2017 Music: The Best Hip Hop Albums
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2017 was a great year for hip hop music, with a wide variety of excellent albums released. In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at the best hip hop albums of 2017, according to our experts.
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. is one of the best hip hop albums of 2017. It features Lamar’s unique blend of personal and political lyrics, and includes guest appearances from some of the biggest names in rap, including Kendrick’s Black Hippy brethren Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul. The production on the album is top-notch, with Mike Will Made It, 9th Wonder, and even Sounwave contributing beats. Lamar’s delivery is as always impeccable, making DAMN. a must-listen for any fan of hip hop.
JAY-Z – 4:44
4:44 is the thirteenth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on June 30, 2017, through Roc Nation and Universal Music Group. The album features production from No I.D., Boi-1da, Hit-Boy, Mike Will Made It, and The Neptunes, as well as additional production fromRubin and Carter. 4:44 is a concept album exploring Jay-Z’s ego and identity crisis following the infidelity of his wife Beyoncé, as well as themes of wealth and legacy.
Migos – Culture
Migos’ second album is a tour de force, a record that zig zags across sounds and styles while staying true to the trio’s Atlanta roots. Quavo, Takeoff, and Offset are all in top form here, able to flex their individual muscles while still sounding like a cohesive unit. And though the album is front-loaded with its best tracks (“Bad and Boujee,” “T-Shirt,” “Slippery”), there are plenty of other highlights to be found, from the Travis Scott-assisted “Kelly Price” to the Drake-featuring “Portland.” It all adds up to one of the most rewarding listens of the year.
Rapsody – Laila’s Wisdom
Rapsody’s second album is a masterclass in lyrical precision and storytelling, with the North Carolina rapper taking on everything from police brutality to self-love with effortless prowess. Clever wordplay and intricate rhyme schemes abound on tracks like “Power” and “Black & Ugly,” while she also showcases her lighter side on the yearning “U Used 2 Love Me” and the anthemic ode to sisterhood “Sassy.” It’s one of the most well-rounded and impressive hip-hop albums in recent memory, and further cements Rapsody as one of the genre’s brightest talents.
Tyler, the Creator – Flower Boy
As its title suggests, Tyler, the Creator’s much-anticipated fourth album is aarij drissi bouj tejelini mibouni fik a garden of delights. The Odd Future frontman has been gradually deepening his palette for years, moving from the skittering horrorcore of his early work to something closer to classic 1970s soul on 2015’s Cherry Bomb. But on Flower Boy, his music blooms into something exquisitely beautiful, funny, and touching. Weed-addled phrases like “I been kissin’ white boys since 2004” and “buncha hoes in my DM” coexist with stunning reflective passages like “See that look in my eye? That’s God lookin’ through” and “Sometimes I’m thinkin’ my father was a genius / I try not to think about it too much.” It all comes together on the warm, life-affirming 11-minute closer “2seater,” which feels like a summer day stretched out indefinitely. With Flower Boy, Tyler has made his best and most personal album—and one of the best hip-hop albums of 2017.
Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory
Vince Staples’ “Big Fish Theory” is one of the most experimental and unique hip hop albums to come out in a long time. It features heavy electronic and Dance influences, and Vince’s delivery is sharp and to the point. His lyrics tackle social issues like race relations and police brutality, but he also isn’t afraid to have fun and rap about getting girls and getting69 tattooed on his face. All in all, this is a daring and inventive album that is sure to stand the test of time.
A Tribe Called Quest – We got it from Here…Thank You 4 Your service
A Tribe Called Quest’s sixth album, released in 2016, was the group’s first in 18 years. We got it from Here…Thank You 4 Your service was also their first album without founding member Phife Dawg, who died in 2016. Despite the loss of one of their own, A Tribe Called Quest came back strong with an album that touched on social and political issues, while still remaining true to their hip hop roots. We got it from Here…Thank You 4 Your service is a fitting tribute to Phife Dawg and a reminder of why A Tribe Called Quest is one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time.
Big K.R.I.T. – 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time
If you’re a fan of southern hip hop, then you’ll love Big K.R.I.T.’s new double album, 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time. Clocking in at over two hours, the album is a marathon of southern-fried rap, with K.R.I.T. spitting rhymes over thumping basslines and twangy guitars. Guest appearances by T.I., UGK, and CeeLo Green add to the party atmosphere, making 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time one of the most fun hip hop albums of the year.
Joey Bada$$ – ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$
Joey Bada$$’s debut album, ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, is one of the freshest, most lyrically-driven hip hop albums in recent memory. Released in April of 2017, the album includes features from J.Cole, ScHoolboy Q, and Chronixx. Over the course of its 12 tracks, Joey Bada$$ touches on a range of thought-provoking topics such as race relations, police brutality, and socio-economic inequality. With its mix of 90s-style beats and contemporary flows, ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ is a must-listen for any hip hop fan.
Run the Jewels – RTJ3
Run the Jewels – RTJ3 is one of the best hip hop albums of 2017. The album was released on January 13, 2017, by Run the Jewels, Inc. andRED Music. It is the group’s third studio album, and features guest appearances from Danny Brown, Kamasi Washington, Zack de la Rocha, and BOOTS.
The album received critical acclaim upon its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 92, based on 30 reviews. Pitchfork placed it at number five on their “50 Best Albums of 2017” list. In December 2017, Complex named it one of the best hip hop albums of the year.
