The Best Hip Hop Music of 2018
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A look at the best hip hop music of 2018. This year has seen a resurgence in the genre, with a number of new artists making a name for themselves.
Best Hip Hop Albums of 2018
It’s been an amazing year for hip hop music. We’ve seen a lot of great albums come out this year, and it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few. But we’ve managed to do it, and here are our picks for the best hip hop albums of 2018.
J. Cole – KOD
KOD is the fifth studio album by American hip hop recording artist J. Cole, released on April 20, 2018, through Dreamville Records and Interscope Records. The album has three alternate covers which represent three different meanings of the album’s title: “Kids on Drugs”, “King Overdosed on Depression” and “Kill Our Demons”. musically, KOD features a mix of bluesy guitar loops, funky synthesizers, heavily Auto-Tuned singing, and trap drums. Its songs contain no foul language.
Lyrically, the album contains themes about drug abuse, addiction, depression, and hedonism. It also includes overt references to the opioid epidemic in the United States. The album was widely acclaimed by critics and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 397,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. It also topped the charts in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. is one of the best hip hop albums of 2018. Lamar is a master of storytelling, and this album is no exception. Each track on the album tells a different story, and each one is more compelling than the last. Lamar’s lyrical prowess is on full display on this album, and he cements his place as one of the best rappers in the game today. If you’re a fan of hip hop, or just good music in general, you need to check out DAMN.
Cardi B – Invasion of Privacy
After years of mixtapes and feature appearances, Bronx-born rapper Cardi B finally released her debut album, Invasion of Privacy, in April 2018. The record instantly made history, becoming the first album by a female rapper to ever top the Billboard 200 chart. But more importantly, it proved that Cardi B is one of the most magnetic and original voices in hip hop today.
From the very first track, it’s clear that Cardi B is in full control of her artistry on Invasion of Privacy. She confidently raps about her come-up (“Get Up 10”), her haters (“Bickenhead”), and her luxurious lifestyle (“Bodak Yellow”). She also shows off her playful side on the catchy tracks “Be Careful” and “I Like It.” But what really sets this album apart is Cardi B’s willingness to be vulnerable. On the deeply personal songs “Ring” and “Best Life,” she opens up about her relationships and family life with candor and emotion.
It’s no wonder that Invasion of Privacy was such a commercial and critical success. With its mix of hard-hitting rhymes, humor, and heart, it’s one of the best hip hop albums of 2018.
Best Hip Hop Songs of 2018
Hip hop music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the Bronx. This genre of music has now taken over the world, and 2018 was no exception. From Cardi B to J. Cole, there were a ton of great hip hop songs released this year. Here are our picks for the best hip hop songs of 2018.
“This is America” – Childish Gambino
Childish Gambino’s “This is America” topped our list of the best hip hop songs of 2018. The track, which was released in May, quickly went viral, with its music video garnering over 100 million views on YouTube in just a few weeks. “This is America” is a powerful and timely commentary on race and gun violence in America, and it’s one of the most talked-about songs of the year.
“Bickenhead” – Cardi B
“Bickenhead” is a song by American rapper Cardi B. It was released on April 6, 2018, as the lead single from her debut studio album Invasion of Privacy (2018). The song, produced by J. White Did It, features a sample of the 1973 track “Poppin’ My Collar” by Memphis-based duo Project Pat. Lyrically, “Bickenhead” is a ode to cunnilingus.
The song received positive reviews from music critics, with many praising Cardi B’s raunchy lyrics and catchy hook. Commercially, the song peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. An accompanying music video for “Bickenhead” was released on April 6, 2018.
“All the Stars” – Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA
“All the Stars” is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar and singer SZA. It was released on January 4, 2018, as the lead single from the soundtrack album Black Panther: The Album. The song peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The track was produced by Al Shux and co-produced by SZA, Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, Solana Rowe, Dave Free, and Sounwave. Lamar and SZA wrote the song with its producers and Punch, Alexander William, Teddy Walters, Khalid Robinson, [email protected], Carter Langrand and Craig Balmoris. Its music incorporates trap with elements of Afrobeat and contains an interpolation of Patsy Cline’s 1961 recording “Crazy”.
The song’s accompanying music video features Lamar and SZA in various black-and-white scenes. It won Best Visual Effects at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards and received a nomination for Best Hip Hop Video at the 2018 BET Hip Hop Awards.
Best Hip Hop Artists of 2018
It’s no secret that 2018 has been a banner year for hip hop music. We’ve seen a surge in popularity for the genre, with a number of artists releasing groundbreaking albums and singles. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the best hip hop artists of 2018.
J. Cole
J. Cole is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. Born on a military base in Germany and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Cole initially gained recognition as a rapper following the release of his debut mixtape, The Come Up, in early 2007. He signed to Jay Z’s Roc Nation imprint in 2009, and released his second mixtape, Friday Night Lights, the following year to positive reviews. His debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, was released in 2011 to commercial success; it debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is considered one of the best hip hop artists of 2018. He has released four studio albums, with his most recent being DAMN., which was released in April 2017. Kendrick Lamar’s music is often praised for its technicality, lyrical prowess, and ability to tell stories.
Cardi B
Cardi B (born Belcalis Almanzar on October 11, 1992) is an American rapper and songwriter. She first rose to prominence as a member of the hip hop group Invincible in 2013, before embarking on a successful solo career in 2017. Her debut single “Bodak Yellow” made her the second female rapper to ever top the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and she subsequently became the first woman of color to be nominated for Best Rap Performance at the Grammy Awards.
Cardi B has been praised for her unapologetic style and candid personality, which has made her one of the most popular rappers in the world. Her debut album Invasion of Privacy (2018) was met with critical acclaim and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. She followed this up with another number one album, Girls , in 2019.
