2023 marked the 50th anniversary of hip hop. Rappers new and old gathered together to celebrate the genre, reminiscing on the classics and embracing the next generation of MCs. A year later, recent albums prove that rap music won’t fade away anytime soon.
In every regard, 2024 has been a brilliant year for hip hop. Icons like Eminem and ScHoolboy Q have graced fans with new albums. An army of rappers in the underground scene have quietly released some of the best rap music in years. Even old-school legends like Rakim and LL Cool J are joining in with new projects.
However, there has been too much quality hip hop in 2024 to discuss every standout project. With that in mind, here are the 10 best rap albums of the year so far, from the heights of the mainstream to the depths of the underground.
10. Los Angeles by Blu & Evidence
Los Angeles is a love letter to the West Coast. Vivid storytelling and tight concepts are the lifeblood of Blu’s music, and his latest effort is no exception. Teaming up with producer Evidence, the LA natives dedicate 13 tracks to all the triumphs and tribulations of living on the West Coast. From the highs of making it in the music scene to the lows of cutthroat Hollywood culture, Blu covers a range of topics with poetic rhymes and an arsenal of passionate flows. All performed over some summery beats from Evidence, the laidback grooves of Los Angeles transport the listener to California.
9. Lived and Born by klwn cat & Sunmundi
For those who prefer a well-written verse over a catchy groove, Lived and Born is an essential listen. Fully produced by klwn cat, the album has a distinctly dark and desolate sound. The sizzle of an old record player permeates through each song, adding to the bleak and rustic soundscape of the project. Rapper Sunmundi masters every instrumental with his vast vocabulary and knack for converting his complex thoughts into unforgettable lyrics. Despite many tracks having minimal percussion, Sunmundi provides rhythm via his breathy bars, enamoring the listener as he spills his thoughts into the microphone.
8. We Don’t Trust You by Future & Metro Boomin
10 years after Future released his monumental mixtape Monster, the trap legend continues to make unmissable albums. We Don’t Trust You is the long-awaited collaboration between MC Future and producer Metro, and the result is one of the best trap albums in years. As always, Future brings a swagger to his performance, balancing hedonistic stories with no shortage of brags and shots at the competition. Metro matches that quality with a plethora of hypnotic beats, dicing up samples and laying them over head-bopping drum loops. From the Kendrick Lamar crossover “Like That” to the mesmerizing flows on “Ice Attack”, the duo provides nonstop quality.
7. #RICHAXXHAITIAN by Mach-Hommy
Whether you’re a fan of abstract hip hop, pop rap, or anything in between, you are guaranteed to love at least one song on #RICHAXXHAITIAN. The latest album from underground icon Mach-Hommy is his most eclectic yet, blending different sounds, inviting on a variety of rappers, and casually rhyming in English and Creole in the same verse. His tongue-twisting bars and cryptic songwriting will never appeal to everyone, but the summery flair of “SONJE” and “SAME 24” are difficult to resist.
6. Black Beloved by Unruly
Quietly rising to the top of the underground, Unruly is one of the best rappers of the decade. Black Beloved is evidence of that: 45 minutes of deep introspection, weaving together a layered concept with fiery verses and hard-hitting production. A seamless blend of soulful, abstract, and political hip hop, Unruly balances various ideas with lyrical precision and charisma to tie everything neatly together.
5. Movie by Your Old Droog
After a year of silence, Your Old Droog is back with one of the best projects of his career. Movie shows off everything that makes Droog such a compelling MC. Highlights like “The Sandbox” showcase his storytelling ability, whereas “What Else?” displays his witty sense of humor, and “Grandmother’s Lessons” reveals Droog at his most vulnerable. A celebration of lyricism performed over some gritty East Coast instrumentals, Movie is up there with the rapper’s finest work.
4. Dark Times by Vince Staples
You could count on one hand the number of rappers as consistent as Vince Staples. Following a streak of inventive rap albums, Dark Times is yet another creative achievement for the Californian MC. The laidback production encourages the listener to focus on every word Vince utters, and for good reason. From his bleak vulnerability to his patient storytelling, each tune shows off a different strength, defining Vince as one of the West Coast’s sharpest talents.
3. The Black Madonna Piece by Patty Honcho
The glory days of jazz rap are long gone, but Patty Honcho is keeping the genre alive. Over a vibrant blend of funky basslines and jazzy horn sections, the rapper delivers an unforgettable performance. His flows are as sporadic and energetic as a sax solo, moving effortlessly with the instrumental. With the charisma of a funk singer and the lyrical flair of a poet, Honcho’s talents are undeniable. The Black Madonna Piece is a modern twist on jazz rap, headed by one of the most technically gifted MCs in the game.
2. Kings of the Mischievous South Vol. 2 by Denzel Curry
In contrast to his groundbreaking concept albums, Vol. 2 sees Denzel Curry focus on sound more than substance. There is no deeper theme, nor any running narrative in this mixtape. Instead, Vol. 2 is a musical time capsule, reviving the gritty sound of classic Southern hip hop and dialling up the intensity. Blaring synths, ear-shattering drums, and hypernergetic verses make up this nostalgia-fuelled mixtape. If you’re looking for thoughtful lyrics to decipher, this collection of hardcore bangers is not for you.
1. The Auditorium Vol. 1 by Common & Pete Rock
In an era where grime and grit have taken centre stage, Common and Pete Rock have joined forces to show that hip hop still has soul. A throwback album borrowing the jazz of ’90s boom bap and the neo-soul of the ’00s Soulquarians, The Auditorium is a beautiful culmination of everything that makes hip hop special. Common’s bars are elegant at best and peculiar at worst, but he flows effortlessly over the vintage jazz rap production from Pete Rock. The Auditorium could have been a disappointing crossover between two washed-up legends, but instead, we got a modern classic.
