Language is the method of human communication. There are thousands of spoken languages around the world, yet there is one universal language which we all share: music

Another year of ground-breaking music has almost passed by, and artists of every genre have released some of the best and worst music to this day.

Of course, 2018 provided us with great new music. Pop hits like Bruno Mars and Cardi B’s “Finesse” dominated the charts, hip-hop and rap hits like Drake’s “In My Feelings” went viral and alternative artists like Billie Eilish rose on the charts.

Some songs, such as Sheck Wes’s “Mo Bamba,” turned the public eye on new, lesser-known artists who may be on the rise in 2019.

“Cuco. Cuco is not that big yet, but I think he’s really great,” Dylan Fuentala (11) stated.

The Hispanic alternative artist just released his first EP this year, and he may just be one of those up-and-coming artists, according to Fuentala.

Even with new music and artists growing throughout the year, 2018 presented quite a few controversies in the music industry.

Go back to the beginning of the year: Justin Timberlake, having just released one of his less popular albums, “Man of the Woods,” performed at halftime of Super Bowl LII. To say the least, it was met with a multitude of views.

“I don’t feel like it was too memorable, so I didn’t like it as much,” Fuentala said.

Also, the 60th Annual Grammy Awards brought bouts of controversy with it, as Kendrick Lamar and Bruno Mars won most of the big-ticket awards that night.

2018 is quickly drawing to a close, but it has been a memorable year in the music industry. We lost several artists: XXXTentacion, Mac Miller and renowned vocalist, Aretha Franklin. With 2019 swiftly approaching, the music industry will continue to evolve and inspire others, and just maybe the next legends will be born.

Gulf News Music Mid-Year Review

Rolling Stone: 50 Best Albums of 2019 So Far

Time Magazine Online: Best Music Albums of 2018 So Far