2016 Hip Hop Album Power Rankings

2016 was a fantastic year for hip hop. Albums from Kanye and Chance topped many “Year end lists” (including my own) while Rae Sremmurd topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Like any good musical year, their are a lot of projects to sift through. I’ve compiled tiers to power rank notable 2016 hip hop projects in order of significance.

F Tier

Completely superfluous

• Summer Songs 2 by Lil Yachty
• Flytrap by CJ Fly
• New English by Desiigner
• Genesis by Domo Genesis
• DC4 by Meek Mill
• Khalifa by Wiz Khalifa
• Bobby Tarantino by Logic
• The Perfect Luv Tape by Lil Uzi Vert
• Community Service 2! by Towkio

E Tier

Solid listens if you already enjoy the artist

• 3001: A Laced Odyssey by Flatbush Zombies
• iiiDrops by Joey Purp
• It Happened In Flatbush by The Underachievers
• Big Baby D.R.A.M. by D.R.A.M.
• Prima Donna by Vince Staples
• Jeffery by Young Thug
• The Healing Component by Mick Jenkins
• This Unruly Mess I’ve Made by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
• Savage Mode by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin
• There’s A Lot Going On by Vic Mensa
• The Sun’s Tirade by Isaiah Rashad
• Campaign by Ty Dolla $ign

D Tier

Disappointing work from major artists or intriguing debuts from up & comers

• A Good Night In The Ghetto by Kamaiyah
• Imperial by Denzel Curry
• 4 Your Eyez Only by J. Cole
• Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’ by Kid Cudi
• Telefone by Noname

C Tier

Flawed projects worth checking out for the highs

• Always Strive and Prosper by A$AP Ferg
• Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends by A$AP Mob
• Views by Drake
• Lil Uzi Vert vs. The World by Lil Uzi Vert
• The Divine Feminine by Mac Miller
• SremmLife 2 by Rae Sremmurd

B Tier

Less renowned but must listens for any hip hop fan

• Floss by Injury Reserve
• Do What Thou Wilt by Ab-Soul
• Atrocity Exhibition by Danny Brown
• Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight by Travis Scott
• Blank Face LP by ScHoolboy Q
• Untitled Unmastered by Kendrick Lamar
• Run The Jewels 3 by Run The Jewels
• We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service by A Tribe Called Quest
• Still Brazy by YG

A Tier

These albums are ubiquitous and should not be missed.

• Coloring Book by Chance The Rapper
• The Life of Pablo by Kanye West

Note: The following projects were not eligible

• Malibu by Anderson .Paak
• Yes Lawd! by NxWorries
• Awaken, My Love! by Childish Gambino
• Merry Christmas Lil Mama by Jeremih & Chance The Rapper
• and the Anonymous Nobody… by De La Soul (Didn’t listen)