The Best Hip Hop Music of 2015

If you’re a fan of hip hop music, then you’ll want to check out our list of the best hip hop music of 2015. From new artists to established acts, there’s something for everyone on this list.

Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly

Kendrick Lamar’s sophomore album To Pimp a Butterfly was one of the most anticipated hip hop albums of 2015. And it did not disappoint. The album is a masterful blend of Lamar’s lyrical prowess, jazz-influenced beats, and social commentary. It was hailed by critics as one of the best hip hop albums of the year and earned Lamar several Grammy nominations.

J. Cole – 2014 Forest Hills Drive

J. Cole’s third album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, was released on December 9, 2014. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 353,000 equivalent copies in its first week. The album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 5, 2018.

Drake – If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late

With a title like If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, it would be easy to write off Drake’s latest album as yet another mixtape. But this release is anything but; it’s a full-fledged album that was released without any warning or promotion. Despite its unceremonious release, the album quickly shot to the top of the charts and has been praised by critics as one of Drake’s best releases to date.

If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late features some of Drake’s best songs to date, including the anthemic “Energy,” the braggadocious “6 God,” and the heart-wrenching “You & The 6.” With its combination of catchy hooks, inventive beats, and introspective lyrics, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late is a hip hop album that is sure to stand the test of time.

Big Sean – Dark Sky Paradise

After a long wait, Big Sean finally released his third album Dark Sky Paradise in early 2015. The project featured some of Sean’s biggest hits to date including “Blessings”, “I Don’t F**k With You”, and “Play No Games”. With production from the likes of Kanye West, Mike Will Made It, and Boi-1da, the album was a sonic masterpiece that showcased Sean’s growth as an artist. Lyrically, Sean moved away from the club anthems that dominated his previous work and instead focused on more personal and introspective themes. The result was an album that cemented Sean’s place as one of the best rappers in the game.

Vince Staples – Summertime ’06

“Vince Staples is the rare rapper who’s as compelling when he’s being serious as he is when he’s cracking jokes. On Summertime ’06, his double album debut, the Long Beach, California, MC strikes a perfect balance between the two modes. One minute he’s delivering street-level realism with surgical precision (as on the spare, chilling “Lift Me Up”), and the next he’s playing the role of crack-addled everyman on a star-crossed bender (“Senorita”). The result is one of the year’s most vital and fully formed rap albums.”

Chance the Rapper – Surf

As one of the most interesting and inventive artists in hip hop today, Chance the Rapper always manages to stand out, and his new mixtape Surf is no different. Blending elements of gospel, R&B, soul, and hip hop, Surf is a unique and exciting album that showcases Chance’s incredible skills as both a rapper and a producer. The album also features some fantastic guest appearances, including Jeremih, Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, and others. With its mix of positive vibes and innovative music, Surf is one of the best hip hop albums of 2015.

Earl Sweatshirt – I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside

I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside is the second studio album by American rapper Earl Sweatshirt. It was released on March 23, 2015, by Columbia Records and Tan Cressida Records. The album was production by Sweatshirt himself along with RandomBlackGuy, Left Brain, Matt Martians, and others.

The album features guest appearances from Vince Staples and DA$H. The album was supported by three singles: “Grief”, “Huey”, and “OffTop”.

I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside received positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 81, based on 22 reviews. AllMusic’s Gary Suarez praised Sweatshirt’s ability to make paranoia sound “revelatory”, while also complimenting his improvement in vocal delivery and lyricism since his debut mixtape Earl.

Action Bronson – Mr. Wonderful

Action Bronson’s Mr. Wonderful is one of the strongest hip-hop albums of 2015. It’s an exciting and fresh album that features some of the best rapping and production of the year. Action Bronson is a force to be reckoned with on the mic, and his beats are top-notch. If you’re looking for an album to get hyped up to, Mr. Wonderful is a great choice.

Freddie Gibbs and Madlib – Piñata

Freddie Gibbs and Madlib’s Piñata is one of the best hip hop albums of 2015. It’s a gorgeous, densely-layered collaboration between two legends: Gibbs, a superb technical rapper with an ear for melody, and Madlib, a visionary producer who has a gift for crafting beats that are both experimental and accessible.

Piñata is a throwback to the golden era of hip hop, when albums were cohesive listening experiences from start to finish. There’s not a weak track on the album; each song feels essential. And while there are plenty of impressive guest appearances (from the likes of Raekwon, Earl Sweatshirt, and Danny Brown), they never steal the focus from Gibbs and Madlib’s remarkable chemistry.

If you’re looking for something fresh and exciting in hip hop, Piñata is essential listening. It’s an instant classic, and one of the best albums of 2015.

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 2

If you had to boil down Run the Jewels’ entire MO into one song, “Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)” would be a pretty good choice. It’s got all the elements that make RTJ so vital and exciting: Killer Mike and El-P’s incredibly tight chemistry, their absolutely devastating lyrical prowess, and of course, that propulsive, anthemic beat. That last ingredient is what really makes RTJ2 stand out, though. It’s not just that the beats are hard as hell (though they are), it’s that they’re also incredibly nuanced and complex. There are layers upon layers upon layers of sound, and it takes a few listens to really wrap your head around them all. But when you do, the payoff is huge.