The Best Hip Hop Albums Of 2024: This is a work in progress. The only way to compile an authoritative list is to keep track of new releases week-by-week, day-by-day even. This list will be updated regularly until the end of the year when it will result in our best-of-the-year list.
Discover the standout releases of the year in the Hip Hop realm with our compilation of “The Best Hip Hop Albums Of 2024.” As is our tradition, this list focuses solely on full-length albums, excluding instrumental albums, compilations, and EPs. While some artists label brief 30-minute projects as albums, we distinguish projects that clock in under 30 minutes as EPs, not ranked on our album list. However, we will not overlook dope EPs – find them in a dedicated section along with the best instrumental and Hip Hop adjacent projects of 2024. Let’s dive in and explore what we believe are the best Hip Hop albums of 2024, as always best first.
Updated: February 10
Latest entries: #2 Awon & Parental – Sublime; #7 WateRR & Wavy Da Ghawd – Washed Ashore; #8 Recognize Ali – As You Sow So Shall You Reap; #12 Reef the Lost Cauze – The Triumphant; #17 Forever Pavot & XP The Marxman – Forever XP; #25 Bozack Morris – The Toronto Tape; #29 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE – hella
Also check: Greatest Hip Hop Albums 1980 – 2023 & Top 150 Hip Hop Albums Of The 2020s
Masta Ace is a stalwart figure in the rap industry, with a career that spans across generations. Hailing from Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York, he rose to prominence in the late 1980s as part of Marley Marl’s Juice Crew, where he showcased his rap talent alongside legends like Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, and Kool G. Rap, debuting on Marley Marl’s classic posse cut “The Symphony” in 1988. His 1990 debut album, Take a Look Around, marked the beginning of what would become an underappreciated but exceptional discography. After his debut LP, Ace explored the impact of gangster rap with SlaughtaHouse in 1993 and blended East Coast sensibilities with West and South Coast car culture on the groundbreaking Sittin’ On Chrome in 1995.
The concept-driven brilliance of Disposable Arts (2001) and its successor A Long Hot Summer (2004) cemented his status as an artist who proved he was able to evolve with the times, as did collaborative projects with eMC and Ed O.G., and albums like MA_DOOM: Son of Yvonne (2012), and The Falling Season (2016).
In 2018, Masta Ace teamed up with Toronto producer Marco Polo for A Breukelen Story, and their collaboration continues in 2024 with a sequel, this one based on Polo’s upbringing in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Titled Richmond Hill, the album presents a mature and well-rounded collection of tracks featuring strong lyricism paired with stylish boom-bap beats. Artists like Inspectah Deck, Stricklin, Blu, Che Noir, Wordsworth, and Coast Contra make guest appearances, adding depth to the narratives and addressing contemporary issues with clarity. This album showcases Masta Ace’s decades of rapping experience and his ability to cut through Polo’s soulful samples and crisp drums with effortless skill, proving his lyrical finesse is timeless.
Release date: January 26, 2024.
Hailing from Brooklyn, NYC, and currently based in Newport News, Virginia, rapper Awon established Don’t Sleep Records in 2014 alongside his frequent collaborator Phoniks. Since then, Don’t Sleep Records has been holding it down as one of our go-to labels, boasting a lineup and catalog that’s straight fire. The initial three collaborations between Awon and Phoniks remain among our top picks for best Hip Hop albums of the 2010s.
Fast forward to 2024, and Awon’s still on top of his game. His teaming up with the French beat wizard Parental, renowned for his jazzy touch, resulted in Sublime, a certified gem. With its smooth lyricism and beats, this album epitomizes jazz-hop at its finest. Released under the German record label HVV, it’s tailor-made for all the Jazzmatazz aficionados out there.
Release date: February 9, 2024.
Our love for Arrested Development dates back to their 1992 debut, 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of..., and it’s a flame that still burns. Speech and crew have maintained their artistic potency, evident in recent gems like Don’t Fight Your Demons (2020) and For The FKN Love (2021), both standout releases, and both part of the best Hip Hop albums released in the 2020s so far.
Bullets In The Chamber proudly continues this legacy, delivering over an hour of great music laden with positive vibes and self-reflection. Featuring an impressive lineup including Chuck D, Canibus, Sa-Roc, Ras Kass, Skyzoo, and Grandmaster Caz, the album underscores that, even in their fourth decade, Arrested Development remains as fresh and relevant as ever. The beats, predominantly crafted by British producer Configa, are consistently top-notch, providing a dope backdrop for the inspiring lyrical content and performances. The lead single “Hip Hop Saves Lives” (featuring Chuck D and Grandmaster Caz) served as a prelude to yet another memorable chapter in the Arrested Development saga.
Release date: January 12, 2024.
Everybody Can’t Go is Benny the Butcher’s fourth studio album and his inaugural release on Def Jam Recordings. The project features collaborations with Armani Caesar, Babyface Ray, Conway the Machine, Jadakiss, Kyle Banks, Lil Wayne, Peezy, Rick Hyde, Snoop Dogg, Stove God Cooks, and Westside Gunn. The album’s production, primarily handled by The Alchemist and Hit-Boy, takes a bold approach, with their contrasting styles alternating throughout the tracks. Despite the risk of potential inconsistency due to the distinct production styles, the album manages to maintain a cohesive flow, for the most part.
While we typically favor The Alchemist’s gritty minimalistic sounds and do not have a lot of love for Hit-Boy’s overly polished beats, the differences do not grate as much as might be expected. On the whole, we do prefer the instrumentals on the Alchemist-produced tracks, but the Hit-Boy-produced ones do not all bring the album down. “Pillow Talk & Slander” is a typical Hit-Boy instrumental that doesn’t do it for us, just like the trap of “Big Tymers” which is the weakest song on the album, but the beats on the first half of the album especially are all pretty dope, regardless of who crafted them – “BRON” is a great single, and “Jermanie’s Graduation” is a very nice album opener. The pinnacle of Everybody Can’t Go is “TMVTL,” featuring outstanding Alchemist beats and compelling, well-crafted storytelling.
While the album starts strong and finishes with a weaker back end, it is a solid addition to Benny’s discography, outshining Burden of Proof (2020) but falling just short of Tana Talk 4 (2022) and especially Tana Talk 3 (2018), which remains Benny’s best LP.
Release date: January 26, 2024.
Boldy James started 2024 on a strong note, collaborating with Nicholas Craven for a second time on a full album. The relative silence from Boldy in 2023, attributable to a serious accident he was in, amplified the anticipation for this release. Craven’s sample selection elevates the beats, creating a dope sonic experience. Boldy’s performances over Craven’s beats are solid, maintaining his established tone and approach that smoothly align with the production.
While Penalty of Leadership is not his absolute best work, it is a robust addition to Boldy James’ discography, signaling a promising start to 2024 for him and Hip Hop in general. The collaboration showcases a strong pen game from Boldy, with the soulful samples by Craven adding depth. The beats shine, and Boldy, discussing his accident candidly amidst the typical braggadocio in his deadpan style, sounds great.
Release date: January 12, 2024.
Mista Sinista, the New York-based turntablist, discovered his love for DJing in his family’s basement, influenced by his father’s breaks. Starting at six on his dad’s turntables, he got a pair of his own at fourteen, launching his career at parties. Throughout the ’90s, he honed his skills with friends and DJs like Dr. Butcher and Rob Swift. Joining the renowned DJ crew, the X-Men, in 1997 (later the X-ecutioners), Sinista contributed to their singles and album, X-Pressions. In 2000, he released a solo single and participated in the X-ecutioners’ major-label debut, departing just before Built From Scratch‘s release in 2002 to explore new projects.
Reborn showcases a powerful mix of instrumental tracks, highlighting Mista Sinista’s turntablism, alongside vocal bangers featuring Vinnie Paz, Ill Bill, UG, El Da Sensei, Jean Grae, and others. Iconic DJs like Rob Swift, DJ Q-Bert, and DJ Eclipse join in on this pure, ’90s-centric Hip Hop album that gloriously celebrates the art of turntablism.
Release date: January 12, 2024.
Chicago’s Waterr has been on a roll with a string of strong releases in recent times. Both last year’s ALMIGHTY and Compendium Of Arcanum earned spots on our 2023 honorable mentions list, and his latest project, Washed Ashore, continues this streak of quality projects. A collaboration with Brooklyn-based producer Wavy Da Ghawd, the album showcases Waterr’s versatility and his knack for syncing with his beatmakers.
Wavy Da Ghawd’s boom-bap beats set a dark and brooding tone, perfectly complementing Waterr’s bars. Clocking in at close to 50 minutes, the album offers a refreshing departure from the trend of shorter projects prevalent in today’s Hip Hop landscape. Washed Ashore delivers the kind of underground Hip Hop we appreciate and enjoy.
Release date: February 1, 2024.
As You Sow So Shall You Reap is the first offering in 2024 from prolific underground lyricist Recognize Ali. Clocking in at a concise 32 minutes, it may be short, but it’s packed with the heart and grit we’ve come to anticipate from Recognize Ali. Expect nothing less than hard beats and hard bars – this is Hip Hop at its purest.
Release date: February 9, 2024.
The LuGhz Experience is a dope underground project from Queens-based British/Nigerian/American emcee LuGhz. The album features a lineup of talented producers and emcees from the independent Hip Hop scene. LuGhz’s dedication to his craft is evident, making The LuGhz Experience a compelling addition to his discography.
Release date: January 6, 2024.
R.A.P. Ferreira, also known as Milo, is one of the game’s most inventive wordsmiths. On the short but sweet The First Fist To Make Contact When We Dap he serves up a heady mix of abstract and philosophical content, offering listeners plenty to dissect. Linking up with Japanese producer Fumitake Tamura, known for his prowess in ambient and glitch sounds, proves to be a triumph, the two blending the vibes of jazz rap with glitch elements in a compelling way. If you’re part of the left-field crowd, this joint is a mandatory spin – a testament to Ferreira’s innovation and Tamura’s sonic finesse.
Release date: January 26, 2024.
Hailing from Virginia, Analog Suspects is a duo comprising emcee Noah-O and producer DJ Mentos. Their second album, The Ripple Effect, unfolds as a complete musical experience, boasting 18 tracks and a 55-minute runtime. Noteworthy features from the likes of Pro Dillinger, Lord Goat (Goretex), Born Unique, and Napoleon Da Legend (among many others) inject weight into this straightforward yet undeniably dope Hip Hop album.
Release date: January 27, 2024.
Philadelphia rapper Reef the Lost Cauze may be best known for his membership in Juju Mob and Army Of The Pharaohs. Still, he has also established a solid solo catalog, starting with his debut LP Feast Or Famine in 2005. The Triumphant serves as the follow-up to 2018’s The Majestic, and it’s another strong addition to his repertoire. Reef once again presents himself as a skilled emcee with a commanding voice and sharp pen game. Producer Caliph-NOW crafts beats that alternate between hard-hitting boom-bap and more melodic tones, all with an underlying grit that keeps the sound firmly underground. The Triumphant is a dope listen with plenty of standout moments.
Release date: February 2, 2024.
UnLearn The World, a New York/Bay Area-based emcee/producer, has joined forces with a star-studded lineup for his 6th album, The God That Sins. The album is predominantly produced by Philadelphia-based producer Track Pros, along with contributions from Jake One, Swisher Beats, Buckroll, Temper Beats, Asethic Beats, and UnLearn the World himself. It also features guest vocals from Ghostface Killah, Royce Da 5’9″, Benny the Butcher, Isaiah Mostafa, Steff Reed, Alexandra the Author, Rizzo Travaille, and Adisa Banjoko, as well as a posthumous verse from Sean Price on the track “God’s Favorite”.
With 17 tracks and an hour of runtime, The God That Sins is a well-rounded and fully realized piece of music, with thought-provoking lyrical content and appealing instrumentals. Available on Bandcamp, a portion of each sale supports the Hip Hop For Change non-profit which educates youth in the Bay Area, LA, and across the country about the history and elements of Hip Hop.
Release date: January 5, 2024.
Strong performances by New York underground veteran Hus Kingpin and guests Roscoe P Coldchain, The Musalini, SmooVth, Sweata, and Fredro Starr, over stylish instrumentals crafted by iconic producer 9th Wonder. Too short at a mere 31 minutes, but a must-listen anyway. Up there with Cocaine Beach (2017), End Of A Decade (2020), and PORTISHUS (2021) as one of Hus Kingpin’s best projects to date.
Release date: January 15, 2024.
Active in the game since the mid-80s, Freddie Foxxx, also known as Bumpy Knuckles, is a Hip Hop icon. His tale in Hip Hop goes back to 1986 when Foxxx was set to meet with Eric B., who was on the lookout for a rapper to team up with. Foxxx missed the meeting, leading Eric B. to join forces with an emcee named Rakim, forming the iconic duo Eric B. and Rakim. Despite not succeeding in building a discography that fully reflects his status, Freddie Foxxx’s unwavering skill and authenticity have earned him lasting respect in the industry.
His collaboration with Jazzo in 2024 underscores that Bumpy Knuckles is still a relevant force. The straightforward boom-bap beats, rooted in the ’90s, provide a perfect backdrop for Bumpy Knuckles’ gritty flows and bars. Level Up is a dope little project, the main drawback being its brevity at just over 30 minutes.
Release date: January 7, 2024.
Much like his Bruiser Brigade counterpart Danny Brown, Detroit rapper Bruiser Wolf flexes a vocal style that may be an acquired taste. His distinct flow and delivery, reminiscent of E-40’s style turned up to ten, require some acclimatization, and the enjoyment of this album hinges on whether you can vibe with it. We appreciate My Story Got Stories much like we did with Bruiser Wolf’s debut album, Dope Game Stupid, released in 2021. For us, Dope Game Stupid edges ahead slightly, boasting better humor and punchlines. While his flows remain unique and entertaining, the lyrics on this project feel slightly less eccentric than on the last album, resulting in a slightly less enjoyable listening experience. Still a commendable effort though.
Release date: January 12, 2024.
Forever Pavot, a multi-genre producer hailing from Paris, France, joins forces with Los Angeles rapper, producer, and street activist XP The Marxman for Forever XP, and their collaboration proves to be a potent one. Forever Pavot’s beats, fused with live instrumentation, complement XP’s raspy voice and smooth flows seamlessly. With plenty of replay value, this is a project worth diving into.
Release date: February 2, 2024.
IAMGAWD, the gritty wordsmith from the Chicago underground, reunites with California producer Clypto for the sequel, Bloodstained Suede II, and it’s a welcomed return. Clypto’s production brings lush, opulent loops, perfect canvasses for IAMGAWD’s menacing yet fluid flow. The project is packed with razor-sharp lyricism, delivered with IAMGAWD’s undeniable flair.
Release date: January 26, 2024.
Bronx-by-way-of-Connecticut emcee Pruven delivers thought-provoking lyrics over a selection of fire beats crafted by producer iLL Sug. Pruven has been grinding as an independent artist for some time, with a collection of dope projects under his belt. Be sure to explore other full-lengths like 1st Words: Earn Everything (2010), Designed Growth Destiny (2013), Reach Surroundings (2017), and our personal favorite, Clandestine Rituals (2020), if you enjoy this one.
Pruven’s lyrical style blends elements of Killah Priest and billy woods, making him a must-listen for fans of either artist. While Black Pyramid may not be his best work, it’s still well worth your time and attention.
Release date: January 7, 2024.
Boston-based rapper Magno Garcia’s La Gloria Sea offers a dark, underground boom-bap listen across 18 solid tracks. Throughout the album, Garcia explores profound, God-related themes, viewing his craft as a divine gift and a means to share deep insights. With guest rhymes from Lord Juco, Sleep Sinatra, General Backpain, Chuck Chan, Deuce Henessy, Killy Shoot, and Stoop Rebel Murda, La Gloria Sea serves as a guide through life’s complexities, encouraging self-reflection, while providing an enjoyable head-nodding Hip Hop vibe.
Release date: January 5, 2024.
Prolific Chicago-based emcee Vic Spencer rarely disappoints, and Be Double Clip Tight is another solid addition to his ever-expanding catalog. We prefer his Spencer For Higher and Psychological Cheat Sheet series, but this project is worth a listen as well.
Release date: January 19, 2024.
For those acquainted with the UK Hip Hop scene, the name Leaf Dog will carry weight. Affiliated with Brother Of Stone and The Four Owls, he also boasts a collection of robust solo albums, with Live From The Balrog Chamber (2020) standing out as our favorite.
Enter Photosynthesis, another jewel in Leaf Dog’s musical crown. His ’90s-centric boom-bap beats possess a unique flavor, setting them apart from the run-of-the-mill throwback projects. Leaf Dog proves his mettle on the mic as well. While the album includes posthumous verses from Sean Price and Big Pun, Leaf Dog takes the reins on the rest of the 20-track album, demonstrating his ability to carry an album with finesse. Photosynthesis is undoubtedly worth a listen.
Release date: January 2, 2024.
Uptown Bandits 2 marks yet another strong addition to The Musalini’s discography, but it also treads familiar territory. Since his debut in 2019, The Musalini has been on a prolific streak, consistently releasing projects that showcase his flair for pimped-out rhymes and beats to match. In this latest installment, the production duties once again fall into the capable hands of Jamla’s boss 9th Wonder. While it may follow The Musalini’s tried-and-tested formula, the familiarity of his style doesn’t take away from the overall solid experience that Uptown Bandits 2 brings to the table.
Release date: January 4, 2024.
Ending a brief hiatus, Vino La Mano, a Black Soprano Family artist from Corpus Christi, Texas, makes a comeback with No Quarter, produced by The Soul Monsters. While the polished beats and streetwise raps offering a slice of life may lean towards the generic, No Quarter holds enough appeal to merit a spin or two.
Release date: January 12, 2024.
Toronto producer Bozack Morris has crafted a collection of banging boom-bap beats for The Toronto Tape, setting the stage for a lineup of skilled emcees including Daniel Son, Raz Fresco, Asun Eastwood, and Lord Juco to shine. While there may be nothing groundbreaking here, the project delivers solid, raw underground Hip Hop from start to finish.
Release date: February 2, 2024.
June Marx, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and an independent artist hailing from Brooklyn, New York, presents Flame Keeper, a self-released and self-produced album. This release adds another strong chapter to Marx’s extensive catalog. With 23 full-length tracks, Flame Keeper takes listeners on an entertaining sonic adventure characterized by Marx’s clever wordplay over his own atmospheric instrumentals.
Release date: January 15, 2024.
“Introducing Master Sip, Legendary Teacher Of Bruce Lo, Da First Drunken. It is illuminating one of the many chambers of their Drunken Fly Chi style, the martial arts mind states of Clever 1 and Lord Beatjitzu combining as the “Fly Chi School Of Da Drunken Artz”. The duo pops the listener in the face with vicious, bloody Nunchuck Lyrics over high-velocity, swift kick-in-the-chest production. With these seasoned masters of their perspective arts, they form a powerful, unstoppable combo and truly take no prisoners in this Action-Packed sophomore foray. It’s a pure Saturday morning Kung Fu sound theater where Wing Chun enters the world of Drunken Fist on Wax. Beware as you enter the Dojo and watch your step!”
The combination of bars by Clever 1 and beats by Lord Beatjitzu results in an interesting little underground project. At mere seconds over 30 minutes, it merits inclusion here, but it can hardly be called a proper full-length album, of course. Still, worth the time of anybody who can’t get enough of that raw underground Hip Hop sound.
Release date: January 12, 2024.
Greensboro native and producer OLDBOY joins forces with Alabama rapper Sekwence for their collaborative LP, Good Guys Don’t Wear White. Sekwence’s distinctive hoarse voice, marked by an extreme rasp, might not be the easiest to listen to. Fortunately, the project’s appeal is largely carried by OLDBOY’s dope instrumentals. Additionally, guest appearances from rappers like Blu and Sleep Sinatra inject much-needed variation. Despite its shortcomings, Good Guys Don’t Wear White is well worth a listen.
Release date: January 12, 2024.
The anticipated debut album hella (˃̣̣̥â•â•®Ë‚̣̣̥) ✧ ♡ ‧º·Ëš from the 88rising collective 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE is stacked with an all-star lineup. Featuring heavy hitters like Pos of De La Soul, Souls of Mischief, Del the Funkee Homosapien, Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, Ghostface Killah, BADBADNOTGOOD, and more, this 24-track project is set to make waves. Drawing from the nostalgia of 88rising leader Sean Miyashiro’s Northern California roots, the album’s playful stylization in both its title and song names captures the essence of the region. With a diverse blend of Hip Hop, jazz, R&B, and funk, hella is a genre-defying concoction that’s sure to resonate with music listeners across the board.
Release date: February 9, 2024.
Although not typically inclined towards trap and pop-rap, 21 Savage’s i am > i was (2018) and Savage Mode II (2020) deserved our appreciation when they dropped. His latest venture, american dream, offers a decent listen with lively melodies, solid production, and even some listen-worthy bars. Tracks like “letter to my brudda” and “dark days” add depth, while harder-hitting tunes like “redrum” stand out. The middle section falters here and there with dumb lyrics and weaker tracks like “pop ur sh*t”. Metro Boomin’s production is on the ‘safe’ side, but the beats consistently hit, and 21 Savage maintains his status as one of the better-skilled rappers in this trap generation. While not surpassing i am > i was and Savage Mode II, american dream is a decent addition to 21 Savage’s catalog and the trap genre.
Release date: January 12, 2024.
Kid Cudi serves up a passable pop-rap experience with INSANO. Although it doesn’t come close to reaching the heights of his standout MOTM series, especially the first two, it manages to hold its own. The album, however, stretches itself thin with excess length, lacking the depth expected and featuring some noticeable filler and throwaway tracks. Cudi’s potential as a compelling and unique artist occasionally surfaces, but on INSANO, he seems overly focused on connecting with the mainstream trap audience instead of showcasing his expressive and artistic best. Despite its drawbacks, Kid Cudi’s distinctive touch still shines through in moments on this project.
Release date: January 12, 2024.
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