This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip-hop for the year 2016.
Events
January
- On January 20, Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) was arrested in South Africa for allegedly using an unrecognized World Passport, thus having lived there illegally since 2014. Bey then released his newest freestyle via Kanye West's website for West's GOOD Fridays series, announcing he would soon be retiring from music and films, following his album.
February
- In February 2016, Future became the fastest artist (less than seven months) to chart three number-one albums (DS2, What a Time to Be Alive and Evol) on the Billboard 200 since Glee soundtrack albums in 2010.
- On February 3, American Hip Hop DJ Big Kap who was part of New York city DJ Group The Flip Squad died due to a fatal heart attack at the age of 45.
- On February 22, T.I. announced he signed a distribution deal with Jay Z's Roc Nation company. T.I. also revealed he is one of the new co-owners of online streaming service, TIDAL.
March
April
May
- On May 11, French Montana previewed a single called "No Shopping" featuring Drake, which ignited a feud between the latter and Joe Budden
- On May 26, rapper Gucci Mane was released from prison after serving two years for possession of a fire arm by a convicted Felon. He was slated to be released in September this year. The same day that rapper Troy Ave was involved in a shooting at Irving Plaza during a T.I. concert that left three people injured, including Troy Ave, and one dead. Footage later revealed Ave accidentally shot himself in the leg, his bodyguard BSB Banga, and two other people. He was later arrested for his role in the incident.
June
- On June 13, Lil Wayne suffered multiple seizures on a flight, which forced an emergency landing in Omaha, Nebraska. He was released from hospital a day later, recovering and in stable condition.
- On June 13, the 2016 XXL Freshman Class was revealed, consisting of 21 Savage, Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak Black, Lil Yachty, Lil Dicky, Denzel Curry, G Herbo, Dave East, Desiigner, and Anderson .Paak.
- On June 30, Joe Budden released his first of many diss records aimed at Drake entitled Making A Murderer Part 1
July
August
September
October
- On October 4, Kid Cudi announced that he has checked into rehab for depression and suicidal urges.
- On October 22, Beyoncé and her sister Solange Knowles made history by being added to a very short list of siblings with #1 albums on Billboards 200 list in the same calendar year.
November
- On November 20, Kanye West was committed into UCLA Medical Center for paranoia and hallucinations after cancelling the remainder of his Saint Pablo tour. He would go on to be released from the hospital on November 30.
December
- On December 5, Big Syke was pronounced dead. He was believed to have passed by natural causes, although his autopsy has never been released to the public.
- On December 23, Paul Wall and Baby Bash were arrested for delivering and manufacturing a controlled substance in Houston, Texas.
Released albums
Highest-charting singles
Highest first-week consumption
All critically reviewed albums Ranked
Metacritic
AnyDecentMusic?
See also
References