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 On March 4, rapper Bankroll Fresh was shot and killed in Atlanta, Georgia. On March 22, rapper Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest died from complications due to diabetes.
April On April 23, Beyonce released her second visual album Lemonade on HBO.
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 On July 17, Kim Kardashian used Snapchat to expose Taylor Swift over the use of her name in the song "Famous" by Kanye West.
August On August 11, Young Buck was sentenced to seven months in prison for violating terms of his release and probation. On August 17, YG inked a multi-million-dollar deal with Interscope Records for his newly founded label 4Hunnid Records. On August 28, Teyana Taylor danced and starred in the video for "Fade" off Kanye West's The Life of Pablo album.
September On September 7, Kanye West announced that he had signed Tyga and Migos to GOOD Music. Though it was later noted that Migos' deal with GOOD Music is only a management deal, not a recording contract. On September 16, The Game released his first of many diss records aimed at Meek Mill. On September 21, Shawty Lo was killed in a single-car accident in Fulton County, Georgia. On September 30, Solange Knowles released A Seat at The Table featuring artists like Q-Tip, The-Dream, and Lil Wayne. This also marked the first #1 album of her career.
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 Release date Artist(s) Album Record label(s) NotesJanuary 1Boosie BadazzIn My Feelings. (Goin' Thru It)Lil Boosie MusicDebuted at No. 105 on the Billboard 200January 15Anderson .PaakMalibuSteel Wool, OBE, Art Club, Empire DistributionDebuted at No. 79 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "The Season / Carry Me", "Am I Wrong", "Room in Here", "Come Down"Blaze Ya Dead HomieThe Casket FactoryMajik Ninja EntertainmentDebuted at No. 89 on the Billboard 200Daz Dillinger & Snoop DoggCuzznzFelder EntertainmentToraeEntitledInternal Affairs EntertainmentSingles: "Saturday Night"January 29BeneficenceBasement ChemistryIll Adrenaline RecordsSingles: "Digital Warfare"Kevin GatesIslahBread Winners' AssociationDebuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Kno One", "La Familia", "The Truth", "Really Really", "2 Phones", "Jam"PeeWee LongwayMr. Blue BenjaminMPA BandcampDebuted at No. 39 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop AlbumsSaul WilliamsMartyrLoserKingFader Label Debuted at No. 37 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop AlbumsFebruary 5Boosie BadazzOut My Feelings (In My Past)Lil Boosie MusicDebuted at No. 57 on the Billboard 200Dizzy WrightWisdom and Good VibesDizzy WrightDebuted at No. 24 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop AlbumsTrae tha TruthTha Truth, Pt. 2ABN Entertainment, Hustle Gang, Empire DistributionDebuted at No. 30 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Singles: "Takers", "All Good", "Slugs"Wiz KhalifaKhalifaTaylor Gang Records, Atlantic Records, Rostrum RecordsDebuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Bake Sale"Young ThugI'm Up300 Entertainment, Atlantic RecordsDebuted at No. 22 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "F Cancer", "For My People"February 6FutureEvolA1, Freebandz, Epic RecordsDebuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Low Life", "Wicked"February 12Statik Selektah & KXNG CrookedStatik KXNGShowoff Records, Penalty EntertainmentSingles: "Dead or in Jail"February 13Kaliber 44Ułamek tarciaMystic ProductionDebuted at No. 1 on the Polish charts Certified Gold in PolandFebruary 14Kanye WestThe Life of PabloGOOD Music, Def Jam RecordingsDebuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Famous", "Father Stretch My Hands", "Fade"February 18AgallahBo: The Legend of the Water DragonPropain CampaignFebruary 19Brotha Lynch HungBullet MakerMadeSicc MuziccHilltop HoodsDrinking from the Sun, Walking Under Stars RestrungGolden Era RecordsDebuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums Singles: "Higher", "1955"Yo GottiThe Art of HustleCMG, Epic RecordsDebuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Down in the DM"Young DolphKing of MemphisPaper Route EmpireDebuted at No. 49 on the Billboard 200February 25Yung LeanWarlordYEAR0001February 26Macklemore & Ryan LewisThis Unruly Mess I've MadeMacklemore LLCDebuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Downtown", "White Privilege II"O.S.T.R.Życie po śmierciAsfalt RecordsDebuted at No. 1 on the Polish charts Certified Platinum in PolandPhilthy RichReal Niggas Back in StyleEmpire Distribution, SCMMLLCSingles: "Make a Living"Rome FortuneJerome Raheem FortuneFool's Gold RecordsSingles: "Dance"March 42 ChainzColleGroveDef Jam RecordingsDebuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200BasToo High to RiotDreamville Records, Interscope RecordsDebuted at No. 49 on the Billboard 200KanoMade in the ManorParlophone, Bigger Picture MusicDebuted at No. 8 on the UK Albums ChartKendrick LamarUntitled UnmasteredTop Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope RecordsDebuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Untitled 07 levitate"Smoke DZAHe Has RisenSRFSCHLMarch 9Lil YachtyLil BoatQuality Control Music, Capitol Records, Motown Debuted at No. 106 on the Billboard 200 Singles : "One Night", "Minnesota"March 11Flatbush Zombies3001: A Laced OdysseyGlorious Dead RecordingsDebuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Bounce", "This Is It"Westside GunnFLYGODGriselda RecordsMarch 15Joell OrtizThat's Hip HopThat's Hip Hop LLCMarch 16Boosie BadazzThug TalkLil Boosie MusicDebuted at No. 130 on the Billboard 200March 18ILoveMakonnenDrink More Water 6Warner BrosMarch 25Domo GenesisGenesisOdd Future RecordsDebuted at No. 110 on the Billboard 200ElzhiLead PoisonGLOW365LLCN.O.R.E.Drunk UncleMilitainment BusinessOpen Mike Eagle & Paul WhiteHella Personal Film FestivalMello Music GroupPlanet Asia & DJ ConceptSeventy NineCoalmine RecordsYoung ThugSlime Season 3300 Entertainment, Atlantic RecordsApril 1Big Sean & Jhené AikoTwenty88GOOD Music, Artium Recordings, Def Jam RecordingsDebuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Selfish"April 4Black Milk & Nat TurnerThe Rebellion SessionsComputer Ugly RecordsApril 7FatherI'm A Piece of ShitAwful RecordsApril 8Krizz KalikoGOStrange MusicDebuted at No. 89 on the Billboard 200Lex "The Hex" MasterThe Black SeasonMajik Ninja EntertainmentSir Michael RocksPart 26 Cell PhonesApril 15Boosie Badazz & C-MurderPenitentiary ChancesTRU Records, RBC RecordsDebuted at No. 172 on the Billboard 200J DillaThe DiaryPay Jay Productions, Inc., Mass Appeal RecordsDebuted at No. 77 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Fuck the Police", "The Anthem", "Diamonds", "Give Them What They Want", "The Introduction", "Gangsta Boogie"Mr. LifDon't Look DownMello Music GroupRoyce da 5'9"LayersBad Half EntertainmentDebuted at No. 22 on the Billboard 200Lil Uzi VertLil Uzi Vert vs. The WorldAtlantic, Generation Now• Debuted at No. 37 on the Billboard 200April 22ASAP FergAlways Strive and ProsperASAP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music, RCA RecordsDebuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "New Level"Bankroll MafiaBankroll MafiaBankroll Mafia, Empire DistributionSingles: "Bankrolls on Deck", "Out My Face"April 25Young Noble of The Outlawz & Deuce Deuce of Concrete MobThe CodeConcrete Enterprises, Outlaw RecordzApril 29Aesop RockThe Impossible KidRhymesayers EntertainmentDebuted at No. 30 on the Billboard 200Chuck Inglish & Blended BabiesEv ZeppelinBBMGDrakeViewsYoung Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, Republic RecordsDebuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Hotline Bling", "One Dance", "Pop Style", "Too Good"FreewayFree WillBabygrande RecordsStevie Joe & MozzyExtracurricular ActivitiesGreen Carpet, Stevie Joe, Livewire, Rapbay, Urbanlife DistributionMay 6Death GripsBottomless PitThird Worlds, Harvest RecordsHomeboy SandmanKindness for WeaknessStones Throw RecordsRittzTop of the LineStrange MusicDebuted at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Ghost Story", "Propane", "Inside of the Groove"SkeptaKonnichiwaBoy Better KnowDebuted at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart Debuted at No. 160 on the Billboard 200Yoni & GetiTestarossaJoyful Noise RecordingsMay 11Boosie BadazzBleek Mode (Thug in Peace Lil Bleek)Lil Boosie MusicMay 13Masta AceThe Falling Seasonhhv.deChance the RapperColoring BookSelf-released Debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Angels", "No Problem", "Summer Friends"May 20Havoc & The AlchemistThe Silent PartnerBabygrande RecordsWebbieSavage Life VTrill EntertainmentDebuted at No. 153 on the Billboard 200 Zodiac MPrint (Blaze Ya Dead Homie & The R.O.C.) Ride the Stars Majik Ninja EntertainmentMay 27Kevin GatesMurder for Hire 2Bread Winners' Association, Atlantic RecordsMistah F.A.B.Son of a Pimp Part 2Faeva Afta, Empire DistributionDebuted at No. 24 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop AlbumsJune 3Craig GI Rap and Go HomeSoulspazm, Inc.Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa & TM88TGOD Mafia: Rude AwakeningAtlantic Records, Columbia Records, Empire DistributionDebuted at No. 26 on the Billboard 200