2016 The Albums: League of Their Own

This award started long before the site was even a thought, in one publication, radio show or another. Since 2000, I have handed out a "League of Their Own" Award to an album that is made by an artist who is the most forward thinking, open minded, revolutionary musician out there today. Their accomplishments in the past 12 months have either resurrected a sound, broke down walls and created new frontiers or have totally reinvented a genre all together. In the past winners have included: 

2000 - Radiohead - Kid A 
2001 - The Strokes - Is This It? 
2002 - NERD - In Search of... 
2003 - The White Stripes - Elephant 
2004 - The Killers - Hot Fuss 
2005 - The Mars Volta - Francis the Mute 
2006 - TV On The Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain 
2007 - Kanye West - Graduation 
2008 - Santogold / Santigold
2009 - Mastodon - Crack the Skye 
2010 - Gorillaz - Plastic Beach 
2011 - Bjork - Biophilia 
2012 - Flying Lotus - Until The Quiet Comes 
2013 -  Arcade Fire - Reflektor
2014 - Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels 2  
2015 - Kamasi Washington - The Epic 

See Our 2016 Honorable Album Mentions

...and now to add to that growing list is an artist that influenced nearly everyone who has won this award in the past as well as those who realized that being yourself is the greatest gift and power anyone could ever have. This artist doesn't really need a long introduction simply because he is the reason a League of Their Own exists because he spent his entire career there. Ladies and Gentlemen, the 2016 League of Their Own winner is...

David Bowie - Blackstar

The Thin White Duke released his 25th album, his best in decades and one of his best ever days before succumbing to a secret and long battle with liver cancer. Davie Bowie is the definition of a true artist and as his producer and friend Tony Visconi said Blackstar was the singer's "parting gift to fans." It was a fitting way to send himself off into the great ether as the musical spaceman traveled from his soul and into our heart and memories forever. Blackstar was his full life's work and his farewell to everyone. This was the record he wanted to be remembered for and remind everyone what he gave us. As we continue to mourn the life and love of David Bowie, we know he is resting easy somewhere above us and around us. The circumstances surrounding Blackstar may have been not the most ideal to craft an album but he went out on his terms which was the same way he lived. 

Learn More About 2016's Best New Artist

Stay Tuned Next Week For Our Top 10 Albums of the Year!