It’s hard to beat the 2016-18 era of music.
Think of songs such as Travis Scott’s hit “Sicko Mode” to The Weeknd’s “Starboy.” Both have amassed billions of streams, and then there are nostalgic soundtracks to movies like “Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse” and “Black Panther.”
For whatever reason, artists have struggled to consistently put out albums — let alone release bangers — as frequently as they did then. In recognition of that time, here are a few of our favorite albums.
Divide (÷) by Ed Sheeran
Divide was Sheeran’s third studio album, but in our opinion, it cemented his status as one of the greatest pop singers of his time, especially because his chart-topping single “Shape of You” became the second most played song of all time on Spotify. Sheeran’s catchy vocals and beats can be heard throughout in songs like “Castle on the Hill” and “Perfect.” Divide is by far one of the most successful albums in the last two decades because it keeps an overall theme of Sheeren’s life experiences and the track’s qualities are consistent. These songs have become regulars at proms and school dances.
Starboy by The Weeknd
From 2016 to 2018, The Weeknd had two hit albums, Starboy and My Dear Melancholy. He largely contributed to the skyrocketing popularity of R&B with the combination of his impressive vocals and dynamic range of beats. Tracks such as “Die For You,” “I Feel It Coming” and “Starboy” are purely nostalgic to listeners, as they were on repeat on radios throughout the late 2010s. The wide array of moods and emotions you feel when singing along to “I Feel It Coming” or listening to more somber tunes like “Die For You” also make this record one of our favorites. The Weeknd earned a Grammy for Best Progressive R&B Album” with the release of “Starboy,” a testament to his lasting impact on the genre.
Astroworld by Travis Scott
Scott’s third studio album Astroworld was one of the most popular albums of 2018 and one of the best of the 2010s, according to Rolling Stone. Astroworld, named after the closed Six Flags AstroWorld theme park in Scott’s hometown of Houston, was a monumental step in his career because of the strong singles such as “Sicko Mode” and “Butterfly Effect.” It’s a very fun listen, with constant energy throughout — very few songs are skips. What separates this album from others is the sheer volume of good tracks and features, with strong performances from Juice WRLD, Sheck Wes, Drake, 21 Savage and The Weeknd among several others. It is perfect for workouts or pre-game hype and absolutely a hip-hop essential.
DAMN by Kendrick Lamar
Lamar’s fourth studio album seamlessly bridged the gap between Lamar’s 2012 “good kid;” “m.A.A.d city,” a fiery re-telling of Kendrick’s upbringing and his 2015 release To Pimp a Butterfly, a conscious take on the world surrounding him and a commentary on the racial state of America. The record itself features a mix of styles ranging from hard-hitting trap on tracks like “DNA,” “Humble” and “XXX” to more pop-based songs like “Pride” and “Loyalty,” which features Rihanna.
It also has a one-of-a-kind characteristic: Its tracklist can be played backwards in addition to being played forward. The collector’s edition of DAMN was released in the backwards order as well, and Lamar himself confirmed that the album is meant to be played backwards. Listening to DAMN is a very interesting experience, as you listen to the words more than the actual track itself. Many of the songs have powerful messages you might not notice the first few times, as many concepts are portrayed in an abstract way. The main theme of DAMN is Lamar’s struggle between wickedness and weakness, with each version of the tracklist starting and ending with a different theme.
Scorpion by Drake
Drake’s albums Scorpion, More life and Views exploded into hip-hop essentials, with Drake’s flow and versatile instrumentals to accompany each piece. Songs such as “God’s Plan,” “One Dance” and “Hotline Bling” all have amassed billions of streams, each marking a definitive period in the evolution of hip-hop. “In My Feelings” is largely known because of a TikTok trend the song inspired. Because of Drake’s catchy beats and flow, we can’t help but play this album on repeat.
