(AllHipHop News) Several Hip Hop acts had a strong year in 2015. Drake and J. Cole received platinum plaques for their respective projects, Nicki Minaj continued her dominance with her third LP, Kendrick Lamar provided the soundtrack to the Black Lives Matter movement, and Fetty Wap became the undisputed rookie of the year. Each of those rap stars were also highly ranked on several of Billboard’s Year End Charts for 2015.
[ALSO READ: Kendrick Lamar Named #1 “Rap Genius” Of 2015]
On the “Top Artists” list, Drake landed at #4 and Nicki Minaj landed at #10. “Top New Artists” was led by Fetty Wap. Both Fetty and Drake found themselves among the “Top Male Artists”as well. Drake came in at #3, followed by Fetty at #4. Wiz Khalifa joined them on that chart at #9.
Fetty (#3) and Drake (#5) also broke into the top 10 of the “Hot 100 Artists.” Nicki just missed the top 10 on that chart (#12), but she earned a high spot on the “Top Female Artists” list. The “Truffle Butter” rapstress was ranked at #3. Even though neither singer released an official studio album this year, Beyoncé (#8) and Rihanna (#9) still charted among the top female performers of 2015.
The “Billboard 200 Artists” – which tallies albums – featured Drake at #2 and J. Cole at #10. In addition, Drake reached the pinnacle of the “Top R&B/Hip Hop Artists,” “Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums,” “Rap Album,” and Rap Album Artists charts.
[ALSO READ: Drake, Nicki Minaj, The Weeknd & Kanye West Among Top Artists On Spotify’s “Year In Music” Lists]
Check out some of Billboard‘s 2015 Year End R&B/Hip Hop and Rap charts below.
Top R&B/Hip Hop Artists
1. Drake
2. The Weeknd
3. Fetty Wap
4. Nicki Minaj
5. J. Cole
6. Future
7. Wiz Khalifa
8. Kendrick Lamar
9. Silento
10. Meek Mill
Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
1. Drake – If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
2. J. Cole – Forest Hills Drive
3. Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly
4. Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint
5. The Weeknd – Beauty Behind The Madness
6. Meek Mill – Dreams Worth More Than Money
7. Drake & Future – What A Time To Be Alive
8. Dr. Dre – Compton
9. Empire – Original Soundtrack Season 1
10. Big Sean – Dark Sky Paradise
Rap Albums
1. Drake – If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
2. J. Cole – Forest Hills Drive
3. Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly
4. Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint
5. Meek Mill – Dreams Worth More Than Money
6. Drake & Future – What A Time To Be Alive
7. Dr. Dre – Compton
8. Big Sean – Dark Sky Paradise
9. Future – DS2
10. Various Artists – Shady XV
Rap Album Artists
1. Drake
2. J. Cole
3. Kendrick Lamar
4. Nicki Minaj
5. Meek Mill
6. Future
7. Dr. Dre
8. Big Sean
9. A$AP Rocky
10. The Game
Hot Rap Songs Artists
1. Fetty Wap
2. Drake
3. Silento
4. Nicki Minaj
5. Wiz Khalifa
6. Rae Sremmurd
7. Big Sean
8. Future
9. Flo Rida
10. Pitbull
Hot Rap Songs
1. Wiz Khalifia featuring Charlie Puth – See You Again
2. Fetty Wap – Trap Queen
3. Silento – Watch Me
4. Fetty Wap featuring Remy Boyz – 679
5. Drake – Hotline Bling
6. Pitbull & Ne-Yo – Time Of Our Lives
7. Flo Rida Featuring Sage The Gemini & Lookas – G.D.F.R.
8. Fetty Wap Featuring Monty – My Way
9. T-Wayne – Nasty Freestyle
10. Nicki Minaj Featuring Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown – Only
