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The 60 Best Songs of 2018

The year in song reflected the state of the world around us. Here are the 60 songs that spoke to us this year.

Recent
Music

Say It Loud! 100 Great Protest Songs: Part 5 - Bright Eyes to Childish Gambino

PopMatters has scoured the musical spectrum for the best examples of the protest song form, including anthems of great popularity and obscurity alike. Our list concludes today with the most recent examples of important protest music.

Film

'Black Panther' Is Its Own Kind of Animal

Marvel Studios scores another major success, and taps the zeitgeist, by allowing Ryan Coogler free reign to make the most thoughtful, socially conscious superhero film to date.

Music

Wokeness, Out of Focus: The 60th Annual Grammy Awards

It was a year of truly progressive nominees. It was a year of confrontational, powerful performances. It could've been an all-timer -- and then the Grammys went horribly, painfully wrong.

Evan Sawdey
Music

The Best Hip-Hop of 2017

The hip-hop story is more exciting to follow than a lot of primetime TV as it changes and adapts, telling stories of so-called "minorities". These are the ten albums that we think tell the biggest stories of 2017's hip-hop scene.

Music

Kendrick Lamar - "LOYALTY." ft. Rihanna (Singles Going Steady)

Standing on a funky foundation, the beats are intoxicating and the chemistry between Lamar and his co-star, Rihanna, take this to another level.

Music

SZA: CTRL

SZA's first solo album is a confessional look at her psyche through previous relationships. Bolstered by powerful production its as resonant and sure-footed of an R&B debut as any this year.

Music

Kendrick Lamar - "HUMBLE." (Singles Going Steady)

Typically for a Kendrick Lamar single, there's plenty to chew on here...

Music

J. Cole: 4 Your Eyez Only

A deeply personal album 4 Your Eyez Only represents J. Cole's most mature and cohesive record to date.

Music

The Good and Bad of ACL 2016 Weekend Two

No music festival is perfect, but with its stacked lineup and orderly schedule Austin City Limits Festival 2016 is a success in all the important ways.

Music

Isaiah Rashad: The Sun's Tirade

Isaiah Rashad doesn't go out of his way to prove his transcendent talent on The Sun's Tirade, but it's undeniable by the album's conclusion.

Music

Artists and Audience Rally International Support Around Social Causes for Global Citizen Festival

Relive highlights of the 2016 Global Citizen Festival including songs Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Metallica and Chris Martin & Eddie Vedder.

Music

Austin City Limits 2016 Weekend 2: Saturday

Kendrick Lamar gives a towering headlining performance on Saturday night, and the electronic sibling duo Tennyson is our pick for the sleeper favorite of the festival.

Music

Mac Miller: The Divine Feminine

When you can't rap or sing, but you want to declare your love to your new woman, you might as well do it through groove.

Music

Panorama Offers Social Commentary From Kendrick Lamar and New Songs From the National

Stellar sets from the Julie Ruin, Foals, Kendrick Lamar, the National and more made for an exciting second day of the inaugural Panorama Music Festival.

Music

BJ the Chicago Kid - "The New Cupid" feat. Kendrick Lamar

Just to prove it's 2016, Kendrick Lamar pops in, and it's an unforced appearance, not exploitative in the least. A funky, sexy, eclectic single.

Music

The 58th Grammy Awards: Authenticity Is the Hardest Thing to Fake

Amidst the numerous deaths of pop music icons, we thought the Grammys might do something soulful this year. Lamar and Howard, at least, gave us what we needed.

Music

Grammys 2016: 10 Essential Artists Who Helped Kendrick Lamar Shape 'To Pimp a Butterfly'

The To Pimp a Butterfly production credits illustrate its communal spirit.

Randall Roberts
Television

Guessing the Grammys 2016: Expect Weirdness

Speculating on the nominees' odds in a dozen big categories.

Music

Dr. Dre: Compton (take 2)

After 15 years of largely playing mentor to developing artists, Dr. Dre makes a triumphant 11th hour solo return.

Music

Dr. Dre: Compton

A rapper/producer that started in the '80s raps and produces a surprisingly good album three decades later.

Music

Kendrick Lamar - "For Free? (Interlude)" (video)

Kendrick Lamar has released a new video from the lauded To Pimp a Butterfly and it has sparked a lively conversation.

Music

Them Changes: A Conversation with Thundercat

He's the go-to bass mastermind who's anchored already-iconic albums by Kendrick Lamar and Kamasi Washington. For his latest mini-album, Thundercat gets both sad and weird, taking us on a true emotional journey.

Media

When Kendrick Lamar Hits NPR, We All Win

When everyone feels they can be an expert, how do you reassert your ownership over a topic? By waiting for its crossover moment.

Music

Ab-Soul: These Days...

Ab-Soul's follow-up to Control System sees him forgetting all quality control.

Music

Counterbalance: Kendrick Lamar's 'Good Kid M.A.A.D. City'

I can feel this week's album's energy from two planets away. I got my drink, I got my music, I will share it, but today I'm yelling. Yelling about a 2012 hip-hop breakthrough and the subject of this week's Counterbalance, that is.

Music

Ranking the Performances: The 56th Annual Grammy Awards

Was music’s biggest night worth staying up all night for? Read on to find out.

Music

Guessing the 2014 Grammys

Predictions and behind-the-scenes info on who will win the 2014 Grammys in ten major categories.

Music

Drake: Nothing Was the Same (Take 1)

The problem with Drake, and a major flaw of Nothing Was the Same, is Aubrey Graham's continued failure to be convincing in his chosen role.

Music

In Defense of Music Festival Fatigue

It's time to question how relevant these large gatherings are as the multi-band concert industry continues to expand to obnoxious heights.

Reviews

Sweetlife Festival: 11 May 2013 - Washington DC

Washington, DC’s Sweetlife Festival does things a bit differently. And that is a very good thing.

Corey Beasley
Reviews

BUKU Music and Art Project: 8-9 March 2013 - New Orleans

With a diverse lineup, BUKU intended to incorporate the post-industrial vibe as well as the garish festivity of Mardi Gras World, which it pulled off with varying degrees of success.

Music

Dido: Girl Who Got Away

Returning with her fourth album after a four-and-a-half-year absence, Dido fails to make good on her promises to reinvent her sound.

Music

Emeli Sandé - "Next to Me" (Kendrick Lamar Remix) (video)

OK, this is a hot one. Critically acclaimed young rapper Kendrick Lamar remixes Emeli Sandé's "Next to Me", which was one of 2012's most addictive songs. Lamar's verse introduces the tune and Brit Award winner Sandé takes it from there.

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