Coloring Book

While some outlets may try to eschew Chance The Rapper from the top spot for this year's releases, doing so is either an attempt to be edgy or a complete ignorance of the facts. Top to bottom, Chance The Rapper delivered what is almost undeniably the year's best overall project three years removed from his last full-length solo success. Released on May 13, two weeks removed from the anniversary of 2013's Acid Rap, the project proved to be exactly what fans and critics alike had been looking forward to, offering a fresh perspective from the middle of the country, all comfortably packaged in a gospel and soul undertone. It continued to merge friends with big names as Noname and Saba popped up in the credits next to Lil Wayne, Future & 2 Chainz. While some may argue another album for the top spot, it's indisputable that Chance's Coloring Book has smashed records, opened new opportunities for a whole generation with it's inclusion in the Grammy Awards and seven nominations, and for all intents and purposes, proven to be the playbook for the next wave of artists emerging in his wake.

- Jake Krez