The Underground Report has spent the first half of 2018 highlighting dope tracks (and artists) that have flown under the radar. But to kick off the second half of the year, HipHopDX’s monthly showcase is looking back at albums that didn’t top the charts but are more than worthy of being considered among the best of 2018 … so far.
Here are our 10 favorite slept-on albums of the year. It’s time to wake up!
10. Dr. Octagon – Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilation
Making a sequel to a classic decades after its release is usually a bad idea — just look at how often it goes wrong in Hollywood. But against the odds, Kool Keith managed to concoct a satisfying follow-up to 1996’s Dr. Octagonecologyst.
Unlike 2006’s The Return of Dr. Octagon, which was released without Keith’s direct involvement, Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilation brings all the key players of the original Dr. Octagon album back together.
Dan The Automator is on the boards and DJ Qbert is providing the cuts, allowing Keith to properly resurrect Octagon and jump into the bizarre world all over again. It’s impossible to match the high standard of their classic LP, but Moosebumps is a worthy continuation and welcome return for the doctor.
9. Skyzoo – In Celebration Of Us
Skyzoo is the epitome of dependable. While Sky might not release any music that could be considered transcendent, his consistency allows him to deliver a quality product on a regular basis.
In Celebration Of Us is another satisfying addition to his catalog, highlighted by its replay-worthy wordplay and intricate storytelling.
The opening cut, “Everybody’s Fine,” sets the tone with a relentless streak of bars over the course of eight-plus minutes. In Celebration Of Us isn’t meant for easy digestion, so it’ll slip by plenty of casual listeners. But it’s a rewarding project for anyone willing to sink their teeth into it.
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8. JPEGMAFIA – Veteran
JPEGMAFIA’s off-kilter style and comedic persona are reminiscent of the Ol’ Dirty Bastard. For that reason, it’s incredibly fitting that the Baltimore-repping rapper/producer samples ODB on his new album, Veteran.
The 19-track LP is a fascinating listening experience, filled with unconventional twists and turns. It’s edgy without pretense, allowing JPEG’s authenticity to shine brightly.
Odd mixtures of sounds and deliveries make Veteran stand out within the crowded Hip Hop landscape, but JPEG’s obvious rapping prowess gives it a backbone that makes it more than a strange curiosity.
This type of music will probably never hook audiences en masse, but the craftsmanship and quirkiness seem destined for cult classic status.
7. Junglepussy – Jp3
If you can’t handle sexually explicit raps, Junglepussy’s not for you — but the name should’ve told you that already.
Her latest album, Jp3, is filled with bedroom romps and sensual tales. More importantly, it’s packed with some excellent rapping. Whether she’s unleashing potent bars on “State of the Union” or uncorking relaxing vibes on “Showers,” Junglepussy is an ace on the microphone.
Jp3 is a skillful display that would normally signal future stardom, though her unabashed content could be a roadblock for a mainstream breakthrough despite the old “sex sells” adage.
6. Elzhi & Khrysis – Jericho Jackson
Elzhi is one of the most gifted MCs of the last two decades, but a quiet period following 2011’s Elmatic seemed to diminish his stature in Hip Hop. After returning with 2016’s Lead Poison, the former Slum Village member proved his lyrical sword is as sharp as ever with the release of Jericho Jackson in February.
Backed by the production of Justus League/Jamla Records stalwart Khrysis, Elzhi is putting on a rhyming display that proves he should be considered among the elites. Any Hip Hop head that loves lyricism can’t afford to miss out on tracks such as “Breguets” when assessing the quality of 2018.
5. Westside Gunn – Supreme Blientele
Westside Gunn and Griselda Records are this era’s standard bearer for traditional East Coast Hip Hop. While Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher are the label’s top lyricists, Westside is like the RZA — a leader with a vision that makes it all click.
Supreme Blientle is an album that puts all the pieces together for the quintessential Griselda project. Copious pro-wrestling references, gritty production, showcases for his labelmates and links to various generations of boom bap purveyors are all packed into the 17-track LP.
Supreme Blientele is the answer for fans stuck on lamenting rap’s turn toward trap beats and Auto-Tuned vocals.
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4. Tierra Whack – Whack World
Tierra Whack may have figured out the perfect way to command attention in the current microwave era of Hip Hop. The up-and-coming MC embraced short attention spans by creating a 15-track album comprised completely of minute-long songs.
Despite the short runtime, Whack World is surprisingly fleshed out. In just 15 minutes, she’s managed to create her own musical universe — one that’s accentuated by its visual component. Although this idea might inspire some inferior imitations, Whack’s project is an innovative delight.
3. Huey Briss & Nikobeats – Black Wax
While Kanye West will get the credit for the seven-track album trend, Hip Hop is no stranger to the format. Huey Briss and Nikobeats also joined in, releasing the excellent seven-track offering Black Wax.
The duo was featured in a previous edition of the Report for the standout track “Gil Scott Never Lied,” but this entire project is a must-listen. Briss is extremely polished as an MC and Nikobeats’ boom bap production brings the best out of him.
Don’t let this one slip by you amid the constant flood of new music.
2. Czarface & DOOM – Czarface Meets MetalFace
Inspectah Deck’s legendary status is secured as part of the Wu-Tang Clan, but he’s found a second wind as a member of Czarface. Deck’s partnership with 7L & Esoteric has proven to be a winning formula, and they took it up a notch this year by teaming with the enigmatic DOOM.
Czarface Meets MetalFace is a match made in heaven, combining two acts that revel in comic book imagery and dense lyricism. And for DOOM, it’s probably his most captivating project in the last decade, reminding listeners of why he’s been so lauded throughout his career.
1. Evidence – Weather Or Not
Evidence’s third album got a glowing review from DX for good reason. After spending recent years focused on Dilated Peoples and producing for other artists, Ev made a triumphant return to the solo grind with Weather Or Not. The LP is filled with some of his finest work, providing fans with bangers like “Jim Dean” and heart-wrenching tales such as “By My Side Too.”
Ev is firmly entrenched in the underground, but this is undoubtedly one of the best projects that Hip Hop has to offer in 2018.
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The list is very basic when there have been some Gems dropped this yr. Certain Ones- Always do it all ways. Thorough- Thorough beats and Rhymes, Doppelgangaz-Aaaaggghh, Pseudo Slang-Hardscrabble, Certain Ones- Certain Ones, Alchemist- Lunch Meat EP, Gods Gift- Supreme Cerebral, Full Circle- Recognize EP, Nujericans- A La Mala, A.C the Program Director- The Lep, Blue Print- Two headed monster. This was Evidences worst one, Dr Octagon was weak, Skyzoo was dope and Conway was cool. You have to dig deeper to give the reader some Gems that they might be missing. 90 percent of the artist on her are popular and terrible, just give the good cats some shine, shoot yall can hire me I will tell wassup on the hip hip side and yall can do the commercial side.
it’s true that some of them are popular, but no one on this list is terrible. What word you use to describe Lil Uzi Vert and the real trash rappers if you say that Evidence and Skyzoo are terrible?
I like the Skyzoo the Evidence was not good, he had a few good joints. The Skyzoo was good, he can pick a beat and rock a rhyme. I don’t listen to Uzi but I get your point, I stay in my lane and support real artists. However when an artist that we like puts out a weak album we need to tell them so they don’t bring there standards down. Phonte’s album was terrible because he picks awful beats, and that has been his problem since leaving little brother. Czarface was ok but could be better especially with doom. There is really good music out but people act there is only the radio crap and the few artist that this site supports. I had to be honest there list was weak and it took zero time to make, give us some real CD’s that we slept on.
Good features overall. Gotta add Canibus’ EP here in a few months. Bis killed that shit.
No Planet Asia? No Locksmith? No Styles P? No Slim Thug? Who the f*ck writes these articles about underground music?
No mozzy
China Mac – MITM
No mozzy or philthy rich
Hardly underground you noob
Philthy Rich would probably qualify as underground. Mozzy probably would have too until Black Panther.
A top 10 list will always subjective so in theory we shouldn’t criticize Justin for having different opinions about what’s the best that came out of the underground this year… But man I wouldn’t even rank on my top 20 half of the albums mentioned! xD
From Justin list, I would rank on my top 10 only Jericho Jackson, Evidence and maybe also Dr. Octagon though…
And I would also recommend the following ones: Blueprint (Two headed monster), Apollo Brown & Locksmith, Doppelgangaz (AAAAGGGHH), Phonte (No News is Good News), CZARFACE/DOOM, Kooley High
I don’t know what “underground” is supposed to mean in 2018 now that record stores are dead and everybody streams their own personal nitch tastes rather than all lsitening to the same radio station. Ne’ertheless, here’s my pick of albums you missed off your list and probably missed IRL: Eligh “Last house oon the block;” The Dopellgangaz “Aaaaggghh!;” Random “Emerald Knights 2;” Epic Beard Men “Season One;” Dr Syntax & Pete Cannon “Let’s talk;” Ramson Badbonez “Jason Badbonez;” Professor Elemental “School of Whimsy;” Super Commuter “Trash world;” Ty “A work of heart.” The Dr Octagon comeback was a massive disappointment.
Non mainstream.
how do you say that you don’t know what “underground” is supposed to mean in 2018 and then go on to state “underground” albums in 2018?? clearly you do know what an underground album is in 2018 if you can form a list lol
“Underground” and “mainstream” have lost much of their meaning for me. I like what I like and try to avoid that which I don’t like. There isn’t really a “mainstream” anymore because, rather than everybody listening to the same radio station and/or following the same chart, everybody is off in their own little bubble of streaming/downloading. As for “mainstream?” There’s the obvious Jay-Zs, Kanyes and Snoops but there isn’t a “mainstream” sound like there once was. It’s not as if Dr Octagon/Kool Keith or DOOM/Inspectah Deck are totally unknown outside HipHop devotee circles. So yeh, I just named a handful of rap albums which I feel deserve a listen/purchase.
I funks with half the artist on this list! I would just add The Underachievers an Denzel Curry then all would be right in the world… Support quality Hiphop y’all
That new A.G. the taste of ambrosia
What about Eminem “Revival”? That album was so slept on! Just kidding. We listened, it sucked. Dude should retire or should a retired before dropping that trash
What about sixni9e? What about lil uzi?
I heard that guy ice cube (the guy who makes movies) is gonna make a rap album lol. So random. How do you go from making movies your whole life to making a rap album when your middle aged lol? That’s like if someone like Will Smith quit acting to make music.
No!! Your Retarded.
Royce’s Book of Ryan is the Underground Album of the Year in my Humble Opinion. He went Somewhere Else on that Record n made Goosebump Music. I wanted to Love the eLZhi n Khrysis record (cause eLZhi is one of the Illest EVER like Justin said) but Khrysis surprisingly didnt hold it down. And he BLESSED Verbal Kent years back so i was disappointed wit the Beats. WestsideGunn dropped a BANGER too. He is like the Rick Ross of the Underground when it comes to having a dope ear for Beats. Sup wit Bandana from Gibbs n Madlib tho? We need THAT.
Sooooo, checking out these comments, its been a pretty good year in HipHop!!!!
SKyzoo never disappoints, and the Elzi joint is great too. i still need to check that evidence one
Phonte should have been here
Yeah seriously. It is arguably the best album of the year, “underground” or not.
Agreed
You forgot #AudiovOX Official DOPE : Feat #RasKass – #ElDaSensei – #Pacewon #MED #DjROmes —http://hyperurl.co/1sbert
Kooley High- Never Come Down is still AOTY IMO, even halfway through the year.
However I know all of these albums this is still the best segment of DX.
Roc Marciano-R2-bitter pill
Yukmmouth-Vill story 3
Something by the “God Fahim”
How the hell you talking bout Westside Gunn Supreme Blientele album being slept on when yall weirdos wont even review it?!?!? it’s been out a month FOH
How isn’t Full Spectrum Dominance by Canibus produced by Thanos on here or even reviewed.??
How do you forget Jedi Mind Tricks???
I have most of the known unknowns up here. that makes me hip hop messiah of the year 🙂
you forgot Tha God Fahim – Truck Olympics: Think Again, Chris Orrick – Portraits, MC Paul Barman – (((echo chamber))), Apollo Brown + Locksmith – No Question, Planet Asia – Mansa Musa, Roc Marciano – RR2: The Bitter Dose, Apathy – The Widow’s Son, Crimeapple + Big Ghost Ltd. – Aguardiente, Vic Spencer + Sonnyjim – Spencer For Higher etc.
Mayhem Lauren????
Where’s Murs – strange journey into the unimaginable ? Probably Murs best album since Murray’s revenge. Y’all sleeping.
Check out (the Pennikull) blastin your way ft.mean greene
Awon & Phoniks – The Actual Proof
U forgot Outlaw by Rec Ali
Trill Mathematics by Nowaah Flood
KinCee
#theanarchyproject by Mr. Ripley