As 2019 comes to a close, it’s fitting to take a retro-rewind trip down memory lane to spotlight the best Hip Hop albums of the decade. Some were close, others unsung—nevertheless, there can be only one supreme that stands above the rest.
2010
Strong 2nd:
Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday
A couple of years prior, with the help of untouchable DVD freestyles, critically praised mixtapes, and guest appearances that outshined the hosts, Nicki Minaj’s masterful debut established a throne that the Queen MC would hold for years to come.
Holy Contenders:
Waka Flocka – Fockavelli
Drake – Thank Me Later
Raekwon – Only Built For Cuban Linx 2
Quiet Storm Pic:
Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon 2
No. 1:
Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
“All of the Lights”, “Runaway”, and “Blame Game” are just a few tracks that still make the head twist with a joyful ugly face to this day!!!
2011
Strong 2nd:
Tyler The Creator – Goblin
This album leads a rebirth of that DGAF, say-anything type music.
Holy Contenders:
Jay Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne
Kendrick Lamar – Section 80
Wale – Ambition
Quiet Storm Pick:
Childish Gambino – CAMP
No. 1:
Drake – Take Care
Not only has this album given birth to acronym rap (HYFR and YOLO), it displays Drizzy’s versatile sing-rap style which became the blueprint for a generation of rappers whose names begin with Lil’.
2012
Strong 2nd:
Nas – Life Is Good
Unfortunately, Hip Hop heartache never sounded so good.
Holy Contenders:
Killer Mike – R.A.P. Music
Rick Ross – God Forgives, I Don’t
2 Chainz – Based on a True Story
Quiet Storm Pick:
Joey Badass – 1999
No. 1:
Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid Mad City
GKMC takes us through a verbal-visual day in Compton. It grabs the attention of “jump on the latest wave” fans and earns the respect of purists—all who choose KDot to be their leader.
2013
Strong 2nd:
Pusha T – My Name Is My Name
Holy Contenders:
Mac Miller – Watching Movies w/ the Sound Off
Wale – The Gifted
Drake – Nothing Was the Same
Quiet Storm Pick:
Curren$y – New Jet City
No. 1:
J. Cole – Born Sinner
On the surface, J. Cole challenges Kanye West by dropping his album on the same day, but underneath one can see the only challenge was to himself as J. Cole diversifies his style on “New York Times” and carries a legacy with “Let Nas Down.”
2014
Strong 2nd:
YG – My Krazy Life
Storytelling, disrespectful gangsta music you could boogie to in your Chucks at a pool party off Crenshaw.
Holy Contenders:
SchoolBoy Q – OxyMoron
Logic – Under Pressure
Nicki Minaj – The Pink Print
Quiet Storm Pick:
Rapsody – Beauty and the Beast
No. 1:
J. Cole – 2014 Forrest Hill Drive
This was the metamorphosis of Jermaine Cole from a rapper who’s nice to an iconic artist.
2015
Strong 2nd:
Wale – The Album About Nothing
This album shows that when Wale raps on beat and doesn’t stray off-topic between verses.
Holy Contenders:
Future – DS2
Vince Staples – Summertime 06
Drake – If You’re Reading This
Quiet Storm Pick:
Jay Rock – 90059
No. 1:
Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly
The greatest, most far-left, sophomore album in the history of Hip Hop.
2016
Strong 2nd:
Bas – Too High To Riot
A pioneering album that describes in gritty, melodic fashion the emotional roller-coaster and aftereffects of depression caused by drug abuse.
Holy Contenders:
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 3
Childish Gambino – Awaken My Love
Isaiah Rashad – The Sun’s Tirade
Quiet Storm:
3D Na’Tee – The Regime
No. 1:
A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It from Here Now, Thank You for Your Service
An excellent finale from a legendary group.
2017
Strong 2nd:
Rapsody – Laila’s Wisdom
The North Carolina MC’s debut quickly moved her into the Top 5 Alive—all gender aside.
Holy Contenders:
Big KRIT – 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time
Jay Z – 4:44
Migos – Culture
Quiet Storm Pick:
Cardi B – Gangsta Bitch Music Vol. 2
No. 1:
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.DAMN. is a forward-reverse lyrical tale matched by upscale production that cements Kendrick Lamar as this generation’s GOAT.
2018
Strong 2nd:
J. Cole – KOD
“Kevin’s Hart”, “1985”, and everything in between are repeat-status tracks that showcase J. Cole’s characteristic vulnerability and beast mode.
Holy Contenders:
Royce Da 5’9 – Book Of Ryan
Cardi B – Invasion of Privacy
XXXTentacion – ?
Quiet Storm Pick:
Westside Gunn – Supreme Blientele
No. 1:
Nipsey Hussle – Victory Lap
The official debut album displays Nipsey Hussle’s blue-collar grind, gritty and descriptive flows, and combines a West Coast sound that crowns him as Cali’s King.
2019
Strong 2nd:
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Bandana
Sharp rhymes and authentic beats pay great tribute to the MC-and-DJ, golden era days.
Holy Contenders:
Lizzo –Cuz I Love You
DaBaby – Kirk
Tyler The Creator – IGOR
Quiet Storm Pick:
Dreamville – Revenge of the Dreamers 2
No. 1:
Rapsody – EVE
Like the title, EVE made Rapsody the mother of all in 2019.
Best Album of the Decade:
Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Few artists are fortunate enough to create a classic. Kanye West elevated to more elite status by doing it twice. MBDTF is a collection of all things Kanye—the artist, rapper, producer, and arranger—that merges with the complexity of his public persona. There’s “Lost in the World” with its delicate intro of a whispering chorus to its passionate drums of sentimental thunder. Then, “Power” plays as an alarm clock for a purposeful life while “Monster” presents him as an equal to his idol, Jay-Z. MBDTF is a classic Hip Hop creation that not only outshines any other album of the decade but will forever sit in the heavens of musical godhood.
