The Best Hip Hop Albums of 2022 …(so far)

Struggling to find a list of the Hip Hop Albums that have been shifting the culture? Take a look at our lists for Rap and RB to get a complete survey of the projects that are dictating the conversation around Hip Hop culture.

• The Best Rap Albums of 2022 …(so far)
• The Best RB Albums of 2022 …(so far)

Need some new songs to throw in the rotation but Spotify and user-created playlists are way too long? We kept it simple and added only the best of the best songs from each month to make sure you get the songs you need without a hassle. Peep the lists below.

• The Best Rap Songs of 2022 …(so far)
• The Best RB Songs of 2022 …(so far)

Looking for some up and coming rappers and underground gems? We’ve done the work for you and highlighted the short EPs, mixtapes and projects to check out if you’re tired of the mainstream album cycle.

• The Best Mixtapes EPs of 2022 …(so far)

Editor’s note: Albums from this list were released between December 2, 2021 – March 25, 2022.

FOREVER – Phife Dawg

Phife Dawg was only 45 when he transitioned on March 22, 2016 from diabetes complications. But despite his premature passing, the Tribe Called Quest MC left behind an indelible legacy thanks to classic Hip Hop albums such as Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders. On the sixth anniversary of the Five-Foot Assassin’s death, the Phife Dawg Estate released his first posthumous solo album, Forever, a 13-track celebration of Phife’s innate lyrical talent. From the New York boom bap of “Nutshell 2” featuring Busta Rhymes and Redman to “Dear Dilla (Reprise)” with his fellow Tribe luminary Q-Tip, the project swells with an undeniable ‘90s nostalgia, harkening back to an era where rhymes were dense and the beats were refreshingly simple. Although it’s an emotional listen, Forever cements Phife Dawg’s invaluable contributions to Hip Hop… forever.

MELT MY EYEZ SEE YOUR FUTURE – Denzel Curry

Denzel Curry is the brilliant, brooding anti hero that rap deserves. The 27 year old South Florida native’s fifth studio album Melt My Eyez See Your Future finds him shirking the characters and disguises from his past LPs and stepping into the limelight as a fully formed artist. Although its his most introspective and vulnerable project, it’s not a 45 minute therapy session, but it is the quietest Curry album we have, and the most inward facing. He’s still effortlessly clever, and occasionally furious, but the somber moments here are competitive with his trademark machine gun delivery at its best. Apart from the commanding lead, the beats are diverse and excellent throughout, and the few features he allows are universally well picked and well delivered. Melt My Eyez See Your Future is a landmark in an already spectacular career.

TANA TALK 4 – Benny The Butcher

In the three years since, Benny — and Griselda as a whole — have more than come into their own, gaining widespread recognition. There’ve been a lot of projects in between, but there’s something special about Tana Talk, the 2004 series that started it all (although the original installment remains lost to collectors). This is a more than worthy follow-up to its predecessor — further solidifying his status as pound for pound, one of the better MCs breathing. The album fits snugly into the Griselda Music Universe and makes it more challenging than ever to deny Benny The Butcher of his roses.

FRANK – Fly Anakin

Mutant Academy mainstay Fly Anakin’s price went up last year with the Pink Siifu-assisted $mokebreak, but it’s on his debut solo album Frank where he fully realized his vision for sample-heavy Neo-Boom Bap. A young rapper with a deep reverence for the genre’s classics, Fly Anakin is an old soul at heart. He approaches Hip Hop with the mindset of a purist but without the fear of progress. The tone of his voice is rich and textured with a record-popping quality, and the beats he raps on feature samples chopped in a ’90s fashion. But he’s not about sentimentality for a golden age; he’s about looking at rap’s legends for inspiration on pushing the sound into untethered territory. Frank is near bulletproof with something for the rap purists, underground aficionados and casual listeners alike, making for Anakin’s most compelling work to date.

BACK ON DEATH ROW – Snoop Dogg

It was a full-circle moment when news broke that legendary West Coast rapper purchased the equally legendary Death Row Records. To celebrate the achievement, Snoop dropped BODR (Back On Death Row) which bolsters his already lengthy discography. Though the album will also be released as an exclusive NFT, fans will be happy to hear it’s available on major DSPs.

GOD DON’T MAKE MISTAKES – Conway The Machine

After many false promises and projects in the meantime, we’re finally getting what best be described as an opus. 12-songs in length, the LP features a lot of what fans expect: a family collaboration with Westside and Benny (“John Woo Flick”) Daringer beats and one or two outstanding features from legends. With his Detox finally in the world, and his contractual obligations to both Shady and (more surprisingly) Griselda met, it feels like a new beginning. God Don’t Make Mistakes makes it harder to argue that Conway isn’t one of the best lyricists in hip-hop today.

2 ALIVE – Yeat

2 Alivë, the follow-up to Yeat’s breakout project, arrived to a sea of hype and high expectations. Though he didn’t expand beyond the sounds of his previous work, Yeat’s latest is a master class in precision and knowing what the audience craves. Excellent rap need not always be grand in scope: 2 Alivë proves success can come just as easily through zooming in. Good artists make hits. Great artists make moments. Although 2 Alivë doesn’t feel like a game-changing album, it will have a large impact on bringing rage music to the mainstream, already tracking to takeover the Billboard charts. Yeat may take inspiration from the Trap and SoundCloud icons who came before him, but his irreverent anthems have placed him in a particularly unique space, not just a part of the movement forward, but helming the charge.

FEW GOOD THINGS – Saba

Few Good Things shatters the thematic and sonic expectations set by its predecessor. It incorporates a dizzying mix of production styles including neo-soul, funk, and various Hip Hop subgenres with production responsibilities from daedaePIVOT and Daoud. Saba provides a transparent and comprehensive look at his life experiences. He allows room for both vaunted celebration and rueful mourning, exemplifying the duality of the human condition with measured balance. Both captivating and endearing, his reflective raps register as powerful and poignant at every turn, showcasing a storyteller at the peak of his abilities.

CONTINUANCE – Curren$y/Alchemist

Curren$y and The Alchemist haven’t linked up for a full-length tape together since The Carrollton Heist in 2016, but on their new offering Continuance, the pair reunite with such natural ease it feels like no time has passed at all. Aided by ALC’s smokey and dizzying textures, Spitta Andretti continues to exemplify an uncanny proficiency in woozy, nonchalant narratives as he melds to the producer’s hypnotic loopings. The New Orleans MC rarely deviates from the subjects he knows best, (Cars, weed, fame and more cars), but it doesn’t matter much when he still raps with such unshakable authenticity after nearly two decades in the game. A few noteworthy friends, such as Babyface Ray and Boldy James, join along for the ride, but their presence rarely shakes up the undulating energy of the tape, which meanders along so breezily it’s impossible not to get lost in.

DS4EVER – Gunna

DS4EVER is new territory for Gunna. The album features key moments of vulnerability paired with the usual bravado that hint at Gunna’s evolution as a person and artist. The drip is highlighted, but he doesn’t shy away from lamenting over the times when life’s tidal waves nearly drowned him. Gunna has expanded his repertoire in six years to include in-depth storytelling and grown comfortable in acknowledging his humanity. It seems he won’t allow stardom to make him complacent, balancing improvements in song topics and technical skill.

SICK! – Earl Sweatshirt

On Earl Sweatshirt’s latest album SICK!, he’s clairvoyant; aware of himself and his surroundings. Now a father, he’s responsible for a life other than his own. Aside from newfound fatherhood, Thebe Kgositsile is watching a world burn from the ground up due to police killing Black people, riots and COVID-19 placing society under quarantine for the last two years. The world has changed and he’s changed along with it, but neither will ever be the same. For the first time, he’s stepping out of the darkness that’s kept him hidden throughout his career. The Odd Future alum closes the door on nearly a decade’s worth of guilt, using his new album as a vessel for acceptance.

COLORS – NBA YoungBoy

One of the most divisive and fascinating characters in all of Hip Hop, YoungBoy Never Broke Again kicked off 2022 with the sprawling and menacing Colors. In many ways Colors is a typical offering from the YoungBoy oeuvre: it contains ballistic raps, bluesy crooning and plenty of threats. But Colors also hints at a less-explored, vulnerable side of the Baton Rouge MC. Songs such as “Emo Love,” “How You Been” and “I Got This,” YB is stripped of the bravado he usually boasts and lets the listener into the depths of his mind. But don’t get it twisted: Colors is still loaded with aggressive anthems ranging from the explosive “Fish Scale” to the emphatic “Bring It On.”

FACE – Babyface Ray

Detroit owes a lot to Babyface Ray. The state of Michigan had been teeming with talent for decades, but alongside the likes of Rio Da Yung Og, Sada Baby and many others, Babyface Ray helped lead the scene into the mainstream. FACE, the latest album from the ice-cold rapper showcases Ray’s love for wordplay and his lilting flow. Across songs such as the Icewear Vezzo-assisted “6 Mile Show” to the smooth tones of “Sincerely Face,” Ray raps masterfully about street escapades and the spoils his success has brought him. Catching off-kilter flows while gliding across production which ranges from Plugg to muted Drill, Ray proves he’s one of the Midwest’s best.

WITH OR WITHOUT YOU – Dro Kenji

Internet Money’s Dro Kenji follows the lineage of the SoundCloud rappers who came before him such as Juice WRLD and Trippie Redd, but the 20-year-old rapper continues to blaze his own path on his latest album WITH OR WITHOUT YOU. Led by singles such as “FINDERS KEEPERS” featuring Scorey, Kenji’s quickly making a name for himself as one of the scene’s most exciting artists. With grand melodies and playful production, WITH OR WITHOUT YOU is worth a listen.

MAGIC – Nas Hit-Boy

Most people have Nas in their top 10 all time list, but the NY legend continues to rap like he has something to prove. It’s rare in any field that someone 30 years into their career is competing at the highest level, but in 2021 Nas seems hungrier than ever. Hit-Boy and Nas have become one of Hip Hop’s most prolific duos, dropping three projects since 2020 and still have one on the way! MAGIC is 9-tracks of non stop bars over beats that seem to fit each flow perfectly. Nas’ perspective on the current state of the game is always interesting as he shouts out the New York drill movement and co-signs K. Dot, Cole and Drizzy as the next generation’s goats.

Fighting Demons – Juice WRLD

It’s difficult to talk about a new Juice WRLD album without discussing the perils of posthumous releases. In an interview with Complex, Juice WRLD’s manager Lil Bibby said he and Juice’s team sifted through over 2,000 songs to compile the final 18 tracks for his second posthumous release, Fighting Demons, all while fans trolled him with opinions about what Juice would’ve wanted. Admittedly, Fighting Demons sounds like it was handled with care, but the album itself is an emotionally taxing affair. While Goodbye Good Riddance (“All Girls Are The Same”) and Death Race For Love (“Empty”) playfully toyed with Juice WRLD’s angst and heartache, Fighting Demons is consumed by it and, in turn, contains some of the rapper’s most vulnerable songwriting.

Who Is Nardo Wick? – Nardo Wick

Brutal, unyielding and somehow shockingly nonchalant, Wick’s first full-length project is a proper introduction to one of the most promising voices in Florida Hip Hop, a genre ripe with potential and set to explode in the coming year. Like many of his Jacksonville peers, Wick’s bars are hazy and off-kilter, running just ahead of the beat on the ballistic intro “Wickman,” sparring with Donnie Katana’s swirling strings. But while so many Florida MCs will sway towards Hip Hop’s more melodic side, Wick’s voice rarely strays from a cool, menacing whisper. That’s not to suggest he falls into repetitive sounds on Who Is Nardo Wick?. Despite sticking to the formula, Wick builds on his sound, taking advantage of the success of “Who Wants Smoke??” without letting it dictate his entire brand.

Balens Cho – Mach-Hommy

Mach-Hommy’s new album, Balens Cho (Hot Candles) works as a spiritual successor to Pray for Haiti but he trades venom for enlightenment. It’s clear that Mach has seen enough to live over several lifetimes. His stories are exuberant, vibrant, and his words materialize characters, plot and effortlessly. He’s a master storyteller that only improves with age. Balens Cho sees Mach-Hommy reflecting cause and effect; lessons from his youth that have become pillars for adulthood.

Richer Than I Ever Been – Rick Ross

Rick Ross has never been a modest man, a fact he’s first to admit on “Little Havana,” the opener for Richer Than I’ve Ever Been, the Florida rap boss’s most recent offering. His raps are lavish and ostentatious, sparkling with detailed accounts of the spoils earned through years serving as one of rap’s Dons. Spanning twelve tracks, Richer Than I’ve Ever Been finds Ross working with an elite cast of supporting characters, from Benny The Butcher and Future to RB artists such as Jazmine Sullivan and The-Dream.
Though he raps while draped in the finest linens and heavy gold chains, Ross is still a hustler at heart, and on Richer Than I’ve Ever Been, he sounds more hungry for greatness than he has in years.

The Yellow Tape 2 – Key Glock

Last year’s Yellow Tape was a harsh trap record with little reprieve. It was devoid of any potential radio hits, and completely entrenched listeners in the stifling world Key Glock grew up in. But Glock possessed a talent for writing lyrics sprinkled with earnest brevity, and in turn, Yellow Tape was a surprise hit that peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard 200. On the sequel, Yellow Tape 2, Glock flexes his success and financial independence with exuberance. The tape embodies southern rap of the past and present.

Hypernova – KA$HDAMI

If he isn’t already, 16-year-old Las Vegas-born rapper KA$HDAMI should be on your radar. The “Reparations!” rapper has been stacking up wins all 2021 and released several notable collaborations in the process, including his fan-favorite “Cabo” single featuring DX 2021 Rising Star DDG and Bankroll Hayden. Having made Republic Records his home, KA$HDAMI gets comfortable in his new deal with the release of his 11-track Hypernova album, home to his “Head$hot!” collaboration with Trippie Redd.

Contributing writers: Trent Clark, David Brake, Ben Brutocao, Kyle Eustice, Jeremy Hecht, Devon Jefferson, Dana Scott, Anthony Malone, Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Ben Brutocao, Matthew Ritchie Josh Svetz.

OTHER FAVORITE HIP HOP ALBUMS FROM DECEMBER 2021

• Untamed – Dusty Locane
• YO!88 – Pi’erre Bourne TM88
• 4NEM – Chief Keef

OTHER FAVORITE HIP HOP ALBUMS FROM NOVEMBER 2021

• Make Drunk Driving Cool Again – RXK Nephew
• No Sample Snitching – Chris Crack

OTHER FAVORITE HIP HOP ALBUMS FROM OCTOBER 2021

• Half God – Wiki
• Do It For Demon – Sahbabii

OTHER FAVORITE HIP HOP ALBUMS FROM SEPTEMBER 2021

• The Melodic Blue – Baby Keem
• DONDA – Kanye West

OTHER FAVORITE ALBUMS FROM AUGUST 2021

• America’s Sweetheart 2 – Bear1Boss
• DONDA – Kanye West

OTHER FAVORITE HIP HOP ALBUMS FROM JULY 2021

• Moon Boy – Yung Bleu
• HOFFA – Dave East Harry Fraud

OTHER FAVORITE HIP HOP ALBUMS FROM JUNE 2021

• All The Brilliant Things – Skyzoo
• Gandhi Loves Children (Deluxe) – Fatboi Sharif Roper Williams
• Hall of Fame – Polo G
• Ice Daddy – Gucci Mane

OTHER FAVORITE HIP HOP ALBUMS FROM MAY 2021

• Imaginary Everything – L’Orange Namir Blade
• Free Dem Boyz – 42 Dugg
• Michigan Boy Boat – Lil Yachty

Article source: https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.60585/title.best-hip-hop-albums-of-the-year