10 Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2016 (So Far)

9. Future - "EVOL"

Kanye West The Life Of Pablo
A1/Freebandz/Epic

Purists will sneer, but “EVOL” is the latest in a long line of quality releases from the godfather of Codeine-soaked mumble-rap. His eighth full-length project since 2014, “EVOL” isn’t as attention-grabbing or consistent as his 2014-15 output, but it still provides 11 tracks of gloriously melodic turn-up music.

The Atlanta rapper spends these 40 minutes wallowing in hedonism and flowing effortlessly over bassy production, delivering drugged-out tales of excess with his trademark slurry delivery.

This isn’t a thinker’s album. You’re not gonna throw this on and spend endless hours deciphering complex metaphors and ruminating on the true meaning of Future’s lyrics. This journey through Future’s addictions is laced with pain and regret, and it’s not just braggadocio for braggadocio’s sake, but “EVOL” is all about the aesthetics.

A perfect soundtrack for the kind of vice-fuelled nights that end with an existential crisis outside a kebab shop at 4am.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.