

Vince Staples EP, Prima Donna, can’t be described other than as bold. Straying away from the typical themes in rap, Staple’s cleverly-written lyrics tackle his feelings of hopelessness. Seamlessly weaving the ending of a song into the beginning of the next, it feels as if the audience is listening to a story being told rather than an EP. Utilizing grainy audio, gunshots, and unusual beats, it will keep the listener on the edge of the seat the entire time.

Listen to Prima Donna here: https://play.spotify.com/album/3tFI2I9nF4W7ldLu5320MR

4. If you want something new:

Unlike anything I’ve ever heard before, Nao’s For All We Know combines a fusion of electronic beats and catchy lyrics. From her mesmerizing voice to the synthetic instrumentals, the debut album is only an indicator of what’s to come. Discussing various relationships from her life, each song is engaging. In one word, this is album is indescribable.

Listen to For All We Know here: https://play.spotify.com/album/2BmceJHiy9RTyvaB1IU0P6