What a year 2015 was for music. From countless dope projects to new artists breaking out, it was truly a great year for music fans. To celebrate, we here at DC have compiled 25 of our favorite tracks of the year from a laundry list of artists.
That being said, we hate lists. They never really please everyone, so to take away something to argue about, this list is in no order. Just our opinion on 25 hot ass songs from the underground that came out in 2015.
You may know a few, you may know a lot, but we doubt you know every single one. So, grab something green and press play on some great tunes below.
24hrs, YOUKNOW
24hrs burst onto the interwebs recently with an unknown identity and a fire, self-titled EP, which has now amassed 10s of thousands of plays. His singing is sharp and unique, and kinda reminds me of a better Bryson Tiller honestly. This track “YOUKNOW” is a mega banger that’s without a doubt his most popular song out right now. Definitely keep an eye on this guy as 2016 gets older—he’s ready to break out.
Miles Meraki x Cal Rips, Dem A Say
Miles Meraki and Cal Rips are two of the best emcees that the DMV has to offer, and their contrasting styles intertwine perfectly on the recently-released “Dem A Say.” It originally appeared on Meraki’s Angels May Die album which dropped in December, and was one of my picks for the year’s best albums. From the menacing beat to the insane verses these two deliver, “Dem A Say” is a straight banger.
Johnny Drama, That’s My Ooh
Get ya dab game up and press play on Johnny Drama’s “That’s My Ooh” at your next function. The Relax Rekords emcee swags out on this joint, with a couple of nice verses and an infectious hook to tie it all in. Drama consistently comes with fire shit, and we’re really excited to see what 2016 has in store for him.
Black Zheep DZ x Butch Dawson, On It
Baltimore hip-hop is on its way up, with Black Zheep DZ and Butch Dawson being two of the city’s pillars. They’ve made a bunch of music together, but one of their best collaborative efforts came in the form of “On It.” It’s the perfect embodiment of Zheep’s gritty rhymes and Butch’s smooth hook game, which add up to a major jam that’ll definitely get you hype.
Marcellus Juvann, Make My Way
Marcellus Juvann dropped a really dope project this past year entitled The Fall, and one of the standout tracks from the project was “Make My Way.” It’s a chilled-out, smooth ballad from Juvann, who effortlessly flows over the jazzed-up production and truly delivers big. I’m excited to see what he comes out with next, and you should be too.
Joey Purp, Run It Up
Joey Purp has long been one of my favorite rappers from Chicago, and this joint “Run It Up” is a great example as to why. It’s sounds smack like something Drake would throw dollars for, and is braggadocios rap at its best. Purp’s energy and lyricism are rarely rivaled by anyone, and his personal sort of swagger only adds to his immense ability as an artist, all adding up to a well-rounded artist who’s sure to blow sooner or later.
Mic Kellogg, Sunrise/Head Up
Mic Kellogg is one of the most purely talented artists I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, and he had a pretty damn good year in 2015. His debut project was lauded by some of the hip-hop world’s biggest and best publications, and for good reason—it’s fucking awesome. Kellogg’s Breakfast LP is a masterpiece to me; his production, sampling, singing and rapping are all A1 as fuck, and resulted in a couple of my favorite tracks ever in “Sunrise” and “Head Up.” The hopeful and relatable lyrics really hit home on these two, and definitely have me believing Kellogg’s in for a great year in 2016.
Solomonilla, Flyyer
Solomonilla definitely leveled up in 2015, and one of his best tracks that dropped in the busy year was “Flyyer,” an upbeat, feel-good track that just makes you wanna dance. His rapping and lyrics combine with the wild and electronic production really well, and all add up to a party of a track that you can’t help but move to.
GABRL, Flaw City
GABRL has carved out a nice lane for himself in Florida’s crowded underground scene, and came out of nowhere in 2015 with an tremendous project entitled Here’s a Mixtape. It took the short but sweet approach, with GABRL’s potent songmaking being on display, as well as his knack for making bangers. “Flaw City” is one of the project’s standout tracks, with G swaggin’ all over this one with his sharp lyrics and polished flow.
DP x D.R.A.M., For The Love Of
DP dropped one of the best projects of the year with Designer Casket, and one of my favorite tracks off the project is the D.R.A.M.-assisted “For The Love Of.” DP’s gritty raps contrast with D.R.A.M.’s soulful singing surprisingly well, and the two really make for a great pair. Here’s hoping we hear much, much more from them soon.
RahRah The Savage x D. Bridge, As Of Late
If you wanna make your girl feel special after not seeing her for awhile, you may wanna rattle off a couple lines from RahRah The Savage and D. Bridge’s “As Of Late” ballad. It’s a super-smooth jam with romantic lyrics sprinkled throughout, with RahRah and D. Bridge making for quite a duo over the production from Mic Kellogg. The progression on this track is awesome, and is just an overall masterful job by these three.
G.U.N., Geek It Up
G.U.N. has quickly become a favorite of ours here at DC, largely for his endless bangers and original spin on trap music. “Geek It Up” is one of my favorite jams from him, with its in-your-face feel and intense lyrics making it a great pump-up jam.
Rikki Blu, Same Hood Story
Rikki Blu recently dropped off a great new project entitled Pleasant Grove, and one of the standout tracks off the EP is “Same Hood Story.” The underlying emotion behind Rikki’s lyrics truly add a whole other dimension to this track; it’s digestable and catchy enough to get stuck in your head, but the lyrics hold a deep meaning that resonates with the listener almost accidentally—it’s like you can’t help but get the message Rikki is trying to convey. Tremendous job by Blu.
Russ, Titanic
Russ is without a doubt one of the best, most talented artists of this generation, and it’s been extremely impressive seeing him gain all this success on his own. At the same time, it’s not surprising—good music carries itself, and Russ makes fucking great music. “Titanic” is one of the most heartfelt songs I’ve heard in I don’t know how long, and honestly made me shed a couple thug tears when I first heard it. While this has a less upbeat feel to it, Russ is no stranger to making bangers, and it’s that versatility that’s going to help him in the long run. Definitely looking forward to what he comes with next.
tsvfog., Riding Around The City Hot
tsvfog. is a raw ass duo from California who’s off-the-wall style is only outmatched by their untamed lyricism and flows. “Riding Around The City Hot” is a pure banger, and a great introduction to these two if you’ve never heard their shit. Enjoy the slap.
G4shi, Switch Up
Sometimes you gotta hit ’em with the switch up, and that’s exactly what G4shi did in 2015. He switched up his rapping style a bit, evolving into an even better hitmaker who definitely put out his best work yet this past year. From shit like “Rose Gold,” “Minute” with Mike Stud to his proudest moment of 2015 with “Switch Up,” G4shi has been turning the fuck up lately, and I really can’t wait to hear what he comes out with next. He’s positioned himself to do well in 2016, and you’ll be able to keep up with everything right here.
TaEast, WithTheShit
TaEast had one song with his name in the byline in 2015, but that was enough to put him firmly on our radar as one of the better emcees coming up right now, and definitely a force to be reckoned with going forward. “WithTheShit” was his formal introduction to the world, and its blistering confidence and piercing lyricism is what makes it one of our favorite tracks of 2015.
King Rosè, Everything’s Lit
King Rosè didn’t drop a ton of music in 2015, but what he did drop definitely stuck. “Everything’s Lit” dropped around May of last year, and kept Rosè’s name circulating for awhile, as it gradually climbed up to nearly 45k plays on soundcloud. It features his knack for making bangers and his effortless fast flow that runs rampant all over the production from Clayt Da Great. If you wanna get hype, press play on this joint immediately.
Matt McGhee, Flipmode
Matt McGhee had a great year in 2015, and “Flipmode” was by far his best release of the year. The Busta Rhymes-inspired jam features Matt’s bursting confidence and various flows that all add up to a dope track that’ll still be gettin’ some burn for awhile.
Shirt, Phantom (Redux)
Shirt is prime New York rap, though his track “Phantom (Redux)” is a bit more funky and flavorful than typical New York hip-hop. Nevertheless, Shirt lays down the law with his great lyrics and quickfire flow, which combine to make this track one to remember.
Kelow, Finna
Kelow reemerged in 2015 after spending a couple of years developing and growing as an artist, and her first track back was a fuckin’ doozy. “Finna” went viral around the internet, catching the attention of artists, bloggers and fans alike. Her auto-tuned, go-go-inspired style is unique and enjoyable, and certainly caught on throughout the year up to the release of her latest project, Amethyst Stoner.
Big Leano, Lean For Sale
Cousin Stizz and Michael Christmas have definitely been putting on for Boston over the past couple of years, and the next man up out of the city might be Big Leano. With a drowsy, leaned-out sort of style, Leano makes music for enjoying yourself and turning the fuck up. Put on “Lean For Sale” at the next function and see if people don’t get to jumpin’.
Duncan Barton, Near
Duncan Barton has just one song under his belt, but it’s a helluva track. “Near” is a chilled-out, relaxing single from Duncan, who has a really dope, organic sound to his music. He produces and plays a number of instruments, and I really think he’s got a bright future ahead of him.
Chance Fischer, Souffle
Chance Fischer got some bangers, and “Souffle” is definitely my favorite of the bunch. From the rockin’ production to Fischer’s high-energy verses, this track hits on every cylinder. Fischer’s been building a nice buzz for awhile, and I definitely think 2016 is gonna be a great year for him.
Job Jetson, Shameless
It’s no secret Job Jetson is a favorite of ours here at DC, and he delivered jam after jam in 2015. Drug-laced raps oozing sensuality is this guy’s specialty, and “Shameless” is the perfect ballad for a wild night with your lady. I’m not one to drink lean or flex my money, but this joint makes me wanna throw my cash and drugs all over shawty while we do our thang. But foreal though, Jetson is a mad talented artist, and we’re very excited for what’s coming to him.
Have a smokey 2016, Chiefers!
