Let’s not stand on ceremony here.
2018 was an awesome fuckin’ year for Hip Hop music. There were streaming records broken at every turn, plenty of albums that lived up to the social media hype and even wack moments that kept us thoroughly entertained.
Without belaboring the point, gather ‘round kids. It’s time for the 2018 HipHopDX Year End Awards.
Album Of The Year
J. Cole – KOD
J. Cole showed he was unafraid to approach a multitude of controversial topics when he unveiled KOD Whether he was tackling the often glorified subject of drug abuse (“FRIENDS”) or predicting a future on Love & Hip Hip as a warning to the younger generation (“1985”) or opening up about his alcoholic mother (“Once An Addict”), Cole demonstrated just how powerful his words can be when used to convey the kind of message Hip Hop used to revere on the regular.
EP Of The Year (Tie)
Black Thought – Streams of Thought, Vol. 1 & 2
Had The Honorable Tariq Trotter released his debut solo projects in one blip, would it have received the same fanfare? The world will never know but they did confirm that The Roots MC can hold down records with nothing but dope beats supplied by both 9th Wonder and Salaam Remi and a vocabulary that mirrors everything Webster’s puts out.
Video Of The Year
Childish Gambino – “This Is America”
Director: Hiro Murai
And the winner for the most woke, turn-up anthem of the year is…
Most Disappointing Album Of The Year (Tie)
Nas’ Nasir & Nicki Minaj’s Queen
After participating in Kanye’s seven-song album folly, an unfocused and bored-sounding Nas walked through the motions on his eleventh studio album. Meanwhile, Nicki’s lukewarm reception couldn’t get the NickiHndrxx Tour off the ground (the Astroworld Tour did fine just in case you were wondering).
Collaboration Of The Year
Travis Scott f. Drake, Swae Lee & Big Hawk – “Sicko Mode”
Much like its dazzling flurries of instrumentals, “Sicko Mode’s” unique cadre made it a herd record to ignore this year. With Swae Lee and Big Hawk’s contributions amounting to a perfect accent garnish, Trav and Drizzy illuminate — like a light — for one of the most creative Billboard chart-toppers of all time.
Slept-On Album Of The Year
Buddy – Harlan & Alondra
One listen to Buddy’s long-awaited studio debut album and it will induce frustratingly-heightened joy that will make you ask, “Why isn’t this is guy more known?” With records like “Shine,” “Trouble on Central” and “Hey Up There” that are drenched in post-modern G-funk, we’re still asking the same thing.
Cardi B
That’s right. 2017’s winner in this category has done it again.
Whether it was becoming the first female artist to have 13 songs simultaneously hit the Billboard 100, the first female rapper to score three No. 1 records on the very same chart, or racking up hardware at the BET, Billboard, AMA’s and MTV VMA’s, Cardi B superseded all expectations for her still growing rap career.
Spoiler alert: If she wins at least one Grammy Award next year, expect Young Belcalis to win this award for the third consecutive time.
Comeback Of The Year
Meek Mill
On November 6, 2017, Robert Rihmeek Williams entered the State Correctional Institution—Graterford in Pennsylvania with the same reckless abandon his rapper persona, Meek Mill, used to dictate his course of actions.
Yet following his release that following April, a calculated and collected Meek incidentally became Hip Hop’s leading voice for culture reform, appearing on high profile platforms such as Good Morning America, The Daily Show and Ellen.
After easing back into the studio with a short summer EP, glory was achieved when he released his fourth studio album, Championships, to return back atop the Billboard 200.
Welcome home, Meek. Stay here.
Beat Of The Year
Travis Scott f. Drake – “Sicko Mode”
Producer: Chahayed, Hit-Boy, OZ Cubeatz Tay Keith & Mike Dean
There’s nothing surprising about a Drake-featured smash single these days. But underneath the vision of Travis Scott, the Billboard chart-topping record manages to unlock an echoey labyrinth of distilled synths, magnetic keys, and DJ Screw.
In a nutshell, it sounds just like the Astroworld album cover looks.
Rapper Of The Year
J. Cole
With his biggest criticism being that he ignores valid criticism, Jermaine Cole tweaked his lyrical guns and musical discretion to bang out KOD: a Spotify and Apple Music-record breaking, self-care teaching, Billboard chart-topping, demon-excising wallop of an album.
From there, Cole steered an infamous Kevin Hart storyline into greener pastures, embarked on his nationwide KOD Tour, found time to appear on tracks with his Dreamville artists Bas, J.I.D. and Ari Lennox and of course, find time for various charitable random acts of kindness.
Although the culture as a whole currently reps a face of rebellion and tattoos, in 2018, J. Cole was the 180° line that kept Hip Hop reigning as a conscious expression.
Verse Of The Year
Jay Rock’s “King’s Dead”
It’s safe to say at the top of 2018, Jay Rock still had something to prove in his career elevation.
And as 2018 comes to a close, it’s safe to say the TDE trailblazer accomplished said career elevation.
Before he impressed the world with his now best album Redemption and its accompanying tour, Eastside Johnny was a key player on the now Grammy-nominated Black Panther: The Album, most notably the standout single “King’s Dead” alongside Kendrick Lamar, Future and James Blake.
Never mind Future’s lyrical puzzlement. Rock attacked the booming record with intensified crimson fury while forever making it a blast to call someone a “lil bitch.”
Hardest Working Artist Of The Year
Nipsey Hussle
There isn’t much about Nipsey Hussle’s current approach that reeks of old school metrics. However, the Crenshaw mayor surely took it back to the days of pushing a compact disc by working his studio debut, Victory Lap, well past the finish line and well into the parking lot.
Upon its release in February, there wasn’t a worthy news outlet that didn’t have a Neighborhood Nip interview (including the inaugural episode of DX’s Soulful Sundays) all the while gracing Victory Lap Tour, Rolling Loud and Powerhouse stages.
On the business front, he and his All Money In team operated their independent merch store and found time not only to collaborate with Puma to better the lives of the local children and the drip but they teased his own line of Vape pens. Everything seemingly paid off in December with the Grammy nomination announcement for Victory Lap.
The marathon will obviously be continuing in 2019.
TV Show Of The Year
Atlanta
Despite being it an incomparable artist himself, it is Donald Glover — not Childish Gambino — who is tacking on to Atlanta’s storied Hip Hop history outside of legendary strip club anthems and Dirty South riboflavin. The celebrated deadpan series has become must-see viewing on the night of its airing and supporting cast Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Stanfield, and Zazie Beetz are all doing a bang-up job to complement the stellar screenwriting. Where were YOU the first time you met Teddy Perkins?
Rapper of the year should be one of these:
Westside Gunn
Roc Marciano
Lupe Fiasco
Curren$y
It’s going to be Travis. Dude couldn’t take an L this year.
What about his ugly plastic Girl that looks like a freak show and the ugly kid they had?
Westside Gunn…LMFAO…”Ayo ayo ayo put 2 in his belly (doot doot) leave em smelly with the pelly (insert childish brake screech here) shit is woah like Nelly (doirrrr dirrrr)
He is garbage and a goofy try hard and ruins so many dope records.
WSG saved rap
LMFAO!
What a fuckin’ BOZO!
Verse of the year was nas’ second verse on echo
We was Times Square pioneers, 40 deuce, 40-below boots,
40 ounce brew the true Bishop from Juice
Echo was a super dope song. So was “Cold Blooded” by Pusha T.
Yeah that verse hard!!
Drakes verse on Sickomode was ill.
Insert hate below.
Poopy-di scoop
Scoop-diddy-whoop
Whoop-di-scoop-di-poop
Poop-di-scoopty
Scoopty-whoop
Whoopity-scoop, whoop-poop
Poop-diddy, whoop-scoop
Poop, poop
Scoop-diddy-whoop
Whoop-diddy-scoop
Whoop-diddy-scoop, poop
Everybody want world peace
‘Til your niece get shot in the dome-piece
Then you go and buy your own piece
Hopin’ it’ll help you find your own peace!
Kanye West
Nipsey had a good year but sorry … In the last 2 years … not one year … Styles P has an unmatched volume of output that is consistently fire on every level … whether it be the numerous collab albums withh a variety of artists … or his multiple solo albums … all of it bangs … Nipsey’s albums is top 5 of the year … but hardest working … Styles P hands down
I love Styles and the Lox and New York rap in general but none of that stuff made a blip on anyone’s radar fam.
Not true, I’m in philly styles still played and talked about a lot
I would say Nipsey’s is top 10 😀 at the tope of the second 5 😀
I’m only going to laugh, and not voice displeasure
That Jay Rock was not the best verse of 18..
Recognize Ali was the hardest working MC of the year. Dropped five quality projects this year.
Hi everyone!
Great to see first winners! J Cole is real machine, wherever he featured his verses he simply eats host of an album.
Rapper of the year I was thinking about Nas, but I guess you reserved for him Comeback of the year? Or maybe Kanye, but he was there all the time 🙂 Damn there’s still BEP? Hard to decide:)
However song of the year must be Nas/Kanye – Cops shot the kid, didn’t it? 🙂 Somewhere close is Nipsey’s – Loaded bases, Cocaine from Royce and finally Coctail – Earthgang. For video, Nas’s “Nasir movie” is simply the epic video!
I’ll share my types also: Album of the year: Saba “Care for me”, i think this is the only album that seserves 5 starts in 2018.
Collaboration of the year, I wish it’ll be Marco Polo and Masta Ace or Kanye/Pusha T. And for King Push goes EP (it was EP) of the year 🙂
Come up: Sylvan LaCue for Apologies in advance and Buddy for Harlan & Alondra.
The Awards goes to Abby De La Rosa for Hip Hop Host I been peeping game sents she started with Young California & The Cookie Jar ! Throwback Song of the Day Kid Frost ( La Familia ) bring back Rap City or Yo MTV Raps
I like Jay Rock, but was that really verse of the year? How did that top something like Eminem – The Ringer, Jay-Z – What’s Free, Nas – Echo etc.
People gotta stop over-hyping every verse Jay does these days.
Now explained what was overhyped about it? Double entendres out the ass lol, wordplay is still sharp, and his subject matter is getting better. At the age of 40 plus? Ninja please lol.
How is j cole rapper of the year? There are MCs that put in way more work n way better projects than j Cole! Meek mill for 1.. What are u basing your judgement on?
Hahahahahahahahaha. Were these accolades paid for?
That is honestly possibly the weakest “verse of the year” that I’ve ever seen in any year end list of all time.
Nah…try again.
Rapper: Roc Marciano
Verse: Freddie Gibbs on “Death Wish” by DJ Muggs
Producer: The Alchemist
Album: Drogas Wave by Lupe
Hahahahaha WTF is that verse ? I might do a better one juste by farting. Sorry DX team, you need to review your work on that one 🙁
Black thought and roc marciano were the best emcees this year
Royce is rapper of the year
Book of Ryan is a great album.
PRhyme 2 is great also.
J Cole’s album was average at best. Artist of the year? Absolutely not.
I AM THE HARDEST WORKING ARTIST OF ALL TIME!
I know he has had a few too many Kardashian family meals laced and poisoned with who knows, but 5 released in Summer 2018 alone is enough for me.
I’m sure all these artists will he honoured by such reputable music publication. Lmao you pretentions cucks.
TA1300, Fetti, Nasir, Best albums of 2018
‘King’s Dead’ is a dope track and I like Jay Rock but that verse is not even close to being in the top 100 this year. Did you guys have a panel to decide this? Who else were you considering? Lil Yatchy? ?
Royce Nickel Nine is rapper of the year.
Foolish! Royce is rapper of the year.
Benny the Butcher Tana talk 3 is album of the year to me. It’s pure hiphop that over time I think will become a classic…
Shit was fire
End of year list season is off to a rough start. Sound the final buzzer on the rap game if that Jay Rock verse was even in the top 20 verses of the year.
Seriously. It wasn’t a special verse AT ALL. Jay Rock has gotten progressively worse over the past 8 years. Went from classic west coast gangster rap to that Radio crap for clubs. Sellout to the max. And as someone who loves Jay Rocks older music like Follow Me Home, I don’t think Rock has EVER had a verse worthy of top 10 verses of the year.
Money Trees
“Shot You Down”
Jay verse on that meek track get my vote for verse oty. He talkin real shit that can change your entire life path if you see what he doin. He just changed that panel of judges whole process by suing em for bein all white. Big shit. Changing the system shit
Damn, the common theme for the most part is… mainstream success. Ya’ll getting paid by artists to make this list?
Lol, Jay Rock… Verse of the year? Best beat, sicko mode? This is a pop rap radio list. Let’s be real… Jay rocks WORST album to date is this last one, sadly. He went from classic west coast gangster rap to radio. This list is basically everything I dislike about mainstream hip-hop. I love hip-hop.. But THIS IS RADIO POP RAP FOR FEMALES EXCLUSIVELY. This shits a joke, and any true hip-hop fan would agree that the best hip-hop these days generally isn’t coming from the popular guys. It’s coming from the less popular people.
Don’t hold ‘em on Jay Rock like that. Redemption was better than most albums. A lot of music dropped 2018. Some great. Some not so much.
J. Cole had a good year, but I think Roc Marciano is rapper of the year, he put out three really good projects. And he’s independent as fuck.
How the hell does Eminem not have come back of the year?? Nobody put in more work then him this year. Man those categories is mainstream garbage winners. Keep it hip hop…
I don’t think they consider a comeback when you drop your worst album to date, then spontaneously drop your second worst album to date lol. Eminem will be popular regardless. But he sucks now. Idc what anyone says.
Kamikaze is a top 5 Em album. Definitely a comeback of the year.
I think Eminem is comeback of the year. I thought he was as good as dead, and he proved me and a ton of other people dead wrong. It was exactly like when he started out, I saw he had an album and thought “psssh, this cornball”? and had to eat my words. Meek and Wayne definitely had good projects, but I didn’t doubt they would nearly as much as I did Eminem. That to me constitutes comeback of the year.
If you think that a single verse from boring ass KOD is better than anything JID wrote this year, youre dick riding harder than a Brazzers star.
here’s my list and I’m sticking to it.
aoty – Drogas Wave
song – If you know you know
most disappointing album – The Carters everything is love
video of the year – this is america
ep of the year – daytona
slept on album – book of ryan
collaboration – eminem & joyner lucas
movie – blackkklansman
tv show – atlanta season 2
come up – anderson peak
rnb album – janelle Monáe – dirty computer
rnb song – ella mai everything
hardest workin – ghostface killah
verse – kendrick lamars on mona lisa
rapper – royce da 5’9
beat – yikes
comeback – lil wayne
comeup – denzel curry
aoty – Drogas Wave /
song – If you know you know /
most disappointing album – The Carters everything is love /
video of the year – this is america /
ep of the year – daytona /
slept on album – book of ryan /
collaboration – eminem & joyner lucas /
movie – blackkklansman /
tv show – atlanta season 2 /
come up – anderson peak /
rnb album – janelle Monáe – dirty computer /
rnb song – ella mai everything /
hardest workin – ghostface killah /
verse – kendrick lamars on mona lisa /
rapper – royce da 5’9 /
beat – kanye yikes /
comeback – lil wayne /
i wonder when they posted verse of the year and took the lyrics from Genius… if they noticed that there were only 2 lines from the whole damn verse than anyone bothered annotating on Genius…. the flow wasnt bad, but come on. I don’t there was even one really hot line in the whole thing…
I don’t even know if there’s an objective argument for Jay Rock being verse of the year. It’s the strangest choice I’ve ever seen.
“2018 was an awesome fuckin’ year for Hip Hop music” Really? Whats awesome about the current generation? Lil Pump, Lil xan Meek, Meek Mill, Lil Garbage and Young Wack? This article is probably written by a 15 year old kid. Every rapper souns the same. No lyrics, no substance, childish beefs and rappers who look like girls with make up and skinny jeans.
Nipsey’s Victory Lap, Push’s Daytona, Asap Rocky’s Testing, The Alchemist/Curren$y/Freddie Gibbs’s Fetti. Only a few of the projects that came out this year. Lol don’t focus so much on that pot of mumble gumbo.
are they still going to update this or what? already 12/21 and no sign of yesterday’s awards
They did so many bad choices the comment section got them shooked. Lol
seriously tho. what is the time zone these people are updating this site? because when I sent my message it was literally impossible to be 2:45 AM 12/21 anywhere in the world.
I have no idea, but this is an american site so it makes sense to be in one of their timezones. Either way theyre late. I put my picks for all categories in another comment. Feel free to convo on them. I might have missed some gems.
They are afraid to update this list.
Smh best verse should’ve gone to swae lee on sicko mode?♀️
If Jay Z and Beyonce get album of the year this site is over. As it was the only top-rated album by this site this year, looks like it has to be. But this is your chance to get it right. And avoid the impression that your rankings are paid for (I posted something lime this under the original album review and they deleted the comment)
Tidal pays them
Black Thought: all verses of the year!
And Amen
Curren$y been putting so much material out the past few years and still doesn’t get his props as a hard working rapper. But Nipsey ain’t a bad choice, either.
Cuz curren$ey sucks. He ruined Fetti
Yea just admit that you don’t prefer his style, because he easily complimented Freddie.
Damn ya’ll really dropped the ball on this one.
Yep! I’ve checked back a couple of times and NOTHING> haha
I haven’t heard every album that was released this year. However, J Cole gets my vote for album of the year since EP of the year was awarded to Black Thought. J Cole is one of the top 5 lyricist in the game. A couple of high profile features would be nice on Cole’s next album,
I dont know why people hate that Nasir album so damn much. It was a solid album to me.
Elzhi and khrysis (Jericho Jackson) was one of the best and most slept on albums of the year. Just wanted to say that.
Not enough people recognize Elzhi. Everyone I tell to give a listen come back overly impressed and become new fans.
This is the first time I had to agree with all winners of any awards session. Good work.
I agree…except for the Travis Scoot shit. I don’t know how people tolerate his shitty music.
No Takeoff ? No Swizz Beats ? No Gucci Mane ? lol