VOTE: Who Won 2017? Choose From Future, Kendrick Lamar, Young Thug & More

Though this may have been a difficult question to answer last year, the past 12 months have provided us with a crowded field of candidates that could potentially be the answer to Who Won 2017? We’ve already rolled out the likes of Hottest Albums, Hottest Songs and Breakout Artists and now, we get to crown the year’s grand champion.

Let’s start with some of the heavyweights. Gucci Mane released two strong albums, Droptopwop and Mr. Davis, on top of tying the knot with Keyshia Ka’oir in one of the most lavish celebrity weddings of the year. Future dropped solo LPs and a Young Thug collab mixtape, rivaling anyone in the rap game in terms of quantity and overall quality of their musical output. Speaking of Thugger, his country-tinged LP was one of the year’s strongest offerings, giving us a new mental association when we think of the word “yee-haw.” Kendrick gave us DAMN., Migos gave us Culture and Offset gave us a 12-month performance that may put his name in lights as the feature MVP of 2017.

But wait, there’s more. Cardi B dominated the charts with “Bodak Yellow,” as did Lil Uzi Vert with “XO Tour Llif3.” 2 Chainz’s Pretty Girls Like Trap Music was arguably his strongest long-form release to date, while Young Dolph released four (!) different projects in and around recovering from a near-fatal run-in with an armed member of a rival crew. Finally, we have Jay-Z, one of the OG’s who wasn’t content to fade into the background and coast on the memories of his work from a decade or more ago. Instead, 4:44 has become one of the year’s most decorated albums and the frontrunner to help hip-hop crush the Grammys once and for all.

So many to choose from but only one winner. So, who won 2017 in hip-hop. Vote now!

Future

2 killer albums in Future and HNDRXX
Teamed up with Young Thug for Super Slimey album
Only artist to have 2 2017 albums go Gold with the RIAA
Reebok sneaker collaboration.
Lots of killer features, worked with the likes of Young Thug, Offset, Kodak Black, 21 Savage and more

Migos

Culture was one of the most popular albums of the year
“Bad & Boujee” enjoyed massive success on streaming and radio platforms
Crossover collabs with Katy Perry, DJ Khaled and more
Working on a movie with Quavo writing the script
Grammy nods for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance

Offset

All of the Migos success, especially Culture
Without Warning collaborative tape with 21 Savage and Metro Boomin'
Dope features with the likes of Gucci Mane, Kodak Black, Amine, Macklemore and more
Proposed to Cardi B
Started $500,000 fundraiser for cancer awareness

Gucci Mane

Wedding + TV Special with wife Keyshia Ka’oir was one of the year's biggest celebrity events
Droptopwop, Mr. Davis and El Gato The Human Glacier all dropped this year
Announced yet another full-length LP to be released in 2018
Released his autobiography, which has become a best-seller
Renewed record deal for $10M (Atlantic)
Crossover features with Fifth Harmony and Selena Gomez
3 Platinum, 2 Gold certifications in 2017

Kendrick Lamar

Released DAMN., LP has gone 2x Platinum so far
Total of 2 Gold, 2 Platinum certifications in 2017
4 BET Hip Hop Awards, including Album Of The Year
EMA for Video Of The Year
5 MTV VMA’s including Video Of The Year
Multiple Grammy nominations, including Record & Album of the Year
No. 6 on Forbes’ list of richest hip-hop performers ($30M)

Jay-Z

4:44 released to critical acclaim
Subsequent tour, which grossed nearly $45 million.
Welcomed twins with wife Beyoncé
Purchased Los Angeles estate for reported $90M
Multiple Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Rap Album.

2 Chainz

Pretty Girls Like Trap Music released
Eponymous tour, which he’s performed mostly in a wheelchair so far
Trap House in the ATL offered free HIV testing and more this summer
Brings out high-profile guest on his tour stops, from Drake to Kendrick and more

Young Dolph

4 full-length projects, several singles released in 2017
Collabs with Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Ty Dolla $ign and many more
Recovered from near-fatal shooting in Los Angeles

Cardi B

First unassisted woman in nearly 20 years to have a Hot 100 No. 1 on Billboard's chart
Won BET Hip Hop Award for Song of the Year
Collaborated with Migos, Nicki Minaj, Kodak Black and more
Earned Grammy nom for Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song

Lil Uzi Vert

One of the year’s biggest singles in “XO Tour Llif3”
Luv Is Rage 2 topped Billboard 200 chart this summer
“The Way Lifes Goes” and “Sauce It Up” also successful singles on streaming charts
Collaborated with Pharrell Williams, The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj and others.
Grammy nomination for Best New Artist