2016 is officially a wrap. For many it will go down as one of the more challenging years in recent memory, but, no matter what may have transpired, it was a period in which a lot of great music was released.

Skillz’s 2016 Rap Up Reminds Us Of The Year’s Highs, Lows & Reasons To Stay Woke (Audio)

The year held something for everyone. Veterans like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and The LOX released their first albums in more than a decade, and showed they have grown without sacrificing their essence. Current leaders of the new school, like Chance The Rapper, Rapsody, Nick Grant and Vic Mensa continued their ascension, making it clear they intend to be around for the long haul. ScHoolboy Q released one of the finest Gangsta Rap albums in recent times, detailing the grit of street life, without glorifying it. While they didn’t release albums, Nas, Jay Z and Andre 3000 were very much present on the scene, through a number of killer guest appearances. And, in the year in which so-called “Mumble Rap” dominated the charts, sharp shooters like J. Cole, Pusha T, Elzhi and Royce 5’9″ showed that lyricism in Hip-Hop is alive and well

2016’s Boldest & Most Important Political Statements In Hip-Hop & Beyond

Here’s a playlist of some of the best songs of the year, and more. It is not limited to Hip-Hop. Artists like Solange and Kaytranada provided some of the finest sounds of the year. There are also a few songs from recent years, that still bang. The playlist will not be static. It will live and breathe on Spotify, with weekly updates, so, if you dig what you hear, follow it and expect much more great music to come.