2024 in Hip Hop may be best remembered for its diss songs (namely those fired back and forth between Kendrick Lamar and Drake), but it also produced a slew of standout albums that showcased the genreās beauty, diversity and continued evolution — and in some cases shook up the game.
More than 30 years after first stealing the crown from Hip Hopās birthplace of New York, the West Coast put itself back in front thanks to blockbuster projects from Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, The Creator, as well as efforts from ScHoolboy Q, Vince Staples, Ab-Soul, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, Mustard and Ice Cube, among others.
Down in Hip Hopās former long-reigning cultural capital, Atlanta, Future went on another monster run by dropping a trifecta of chart-topping albums, including two with close collaborator Metro Boomin — the first of which helped light the fuse for whatās been dubbed by many as the greatest rap beef of all time.
Although J. Cole controversially bowed out of that battle, he too had a trick up his sleeve with the surprise mixtape Might Delete Later (which fortunately hasnāt yet been scrubbed from streaming services, with the exception of one particular track, of course).
In addition to Future and Metro and Snoop and Dre, 2024 saw the birth of another dynamic duo in Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign, who delivered two of three promised Vultures projects, while veterans Eminem, LL Cool J and Common returned with reinvigorated efforts.
Elsewhere, GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion, Sexyy Red, Latto, Rapsody, Ice Spice and Tierra Whack all ensured the female rap wave did not fizzle out and new stars were born thanks to stellar releases from Doechii, BigXThaPlug and BossMan Dlow, among others.
Although 2024 was without new albums from two of Hip Hopās biggest commercial behemoths, Drake and Travis Scott (the former of whom took a rare year off, perhaps to nurse his wounds), there was no shortage of impressive and impactful projects from the past 12 months that deserve to stay in rotation as we begin the new year.
Here are the 20 best rap albums of 2024, as ranked by HipHopDX.
20. Chief Keef — Almighty So 2
Chief Keef had been teasing Almighty So 2 for half a decade. It was worthy of the wait, and in true Keef fashion, it both met and upended expectations. The project marks a new Keef: sonically clearer, with no doublings and minimal ad-libs. You can focus on his lyrics, which are often riotously funny and occasionally moving and vulnerable.
Musically, thereās plenty of vintage Keef turn-up, but thereās also more than enough variation to keep things interesting. Itās encouraging that a decade-plus into his career, Keef is still taking big swings — and connecting. — Shawn Setaro
19. Ab-Soul — Soul Burger
2024 was TDEās year — even the biggest Toronto-based hater would admit that. Aside from more headline-grabbing releases from Kendrick Lamar and SZA, the label’s deep roster of talent threw up their shots and consistently hit their targets.
A tribute to his late friend, Doe Burger, who passed away in 2021, Ab-Soulās sixth album also doubles as an homage to his rap forefathers. The two most obvious examples are lead single āSqueeze 1st 2,” a sequel to JAY-Zās The Dynasty anthem, and album opener ā9 Mile,” which borrows Eminemās flow from 8 Mileās climactic freestyle over a haunting sample of Soul II Soulās āBack to Lifeā wedded to Mobb Deepās āShook Ones Pt. 2.” — Sam Moore
18. J. Cole — Might Delete Later
J. Coleās Might Delete Later got more attention for the Kendrick Lamar diss track that was taken off of it than the songs that remain, but the project as it stands serves as a great teaser for his long-promised LP The Fall Off. These arenāt considered, thoughtful, big-statement album cuts.
Thereās some bragging, one songās worth of singing (unfortunately), and in general a loose, relaxed feel that serves Cole well — though we could live without the one transphobic ājokeā that rears its head. The highlight by far is āPi,ā where Daylyt and Ab-Soulās masterful back-and-forth inspires Coleās sharpest performance. — S.S.
17. Big Sean — Better Me Than You
Like many of his blog rap peers, Big Sean is all grown up these days. The now-36-year-old MC is a father, in a committed longterm relationship and has embarked on a journey of self-care, therapy and spirituality in recent years.
This maturity radiates throughout his first album in four years, Better Me Than You, as Sean Don attempts to break the cycle of bad habits and forge a happier and healthier path forward, all over some of the best and most varied beats of his career. The only thing that hasn’t changed is Sean’s belief that he’s better than you at rapping. — Andy Bustard
16. BigXThaPlug — Take Care
BigXThaPlug is a Dallas rapper whoās hit upon a powerful musical idea: soul music-influenced beats, but with modern trap drums. All of Take Care sticks to that template to great effect, and Xās voice is striking.
However, there is one major drawback: he sticks to a Migos-esque triplet rhythm through the entirety of every song, which makes for monotonous listening. If BigX puts as much thought and energy into his rhythms as his beats in the future, the sky is the limit. — S.S.
15. Benny The Butcher — Everybody Canāt Go
Though the world has hardly been starved of music from Benny The Butcher in recent years, his Def Jam debut felt like the start of something new. While the album did fail to light up the charts in a way most would have hoped, Everybody Canāt Go is a swaggering example of what Griselda on a big budget sounds like.
Thereās an ensemble of mercurial Alchemist beats, one of Lil Wayneās best verses in years and Bennyās natural talent for street storytelling. — S.M.
14. Freddie Gibbs — You Only Die 1nce
The world has been Freddie Gibbsā playground since the gangsta rapper/actor/comedian first burst into the public consciousness over a decade ago. From George Michael samples to tongue-twisting guest verses, Big Rabbit has reinvented what a gangsta rapper is and can be.
On his latest album, released with help from his namesake Freddy Krueger, Gibbs is at his wittiest and sharpest. āRabbit Island,” in particular, encapsulates his wit as a lyricist and sharp ear for beats. There are shots at J. Cole, references to Mike Tysonās infamous pet tiger and, of course, some lurid lines about getting head while driving. — S.M.
13. Future & Metro Boomin — We Still Donāt Trust You
While We Donāt Trust You shook the rap world to its core, We Still Donāt Trust You followed up with its own kind of heat. Largely shirking ominous Atlanta trap in favor of harmonious R&B, The Weeknd is the standout player across Future and Metro Boomin’s second collaborative LP. The title track in particular stands near the top of Metroās catalog with its hypnotic repetition and sly sexuality. — S.M.
12. Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign — Vultures 1
Arriving amid a chaotic era in Kanye West’s life, Vultures 1 stands as one of the more cohesive projects from the Chicago native in some years. Ty Dolla $ign’s soulful melodies pair well with Ye’s unfiltered raps and offer up some hits like “Carnival” and “Fuck Sumn.” While it doesn’t hold a candle to the “old Kanye,” Vultures 1 is a nice reminder that he’s not completely lost. — Marisa Mendez
11. GloRilla — Glorious
GloRilla silenced the critics with her debut LP Glorious, showcasing her star power over high-energy anthems and even a venture into gospel. Along with an array of high-profile features, the album strikes a perfect balance, satisfying Millennials’ nostalgia for Dirty South bangers while catering to the shorter attention spans of younger generations with a runtime just under 42 minutes. — M.M.
10. Vince Staples — Dark Times
The follow-up to 2020’s Vince Staples and 2022’s Ramona Park Broke My Heart, Dark Times not only closes out Vince Staplesā decade-long chapter on Def Jam, but caps off one of the best three-album runs in recent Hip Hop history.
His most melodic and rock-oriented release so far, the project further cements the Long Beach native as a modern-day ghetto griot as he illuminates the otherwise bleak world from which he comes while attempting to find glimmers of light in it. Life’s hard, but Dark Times is a reminder to go harder. — A.B.
9. Eminem — The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De GrĆ¢ce)
Eminemās The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De GrĆ¢ce) is a raw, introspective farewell to the chaotic alter ego that defined his early career. Balancing his signature lyrical mastery with newfound maturity, the album explores the impact of Slim Shady on his life while showcasing hard-hitting tracks like āFuelā and “Guilty Conscience 2” alongside deeply reflective moments like āTemporaryā and “Somebody Save Me.”
Itās a bold and poignant milestone, marking the end of an era and the start of a new chapter for one of rapās most iconic voices. — M.M.
8. Rapsody — Please Donāt Cry
Returning with her first album in over five years, Rapsodyās Please Donāt Cry is a soulful and deeply personal offering, blending poignant storytelling with impeccable lyricism that has often been overlooked among the women in rap. The albumās standout moments, like āBridges Burnā and āPhoenix Rising,ā showcase her unmatched ability to balance vulnerability with strength.
Itās an emotionally rich and inspiring body of work that solidifies Rapsodyās place among Hip Hopās elite — even if she doesn’t always receive her rightful flowers. — M.M.
7. LL Cool J — The FORCE
LL Cool J admitted earlier this year that heās made some ābadā albums (no pun intended), but The FORCE is not one of them. With Q-Tip supplying some of the most eclectic production of his career, James Todd Smith sounds reinvigorated, razor sharp and more racially conscious than ever on his first project in 11 years.
If channeling the spirit of Black Panther founder Huey Newton on āHuey in the Chairā doesnāt make it clear what type of time LL is on, he opens the album by rapping from the perspective of āBlack vigilanteā cop killer Christopher Dorner.
The FORCE contains bold political statements from a man who has twice lit the White Houseās Christmas tree alongside President Biden and proves that Hip Hop’s radical streak is still alive, even as an alarming number of LL’s peers have embraced right-wing politics. — A.B.
6. Common & Pete Rock — The Auditorium Vol. 1
The Auditorium Vol. 1 makes you wonder why it took Common and Pete Rock so long to join forces for a full album. Despite only collaborating a handful of times in the previous decades (most notably on Common’s blistering 1996 Ice Cube diss “The Bitch In Yoo”), the rap veterans sound like a natural born duo as Pete’s true school beats mesh perfectly with Common’s spiritual lyrical sermons. Let’s hope a volume two is on the way. — A.B.
5. ScHoolboy Q — Blue Lips
ScHoolboy Q took five years between albums, but it seems like he used the time well. Blue Lips is a thoughtful record by someone stuck in the middle — old and established enough that he can rap about his familyās favorite sports (golf for himself, soccer for his kids), but still young enough to look back on his rough upbringing, and to include plenty of raunchiness and tough talk throughout the project. The TDE stalwart finds a thoughtful balance between extremes that doesnāt forget to be catchy and fun. — S.S.
4. Doechii — Alligator Bites Never Heal
The breakout star of 2024 and the justifiably self-proclaimed future, Doechiiās gorgeously idiosyncratic Alligator Bites Never Heal, which blends old school sensibilities with new school inventiveness, makes her the natural successor to Kendrick Lamar if he ever wants to King Lear his crown.
āBoom Bapā is the Swamp Princessā own acknowledgement that she cannot be forced into any box as she raps: āSay itās real and itās rap / And it boom and it bap / And it bounce and it clap / And itās house and itās trap / Itās everything / Iām everything!ā Meanwhile, āNissan Altimaā is a lyrically verbose example of Doechiiās ability to play with flow and cadence while injecting humor and sexuality onto a song. — S.M.
3. Future & Metro Boomin — We Donāt Trust You
We Donāt Trust You had been over a year in the making and beset by numerous delays. When the album eventually dropped in March, few would have thought it would set off an earthquake across Hip Hop and the wider music industry. Nothing was the same after listeners got to Kendrick Lamarās blistering verse on āLike That.” Battle lines were drawn, trenches were dug and shots were fired with laser precision.
Even away from the nuclear bomb of Kendrickās verse and the various other shots at Drake on the album, We Donāt Trust You is a mighty fine project, comprised of decadent luxury trap, a revitalized-sounding Future and Metro working the boards like the rentās due. — S.M.
2. Tyler, The Creator — Chromakopia
Tyler, The Creator has been inviting fans into his wildly creative and somewhat twisted mind since the very beginning of his career (just listen back to the audio therapy sessions on his 2009 debut Bastard), but Chromakopia is his most personal album yet.
Over 14 sonically gorgeous, seamlessly-sequenced songs, Tyler opens up about his thoughts on fatherhood and marriage, a pregnancy scare with a casual lover and the lingering heartache left by his absent father (who he learns through his narrator mother actually wanted to be in his life). Accompanying the soul-baring revelations is a clear and powerful message to listeners: take off your own mask and embrace your true self, in all its chromatic glory.
In addition to its musical brilliance, Chromakopia was also a commercial triumph as it cruised to the top of the Billboard 200 chart with almost 300,000 first-week sales — the largest of Tylerās career and the third biggest in Hip Hop this year, despite not even having a full tracking week. Ain’t no “mysterious” music over here, DJ Khaled. — A.B.
1. Kendrick Lamar — GNX
Capping off one of the best years any rapper has ever had in Hip Hop’s 51-year history, GNX was Kendrick Lamar’s victory lap over Drake and a middle finger to the lames who had the audacity to wacc out his murals. From recapping TDE’s streets-to-the-suites journey on “Heart Part 6” and penning a love letter to the art of rapping on the “I Used to Love H.E.R.”-esque “Gloria” to embodying the spirit of his hero 2Pac on “Reincarnated,” the airtight album is K.Dot to the core.
But the Compton native also shifts gears on his sixth LP, embracing Bay Area hyphy, a number of underground L.A. rappers and the “nervous” music that the late Drakeo The Ruler pioneered, while also sweetening his creative chemistry with soon-to-be-tourmate SZA.
With a much-discussed Super Bowl halftime show on the horizon, Kendrick Lamar is only set to solidify his status as the undisputed Best Rapper Alive and a serious contender for the Greatest of All Time crown, as he ponders on “Man at the Garden.” Squabble up with ya mother. — A.B.
Kendrick Lamar is not on TDE …
This website’s official review by Karan Singh gave The Death of Slim Shady a 1.3 out of 5 stars but it appears as a top 10 Hip-hop album of the year?
If you are admitting that the staff doesn’t stand by that review it should be mentioned in the article. Or … you should post a new review #journalism
Thank you for pointing this out. Goes to show this site has zero consistency and their ratings system is boof.
yeah this site has lost a lot of crediblity smh
Interesting how that atrocious Eminem review appears to have been retconned. Maybe next time don’t let someone called “Karan” do your reviews or at the very least enforce some quality control before clicking “publish”. The Joyner Lucas review was a zero effort hit piece as well.
Where the fuck is Banks
J. Cole’s album was garbage.
This website has been terrible for years when it comes to reviews. EM got 1.3 and is a top 10 album wtf. GIbbs at 14 is fucking insane
Kendrickās album is not better than Redman. Common and Pete Rock and LL Cool J album are top 5 for sure
FOH as much as I enjoyed Common x Pete Rock and LL COOL J’s albums, Kendrick’s GNX is definitely better with more replay values. You can’t deny that unless you’re a Drake dickrider trying to devalue Kendrick’s work cause you’re butthurt that your favorite rapper got his ass handed to him.
This has nothing to do with Drake. You sound delusional with that take. The Common and Pete Rock album is far superior than Kendrickās album and I stand by that.
kendick lamar album was a whole puss dripping bloody prolapsed asshole FOH
Yeah alright Drake we already got it.
Redman not being in top 10 is crazy. Roc Marciano not being on the list at all is crazy. J. Cole being on the list is crazy.
This album of the year list is brought to you by Warner Music Group.
There were 4 great albums in 2024: Awol-One and Kool Keith – Aponia, Joey Valence and Brae – No Hands, Homeboy Sandman – Rich II, Chief Keef – Almighty So 2. The rest are disapponting (LL, Snoop), meh (Redman, Kendrick, B-Real and Psycho Les) and wack (Eminem, Tyler etc)
FOH. LL album should have been top 5
That’s right. It should have been, but it is NOT. I rather listen to 14 Shots and Phenomenon.
Called Eminem’s album wack and Redman “meh”… Yeah, your musical tastes aren’t something anyone needs to take seriously.
Now you made me sad. I really need your approval. I can’t decide if I listen to the right music without your guidance. I wanna be a stan like you. Can you forgive me? Can you shine your light on me?
Yeah, this glazing of Kendrick is getting out of control. Now he had the best album of the year???? Cmon Son!!
Shut up, if you looking for drake go to the top pop albums
This constant glazing of Kendrick has got to stop.
Lists don’t work. It’s not like you use some equation to come up with a correct answer. They’re either mere opinions or hypocrisy.
BUT MUDDY WATERS TOO HAD NO COMPETITION
Freddie Gibbs and Bigxthaplug had great albums no skips
This is a joke. Yall have albums in your top 20 that you idiots shitted on in the reviews. Make it make sense. Fucking idiots.
Wtf is Nicki..an y’all hate The Game and Nicki more than I hate people that come to a new city always saying where they from.
No Reggie?
No Mach Hommy?
No Roc Marci?
Not a good list.
yall high? you said this Vultures 2 LOL
“Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign’s ‘Vultures 2’ Is A Chaotic & Misogynistic Mess”
yall high? you said this Vultures 2 LOL
“Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign’s ‘Vultures 2’ Is A Chaotic & Misogynistic Mess”
I agree Redman should’ve been on there. Shot and Stabbed 2 by Benny and 38 Spesh was also dope.
I prefer monaleo to Latto
hardstone psycho not being up here is kinda crazy. it had such highs and the blend of rock/metal and trap sounds so good on songs like tore up and bandit
The fact that there is no mention of Arrested Development’s “Bullets in the Chamber” is tragic.
they say that kendrick is street and drake is pop, but kendrick also makes rap pop songs with sza and they are constantly on the radio. if we talk about classic rap albums you have to put Reggie’s Muddy Waters Too at nr.1 and not that commercial shit by Kendrick Lamar who is as overrated as Drake.
they say that kendrick is street and drake is pop, but kendrick also makes rap pop songs with sza and they are constantly on the radio. if we talk about classic rap albums you have to put Reggie’s Muddy Waters Too at nr.1 and not that commercial shit by Kendrick Lamar who is as overrated as Drake.