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:
- Each album must have been released starting from 2010 up to present day
- Mixtapes are (for the most part) excluded; the records must be full-length studio albums (independent or major label)
- Grammy-nominated mixtapes are eligible to appear
- Artists who release free projects on a major label are eligible to appear
- 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