Determining the best rap and hip-hop albums of 2018 is not an easy task as it may seem. This genre of music has clearly been the most productive and popular one in the last decade, which lead to the mass-production of great songs and records.
Just in this year alone, some of the most recognizable rap and hip-hop artists presented their new albums including Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Eminem, and Kanye West.
Still, that didn’t discourage us, and after a lot of hard work, which included listening to the songs and researching the reactions of the audience and the critics, we finally managed to compile our list of the best rap and hip-hop albums of 2018. So let’s take a look at it.
Black Panther: The Album
Produced and mostly written by Kendrick Lamar, Black Panther: The Album is a proof that movie soundtracks don’t have to be just a tie-in to the film but works of arts on their own. Lamar did a great job choosing his collaborators and making an enjoyable album, which would be just as popular Marvel’s blockbuster movie Black Panther wasn’t standing behind him.
Cardi B – Invasion of Privacy
After Cardi B emerged to the rap scene with her international hit single “Bodak Yellow” in 2017, her debut album Invasion of Privacy was one of the most anticipated albums in 2018. It turns out that the wait was worth it since the record received critical acclaim while topping the US Billboard 200.
Eminem – Kamikaze
After his 2017’s album Revival didn’t meet with the best reception, Eminem decided to go rogue and deliver one of the most satisfying records of this year. Kamikaze featured the 46-year-old rapper at his best, delivering heavy punch lines and disses all over the place. While the critics gave it mixed reviews, the audience loved the record and made it the bestselling rap and hip-hop album of the year.
Pusha T – Daytona
Maybe a surprising entry on the list for some, but Pusha T’s Daytona, his first studio album since 2015, is worthy of being in contention for the best album of 2018. Although the record as a whole was unfairly overshadowed by the rapper’s feud with Drake, Daytona still managed to find its way to the wider audience being appreciated for its impeccable production, crafty beats, and Pusha T’s razor-sharp lyrics.
Travis Scott – Astroworld
Despite the tough competition, Travis Scott’s third studio album Astroworld seems to be the most deserving to be at the top of our the best rap and hip-hop albums of 2018 list. It was a commercial and critical success, being described as “a futuristic record with virtually flawless production, that lingers on the mind long after the final track.” You’ll have a hard time finding one bad song on the album, which tells you everything you need to know about this brilliant release.
