I’m a bit late but here’s my top 40 albums of 2019 in order. I’m happy with the amount of albums I consumed, in total 136 albums and EPs. Probably my most ever in a year. Some projects might be considered EPs but I’m still counting them on this list.
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First up some honorable mentions. All these range from 7-8/10
Eto and DJ Muggs- Hell’s Roof
Eto was a monster this year, as was Muggs. This has some of my favorite beats and raps this year. One of the best ft. courtesy of Roc Marci as well.
Fave Song: Roses
Eto was a monster this year, as was Muggs. This has some of my favorite beats and raps this year. One of the best ft. courtesy of Roc Marci as well.
Fave Song: Roses
Trillmatic Goods - Organized Grime
Didn’t know this dropped earlier on in the year. Shoutout @Pippin_99 for bringing it to my attention. Best Conway-related album this year. Good beats good raps. Simple as that.
Face Song: Draco
Didn’t know this dropped earlier on in the year. Shoutout @Pippin_99 for bringing it to my attention. Best Conway-related album this year. Good beats good raps. Simple as that.
Face Song: Draco
Tyler, the Creator - IGOR
Some solid production and catchy songs. Not my favorite project, but cool enough. Don’t really return to it but if I do it’s a nice listen.
Fave Song: NEW MAGIC WAND
Some solid production and catchy songs. Not my favorite project, but cool enough. Don’t really return to it but if I do it’s a nice listen.
Fave Song: NEW MAGIC WAND
The Alchemist - Yacht Rock 2
Best transitions of any album this year. Smooth beats that make me think I’m on a yacht myself. I feel the rappers could have done a bit better but it’s good for what it is.
Fave Song: Harry O.
Best transitions of any album this year. Smooth beats that make me think I’m on a yacht myself. I feel the rappers could have done a bit better but it’s good for what it is.
Fave Song: Harry O.
Conway - Look What I Became
Conway was the least interesting of Griselda this year, but that bar is so high it’s not even a bad thing. This is a solid project, with some good beats, good raps, and solid features. I feel like he’s next with a classic tho.
Fave Song: Hawks
Conway was the least interesting of Griselda this year, but that bar is so high it’s not even a bad thing. This is a solid project, with some good beats, good raps, and solid features. I feel like he’s next with a classic tho.
Fave Song: Hawks
Nicholas Craven - Craven N 2
Craven one of my favorite producers at the moment, and he delivered on this album, amazing verses on each song, and some of the best songs this year period. One of my favorite billy woods contributions ever on Gyre
Fave Song: Gyre
Craven one of my favorite producers at the moment, and he delivered on this album, amazing verses on each song, and some of the best songs this year period. One of my favorite billy woods contributions ever on Gyre
Fave Song: Gyre
Some more honorable mentions:
Eto and Mil Beats - Front Row
Eto, Willie The Kid - Heather Gray
Tha God Fahim - Dollars N Sense
38 Spesh - Bullet For Every Heathen
Qari- Operation Hennessy
MIKE - TEARS OF JOY
Hus KingPin - The Connect Tape
Tha God Fahim - Tells Of Da Banish
Eto and Mil Beats - Front Row
Eto, Willie The Kid - Heather Gray
Tha God Fahim - Dollars N Sense
38 Spesh - Bullet For Every Heathen
Qari- Operation Hennessy
MIKE - TEARS OF JOY
Hus KingPin - The Connect Tape
Tha God Fahim - Tells Of Da Banish
More Honorable:
Tha God Fahim - Synchro
Flee Lord - Loyalty and Trust
2 Chainz - Rap Or Go To The League
Flying Lotus - Flamagra
Smoke DZA - Statue Of Limitations
ANKHLEJOHN- Reign Supreme
Conway - Everything Is Food 3
CRIMEAPPLE, DJ Muggs - Medallo
Zeelooperz- Dyn-O-Mite
Tha God Fahim - Synchro
Flee Lord - Loyalty and Trust
2 Chainz - Rap Or Go To The League
Flying Lotus - Flamagra
Smoke DZA - Statue Of Limitations
ANKHLEJOHN- Reign Supreme
Conway - Everything Is Food 3
CRIMEAPPLE, DJ Muggs - Medallo
Zeelooperz- Dyn-O-Mite
More Honorable:
EBM - This Was Supposed To Be Fun
Anonymuz - THERE IS NO THREAT
Elcamino - Self Titled 2
Meyhem Lauren - Members Only EP
Blu and Exile - True and Livin’ EP
EBM - This Was Supposed To Be Fun
Anonymuz - THERE IS NO THREAT
Elcamino - Self Titled 2
Meyhem Lauren - Members Only EP
Blu and Exile - True and Livin’ EP
Ok last one
ELUCID - Every Egg I Cracked Today Was Double Yolked
This project is very good. I had it in my top 5 of the year but I decided against it since it’s only like 15 minutes. Amazing experimental production and a couple good quick verses.
Fave Song: Honestly, Aight
ELUCID - Every Egg I Cracked Today Was Double Yolked
This project is very good. I had it in my top 5 of the year but I decided against it since it’s only like 15 minutes. Amazing experimental production and a couple good quick verses.
Fave Song: Honestly, Aight
Actually forgot Boldface by Alchemist and Boldy James. Super awesome EP can’t wait for the full album soon
40. Eto, Superior - Long Story Short
The best Eto project this year. Great beats and good Eto raps, solid features from Skyzoo and Daniel Son. Can’t wait to see how Eto progresses as an artist, he’s classic-capable material.
Fave Song: Take Y’all Back
8/10
The best Eto project this year. Great beats and good Eto raps, solid features from Skyzoo and Daniel Son. Can’t wait to see how Eto progresses as an artist, he’s classic-capable material.
Fave Song: Take Y’all Back
8/10
39. Slauson Malone - A Quiet Farwell
Super spacey and barely even hip hop album, trippy beats and when there is rapping, it’s top tier. Would have liked a bit more lyrics but I can’t complain.
Fave Song: Smile 2
8/10
Super spacey and barely even hip hop album, trippy beats and when there is rapping, it’s top tier. Would have liked a bit more lyrics but I can’t complain.
Fave Song: Smile 2
8/10
38. CRIMEAPPLE - Viridi Panem
CRIMEAPPLE is one of the most underrated rappers of the decade, and here he displays his lyricism over decent beats. He needs a really good producer to truly bring out his best, but here he spits good enough.
Fave Song: D’Angelo Vickers
8/10
CRIMEAPPLE is one of the most underrated rappers of the decade, and here he displays his lyricism over decent beats. He needs a really good producer to truly bring out his best, but here he spits good enough.
Fave Song: D’Angelo Vickers
8/10
37. Hemlock Ernst - Back At The House
Kenny Segal shows his versatility by producing Hiding Places and then going lo fi in the same year. Ernst raps about his life and it’s a nice lowkey, almost audio book like album with a light backdrop.
Fave Song: Down
8/10
Kenny Segal shows his versatility by producing Hiding Places and then going lo fi in the same year. Ernst raps about his life and it’s a nice lowkey, almost audio book like album with a light backdrop.
Fave Song: Down
8/10
36. Malibu Ken - Self Titled
Aesop Rock is often hard to understand, but when you break down his lyrics he’s saying a lot of deep stuff. Tobacco creates a weird canvas for Rock to spit over, and the result is as gross-in a good way-as the cover art.
Fave Song: Corn Maze
8/10
Aesop Rock is often hard to understand, but when you break down his lyrics he’s saying a lot of deep stuff. Tobacco creates a weird canvas for Rock to spit over, and the result is as gross-in a good way-as the cover art.
Fave Song: Corn Maze
8/10
35. Tha God Fahim and DJ Muggs- Dump Assassins
Fahim consistently drops decent projects, and once in a while he drops something great. This year it was with Muggs. His voice works well with any beat, but Muggs elevates him to another level here.
Fave Song: Black Talons
8/10
Fahim consistently drops decent projects, and once in a while he drops something great. This year it was with Muggs. His voice works well with any beat, but Muggs elevates him to another level here.
Fave Song: Black Talons
8/10
34. Fly Anakin and Big Kahuna OG - Holly Water
Anakin’s voice compliments Kahuna’s very well here, higher vs. deeper. That over some of the best production of the year, you have a very good album.
Fave Song: Quarters
8/10
Anakin’s voice compliments Kahuna’s very well here, higher vs. deeper. That over some of the best production of the year, you have a very good album.
Fave Song: Quarters
8/10
33. Little Simz - GREY Area
Simz is a top rapper from the UK right now, she displays dope lyricism and talks about social issues on this album. Can’t wait to see how her career goes.
Fave Song: Venom
8/10
Simz is a top rapper from the UK right now, she displays dope lyricism and talks about social issues on this album. Can’t wait to see how her career goes.
Fave Song: Venom
8/10
32. Wiki - OOFIE
Wiki talks a lot about his life and alcoholism, his roots, and other personal issues. Always nice when artists go deep in their lives. 2nd verse on Way That I Am is one of the realest of the year.
Fave Song: Grim
8.1/10
Wiki talks a lot about his life and alcoholism, his roots, and other personal issues. Always nice when artists go deep in their lives. 2nd verse on Way That I Am is one of the realest of the year.
Fave Song: Grim
8.1/10
31. Sean Price - 86 Witness
One of the best posthumous discogs in hip hop, another great addition to a legendary catalog. This project has the best production choices and features to compliment Sean. RIP to a GOAT.
Fave Song: John Gotti
8.1/10
One of the best posthumous discogs in hip hop, another great addition to a legendary catalog. This project has the best production choices and features to compliment Sean. RIP to a GOAT.
Fave Song: John Gotti
8.1/10
30. RJ Payne - Leatherface
Great horrorcore/hardcore hip hop. Grimy beats and Payne matches them with great intensity and good schemes. I think he’s got a lot of great music coming in the future.
Fave Song: Butcher Meets Leatherface
8.1/10
Great horrorcore/hardcore hip hop. Grimy beats and Payne matches them with great intensity and good schemes. I think he’s got a lot of great music coming in the future.
Fave Song: Butcher Meets Leatherface
8.1/10
29. CRIMEAPPLE - Wet Dirt
I said previously that a great producer brings out the best in CRIMEAPPLE, and DJ Skizz does that here. Some of the best beats of the year, and Apple matches that with his best lyrics of the year. Also has the saddest song OTY
Fave Song: Divine
8.1/10
I said previously that a great producer brings out the best in CRIMEAPPLE, and DJ Skizz does that here. Some of the best beats of the year, and Apple matches that with his best lyrics of the year. Also has the saddest song OTY
Fave Song: Divine
8.1/10
28. CZARFACE - Odd Czar Against Us
CZARFACE have one of the best discographies of the decade, and they always bring entertaining comic book rap. This is a very solid addition to their catalog. Burrito is the most ridiculous song of the year.
Fave Song: Bizarro
8.1/10
CZARFACE have one of the best discographies of the decade, and they always bring entertaining comic book rap. This is a very solid addition to their catalog. Burrito is the most ridiculous song of the year.
Fave Song: Bizarro
8.1/10
27. Griselda - WWCD
A bit disappointed with this album considering the people involved, but it’s still very good. Some dope street raps and good beats.They could blow this out of the water in the future. Benny is the highlight.
Fave Song: DR BIRDS
8.1/10
A bit disappointed with this album considering the people involved, but it’s still very good. Some dope street raps and good beats.They could blow this out of the water in the future. Benny is the highlight.
Fave Song: DR BIRDS
8.1/10
26. Atmosphere - Whenever
Under the radar release, but a dope album from a legendary group. A bunch of interesting lyrical passages and beat choices, super solid release.
Fave Song: The Hands of Time
8.1/10
Under the radar release, but a dope album from a legendary group. A bunch of interesting lyrical passages and beat choices, super solid release.
Fave Song: The Hands of Time
8.1/10
25. Action Bronson - Lamb Over Rice
Bronson drops some of the best luxury rap, and works his best with Alch. He’s hilarious on here and needs to drop more, one of the most entertaining guys in hip hop.
Fave Song: Accoutrements
8.1/10
Bronson drops some of the best luxury rap, and works his best with Alch. He’s hilarious on here and needs to drop more, one of the most entertaining guys in hip hop.
Fave Song: Accoutrements
8.1/10
24. Injury Reserve - Self Titled
Had this really high on my list, but it dropped off a bit. Still a great release, and some of the most creative songs I’ve heard. Hard to find another album with the variety of sounds as this does.
Fave Song: Jailbreak The Tesla
8.1/10
Had this really high on my list, but it dropped off a bit. Still a great release, and some of the most creative songs I’ve heard. Hard to find another album with the variety of sounds as this does.
Fave Song: Jailbreak The Tesla
8.1/10
23. Quelle Chris - Guns
A very good concept album, the connections between tracks are fun to discover, and some great social commentary from Chris and dope production. A great addition to a near flawless discog.
Fave Song: Wild Minks
8.1/10
A very good concept album, the connections between tracks are fun to discover, and some great social commentary from Chris and dope production. A great addition to a near flawless discog.
Fave Song: Wild Minks
8.1/10
22. Skyzoo - Retropolitan
Pete Rocks produces some amazing beats for Skyzoo to rap over. One of the best lyricists of the decade, reminds me of Jay Z when he spits, he has so many great albums so to say that this one isn’t quite as good is not bad.
Fave Song: Glorious
8.1/10
Pete Rocks produces some amazing beats for Skyzoo to rap over. One of the best lyricists of the decade, reminds me of Jay Z when he spits, he has so many great albums so to say that this one isn’t quite as good is not bad.
Fave Song: Glorious
8.1/10
21. Kill Em All - Self Titled
Was off Twitter when this dropped, so I didn’t know it even existed until @ErikTheRedDevil brought it to my attention. Mach rips every beat Muggs lays, and the features are fire. In need of more KEA already.
Fave Song: Apollon’s Wheels
8.1/10
Was off Twitter when this dropped, so I didn’t know it even existed until @ErikTheRedDevil brought it to my attention. Mach rips every beat Muggs lays, and the features are fire. In need of more KEA already.
Fave Song: Apollon’s Wheels
8.1/10
20. Mach-Hommy - Wap Konn Joj!
Mach had a crazy year, and this EP could have been AOTY if it were longer. Super smooth throughout, I love this style as much as the grimier style Mach uses. Beautiful transitions as well.
Fave Song: Mozambique Drill
8.1/10
Mach had a crazy year, and this EP could have been AOTY if it were longer. Super smooth throughout, I love this style as much as the grimier style Mach uses. Beautiful transitions as well.
Fave Song: Mozambique Drill
8.1/10
19. Earl Sweatshirt- FEET OF CLAY
I’m an Earl stan so of course I’m going to love this, some murky beats and some of Earl’s best lyricism. Seems like a nice transition project before his next album. Lyrically EAST is great, unfortunate beat aside.
Fave Song: 74
8.1/10
I’m an Earl stan so of course I’m going to love this, some murky beats and some of Earl’s best lyricism. Seems like a nice transition project before his next album. Lyrically EAST is great, unfortunate beat aside.
Fave Song: 74
8.1/10
18. Benny - The Plugs I Met
Benny drops a fire EP that have four of the top songs of the year, could have been something truly great if not for 2 songs. The other 4 are insane, posse cuts and dope cuts with Black Thought and Pusha
Fave Song: Crowns For Kings
8.1/10
Benny drops a fire EP that have four of the top songs of the year, could have been something truly great if not for 2 songs. The other 4 are insane, posse cuts and dope cuts with Black Thought and Pusha
Fave Song: Crowns For Kings
8.1/10
17. JPEGMAFIA- All My Heroes Are Cornballs
This album grew on me a lot, some of the strangest songs I’ve heard all year, Peggy is very creative and I can’t wait to see where he goes next. I didn’t know one could be bad at singing and also good as well
Fave Song: PRONE!
8.2/10
This album grew on me a lot, some of the strangest songs I’ve heard all year, Peggy is very creative and I can’t wait to see where he goes next. I didn’t know one could be bad at singing and also good as well
Fave Song: PRONE!
8.2/10
16. Homeboy Sandman - Dusty
A smooth project that’s really relatable in it’s simplicity, Sandman drops lyrical gems that are so entertaining they lose some of the corny factor. Production is jazzy throughout.
Fave Song: Wondering Why
8.4/10
A smooth project that’s really relatable in it’s simplicity, Sandman drops lyrical gems that are so entertaining they lose some of the corny factor. Production is jazzy throughout.
Fave Song: Wondering Why
8.4/10
15. Brother Ali - Secrets and Escapes
A surprise project produced by Evidence, Ali can’t miss lyrically, some amazing verses and schemes. Has an interesting perspective in hip hop, always ready to hear some new stuff from him.
Fave Song: Greatest That Never Lived
8.5/10
A surprise project produced by Evidence, Ali can’t miss lyrically, some amazing verses and schemes. Has an interesting perspective in hip hop, always ready to hear some new stuff from him.
Fave Song: Greatest That Never Lived
8.5/10
14. Rome Streetz - Noise Kandy 3
Streetz is up and coming and has several great projects under his belt already. This project is perfectly produced for Streetz to spit over, his punchlines are top tier on here.
Fave Song: Voodoo
8.5/10
Streetz is up and coming and has several great projects under his belt already. This project is perfectly produced for Streetz to spit over, his punchlines are top tier on here.
Fave Song: Voodoo
8.5/10
13. Billy Woods - Terror Management
A second billy album in year is more than I can ask for. On this project, the beats are more gritty and always switching up. Billy raps like the world is ending. Another great addition to a flawless discography
Fave Song: Long Grass
8.5/10
A second billy album in year is more than I can ask for. On this project, the beats are more gritty and always switching up. Billy raps like the world is ending. Another great addition to a flawless discography
Fave Song: Long Grass
8.5/10
12. MAVI - Let The Sun Talk
A beautiful album, MAVI will definitely become super popular as he grows as an artist. His lyrics match the awesome beats and he gets in and gets out in 30 minutes while saying enough for 3 times the length.
Fave Song: Eye/I and I/Nation
8.5/10
A beautiful album, MAVI will definitely become super popular as he grows as an artist. His lyrics match the awesome beats and he gets in and gets out in 30 minutes while saying enough for 3 times the length.
Fave Song: Eye/I and I/Nation
8.5/10
11. Your Old Droog - Transportation
The beats on here feel classic, I love the sampling and thematically one of the best of the year. Droog makes me feel like I’m riding with him on the various vehicles. Train Love is storytelling at its finest.
Fave Song: Train Love
8.5/10
The beats on here feel classic, I love the sampling and thematically one of the best of the year. Droog makes me feel like I’m riding with him on the various vehicles. Train Love is storytelling at its finest.
Fave Song: Train Love
8.5/10
10. Danny Brown - Uknowhatimsayin
Danny tones it down for his AE follow up, the production oversaw by Q-Tip is great for Danny’s different type of lyricism than we’re used to hearing. Shows his versatility very well on this album.
Fave Song: Combat
8.5/10
Danny tones it down for his AE follow up, the production oversaw by Q-Tip is great for Danny’s different type of lyricism than we’re used to hearing. Shows his versatility very well on this album.
Fave Song: Combat
8.5/10
9. Your Old Droog - Jewelry
The 2019 MVP dropped late in the year and shook my whole list up. The Jewish themes tie the album together nice, and Droog is lyrically sharp as ever. Crazy how he has 3 projects near the top of the year.
Fave Song: Babushka II
8.5/10
The 2019 MVP dropped late in the year and shook my whole list up. The Jewish themes tie the album together nice, and Droog is lyrically sharp as ever. Crazy how he has 3 projects near the top of the year.
Fave Song: Babushka II
8.5/10
8. Mach-Hommy - Tuez-Les Tous
The best Muggs beats of the year combine with the best Mach raps of the year to make this project. The features are all insane and Mach drops some of the best lyrics of the year.
Fave Song: Mami Wata
8.6/10
The best Muggs beats of the year combine with the best Mach raps of the year to make this project. The features are all insane and Mach drops some of the best lyrics of the year.
Fave Song: Mami Wata
8.6/10
7. Apollo Brown - Sincerely, Detroit
Being from MI, I have a bit of home-state pride for this album. It’s the type of album you play on a cold Michigan day as you warm up from Apollo’s beats. Longest runtime on the list but feels short tbh.
Fave Song: God Help Me
8.6/10
Being from MI, I have a bit of home-state pride for this album. It’s the type of album you play on a cold Michigan day as you warm up from Apollo’s beats. Longest runtime on the list but feels short tbh.
Fave Song: God Help Me
8.6/10
6. Westside Gunn -Hitler Wears Hermès 7
WSG consistently picks amazing beats, and he entertains immensely. His discog is insane and he only adds more fire to it. Every beat hits and WSG is at his most entertaining in a while on this project.
Fave Song: It’s Possible
8.8/10
WSG consistently picks amazing beats, and he entertains immensely. His discog is insane and he only adds more fire to it. Every beat hits and WSG is at his most entertaining in a while on this project.
Fave Song: It’s Possible
8.8/10
5. Roc Marciano - Marcielago
This man has a perfect discog, and he never misses lyrically. Quite possibly my favorite rhyme schemes of any rapper. His own production is amazing too. Crazy that this isn’t even a top 3 album from him.
Fave Song: Tom Chambers
8.8/10
This man has a perfect discog, and he never misses lyrically. Quite possibly my favorite rhyme schemes of any rapper. His own production is amazing too. Crazy that this isn’t even a top 3 album from him.
Fave Song: Tom Chambers
8.8/10
4. Westside Gunn - Flyod Is An Awesome God
I was addicted to this album for a long time, a super tight 12 tracks, amazing production, and WSG talking shit. Has the Best posse cut of the year (Thousand Shot Mac), and best ft. (Sauce Walka).
Fave Song: Sensational Sherri
8.9/10
I was addicted to this album for a long time, a super tight 12 tracks, amazing production, and WSG talking shit. Has the Best posse cut of the year (Thousand Shot Mac), and best ft. (Sauce Walka).
Fave Song: Sensational Sherri
8.9/10
3. Freddie Gibbs - Bandana
Freddie steps up lyrically from his previous projects, and while Madlib isn’t at his best, he’s still better than most. Some of the smoothest songs of the year, the chemistry between these guys is insane.
Fave Song: Palmolive
9/10
Freddie steps up lyrically from his previous projects, and while Madlib isn’t at his best, he’s still better than most. Some of the smoothest songs of the year, the chemistry between these guys is insane.
Fave Song: Palmolive
9/10
2. Your Old Droog - It Wasn’t Even Close
Droog with the 3-peat, has all albums this year in my top 11. This is the one I love the most tho, Droog is lyrically untouchable and the beats are top notch. Couldn’t ask for more, his best album overall.
Fave Song: Babushka
9/10
Droog with the 3-peat, has all albums this year in my top 11. This is the one I love the most tho, Droog is lyrically untouchable and the beats are top notch. Couldn’t ask for more, his best album overall.
Fave Song: Babushka
9/10
1. Billy Woods - Hiding Places
My #1 of the decade, with his best album. That’s quite insane honestly, considering his catalog. Kenny Segal cooks up dark Instrumentals for billy to cryptically spit over, and he creates a very claustrophobic atmosphere
Fave Song; Checkpoints
10
My #1 of the decade, with his best album. That’s quite insane honestly, considering his catalog. Kenny Segal cooks up dark Instrumentals for billy to cryptically spit over, and he creates a very claustrophobic atmosphere
Fave Song; Checkpoints
10
Ok finally done, that took forever to do on a phone, but I’m happy I got it done. There’s projects I didn’t listen to but I’m never going to be able to consume everything. I’m happy with this list. 2019 was pretty great for hip hop imo, 2020 about to be crazy tho
