Dec. 11--Kendrick Lamar, "To Pimp a Butterfly" (TDE): Pulling from free jazz, Parliament-Funkadelic era funk, slam poetry and live instrumentation helped Lamar craft the year's toughest listen. "To Pimp a Butterfly" spoke directly to black America and provided the necessary soundtrack in the age of #BlackLivesMatter.
Kehlani, "You Should Be Here" (self release): The year's finest R album came from a largely unknown 20-year-old. Self-assured tales of romantic yearning and heartbreak are woven over refreshingly bright productions reminiscent of early 2000s neo-soul. Kehlani's versatility is astounding as she flips among being earnest, hopelessly optimistic, lustful and inspirational.
Janet Jackson, "Unbreakable" (Rhythm Nation): With her comeback album, Jackson focused on connecting her groundbreaking past to a present that's still deeply affected by her influence. "Unbreakable," her first album in seven years, took the fusion of R, funk, disco and rock that drove her early discography and added a more mature spin -- without chasing the trends of current pop.
Dawn Richard, "Blackheart" (Our Dawn): "Blackheart" saw Richard set fire to genre boundaries. Freewheeling narratives of loss, redemption and triumph are funneled through Greek mythology, sci-fi and trippy experimental polyrhythms. "Blackheart" is the year's strangest listen -- singular, exhausting and addicting.
Jazmine Sullivan, "Reality Show" (RCA): Using the drink-throwing, backstabbing betrayal of trashy reality shows as inspiration, Sullivan crafted a witty character study with her third album. The beats are heavier, but her sumptuous vocals about vanity, pain and self-love never sounded so sweet.
The Weeknd, "Beauty Behind the Madness" (Republic): His "Beauty Behind the Madness" straddled the hazy, drug-and-sex-fueled alternative R that made him an Internet sensation with expertly crafted pop tunes. It's dark, sexy hedonism without regret or consequences.
Fifth Harmony, "Reflection" (Epic): Not since Destiny's Child retired its stilettos has a girl group come close to mattering in pop music. Despite its manufactured start, Fifth Harmony beat the odds and released a smartly produced album. Loaded with dance anthems and R grooves, the album delivered sass and carefree effervescence in equal parts.
Shamir, "Ratchet" (XL): The 20-year-old Las Vegas singer with a countertenor that could pierce a cloud put out one of the year's most vibrant debuts. Between his soulful approach to sweaty disco-house sonics and the youthful vigor of his lyrics, "Ratchet" is a pure delight.
Ty Dolla Sign, "Free TC" (Atlantic): Hip-hop's favorite hooksmith took the blend of R and "ratchet" rap that made him a mixtape sensation and expanded it with stripped-down acoustics and sticky pop beats. The lyrics are brazen (raunchy, even), but his sandpaper rasp is intoxicating.
Drake, "If You're Reading This It's Too Late" (Young Money): Drake's surprise mixtape isn't about big ideas and concepts. Instead, he opted for mood. The beats are murky and hypnotic. There are plenty of seductive hooks, but his usual vulnerability took a back seat to assured raps showing he's well aware that he's at the top of his game.
