Top 10 Rap Albums 2018

Hello Walter Reed Reviewers and everyone else, this year has been one of the best (and most tragic) years for rap and hip-hop fans but at least there were really good projects released that I am excited to reveal so let’s get to it.

10. Die Lit by Playboi Carti: I really had fun listening to this album, even though the sub-genre to this album is mumble rap so you might not understand the words at times, but it doesn’t really matter because it really grows on you if you give it some time.

9. ASTROWORLD: by Travis Scott To me, this has been an album that is beautiful to listen to, even though the rapper uses autotune. It was hard to decide if this album was going to be on this list, but I decided that it’s a good album with the beat switches and the vocals.

8. Redemption by Jay Rock: To me, this was one of the smoothest albums on this list to listen to. I feel like this album is a journey through Jay Rock’s struggles in his life, and what he is going through which is pretty tough.

7. Some Rap Songs by Earl Sweatshirt: If you’re a fan of emotional rap, this album is for you. I didn’t like the album at first because of its vocals, but when I came back to it, it was really powerful and emotional to listen to. The grimey theme to the album sometimes makes the vocals not even matter.

6. FM! by Vince Staples: I feel like this is one my favorite albums because of its really catchy songs and radio-station based theme, again it’s not the best album but hands down, my favorite.

5. Tha Carter V by Lil Wayne: After five years of delay, and a few lackluster albums in the past, in my opinion this album by lil Wayne is going to be a classic in the next ten years and I loved the diversity he put into his album!

4. Care For Me by Saba: To be honest, I didn’t really know who this artist was until I listened to this album. I love the strong storytelling in the album and its jazz-like production. I feel that the artist is one of the most underrated.

3. TA13OO by Denzel Curry: In short, this album has a really unique vibe to it. I like its dark horror movie vibe with three acts: Light Act, Grey Act, and Dark Act. So pretty much that’s all I have to say because I feel that the album is super complicated to explain.

2. KOD by J. Cole: This is one of the of the most important albums of today! The rapper talks about controversial topics such as drug abuse and the dangers of it to younger rappers. I feel like J.Cole is rapping to the new generation and hoping they’ll reflect on his message, I think it’s very clever.

1. DiCaprio 2 by J.I.D.: And at last, the number one album, DiCaprio 2. I really like this album for it’s lyricism and the huge potential it shows for J.I.D. I feel like the album is really underrated, and this album is what I believe to be the best rap album of 2018!

Honorable Mentions

Harder Than Ever by Lil Baby

Dying to Live by Kodak Black

Championships by Meek Mill

I AM > I WAS by 21 SAVAGE

Ethernet by Wifisfuneral

I really wanted to put Kid See Ghosts by Kanye West and Kid Cudi on the list as No.1 but I realized it’s actually an EP.

-Malachi Granger-Bell '20