Top Hip-Hop Albums of 2017


It has been some time since I sat in my writing chair, but as I sit here listening to Stevie Wonder's Fulfillingness' First Finale on vinyl, I realize 2017 has been a wonderful year in music.

This year, I dove head first into the magnificent culture of record collecting with an aim to expand my musical horizons. I listened to upwards of 24,000 minutes of music (thanks Spotify) and have changed my musical listening habits quite a bit. I, now more than ever, listen to music in album length as opposed to song length; listening to and buying records has definitely catered to this musical listening style.

In 2017, I have listened to at least 60 hip hop albums that dropped this year, and from those, I have created a list of my top 20. Because the albums I chose were all varied in style, message, and composition, it was difficult for me to rank them. To that end, I have chosen to rank my first top 10 and my next top 10. So, in no particular order here are my first top 10

Top 10 Hip Hop Albums of 2017


Oddisee - The Iceberg 


Joey Bada$$ - ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$


Kendrick Lamar - DAMN.


Logic - Everybody


Kirk Knight & Nyck Caution - Nyck @ Knight


CyHi The Prynce - No Dope On Sundays


Fabolous & Jadakiss - Friday On Elm Street


JAY-Z - 4:44


Drake - More Life


Belly - Mumble Rap


I have listened to each one of these albums numerous times this year and they were all splendid in their own ways. The commonality between all these albums is the smooth transitions from one song to another; if you start listening to an album, you will not need to stop until the very last song.

The next top 10 were albums that I also studiously listened to throughout the year, but they just did not have as significant an effect as the ones in the top 10. Without further ado, the next top 10 to round out my top 20 favorite albums of 2017:

Next Top 10 Albums of 2017


Freddie Gibbs - You Only Live 2wice

Vince Staples -  Big Fish Theory

Big K.R.I.T - 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time

Migos - Culture

Young Thug - BEAUTIFUL THUGGER GIRLS


Lil Uzi Vert - Luv Is Rage 2


EarthGang - Rags

Lil Wayne - Dedication 6



It would be easy for me to just end the list here, but I would be remiss not to give an honorable mention to an album that has been long-awaited.

Eminem - Revival


For Em, it definitely was not his best work as he mentions that "he does not have the same anger" that he onced possessed. Nonetheless, it was a phenomenal display of lyrical artistry and collaboration with some of today's best artists thereby cementing his legacy as one of the best emcees of all-time. 

With that, I would like to congratulate hip hop on a year filled with tantalizing efforts on all fronts. 2017 was also the year when hip hop became the most listened to genre worldwide, which makes me proud to be an avid hip-hop head. Thanks for reading, go listen to those albums and as always, stay tuned for more awesome music !

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