Yr-end album lists are a present and a curse for a Hip-Hop and music journalist as a result of we’re by no means going to listen to all the lots of of tasks that dropped over the previous three hundred and sixty five days. Nevertheless, Hip-Hop Wired is making an attempt the inconceivable to ship our favourite Hip-Hop tasks of 2024.
Breaking the wall right here, I need it identified that I may be a person of a sure age however I by no means turned my again on the music and tradition that, fairly frankly, has given me a lot as a author and participant. Identical to some individuals grew out of loving Hip-Hop, that has by no means occurred with me. Every year, I’m discovering an increasing number of acts that launch music that speaks to me and I benefit from the hunt of digging within the crates, even when it’s digitally.
For this checklist, I solely listed albums or mixtapes (no matter which means in 2024) which have 10 songs or extra. Which means lots of the nine-song releases which might be listed as albums on DSPs usually are not talked about right here however that doesn’t imply they weren’t dope. I simply imagine wholeheartedly that there needs to be at the very least 10 songs on a challenge earlier than we name it a full-length launch. Additional, if I added EPs to this checklist, it’d be even longer than it already is.
As I’ve performed with previous lists, the Hip-Hop albums and mixtapes listed beneath are in alphabetical order by artist title, not rank or desire. I don’t imagine in segregating the music as a result of it doesn’t match some mysterious aesthetic. What I’ve listed beneath are albums I routinely performed, reviewed, and imagine stood out amongst all I’ve heard. If I missed one thing, don’t flame me. You will note lots of West Coast artists on this checklist together with acts from the South, East Coast, and all factors in between.
For now, take pleasure in this large itemizing of Hip-Hop Wired’s high tasks of 2024 beneath.
High Hip-Hop LPs/Mixtapes of 2024
Ab-Soul – Soul Burger
Though not instantly introspective as his earlier album HERBERT, Ab-Soul exhibits and proves his formidable skill as a lyricist whereas paying homage to his pricey brother, Doeburger.
Motion Bronson – Johann Sebastian Bachlava the Physician
Motion Bronson is at his greatest when he’s delivering considered one of his regular one-take verses that take the form of each time he’s feeling within the second. One other dependable drop from Queens native.
Apollo Brown & Crimeapple – This, Is Not That
Crimeapple, a rapper out of New Jersey by the use of Colombia, raps with bone-chilling precision and conviction. This pairing with Apollo Brown is a standout amongst his different releases this 12 months.
Benny The Butcher – All people Can’t Go
Benny The Butcher’s debut album with Def Jam Data doesn’t mute or clear up the grit and dirt he’s identified to ship. The Black Soprano boss will get manufacturing from Hit-Boy and The Alchemist whereas operating the operation expertly.
BigXthaPlug – Take Care
Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug had a busy 2024 however the cherry on high was his second studio album, Take Care. Sure, the album dives into BigX’s time on the street but in addition the significance of leveling up.
Boldy James & Conductor Williams – Throughout The Tracks
Boldy James dropped 4 albums this 12 months and we might’ve gone with any of them. We selected his collaboration with Conductor Willams and their potent Throughout The Tracks drop.
Blu & Exile – Love (the) Ominous World
Among the many 4 studio albums, Blu dropped this 12 months, his challenge with Exile, Love (the) Ominous World, is the one we couldn’t cease rocking.
Widespread & Pete Rock – The Auditorium Vol. 1
Age ain’t nothing however a quantity and the pairing of Widespread and Pete Rock proved that idea all throughout their fulfilling album, The Auditorium Vol. 1.
Conway The Machine – Slant Face Killah
Conway The Machine doesn’t get the popularity he deserves as a rapper and his versatility is unmatched. Slant Face Killah is a correct showcase for the Drumwork Music Group honcho.
Cordae – The Crossroads
Cordae got here into the sport with loads of promise and his newest studio album takes all of his strongest factors whereas including that main label sheen.
Chuck Strangers – A Forsaken Lover’s Plea
Chuck Strangers obtained his first look as a producer as a part of the sprawling Professional Period collective however has since emerged as his personal man. His second studio album, A Forsaken Lover’s Plea, stamps Chuck Strangers as a standout voice among the many producer-rapper set.
Curren$y & DJ Recent – The Tonite Present The Sequel
Curren$y drops a lot constant warmth that we had a tough time selecting an album however his previous work with DJ Recent drew us to The Tonite Present The Sequel and we’re higher for it.
Denzel Curry – King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2
Denzel Curry is an enigma of an artist who’s able to dropping good bars but in addition can flip up. King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2, billed as a mixtape, feels similar to that however in the perfect of how.
Dizzy Wright, Demrick & Mike & Keys – Blaze With Us 3
Dizzy Wright was lively in 2024 together with sustaining his varied enterprise pursuits. Reconnecting with Demrick, additionally an entrepreneur, the pair’s Blaze With Us 3 boasts unbelievable manufacturing from Mike & Keys and sure, it’s excellent to pair together with your favourite strains. (Additionally, Demrick’s “Watch This” remains to be dope.)
Doechii – Alligator Bites By no means Heal
Doechii’s breakout 12 months was capped by the soulful Tiny Desk live performance that lately dropped. A lot of that efficiency featured songs from her newest mixtape, Alligator Bites By no means Heal, which makes us surprise what the album will sound like.
EARTHGANG – PERFECT FANTASY
EARTHGANG retains our consideration each time they drop new music and the duo of Olu and WowGr8 are nonetheless adept at discovering new flows, sounds, and themes. There’s a tendency to match them to a different duo out of Georgia however they personal their distinctive sound solely.
El Costeau – Merci, Non Merci
El Costeau first appeared on our radar by the use of MIKE’s wonderful Burning Want album. The Washington, D.C. rapper’s unfastened, heady verses showcase the various creativity and pursuits of the Northeast native.
Erick the Architect – I’ve By no means Been Right here Earlier than
As a member of the Flatbush Zombies, Erick the Architect proved he’s a rapper value noting. Along with his solo album, I’ve By no means Been Right here Earlier than, Arc delivers a different and private challenge that rewards the listener a number of occasions over.
Flo Milli – Wonderful Ho, Keep
Flo Milli’s second studio challenge continues the “Ho” theme from her earlier drops and is the strongest of the three. The 24-year-old starlet and anticipating Mother isn’t any slouch and we’re prepared to listen to what’s subsequent.
Freddie Gibbs – You Solely Die 1nce
Freddie Gibbs is rising up, or at the very least that’s the message we’re getting from You Solely Die 1nce. The Gary, Ind. rapper sounds exceptional on an album that followers didn’t see coming.
Freeway & Jake One – The Stimulus Package deal 2
Philadelphia rapper Freeway and Seattle producer Jake One made magic in 2010 with The Stimulus Package deal. 14 years later, The Stimulus Package deal 2 is simply as sturdy as its predecessor and perhaps higher in some elements.
Future & Metro Boomin – We Don’t Belief You
Sure, we all know that “Like That” is the spotlight for a lot of however Future and Metro Boomin confirmed their chemistry all throughout We Don’t Belief You.
Gangrene (Oh No & The Alchemist) – Heads I Win, Tails You Lose
Gangrene, the duo of Oh No and The Alchemist might very effectively be the perfect producers on the mic. Heads I Win, Tails You Lose is the duo’s fourth studio album and it’s all bars, beats, and boasts, simply accurately.
GloRilla – Wonderful
Memphis rapper GloRilla got here into the sport with loads of movement, culminating in her crowd-pleasing debut studio album, Wonderful. Huge Glo covers all of the bases on the discharge, and we all know it’s solely up from right here.
Gunna – Considered one of Wun
Gunna stored his head down and continued to work regardless of all of the smut individuals tried to throw on his title and delivered a stellar album in Considered one of Wun.
Heems & Lapgam – LAFANDAR
Heems, who some would possibly keep in mind from Das Racist, dropped two albums this 12 months, the primary of which, LAFANDAR, was performed with Lapgam, a fellow Indian-American.
J. Cole – Would possibly Delete Later
J. Cole obtained lots of warmth for deleting his Kendrick Lamar diss, “7 Minute Drill” from his fourth mixtape, Would possibly Delete Later, nevertheless it’s a contact unfair. The remainder of the challenge is among the strongest units of bars we’ve heard from the North Carolina MC and producer.
JasonMartin & DJ Quik – Chupacabra
JasonMartin, previously referred to as Drawback, related with the legendary DJ Quik for the funky, sun-soaked Chupacabra. Even in the event you’re not from the West Coast, it nonetheless goes.
Jay Worthy & DāM-FunK – Magic Hour
Jay Worthy is at all times dropping new music and this 12 months was no totally different. Nailing down our favourite document was troublesome. Nevertheless, Magic Hour, made alongside DāM-FunK, was the one which stored cropping up.
JPEGMAFIA – I Lay Down My Life for You
JPEGMAFIA is a troublesome artist to elucidate to the unfamiliar however what we will say is that in the event you’re in a position to seize something about Peggy is that he’s everywhere in the map and that’s high quality with us.
Ka – The Thief Subsequent To Jesus
Ka sadly handed away this 12 months and his loss remains to be sending waves of shock amongst his devoted followers. Music lives on and the Brownsville lyricist’s album, The Thief Subsequent To Jesus, is one other in an extended checklist of tasks that needs to be studied in schools.
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Learn our assessment right here
Let The Filth Say Amen – I Love You, I’m Not Sorry
Let The Filth Say Amen, a rapper, and producer out of Washington, D.C., dropped considered one of our favourite albums in 2021, God Hates Gucci. I Love You, I’m Not Sorry is extra of Filth’s sturdy manufacturing, relentless verses, and a few of the greatest sh*t-talking we’ve heard all 12 months.
LL COOL J – The FORCE
LL COOL J shocked lots of followers with The FORCE, a departure in sound for the Queens veteran. Produced by Q-Tip of A Tribe Referred to as Quest fame, there are some attention-grabbing curveballs throughout the challenge however that’s why we loved it a lot.
Logic – Extremely 85
Logic is polarizing amongst Hip-Hop followers for causes past the music, which has typically been good to nice. Extremely 85 undoubtedly leans to the good aspect of the Maryland rapper’s discography and regardless of its size, Bobby Tarantino is the rationale to tune in.
Mach-Hommy – #RichAxxHaitian
Mach-Hommy doesn’t reveal a lot about himself regardless of a number of dozen releases acclaimed by critics and listeners alike. The Haitian-American New Jersey native shakes up issues on #RichAxxHaitian with attention-grabbing options however the primary character stays Mach-Hommy.
Marv Gained – I’m Wonderful, Thanks For Asking
Marv Gained is among the most gifted rappers out of Detroit, a metropolis that appears to provide rappers who can stream over something. I’m Wonderful, Thanks For Asking will get into Marv Gained’s ideas in a manner that just about feels intrusive however we respect him for letting us in.
MAVI – shadowbox
MAVI burst onto the scene along with his debut album Let The Solar Speak in 2019. The Charlotte, N.C. rapper’s third album, shadowbox, is an emotional, soul-stirring assortment of ideas that finds the 25-year-old rapper wrestling with the burden of the world.
MIKE & Tony Seltzer – Pinball
Regardless of his mature sound and thematic goals, MIKE remains to be very a lot a younger man in his 20s. As a substitute of taking up the beats, Huge MIKE connects with producer Tony Seltzer for the youthful and frenetic Pinball. Don’t get it twisted, MIKE remains to be entering into nevertheless it’s quite a bit lighter than his regular fare.
Nappy Nina & Swarvy – Nothing Is My Favourite Factor
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Nappy Nina’s 2023 album Mourning Due was considered one of our favorites and as a substitute of coasting on that wonderful physique of labor, the Oakland. rapper’s Nothing Is My Favourite Factor with producer Swarvy took us on a wonderful audio journey.
Navy Blue – Memoirs In Armour
Navy Blue’s 2023 Def Jam Data debut, Methods Of Realizing, gripped us by the ears from the primary second. Now absolutely impartial as soon as extra, Memoirs In Armour finds Navy Blue as soon as extra centering spirituality and his connection to his household, all of which is delivered in an nearly melancholic however reflective tone.
Nickelus F – MMCHT
Nickelus F is one other instance of an artist with immense skill who appears content material with rapping for individuals who get it and unbothered with chasing fame. The Richmond, Va. MC and producer’s MMCHT is considered one of his most private releases and one the place he doesn’t rap in character.
NxWorries (Anderson .Paak & Knxledge) – Why Lawd?
NxWorries, the duo of singer, rapper, and drummer Anderson .Paak and producer knxledge, return with their second full-length, Why Lawd? Along with his sing-rap type, .Paak is in high kind and Knxledge has been a beast on the boards for years.
Planet Asia & Native Astronauts – No Retirement
Planet Asia will at all times have a contemporary platter of warmth for his legion of followers and among the many drops from this 12 months, No Retirement with manufacturing workforce Native Astronauts was our best choice.
Earlier Industries (Open Mike Eagle, Nonetheless Rift & Video Dave) – Service Merchandise
Earlier Industries finds Open Mike Eagle, STILL RIFT, and Video Dave collectively figuring out the realities of ageing together with nonetheless having much more to say. The longtime Chicago associates’ unbelievable Service Merchandise album is filled with moments of readability together with comical revelations. It’s sharp work.
Rapsody – Please Don’t Cry
Rapsody needs to be talked about among the many greats and it’s no fault of her personal that she is commonly misunderstood. On Please Don’t Cry, Rap is extra plainspoken than ever and there isn’t a wasted bar on the challenge.
Raz Fresco & DJ Muggs – The Everlasting Now
Raz Fresco, an extremely prolific Canadian producer and MC, dropped joints this 12 months that could possibly be instead of our choose, The Everlasting Now. That stated, Raz and his “marvelous proper wrist” type and 5 % Nation teachings work effectively with DJ Muggs’ manufacturing.
Roc Marciano – Marciology
It could possibly be argued whether or not or not Marciology is the perfect album in Roc Marciano’s catalog however as a substitute of needlessly pitting the Lengthy Island rapper-producer’s music in opposition to one another, we’d reasonably state the truth that Roc Marci’s imaginative and prescient was absolutely realized on this launch.
Roc Marciano & The Alchemist – The Skeleton Key
Sure, we all know Roc Marci is on this checklist twice and this Eleventh-hour drop from Roc and The Alchemist exhibits and proves the pair know how one can deliver the perfect qualities out of one another. That is undoubtedly an album for the wintertime grind.
ScHoolboy Q – Blue Lips
Learn our assessment right here.
Sideshow – F.U.N.T.O.Y.
Sideshow, a Washington, D.C. rapper who now resides in Los Angeles, doesn’t grant interviews a lot of what we learn about him is in his music. The Ethiopian-American rapper’s music is replete with avenue tales and hazy manufacturing greatest fitted to a smoke session or operating a mission.
Slum Village – F.U.N.
Slum Village, now a duo with unique member T3 and producer-rapper Younger RJ, has stored the SV flag flying through the years. F.U.N. continues the custom and finds them each having lots of enjoyable on the microphone per the album’s title.
Smoke DZA – THC3 (Kushedgod Bitch)
Smoke DZA is severely underrated and it’s type of irritating for us who’re followers of The Kushedgod. On THC3 (KushedGod Bitch), George Kush aka Smoke DZA exhibits off his easy cool as soon as once more.
Tha Dogg Pound – W.A.W.G.
With the West Coast sound absolutely rocking the radio nationwide, it was an ideal time for Tha Dogg Pound to reintroduce themselves with W.AW.G. aka We All We Obtained, which options stellar manufacturing from Mike & Keys.
Thurz – Yannick Koffi: In Time
Followers of the rap group U-N-I needs to be aware of Thurz, previously Thurzday. His newest album, Yannick Koffi: In Time will get into the story of the Inglewood native as we’ve by no means heard earlier than earlier than.
Tierra Whack – WORLD WIDE WHACK
It’s arduous to imagine that Tierra Whack’s WORLD WIDE WHACK is her debut studio album, nevertheless it does function a terrific introduction to those that haven’t heard the dynamic Philadelphia star.
Tyler, The Creator – Chromakopia
Tyler, The Creator is now a reputable celebrity, and the curiosity surrounding his newest album, Chromakopia, proves that truth. The album dives into themes of fame and the stress that comes together with it however there are additionally basic moments of T speaking his speak.
Vince Staples – Darkish Instances
Vince Staples’ sixth album, Darkish Instances, is his ultimate album on Def Jam Data however, as is his penchant, the Lengthy Seashore rapper doesn’t dial it in. That is one other wonderful assortment of Vince Staples’ ideas.
Westside Gunn – Nonetheless Praying
Westside Gunn is probably Hip-Hop’s biggest self-promoter however fortunately, he backs up his boasts extra occasions than not. Nonetheless Praying finds the Griselda mastermind rapping a couple of way of life few can afford and proving that the lane he occupies is firmly his personal.
Your Previous Droog – Film
Whereas we await the long-teased collaboration with Madlib, Your Previous Droog’s Film is greater than a mere holdover. Droog’s ear for beats and his humorous reflections preserve the album a lightweight however raucous pay attention.
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Photograph: Getty
