The past few years have proven that the Hip Hop album is as strong as ever. Even in the streaming era, artists are churning out quality full-lengths at a dizzying pace. Sometimes it can be hard to keep up. That’s where we at DX got you — below is a list of the 17 most anticipated Hip Hop albums of 2017. We’re a little late with this list, but since the first month of the year was virtually a barren wasteland for music, we didn’t miss too much. Mark your calendars.
The 17 Most Anticipated Rap Albums Of 2017
17. Rick Ross, Rather You Than Me
Ross announced in November the title of his ninth album, which will be his first on Epic Records. He is coming off the release of the solid Priorities 5 mixtape, a Maybach Music Group compilation. Prior to that, he released Black Market in December 2015. The album was his worst-selling to date, clocking just 75,000 units, so he’ll be looking to redeem himself sales-wise on the follow-up.
16. Oddisee, The Iceberg
Release Date: February 24, 2017
Underground favorite Oddisee is set to continue his incredibly prolific output with another album, to be released February 24. The introspection on the self-produced, uptempo “Things” betrays more masterful lyricism on this go-round. Fans can pre-order the album on Oddisee’s Bandcamp page and get Insta Grat songs.
15. Lupe Fiasco, DROGAS Light
Release Date: February 10, 2017
The road to DROGAS Light has been eventful. Lupe canceled the album in December after backlash over one of his rhymes led to him announcing his retirement (again). He soon went back on that claim, announcing a February 10 release date for the album. The album has 14 tracks and is available for pre-order on iTunes, with three Insta Grat tracks ready for download.
14. Young Thug, Hy!£!UN35
Thugger has released a whopping 16 mixtapes since 2011, but he still hasn’t released a proper album (though the line between the two is almost non-existent these days). Hy!£UN35 was announced way back in 2015, but still has yet to see the light of day. Back in November 2015, Thug expressed desire for frequent collaborator London On Da Track to produce every track, but little else is known about the album. One thing is for sure: with Young Thug involved, it won’t be boring.
13. Joey Bada$$, AABA
Things have been going well lately for the Badmon. “Devastated” was his first-ever Gold-certified single, building buzz for his sophomore album. Joey is a true throwback, not only in his boom-bap sound but also in his perfectionist work ethic. That explains the album push-backs, he said in November. However, he also said that fans can expect the follow-up to B4.DA.$$ at the top of the year, which means we should expect to hear from him very soon.
12. Lil Yachty, Teenage Emotions
This kid has been known as much for his comments off the mic as he has been for his songs. While Yachty made a splash with singles “One Night” and “Minnesota,” he angered many Hip Hop heads by calling The Notorious B.I.G. “overrated.” That means fans on both sides of the Yachty debate will be checking to see if his own debut album is worth the price of admission or something worth arguing against.
11. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Bandana
When Freddie Gibbs teamed up with Madlib for [Cocaine] Piñata in 2014, hardcore Hip Hop heads everywhere rejoiced and critics hailed it as one of the year’s best albums. It makes sense, then, that a follow-up is being fiended for like sci-fi heads over a new Star Wars flick. Madlib revealed last May that many of the beats from the album were shopped around for Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo, only adding to the intrigue.
10. Travis Scott, Astroworld
Grand Hustle signee Travis Scott ascended into superstardom conversations with last year’s Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight and, specifically, the smash single “Pick Up the Phone” featuring Young Thug. The album skyrocketed to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and went Gold. Little is known about the follow-up, save that it’s due out this year, but fans can likely expect more of Scott’s soothing robo-rhythms.
9. Ghostface Killah, Supreme Clientele 2 & DoomStarks (with MF Doom)
A sequel to a classic is a very tall order, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Ghostface Killah (after all, he helped Raekwon achieve the same feat with Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…, Pt. II). In 2015, Ghost revealed he has had 80 to 90 percent of the album completed since 2011. Expect more of the avant-garde lyricism that dominated the original. Tony Starks is also teaming up with Doom for a project that is a backpacker’s dream come true. Although both projects were slated to be released last year and didn’t come to fruition, it seems they’ll finally be released in 2017.
8. Big Sean, I Decided
Release Date: February 3, 2017
He doesn’t drop classics like Kendrick. He doesn’t make the girls swoon like Drake. And he doesn’t have J. Cole’s cult following. But Big Sean has been consistently one of the stronger rappers in Hip Hop for the past five years, mixing witty punchlines with ear-grabbing singles. Expect that trend to continue on I Decided, his fourth album which comes out Friday. The album is led by his 2016 HipHopDX Top Song entry, “Bounce Back.”
7. Lil Wayne, Tha Carter V
Controversy and doubt still swirls around what would be Weezy’s final album on Cash Money Records. Does Martin Shkreli actually have the real version of the album? Will Birdman ever let Wayne release the fifth installment of his wildly popular series? Birdman said last month that the album is “definitely coming out,” to which Wayne replied that he’s “full of shit.” If it does come out, fans will be clamoring to see if the album we’ve all waited so long for was worth the wait.
6. Jay-Z, TBD
In the past year there have been rumblings of a new Jay-Z album. In fact, it seems like everybody has something to say about a new Hov album except Hov himself. Jermaine Dupri said in July that the album “might be done” and that he knew the album’s title. Vic Mensa, a Roc Nation signee, called Jay’s new music “fresh as fuck.” Jay heated up several songs last year, including a remix of Fat Joe and Remy Ma’s “All the Way Up” and “Drug Dealers Anonymous” with Pusha T. If his new album sounds anything like those features, we just might be in for a Shawn Carter takeover in 2017. Unless parenthood becomes a top priority.
5. Nas, TBD
Nas album done. We know that from the sizzling track off DJ Khaled’s Major Key announcing a new Nas album. QB’s finest won’t divulge an album title or a release date (much as we tried to get it out of him), but Nas said in an August interview with HipHopDX that he’d been listening to Otis Redding and Frank Sinatra, and that he’s in his zone. One thing is for sure, when Nasty Nas drops, everybody pays attention.
4. Drake, More Life
He says it’s a playlist, not an album. Whatever it is, it’s a new body of work from Drake that will have the internet going crazy. And as he revealed at a recent show in Amsterdam, it’s going to drop in the next month. He previewed a song at the show featuring London MC Giggs that showcased bass-heavy production and Drake rapping in a choppy flow. Drake fans and haters alike, get your meme generators ready: Drizzy season is finna be in full effect.
3. Kanye West, Turbo Grafx 16
Kanye West the man had a very difficult 2016. Following the choppy rollout of his critically acclaimed The Life of Pablo, Yeezy’s life spiraled out of control. His wife, Kim Kardashian West, was robbed in Paris, and following that Kanye was admitted to a hospital’s psychiatric unit for exhaustion. Not long after being released, he went blonde and met with Donald Trump, a move that had many in the Hip Hop community scratching their heads. Troubled times often can be turned into great art, and it will be interesting to see what Kanye can cook up on his newest offering. The album is set to be released this summer and is named after one of Yeezy’s favorite gaming consoles from his childhood.
2. Eminem, TBD
Eminem’s last album found him bleaching his hair blonde again and retracing his steps with The Marshall Mathers LP 2. The move was a risky one, but it worked, and now it will be interesting to see where he goes from here. His lyrical gymnastics on “Campaign Speech,” a nearly eight-minute song released in October 2016, prove he hasn’t lost a step when it comes to wordplay. Details on the album are scarce, but when he’s ready, Shady will drop the bomb we’ve all been waiting for.
1. Kendrick Lamar, TBD
The greatest rapper of his generation has released three classic studio albums in a row, so anticipation for his fourth studio album couldn’t be higher. There also was that little thing called untitled unmastered., featuring unpolished tracks that were hotter than most rappers’ studio album cuts. In a GQ Style interview in October 2016, Kendrick had this to say about his newest album: “It’s soon. I have ideas, though. I have ideas and I have a certain approach. But I wanna see what it manifests. I wanna put all the paint on the wall and see where that goes.”
Lupe should be higher, he has more classics than everyone on this list (that aren’t legends) and people will complain, and I don’t listen to lil yachty, but his album is anticipated because we don’t know if he can sustain his level of trash music for a whole album
Oddisee, Lupe, Kendrick, Nas, & Ghostface….yes.
the rest…no
Sorry Jay and Em stans, but they haven’t had a decent album in a long time. Em can still spit, but his albums are boring anymore. Jay hasn’t been good in a looooong time.
I feel sorry for every artist on this list, since AOTY has already been released.
Where’s King Push ??
Kendrick “greatest rapper of this generation” Haha. Just to critics, nerds and Drake haters. we know Drake owns the era.
Drake is not a rapper he’s a entertainer. He’s the best entertainer of this generation.
Kendrick’s only competition from his generation is J. Cole. Drake is a pop star not a rapper.
Drake is a rapper to me and lyricist (I don’t care about a couple lil bars collaborated on here and there) .. if they running it, neither J cole nor Kendrick have even had a major rap beef or anything. They don’t dominate the game like Jay-Z or Biggie did. it doesn’t feel the same. When Jay-z was at the top, Mobb deep, NaS were beefing and Jay-Z battled them…Biggie Smalls had enemies everywhere and beefs with 2Pac, Ghostface, jeru, etc. Kendrick and J cole have never even had a serious rap battle. How can say your the are the kings of generation when they aren’t even beefing or moving the culture? it’s all so light and boring. Drake is the best rapper right now from my perspective. I hate pop music. DRake ain’t pop to me because he gotta a couple Rihanna songs. Kendrick on a track with Taylor Swift so ain’t that pop? Cmon now
Man… the Big Sean hate is strong. This new album will be lit. I have a feeling he’s about to drop a gem with “I Decided”. And this is coming from someone who was indifferent about Big Sean since about 3 months ago. All the rest on this list I’m kind of over, except for Kendrick so this is really just something to look at. And I will admit that even though Kendrick has been one of the better MC’s as of late, Drake has clearly OWNED this generation lol. And I’m not a Drake Stan either. Just looking at the facts. Dude has mass appeal like Kanye, Jay-Z and Eminem. Can’t deny that fact.
TPAB was not a classic
It is tho
It is, sorry.
– said no one ever
I agree with you Tupac
Bitch shut yo ass up
Black history month is here!!! Dear Niggas let’s celebrate!!!
Who dat TBD dude? Collabin wit alotta nigg*z
Loooooooool!!!!
The fact we never see Ghostface without a hat is mad suspeck. I believe he might be rockin the infamous Dr. Phil hairline.
50 cent not on the list?
EMINEM MUST BE THE FIRST NOT kendrick
Man free the carter niggas need the carter!! Free C5! Most anticipated album for the last 3 years! RT!
Wooh, at least they have listed Oddisee, Eminem and Kendrick, others are just a shame to the Hip-Hip or the Rap industry..
Joey Bada$$, Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar on my top 3 anticipated. Hov the legend. K.Dot the best rapping right now. Joey on the come up. Big Sean my don’t sleep pick
Kendrick’s new album. Hands down! Everybody else? Eh.
A$AP Rocky??
Ces Cru
Why do they have Em so High in everything all the time?? He hasn’t had a good album in a long time, I guess is more like he has to potential to drop a classic I guess. Wasn’t really feeling Kendrick last album but I’m still anxious to hear his next, Freddie Gibbs is really dope has gotten better and better over the years, I feel like he will have the best album out of all those artist, Nas should bring the heat I just don’t believe he will actually drop. Jay hasn’t had a good album since American Ganster I don’t expect much from him.
Because America is 66% white. You ever notice how basically all white rappers do numbers, or win awards? Well that’s why. Em is a good rapper. He once had a nice flow, but look at his content. Everything and everyone a fa@@ot, wanting to k!ll his bm, really dislikes his mom, dissing boy bands and Brittany Spears and of course middle fingers all around. That’s pretty much it. But like I said America is 66% white so he gets support and rank higher than he should.
I don’t ever hear the hip hop community congratulating other white rappers tho..Chris Webby, Logic, Rittz, Yelawolf, MGK, G Eazy, Asher Roth, etc. They do it for Eminem cuz he deserves it, he’s not getting props for his skin color. He has skill whether you wanna admit it or not
McLemore and Ryan Lewis won a Grammy over Kendrick Lamar for rap album of the year. G-Eazy just beat a few top rappers for album of the year. They deserve it to right?
McLemore and Ryan Lewis won a Grammy over Kendrick Lamar for rap album of the year. G-Eazy just beat a few top rappers for album of the year. They deserve it to right??
Lol 2 white rappers out of a huge list of others. Macklemore is more pop friendly anyways and gets radio play so it’s easy for him to win, deff shouldn’t have snagged away anything from Kendrick tho. And G Eazy while not lyrically on anybodys level, makes some nice songs tbh and is also radio friendly. These days its all about that radio play sadly. Em is the only actual skilled white rapper getting attention
Cyhi. Big boy. Krit.
Def Big Boi and Krit, also Krayzie Bone and Bizzy duo album.
Joey Bada$$ the future, Kendrick Lamar is the best rapper now and Hov the legend. Big Sean for my don’t sleep pick.
Lupe,Nas and Kendrick I’m looking forward to…others meh
Kanye gonna be mad he aint number one
Nigga was born mad
Kendrick The greatest rapper of his generation ??? FOH
nooooooo yoooouuuuuu get theee entire fuck outta hereeeeeeeee
Then who is?
What about DMX?????
Im also looking forward to albums from Ces Cru and Wrek
Im not a Drake fun, but its no way possible Kendrick album can be more anticipated than Drake, its going 2 have more hits& sells, is it gon be the same as every other Drake album, of course, all these “critically acclaimed ” albums aint listenable a week later
Co-sign
Obviously it’s Marshall and then everyone else.
DMX motherfuckers.
itsits simplysimply a matter of hate if you say aint the best rapper of this generation. king kendrick we’re on you
DMX is most def the artist I’m checking in ’17
What the fuck no Conway or Westside Gunn. Yall better stop sleeping on Greselda.
Yo Mike H i fucks with that Griselda Movement!!Conway and WSG are the Illest Rappers Out,No Debate!Im waitin on Nasty Nas album as well!!!
they get absolutely no love on this site.
Lloyd banks the GOAT will be dropping an album that should be up there too
My prediction is Eminem or Nas will have the best album….not Drake or KEndrick….maybe Jay Hova?
GxFR get no love on this site
Seriously doubt Kendrick is releasing anything. Same with Jay, Ghostface and DOOM. Dont believe Kanye will be naming his album Turbo Grfx and but whatever he decides to go with im sure it will be interesting. Em hasnt made a good album since 2002’s Eminem Show so im not on the edge of my seat for him either (which sucks cause i used to be a huge Em fan). Oddissee is dope. Gibbs and Madlib is dope. Lupe is dope. Nas is dope but his instrumental selection always bores me. I hope Joey pulls through. I heard Schoolboy is planning to release something. I hope Jay Rock comes through too. Rick Ross and Drake constantly release the same album so no thanks. I found Wayne’s last handful of projects to be horrid so carter V is a bit iffy for me. I liked No Favors by Big Sean so maybe one of his album might finally be ok to listen to. Im not even taking Yachty and Young Thug seriously as artist so “no comment.” I thought Travis Scott’s last project was garbage with a few scoops of pleasantries here and there so im not completely excited about his next project. Looking forward to Logic’s new project….that’s it for me. Let me know your thoughts.
Relapse was a great album, you just played yourself.
relapse recovery and mmlp2 fuck do niggaz be listenin to these days anything eminem and game make shits on these bitch ass mumble rappers
word!
Kendrick Dropped
Where is Conway & WSG??? u hhdx niggaz asleep
They still sleeping.
WTF no mention of Big Boi? His last 2 albums were off the chain!! Really looking forward to hearing his next one. On the other hand, I could give a shit about drake and young thug, both of them suck ass. But Em, Jay, and Nas…Done!
Man no hate but how is Game not mentioned with this everytime he drops and album he shits on the industry 1992 was the hardes fuckin album of 2016 92 bars were the hardest fuckin bars and PEST CONTROL was ether to that squeak mill hardest diss record in years
Why no Raekwon’s ‘Wild’? Rae got some makin up to do after FILA and the 2 dropped tracks so far deliver pure fire. As for the rest, Lil Yachty, Drake and Young Thug… ew. Ghostface, Nas, Em, Jay, Kanye and Kendrick albums won’t likely drop this year, maybe over the next few years but if all them put out new shit in ’17 then damn, I’m anticipating a good year for hip hop… reluctantly
You know Top of the Line shitted on everyone. Yall know Im slated to drop another one on Strange this year. Watch me shit on every album you listed!!
“Jay heated up several songs last year, including a remix of Fat Joe and Remy Ma’s “All the Way Up”.. Oh yeah forgot about this song that’s cus no one plays that remix version anymore. Even DDA feature was not memorable. From a sales perspective I can see Em, Drake, Jay Z , Kanye, Lil Wayne albums being anticipated with outside shot of getting in that mix will be Kendrick. From a Hip Hop perspective Nas, Kendrick, Ghostface, Joey, EM albums will be anticipated and a smattering of tracks from Jay Z(Dude hasn’t had a good album since American Gangster and he has had a bunch of great teams work on his albums after that one), Drake, Lil Wayne and the joker will be Kanye’s album/songs.
Missing a few…
1- Skyzoo- In Celebration Of Us
2- Roc Marciano- Rosebudd’s Revenge
3- Kool G Rap- Return of the Don
4- OC- Same Moon Same Sun Phase 1
5- Czarface 4 album.
6- Rakewon- The Wild
7- Sadistik- Altars
8- Your Old Droog- Packs
9-Brother Ali- All The Beauty In This Whole Life
10- GZA- Dark Matter (Hopefully this year along with Nas’s album it comes out).
11- Krayzie Bone & Bizzy Bone duo album.
12- AZ- Doe Or Die 2
I doubt most of these releases will come out this year. But I hope they do.
You can file The Carter V under the same category as Dre’s detox.
LOL Kendrick lamar released 3 classic records. OMG he can barely make one good song. DNA is about as good as it gets and he messed up the second half of the song so bad.
This list is awful half cant even spit well.
Retarded and salty hater detected
agree 100% , Kendrick is overrated garbage, his writing is mediocre, flow is typical, and his beats are straight up weak
so we got em nas jay lupe and ghostface. 5 albums to maybe look forward too. everybody else is mediocre at best. wayne drake ross and kanye are straight garbage. none of them have made a decent album in the last 10 years. Kendrick is okay but very overrated. and the rest of these clowns aren’t worth mentioning. r.i.p. hip-hop.
Kendrick is so damn overrated in my opinion only section 80 is classic the rest of his projects are honestly mediocre
Nas has the best catalouge among rappers still alive but Life is good and the N album was shit
same goes for Jay American Gangster was the last good album Blueprint 3 and Magna Carta were shit!
Ghodtface the only one who has been consistent the last copule of years
Lupe to be honest only made one classic album Food and Liqour 1 the rest is shit
That leaves us with only few artists to save hip hop
New heads
Dave east
Uncle Murda
Young MA
Vado
Kidd Kidd
Cyhi The Prince
Ransom
Old heads
Styles P
Fabolous
Juelz Santana
LLoyd Banks
How about MC Eiht.. Bone Thugs n Harmony.. Ice Cube.. Cypress Hill.. a lot of wack plastic gangsters in the list
DMX 2018???
TOP 17 most listed
And requested artists