The best hip-hop albums of 2024

Just three years after releasing his Grammy Award-winning album Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler, The Creator returned with his eighth album Chromakopia. Tyler has always mentioned how supportive his mother has been throughout his life and career, and he uses her voice to advise him throughout the album. On the opening track “St. Chroma,” his mother is heard saying, “You are the light / It’s not on you, it’s in you / Don’t you ever in your mf life dim your light for nobody.” Across 14 tracks, Tyler takes the production into his own hands and he’s a master at each song sounding different from the rest. He teams up with several collaborators such as Daniel Caesar, Teezo Touchdown, GloRilla, Doechii, and many more. Whether he details his lack of commitment to love on “Darling, I,” highlights mixed emotions about an unexpected pregnancy on “Hey Jane,” or knows his self-worth on “Sticky,” Tyler has a song for anyone’s mood and it’s safe to say his star continues to shine bright.  

When it comes to artists on the Top Dawg Entertainment record label, it’s a roster filled with creatives who believe in taking their time to craft their projects. After a five-year hiatus since his previous album Crash Talk, ScHoolboy Q returned with his latest album Blue Lips. The 18-track album features several collaborations alongside Freddie Gibbs, Ab-Soul, Rico Nasty, Jazzy, and more. In pure Q fashion, the Los Angeles rapper gives fans lush and infectious production, alongside smooth storytelling and wordplay. Whether he’s detailing his loneliness and anxiety on “Blueslides” or showcasing production that meshes jazz with hip-hop on “oHio,” this album highlights just how much Q has come into his own as an artist.

Just two years after releasing his sophomore album Superghetto, Buddy is back with his third album Don’t Forget to Breathe. Across the 12-track album, Buddy teams up with several artists for collaborations such as BJ the Chicago Kid, Smino, Garren, and more. On the production side, Buddy works with some of the smoothest in the industry including Jay Versace, Kaelin Ellis, Hollywood Cole, and Terrace Martin just to name a few. He instantly draws listeners in on the opening track “Free My Mind,” in which Buddy reflects on the countless times he’s lost himself, but it’s important to stay grounded and grateful for the journey to continue to get things right. As a Compton native, Buddy makes sure the album is laced with a number of G-funk-inspired grooves on songs like “Buddy A Fool,” “All The Way,” and “Do Thangs.” 

While Cordae’s debut solo album The Lost Boy was met with rave reviews, many critics felt his follow-up album From a Bird’s Eye View fell short. Just two years after releasing his sophomore album, Cordae came back sharper than ever on his latest album Crossroads. The title is fitting since the opening track “Intro” samples Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s 1996 single “Tha Crossroads.” He then follows up with “06 dreamin” in which he details his mother’s pursuits of a music career. Throughout the 17-track album, the production blends soul with a few nostalgic samples, as Cordae showcases how much his pen has sharpened. Whether he’s reminiscing alongside Anderson .Paak on “Summer Drop,” calling out people who wronged him on “Pray,” or reminding himself of things that are important on “What Really Matters,” Crossroads has a song for everyone. 

If there’s one person in hip-hop who won all 2024, it’s Kendrick Lamar. On top of being part of the year’s biggest rap beefs and booked as the halftime performer at next year’s Super Bowl, Lamar dropped a surprise release of his album GNX to cap the year off with a bang. Everybody in the industry wasn’t too happy about Lamar performing at the Super Bowl, and he made sure to address that on the album’s opening track “wacced out murals.” While the album finds production from frequent collaborators like Sounwave and Mustard, every track was co-produced by Jack Antonoff, who’s typically known for working with some of the industry’s biggest pop singers. Throughout the album, not only does Lamar team up with his former labelmate SZA, but he also collaborates with up-and-coming artists like Dody6, Lefty Gunplay, Wallie the Sensei, and more. Some of the album standouts include “squabble up” (which was a teaser in the “Not Like Us” video), “tv off,” and “heart pt. 6.” 

Rapsody has always been the type of lyricist that true MCs and hip-hop heads adore. On her album Please Don’t Cry, it’s an introspective look into how the rapper is trying to truly understand who she is as a person and how she doesn’t desire to conform to other people’s expectations. It’s centered around a therapy session she has with actress Phylicia Rashad, who she meets on the opening track, in which the actress asks Rapsody, “I mean do you even know who you are?” On the standout track “Asteroids,” Rapsody highlights her feelings of being in the music industry, “ They don't pay me at the level that I rap at, crazy / If they can't benefit off you then they act shady / I thought most the love would come back from my ladies / 'Bout sixty-forty—I'm just makin' observation.” Some of the other fan favorites are “DND (It’s Not Personal)," “3:AM,” and “A Ballad For Homegirls.” 

When Mustard isn’t producing songs for some of the hottest rappers in the game, he’s typically taking time to craft his own albums. It’s hard to believe it was back in 2019 when Mustard released his third album Perfect Ten. Well, the producer is back with his fourth album Faith of a Mustard Seed, and naturally it features a star-studded cast. Since the title is in reference to the biblical story of people having faith in God, it was only right that the opening track “Show Me the Way” features the gospel legend Kirk Franklin. Across the rest of the album, he teams up with other artists including Quavo, Ty Dolla $ign, Charlie Wilson, Ella Mai, Roddy Ricch, and more. Some of the standout tracks include the Travis Scott-assisted song “Parking Lot” and the West Coast anthem “Pressured Up” which features verses from Vince Staples and ScHoolboy Q. Like any Mustard album, he has songs you can drive to, party to, and vibe out to.

Four years after releasing their previous album Miles: From an Interlude Called Life, hip-hop duo Blu & Exile returned with their fourth studio album Love (the) Ominous World. Exile is the producer and Blu is the rapper, and they set their album perfectly from the opening track “Hello L.A.” in which Blu describes his upbringing in his hometown. But it’s the following track “Undisputed” that’s an instant standout as Blu highlights his skills in the rap game. Some of the album standout tracks are “Suga & Buttaz,” “Homies,” and the Aloe Blacc-assisted track “Love Is Blu.” Across the 12-track album, Exile’s production shines bright as he meshes his love for soul and hip-hop by using smooth samples, beat switches, and scratches, making it a perfect combo for Blu’s rapping prowess. 

Following his 2023 album Love Sick, Don Toliver returns with a different type of sound on his fought album Hardstone Pyscho. This time around, Toliver meshes his love for rock ‘n roll with his hip-hop sound. Songs like “Kryptonite,” “Tore Up,” and “Bandit” are just a few rock-inspired tracks that sound like they could be played with a rock band in a stadium to fan pandemonium. For fans who are used to Toliver’s usual sound, then listeners would be more pleased with “Deep In The Water” and “Attitude.” One thing about Toliver is also how much he knows how to choose the right artists to collaborate with his sound. On this album, he teams up with artists like Travis Scott, Future, Charlie Wilson, Cash Cobain, Lil Uzi Vert, and more. 

Although producer Metro Boomin and rapper Future have worked together several times over their careers, this is the first time the two decided to drop a collaborative album, We Don’t Trust You. Throughout the 17-track album, Metro and Future team up with several other collaborators including The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Rick Ross, and Playboi Carti. However, it was their collaboration alongside Kendrick Lamar on the single “Like That” that opened the portal to the most talked about rap beef of the year. We Don’t Trust You debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, which was no surprise since Metro and Future have dominated the chart previously. 

Just two years after releasing his fifth album Ramona Park Broke My Heart, Vince Staples is back with his latest album Dark Times. It’s a fitting title since Staples uses the music to highlight some of the ups and downs in his life, which is evident on tracks like “Black&Blue” and “Shame On The Devil.” While most of the songs are catered around hazy and laid-back production, Staples’ sound turns around on “Little Homies,” a track that describes his hustle mentality and encourages the younger generation to better their lives no matter if life throws curve balls their way. As he says in the song, “Life hard, but I go harder”—a mantra that anyone at any age can live by. 

There’s no doubt that record label Top Dawg Entertainment has been on a heater with their artists this year, but one that continued to stand out is Doechii. In between hopping on collaborations alongside the likes of Tyler, The Creator and Katy Perry, Doechii released her latest mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal. With varied production across 19 tracks, Doechii is a master at clever wordplay, solid storytelling, and staying in the pocket across any beat. Whether she’s rapping perfectly across a beat reminiscent of a ‘90s hip-hop song on “Boiled Peanuts,” finds her inner flow reminiscent of Busta Rhymes in his prime on “Catfish,” or shows off her singing abilities while highlighting the importance of embracing the moment on “Wait,” Alligator Bites Never Heal has many fans anticipating how she’ll take it up a notch on her upcoming debut album. 

Over the last few years, 21 Savage has been dropping joint albums alongside artists like Metro Boomin and Drake. However, his last solo album I Am > I Was came out in 2018, so it was long overdue for Savage to drop a new album. The Atlanta native started 2024 right by dropping his album American Dream at the top of the year. Across the 15-track album, Savage worked with several producers including OG Parker, London on da Track, Metro Boomin, and more. He also doesn’t shy away from working with some of the hottest artists in the game such as Travis Scott, Burna Boy, Summer Walker, and Doja Cat. Some of the album standouts include “just like me,” “prove it” and his hit single “redrum.” 

Following the release of his 2020 album Detroit 2, Big Sean returned with his sixth album Better Me Than You. After being in the industry for well over 15 years, Sean is in a different stage in his life, and this album helps him showcase his growth, maturity, and lessons learned along the way. The album boasts 21 tracks with collaborations alongside Charlie Wilson, Gunna, Cash Cobain, and Larry June just to name a few. He details his career and family life on songs like “Typecast” and “Million Pieces,” calls out former friends and business partners on “Apologize,” and highlights fatherhood on “On Up.” Better Me Than You is a reflective introspection into who Sean is as a person and artist. 

Following his 2022 album Soul Sold Separately, Freddie Gibbs is back with his sixth album You Only Die 1nce. The title plays into the album cover imagery that finds Gibbs attempting to fight off demons from a coffin. Throughout the 13-track album, Gibbs floats effortlessly across the soulful and jazz-inspired production that fits his storytelling perfectly. Unlike his previous album, Gibbs goes completely solo this time around without adding any collaborations with other artists. Some of the standout tracks include “Cosmo Freestyle,” “Rabbit Island,” and “Origami.” With a run-time of 35 minutes, You Only Die 1nce makes for a smooth listen. 

Following the success of her 2023 single “Never Lose Me,” Flo Milli released her third album Fine Ho, Stay. Throughout the 14-track album, she keeps the collaborations to a minimum alongside SZA, Cardi B, Gunna, Monaleo, and Anycia. On Fine Ho, Stay, Milli has no problem offering the confident and boastful anthems that her fans love. Whether she’s talking about how she doesn’t have any competition on “Neva,” calling out men who no longer deserve her on “Toast,” or detailing how she can’t be replaced on “Life Hack,” Milli has a song for fans who need a little self-assurance and liberation. Milli is a master at braggadocio music and she’s putting on for the ladies in hip-hop this year. 

Following the release of the 2022 album Ghetto Gods, rap duo EarthGang returned with their latest album Perfect Fantasy. Across the 18-track album, the duo is joined by several collaborators including T-Pain, Eric Bellinger, Pharrell Williams, and Snoop Dogg, just to name a few. In pure EarthGang form, they’re the type of hip-hop act that move to the beat of their own drum and don’t conform to what’s popular, but rather make music that they like and are inspired by. Whether they’re giving listeners an electropop vibe on tracks like “Osmosis” and “Put In Work,” or blending funk and soul on “Zone” and “Blacklight,” Perfect Fantasy showcases just how much the duo continues to expand their sound. 

After releasing a couple of mixtapes over the last few years, GloRilla released her anticipated debut album Glorious. Since the rapper’s real name is Gloria Hallelujah Woods, the album title is definitely on brand. Based on her name and album title, she made sure to add a little bit of gospel on the album that includes a collaboration alongside Kirk Franklin, and a track called “Glo’s Prayer.” In addition to her charm and cadence on hit singles like “Hollon” and “TGIF,” GloRilla also shines on tracks like “Stop Playing,” “Let Her Cook,” and “I Luv Her.” With infectious beats and star-studded features, Glorious is filled with tracks perfect for partying, getting ready, driving, and working out. 

Just three years after releasing his previous album From the Westside with Love Three, Dom Kennedy is back with his latest album Class of 95. When it comes to any Kennedy project, fans can be sure that the Los Angeles rapper is giving laid-back and smooth production with a West Coast style that fits his flow, cadence, and storytelling skills perfectly. Throughout the 19-track album, Kennedy highlights everything such as representing Leimert Park, his wealth and status, and his encounters with women. Some of the standout tracks include “Loved,” “Gallery,” and “Legendary.” 

Just two years after releasing his eighth album Drill Music in Zion, Lupe Fiasco is back with his latest album Samurai. According to Fiasco, the album was inspired by Amy Winehouse in the 2015 documentary Amy. In the documentary, Amy leaves a voicemail message for producer Salaam Remi, in which she refers to herself as a samurai battle rapper. Winehouse was a jazz artist who would sometimes add hip-hop elements to her music, while Fiasco is a rapper who also appreciates jazz, it’s no wonder he used the late singer as his muse. Teaming up with frequent collaborator and producer Soundtrakk across eight songs, Fiasco is able to highlight his sharp and precise rap bars across jazz-inspired production. Some of the standout tracks include “Palaces,” “No. 1 Headband,” and “Til Eternity.” 

Two years after releasing her sophomore album Traumazine, Megan Thee Stallion is back with her third album Megan. The rapper made sure she was very strategic with her singles, each one (“Cobra,” “Hiss,” “Boa,” “Mamushi”) has some type of reference to a snake. Across the album, she uses the snake theme to refer to people in her life who had snake behavior, while also referencing how she’s shedding old skin to reveal a new layer, in her case, a new beginning. Joining Megan for this new beginning are collaborators such as GloRilla, Victoria Monét, Big K.R.I.T., and more. Megan makes sure she has a song for any Hot Girl fan, if you want an anthem, then play “Where Them Girls At,” or if you know what you deserve, then play “Worthy.” 

With a music career spanning 40 years, LL Cool J no longer has anything to prove as one of the illest MCs to touch a microphone. His latest album The FORCE comes 11 years after his previous album Authentic. Although he’s been in the rap game for four decades, he mentioned in a Rock The Bells interview, that he had to learn how to rap again to work on this album. It’s pretty admirable for a rap artist of his caliber to still be willing to be a student of the game. With an album produced almost entirely by Q-Tip, LL made sure to not only collaborate with fellow veterans like Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, and Nas, but he also teamed up with rising artists like Mad Squabiz and J-S.A.N.D. Some of the album's standout tracks include “Saturday Night Special,” “Basquiat Energy,” and the Eminem-assisted song “Murdergram Deux.” 

One word that comes to mind when describing rapper IDK is consistency. Just a year following his fourth album F65 (an album that made it on our 2023 best rap albums list), IDK returned with his fifth album Bravado + Intimo.  The rapper takes the reigns in producing at least half of the songs, which shows just how much hip-hop can marry other genres like soul and jazz elements. Across the 12-track album, IDK is joined by other artists such as Gunna, Joey Bada$$, Conway the Machine, and more. IDK makes sure he has a song for different kinds of raps—“Celine In The Trap” has a smooth Kanye West sample, “Tiffany” is for trap music lovers, and “Miles Trumpet” finds the rapper showing off his vocals alongside a jazz production. 

When rappers find the right producer to collaborate with, they can easily make magic happen. That’s the case when Common teamed up with producer Pete Rock on their first joint album The Auditorium, Vol. 1. It’s the type of album that a listener would expect from hip-hop artists that have been in the game for decades. Instead of conforming to the popular sounds of today, Common and Rock show their appreciation for hip-hop’s golden era. As Common and Rock take the reigns across the 15 tracks, they also team up with artists like Jennifer Hudson, PJ, Posdnuos, and Bilal. Rock’s love for sampling and being inspired by jazz and soul elements give a nostalgic vibe while still staying fresh. Some of the album’s standouts include “Dreamin,'” “So Many People,” and “When The Sun Shines Again.” 

Following her 2022 album 777, Latto returned with her third album Sugar Honey Iced Tea. If you’ve never listened to a Latto album previously, Latto is going to make sure you know which hometown she represents. On the opening track “Georgia Peach,” she highlights where she was raised as she chants, “Ain’t nothin’ like a Georgia girl.” Keeping with her Southern rap style, Latto flows alongside trap beats on tracks like “Blick Sum” and the ladies anthem “There She Go.” However, Latto also makes sure to add some R&B-infused tracks like “Copper Cover,” “Look What You Did,” and the Ciara-assisted track “Good 2 You.”