Janelle Monae’s Dirty Computer tops best albums of 2018 poll

Singer Janelle Monae has topped the Associated Press’ poll of the best albums of the year with Dirty Computer.
The star’s third studio album, which earned Janelle two 2019 Grammy Award nominations, including for Album of the Year, beat country singer Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour to top the annual poll.
Rapper J. Cole’s KOD, the soundtrack to season three of hit TV show Insecure, and The Kids Are Alright by Beyonce’s protegees Chloe x Halle complete the top five, while Beyonce and JAY-Z’s joint release Everything Is Love, Robyn’s Honey, and Sweetener by Ariana Grande earn mentions in the top 10.
Meanwhile, Latin artists Nicky Jam and J Balvin’s infectious X has been declared the top song of 2018, beating out R&B veteran Toni Braxton’s Long as I Live, and Empire actor/singer Jussie Smollett’s Ha Ha (I Love You) for the honour.
Others earning a mention in the top 10 include Boo’d Up by Ella Mai, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s All the Stars from the Black Panther soundtrack, Normani and Khalid’s Love Lies, and Drake’s viral hit In My Feelings.
Rising British singer Ella is also being recognised as one of the outlet’s Breakthrough Entertainers of 2018, alongside Crazy Rich Asians stars Awkwafina and Henry Golding, country singer Kane Brown, and BlacKkKlansman actor John David Washington.