The Genius Community’s 50 Best Songs of 2017 | Genius

The Genius Community’s 50 Best Songs of 2017


2017 will likely be remembered as the year streaming coalesced as the dominant form of music consumption. Streaming brought two things to the forefront with it, the importance of playlists and the true popularity of rap. In other words, 2017 was another banner year for hip-hop but also genre-bending songs—this list is a reflection of that. Our list has a little bit of everything from viral stars like YBN Nahmir and Rich Chigga, to superstars like JAY-Z and Kendrick Lamar, to artists who refuse to be boxed in like Lil Peep and Vince Staples. That’s not to say our list is entirely rap—there’s still great contributions from Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Harry Styles, and more.
With that in mind, some of our most dedicated and knowledgeable music lovers came together to rank and review the most compelling songs of the year. Contributors voted on an initial poll, spent weeks discussing revisions and replacements, and elected to write about their favorite songs. Here are the Genius Community’s 50 Best Songs of 2017.
[Editor’s Note—The Genius list accounts for songs released between Dec. 2016 and Dec. 4, 2017. Songs released after Dec. 4, 2017 do not qualify for this year’s list and will be considered next year.]



Say what you will about Lil Pump’s lyrical complexity, but the man knows how to have a good time, and megahit “Gucci Gang” is perhaps the best example. Pump’s signature charismatic, carefree flow over a banging trap beats formula pays off here in full. Frequent collaborators Gnealz and Big Head handle the production, providing Pump with booming drums and a hazy piano melody. Although the song has received criticism for what some call simple and repetitive lyrics, Pump’s goal isn’t to wow you with lyrical acrobatics, it’s to get you lit, and he hits his target here. — @jDex




The astronomical buzz of “Rubbin Off The Paint” catapulted Alabama native YBN Nahmir into the spotlight this year. Nahmir, who got his start in the Grand Theft Auto V community, had been uploading music to SoundCloud since September 2016. But it wasn’t until the music video for “Rubbin Off The Paint” went viral that people started wondering who this tough-talking, gun-toting 17-year-old was. Tay-K comparisons and a misinterpreted Tay-K diss only contributed to the song’s popularity, and even though Nahmir faced legal issues in reclaiming the song’s rights, the video’s 60 million+ view count speaks for itself. With “Rubbin Off The Paint,” YBN Nahmir became one of the most promising personalities to emerge from the recent crop of wildly successful teen MCs. — Colby Handy




In 2016, Rich Chigga was a half-serious, fanny pack-wearing memer with “Dat $tick.” But he started taking music seriously in 2017, particularly on “Glow Like Dat.” The song sees him ditch the hard-hitting, violent lyrical themes that originally brought him fame, and replace them with a cheeky story of youthful infatuation inspired by his own long distance relationship. Even though Rich Chigga is still only half-serious, it’s the instrumental that truly ushers in the shift in mood, combining a glitzy, melancholy melody with a more reserved version of his usual heaving bass hits and trappy hi-hats. With the colorful music video earning him half as many views as the viral “Dat $tick” video in a fraction of the time, it’s a formula that’s clearly working. — @SLR





“RAF” is a manifestation of the relationship between hip-hop and fashion, and who better to bring that to life than A$AP Rocky and Raf Simons. Quavo and Lil Uzi Vert perform their verses with signature triplet flows over a sparse, flute-driven trap beat while Frank Ocean delivers a rare rap verse to finish the track. Since Frank was involved, naturally two versions were made, but the message remains the same: “please don’t touch my Raf.” — @jonredwood




Selena Gomez' “Fetish” spins the title’s usual definition into a non-sexual need for her love and attention. Talking about the song’s darker video with the director, Petra Collins, Selena said, “I made it very clear to you that I didn’t see ‘Fetish’ how most people know the word at face value. When most people hear the word ‘Fetish,’ they think of S&M and all that sexual shit.” Her verses deliver an almost dazed-sounding flow over minimal instrumentation, but the production kicks in during the choruses where Jonas Jeberg and The Futuristics came together to create a smooth and sensual blend of R&B and electronic elements. Gucci Mane hopped on the third verse to play counterpoint to Selena and slyly work in a reference to his fiancée, Keyshia Ka'oir. But it’s really the immaculate mixing that’s the star of the show here, which helped make for one of the summer’s most inescapable pop hits. — @killersnowtiger




While “emo-rap” has been used to describe artists like Kid Cudi or Atmosphere, Lil Peep takes the style to another level. Combining Lil Peep’s emotional singing that emo-rock greats would be proud of and Lil Tracy’s melodic but more traditionally hip-hop verse, “Awful Things” transcends both genres, combining emotive guitar strumming with the trappiest of hi-hats. “Burn me down ‘til I’m nothin’ but memories” sings Peep on the first verse. Unfortunately, those words are now prophetic. But as a great rock star once wrote in his suicide note ,“Remember, it’s better to burn out than to fade away.” — Max Hinrichs




“SWAMP” exemplifies everything that Internet boyband BROCKHAMPTON is known for: unique production, versatile flows, memorable lyrics, and catchy hooks. The song opens with a braggadocious hook sung by Kevin Abstract and Matt Champion, followed by verses from other members, each with their own distinct styles. Accompanied by a chaotic and child-like music video, “SWAMP” is the BROCKHAMPTON song that captures the group’s distinctive sonic palette and elucidates the group’s diverse and charismatic cast of characters. — Max Hinrichs




For seven years, a distinctly N.E.R.D.-sized hole has plagued the music scene. Following a surprise guerilla marketing campaign in October, the pop-funk-rap-rock outfit released “Lemon” as their triumphant return. It features obtusely sociopolitical lyrics, hinting at a ‘woke’ version of the band, as well as a rare Rihanna rap verse. Despite being a bonafide bop, it divided fans and critics. However, N.E.R.D. has always been a platform for uncompromising musical experimentation more than pleasing crowds. It’s good to have them back to make pop music weird again. — Kevin Loo





“New Rules” is a musical extension and a thematic departure from Dua Lipa’s earlier hit “Blow Your Mind (Mwah).” At its heart an enumerated list of romantic “don’t dos”, “New Rules” is tropical electropop magic, a masterclass on the transfusion of dancehall into the mainstream. The magnetic track was accompanied by a viral music video that has garnered more than 700 million views, depicting Lipa and a gaggle of girlfriends empowering each other to resist temptation. We have one more rule to tag onto Dua Lipa’s list: don’t sleep on her in the coming years. — @sereinik




Even when Kelela brings us back to the ‘90s, she’s a forward thinker. Backed by frequent collaborator Jam City and labelmate kwes., “LMK” is the woozy and rich lead single to her debut album Take Me Apart, with club oriented visuals that wouldn’t look out of place in TLC’s videography. Although “LMK” is a deeply infectious track, Kelela ensures us that “it ain’t that deep”, hoping to empower women by being upfront about her casual relationships. — @Aenex




An entirely unexpected yet even more welcomed style twist from Marshmello’s typical dirty/banger releases, “Silence” is a slow EDM single highlighting the ability of building up strength and confidence. Quickly taking the world by storm, it’s one that many needed and appreciate—especially with the strong and ever so promising vocals of Khalid. — @egatehpro




Around this time last year, there was a growing choir of rap fans who suspected Quavo would leave the Migos for the greener pastures of a solo career. Like many naysayers who doubted the Migos' talent from the jump, they were proven wrong in the end as Offset became the group’s breakout star of 2017. Nothing accentuated that point better than “Ric Flair Drip”—another 2017 hit helmed by Metro Boomin behind the boards. The song’s namesake comes from the legendary wrestler, who’s become a rap favorite. Much like Flair, the lyrics may be flashy but it’s backed by the technical proficiency of Metro’s infectious piano loop and Offset’s nimble verses. —Insanul Ahmed




For a song he wrote in 20 minutes, A Boogie’s “Drowning” gifted him and Kodak Black much more than 20 minutes of fame. Seamlessly flexing their jewelry and status in the rap game, both rappers ooze confidence as they dance over Jahaan Sweet’s keys with flows so catchy they make you want to rewind the track and play it again. After going from “chilling in the projects, making projects” to having a major label debut album and Top 40 under his belt at the age of 22, we can’t wait to see what A Boggie has in store for 2018. — @oozymrbunbun




Following a tumultuous legal battle with abusive producer Dr. Luke,Kesha returns to the pop music scene with an anthem about inner strength and forgiveness. Centering around her struggles with self-image and the aftermath of abuse, Kesha takes a mature, forgiving angle and hopes that Dr. Luke will be able to forgive himself and live a satisfying life. Although its peak on the Billboard Hot 100 was #22, “Praying” has proven to be tremendously important in Kesha’s career, allowing her to share her story of strength while also inspiring other victims of abuse to start on the path to healing. — @VinylZombie_MCR




Soon after blessing listeners with their chart-topping hit “Bad and Boujee,” (which was released last year, but took a while to peak) Migos maintained the heat with “T Shirt.” Produced by X.L and Nard & B, the song sees Quavo delivering another trademark infectious hook and interpolating late Atlanta rapper Shawty Lo. The music video is perhaps the most swaggy homage to 1800s frontiersmen of all time, as the Migos vibe out in the snow rocking fur and arrow-laden quivers in reference to The Revenant. Early this year, “T-Shirt” was a testament to Migos’ capability to release back-to-back bangers, and even now in 2017’s closing moments, they still haven’t disappointed. — @AnthonyEOP





“Passionfruit” is a dance ballad about a relationship suffering from distance and a lack of understanding. Troubled romance isn’t a new subject matter for Drake, but it’s here that he’s boiled down the formula to its purest ingredients. Distinct from the rest of the track is a tribute to enigmatic techno pioneer and cult hero DJ Moodymann. But the gloriously melancholy beat itself was crafted by London-based producer Nana Rogues, who described his inspiration as “clouds in a jungle filled full of love.” “Passionfruit” peaked at number 5 on Billboard’s “Hot 100” chart, making it the biggest singular success from More Life and for good reason—it’s a delicate tune that plays to Drake’s strengths. — Roi Banchick




Whilst 2017 has been dominated by rap and hip-hop, Portugal. The Man prove that rock bands can still be relevant. Moving on from 2013’s Evil Friends,“Feel It Still” is the funky, laidback lead single to their latest album Woodstock. Despite kicking it like it’s 1986, the band shows us that they’re not set in rock’s old ways. Hip-hop was a driving inspiration for the band—the song was even influenced by the Beastie Boys classic “Fight For Your Right (To Party).” Although the single was released in March, and the song is destined for a memorable car ad, we’re still feeling P.TM’s rock wizardry. — @Aenex




A seven-day Instagram countdown teased Tyler’s return, hyping the release until ten minutes before the music video took the net by storm. Featuring homemade explosives, facial scarring, and A$AP Rocky in bright-pink scrubs, it reintroduced Tyler’s love for heaving bass with a surprisingly tempered meditation on artistry, fame, and notoriety. Though Tyler aspires to the renown that the titular question suggests, Flower Boy goes on to explore the feelings of irrelevance and insecurity that plague him. But contrary to his fears, “Who Dat Boy” became his first Billboard 100 charting single. — @s_connoisseur




The trippy “Butterfly Effect” sees Travis Scott “bend laws” and bend minds. Lyrically, he gives us insights into the benefits of his luxurious lifestyle—driving through the Hidden Hills in his drop-top, hanging with his dogs in Atlanta, and never returning to his monotonous roots as a college student in the University of Texas—but it’s really the vibe that makes this track special. Murda Beatz’ instrumental distills Travis’ murky and muggy signature sound, while Travis’ syrupy delivery is more potent than ever. Accompanied by a colorful, woozy music video, “Butterfly Effect” is just what we needed to tide us over until Travis finally drops Astroworld. — Matthew Huynh




“See, musically, Lil Uzi be trapping man” raps Lil Uzi Vert on “Neon Guts,” a claim that this song more than proves. Uzi and Pharrell bring the sauce as they reflect on their stardom over an undulating beat full of tasteful xylophones and bumbling bass stabs. As its title suggests, the song’s sonic palette is so luminescent it’s practically an audiovisual experience. With a funky four-count, outer space attitudes, and namedrops as wild and varied as Chico DeBarge, Urkel, and King Tut, “Neon Guts” no doubt catapults Uzi and Pharrell “so high stars eat [their] dust.” — @BigBabyGoat-116




“This that Grey Poupon, that Evian, that TED Talk” raps Kendrick, proving there’s nothing humble about “HUMBLE.” Kendrick’s long been in the “top 5” discussion, but “HUMBLE.” sees him unabashedly trash talk the competition in an almost satirical display of supremacy. The twangy, piano-driven Mike WiLL Made-It beat stands out as straightforward among the rest of DAMN.’s lush production, and purposely so. As Kendrick tells us on the ubiquitous, chanting chorus, the message is singular: “Be humble, sit down. — Vuk Aleksić





“Sky Walker,” the Star Wars-referencing lead single for Miguel’s 2017 LP War & Leisure, is a breezy return to form for the charismatic Cali singer. Exultant to the fullest, the song is full of lyrics about letting go of stress and stopping to appreciate the good times. It captures Miguel at his most carefree, and sees Travis Scott adapt so smoothly to the vibe and melody that you might miss him. “First you put the work in ‘til it works out” sings Miguel on the outro, a sentiment that rings all too true for Miguel after this inescapable late-summer bop. — @BigBabyGOAT-116




With “Bank Account,” 21 Savage proved his success in 2016 with hits like “No Heart” was no fluke. Peaking at number 12 on Billboard’s “Hot 100” chart, the song is a testament to the lasting power of 21’s blasé flow and matter-of-fact lyrics. Its repetitive, guilty pleasure hook rivals a count-along nursery rhyme in its simplicity, so it’s no surprise it was a blueprint for a horde of creative parodies. But don’t be fooled by 21 Savage’s meme potential and effortless style—”Bank Account” is his most fully realized hit to date. — Roi Banchick




If you haven’t heard Post Malone and 21 Savage’s “rockstar,” you may be living under a rock. The song managed to break Apple Music’s one-week streaming record, has gone 2x Multi-Platinum, and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks. With an eerie beat to back it up, Post and 21 liken their lives as rappers to those of famous rockstars, such as Jim Morrison of The Doors, who got arrested on stage, or ACDC’s singer Bon Scott, who died before the legendary rock band saw their most successful album. Considering the success that this song has seen, Post Malone deserves to “feel just like a rockstar.” — @SpeckHelper




On “The Weekend,” the First Lady of TDE abandons her usual symbolism, instead opting to say it as it is: “You’re like 9 to 5, I’m the weekend.” Delivering a deeply impassioned rhapsody on the good, the bad, and the ugly of infidelity, it really comes as no surprise the banger has been dubbed an anthem of a generation. Yet, it’s so much more; it’s a heartfelt ode to those of us who often shy away from looking in the mirror, and a much-needed empowering role reversal. — @MamasUzi




After releasing countless songs about the addictive, toxic nature of romance, Lana Del Rey’s “Love” opens her fifth album Lust for Life much more optimistically. The Benny Blanco-attached track paints love not as a debilitator but as a motivator; love guides humans in the context of a chaotic society. With her vocals floating timelessly over a deliberative beat, Lana is positively angelic on “Love,” a marked transition from the ghostly nature of her past work. The track closes out with a direct plea to her fans: “don’t worry, baby,” she muses—love will always win in the end. — @sereinik





Joey Bada$$’ second album, ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, found him revisiting familiar themes of third-eye mysticism and social-political advocacy. Whilst much of the record aims to elicit change by addressing America’s fundamentally broken justice system, confrontational heater “ROCKABYE BABY” finds Joey and ScHoolboy Q reveling in their gang affiliations. Produced by Pro Era member Chuck Strangers—the architect of classic Joey tracks such as “Summer Knights,”“FromdaTomb$” and “Suspect”—it features some of the album’s most incendiary bars, including a police-aimed death threat from Q, a longtime Crip. “ROCKABYE BABY” reminds us that even the socially conscious Bada$$ has his white-knuckle moments. — Conor Herbert




Every now and then we see an artist emerge who, against all odds, withstands the heat of the scorching sun and comes out on top. Sampha is one of them. But as he reveals on “No One Knows Me (Like the Piano),” this treacherous journey to the spotlight was not without a companion. The piano in his mother’s south London home became an unlikely friend following her diagnosis and eventual passing to cancer. The austere keys and howling cries of a broken Sampha meld into a ballad that had been 26 years in the making. Sampha left everything on the piano bench, and left us reaching for the tissues. — @MamasUzi





NF’s “Let You Down,” the earnest centerpiece of his third studio album Perception, is the unexpected hit the Michigan rapper has been looking for. The track sees him struggle with the guilt of disappointing both himself and his father, his only parental figure growing up. Somber, keyboard-heavy production from Tommee Profitt and David Garcia honor NF’s heartfelt lyrical sentiments about feeling voiceless, but ultimately finding the strength to work through emotional obstacles by altering his perception. “Let You Down” is a refreshingly sincere and vulnerable stand out from a genre saturated with hedonism. — Caleb McKinion





“Magnolia” introduced two of rap’s next superstars: Playboi Carti and Pi’erre Bourne. Carti floating over Pi’erre’s rolling, hypnotic instrumental is reminiscent of watching an alley-oop in slow motion. It all just seems so natural. For three minutes, Carti raps about everything from milly rocking in NYC (an iconic line in its own right), to his sexual exploits, to his ventures into the fashion world. This track was inescapable in 2017, filling car stereos and DJ sets at some of the world’s biggest music festivals alike. “Magnolia” is an emblem of Playboi Carti’s overdue success—after years of building an underground cult following on Soundcloud, he has finally broken into the spotlight. — John Adamson




Following the messy rollout of MC4, where the album was scrapped, then released, then scrapped again, French Montana needed a big song to get back into the spotlight. Enter the aptly-named “Unforgettable,” a song that seemed to be everywhere: summer pool parties, clubs, department stores, even shopping centres and coffee houses. Anyone who had an aux cord played “Unforgettable.” With the help from Swae Lee’s infectious chorus, the pair was able to create a song that appealed to everyone, making it the song of the summer. — Drew Harvie




In a year without a Rihanna album to own the airwaves, she still was able to dominate the charts and streaming thanks to the smash hit “Wild Thoughts.” Over a sultry sample of Santana’s “Maria Maria,” Bryson Tiller and Riri create a love ballad that’s dance floor ready at any time. The ideal concoction of dance grooves, emotion, and star power, “Wild Thoughts” is easily one of the best singles of 2017. — Drew Harvie




After spending five years as a member of One Direction, Harry Styles made his solo debut with “Sign of the Times,” a soft-rock piano ballad influenced by the likes of David Bowie and Queen. Styles revealed to Rolling Stone that the song was written from the perspective of a dying mother addressing her newborn child, but it’s also a commentary on today’s volatile political and social atmosphere. It reached the #1 spot on iTunes in just 19 minutes and attracted attention from fans and critics alike, proving that Styles and his new music are both forces to be reckoned with. — @SallySunshine





“Yeah Right” sees Vince Staples put some of hip-hop’s most tired clichés on blast. It features unorthodox, mind-melting production from experimental electronic musicians Flume and SOPHIE, while Australian singer KUČKA unexpectedly halts the track’s booming energy, forcing you to pay attention, and King Kendrick drops by to deliver an explosive and eclectic verse that more than lives up to his claim that he “twilights the zeitgeist.” On “Yeah Right,” Vince Staples pairs himself with a unique and authentic cast of characters to create a song that proves his point: you don’t have to follow trends to make a banger. — @butterscotch-pie




Throughout Melodrama, Lorde dances to forget and live in the thrill of the moment, and no song exemplifies it better than “Green Light.” The song opens as a melodramatic kiss-off to an ex-lover, but changes beats—and lyrics—about a minute through. Then, it becomes an epic ode to trying endlessly to get over someone, while pulsating piano helps anyone who wants to dance like Lorde does in the song’s music video. Just like the artist who made it, “Green Light” is quirky, relatable, and ultimately, unforgettable. — Babu Chatterjee




In February, Calvin Harris tweeted that he’d “worked with the greatest artists of our generation.” To prove he wasn’t joking, he released “Slide,” a collaboration with Frank Ocean and Migos. A discerning collaborator, Frank’s very presence was a powerful vote of confidence. Offset and Quavo of Migos—this year’s premier rap group—have no trouble flowing over Harris’ disco-infused instrumentation, bringing bounce to the clean-cut groove. “Slide” is a song for a disaffected summer’s day, the crown jewel of Harris’ sun-centric 2017 LP. — Conor Herbert




At the risk of becoming a perpetual meme, the silver-tongued social media queen seized 2017 by the throat and dropped “Bodak Yellow.” Interpolating Kodak Black’s “No Flockin’,” the track explodes with confidence and belies Cardi B’s relative inexperience in the music game. Those who count her out on this premise are dead wrong—Cardi became the first female solo rap artist to debut at No. 1 since Lauryn Hill in 1998. With everyone from geography teachers to Millie Bobby Brown of Stranger Things fame making references to Cardi’s song, the astronomical success of “Bodak Yellow” speaks for itself. — Kevin Loo




SZA takes us on a journey of recovery and self-love with the sweet and somber melodies of “Love Galore.” Punctuated by plinky, tropical percussion, it’s a sensual, empowering R&B ballad about flipping the script on a player. Travis Scott’s feature adds sonic and narrative depth, as he plays the character of a problematic lover who contrasts SZA’s hopeful “Love, love, love, love, ‘long as we got.” “Love Galore” solidified SZA as a bonafide hitmaker, and gave us quite possibly the most contagious vocal melody of the year. — Zachary Mahabir





“See You Again” is Tyler, the Creator’s soulful ode to his ideal lover who only exists behind his eyelids. The song was meant to feature ZAYN who wasn’t able to attend the studio sessions, but Kali Uchis more than makes up for his absence with a candy-coated chorus over soft piano accompaniment that Tyler composed himself. Although the song is mostly a tender ballad, Tyler switches it up halfway through and compliments his bouncy delivery on the song’s lone rap verse with a segment of equally wiggly bass hits that adds depth and variety to the track. “See You Again” illustrates Tyler’s maturity as an artist, and acts as a promising prototype for his newly-announced pop album. — Matthew Huynh




The ever prolific Future has an array of essential cuts, but the ATLien has often struggled to break into the Top 40 without the help of collaborators. That changed in 2017 as “Mask Off” became his signature solo hit. The Metro Boomin-produced banger featured something even rarer for Future—a sample. The soulful crooning of Tommy Butler’s “Prison Song” gave “Mask Off” a distinct feel from Future’s typically trap-oriented production. Thanks to the sample, the flute portion helped make the flute the hottest instrument in hip-hop. That, in turn, lead to other musicians doing their own instrumental versions for the #MaskoffChallenge, giving the song a viral boost. Did the song graduate Future to a new heights? Yes, but it was overdue. — Insanul Ahmed




Financial freedom is what JAY-Z wants to ensure is passed on through generations of African-Americans on “The Story of O.J,” a standout track from JAY-Z’s late-career gem 4:44. The song gets its title from an infamous O.J. Simpson quote: “I’m not black, I’m O.J.” It’s a concept that JAY-Z attacks throughout this song; no matter how successful one becomes, black men and women should take pride in their prosperity and their race. Over a gorgeous No I.D. sample of Nina Simone’s“Four Women,” Jay passes down a message of black excellence for the new generation, denouncing those “on the ‘Gram holding money to your ear.” You might think this is a new, mature Jay, but no, this is something he’s been rapping about his whole career. — @jDex





Kendrick Lamar spares no one on “DNA.” It’s easy to label the song as Lamar at his most aggressive, but there’s more going on here. It’s the sound of someone who’s always had the entire world in his mind, letting it out with machine gun efficiency. Lamar has long been an expert at weaving together his mind and the world outside it, but he hammers all of that down with newfound precision: “I got power, poison, pain, and joy inside my DNA.” Kendrick lays all of his jabs, brags, fears, and vices on the table, ridiculing competitors and oppressors (and Fox News) alike over the pound of Mike WiLL 808s. “DNA.” isn’t just a banger, it redefines what a banger can be. — Chris Ritter




“My guy pretty like a girl”—the words burst in on the surprise release of the Frank Ocean’s first track of 2017. Just months after he broke a four-year hiatus with Endless and Blonde, Ocean released one of the best tracks of his career. A steady low-fi beat gives him the free reign to demonstrate his lyrical and vocal prowess as he glides seamlessly between half-rapping and singing. An affirmance of his refusal to let sexuality be pinned down and examined, “Chanel” is both carefree and intricate, adding a few more threads to the enigma that is Frank Ocean. — Dominic Salzedo




From natural disasters to a bleak political climate, 2017 hasn’t been the best year in recent memory, so it’s hard to think of a more perfect anthem for it than the nihilistic “XO Tour Llif3.” Don’t let the airy TM88-produced instrumental distract you from the song’s themes of drug addiction, mental health, and failed relationships. Uzi’s morbid hook was one of 2017’s biggest earworms, setting up the ironic juxtaposition of crowds gleefully belting out the lyrics “Push me to the edge / All my friends are dead.” It also provides a blueprint for “Soundcloud rappers” (a platform Uzi dominated last year) and the emerging generation of artists to turn internet followings into commercial success. This song was everywhere in 2017, and is a clear indicator that Lil Uzi Vert is here to stay. — John Adamson






Src: https://genius.com/a/the-genius-communitys-50-best-songs-of-2017