As we wind down 2022, I need to look back in retrospect with all of the rap and hip hop albums that dropped this year. I feel it was a great year for rap as we got some new albums post-pandemic from some very big rappers like Future, Kendrick, Drake, Pusha T, Freddie Gibbs, and more. But outside of those album drops we had a lot more to listen to this year. Without further adieu, here are my rap albums of the year. In no particular order either… Just the rap albums I’m vibing with most.
The Pusha T album It’s Almost Dry was up there for me for most streams this year. Push did his thing and Kanye laced him. Coke rap never felt so luxurious and I’m here for all of it. A magnificent work of art on this one. And nah… I don’t care what Kanye is up to in the news. I don’t care who has beef with each other. I’m here for the music and this album is a cohesive gem. Shout out to Push and Ye on this one.
Another rap album I really dig this year was from a rapper that I had always heard about but had never really listened to. But then Denzel Curry comes in and drops an album which gave me Deltron 3030 vibes and it’s safe to say I’ll be going back through his catalog to see what gems he missed. I’ve heard some of his songs with Kenny Beats and their chemistry is off the charts. The song “Walkin” with the beat flip along with the flow flip from Denzel is just too damn nice. This album probably won’t hit the mainstream ears but if you f*ck with good hip hop and dope beats, look no further.
If you were to ask me what rapper was my spirit animal right now it would have to be Larry June. Larry just keeps getting better with the bars, confidence, and delivery and it’s dope to watch his ascension out the Bay. June is cut from the same cloth as Mac Dre and you can tell he pulls inspiration from a lot of 90’s west coast rap on some cool pimp shit so I’m always going to give him a nod. Spaceships on the Blade was a dope album top to bottom. I feel like 2023 is the year that Larry becomes a household name on the rap scene. But regardless, it doesn’t matter. Larry is getting his paper and pushing the organic and wellness themes nicely. Larry got my ear on every feature and release. He’s that nice.
While we’re talking rap albums of the year, let’s just get right to Gangsta Gibbs. Hard to believe that this was his major label debut after being in the game for so long right? Freddie absolutely murdered this whole $oul $old $eparately album. The beats? Hard… Freddie’s hunger? Unparalleled… The features? On point… This is probably my rap album of the year based on stream count alone but as I step back and re-listen to all albums dropped this year, this is the one I think.
I did like the Kendrick album and I’m sure in 5 years when we look back in retrospect it’ll probably be one of the better albums of 2022 but it’s not on my list. But the Ab-Soul album???? First album in 7 years and man was he sitting on some shit. TDE stays winning even after K-Dot left the label and I like the added shine Soul, Q, Rock, and Rashad will get. This will be great for hip hop. And if you’re looking for some real hip hop, look no further than Soulo. The Herbert album is beautiful. Ab-Soul’s wordplay is on another level and this album is the best he has dropped as an artist. Amazing growth from the emcee from Carson, CA. Can’t wait to see who he tours with next year. I’ll be at that show for sure. Nice work Herbert… We’re all glad to see you’re better homie. You’ve been through a lot and your coping through your music helps us all heal. Thanks homie.
Are you still sleeping on Curren$y? I feel you are and the longer you wait to dive in the more you’ll have to catch up on. Spitta and ALC dropped another album with each other and Continuance was some smooth shit. The way the album starts with “Half Moon Mornings” tho?? Wow…. Straight head nod type shit on this. Boldy James has one of my favorite verses of the year on “No Yeast” and after that it’s dope track after dope track. Not sure if Alchemist ever sleeps but I’m good with it. I don’t either so keep pumping out the beats and I’ll subscribe with my eardrums. Heard Curren$y dropped The Drive In Theatre Part 2 so I need to catch that one as well. Curren$y and ALC stay winning.
My homie Mark will always have me knowing when Future is dropping. And this I Never Liked You album had some straight up bangers. The intro with “712PM” sets the tone for the album and let’s you know that Future’s back. “PUFFIN ON ZOOTIES” is a bouncy wave that I keep on repeat. “LIKE ME” with 42 Dugg and Lil Baby is another track that I feel will stand the test of time. I’m not a big Future fan at all but that’s zero knock on him. I just need to see him live on this tour and I’ll change my ways. I see the talent. The Dungeon Fam connection is great too. Future carved his own lane and has had an amazing career. Now just go on a big tour next year so I can drop way too much on a concert tee. Hopefully I don’t lose it in the Uber on the way home though.
The Joey Bada$$ album was absolute fire too. Statik Selektah laced him some serious beats and these 2 together is the formula. Joey got some good stuff off of his chest looking back on Steelo’s life. The Diddy feature wasn’t expected but didn’t disappoint. The jazzy “Brand New 911” with Westside Gunn coming with adlibs all over the place. Griselda is grown man jazz rap at this point right? This Joey album goes though. Solid album and for sure up for album of the year in my boombox.
The Larry June, Jay Worthy, and LNDN DRGS album 2 P’z In a Pod was another smooth one. I know I already included Larry June on this list but he doubles up on this project. The Larry and Jay Worthy combo is on some west coast gold and I hope these guys have a follow up album to this. Have a new producer for each project? Harry Fraud with these 2 or ALC would be something.
The Drake and 21 Savage album Her Loss was pretty damn nice too. “Rich Flex” is a banger and the anticipation for this album to drop was major. It saw a delay and I believe that was strategically planned… It organically built the hype and the delay was only 2 weeks I believe? Regardless, not like Drake or 21 need some extra marketing cheat code to help get streams but I’ll give a nod to whoever delayed the album. Smart move. This album has a bit for everybody. You can pull a beanie over your face on some 21 shit and then a few songs later you’re in the “Middle of the Ocean” just sitting back and relaxing. The beat on that is so dope… Drizzy laces it. Flips up the flow with the beat chance and everything. This is dope rap. People will hate on Drake for whatever reason but you gotta appreciate good music when it drops.
Now that I’m realizing I’ve already said I wouldn’t have Kendrick on this list I’m wondering if I made a mistake right now. Hmmmm… Nope…But again, in 5 years it will make it’s way to the list. But right now? If I want some GKMC type Kendrick I’m going to my main man JID aka J.I.D. aka whatever you want to call him because dude can rap his ass off. JID’s voice, flow, and overall talent has honestly made me think of Andre in his heyday and Kendrick in the early years. JID carries that Atlanta aesthetic so well and I feel like he’s a distant cousin of the Dungeon Fam for his beat selection, originality, and overall vibe. “Dance Now” is on some confident bars type shit which is just begging for a remix for Andre 3K. What do you think 3 stacks charges for a feature? He would just do it for JID right? JID and EARTHGANG are some Outkast and Goodie Mob type of collective. Surprised Big Boi hasn’t linked up more with JID. Hopefully that track “Garden Party” was a sign of what’s to come between the 2 rappers. Btw, do yourself a favor and google “rappers from Atlanta” and you’ll flip. Shout out to JID out of the ATL for his album The Forever Story. This is an album that continues to grow on you and it’s dope knowing that JID is still on his ascension to the moon.
I gotta hit “publish” at some point on this article but am I missing any other rap album of the year candidates for 2022? Quavo and Takeoff? Griselda? Lil Baby? Tell me what I’m missing in the comments. I don’t have as much time to bump new rap music anymore so I need y’all help! Here’s a playlist of my favorite tracks from 2022. And yes there are some from 2021 in here but until I’m able to hire somebody to scrub my playlists you will have to deal with it. Deal? Hope you enjoy… Props to another dope year in rap and hip hop!