Favorite Albums, Singles and Videos | Envert’s 2017 Year-End Review

This year proved to be another memorable year for independent creatives across discipline including musicians. Let’s reflect for a second! Canadian songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mac Demarco headlined Radio City Music Hall, Brooklyn rapper Latasha Alcindor partnered with Ulta Beauty ultimately lending her voice and bars to the brand’s holiday campaign, London based singer Ray Blk was spotlighted by Bose in their national SoundLink commercial,  New York rapper Joey Badass’ All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ sophomore album debuted at no. 5 on the charts moving 51,000 units, Fool’s Gold rapper Leaf was featured in multiple national fashion campaigns including Forever 21 and Aeropostale and did we mention Princess Nokia! From putting a bigot in their place, the success of her debut album 1992, a sold out year-long tour, to being one of faces of Express’ national holiday campaign, 2017 was indeed good to the metallic butterfly and other creatives alike.

Otherside of the news headlines and major moments, 2017 was amazing year for indie music. Check out our favorite music videos, singles, EPs and albums below in our year-end recap.

Favorite Videos

• Kemba – “Caesar’s Rise” directed by Jonathan Salmon
• Nitty Scott – “La Diaspora” directed by Cutter Hodierne
• Khalil Jibran – “FUCK 12” directed by Nimi Hendrix
• Open Mike Eagle – “Brick Body Complex” by Nikki Born
• Laura Jae – “CANDY” directed by Gustav Olsson
• TORRES – “Three Futures” directed by Ashley Connor
• Caleborate – “Soul” [Money Version] directed by Caleb Parker & Adrian Per
• Fletcher – “You Should Talk” directed by Ryan Hutchins
• Jennah Bell – “John Forbid” directed by Holly Wilder
• OSHUN – “Sango” directed by Jonah Best
• Chris Rivers Feat. Sy – “Fear Of My Crown” directed by Danny Cinema
• Jayd Ink – “Dark Skin” directed by Omarij & Brendon Kareem of 88Everything

Favorite Singles

• Ray Blk – “Doing Me”, Unsigned [R&B]
• B. Lewis – “Strange Things”, Unsigned [EDM/Electronic]
• JONES – “Something Bout Our Love” via 37 Adventures [Pop]
• ENI – “DSYLM (Don’t Say You Love Me)” via ZERD Records, LLC [Pop]
• Ayanis – “Somebody To Love Remix”, Unsigned [Pop]
• Donna Missal – “Transformer” via Bailey Blues Music [Alternative Rock]
• KWAYE – “Lost in My Boots” via Mind of a Genius [Pop]
• Angelo Mota – “PARADE”, Unsigned [Rap/Hip-Hop]
• MoRuf – “freshbuttas”, Unsigned [Rap/Hip-Hop]
• Micky Blue – “Famous” via WAX LTD [Pop]

Favorite EPs

• Sinead Harnett – Chapter One via Rinse [R&B]
• R.LUM.R – AfterImage via PRMD LLC [R&B]
• JMSN – Whatever Makes U Happy via White Room Records [R&B]
• Xavier Omär – Pink Lighting via Never Sleep Music/EMPIRE [R&B]
• Laura Jae – Cutpiece via JUMBO Recordings [Electronic]
• LOSO – Before I Commit via Trackstarz [Gospel]
• Dougie F – Yellow Durag via STRAGG Records [Rap/Hip-Hop]
• NJOMZA – sad for you via REMember Music, LLC. [Pop]
• Ace Cosgrove – Ms.Claire’s Basement via MMALove Records [Rap/Hip-Hop]
• Denzel Curry – 13 via Loma Vista Recordings [Rap]

Favorite Albums

• Latasha Alcindor – B(LA)K, Unsigned [Rap/Hip-Hop]
• Locksmith – Olive Branch via Landmark Entertainment [Rap/Hip-Hop]
• Oddisee – The Iceberg via Mello Music Group [Rap/Hip-Hop]
• Nitty Scott – Creature! via Indigenous Digital [Rap/Hip-Hop]
• Princess Nokia – 1992 via Rough Trade Record [Rap/Hip-Hop]
• Kota the Friend – Paloma Beach via FLTBYS [Rap/Hip-Hop]
• J.Lauryn – Golden Year via 32 Ink [Pop]
• Ill Camille – Heirloom via Illustrated Sounds / Frontroom Ent [Rap/Hip-Hop]
• Caleborate – Real Person via TBKTR [Rap/Hip-Hop]
• Kenny Lattimore – Vulnerable via Sincere Soul Records/Liger Enterprises [R&B]
• Daniel Caesar – Freudian via Golden Child Recordings [R&B]
• Tangina Stone – Elevate via IMG Records [R&B]
• Brent Faiyaz – Sonder Son via Lost Kids [R&B]
• Mack Wilds – AfterHours via The Ninety Five Percent / EMPIRE [R&B]
• Sampha – Process via Young Turks Recordings [R&B]
• Ibeyi – Ash via XL Recordings [Alternative]

What do you think of our curated list? Who made your year end list? Be sure to share your favorite music videos, singles, EPs and albums by independent recording artists in the comment section below.