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2024 has solidified itself as a historic year for hip-hop, supported by highly publicized coverage surrounding the 2024 rap beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
Over the past 12 months, the number of fresh artists entering the soundscape has seemingly increased. 2024 XXL Freshmen rappers Cash Cobain and BigXthePlug are two names many believe will usher in a new wave of music and creative expression, with both individuals dropping highly entertaining projects this year.
While the hip-hop community remained entertained with stunning music videos and captivating singles, multiple full-length rap albums did more than generate viral buzz. Following the release of his third chart-topping album for the year, Future became the first artist to earn three No.1 projects in six months.
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Female MCs had a massive year with GloRilla delivering her highly anticipated debut studio album, Glorious, alongside rappers like Megan Thee Stallion, whose self-titled third LP was memorable for hit records like Mamushi.
Tyler, The Creator and Doechii's projects, while highly praised for their sonic and thematic direction, garnered massive attention online surrounding their album rollout strategies. West Coast legends and G-Funk originators Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre notably delivered their sequel to 1993's Doggystyle earlier this month.
Ranking the top 15 hip-hop albums for the year
2024 was big for hip-hop out the West Coast, likely due to Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us becoming a cultural moment, bringing the hip-hop community, and seemingly the world, together to dance to DJ Mustard's now iconic production.
From reinventive projects to personal albums, the following projects didn't just secure massive numbers across streaming platforms but would generate high praise amongst fans alike. Below are 15 ranked hip-hop albums that dominated the rap soundscape in 2024.
Disclaimer: This feature is rated explicit. Reader discretion is advised.
15) Take Care (BigXthePlug)
The hip-hop community was stunned after XXL Freshman BigXthePlug dropped his sophomore studio album, Take Care, independently to all major streaming platforms on October 11, 2024.
The upcoming rapper's project was praised for being a potent piece of work that showcases his talent as an MC. Many cited how Take Care's production was uniquely crafted to blend effectively into BigX's strong vocal performances.
Notable tracks from BigXthePlug's Take Care have been listed below:
- 2AM
- Change Me
- Law & Order
- Leave Me Alone
14) Sugar Honey Iced Tea (Latto)
Latto's third studio album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, was released to all DSPs back in August via RCA Records. It hosts 21 full-length records and features from Megan Thee Stallion, Hunxho, Coco Jones, and more.
The project was supported by the release of lead singles like Brokey and Big Mama, resulting in Sugar Honey Iced Tea peaking at No. 2 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop album and debuting at No.15 on Billboard 200.
"When a real one hold you down, bae, you supposed to drown / You ain't never fu*k with no boss bit*h, I turned you out / You won't catch me in no Shark boots, y'all burnt 'em out / Bit*hes gotta wait till they birthday to go out of town / Brokey, yеah, I talk a lot of sh*t (Haha) / He like, "Who you think you is?," n***a, not your bit*h," Latto raps on 'Brokey'.
13) Dark Times (Vince Staples)
After premiering his new Netflix short series, titled "The Vince Staples Show," in February, the Long Beach rapper delivered his sixth studio album, Dark Times, on May 23, 2024. The project also marks his final LP with his record label Def Jam Recordings.
The 13-track album features expert lyricism, with Vince exploring his past traumas while also reflecting on more recent struggles with fame and his rising celebrity status. One of the most standout records on this project was Children's Song, fueled by its upbeat Lo-Fi production, with him delivering bars like:
"N****s be like (Like) / Ayy, bro, 'member back when? ('Member back when?) / Let it go, loc (Let it go, loc) / I'm way too rich to be your friend (On the hood) / I'm way too lit to let you dim me (N****s can't dim me)"
12) Hardstone Psycho (Don Toliver)
After entertaining fans with 2023's Love Sick, Don Toliver delivered his fourth studio album Hardstone Psycho on June 14, 2024. The rapper's lead single for this project, BANDIT, introduced fans to his new sonic direction, which has remained largely unexplored throughout his past discography.
Don Toliver's evolution as an artist elevates the listening experience and contributes to the album's captivating appeal. With features from hip-hop's biggest acts like Travis Scott, Charlie Wilson, Teezo Touchdown, Future, and more, Hardstone Psycho stands out as one of 2024's biggest rap albums.
Notable tracks included in Don Toliver's Hardstone Psycho include:
- BANDIT
- ATTITUDE (feat. Charlie Wilson x Cash Cobain)
- PURPLE RAIN (feat. Future x Metro Boomin)
- BACKSTREETS (feat. Teezo Touchdown)
- INSIDE (feat. Travis Scott)
11) Saaheem (SahBabii)
On November 8, 2024, SahBabii unveiled his self-titled sophomore studio album, Saaheem, independently distributed to all major streaming platforms via StreamCut.
The new album features 18 full-length records that expertly balance vulnerability and self-introspection, over an enticing production that highlights SahBabii's songwriting skills.
An interesting record on Saaheem is a song titled Everyday, where the rapper's tone and lyricism convey both, his serious and unserious nature, as seen in lines like:
"Biggest ape in the tree, n***a, Gigantopithecus / You know I'm 6'2", can't belittle me / Went to Icebox, told 'em Skittle me (Rrr, rrr) / Hit up the car, we done riddled it (Rrr), n***a want smoke, we deliver it (Open up) / My diamonds so cold, got a shriveled di*k (It hold the locks) / Glock 23 with the little di*k (Brr, yeah)"
10) MIXTAPE PLUTO (Future)
With the release of MIXTAPE PLUTO, which was distributed to streaming platforms on September 20, 2024, Future was named the only rapper to ever achieve three consecutive No.1 albums in the span of six months.
The project hosted 17 full-length records, all of which immediately climbed into Billboard's Hot 100 chart, resulting in the project debuting at No.1 on Billboard 200. Future takes the lead on MIXTAPE PLUTO, delivering hard-hitting trap bangers without a single feature, for a complete runtime of 44 minutes.
Notable tracks from Future's seventeenth mixtape, MIXTAPE PLUTO, have been listed below:
- TEFLON DON
- LIL DEMON
- PLUTOSKI
- SOUTH OF FRANCE
- LOST MY DOG
9) One of Wun (Gunna)
On May 10, Gunna delivered his fifth studio album, One of Wun, which marked his second full-length album release since he was dismissed on a plea deal, from the YSL-RICO trial, in 2022.
The LP officially follows up on 2023's extremely successful A Gift & a Curse, which topped Billboard's hip-hop and R&B album charts. Upon its release, One of Wun was well-received amongst Gunna's fanbase and the wider hip-hop audience, resulting in the project debuting at No.2 on Billboard 200.
With almost an hour-long runtime, One of Wun is carried by its 20-record tracklist and fueled by its enticing melodic trap production. Notable records included on Gunna's fifth studio album are listed below:
- whatsapp (wassam)
- prada dem (feat. Offset)
- one of wun
- trio
- let it breathe (feat. Roddy Rich)
8) The Death Of Slim Shady (Eminem)
Eminem's 12th studio album, The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), was delivered to all major streaming platforms on July 12, 2024, hosting 19 full-length records with features Big Sean, Skylar Grey, JID, and more.
Clocking in at a little over an hour, The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) conceptually explores Eminem's internal battle with his alter-ego Slim Shady, who in the music video for Houdini portals his way to present-day Detroit.
The album is notable for how Em explains how much audience perception has changed since he came up in the late 1990s, with the album acting as a curtain call to one of hip-hop's greatest acts. Both versions of the rapper battle it out on a record titled Guilty Conscience 2, going back and forth over bars like:
"I gave you power to use me as an excuse to be evil (I know) / You created me to say everything you didn't have the balls to say (Yep) / What you were thinkin', but in a more diabolic way / You fed me pills and a bottle of alcohol a day (Okay) / Made me too strong for you and lost control of me (You're right) / I took over you totally / You were socially awkward 'til you molded me (Yeah)"
7) Glorious (GloRilla)
In October, GloRilla finally delivered her highly-anticipated debut studio album, Glorious, featuring hip-hop A-listers like Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, Sexyy Red, and more. The album debuted at No.5 on Billboard 200, supported by her Hot 100 hit TGIF, included on the project's 15-record tracklist.
While GloRilla has made a name for her ability to create playlistable trap bangers like Yeah Glo!, her debut studio album introduces deeper productions, capturing elements of crunk, R&B, hip-hop, and gospel, making Glorious a very enticing listening experience.
Notable tracks included on GloRilla's debut studio album are provided below:
- TGIF
- WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME (feat. Sexyy Red)
- GLO'S PRAYER
- DON'T DESERVE (feat. Muni Long)
- LET HER COOK
6) Might Delete Later (J. Cole)
While fans were anticipating the release of J. Cole's long-awaited The Fall Off album, the Fayetteville rapper decided to surprise-drop a mixtape titled MIGHT DELETE LATER on April 5, 2024. The project would then debut at No.2 on Billboard 200.
J. Cole's MIGHT DELETE LATER features appearances from Dreamville artists Ari Lennox and Bas, alongside rappers like Central Cee, Gucci Mane, and more. The release of the mixtape coincided with the start of the 2024 rap beef, with Cole saving the final track, 7 Minute Drill, as his official response to Kendrick Lamar's disses on Like That.
Interestingly, 48 hours after the mixtape was uploaded to streaming, during his 2024 Dreamville concert, J. Cole publicly apologized to Kendrick Lamar for dissing him on 7 Minute Drill. He would later delete the diss track from all streaming platforms, signaling his intention to step away from the 2024 rap beef.
"Your first sh*t was classic, your last sh*t was tragic / Your second sh*t put n****s to sleep, but they gassed it / Your third sh*t was massive and that was your prime / I was trailin' right behind and I just now hit mine / Now I'm front of the line with a comfortable lead / How ironic, soon as I got it, now he want somethin' with me," J. Cole disses Kendrick Lamar on '7 Minute Drill'.
5) Blue Lips (ScHoolboy Q)
ScHoolboy Q surprised fans earlier this year after rolling out his sixth studio album, Blue Lips. Although the LP debuted at No.13 on Billboard 200, Q's latest project received high praise from fans and the hip-hop community for being one of his most honest and raw pieces of work.
With almost an hour-long runtime, ScHoolboy's 18 record album includes guest appearances from some of hip-hop's most entertaining acts like Freddie Gibbs, Ab-Soul, and more.
The album notably delves into Q's reflective state of mind as he revisits past traumas while highlighting the many comforts of his life, a result of his building a successful music career. Notable tracks included on ScHoolboy Q's Blue Lips include records like:
- Yeern 101
- oHio
- Back n Love (feat. Devin Malik)
- Blueslides
- Germany 86'
4) We Don't Trust You (Metro Boomin x Future)
Two years after teasing their collaboration album, Metro Boomin and Future dropped We Don't Trust You on March 22, 2024, thrilling fans with a 17-record tracklist featuring fan-favorite trap bangers like Type Sh*t, Like That, Cinderella, and more.
The project was extremely successful, debuting at No.1 on Billboard 200, with many sharing praise for Metro Boomin's spotless productions which interestingly featured orchestral and influential trap instrumentals. While supported by A-list appearances, Future's self-indulgent verses stand out for bars fueled by excess and luxury.
The most notable track on We Don't Trust You was their chart-topping collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, Like That, which many credit as the record that started the 2024 rap beef, fueled by K-Dot's aggressive performance over bars like:
"Fu*k sneak dissin', first-person shooter, I hope they came with three switches / I crash out like, "Fu*k rap," diss Melle Mel if I had to / Got 2TEEZ with me, I'm snatchin' chains and burnin' tattoos, it's up / Lost too many soldiers not to play it safe / If he walk around with that stick, it ain't André 3K / Think I won't drop the location? I still got PTSD / Motherfu*k the big three, n***a, it's just big me"
3) Alligator Bites Never Heal (Doechii)
TDE signee Doechii has been having a massive year in 2024, generating significant buzz for one of the most creative project rollouts in hip-hop, with the rapper teasing her third career mixtape for multiple weeks before delivering Alligator Bites Never Heal on August 30, 2024.
Doechii's Alligator Bites Never Heal is a 19-record LP, with a complete runtime of 47 minutes, hosting a single feature from artist KUNTFETISH. The project was praised by several fans for being her most ambitious body of work.
The Swamp Princess bares all her struggles and vulnerabilities on this project, in aggressive and creatively unique performances that help her stand out as one of hip-hop's next big stars. Notable tracks included on Doechii's Alligator Bites Never Heal are listed below:
- Bullfrog
- Catfish
- Bloom
- Boom Bap
- Death Roll
- Beverly Hills
2) Chromakopia (Tyler, The Creator)
Marking one of the largest hip-hop album debuts for the year, selling nearly 300,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, Tyler, The Creator's eighth studio album Chromakopia has certified itself as a 2024 classic.
Officially following up on Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler's Chromakopia marks his third consecutive No.1 album, holding the top spot on Billboard 200 for a total of three weeks.
Featuring artists like Daniel Caesar, Lil Wayne, GloRilla, and more, the California native's 14-record LP delivers records that go from hard-hitting trap instrumentals to slower R&B cuts.
The tracklisting and various emotional and personal themes explored in this project contribute to an extremely memorable listening experience for a total runtime of 53 minutes. Notable tracks included on Tyler, The Creator's Chromakopia include records like:
- St. Chroma (feat. Daniel Caesar)
- Noid
- Hey Jane
- Sticky (feat. GloRilla x Lil Wayne x Sexyy Red)
- Thought I Was Dead (feat. ScHoolboy Q x Santigold)
- Balloon (feat. Doechii)
1) GNX (Kendrick Lamar)
Arguably 2024's biggest hip-hop album would have to be Kendrick Lamar's GNX, a 12-record LP that was surprise-dropped on November 22, 2024, featuring enticing collaborations with SZA and upcoming California rappers like Lefty Gunplay, Dody6, and more.
Kendrick's sixth studio album, following up on his Grammy-winning Mr. Morales & The Big Steppers, had a massive response online, stemming from the album's unconventional hour-long rollout. GNX would then debut at No.1 on Billboard 200, selling over 300,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.
While the project includes records that do hint back to his historic rap beef with Drake, GNX primarily captures Kendrick's mindset regarding the evolution of hip-hop.
Throughout the album's 44-minute runtime, Kendrick clearly expresses a distaste toward materialistic records having a more dominant mainstream appeal over thought-provoking rap projects, with multiple tracks off GNX celebrating black excellence in the music industry.
Notable tracks included on Lamar's sixth studio album are listed below:
- wacced out murals
- squabble up
- reincarnated
- tv off (feat. Lefty Gunplay)
- heart pt. 6
- gloria (feat. SZA)
Other interesting hip-hop projects that were released this year include Lyrical Lemonade's debut studio album, All Is Yellow, 21 Savage's American Dream, and Cordae's third studio album The Crossroads.
