I LOVE MAKONNEN

Makonnen Sheran, a.k.a. iLoveMakonnen, didn't dominate the musical conversation in 2014, but he laid the groundwork to do so in 2015. He ultimately signed with Drake's OVO label, which released this EP. Drizzy's remix of the single "Tuesday" made the slinking tune an unlikely club staple, its hook memorable for Makonnen's nonchalant delivery. (Whether singing or rapping, he sounds sedated.) That delivery is Makonnen's not-so-secret weapon, as are his weird, woozy, oftentimes barely there beats. (See "Rumor.") As with his fellow Atlantan Future, very little about Makonnen fits hip-hop's template, which is exactly what should make him a star.