Top 50 Rap Albums of the Decade

Although it can be difficult analyzing albums that haven’t had numerous years to fully digest, it is fun seeing how recent albums stack up against each other. Comparing albums that have come out in the last seven years or so helps keep things fresh and tones down the potentially heavy nostalgia effect. Compiling all-time lists is something that can cause mass uproar among the music community — especially in hip-hop. MTV’s “Hottest MC’s in the Game” list has resulted in much controversy with rap fans and artists alike since its inception in 2007. With that being said, our team at TFC has conceived a “GOAT” list of our own. Here are our 50 best rap albums that have dropped this decade. There have been a few changes since we first unveiled numbers 50 through 26 because, well, curating this was hard.

So, if you’re looking to expand your hip-hop library, don’t hesitate to check out these albums. Think we forgot an important one? Let us know down in the Comments section below! Since boiling down hundreds of great rap projects is quite strenuous, this list has a few restrictions:

1. Each album must have been released starting from 2010 up to present day
2. Mixtapes are (for the most part) excluded; the records must be full-length studio albums (independent or major label)
3. Grammy-nominated mixtapes are eligible to appear
4. Artists who release free projects on a major label are eligible to appear
5. Each album must be primarily based in the Hip-hop/Rap genre

This list was compiled by using my own personal knowledge and opinions mixed with how each album was received critically, NOT commercially. Album sales are a relevant barometer of an artist’s success. However, they are not directly correlated with musical quality. Thus going platinum or gold does not affect whether or not an album makes this list. Enjoy, and feel free to share your opinions below in the Comments. Thanks for stopping by!

Honorable Mentions

xx. Childish Gambino’s Because the Internet

xx. Future’s Honest

xx. Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager

xx. Nicki Minaj’s The Pinkprint

xx. Meek Mill’s Dreams Worth More Than Money

xx. Mac Miller’s GO:OD AM

xx. Young Thug’s Barter 6

xx. ScHoolboy Q’s Oxymoron

xx. Wale’s Ambition

xx. Drake & Future’s What a Time to Be Alive

xx. Big Sean’s Dark Sky Paradise

xx. J. Cole’s 4 Your Eyez Only

xx. Tyler, The Creator’s Goblin

xx. Migos’ CULTURE

xx. Logic’s The Incredible True Story

#50-26

50. Tech N9ne’s All 6’s and 7’s

49. Flatbush Zombies’ 3001: A Laced Odyssey

48. A$AP Rocky’s AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP

47. King Los’ God, Money, War

46. Vince Staples’ Big Fish Theory

45. J. Cole’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive

44. ScHoolboy Q’s Habits & Contradictions

43. The Game’s Jesus Piece

42. Rick Ross’ Teflon Don

41. Joey Bada$$’s B4.DA.$$

40. A$AP Rocky’s LONG.LIVE.A$AP

39. ScHoolboy Q’s Blank Face LP

38. Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo

37. Nas’ Life is Good

36. Earl Sweatshirt’s Doris

35. Future’s DS2

34. Drake’s Nothing Was the Same

33. Run the Jewels’ Run the Jewels 3

32. Ghostface Killah’s Apollo Kids

31. Pusha T’s My Name is My Name

30. JAY Z’s 4:44

29. YG’s Still Brazy

28. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s Piñata

27. Drake’s Take Care

26. YG’s My Krazy Life

#25-11

25. Ab-Soul’s Control System

24. El-P’s Cancer 4 Cure

23. JAY Z & Kanye West’s Watch the Throne

22. Travis Scott’s Rodeo

21. Joey Bada$$’s All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$

20. Danny Brown’s XXX

19. Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late

18. The Roots’ How I Got Over

17. Killer Mike’s R.A.P. Music

16. Vince Staples’ Summertime ’06

15. Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN.

14. Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book

13. Lupe Fiasco’s Tetsuo & Youth

12. Kanye West’s Yeezus

11. The Roots’ undun

Top 10

10. Big K.R.I.T.’s Cadillactica

9. Pusha T’s King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude

8. Danny Brown’s Atrocity Exhibition

7. Kendrick Lamar’s section.80

6. A Tribe Called Quest’s We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service

5. Run the Jewels’ Run the Jewels 2

4. Big Boi’s Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty

3. Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city

2. Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

1. Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly