Thanksgiving is here, and while we gather with our families to reflect on what we are thankful for this year, we here at HotNewHipHop can’t help but reminisce on the year thus far with gratitude. We’ve been spoiled with albums and mixtapes, as well as a healthy amount of "comebacks." As analysts of the genre, we’ve been overwhelmed with remarkable material from artists upcoming and legendary alike. As fans, our excitement has us feeling young again. It seems fitting to recount what exactly we’re thankful for in hip hop thus far in 2015. Let us know what artists, albums, or events you're most thankful for this year.
Dr. Dre Introducing New Artists
Only Dr. Dre can to have more buzz than ever, despite having seemingly retired from emceeing. In lieu of the theatrical release of the NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton, Dr. Dre ditched the greatest album that never was, Detox, for Compton: A Soundtrack. Working as a companion to the wildly successful film, Dre went out completing his album trilogy with a bang. However, he stayed relevant by partnering with the relaunched Apple Music and has since become a fixture, hosting The Pharmacy on Beats 1 Radio. Never using the show as a platform to fluff his own ego, Dre oftentimes uses his show as a forum for young emcees to get some spotlight. Kudos to you, Doc. That's why we appreciate you.
Nicki Minaj's Instagram Feed
Want updates on the most recent Nicki Minaj hairstyle? Interested in what Meek Mill and his girlfriend are up to on the day-to-day? Or maybe you’re like most followers, and are just in it for those sexy selfies. No matter what brings you to Minaj's Instagram feed, you’re thankful she consistently delivers. Out of all the people that have access to Minaj’s Instagram (so, everyone), Meek Mill should probably be the most thankful. After he was made to look like a straight goon by Drake earlier in the summer, it was Minaj’s feed that reminded us that Mill was still cool enough to be kicking it with one of the most sought-after ladies in the music industry.
808 Mafia's Siren
With Future dominating the airwaves, the infamous 808 Mafia Kill Bill siren sample is bound to follow suit and hog radio time, too. The popular soundbyte has found its way onto tracks with other emcees like Ty Dollar $ign, but we’re still enjoying the tip-of-the-cap to Tarantino while we can, because it’s not long before copycats start sampling it like crazy. There’s no better way to celebrate than the 88 Will Kill Bill Vol. 1 tribute mixtape by 808 Mafia’s own, TM88. Show your gratitude by giving it a spin in your Thanksgiving rotation. Thank you 808 Mafia for keeping the bangers coming every time we hear that siren go off.
Kendrick Lamar's Music Videos
Just when the absence of music videos on television had me thinking the medium was on its way out, Kendrick Lamar comes along and resurrects it with defibrillator like precision. “Alright” saw K-Dot as an idol where he tackled themes of race and police brutality, making the hook a perfect fit for a chant at protests ever since. That video’s aesthetic opposite came in the form of “For Free (Interlude),” which played like a Wes Anderson film, with multiple Kendrick’s exacting vengeance on a gold digger within the confines of a mansion. Lest we forget the most recent King Kunta video, "These Walls," which may be his most entertaining one yet.
As dope and diverse those were, Black Hippy definitely steals the show with “Vice City,” which is arguably the most hypnotically rewatchable music video in recent memory. Put these all together and you’ve got a hell of a way to kill a half hour.
Lil Wayne's "No Ceilings 2"
After the lukewarm reception to his free TIDAL release Free Weezy, Lil Wayne loyalists were clamoring for some new material to further Lil Wayne’s post-Cash-Money comeback. In between going to court over beef with Young Thug, Weezy was able to make promise for a sequel to No Ceilings to be dropped on Thanksgiving.
How could we not be thankful?
Future's Mixtape Run
Future has done a good job of keeping his name consistently in hip hop headlines. After dropping DS2 - the successful sequel to his breakout Dirty Sprite mixtape, it wasn’t long before he and Drake dropped What A Time To Be Alive. Those were just the commercial releases. Future gifted fans with 56 Nights and Beast Mode in 2015, while there's a rumor we may get yet another Future mixtape today. Needless to say, if you were a Future fan in 2015, you were spoiled.
New York Knicks fans especially should be thankful for Future’s run of mixtapes. Their rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis recently told ESPN radio Future is his favorite pre-game soundtrack. With his numbers impressing players, fans, and critics alike, Knicks fans are exclaiming “what a time to be alive!”
Young Thug's Unpredictability
From the Lil Wayne drama to his two mixtapes, this year has seen the hip hop world at its heels, awaiting the next time Young Thug pops up in the news. Between Barter 6 and Slime Season 1 and Slime Season 2, he’s delivered plenty of new tracks for fans to enjoy while they await HiTunes. We’ll see if he can cap off the year with a rumored appearance on Rihanna’s upcoming Anti.
Vince Staples' Twitter
If the critically acclaimed Summertime 06 wasn’t enough to prove that Vince Staples keeps it 100, his Twitter is all the evidence you’ll ever need. Unlike Meek Mill, Staples’ tweets seem calculated and are usually drop dead hilarious, or else extremely outspoken but truthful. We’re thankful for his dry humor, and his candidness, it’s a welcome addition to our Twitter feed.
Drake Memes
So far gone are the simple sad Drake memes of yesteryear, as this year has brought us a second wind of fantastic meme material relating to the 6 God. Whether it was born out of his newsworthy beef with Meek Mill or his polarizing Hotline Bling music video, the well never seems to dry. Just when I think I have had my fill of Drake memes, there’s another wave of them that tickles my funny bone.
Missy Elliott's Comeback
Missy Elliott was a hip hop fixture before battling health troubles and opting to lay low as a producer. Since her appearance alongside Katy Perry during the halftime show of the Super Bowl, her name is on the lips of the world once again. The drop of “WTF (Where They From)” has fans confident that Misdemeanor’s return is no fluke or cash grab-- Missy is back in full effect.