This past year was one of the best years in recent memory for hip-hop, and my listening habits over the last 12 months certainly reflects that. Seriously, 2018 will be at least mentioned in conversations for hip hop’s best year ever (it’s not, but still really good).
This year in hip-hop we got it all: new albums from the all-time greats (Eminem, Lil Wayne, Nas), great albums from the next generation (Travis Scott, 21 Savage, BROCKHAMPTON), a Drake album (since he fits into neither category), a drip campaign from Chance the Rapper, and serious rap beef (remember MGK? that kid was wild). And there’s a lot in between. J. Cole cut through the noise to say something. Kendrick Lamar released a pseudo album disguised as a movie soundtrack. Meek Mill was freed. Man, what a year.
Because of hip-hop’s banner year this year, I figured that instead of just giving you four albums to listen to as I did in Books in 2018, I figured that I’d give you not just one full top ten, but two! One dedicated to hip-hop, the other for everything else. You’re welcome.
Best 2018 Hip-Hop
- K.O.D by J. Cole
- Kamikaze by Eminem
- Carter V by Lil Wayne
- Black Panther Soundtrack by Various Artists
- Beerbongs & Bentleys by Post Malone
- Scorpion by Drake
- Championships by Meek Mill
- Return of the Trill by Bun B
- Daytona by Pusha T
- FM! by Vince Staples
Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order by artist)
- Everything is Love, The Carters
- iridescence by BROCKHAMPTON
- Bobby Tarantino II by Logic
- NASIR by Nas
- ASTROWORLD by Travis Scott
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse by Various Artists
Best 2018 Everything Else
- Celeste (Original Soundtrack) by Lena Raine
- A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships by The 1975
- Birthplace by Novo Amor
- Maniac (Netflix Original Soundtrack) by Dan Romer
- FRIENDS KEEP SECRETS by benny blanco
- Delta by Mumford & Sons
- Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe
- MANIA by Fall Out Boy
- The Louder I Call, the Faster It Runs by Wye Oak
- album1 by San Holo
The Brownies
Artist of the Year: Lil’ Wayne
Best Cover: Heartless (RAK Studios) from Dermot Kennedy
Best Music of 2018 Without a Proper Album: Khalid
Best Remix: Remind Me to Forget by Miguel, Young Bombs
Breakout Artist: SOB x RBE
Derek’s Guilty Pleasure: Nice for What by Drake
Most Hype Generated in 2018 for a 2019 Album: Chance the Rapper
Worst Album from a Good Artist: Ye by Kanye West