A lot of great music came out this year, but just like Matthew 22:14 states, “For many are called, few are chosen.” In accordance, here are the best hip-hop albums of 2017:

1. 4:44 – Jay-Z
2. DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar
3. The God Box – David Banner
4. No Dope on Sundays – CyHi
5. Laila’s Wisdom – Rapsody

I am willing to discuss any of these, but unless you’ve dedicated the hours I have to listen to every hip-hop album that has dropped this year, my only response is, I stand where I stand *Kanye shrug*.

Honorable mentions, in no particular order:

– 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time – Big K.R.I.T.
– Radio Silence – Talib Kweli
– The Saga Continues – Wu-Tang Clan
– All Things Work Together – Lecrae
– My Moment – Tee Grizzley
– Humble Beast – G Herbo
– I Decided – Big Sean
– Party & Pain – Maino
– The Beautiful & Damned – G-Eazy
– Friday on Elm Street – Fabolous & Jadakiss
– 2 Tha Left – G Perico
– Syre – Jaden Smith
– State of Mind 2 – Dizzy Wright
– I Still Am – Yo Gotti
– Mr. Davis – Gucci Mane
– Another Day – Blu & Exile
– Rose Azura Njano – CunninLynguists
– Perception – NF
– Win & Losses – Meek Mill
– The Autobiography – Vic Mensa
– Boomiverse – Big Boi
– Big Fish Theory – Vince Staples
– Return of the Cool – Nick Grant
– Step Brothers THREE – Starlito & Don Trip
– Acoustic Levitation – Devin the Dude
– Packs – Your Old Droog
– The Wild – Raekwon
– All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ – Joey Bada$$$
– The Seven – Talib Kweli & Styles P
– What is Life – Project Poppa
– Pressure – Jeezy
– 383-For Roosevelt – Siya
– Crook County – Twista
– The Good Book, Vol. 2 – The Alchemist, Budgie
– Pretty Girls Like Trap Music – 2 Chainz

I’m excited to see who’ll raise the bar in 2018. Maybe we’ll be blessed with another J.Cole album? I hope so!

-Ms. Malcolm Hughes