It felt like the first half of 2018 passed in the blink of an eye. Every week another crop of albums dropped, often completely erasing the cycle of the previous week’s releases.
But some albums endured, bubbling back onto the timeline with the occasional tweet heralding their outstanding quality and reminding followers of how much they once loved a project that was often only a few weeks old.
At the same time, the idea of what constituted an album shifted, as what was once considered a mere EP became the new normal for (mostly Kanye-produced) albums. Releases either adapted to coalesce with shortened attention spans, or ballooned to game streaming numbers into major sales equivalents.
So, here are DX’s picks for the standout albums of the first half of 2018, as determined by our editorial team.
10. Nipsey Hussle – Victory Lap
If you’ve been sleeping on Neighborhood Nip’s grind the past 10 years, then Victory Lap will slap you awake like he did to that parking attendant at the 2018 BET Awards. The major label debut album of this corn-rowed Crip from Crenshaw is a hustler’s blueprint for success and sustainability on one’s own terms in the rap game.
He’s organically grown his audience and carved his own niche since the Los Angeles rap scene’s homegrown Jerk Movement heyday in the late 2000s. The songs “Blue Laces 2” and “Victory Lap” are triumphant West Coast gangsta rap, and the project finishes on a high note with closing track “Right Hand 2 God.”
Nipsey’s guttural delivery evokes his “succa-proof” attitude over ambient and choppy pianos (“Million While You Young” and “Hussle & Motivate”) and chunky fuzz bass-based bangers (the YG-assisted “Last Time That I Checc’d”). With all-star features from Puff Daddy, CeeLo and Kendrick Lamar, Nipsey’s life-long grind is paying him huge dividends with his blue pager buzzing. [Dana Scott]
9. Jay Rock – Redemption
Redemption maintains Jay Rock’s gritty and aggressive style while exemplifying the raw pain heard through his unique tone. It does a remarkable job of exposing his strengths and allowing listeners to witness his songwriting ability.
Two years after breaking several bones in a serious motorcycle crash, Rock doesn’t miss a beat as he explores harmonization on songs such as “Knock It Off” and “Rotation 112th.” Though many of the songs on Redemption carry an upbeat tempo live enough to make the ladies twerk, a closer listen often highlights Rock’s authenticity.
On “ES Tales,” he shows us a day in the life of a Watts, California native raised in the Nickerson Gardens Projects, and provides insight on the paranoia that can come with trying to survive the streets on “OSOM” featuring J. Cole. Redemption exemplifies Rock’s growth and shows his willingness to shift his style without running off course. [Cherise Johnson]
8. Saba – Care For Me
Saba, one of the brightest spots in Chicago’s thriving Hip Hop community, has offered his special storytelling and melodic production on projects such as 2016’s Bucket List Project. But, his most recent album, Care For Me, is far different. Saba’s lyricism remains top-notch, yet the tough subject matter results in a more poignant tone. A sense of raw emotion — reflective of what has been a tough year for Saba — can be heard throughout.
As such, Care For Me is a difficult-yet-necessary listen that touches on the loss of his cousin John Walt (“PROM/KING”), the ensuing depression (“FIGHTER”) and his early fights with newfound fame (“LIFE”), leaving listeners exposed to a much darker side of the MC/producer.
The heartbreak is genuine, as are the messages delivered in each song. At just 23 years old, Saba has already proved capable of creating timeless music. With a bright future ahead of him, his story is just beginning. [Andrew Gretchko]
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7. Royce Da 5’9 – Book Of Ryan
Royce Da 5’9’s second album of 2018, Book Of Ryan, takes Nickel Nine’s fans to his Detroit origins, confronting his past demons and praising his guardian angels. The album is Royce’s 21-track catharsis, an eventful ride down memory lane.
It’s a far more intimate work than his album with DJ Premier, March’s PRhyme 2, and also more diverse. Royce occasionally sings his heart out while detailing some of his darkest childhood moments. He copes with an abusive, drug-addicted, alcoholic father (“Cocaine” and “Power”); fear of his own children enduring America’s harsh realities (the jazzy “Outside”); peer pressure into drugs and alcohol as a teenager (“Boblo Boat” with J. Cole); and his dreams of becoming a basketball star (“Amazing”). It all sounds like a monologue in a one-man show.
This was Ryan Montgomery’s therapy session, and we got to sit alongside him for a satisfying couch trip. [Dana Scott]
6. Phonte – No News Is Good News
A grounded Phonte solo album is exactly what the chaos of 2018 needed. The former Little Brother frontman had been gearing up to release No News Is Good News, his second solo project, for what seemed like forever, but it arrived at just the right time.
Phonte has aged perhaps better than any other rapper still active in the game today and put together a very mature album that aims to Hip Hop heads. Tigallo’s rhymes on this album are blissfully conversational and the production remains right in his usual soul sample, piano-driven, boom-bap and crooning chorus wheelhouse.
No News Is Good News is a whole-hearted offering from one of rap’s most sensible voices. On one hand, he proved he’s still a top-tier lyricist with a sharp edge that hasn’t rusted. More importantly, he’s comfortable with his status and the man he’s become. [Scott Glaysher]
5. Various Artists – Black Panther: The Album
Not every year sees a movie soundtrack being heralded as one of the best standalone albums, but not every movie soundtrack has Kendrick Lamar serving as its executive producer. TDE’s brightest star did more than just showcase his versatility, curating a new experience as intricately layered as his own solo works.
With an immense scope that mirrors the colossal kingdom of Wakanda, Black Panther: The Album pulls from many voices that are shaping the current Hip Hop and R&B landscape, including Future, SZA and Anderson .Paak. Its extensive sound dips through moods with ease, linked together by a constant ferocity that keeps the album rolling along smoothly. Rather than dominating the spotlight, Lamar’s presence is often more subtle, popping up in the form of ad-libs and background vocals that allow the other artists room to shine.
When he does choose to rap a traditional verse, he’s as commanding as ever — look no further than the title track where he steps into the shoes of T’Challa and exalts himself accordingly. [Kenan Draughorne]
4. Pusha T – DAYTONA
Pusha T’s DAYTONA, the first release from Kanye West’s epic Wyoming sessions, is a seven-song marvel. Debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and shrouded with hype, it’s the most significant success of King Push’s solo career.
The project’s seemingly real-time release also came with its own controversies. First, there was the cover: a paparazzi-owned photo of Whitney Houston’s bathroom at the height of her addiction — a picture that cost Yeezy a cool $85,000. Then, there was the Drake jab on “Infrared,” which set off the feud of the year. Controversy aside, the album won with incredible production from Yeezy and an abundance of top-notch bars. Eghck! [Riley Wallace]
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3. Kids See Ghosts – Kids See Ghosts
A week after ye’s release, Kanye West and Kid Cudi unleashed a long overdue self-titled collaborative project under the name Kids See Ghosts. Amid a hectic roll-out and hasty stream posting with incorrect song titles, the project was ultimately what Cudi fans had yearned for since Man On The Moon 2, and the rapping version of Yeezy fans hoped for the week prior.
The guests who appear on the project are so tightly curated it almost feels like the group is a much broader collective, with Cudi and West merely serving as lead vocalists among the supporting cast of names like Mr. Hudson, Yasiin Bey, Ty Dolla $ign, Pusha T and Anthony Hamilton.
Covering themes of mental health, spiritual and psychological reawakening, and returning to a less-polluted state of innocence, the album is a cathartic experience. Also, if Cudi’s hums on the “Reborn” intro don’t move you, you’re likely made of stone.
2. J. Cole – KOD
KOD proved J. Cole is rap’s king of the walk-off home run. After nabbing three consecutive No. 1 album debuts, proving his ability to go platinum (with no features) on his previous two albums 2014 Forest Hills Drive and 4 Your Eyez Only, it seemed like there wasn’t a new height for Cole to reach. But, that’s exactly what he did from a creative perspective on KOD.
Cole doesn’t quite have the iconic status of Prince, but the cautionary tales of addiction and vice, incisive political commentary and glorified life highs on KOD are the rap version of the late Purple One’s double-album masterpiece Sign O’ The Times. The songs on KOD range from the reflective and spiritual (“FRIENDS,” “Window Pain”), to danceable vibes (“Kevin’s Heart,”) to warning signs about chasing money (“BRACKETS,” “ATM”).
On top of all that, the didactic closer “1985” created a guide to longevity, artistic growth and self-preservation for an entire generation of rappers. [Dana Scott]
1. JAY-Z & Beyoncé – Everything Is Love
Beyoncé and JAY-Z are the very definition of a power couple. When the two music moguls got together for their joint album, EVERYTHING IS LOVE, it wasn’t surprising it caused a momentary internet craze.
Clocking in at nine tracks, the project is packed with personal revelations on their marriage — including Hov’s infidelity — and puts the period on a tumultuous chapter in their storybook romance. Beyoncé shows off her rapping prowess on the particularly catchy, trap-inspired “APESHIT” and Hov is rhyming with fury on songs like “Black Effect” and “713.”
The album comes with plenty of classic Hip Hop references and jazz-infused beats, lending it a sophisticated feel. The album closer, “LOVEHAPPY,” is kind of like an “eff you” to anyone saying they couldn’t make it through the fire. Evidently, their union is stronger than ever. [Kyle Eustice]
Check out our picks for the Top Songs, Most Slept-On Albums, Top Videos and Best R&B from 2018 (so far).
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Victory Lap should be #1. Hip hop classic.
hahaha, are you guys fuckin serious with this list? there are like at least 20-30 albums better than grandpa-z and his autotune wife, get the fuck out here and let Murs make these lists.
Hahahaha Grandpa-Z
Pro Level diss
Elzhi & Khrysis – Jericho Jackson / Roc Marciano – Rosebudd’s Revenge 2 / Kooley High – Never Come Down / Czarface & MF DOOM – Czarface Meets Metal Face / Ankhlejohn – Van Ghost / Flatbush Zombies – Vacation In Hell / Crimeapple – Aguardiente / Showbiz – A Room Therapy / Evidence – Weather or Not / Domo Genesis – Aren’t U Glad You’re U? / Flex Mathews & Damu The Fudgemunk – Dreams & Vibrations / Doppelgangaz – AAAAGGGHH // y’all miss so many releases for a “hip hop” website… anybody who wants none of the quality releases missed, head over to : SlackersLounge.onuniverse.com/albums — i post every album cover there with a link to the iTunes / SC / Bandcamp page.
Jesus… can Murs do everything for this site. He’s legit the obly one I agree with outta all you.
Skyzoo????
Top 5 this year for sure
I’m kinda surprised that Weather or Not, Freddie, and Streams of Thought didn’t make it on this list given how high they scored on the HHDX review.
Hahahaha! That was terrible….I’d keep Phonte, Royce and Daytona (maybe) in there…Add Jericho Jackson, E40/BLegit, Evidence, Locksmith.
Aguardiente ?? Crime Apple and Big Ghost LTD?
The carters aint a rap album. Neither is kids see ghosts. Put Nasir and Wiz on there. And put neighbourhood Nip in the top 3 with daytona.
I’m a huge NAS fan, but the Carters album is WAAAAY better than Nasir. It’s a perfect summer album and I commend HHDX for giving it a five. I don’t think the album is “perfect” of course, but it’s got serious replay value, tight song writing, and plays well in a variety of contexts. I think it’s just as good if not better than 4:44.
Im glad you enjoyed the carters. Personally i only liked 2 joints. A lot of dope beats on there but the Lyrical content was weak compared to 4:44 which on the other hand is super dope.
regarding Phonte, “the production remains right in his usual soul sample, piano-driven, boom-bap and crooning chorus wheelhouse.” —–umm, unless you mixed up Phonte’s 1st + 2nd albums, I dont know which album you were listening to. Maybe I need to listen again, but I dont remember much if any soul samples nor boom bap.. sounded a lot more like Foreign Exchange type of production. Oh, and Royce’s album should be way higher than #7, and shame on you guys again for the very much OFF review of the Jay/Beyonce LP.
Daytona > KSG. And get the fck straight outta here with that Jay and Bey bullshit.
How is Redemption so low? Where is Freddie (which you guys rated very high)? Jay and Bey at number 1?? Wtaf is this list??!?
If Sylvan LaCue’s Apologies in Advance is not on your list then your list is incomplete. I honestly believe its the best album of 2018 so far and at least deserves to be mentioned in the top 10.
Yeah I can’t believe that. It’s in my top three as well. I have a hard time choosing between that, book of Ryan, and Saba’s care for me. We should write these guys and have them reconsider!
Decent list. I think the Nip album should be higher. The Saba album was great, Nas should make the cut. The Ye album is slept on.
Check out BLUE by Dame Zachary feat King Los ???
Evidence you missed evidence
Ok list but mostly mainstream album. Skyzoo In celebration of us, Evidence, Westside Gunn should have been included
WHERE THE FUCK IS WESTSIDE GUNN?!?!?!?!
Literally never post but i came to ask this same question
Seriously? The Carters is #1. Damn, you guys double-down on baseless views like Trump
Dats my top 10 & i’m sticking to it.
10. Nasir – Nasir
9. Kid See Ghost – Kid See Ghost
8. Dave East – P2
7. Meek Mill – Wins & Losses ( sorry still bumping this everyday)
6. Cardi B – Invasion of Privacy
5. Drake – Scorpion Vol. 1
4. Kodak Blakk – Heartbreak Kodak
3. XXXtentacion – ?
2. Nipsey Hussle – Victory Lap
1. Pusha T – Daytona
No REDEMPTION???? Should be ashamed to have”hippy” in your name.
lol how tf you gonna put Everything is A Cash-In and boring-ass KOD before Daytona? Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaah right
Book of Ryan should be #1, and PRhyme 2 should be on here.
No Nas?
how you gona have kids see ghosts (not rap) even on this list… and nas off of it haha
What the fuck? Redemption number one. Secondly Post Malone isn’t even on the list. Neither is B.o.B. Jay Z was wack as fuck.
What about Flatbush? Freddie?? E40 Connected And respected? Y’all list sucks balls.
Kanye and Cudi dropped a modern day classic. It will go down as one of the top 10 albums between 2010 and 2020 hands down. People will still be listening to that shit 20 years from now. How you gonna put an album like everything is love at number 1?? I guaranfuckintee ain’t nobody gonna be bumping that shit a year from now nonetheless decades from now. Jay and Bey haven’t been musicians in years they’re just businessmen fronting as artists. Ain’t no crazy in love or dirt off your shoulder so quit acting like this album is hot shit. It’s just as forgettable as the last 10 jay albums. And frankly KOD over KSG is kinda a slap in the face too but whatever
Dam the carters at number one that shit was trash….
U ain’t bullshit shit was fucking garbage just rating that shit number one cause it’s bey and jay shits real wack
Lol. Keep pretending drake doesn’t belong here. So bitter with your real hiphop. No one gonna be listening to the carters 20 mins from now. You lost your way. Hipsters don’t understand hiphop lol
Scorpion was trash. Drake need to come correct and stop dropping these booty azz albums. Views was garbage. More Life was garbage. Scorpion was trash. Best song Drake has dropped this year was diplomatic immunity that wasn’t even on that sorry excuse of an album Scorpion.
Really!!! do u even read ur shit!! Ye wasnt even in ur list, so lets not talk about scorpion!! Anyways J.cole Album is way better than wat jz and B created, lets not compare J’cole album to shit!!
This list is garbage. Anyway. My favourite rap record is Everything is Fine by Jean Grae and Quelle Chris
first thing I said…..where is Everything is Fine???? How is Jay Z and Beyounce project even on this list?
1. Westside Gunn- Supreme Blientele
2. Curren$y- The Marina
3. Black Thought- Streams Of Thought
4. Czarface Meets Metal Face
5. Vøhn- Journey To Pluto
6. Royce Da 5’9- Book Of Ryan
7. Curren$y- The Spring Collection
8. Kids See Ghosts
9. The Alchemist- Lunch Meat
10. Shami- Eric
Who wrote this… DX staff??lmao…df outta here
Let me guess, Drake’s Scorpion isn’t considered “rap”. You are a bunch of fucking retards
Scorpion was trash. The first half was barely listenable. The second half was some complete garbage.
Drakes albums been getting worse every year.
It’s not a good album, just like this site isn’t a good hiphop site.
No Nas? Ya’ll sick.
Styles P – G Host
The Book Of Ryan is trash.
This list is bad.
Daytona should be #1
Nice list.
My favorite is Royces album hands down. Least he’s on the list.
I see a couple hurt Drake fans. Drake dropped a really good song this year. Diplomatic Immunity. Scorpion tho was absolutely trash. Basura.
Styles P – G-Host should be here and Westside Gunn – Supreme Blientele/Chris Benoit is top 3 easy where Roc Marciano at too?………
My opinion is different to yours.
But I ain’t gonna get mad about it.
Daytona is the best album of the year and it’s not even close. It’s an album any generation of hip hip fans will like. You can’t say that about any other album on that list. Maybe Royce’s album too.
As soon as I saw the Hov, Queen B album at one I knew this list was shit. How is that trash ass Jay and Beyoncé album #1. It’s easy to see why the authors of these articles get so much shit. That was a mediocre album at best that was put together in a matter of days because they couldn’t sell concert tickets. 2 or the biggest artists in 2 genres and look at the units it moved. If that doesn’t tell you how poor the album was than nothing will. Listen to the albums multiple times, read the lyrics and really listen to the production. Then maybe the lists you guys are putting together won’t constantly be shit.
You mean the album with zero marketing that almost broke the internet when it dropped, yea poor performance right there.
How did it almost break the internet?
Not putting Drake on the list just to stir controversy and getting people to comment to get clicks in the process.
Or because it, and Drake are both fucking garbage that the intellectually challenged and those never exposed to real lyricism and rap music flock behind.
Drake is wack, get over it.
Great list! I don’t know what the people in the comment section are crying about. Props to DX for not putting in Ye and Scorpion just because of the impact behind their names. Those albums are subpar and don’t deserve to be here. Very happy with the love being shown to Jay Rock and Royce, two very underrated emcees. KOD and KSG are masterpieces, and their inclusion in the top three is perfect. Jay and Bey album is solid too.
That Jay Rock album is super wack the same stupid rattlesnake trap beat on every fuckin song
Forreals though, Is There More, Emotionless and Nice For What from Scorpion have got more meanings to them than the entire albums on the list bar J.Cole’s. But we all know DX just trolling with the list.
Y’all been trying to hurt Drake so bad since the beginning with shitty articles like this and bad albums ratings, matter of fact his best rated album on this site is More Life, that should tell you everything.
Kids see ghost wasn’t better than the nas or k.t.s.e , jay shit wasn’t better than pusha joint either. Black Thought lp was better than phonte joint.
This is not the best albums of 2018.
Whoa DX what happened? No Lil Smoke, Lil Diamond, Lil Young, Young Wack, Young Lil, Young maffia. New editors?
Jay Rock I’m disappointed ☹️???♂️
Weather or Not is album of the year
Where is ? by XXXtentacion. lt is better than albums in this list
List is trash where is the Westside Gunn album where is jedi mind tricks where is crimeapple
This right here is the real answer. That Supreme Blientele deserves to be up here most definitely, Bridge and the abyss(I’m a huge JMT fan but probably could pick 9 other albums above it sorry) and CRIMEAPPLE’s “Aguardiente” was a brilliant masterpiece.
I agree 100 that new JMT is soft the other albums should most deft be on the list
Gunn going Chris Benoit out here
Young buck 10 plugs
this! Somebody and Too Rich, are my two favorite tracks atm. But I still need to invest some more time into the album.
I’m my opinion NASIR by nas should be in the list underrated ass album
Ok the jay and Beyoncé album is not better than Jcole, Cudi, Book of Ryan, or black thought, or pusha t, or the Nas album. These hip hop lists are always trash
Of this list I Like Redemption, Black Panther, Book of Ryan and Everything is Love. I tried the Saba and Phonte albums but couldn’t get into em. Kanye shit is overrated and admittedly I’ve skipped the last couple J Cole albums. I’m a big Roc Nation fan (they have the top two albums here) so I might check em out later. In all seriousness I would add A Boogie and Cardi B to this list!
Kill ya self God. Cardi B is whack and that everything is love was mediocre at best
Well, that is a matter of opinion and I do not give a fuck about yours
no its not a matter of opinion its a matter of hip hop and Cardi B is NOT hip hop End of discussion
[not in any particular order]
G-host
10 Plugs
Book of Ryan
Where is Czarface with Doom ?
the Jay Z and Beyonce album is better than KOD and Daytona? bruh…
Or Book of Ryan for that matter.
Supreme Blientele. Boom boom boom boom BOOM
A album that stands out to me Ian the new Silkk The Shocker album IWAMSL its banger after banger No Limit is definitely on the comeback
Cudi. One of the worst to do it.
They wrote the wrong stuff in. The list
Where the fuck is Cardi B!!! ALbum was lit bro! at least 9 or 10
They won’t list Nas bc he’s on his militant black music. We can’t have the world woke. It disrupts the order of things. Plus, our endorsement and sponsors relationships with big brother could be jeopardized
FACTS
It wasn’t that good based on what Nas is capable of… but yeah the list sucks
Worst list Yo…no Nas or Cardi that shytt Glizzed
yes this list is trash but NOT because they didn’t include Cardi This is a hip hop list not a best 14 years school girls list or is it…? With the artist menitoned in the list she should be included but in a best hip hop list NOOOOO!
Trash list
…..based of what the writers girlfriend playlist ?
Is this list for middle school girls.
No nas no post no drake
All 3 were trash tho
Holy Shxxxxxt!! This is my most hated hip hop albums of 2018 (so far) list. Im absolutely stunned, in a year that gave us so much real authentic raw and gritty hip hop both under and overground, this is the 10 albums u end up with? I smh in disbelief… but this cant be a very late Aprils fools, right….?
Black Thought finally came out with his debut album with stellar 9th Wonder productions.
Roc Marciano made a stronger follow up to last years great Rosebudds Revenge, proving he can rhyme over everything.
Ka… here I give you the benefit of the doubt since his Orpheus album just dropped the other day. This years best? A beast of an album!
Rome Streetz/Farma Beats “Farma Street” If u would bother to dig beneath the obvious (two times Kanye West, I mean come on!!! go see the Dj Muggs feat DOOM video instead lol) this year the fire spitters released/release pure gritty top quality hip hop every other day. Rome flows perfectly over UK producer Farmas dark beats combining classic 90s NY hip hop with a contemporary sound. Some of the best I’ve heard in years.
Milano Constantine and Agallah both came out stronger than ANY of the “artists” on your list.
Westside Gunn proved tha Eminem made the right choice by signing these Griselda boys. Even knuckleheads like u should praise the Anderson.paak feat on the album!
Illa Ghee made the best album since Social Graffitty.
A.G. The taste of Ambrosia showed the Giant in topform I mean his first single w Alchemist “Everything is backwards” should be the title on this article actually
Evidence, One word: Woooohhhh!!!
38 Spesh and KGR Son of Koll G: Fire
and then theres all the rest from the underground but you dont know ny of them anyway so why bother…?————
In the best year in hip hop in all the new millenium this was what u came up with? It is not just disappointing, its upright lazy!!
Pipe the fuck down oldhead your music is outdated
He actually named some of the best music released this year, how is that music outdated you thick skulled fool?
Victory Lap slaughters half this list
Victory Lap should be #1… Memories Don’t Die should be on this list as well with Nasir over the black panther soundtrack and definitely get rid of kids see ghosts… who made this list anyway
this list wack
This list is bullshit. You left out Migos, Tory Lanez and Post Malone.
TA1300, only one that compares is Kids See Ghosts