My Favorite Rap Albums of 2019…So Far
We’ve reached the point in the year where music and hip hop culture sites have started dropping their “Top Rap Albums of 2019”. I’ve even started to see some “Top Albums of the Decade” lists too. Most of the time, these lists end up being clickbait, but I enjoy looking through them and comparing to my own. Personally, I don’t think I have listened to enough albums to do a “Top Albums of the Decade” list, and “Top Rap Albums of 2019” honestly involves listening to some albums that I have no interest in listening to. So instead, I’m just going to talk about my favorite rap albums of 2019…so far.
IGOR by Tyler, the Creator
If you haven’t listened to IGOR yet, honestly, I really wonder about your music tastes. Easily a sonic masterpiece. If you’ve never listened to Tyler or intentionally don’t listen to Tyler because of his previous reputations, I strongly encourage you to reconsider with this specific album. It’s a completely different sound to accompany his new Igor persona (so, no shock rap) with more singing than rapping. Now I know this was supposed to be a list of rap albums, but I certainly consider this a rap album because rap is very versatile. There’s certainly some rap subgenre that IGOR fits into. When I listen to IGOR, I’m listening less for the lyrics, which are are course good, more so for the musicality of it all. Tyler put so much music theory and consideration into this album, it’s insane! And as much Tyler and his friends’ (Solange, CeeLo Green, Santigold, to name a few) vocal talents add to the album, I would do just about anything for an IGOR Instrumentals album! No question this is an easy contender for album of the year.
Some personal favorite tracks:
- “IGOR’S THEME”
- “EARFQUAKE”
- “GONE, GONE / THANK YOU”
Bandana by Freddie Gibbs and Madlib
Top 5 rap album of the year. I’ll say this with my chest. Madlib is one of the best producers alive, and Freddie Gibbs provides nothing but bars. The album also has what I would argue is Pusha T’s best guest verse of 2019. The music videos are really a collection of scenes from a “movie” starring Freddie as a retired drug dealer being dragged back into the game. You should definitely watch the “Crime Pays” music video as well, because…well you’ll see.
Some personal favorite tracks:
- “Crime Pays”
- “Palmolive (Feat. Pusha T & Killer Mike)”
- “Fake Names”
Is He Real? by IDK
I really have nothing bad to say about this album. This is IDK’s debut album in which he spends 14 tracks masterfully contemplating God’s existence through a series of questions, social commentary, and a comparison to color blindness. There’s also a track where IDK gets baptized by none other than the legendary DMX reciting a spoken word prayer. We get some heavy bangers like “24” featuring one of the hardest piano tracks I’ve heard this year, and “Digital,” which has an amazing music video companion. But even on these heavier trap tracks, a more closer read and listen will really have you seeing the deeper message about IDK’s inquisitions of money, violence, and struggle. This is one of the few albums I find myself listening to with no skips almost daily. If I’m in my car for longer than 10 minutes, a track or two are guaranteed to come blasting through the speakers of my 2006 Toyota Prius, much to the surprise of the white drivers in the lanes next to me.
Some personal favorite tracks:
- “Porno (Feat. Pusha T & JID)”
- “No Cable”
- “Digital”
Revenge of the Dreamers III by Dreamville
I’ve always loved a good compilation or label album: Ruff Ryders, Disturbing Tha Peace, MMG, Roc-A-Fella, G.O.O.D Music, Puff Daddy & The Family, etc. This, however, is the label album to end most label albums. Some statistics from Hip Hop By The Numbers:
“Revenge of the Dreamers III has become the most collaborative No.1 album in hip hop history.
- 65 guest spots officially listed
- 46 artists (incl. producers) will receive their 1st Platinum Certification
- 42 artists received their first RIAA Certification of any kind when ROTD3 went Gold
I mean…what else did you expect from the stacked lineup of the Dreamville label doing a collaborative album with all of their industry friends? Did I mention a surprise mini feature from King Kendrick himself? Honestly, the album is filled with chill vibes, hype tracks, and amazing production. They really set the bar high for collaborative albums, but I’m still holding out for the TDE album (if that ever happens).
Some personal favorite tracks:
- “Down Bad”
- “Wells Fargo”
- “Sacrifices”
EVE by Rapsody
Most underrated rap album of 2019. I said what I said. By now, it should be very clear that I appreciate good lyrical rap and Rapsody brings just that. An album of bars all dedicated to Black women icons. With 9th Wonder on much of the production, and Rapsody doing what she does best, this album brings back that “real” hip hop that old heads like myself were dying for. Rapsody’s name is on so many “Top Female Rapper” lists, but not enough “Top Rapper” lists. And after listening to this album, if she’s not in your Top 50, I don’t know what else to tell you!
Some personal favorite tracks:
- “Nina”
- “Oprah (Feat. Leikeli47)”
- “Serena”
If I were hosting an awards show for rap, these would be my top five album of the year contenders, without question. But don’t take my word for it, go and listen for yourself. Even if you don’t like rap music, I just exposed you to five albums and you’re bound to like at least one song on there.
