Radiohead and Nick Cave both made their saddest albums yet, despite nobody realizing that was even possible. Beyoncé inspired a new wave of poptimism like never before. Jeff Rosenstock decided to be a dozen different genres all at once. Bon Iver and Childish Gambino decided to change genres completely. The Avalanches finally released their second album after a sixteen-year wait. Frank Ocean finally released his second album (and his third!) after a four-year wait. Beyond this incredible outpouring of hip hop, we also experienced a surprising and heartbreaking string of final releases from artists who passed away this year, including David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, and A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dawg. Paak, and a final album from the legendary A Tribe Called Quest, among countless others. This may have been one of the best times for hip hop that we’ve ever seen, boasting releases from well-established artists like Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, and Danny Brown, breakthrough records from Noname, Isaiah Rashad, and Anderson.

Much like any other year, this year came with its own set of triumphs, tragedies, innovations, and throwbacks, but it was also unprecedented in a lot of unexpected ways. Watch the interview above, and make sure to check out his debut album The Sun's Tirade.Now that 2016 is finally slowing down, it’s a perfect time for us to reflect on the past year in the world of music. With that in mind, he also offered his take on hip hop's younger generation knowing and engaging with the genre's history, as well as our current political landscape and the true workings of our election process.

Instead, he's chosen to focus more on finding truths in his present, and believes heavily in looking forward. He also expressed that despite the success of his first release, he doesn't feel anchored to his prior opinions or musings.

As we now know, part of that time was occupied by an ongoing battling with substance abuse issues, that almost resulted in him losing his deal. But from our sit down with him, it's clear that he has come out on the other side as a better man, with a heightened sense of self.ĭuring our discussion he spoke of his personal evolution and pursuit of something beyond secular rewards, and how that has influenced his outlook on life-as well as his music. Like all of the label's artists, Isaiah's work was heavily awaited after what amounts to a year and a half gap between his debut project Cilvia Demo.

After some time out of the spotlight, Isaiah Rashad has returned to the forefront with his debut album The Sun's Tirade-the most recent of TDE's 2016 takeover.

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