Today is Have A Bad Day Day. Per holidayinsights.com, as a greeting today, you are encouraged people to wish people a lousy or terrible day.
I think wishing a terrible day to someone to their face might put you in danger. Instead, I choose to celebrate with song. If someone were to hear one of the songs on my Have A Bad Day Day playlist, they’d know that somebody out there wants their day to suck.
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What makes a year in music stick with you? Sometimes it’s a single, dominant sound, but more often, it’s the feeling of multiple, vibrant conversations happening all at once. Looking back at 2018 through a playlist of its key songs, it becomes clear it was a year defined less by a unified trend and more by the strength of its distinct, parallel movements. From event-level releases that captured the cultural zeitgeist to deeply personal songwriting that quietly demanded our attention, the year offered a compelling range of expressions.
It’s impossible to talk about 2018 without acknowledging the sheer creative and commercial force of hip-hop. The genre was the site of some of the year’s most ambitious projects. Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” and The Carters’ “APESHIT” used the music video as a powerful medium for commentary, creating moments that were analyzed far beyond music blogs. At the same time, the genre showcased its sonic breadth. You had the elaborate, multi-part production of Travis Scott’s “SICKO MODE,” the classic, sample-heavy precision of Pusha T’s “If You Know You Know,” and the New Orleans bounce of Drake’s “Nice For What.” With Kendrick Lamar lending his acclaimed lyricism to artists as different as Anderson .Paak, Lil Wayne, and SZA, his presence served as a throughline of quality, underscoring the genre’s central role.
While hip-hop drove many conversations, pop music was busy broadening its own definition. Artists delivered hits by looking outward for inspiration. Janelle Monáe’s “Make Me Feel” was a masterclass in taut, Prince-indebted funk, while Kacey Musgraves blended country sensibilities with a disco beat on the delightfully sly “High Horse.” This spirit of connection was also felt on a global scale. The massive success of Cardi B’s “I Like It” and Camila Cabello’s “Havana” cemented the power of Latin rhythms in the mainstream, and ROSALÍA’s “MALAMENTE” introduced her modern take on flamenco to a worldwide audience, proving that a compelling sound needs no translation.
Alongside these high-energy sounds, a potent strain of rock and indie music thrived on sharp, unflinching songwriting. This was the year of the specific, personal narrative. Artists like Mitski (“Nobody”), Lucy Dacus (“Night Shift”), Phoebe Bridgers (“Motion Sickness”), and Snail Mail (“Pristine”) earned devoted followings by writing with startling clarity about anxiety, heartbreak, and identity. Their work wasn’t about grand statements but about the power of a perfectly articulated observation. In a similar vein, Courtney Barnett’s “Nameless, Faceless” turned everyday frustrations into a pointed critique, showing that even the most direct rock song could carry a vital message.
Ultimately, 2018 wasn’t a year where everything blended together. Instead, it was a year of powerful, coexisting identities. The charts were filled with innovative pop and globally-influenced hits, hip-hop continued to be a space for both blockbuster production and sharp social critique, and a wave of songwriters made their mark with profoundly personal work. From the confident breakup anthem of Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” to the cathartic release of Robyn’s “Honey,” the music of 2018 offered a rich and varied landscape, setting the stage for many of the sounds and artists we’re still listening to today.
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Call me old-fashioned, but I operate on a twelve-month calendar. That might be a controversial take, considering that outlets like Rolling Stone dropped their “Best of the Year So Far” lists back in June, apparently under the impression that 2025 is only ten months long. I thought I’d wait for half of the year to pass before I declare that half of the year has passed. For those of us who believe in a twelve-month cycle—not a ten-month one—here are 30 songs that have made my year in music great so far.
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Thirty duets for your listening/singing-along-with pleasure!
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September is Self Improvement Month. Hear are 30 songs to inspire you to become your best self.
Today is International Hangover Day. Celebrate accordingly. Here’s your inspired by playlist:
Kendrick Lamar, the Compton-bred rapper, has cemented his place as one of the most influential and acclaimed artists of his generation. With a discography that spans multiple critically acclaimed albums and a slew of awards, Lamar’s impact on popular music is undeniable.
From his breakthrough album good kid, m.A.A.d city to his Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece DAMN., Lamar’s music has consistently tackled complex themes of race, identity, and social injustice with raw honesty and lyrical prowess. His signature blend of West Coast hip-hop, jazz, and funk influences has earned him widespread recognition for pushing the boundaries of the genre.
Lamar’s accolades speak volumes about his artistic achievements. In addition to his 17 Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album for DAMN., To Pimp A Butterfly and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, he has received numerous other accolades and honors throughout his career, further solidifying his status as one of the most celebrated rappers of his generation.
One of his most significant achievements was receiving the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018, becoming the first non-classical or jazz artist to be awarded this prestigious honor. The Pulitzer board praised his album DAMN. for its “virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African American life.”
Lamar has also won several BET Awards, including Album of the Year and Best Male Hip Hop Artist multiple times. He has been recognized by the American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards, among others.
In 2016, Lamar received the prestigious Generational Icon Award from the California State Senate and the State’s Celebratory Commendation, honoring his artistic achievements and positive influence on the community.
Additionally, Lamar has been celebrated by various publications and organizations for his contributions to music and culture. He has been named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, and his album To Pimp a Butterfly was ranked by Rolling Stone as the greatest album of the 2010s.
Beyond his musical triumphs, Lamar has also been celebrated for his philanthropic efforts. Through his foundation, he has supported various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of youth in his hometown of Compton, including funding for academic programs and community development projects.
With his thought-provoking lyrics, innovative sound, and commitment to using his platform for positive change, Kendrick Lamar has solidified his position as a cultural icon and one of the most important voices in modern music. His impact transcends the boundaries of hip-hop, inspiring generations of artists and listeners to embrace authenticity, creativity, and social consciousness.
As Lamar continues to push the envelope and redefine what it means to be a rapper in the 21st century, his influence on popular music and culture will undoubtedly resonate for years to come.
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