Readers' Choice: Best New Artists of 2016
After revealing your picks for the Best Albums of 2016, today we present the Readers’ Choice results for Best New Artist. From the sticky-sweet sounds of D.R.A.M. to the street swagger of Young M.A., it was a big year for breakout acts, who commanded the spotlight.
Still hot off the release of his debut album I Told You, Tory Lanez reigns at No. 1 on our Readers’ Choice poll. Following the success of “Say It” last year, the Toronto singer-rapper scored his biggest hit yet with “Luv.” In between, he toured with A$AP Ferg and exchanged some words with fellow Canadian Drake, which didn’t stop him from earning his first Grammy nomination.
Anderson .Paak caps off an epic 2016. After signing to Aftermath earlier in the year, the L.A. singer-songwriter dropped his critically-acclaimed album Malibu and toured the world, closing out the year with Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Urban Contemporary Album.
It’s no surprise to see Desiigner in the top 3. G.O.O.D. Music’s youngest signee had everyone singing along to his ubiquitous hit, which topped the Billboard Hot 100, setting the stage for his highly-anticipated debut in 2017.
From 21 Savage to Lil Yachty, see the rest of the top 10 below and check out Rap-Up’s editors’ picks here.
Rap-Up Readers’ Choice: Best New Artists of 2016
1. Tory Lanez
2. Anderson .Paak
3. Desiigner
4. 21 Savage
5. Alessia Cara
6. Lil Uzi Vert
7. dvsn
8. Young M.A.
9. Lil Yachty
10. D.R.A.M.