Although it can be difficult analyzing albums that haven’t had numerous years to fully digest, it is fun seeing how recent albums stack up against each other. Comparing albums that have come out in the last seven years or so helps keep things fresh and tones down the potentially heavy nostalgia effect. Compiling all-time lists is something that can cause mass uproar among the music community — especially in hip-hop. MTV’s “Hottest MC’s in the Game” list has resulted in much controversy with rap fans and artists alike since its inception in 2007. With that being said, our team at TFC has conceived a “GOAT” list of our own. Here are our 50 best rap albums that have dropped this decade. There have been a few changes since we first unveiled numbers 50 through 26 because, well, curating this was hard.
So, if you’re looking to expand your hip-hop library, don’t hesitate to check out these albums. Think we forgot an important one? Let us know down in the Comments section below! Since boiling down hundreds of great rap projects is quite strenuous, this list has a few restrictions:
- Each album must have been released starting from 2010 up to present day
- Mixtapes are (for the most part) excluded; the records must be full-length studio albums (independent or major label)
- Grammy-nominated mixtapes are eligible to appear
- Artists who release free projects on a major label are eligible to appear
- Each album must be primarily based in the Hip-hop/Rap genre
This list was compiled by using my own personal knowledge and opinions mixed with how each album was received critically, NOT commercially. Album sales are a relevant barometer of an artist’s success. However, they are not directly correlated with musical quality. Thus going platinum or gold does not affect whether or not an album makes this list. Enjoy, and feel free to share your opinions below on what you think the top rap album of the decade is in the Comments. Thanks for stopping by!
Honorable Mentions
xx. Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager
xx. Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint
xx. Meek Mill – Dreams Worth More Than Money
xx. Mac Miller – GO:OD AM
xx. Young Thug – Barter 6
xx. Wale – Ambition
xx. Drake & Future – What a Time to Be Alive
xx. J. Cole – 2014 Forest Hills Drive
xx. Tyler, the Creator – Goblin
xx. Migos – CULTURE
xx. Logic – The Incredible True Story
#50-26
50. The Game – Jesus Piece
49. Rick Ross – Teflon Don
48. Joey Bada$$ – B4.DA.$$
47. A$AP Rocky – LONG.LIVE.A$AP
46. ScHoolboy Q – Blank Face LP
45. Kanye West – The Life of Pablo
44. Travis Scott – Rodeo
43. Kanye West – Yeezus
42. Nas – Life is Good
41. Pusha T – King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude
40. Earl Sweatshirt – Doris
39. Future – DS2
38. Drake – Take Care
37. Drake – Nothing Was the Same
36. JAY Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne
35. Joey Bada$$ – All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$
34. YG – My Krazy Life
33. Ghostface Killah – Apollo Kids
32. Pusha T – My Name is My Name
31. Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels
30. Drake – If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
29. Vince Staples – Summertime ’06
28. Rapsody – Laila’s Wisdom
27. Pusha T – DAYTONA
26. Kids See Ghosts – KIDS SEE GHOSTS
Top 25
25. JAY Z – 4:44
24. YG – Still Brazy
23. Big K.R.I.T. – 4eva is a Mighty Long Time
22. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Piñata
21. Ab-Soul – Control System
20. Earl Sweatshirt – Some Rap Songs
19. El-P – Cancer 4 Cure
18. Danny Brown – Atrocity Exhibition
17. Lupe Fiasco – Tetsuo & Youth
16. Tyler, the Creator – IGOR
15. Danny Brown – XXX
14. Kendrick Lamar – section.80
13. The Roots – How I Got Over
12. Big K.R.I.T. – Cadillactica
11. JPEGMAFIA – All My Heroes Are Cornballs
Top 10
10. Killer Mike – R.A.P. Music
9. Tyler, the Creator – Flower Boy
8. Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 2
7. The Roots – undun
6. Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
5. A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service
4. Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
3. Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city
2. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
1. Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly
