Favourite Album: Anderson .Paak – Oxnard
Following the incredible Malibu release in 2016, Oxnard delivered the highly-anticipated return and it didn’t disappoint. Teaming up with Dr Dre for his third full- length album, .Paak created a feel-good album full of catchy beats and impressive collaborations, featuring a melting pot of funk, hip-hop, jazz and plenty of other influences in this outstanding record of West Coast hip-hop.

Favourite Gig: Kendrick Lamar – The O2 Arena, London
An unbelievable level of talent was on show at the 2018 Great Escape festival and some live shows stood out particularly, including Kojey Radical, Mahalia and Jimothy Lacoste. However, it is the big 02 Arena show that has taken the crown for me this year. Seeing King Kendrick rise out of the smoke on-stage before a light show and flame explosion, launching him into ‘DNA’, was something I’ll never forget and the show only reached higher and higher peaks.

One We’ve Missed: The Streets – Brixton Academy, London – 25th April 2018
After a decade out from his work as The Streets, Mike Skinner, Leo the Lion and the rest of the original line-up joined forces once again to take the show on the road for a greatest hits-style return, ahead of a reported new album in 2019. Opening with ‘Turn the Page’ from Original Pirate Material, the night featured the very best of the best from The Streets’ back catalogue, with massive moshpits, raucous singalongs and beer flying through the air all night, this was an amazing celebration of a much-loved artist and was certainly worth the wait.

Dan White

Top Three Tracks:
Mac Miller – ‘What’s The Use?’
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats – ‘A Little Honey’
Leon Bridges – ‘Mrs.’