Best Songs of 2018

After a year of plentiful and outstanding projects, 2018 ends its life cycle as one of music's better years. New talents emerged and fan favorite artists made their long-awaited returns all in the span of the 365 days. While we still have a little over three weeks left, it is about time to decide the "best ---- of the year." Kicking it off will be my list of the best tracks that released this year.

Honorable Mentions (In No Order): Mo Bamba, Drip Too Hard, Look Alive, Stir Fry, Better Now, CLOUT COBAIN | CLOUT CO13A1N, and ZEZE

10. "I Like It" by Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin

There's no doubt that Cardi B completely dominated this year with her music. Her name was all over the place and after the release of her first hit, "Bodak Yellow," things only seemed to get better for her. "I Like It" is her chef d'oeuvre. Sampling a boogaloo 1967 Pete Rodriguez track, Cardi stunts her new found lifestyle by bragging about all the things she loves to do. Bad Bunny and J Balvin complement the track perfectly and spice up the Latin theme of the track. With the help of this song, the 26 year old rapper proved to the world that she is the true rap queen of New York over Nicki Minaj

9. "Ghost Town" by Kanye West, Kid Cudi, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and 070 Shake

Considering this a rap song is a absolute stretch but hear me out. Sonically, this song is an absolute masterpiece. From the intense guitar rifts to the gospel organ keys, everything fits like puzzle pieces. Cudi's hook is stellar and is accompanied by nice verses from West and Shake. Kanye's singing is actually...good? It is not much but sometimes, less is more. Shake demonstrated why she is an up and coming prodigy to GOOD Music with her part about being free and numb to the pain around her. The best song of ye, it was a beautiful tease to West and Cudi's forthcoming collaborative album.

8. "Shoota" by Playboi Carti and Lil Uzi Vert

After his breakout hits "Magnolia" and "wokeuplikethis*,"Playboi Carti took on stardom. His latest project, Die Lit, turned a ton of heads, as many called it a trap masterpiece. If that's true, then "Shoota"is the poster boy of it. Uzi starts off the track reminiscing his life before fame, when he wore G-Shock watches and got passed on by girls. Now, he knows he's on top and Carti tag-teams this idea by boasting about his riches over such a bass-booming beat. What begins as a three key piano rift morphs into a hype instrumental that would have people raging, just as Carti wants them to.

7. "Praise the Lord (Da Shine)" by A$AP Rocky and Skepta

Three years after his beloved At. Long. Last. A$AP. album, Rocky resurfaced with a record all about testing new sounds, hence its name. Among the tracklist was "Praise the Lord," a song all about how the two rappers "praise the lord and break the law." The production is a funny recorder backed up by thick 808s, what could go wrong with that? While Rocky shines on the song, Skepta's skippy and choppy flow is the real attention grabber. It is easy to digest and yet so much is thrown at you in the verse's runtime. Overall, it is a great track off a great album.

6. "SAD!" by XXXTENTACION

Following the death of Jahseh Onfroy, known as XXXTENTACION, this song skyrocketed. While it was an entertaining track about depression and heartbreak, fans grasped it dearly after hearing the horrific news of the artist's demise. The song came alongside a music video of X fighting the older version of himself at his own funeral. This was just one of the boatload of details that sparked controversy around both the song and the artist. Even after his death, "SAD!" became his first #1 hit and held the spot for a solid amount of time. It was surely upsetting to see such a talent leave so early inn life, but thanks to his mother and management team, we won't have to wait too long until we hear another X project.

5. "This is America" by Childish Gambino

Donald Glover made his return to the music scene after about a two year hiatus and thankfully, it was a triumphant one. Lyrically, Glover's genius was barely exercised on the song but the message is over the top. The video depicts problems in our country from African-American struggles, mass shootings, and gun control in unique way. Gambino prances around a warehouse set while chaos unravels around him. Both the song and dance went viral and exposed the internet to a new Childish Gambino that they were not ready for.

4. "Mona Lisa" by Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar

Take two lyrical godsends, put them on the same eerie, echoey track, and you will have this beautiful creation. Wayne and Lamar paint the picture of how two different men tangled involve can result in either crime or suicide. Wayne's perspective of using a girl to steal riches is genius and cohesive and the way Lamar writes himself in is unpaired. Arguably the two best lyrical rappers alive, there's no way this song could not make the list.

3. "In My Feelings" by Drake

Be honest, we all said "Kiki, do you love me?" at least 20 times this year. Drake scored another global hit with this one and buddying up with Shiggy created a viral trend that took social media by storm. It was the perfect tune for any place, whether at a party, on a car ride, etc. It's a bouncy beat that has sharp claps, something Drake knows how to make hits with. Depending on who you ask, this could be the second best track off Scorpion to none other than...

2. "God's Plan" by Drake

Originally taken from the "Scary Hours" EP, Drizzy amassed an unfathomable feat with this single. The song is diamond certified, DIAMOND. It sold 10,000,000+ copies and is still thriving. This may be his best song ever and the effect it made on the community backs it up. Drake gave out money to families and college students in need of financial boosts while assuring them not to worry, that it's all a part of God's plan. If it's that good, what song could have topped it?

1. "SICKO MODE" by Travis Scott

Houston rage enthusiast Travis Scott took three completely unique acts of a song and crazy glued them together to make this banger. Out of the 5:13 runtime, there is not a single second that goes to waste. Each moment is so off-putting and captivating, it's like listening to a rap musical. It contains an uncredited feature from the artist in the last two spots of the ranking (you may have heard of him) and Swae Lee. There's just so much within this song that there's a little portion that could appeal to anyone. And don't even get me started on the way that Drizzy and La Flame trade mic's. "Like a light" is just something else. The production is great, the matter is fun, and I thoroughly envy anyone who has had the opportunity to see this performed live.