Best Rap Albums

Yo, forget best-of lists – Gucci Mane ain’t about albums, he’s the mixtape kingpin. Dude’s got more tapes than a trap house got scales, and every single one a brick of raw, uncut street gospel. We talking anthems…

Yo, you gotta check out Fuerza Regida – these cats are revolutionizin’ regional Mexican music. They ain’t afraid to get real, spittin’ ’bout love, struggle, and the grind. They keep the corridos classic, but they mix in heavy…

Aight, let’s talk about Jack Harlow – this cat from Kentucky who’s put a new spin on the game. Dude’s got that smooth flow with beats that nod to his roots, but it’s bigger than that. He’s built…

The magnetic prowess of Gangsta Boo—the hip-hop titan from Memphis—can’t be overstated. Born Lola Mitchell, she volleyed onto the scene, becoming the only female member of the iconic rap collective, Three 6 Mafia. Over the years, Boo has…

Released: 1993 Featuring: D.O.C., RBX, Tha Dogg Pound, The Lady Of Rage, Nate Dogg, Warren G, Kurupt, The Dramatics A chilling blend of razor-sharp rhymes, hypnotic G-funk grooves, and iconoclastic storytelling, Snoop Dogg’s ‘Doggystyle’ is a cornerstone in…

Released: 2016 Featuring: PARTYNEXTDOOR, dvsn, Pimp C, Wizkid, Kyla, Future, Rihanna, Majid Jordan From the icy realms of the Great White North emerged a contender, a shift in the tectonic plates of hip-hop. Aubrey ‘Drake’ Graham, a diplomat…

Styles P, the inimitable voice gracing some of the hardest tracks from The LOX, is appreciated by true fans and hip-hop scholars for his solo work that zigzags between the opulent gangsta personas and introspective bars. This Yonkers…

When it comes to the hardcore rap scene, few artists have brought as much intensity, authenticity, and lyrical prowess as Philly’s own Freeway. Born Leslie Edward Pridgen, Freeway has been a consistent force in hip-hop since his introduction…

Chief Keef, the prodigious rapper from Chicago’s South Side, has been a trailblazer in the hip-hop scene since his breakout in the early 2010s. With a prolific discography that’s an embodiment of the drill genre, Keef’s music is…

Born as Joseph Antonio Cartagena but better known by his stage name, Fat Joe, this Bronx emcee has been a cornerstone of the hip-hop scene since his debut album “Represent” dropped in ’93. Whether he’s trading bars with…

As one of hip-hop’s most iconic queens, Lil’ Kim, born Kimberly Denise Jones, stormed onto the scene in the 90s with a rawness, sensuality, and luxuriously gangsta flavor unheard before. Cutting through the male-dominated game, her albums are…

Step into the world of Symere Bysil Woods, better known as Lil Uzi Vert, one of hip-hop’s boldest voices. Since his breakout in 2015, Uzi has dropped a series of projects that have changed the game—not only with…

Eminem is undoubtedly one of the most influential and controversial figures in the history of hip-hop. His raw and unapologetic lyrics, coupled with his unparalleled technical skills, have solidified his place as one of the greatest rappers of…

The legacy of Snoop Dogg has remained as enduring as ever. His discography, stuffed with tracks that span from dojo-stamped classics to new-age anthems, is a testament to his adaptability and longevity in the ever-evolving hip-hop game. From…

There’s no denying the monumental influence The Alchemist has had on the hip-hop landscape. With a discography as varied as it is vast, each record stands as a testament to his innovative and distinctive approach to beat-making. From…

Lil Yachty, the self-proclaimed “King of the Teens,” has carved a unique lane for himself in the world of hip-hop. With his infectious energy, melodic flows, and vibrant personality, Yachty has become one of the most polarizing figures…

Straight outta Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Kentrell DeSean Gaulden – more widely known as YoungBoy Never Broke Again – is a force to be reckoned with in the hip-hop scene. Rising from the trenches, he tells tales of his…

A rap debut album is a statement of intent, a manifesto. It’s the artist’s first real chance to etch their mark in the hip hop history books, or to simply add their unique flavor to the rich sonic…

Underground hip-hop has long served as the lifeblood of the rap game, a hidden realm where innovation and unbridled creativity thrive. It’s a space where hip hop artists, unfazed by mainstream trends or radio plays, craft records that…

Tupac Shakur, or simply “Pac,” as he’s often affectionately referred to, blazed through the rap scene like a comet in the 90’s, leaving behind a trail of brilliance that still lights up the music universe. Starting off with…

Aight, let’s get into why hip hop is the realest artform on the planet. It started on Bronx block parties, but now it’s a worldwide movement, the voice of the streets and the soundtrack of our lives. MCs…

When hip-hop started in the parks of the Bronx, it was all about the MC and the DJ, the lyrical finesse meeting the art of the beat. Fast forward, and the culture evolved with MCs teaming up with…

With its sun-kissed streets and its contentious corners, the West Coast has been a hotbed for innovative rap music, giving birth to some of the most iconic albums that have shaped the culture as we know it. From…

Hip hop ain’t a solo sport – it’s about crews comin’ together, producers and MCs droppin’ fire tracks that push the whole culture forward. The illest albums are born outta that energy. Take Czarface and MF DOOM’s “Super…

There are artists who boldly push the boundaries, challenge conventions, and create their own unique lanes. And then there’s 6ix9ine. Love him or hate him, there’s no denying the impact this flamboyant Brooklyn rapper has had on the…

Throughout hip hop history, few rappers have undertaken the ambitious venture of creating a double album, and fewer still have excelled. Whether we’re talking about the blustering bravado of gangsta rap or the poetic introspection of conscious hip-hop,…

Aight, let’s break down how hip hop done changed the whole game over the years. It ain’t just about beats and rhymes – styles switch up, messages get deeper, and production gets wilder with each era. Back in…

In the history of rap music, there have been countless debut albums that stand out for their profound impact on the culture. These special albums, whether characterized by their forward-thinking lyrical content or innovative production techniques, and distinctive…

The 2010s, a dynamic and transformative period for hip hop, saw the culture’s profound permeation and shaping of the global cultural zeitgeist. The decade was marked by explosive creativity, personal storytelling, and audacious experiments that redefined the contours…

Boom-bap, G-funk, Atlanta soul, New Orleans bounce, and all that jazz – the ’90s saw hip-hop skyrocketing from the streets into the mainstream consciousness, serving as a bold and unfiltered soundtrack of the era. This golden age of…

Female rappers might not get the same shine as their male counterparts do (unfairly so), but they’ve been right there from the beginning of hip hop culture, consistently pushing the boundaries, challenging the norms and redefining the genre…

As the 2000s dawned, hip hop found itself emerging from a fruitful yet turbulent time. The ’90s were marked by unparalleled creativity and expansion, but also by the tragic losses of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. Their…

As the golden era of hip hop unfolded, the 1990s witnessed a creative explosion that forever changed the cultural landscape. A time of trailblazers and innovators, the ’90s brought forth a deluge of legendary debut rap albums that not only…

In the world of hip-hop, it’s no secret that your first two albums can make or break your career. While some artists struggle to maintain the momentum after a strong debut , others have managed to drop a…

Hip hop ain’t nothin’ without legends, and those true legends ain’t about one fire album – they drop classics back-to-back-to-back. Some cats try their whole career and can’t make one album stick, meanwhile, you got icons like Public…

The 2000s had hip hop split hard – you either sold out to the mainstream or stayed underground. But the 2010s changed all that. Cats like Drake, Kendrick, Future, and Cole blew up, but they kept it real,…

Why do so many rappers fall down when it comes to their sophomore album? Well, like they say, you have your whole life to write your first album and only a year or two to create your second.

When it comes to innovation and new styles of hip hop music, there isn’t a decade in history that can surpass the 1980s. It seemed like every other week there was a new classic being dropped.

Coming out the transformative era that was the ’90s, hip hop flourished in the 2000s and quickly became, not only the dominant music genre of the decade, but also a cultural force.

The third album holds a special place in an artist’s catalogue. Really, if you think about, it’s the third album that really makes the artist.

Now that we’ve done the best hip hop records of the ’80s and ’90s , it’s time to move on to the noughts era. Coming into this decade, hip hop was transforming into one of the biggest genres…

Now that we’ve got the best albums of the ’80s out of the way, it’s time to revisit my favourite hip hop decade – the good ol’ ’90s. In which case, it made creating this list even harder.

Trying to create a list of the best hip hop albums of every year, from the ’80s to now is an almost impossible task. I nearly gave up when I thought about the extra crazy years like ’88,…

It’s impossible to talk about the greatest hip hop groups of all time without mentioning the Wu-Tang Clan. Known for their raw lyricism, gritty production style, and larger-than-life personalities, the 9 masked Shaolin MCs have left an indelible…