As 2026 landed, the internet burst with nostalgia. The #2016Challenge has seen millions of people, all around the globe, share photos, videos, songs and throwbacks from the banner year, reflecting on a decade of growth, culture and core memories.
On SoundCloud, 2016 was a huge year for musical growth, cultural shifts and now-classic releases, too. A new generation of rappers exploded in popularity, and many of them came up on SoundCloud. Artists like Lil Yachty, Trippie Redd, Lil Uzi Vert and Denzel Curry, to name just a few, experienced career-defining moments, including building major fanbases through exclusive track uploads that thrust them into the mainstream. At the same time, pop stars like Rihanna and Halsey were linking up with breakthrough dance DJs and producers, like Calvin Harris and The Chainsmokers, to create hits that stormed the charts and soundtracked our 2016 summer nights.
As our 2016 memories all come flooding back, get hyped with this collection of sentimental, nostalgia-stirring tracks that went off on SoundCloud that year, featuring Future, Drake, Chance The Rapper, Flume, Post Malone, Mike Posner, Rae Sremmurd and more.
LISTEN TO THE BIG MOOD 2016 PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
Migos, Lil Uzi Vert, “Bad and Boujee”
The beloved Atlanta rap trio linked with Lil Uzi Vert for this endlessly catchy track that always turned a house party out. In 2022, the group’s youngest member Takeoff tragically passed away, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be deeply felt amongst fans today.
Flume, Tove Lo, “Say It”
In 2016, Australian DJ/producer Flume was leading the future bass sound. This track with Swedish pop vocalist Tove Lo was a major 2016 moment.
Lil Uzi Vert, “Money Longer”
Another rapper who gained traction on SoundCloud in 2016 is the now-massive Lil Uzi Vert. This track features on his third mixtape, ‘Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World.’
Post Malone, Quavo, “Congratulations”
After dropping his breakthrough track “White Iverson” on SoundCloud in 2015, Post Malone hit his stride and the rest is history. This track with Migos’ co-founder Quavo features on his debut album, 2016’s ‘Stoney.’
Lil Yachty, “One Night”
Lil Yachty’s debut single dropped at the height of summer, and the rapper lapped it up: after dropping it on SoundCloud, the track later went platinum.
DRAM, Lil Yachty, “Broccoli”
The lead single from DRAM’s debut studio album, ‘BIG BABY DRAM,’ this energetic track was nominated in the Grammy’s Best Melodic Rap Performance category.
Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, “No Problem”
Chicago’s Chance The Rapper broke through on SoundCloud with his culture-shifting ‘Coloring Book’ project. Check out his recent episode of The Booth, where he performs his 2025 track “Ride.”
Denzel Curry, “This Life”
This hyped-up track features on rapper Denzel Curry’s second album, ‘Imperial,’ which first dropped in 2016 on SoundCloud. You can hear more about Denzel Curry’s story, and come-up on SoundCloud, on his episode of Sound Advice.
Ty Dolla $ign, Joe Moses, “Wavy”
Leaning into that West Coast electro energy, this track from Ty Dolla $ign and Joe Moses lit up 2016.
PARTYNEXTDOOR, Drake, “Come And See Me”
Drake and his longtime collaborative producer PARTYNEXTDOOR dropped this fire track on SoundCloud in 2016.
Desiigner, “Panda”
On his debut track, Desiigner created the highly memorable riff that launched his career in 2016.
Trippie Redd, “Love Scars/You Hurt Me”
A leading name in the SoundCloud rap movement, blending emo trap and rage, Trippie Redd blew up on the platform with renegade tracks like this.
Lil Uzi Vert, “You Was Right”
Another of Lil Uzi Vert’s major 2016 hit tracks, this sees the Philly rapper link up with seasoned Atlanta producer Metro Boomin.
21 Savage, Metro Boomin, Future, “X”
On his 2016 collaborative album with producer Metro Boomin, ‘Savage Mode,’ aura-laden rapper 21 Savage featured this track, the album’s sole collaboration, with Future.
Future, The Weeknd, “Low Life”
Of the many tracks that Future dropped in 2016, one of the biggest on SoundCloud was this collaboration with The Weeknd.
Rae Sremmurd, Gucci Mane, “Black Beatles”
One of the most iconic tracks of 2016, rap duo Rae Sremmurd linked with Atlanta legend Gucci Mane on this melodic earworm beat.
Calvin Harris, Rihanna, “This Is What You Came For”
It’s a hot summer night, the DJ just dropped this collaboration between Calvin Harris and Rihanna — and every hand goes in the air.
Mike Posner, “I Took A Pill In Ibiza”
This hit track by dance DJ/producer Mike Posner had us all dreaming of a wild summer on The White Isle.
The Chainsmokers, Halsey, “Closer”
Turning up the heat, cranking the speakers: The Chainsmokers and Halsey are an oh-so-2016 collaboration.
Drake, Kyla, Wizkid, “One Dance”
Taking from the original funky house track by Crazy Cousinz, Drake was inspired for a One Dance with Kyla and WizKid.
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