Defined by a beef between the two biggest rappers of our generation—Drake and Kendrick Lamar—2024 was a historic year for hip-hop. The sparks for this battle had existed for a long time, but the back-and-forth between March and May this year was unprecedented, and its effects were felt across the hip-hop world.
Although I could spend the entire article discussing the beef, this past year, we also saw many of the genre’s other artists’ potential fully realized, with young acts like Doechii and Sahbabii putting out their best work yet. In addition, many hip-hop veterans, including ScHoolboy Q, J. Cole, and Future, also released great projects. All of this begs the question: what were the best 10 hip-hop albums of 2024?
But first, let’s begin with some Honorable Mentions:
Samurai – Lupe Fiasco
At 42, Lupe Fiasco continues to do fantastic things. Samurai, a jazz rap record, reminds me of Nujabes.
Saaheem – Sahbabii
Saaheem is Sahbabii’s first step into some real mainstream success. The Atlanta-based rapper has a bright future.
Might Delete Later – J. Cole
Although I was slightly disappointed by some of the tracks on J. Cole’s latest LP, Might Delete Later’s peaks are very high.
Pinball – MIKE and Tony Seltzer
MIKE explores a new sound on Pinball, diving into more trap-sounding beats—and the final product is superb.
Almighty So 2 – Chief Keef
Chief Keef’s production is what really shines on Almighty So 2. Great features, great beats, great project.
10: Future – WE DON’T TRUST YOU
Future has a case for the best trap artist of all time, and he only furthers it on WE DON’T TRUST YOU. In collaboration with producer Metro Boomin’, Future’s versatility is on display throughout the album. The album title is likely directed at Drake, who is dissed multiple times on “Young Metro” and “Like That.” “Like That” is an especially notable track, with a verse from Kendrick Lamar that many consider to have been the first major shot fired in his beef with Drake. “Ice Attack,” “Cinderella,” and “GTA” are all good, too, shining a light on Future’s flawless cadence. WE DON’T TRUST YOU is another polished project from the trap veteran.
Why You Should Listen:
If you’re into more mainstream rappers like Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott and love Atlanta producer Metro Boomin’s production, WE DON’T TRUST YOU is for you. This album boasts some of the best feature verses of this year as well as some of Metro Boomin’s most refined production.
9: Freddie Gibbs: You Only Die 1nce
Having released all-time great albums like Piñata and Bandana with the acclaimed producer Madlib, it’s safe to say that Gibbs has little left to prove in the hip-hop world. A follow-up to his short 2017 studio album You Only Live 2wice, Freddie Gibbs delivers yet another masterful release with You Only Die 1nce. His flow, beat selection, and strong delivery are, as always, elite on You Only Die 1nce. Stand-out tracks from You Only Die 1nce include “Cosmo Freestyle,” “Rabbit Island,” and “Ruthless.”
Why You Should Listen:
Freddie Gibbs’s flow hits hard. It’s fast, vehement, and seems to work on any beat. If you like hard-hitting, grimy raps, listen to You Only Die 1nce.
8: Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal
Alligator Bites Never Heal is Doechii’s long-awaited first full-length project, and I am not surprised at the level of quality the Top Dawg Entertainment artist demonstrates. From the bold “DENIAL IS A RIVER” to softer tracks like “BLOOM” and “SLIDE,” I cannot wait to see how Doechii’s career progresses. With co-signs from Billie Eilish, SZA, and Kendrick Lamar, her rise is imminent. Alligator Bites Never Heal is an innovative project from an innovative artist.
Why You Should Listen:
Listen to Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal if you want to be able to say, “I listened to her before she was big,” when she’s selling out arenas. Her musical creativity is remarkable, and I am confident that she’ll be huge within a few years.
7: Denzel Curry – King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2
King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2 is Denzel Curry’s return to the Floridian sound that brought him into the spotlight nearly a decade ago. I had the chance to experience the album this past November at Ebisu Garden Hall, and it’s safe to say that the project is one with countless hits. Although I loved the direction Zel explored on Melt My Eyes See Your Future, his return to that gritty, unapologetic sound is just as great. Not even 30 years of age yet, Denzel Curry is one of the most prolific rappers of the 21st century with what I think is the best catalog that has come out of the XXL 2016 freshman class.
Why You Should Listen:
King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2 is just electric. It’s full of energy and has mass appeal. Whether you’re looking for something to mosh pit to or just to relax, Denzel Curry’s latest release is worth a listen.
6: Vince Staples – Dark Times
Consistency has been key to Vince Staples’ career. Summertime ‘06, Big Fish Theory, and RAMONA PARK BROKE MY HEART have all been spectacular additions to his discography, and Dark Times is no different. Beginning with “Black&Blue”—one of my favorite songs of the year—the 35-minute LP is able to maintain a consistent level of quality that most hip-hop artists cannot achieve. Its subdued, intimate aura shines on songs like “Government Cheese,” “Children’s Song,” and “Nothing Matters.” On the other hand, Staples’ spirited rapping is apparent in “Étouffée” and “Little Homies.” With Dark Times, Vince Staples makes it clear that he is a force to be reckoned with in the hip-hop world.
Why You Should Listen:
Vince Staples is quickly becoming one of the most acclaimed multidisciplinary artists of our time. You don’t wanna miss out on Dark Times because it’s the culmination of all the amazing work Vince has done until now.
5: JPEGMAFIA – I LAY MY LIFE DOWN FOR YOU
With features from Denzel Curry and Vince Staples, the most unbelievable samples you’ve ever heard, and more shock-value bars like “If I was an NBA player, I’d be Dillon Brooks, but worse,” JPEGMafia’s I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU is perhaps his most versatile album to date. The tracklist ranges from introspective and explorative songs like “Either On or Off the Drugs” and “I Recovered from This” to assertive raps like “SIN MIEDO” and “Don’t Rely on Other Men,” taking listeners through a 40-minute journey that shows just how far Peggy has come since his mixtape days under the stage name Devon Hendryx.
Why You Should Listen:
While JPEGMafia is known to be somewhat avant-garde, he tones down the experimentation on this album to entice a wider audience—and it ends up working marvelously. If you want to try some non-mainstream hip-hop that isn’t too unorthodox, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU is more than worth a listen.
4: Kendrick Lamar – GNX
After his victory against Drake, the world watched with wide eyes as Kendrick Lamar took his next steps. September saw “Watch the Party Die” voice concerns against the hip-hop industry’s increasing lack of integrity and a profound critique of celebrity culture. Many believed that Lamar would release an album that same month, but it wasn’t until two months later—on November 22nd—that he surprised us with his studio album GNX: a victory lap for his unforgettable year.
From back-and-forth singing with SZA on “Luther” to hard-hitting West Coast beats, GNX saw Kendrick follow “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” up with a very different kind of record; unlike his previous releases, GNX is not a concept album but an ode to the West Coast sound that inspired Kendrick in Los Angeles decades ago. Songs like “Hey Now,” “TV Off,” and “Peekaboo” feature aggressive vocals from K-Dot and various other West Coast artists. “Man at the Garden” and “Reincarnated” are the introspective cuts, further demonstrating Lamar’s elite lyricism and versatility. Overall, GNX is another fantastic addition to one of hip-hop’s best discographies ever.
Why You Should Listen:
Kendrick Lamar just won five Grammy awards for “Not Like Us, ” and that essentially settled his beef with Drake. GNX builds on the sound Lamar finds on “Not Like Us,” and is probably already a candidate to win Rap Album of The Year at next year’s awards. Extending Lamar’s glorious legacy, GNX is worth a listen because it’s the ultimate expression of his hip-hop dominance.
3: ScHoolboy Q – Blue Lips
CrasH Talk, ScHoolboy Q’s last album, dropped 5 years ago, which is why the hip-hop world shook when he announced Blue Lips, his 2024 release, on February 1st. Blue Lips could be considered his best—the effort he put into it across 5 years of creative ideation is evident. Collaborating with producers like The Alchemist and Childish Major, as well as artists like Rico Nasty, Freddie Gibbs, Ab-Soul, and Devin Malik, the album deserves a top 3 spot on this list. The raps on “THank God 4 Me,” the lyricism on “Blueslides,” and the beat selection on “Pop” are all clear examples of just how special an artist ScHoolboy Q is.
Why You Should Listen:
We all knew ScHoolboy Q was one of rap’s most impressive voices, but Blue Lips exceeded Q’s already high expectations. If you’re into gritty, West Coast hip-hop but also want a flavor of emotion, this album is for you.
2: Tyler The Creator – Chromakopia
Tyler The Creator shocked the world after surprise-dropping the single “St. Chroma” in October, announcing his new album Chromakopia. Chromakopia is one of Tyler’s best, combining the emotional depth of IGOR with the rap skills of Call Me If You Get Lost. It’s genuinely hard to pick the best song on the album. “Like Him” and “Hey Jane” see Tyler reach introspective peaks. “Thought I Was Dead,” which features ScHoolboy Q, and “Balloon,” which features Doechii, further validate Tyler’s rapping prowess that he’s demonstrated since Goblin in 2011. “Noid” and “Darling, I” highlight his unparalleled boundary-pushing productional capabilities. Chromokopia officially solidifies Tyler’s position as a hip-hop all-time great.
Why You Should Listen:
Somehow, Tyler The Creator’s Chromakopia is just as inventive as his previous releases. It dives into social issues, his internal conflicts, and his journey to eminence, balancing groundbreaking production with traditional raps. You should listen to Chromakopia because it might well be Tyler’s magnum opus.
1: MAVI – Shadowbox
Shadowbox is arguably MAVI’s most impressive album to date, and that’s not at all an easy feat. The summer release sees MAVI build on the sound he’s cultivated through Let The Sun Talk and Laughing So Hard, it Hurts and takes his soulful bars to a new level. Its relaxing atmosphere is exemplified on tracks like “The Giver” and “Open Waters,” but MAVI shows us that he can still rap on “I Did” and “Too Much to Zelle.” Shadowbox is indeed a fitting title for the album, featuring both dark introspection and an allure unmatched by any other hip-hop album released in 2024. The 25-year-old artist is part of the reason I’m so excited about hip-hop’s future.
Why You Should Listen:
MAVI is an outstanding up-and-coming artist. Again, he’s only 25 but is still putting out music that feels genuinely intimate and personal. If you want to listen to an album that explores sadness in a novel way, I can think of few albums that are better than Shadowbox.
