We’re at the halfway point of the year already, and I like to keep a list of what are some of my favorite projects so far of the year. I leveled it down to 5, although there are way more and I’m sure some might even jump into the top 5 once the year is over (Jay-Z, I’m looking at you). Anyway, here are my top 5 albums of this year so far.
5. Migos – Culture
Yes, I know I tend to not go for these “trap” rappers, but there’s always a few artists that grab my attention in that genre. A couple years ago, it was Travis Scott with his Rodeo album, this time around, it’s Migos and Culture. Sure, I had liked their music before (“Fight Night”, “Versace”), but on this project, they just sounded more focused than before. If you haven’t heard it before, even though I’m sure you’ve heard “Bad and Boujee” a million times already, listen to “Deadz” below.
4. Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels 3
Yes, I know this album came out last year, but there were like 5 days left in the year when it came out, so it goes into this year’s list. Deal with it. Killer Mike and El-P return for the 3rd installment of their collaboration effort, and both albums that came before were incredible, and RTJ3 is no exception. If anything, it takes the feel of the last 2 albums and turns it up to 11. If you haven’t heard the album yet, check out “Gold” below.
3. Joey Bada$$ – ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$
The placement of this album might go higher once the year goes on, because every time I go back to it, I find something new to love out of Joey’s lyricism and his theme all over the album. Everything is placed perfectly, and some songs also tend to blow me away in terms of an idea of a song that hasn’t been done before (I’m looking at you, “Y U DON’T LOVE ME (MISS AMERIKKKA)”). If you haven’t heard this amazing album from Joey yet, here’s “For My People” to get you started.
2. Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
Of course my favorite rapper is going to make the list. Kendrick came back with an incredible album again this year in DAMN. I think he was able to get the sounds from his past 3 albums and mesh them together to turn it into the best selling album of the year. Yes, over Drake too. Kendrick came for the throne and you can hear it all throughout the album. From the opening and raw “DNA.” up until the amazing storytelling in “DUCKWORTH.” In case you haven’t heard the album yet, here’s “ELEMENT.” to get you into it.
1. BROCKHAMPTON – SATURATION
I hadn’t heard of BROCKHAMPTON up until this year, but I’m sure glad I got put onto their music. The group consists of musicians that focus on a lot of different genres, mostly rap. But there’s also great singers as well, and they don’t lack in the lyrics department either. Some may think the project is all over the place, but I think it goes well to show the diversity that the group brings to the table. Here’s “GOLD” to get you into the album.
