Bye 2017, Hello 2018

Here are some exciting records to get excited for, due early 2018...

Highlights from Part One, the 200 BEST songs of 2017. 200-101

From the 200-101 list on Boxing Day, Part Two coming New Years Day, 100 all the way down to the big ass number one. Here live from Bali are a few highlights from Boxing Day's list.

A lot of perfect beats for a perfect New Years, Happy New Year from Flashing off The Record..

My Hottest 100 VOTES!

Here they are!

yaeji - drink i'm sippin on

Vince Staples - Big Fish

SZA - Love Galore {Ft. Travis Scott}

Peking Duk & AlunaGeorge - Fake Magic

N.E.R.D. & Rihanna - Lemon

Mura Masa - Nuggets {Ft. Bonzai}

Lana Del Rey - Summer Bummer {Ft. A$AP Rocky/Playboi Carti}

Kendrick Lamar - LOVE. {Ft. ZACARI}

Baker Boy - Marryuna {Ft. Yirrmal}

BROCKHAMPTON - SWEET

Part One - The 200 BEST Songs of 2017 {200-101}

101 - Lorde - Liability

102 - Foo Fighters - The Sky Is A Neighbourhood

103 - Nick Murphy - Your Time {Prod. KAYTRANADA} 

104 - Basenji - Mistakes {Feat. Tkay Maidza}

105 - Alex The Astronaut - Not Worth Hiding

106 - Wolf Alice - Beautifully Unconventional 

107 - Vince Staples - Big Fish

108 - Tired Lion - Cinderella Dracula 

109 - Vallis Alps - Oceans

110 - Gang of Youths - Fear And Trembling 

111 - Drake - Signs

112 - Trophy Eyes - Hurt

113 - Mallrat - Better

114 - KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD - Nuclear Fusion

115 - The Rubens - Million Man 

116 - Seth Sentry - Play It Safe 

117 - Polaris - The Remedy

118 - Jay Z - The Story of OJ 

119 - Angus & Julia Stone - Snow

120 - Miguel - Told you So 

121 - Polish Club - Gimme Money 

122 - Lorde - Supercut

123 - The Preatures - Yanada

124 - Slotface - Galaxies

125 - Slotface - Magazine  

126 - Bishop Briggs - Wild Horses

127 - Bleeding Knees Club - Chew The Gum 

128 - Skeggs - Got On My Skateboard 

129 - Milky Chance - Doing Good 

130 - San Cisco - Hey, Did I Do You Wrong? 

131 - Amy Shark - Drive You Mad

132 - Alice Ivy - Get Me A Drink {Feat. E^ST/Charlie Threads} 

133 - Phoenix - Ti Amo

134 - Wafia - Bodies

135 - Duke Dumont & Gorgon City - Real Life {Feat. Naations} 

136 - George Maple - Hero

137 - Mura Musa - 1 Night {Feat. CharliXCX} 

138 - Beck - Up All Night 

139 - Pond - Paint Me Silver

140 - MGMT - Little Dark Age 

141 - The xx - I Dare You

142 - Vera Blue - Private

143 - Elk Road - Solid Gold (feat. Julia Stone)

144 - Haim - Right Now 

145 - Queens Of The Stone Age - The Evil Has Landed 

146 - The Kite String Tangle - The Prize {Ft. Bridgette Amofah}

147 - Stella Donnelly - Mechanical Bull

148 - Northlane - Citizen

149 - Super Cruel - November {Ft. Lisa Mitchell}  

150 - K.Flay - High Enough

151 - TCTS - Do It Like Me {Feat. Kelis/Sage The Gemini} 

152 - Banks - Underdog

153 - JOY. - Smoke too Much

154 - Miguel - Pineapple Skies

155 - Kelela - LMK

156 - Flight Facilities - Arty Boy {Feat. Emma Louise} 

157 - Post Malone - Congratulations {Feat. Quavo}

158 - PNAU - Into the Sky

159 - Kendrick Lamar - FEEL.

160 - David Guetta - Dirty Sexy Money {Feat. Charli XCX}

161 - Alison Wonderland - Happy Place 

162 - Post Malone - I Fall Apart

163 - Ruel - Don't Tell Me

164 - Bishop Briggs - The Way I Do

165 - Phoenix - J-Boy

166 - Beck - Dear Life 

167 - Arno Faraji  - TREE'X {Feat. TONTON}

168 - Maggie Rogers - Split Stones  

169 - Brockhampton - Boogie

170 - Tove Lo - Disco Tits

171 - Sia - Move Your Body

172 - Riton - Money {Feat. Kah-Lo/Mr Eazi/Davido}

173 - Vance Joy - Like Gold

174 - What so Not - Be Ok Again {eat. Daniel Johns}

175 - Martin Solveig - All Stars {Feat. Alma} 

176 - Nicole Millar - Blindfolded

177 - Kehlani - Keep On   

178 - Everything Everything - Can't Do 

179 - Kah-Lo - Fasta

180 - Gorillaz - Ascension {Feat. Vince Staples}  

181 - Willow Beats  - Special 

182 - Airling - Give Me All You Got 

183 - L D R U - To Be Free 

184 - Paces - Savage {Feat. NYNE} 

185 - PNAU - In My Head

186 - Courtney Barnett - How To Boil An Egg 

187 - A$AP Twelvyy  - Periodic Table

188 - SZA - Doves In The Wind {Feat. Kendrick Lamar}

189 - Tove Styrke - Say My Name

190 - yaeji - raingurl 

191 - Syd - All About Me 

192 - Maggie Rogers - On + Off 

193 - Lorde - Sober

194 - Dillion Francis - Say Less {Feat. G-Eazy} 

195 - George Maple - Kryptonite 

196 - K.Flay - Black Wave

197 - Travis Scott - Butterfly Effect

198 - Calvin Harris - Rollin {Feat. Future/Khalid}

199 - Vic Mensa - OMG {Feat. Pusha T} 

200 - MO - Nights With You

Album of the year for 2017 & the winner is......

Four records deep and Kendrick Lamar is completely, 100% on top of his game and 2017, was the year of Kendrick Lamar. Aside from Kendrick Lamar, the year belonged to Lorde (even making news headlines on Boxing Day) but there can only be one album of 2017 and this year it's DAMN.

Following the lyrical and production brilliance of 2015's To Pimp a Butterfly (in 2016 we got an untitled unmastered) we got HUMBLE late March 2017. What was to follow on April, 14th, 2017 was the multi award nominated fourth full length release from Kendrick DAMN.

The fourteen track masterpiece featured significant guests, huge singles and killer production. Lyrically Kendrick is the king, he also teased fans with The Heart Part Four which didn't make the record, and that track was dope, so if that was an off cut this albums standards were sky high.

Kendrick's DAMN. world tour is currently getting set to jet across to Europe after a successful North American run.

With HUMBLE, LOYALTY and LOVE killing it on the charts, the album has topped many end of year album lists including Billboard, The A.V. Club, Complex, The Irish Times, NPR, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Spin and a load more.

Kendrick's 2017 will be hard to match, however the talent this guy has is second to none. Move over Kanye, you have been replaced mate, Kendrick is the new supreme master of all things Urban and Hip Hop.

Well done, DAMN. is Flashing off the Record's Album of 2017. New Years Day my Anything but an Album of 2017 will be revealed, either Drake's playlist or L D R U's mixtape, so come on back then..

Merry Flashing Christmas

It's Christmas and we have all been driving, eating and spending some quality time with family, but before tomorrow's Album of the Year for 2017 unveiling I wanted to spend a second on some of the remaining classic 2017 releases.

First up tomorrow I will also list the first part in my 200 best songs of 2017, tomorrow I will post songs 200, through to 101.

It was a late release but N.E.R.D released a terrific album jam packed full of guests including album of the year nominated artist Kendrick Lamar. Rihanna also featured on the lead single Lemon which was a real return to form for the trio.

Halsey released a divine pop record as well titled Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. Featuring Bad at Love and the ear worm Now or Never, this was a fine released and Halsey will tour Australia alongside Kehlani.

Calvin Harris also released a delicious collection of dance tracks along with a brilliant array of guests. Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 hopefully followed by Vol. 2 has been one of Calvin's most brilliant collection of songs. Feels and Slide have been worldwide smash hits and cements Calvin Harris as one of the best dance music producers of recent times.

Khalid released a sublime record, American Teen and with the title suggesting he is one talented teenager. Young, Dumb and Broke was one of the biggest hits of 2017 and he has a supreme voice, he is definitely one to watch.

I cannot wait for Lana Del Rey to tour Australia in April, 2018 and bring here Lust for Life record to an arena near you. With guests like The Weeknd and more this album was sublime, Summer Bummer is easily one of the songs of 2017.

Mura Masa's self titled record was another dance-tastic release of 2017, Love$ick, 1 Night, Nuggets and What if I go are all jams that make the perfect party playlist, like Khalid this young producer is one to watch with a great eye for talent.

Kelela released a cracking hit a while back with Rewind and Take Me Apart was a sensational RnB/pop release, what a record, LMK star will tour with The xx and Earl Sweatshirt next month.

And finally maybe my favourite album of the last few months SZA, what a brilliant record, CTRL. Supermodel, Love Galore, Go Gina, the jams just don't stop. Featured on hit HBO show Insecure, SZA's music videos also slay. I love you SZA, she will also tour down under in 2018.

Male & Female Artists of 2017 - Summer Music Lists Special - Part Five

20. K.Flay
20. Sampha

19. Bishop Briggs
19. The Weeknd

18. Kelela
18. Post Malone

17. Anne-Marie
17. Dillion Francis

16. Julia Stone
16. Diplo

15. East
15. Jay Z

14. MO
14. 360

13. SZA
13. Nick Murphy

12. George Maple
12. Jax Jones

11. Sia
11. Vince Staples

10. Alex Lahey
10. Childish Gambino

9. Halsey
9. Baker Boy

8. Lana Del Rey
8. Vance Joy

7. Meg Mac
7. Calvin Harris

6. Charli XCX
6. Macklemore

5. Vera Blue
5. Dean Lewis

4. The ladies of HAIM
4. Khalid

3. Tash Saltana
3. Drake

2. Amy Shark
2. Nick Littlemore

1. Lorde
1. Kendrick Lamar

Saturday Spotlight: Albums of 2017

Four great albums dropped this year and on Tuesday I will reveal my favourite for 2017. Here is a quick look at the nominations.

Album of the Year REMIXED - PNAU, Changa

Album of the Year - PNAU {Changa} Feature

The fifth studio from Sydney's PNAU could be there biggest album to date. Chameleon was a monster smash released late 2016 and Go Bang almost released a whole year later has continued to be a dance floor sensation.

Complete dance records never used to be a full amazing body of work (of course there were some exceptions) just a collection of some singles and some fillers to make up the 12 tracks.

PNAU have recruited some delightful friends including Vera Blue and a revisit of their hit Baby for Changa.

PNAU join Lorde, Kendrick Lamar and Haim as Album of the Year for 2017 nominations, the winner is coming next Tuesday on Boxing Day...

Album of the Year REMIXED - Lorde, Melodrama

Album of the Year - Lorde {Melodrama} Feature

Green Light and Humble are two of the biggest songs of 2017, BY FAR! Perfect Places and Homemade Dynamite are also fairly damn fine and perfect examples of pop.

Lorde's 2013 debut was sublime and a massive success with Royals being one of the biggest pop songs of the past few years so it's no surprise Lorde managed to follow up with a bloody perfect second release.

After some features with the likes of Disclosure and a terrific soundtrack appearance on the Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One, Lorde is at the top of her game.

Melodrama is all killer with no fillers, Joel Little has done it again along with Lorde. Come back next Tuesday and see if Lorde is my Album of 2017...

Australian Rockers of 2017 - Summer Music Lists Special - Part Four

20. Grinspoon
19. Frenzal Rhomb
18. Skeggs
17. Tired Lion
16. Northlane
15. Ocean Grove
14. sleepmakeswaves
13. In Hearts Wake
12. Pond
11.Bad//Dreems
10. British India
9. Polaris
8.The Smith Street Band
7. Bleeding Knees Club
6. Polish Club
5. Dune Rats
4. Kingswood
3. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
2. Gang of Youths
1. Violent Soho

Saturday Spotlight: N.E.R.D

I said at the start of the month it was my final Sunday Spotlight for 2017, however I have one more spotlight for you, a Saturday Spotlight, it's time for N.E.R.D

In 2001 I feel in love with a track called Lap Dance, whilst I was already loving Pharrell William's production this was all filler no killer. The album dropped In Search of.... and it was pure gold. In 2006 Chad Hugo, Shay Haley and Pharrell were back with Fly or Die. A monster smash She Wants to Move was released and the boys got remixed by Basement Jaxx.

The crew had a break and finally gave us Seeing Sounds in 2008 before Nothing in 2010 which wasn't super successful. However now N.E.R.D have released one of their best singles in years Lemon, with Rihanna of all people.

The latest album they dropped on Friday features a shag of great guests including Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna (Yass Lemon), Future, Ed Sheeran, M.I.A and even Andre 3000.

I am excited to smash out the new 11 tracks on my speakers this weekend, so let's take this Saturday to celebrate one of my favourite groups from the 00's and the 2010's, is 2010's a thing? Fuck it, let's do the music...

Fresh Friday Countdown #96 - Friday 15 December 2017

20 - BTS - MIC DROP {Feat. Desiigner} (Steve Aoki Remix)
19 - Vance Joy - Lay it on Me
18 - Lorde - Homemade Dynamite (Remix) {Feat. Khalid, Post Malone & SZA}
17 - Charli XCX - Put of My Head {Feat. Tove Lo & ALMA}
16 - Kita Alexander - Hotel
15 - East - Life Goes On
14 - The Wombats - Turn
13 - Peking Duk - Let You Down {Feat. Icona Pop}
12 - N.E.R.D - Lemon {Feat. Rihanna}
11 - Eminem - River {Feat. Ed Sheeran}
10 - Eminem - Untouchable
9 - Lil Pump - Gucci Gang
8 - CamelPhat & Elderbrook - Cola
7 - Macklemore - Glorious {Feat. Skylar Grey}
6 - Khalid - Young Dumb & Broke
5 - David Guetta & Afrojack - Dirty Sexy Money {Feat. Charli XCX & French Montana}
4 - Portugal. the Man - Feel it Still

3 - PNAU - Go Bang
2 - Post Malone - I Fall Apart
1 - Marshmello - Silence {Feat. Khalid}

Album of the Year REMIXED - Kendrick Lamar - DAMN.

Album of the Year - Kendrick Lamar {DAMN.} Feature

Re-releasing his fourth studio album in April and re-releasing it with the track order in reverse Kendrick Lamar is a machine, he has toured the record in the USA and Canada and has easily had one of the singles of 2017, HUMBLE.

Featuring everyone from Rihanna to U2, this is an excellent release and features more gentle moments like Love (featuring Zacari) to brutal anger like DNA.

I loved this album, I still thrash it and have different tracks as my favourite from month to month. King Kendrick you have done it again, I can't wait to see where you will drop in this year's Hottest 100. You've got my votes BTW.

Album of the Year REMIXED - Haim, Something to Tell You

Album of the Year - Haim {Something to Tell You} Feature

In 2013 Haim released my favourite album of the year, Days Are Gone was sublime pop sunshine all over yo speakers, now Haim have Something to Tell You.

Four singles in, a world tour and the ladies of home are slaying, slaying HARD!

Looking at other folks end of year music lists, Want You Bad is ranking high, and on Boxing Day and New Years Day we will find out my 200 biggest songs of the past 12 months.

Something to Tell You is a killer album by three of the most fabulous women from LA. YASS Haim Queens, YASS!!!

Festival Acts of 2017/2018 - Summer Music Lists Special - Part Three

20. Winston Surfshirt
19. Justice
18. Phoenix
17. Peking Duk
16. Foster the People
15. Meg Mac
14. Alex Lahey
13. Dean Lewis
12. Amy Shark
11. George Maple
10. Flume
9. Kaytranada
8.Vince Staples
7. Mura Musa
6. Gang of Youths
5. SZA
4. Anderson Paak.
3. Tash Saltana
2. Beck
1. PNAU

Best EP's of 2017...

This week we have celebrated the best of Mixtapes and Playlists, well the two best. So along with Anything but An Album contenders I have focused a lot on EP's this year and here are some of the best.

Chet Faker changed his name, he is now Nick Murphy and Missing Link is the title of this sensational EP.

Released mid 2017 and featuring production by Kaytranada this five track EP cemented Nick/Chet's contribution to Australian music. Well done again Nick.

Bishop Briggs released a delightful EP earlier this year, toured and released a further single after this release, so fingers crossed an album is on the way in 2018.

Looking locally again Dean Lewis had a solid year with ARIA nominations and heaps of airplay, his EP. Waves has now sold been certified triple platinum (that is 210,000 purchasers, mostly online) and Need You Now and Lose My Mind have been huge favourites for local radio.

Amy Shark has had a huge 2017, she picked up a couple of ARIA awards and Adore continues to be a beast of a track making it stateside.

The QLD local, Shark (real name Amy Billings) has alongside Tash Sultana been one of this years biggest female artists. Ladies are really killing it right now in Australia, you go girls! Yass Queens!

Maggie Rogers also showed females are killing it in 2017 and Now That the Light is Fading was perfect pop. Alaska is a smashing track and even caught Pharrell Williams attention.

Next week we will start to look at this years biggest albums of the year. Tomorrow I will have a Summer music list focused on this seasons biggest festival acts.

This years Anything but An Album of the Year (Drake or L D R U) will be announced New Years Day and Boxing Day the Album of 2017 will be published right here, right now...

Fresh Friday Countdown #95 - Friday 8 December 2017

20 - The Wombats - Lemon to a Knife Fight
19 - The Presets - Do What You Want
18 - Lorde - Homemade Dynamite (Remix) {Feat. Khalid, Post Malone & SZA}
17 - Eminem - Untouchable
16 - BTS - MIC DROP {Feat. Desiigner} (Steve Aoki Remix)
15 - Vance Joy - Lay it on Me
14 - Kita Alexander - Hotel
13 - Jax Jones - Breathe {Feat. Ina Wroldsen}
12 - The Wombats - Turn
11 - N.E.R.D - Lemon {Feat. Rihanna}
10 - Lil Pump - Gucci Gang
9 - Peking Duk - Let You Down {Feat. Icona Pop}
8 - CamelPhat & Elderbrook - Cola
7 - Macklemore - Glorious {Feat. Skylar Grey}
6 - Khalid - Young Dumb & Broke
5 - PNAU - Go Bang
4 - Portugal. the Man - Feel it Still
3 - David Guetta & Afrojack - Dirty Sexy Money {Feat. Charli XCX & French Montana}
2 - Marshmello - Silence {Feat. Khalid}
1 - Post Malone - I Fall Apart

Anything BUT an Album of the Year - L D R U {Sizzler} Feature

Anything BUT an Album of the Year - Drake {More Life} Feature

Being released all the way back in March, 2017, Drake's playlist, More Life was the first announcement for the Anything but an Album of 2017.

With Fake Love being a hit in late 2016, I placed it at number 101 for the best 200 songs of 2016. Passionfruit soon followed once the playlist was released and was a radio hit single.

Free Smoke, Portland and Smoke all followed as singles and a pile of guests were featured from Sampha to Travis Scott and more.

This week I will feature both Anything but an Album of 2017 nominations with the announcement of the best on New Years Day morning.

But for now, it's time to celebrate Drake.

Hits of Spring 2017 - Summer Music Lists Special - Part Two

20 - Tash Sultana - Mystik

19 - PNAU - Go Bang 

18 - N.E.R.D - Lemon {Feat. Rihanna}

17 - Peking Duk - Fake Magic {Feat. AlunaGeorge} 

16 - Skrillex & Pooh Bear - Would You Ever

15 - Peking Duk - Let You Down {Feat. Icona Pop} 

14 - Angus & Julia Stone - Chateau

13 - Lorde - Green Light 

12 - Lorde - Homemade Dynamite (REMIX) {Feat. Khalid, Post Malone & SZA}

11 - Dean Lewis - Waves

10 - Kendrick Lamar - HUMBLE. 

9 - Post Malone - I Fall Apart

8 - Dean Lewis - Lose My Mind 

7 - French Montana - Unforgetable {Feat. Swae Lee}

6 - Calvin Harris - Feels {Feat. Pharrell Williams,Katy Perry & Big Sean}

5 - Marshmellow - Silence {Feat. Khalid}

4 - Vance Joy - Lay It on Me

3 - Portugal the Man - Feel it Still

2 - Khalid - Young Dumb & Broke

1 - Macklemore - Glorious {Feat. Skylar Grey}

2017 Grammy's Nominations | Predictions

Predictions (from selected categories) in red and bold, happy weekend dear readers:


Record of the Year

"Redbone" – Childish Gambino

"Despacito" – Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber

"The Story of O.J." – Jay-Z

"Humble" – Kendrick Lamar

"24K Magic" – Bruno Mars



Album of the Year

"Awaken, My Love!" – Childish Gambino

4:44 – Jay-Z

Damn – Kendrick Lamar

Melodrama – Lorde

24K Magic – Bruno Mars


Song of the Year

"Despacito"
Ramón Ayala, Justin Bieber, Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, Erika Ender, Luis Fonsi & Marty James Garton

"4:44"
Shawn Carter & Dion Wilson, songwriters (Jay-Z)

"Issues"
Benjamin Levin, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Julia Michaels & Justin Drew Tranter, songwriters (Julia Michaels)

"1-800-273-8255"
Alessia Caracciolo, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, Arjun Ivatury & Khalid Robinson, songwriters (Logic featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid)

"That's What I Like"
Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip, songwriters (Bruno Mars)


Best New Artist

Alessia Cara
Khalid
Lil Uzi Vert
Julia Michaels
SZA


Best Pop Solo Performance


"Love So Soft" – Kelly Clarkson
"Praying" – Kesha
"Million Reasons" – Lady Gaga
"What About Us" – Pink
"Shape of You" – Ed Sheeran


Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

"Something Just like This" – The Chainsmokers and Coldplay
"Despacito" – Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber
"Thunder" – Imagine Dragons
"Feel It Still" – Portugal. The Man
"Stay" – Zedd and Alessia Cara


Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

Nobody but Me (deluxe version) – Michael Bublé
Triplicate – Bob Dylan
In Full Swing – Seth MacFarlane
Wonderland – Sarah McLachlan
Tony Bennett Celebrates 90 – Dae Bennett, producer (various artists)


Best Pop Vocal Album

Kaleidoscope EP – Coldplay
Lust for Life – Lana Del Rey
Evolve – Imagine Dragons
Rainbow – Kesha
Joanne – Lady Gaga
÷ – Ed Sheeran



Best Dance Recording

"Bambro Koyo Ganda" – Bonobo featuring Innov Gnawa
Bonobo, producer; Bonobo, mixer

"Cola" – Camelphat & Elderbrook
Camelphat & Elderbrook, producers; Camelphat & Elderbrook, mixers

"Andromeda" – Gorillaz featuring DRAM
Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett, Remi Kabaka & Anthony Khan, producers; Stephen Sedgwick, mixer

"Tonite" – LCD Soundsystem
James Murphy, producer; James Murphy, mixer

"Line of Sight" – Odesza featuring WYNNE & Mansionair
Clayton Knight & Harrison Mills, producers; Eric J Dubowsky, mixer


Best Dance/Electronic Album

Migration – Bonobo
3-D The Catalogue – Kraftwerk
Mura Masa – Mura Masa
A Moment Apart – Odesza
What Now – Sylvan Esso


Best Rock Performance

"You Want It Darker" – Leonard Cohen
"The Promise" – Chris Cornell
"Run" – Foo Fighters
"No Good" – Kaleo
"Go to War" – Nothing More


Best Rock Song

"Atlas, Rise!" – Metallica
"Blood in the Cut" – K.Flay
"Go to War" – Nothing More
"Run" – Foo Fighters
"The Stage" – Avenged Sevenfold


Best Rock Album

Emperor of Sand – Mastodon
Hardwired... to Self-Destruct – Metallica
The Stories We Tell Ourselves – Nothing More
Villains – Queens of the Stone Age
A Deeper Understanding – The War on Drugs


Best Alternative Music Album

Everything Now – Arcade Fire
Humanz – Gorillaz
American Dream – LCD Soundsystem
Pure Comedy – Father John Misty
Sleep Well Beast – The National



Best R&B Performance

"Get You" – Daniel Caesar featuring Kali Uchis
"Distraction" – Kehlani
"High" – Ledisi
"That's What I Like" – Bruno Mars
"The Weekend" – SZA


Best Traditional R&B Performance

"Laugh and Move On" – The Baylor Project
"Redbone" – Childish Gambino
"What I'm Feelin'" – Anthony Hamilton featuring The Hamiltones
"All the Way" – Ledisi
"Still" – Mali Music



Best R&B Song

"First Began"
PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton)

"Location"
Alfredo Gonzalez, Olatunji Ige, Samuel David Jiminez, Christopher McClenney, Khalid Robinson & Joshua Scruggs, songwriters (Khalid)

"Redbone"
Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, songwriters (Childish Gambino)

"Supermodel"
Tyran Donaldson, Terrence Henderson, Greg Landfair Jr., Solana Rowe & Pharrell Williams, songwriters (SZA)

"That's What I Like"
Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip, songwriters (Bruno Mars)


Best Urban Contemporary Album

Free 6lack - 6lack
"Awaken, My Love!" - Childish Gambino
American Teen - Khalid
Ctrl - SZA
Starboy - The Weeknd


Best R&B Album

Freudian - Daniel Caesar
Let Love Rule - Ledisi
24K Magic - Bruno Mars
Gumbo - PJ Morton
Feel the Real - Musiq Soulchild



Best Rap Performance

"Bounce Back" – Big Sean
"Bodak Yellow" – Cardi B
"4:44" – Jay-Z
"Humble" – Kendrick Lamar
"Bad and Boujee" – Migos featuring Lil Uzi Vert


Best Rap/Sung Performance

"Prblms" – 6lack
"Crew" – GoldLink featuring Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy
"Family Feud" – Jay-Z featuring Beyoncé
"Loyalty" – Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna
"Love Galore" – SZA featuring Travis Scott

Best Rap Song

"Bodak Yellow"
Dieuson Octave, Klenord Raphael, Shaftizm, Jordan Thorpe, Washpoppin & J White, songwriters (Cardi B)

"Chase Me"
Judah Bauer, Brian Burton, Hector Delgado, Jaime Meline, Antwan Patton, Michael Render, Russell Simins & Jon Spencer, songwriters (Danger Mouse featuring Run The Jewels & Big Boi)

"Humble"
K. Duckworth, Asheton Hogan & M. Williams II, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar)

"Sassy"
M. Evans & E. Gabouer, songwriters (Rapsody)

"The Story of O.J."
Shawn Carter & Dion Wilson, songwriters (Jay-Z)

Best Rap Album

4:44 – Jay-Z
Damn – Kendrick Lamar
Culture – Migos
Laila's Wisdom – Rapsody
Flower Boy – Tyler, the Creator