Scott’s and Aaron’s Top Ten Hip Hop Albums of 2017 (So far)

1. Tyler, the Creator – Flower Boy – Released July 21, Tyler’s fourth studio album, and unarguably his most ambitious project to date. A step up from his previous album ‘Cherry Bomb’, one can tell Tyler has discovered his sound he has been trying to achieve with almost no sampling all self produced by Tyler. The album’s melodies and string harmonies all come together perfectly creating the atmosphere Tyler wants the listener to experience. The record sounds like a journey through a dreamy, beautiful, also lonely world Tyler has made up in his mind and shares with his audience. Tyler being accused of being homophobic throughout his career for his lack of barriers, surprisingly to all he subliminally announced his male sexual preference (he has not confirmed on social media) on the album. Flower Boy brings back Kali Uchis who featured some vocals on his last album, Frank Ocean who has appeared on all of Tyler’s albums. A$AP Rocky featured on the single “Who Day Boy” and also Lil Wayne on a roughly one minute interlude where he delivers a quick but memorable verse. The album was #2 on the Billboard 200. My favorite song was See You Again.

• Kendrick Lamar – DAMN. – Released April 14, The most controversial hip hop album this year without a doubt, Kendrick comes in fast and hard right off the bat with after the first mysterious skit Blood. Leading into the track, DNA. where he celebrates his heritage and also goes completely off, Producer Mike Will Made-It had to add on to the original beat since Kendrick was relentless and could not get all that he wanted to get off in 2 verses so the producer Mike Will Made-It had to construct the instrumental as the song progressed using a recognizable Rick James sample “Gimme Some Ganja”. DAMN is a testament to Kendrick’s success as he switches up from his last album To Pimp A Butterfly, the funkadelic sound transitions to a more clubesque while still offering some interesting perspectives. There are many theories to the meaning of the album and it’s skits. The Record features Rihanna, U2, Zacari, and intros from the legendary DJ Kid Capri. The album was #1 on the Billboard 200. My favorite song was LOYALTY.

• Migos- Culture – Released January 27, The second studio album from the hip hop trio Migos. The album placed Migos back in spotlight of mainstream hip hop with the single Bad and Boujee, featuring Lil Uzi Vert. This was undoubtedly their most popular song to date being 4x platinum certified. The record brings 13 songs, all braggadocious of the Migos rich, party lifestyle. I believe the album is undoubtedly the best compilation of club party songs this year. The album features verses from Travis Scott, Gucci Mane, Lil Uzi Vert, 2 Chainz, and an intro from DJ Khalid to open the album. The album was #1 on the Billboard 200. My favorite song was Deadz

• A$AP Mob – Cozy Tapes Vol. 2 Too Cozy – Released August 25, The second studio album from the rap collective A$AP Mob, following up the first ‘Cozy Tapes Vol. 1 Friends.’ The record is 17 songs long with three skits. I think the album brings creative high tempo based flows that resemble one of the new heads in Hip Hop Playboi Carti, which is featured on seven songs throughout the album. The record has features from Chief Keef, Gucci Mane, Jaden Smith, Lil Yachty, ScHoolboy Q, Big Sean among others. The album was #6 on the Billboard 200. My favorite song was Feels so good.

• Mike Will Made-It – Ransom 2 –  Released March 24, Mike Will is a producer based out of Atlanta Georgia Ransom 2 is his first studio album following up to his 2014 mixtape ‘Ransom’. The album has 17 songs, and features no verses from Mike Will. He is solely the producer and relies on features from many big names in hip hop including; Big Sean, Young Thug, lil Yachty, YG, Migos, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne and many others. The album is a well compiled compilation of songs never getting boring. The album was #24 on the Billboard 200. My favorite song was Come Down.

• Young Thug – Beautiful Thugger Girls – Released June 16, Young Thug added another popular mixtape under his belt this year, this being his 17th mixtape. Thug takes more steps away from traditional trap music as he has been doing with a lot of singing on the album as well with his untested progressive, and experimental flows. The song charted at #8 on the Billboard 200. The album features verses from Quavo, Snoop Dogg, Future, Gunna, Jacquees, Lil Durk. The tapes production featured tracks from London on tha track, Young Chop, Post Malone among others. My favorite song was Tomorrow til infinity.

• Ugly God – The Booty Tape – Released August 4, Ugly Gods Debut studio album, all written, executively produced, and recorded by Ugly God. The album is not a serious hip hop album by any means but it is an enjoyable album for those with crude humor, there are 10 tracks. The lead single was one of his popular songs to date titled “water” re-released for the album. The record has one verse feature from Wiz Khalifa. Some of my colleagues have called Ugly God a modern day rendition of Afroman with his jokey and not all so serious themes. The record placed #27 on the Billboard 200. My favorite song was Stop Smoking Black & Milds.

• Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory – Released June 23, Vince Staples second studio album Vince ventured out on new forms of production which he has done before with his first album with 12 songs. Big Fish Theory being heavily influenced by Electronic club music. Rolling Stone called the album an “avant-garde dance record that takes stock of his current loves, victories, politics and — most noticeably — interest in the cutting edge of Electronic music.” The album features production by coming up EDM producer Flume. It placed #16 on the Billboard 200. The album features verses from Kendrick Lamar, and additional vocals from Kilo Kush, whom Vince frequently collaborates with on his records. Also from A$AP Rocky, Juicy J, and Ray J, and Ty Dolla $ign. My favorite song was Rain Come Down.

• Future – Future – Released February 16, Future’s Self titled album is his fifth studio album future sticks to his formula of rapping, and it works with no featured verses and chart topping the album placed #1 on the Billboard 200. The most popular singles were “Draco” “Mask Off” and “Extra Luv” The album features production from a number of prominent producers including Metro Boomin, Zaytoven Southside and DJ Khalid. My favorite song was Draco.     

• 21 Savage – Issa Album- Released July 7, 21 Savage’s first studio album features 14 songs with no featured verses. The album is some of 21’s most mainstream friendly records with the lead single the catchy song titled “Bank Account”. The album was #2 on the Billboard 200, and was mostly produced by Metro Boomin which 21 frequently collaborates with, and additional production from Zaytoven, Southside, and DJ Mustard. My personal fav song was FaceTime

Kendrick Lamar’s Damn is my number one album because Damn was the point at which Kendrick Lamar became the biggest figure in Hip Hop. This Album established Lamar as the greatest rapper alive. It’s also a near-perfect album with great production that displayed Lamar’s immense skill.

Favorite Songs: FEAR & YAH

4:44 by Jay-Z is the second album on this list because of the importance of the fact that Jay-Z demonstrating to everybody that he wasn’t finished and could still rap with the very best of them.

Favorite Songs: The Story of O.J & Bam

Culture was a complete Trap album. This is the album that convinced many that the newly established Trap genre was more than what it had ever been before.

Favorite Songs: Kelly Price & Slippery

Joey Badass’ album is number four on the list because this album was the best political album of 2017. The album, All Amerikkkan Badass, called out political leaders like Donald Trump and spoke about the racism plaguing the country.

Favorite Songs: Temptation & Legendary

17 by XXXTentacion was a Hip-Hop-Grunge hybrid album. The album featured grunge-rock influences and validated XXX’s underrated voice. This album can completely change your mood with the touch of the play button and is so mesmerizing in the fact that the music is so up-close and personal.

Favorite Songs: Everybody Dies In Their Nightmares & Revenge

Lil Uzi Vert showed that he was a rockstar in the first Luv Is Rage, and with the second version of Luv Is Rage, he dove deeper into the music with life lessons and became an even better version of the old Lil Uzi Vert. The large 16 song tracklist featured hits like “Dark Queen”, “X”, and “Neon guts”.

Favorite Songs: Dark Queen & Neon Guts

From a musical standpoint, this album was arguably the best of the year with breathtaking instrumentals and production. Tyler, The Creator created a musical masterpiece and told stories from his own point of view. And although this album didn’t exactly mimic his earlier albums with his comedic presence, it was still cleverly funny.

Favorite Songs: 911/Mr. Lonely & Where This Flower Blooms

J.I.D. is J. Cole’s newest prodigy and with his debut album, The Never Story, he raps with the best of them, using witty wordplay to tell stories of a ghetto lifestyle that created the man he has become.  

Favorite Songs: Hoodbooger & 8701

In my opinion, this is the most shocking album to make it onto this list. When 21 Savage emerged onto the rap scene, I was not a fan. I thought the music was simple, the lyrics were dumb, and that his persona was obnoxious.  Issa Album completely changed my mind about his music. The album was unbelievably good and took a giant step from his first work.

Favorite Songs: Numb & Bank Account

Andy Mineo (a Christian artist) and Wordsplayed (also a Christian artist) combined for one of the best releases of both of their careers. Magic & Bird was comedic, it was clever, it was hype; all around, this album was a great album and should be appreciated by many more than the small audience it reached.

Favorite Songs: LEGEND & TEAM