The Top 10 Hip Hop Albums Of 2020

I didn't set out to make a more sober Top 10 albums list than usual for 2020, that's just how it worked out. This year the party anthems, trap beats and xanny bars were certainly refreshing in small doses, providing us with much needed moments of escapism. But at the end of the day, they just didn't have the necessary staying power. We clearly had more pressing troubles on our minds. So the records that rose to the top for me contained more gravitas, taking on a weightier, more serious tone. Below are my favorite albums of this trying and unusual year that was spent mostly indoors. They all made me think a little while bopping my head to the music during basement workouts, late night insomnia sessions and the occasional grocery store run. I'm glad 2020 is over but I'm happy I had these albums to keep me company on the longest days. As always, please enjoy and hit me back with your thoughts and comments.

10. LOGIC – No Pressure – Forever introspective, 30 year old Logic delivers the most mature record of his career on No Pressure, supposedly his last album as he stares down retirement and ponders the next chapter of his life. Over crafty, unchallenging production from No I.D., with lots of familiar samples and comforting grooves, the relentlessly upbeat rapper reflects on his years in the business as well as the challenges of fatherhood, maintaining one's mental health and living up to expectations. It's mostly easy listening and I mean that in the best possible way.

9. STATIK SELEKTAH – The Balancing Act – If you prefer your hip hop served straight - no chaser, no mumble rappers, no trap beats, no nonsense - then Statik Selektah has you covered. True school reigns supreme as the intrepid producer delivers a well-curated throwback to the days of "loops of funk over hard core beats". Meticulous soul samples, lively drums and elegant instrumentation are all on display on this aptly titled ode to beats, rhymes and life. An eclectic assemblage of dope MCs old and new, representing what could be a list of your favorite rapper's favorite rappers (including Nas, Benny The Butcher, Method Man, Jadakiss, Black Thought, Conway The Machine, Jack Harlow, Joey Bada$$, Marlon Craft and many others), show up and show out on this deft modern day mix tape. 

8. POLO G – The Goat – There’s progress on The Goat in comparison to 2019’s Die A Legend, but it’s subtle. Sure, there’s an occasional love song here, but Polo G is still mostly concerned with relaying somber, deeply personal anecdotes that recall his harsh Chi-town upbringing. The difference is, on The Goat, the formula is more finely tuned and his song-craft has improved noticeably. The production is polished, sophisticated and perfectly calibrated to elicit empathy…lots of slow-rolling 808s over gloomy keys and mournful guitars. What’s amazing about this album is that it somehow comes off as optimistic. With a voice this distinctive and a pair of albums this impressive under his belt, Polo G can’t help but look forward to a bright future.

7. BENNY THE BUTCHER – Burden Of Proof – Burden of Proof plays like a hard-won victory lap for Benny The Butcher, whose mainstream success has been a long time coming. Solely captained by superstar producer Hit-Boy, it’s brighter and more expansive than the Griselda crew’s typical soundscape. Despite its accessibility however, The Butcher’s signature coke bars and hood allegories remain intact. These are street anthems for gangstas with famous friends and expensive tastes. 

6. SALAAM REMI – Black On Purpose – If you complained that hip hop didn’t give you enough protest music in 2020 then you clearly weren't listening to Salaam Remi. There’s a palpable sense of urgency Black On Purpose in these songs that feel at once insurgent and celebratory - calling for social justice, self-reliance and the enduring power of Black love. There’s something for every mood, hood, age and taste profile here, as Remi skillfully glides across hip hop, reggae, gospel, classic R&B, world music and neo soul. On Black On Purpose, the legendary producer went deep into his bag to provide us with a vital collection of tracks to fuel whatever kind of good trouble we could conjure up. 

5. FREDDIE GIBBS & THE ALCHEMIST – Alfredo – By now it should be taken without push back that Freddie Gibbs is one of the most gifted MCs working in hip hop today. His captivating wordplay - cinematic, sardonic, agile, ironic - is nearly flawless. If you were worried that his grimy mafioso tales might prove to be too oppressive when paired with The Alchemist’s grimier beats, then Alfredo should have put your mind at ease. Sure, it’s dark, but never bleak. Gibbs is too nuanced for that, too cunning and clever to come off as one-note. When you are a master storyteller…anything is possible. 

4. BUSTA RHYMES – Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath Of God – Is it possible that 48 year-old hall of famer Busta Rhymes has delivered the best album of his +30 year career with the explosive E.L.E. 2? That seems improbable but the answer is a resounding yes IMO. Over brilliant, sonically dazzling soundscapes from the likes of Nottz, Swizz Beats, DJ Premier, 9^th Wonder, Hi Tek and a dream squad of other producers, Busta reminds us once again that he is one of hip hop’s all time most vicious rhyme slayers. Acrobatic, energetic, enigmatic and, to those not intimately familiar with his work, undeniably prescient. 

3. D SMOKE - Black Habits – Despite winning first place on Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow in 2019, it’s safe to say that D Smoke was unheralded, if not unheard of before this impressive debut album. Well, that should not be a problem going forward. Black Habits is a thoroughly absorbing record from end to end, soulful, conscious and effortlessly lyrical. What's nice is that it’s an album that can be either challenging or easy to listen to, depending on your mood and level of engagement. There are definite shades of Kendrick Lamar and even Lupe Fiasco in Smoke’s brainy, elastic flows, but thanks to his immense talent (and cool ability to rap in Spanish), the Inglewood MC manages to avoid coming off as derivative. If this is the tip of the iceberg for what D Smoke is capable of, I can’t wait to hear what next he has in store for us.  

2. RUN THE JEWELS – RTJ4 – If Public Enemy, X-Clan and NWA still had the same energy, insight and ingenuity they had 30 years ago, they’d sound like Run The Jewels on RTJ4. This is pure fire with all the smoke. All guns blazing, middle fingers to the law and tireless aggression. Killer Mike and El-P pull no punches as they address the BLM moment of 2020 with cleared-eyed intelligence and righteous indignation. The beats are boisterous, the samples are surprising & delightful and the lyrics are decidedly on point. Check out the scintillating, Pharrell-assisted Ju$t, the neck-snapping Ooh La La (with an unexpected assist from DJ Premier and Greg Nice) or the hair-raising A Few Words For The Firing Squad for all the evidence you need. RTJ4 gave us a much needed shot in the arm in 2020…just when we needed it most. 

1. BIG SEAN – Detroit 2 – The maturation of Big Sean is on full display on this sprawling, fully-realized love letter to his hometown. Complete with heartfelt tributes to Detroit from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu and Dave Chappelle, the record serves as an undeniable testimony to Sean’s spectacular, often underappreciated technical skill as an MC. Spurred on by stellar production from Hit-Boy and an impressive VIP list of features (including Young Thug, Travis Scott and Anderson Paak, among others), there are few misses across the album's 21 tracks. Standouts include Deep Reverence, a record that will have you missing Nipsey Hussle more than ever, the slippery Respect It with Young Thug, and the breathtaking posse cut Friday Night Cypher. With D2 Big Sean lays to rest any doubts as to whether or not he should be included amongst hip hops short list of elite artists.

The Rest Of The Top 25

• AMINE - Limbo
•  SAULT – Untitled (Black Is)
•  NAS – King’s Disease
• JAY ELECTRONICA – A Written Testimony
• POP SMOKE – Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon
• OPEN MIKE EAGLE – Anime, Trauma and Divorce
• A BOOGIE WIT DA HOODIE – Artist 2.0
• JUICE WRLD – Legends Never Die
• MAC MILLER - Circles
• T. Martin, R. Glasper, 9th Wonder & K. Washington - Dinner Party: Dessert
• LIL BABY - My Turn
• MEGAN THEE STALLION – Good News
• 21 SAVAGE & METRO BOOMIN – Savage Mode II
• BLACK THOUGHT – Streams Of Thought, Vol. 3: Cane & Abel
• SPILLAGE VILLAGE - Spilligion

My Favorite Hip Hop Songs Of 2020

2020...1 Star. Very bad. Would not recommend. The consensus opinion is in and it's very clear...2020 was a disaster. But at least we had music to lift our spirits. After a slow and tepid start, hip hop finally gave us some anthemic songs to help us protest, push back, put in perspective and of course, escape the myriad of troubling issues that we collectively faced.

I am sure I forgot or just missed some great tracks altogether. But nevertheless, even in the hot mess of 2020, I relished the opportunity to take stock of the music that moved me. Below, in alphabetical order, are my 25 favorite songs of the year (Top Albums coming soon). Read, listen, argue, share, and hit me back to express your beefs. But above all...enjoy.

33 – POLO G (Produced by DJ Ayo) – Polo is back with more cautionary tales about gangsta life survival, this time while paying subtle homage to Chi legend Scottie Pippen.

Burden Of Proof – BENNY THE BUTCHER (Produced by Hit-Boy) – The Butcher kicks in the door of mainstream hip hop, spittin’ hard coke bars over a harder Hit-Boy track. 

 

Dragonball Durag – THUNDERCAT (Produced by Thundercat & Flying Lotus) – One listen and you’ll be convinced that Thundercat is right when he says a durag is a “superpower to turn your swag on.”

 

For The Night – POP SMOKE (Ft. Lil Baby & DaBaby) (Produced by Wylo, Mike Dean, Daniel Moras, Raab, Palaze, Jess Jackson and CashMoneyAP) – A slinky, syrupy earworm that sticks to you like a cheap suit on a humid day. Maybe the best song from an album full of monster hits. 

 

Freeze Tag – DINNER PARTY (Ft. Cordae & Phoelix) (Produced by Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin & 9th Wonder) – Jazz meets hip hop meets neo soul, brought to life by some of the most gifted composers on the planet. Plus bars from Cordae. I’m buying whatever they’re selling.

 

Good Intentions – NAV (Produced by Nav, Pro Logic, Wallis Lane & Jack Lomastro) – Nothing new here from Nav. Just another hazy joyride that’s fully detached from everybody's reality except his own.

 

Hard Life – SAULT (Produced by Inflo) – Pro-black world music with trunk rattling boom bap. Sounds like something Soul To Soul might have dropped back in ’89. Super, extra dope.  

 

Hate The Other Side – JUICE WRLD (Ft. Marshmello & The Kid Laroi) (Produced by Marshmello) – “I got pain in my heart, I told you a hundred times…” Juice Wrld’s gift for expressing anguish was unmatched. RIP young man. We hope your soul is at rest.

 

How I Move – FLIPP DINERO (Ft. Lil Baby) (Produced by Kyle Stemberger & Pluto Beats) – This song’s got one of those melodic hooks that never gets old. But it’s the flutes that did it for me tho. 

 

I Do It – LIL WAYNE (Ft. Big Sean & Lil Baby) (Produced byRex Kudo & Charlie Handsome) – This is a 360 windmill dunk of a track. Slick bars, slippery flows and a sick beat. Degree of difficulty: off the charts. 

 

Laugh Now Cry Later – DRAKE (Ft. Lil Durk) (Produced by Cardo, G. Ry, Yung Exclusive & Chahayed) – I gotta be honest. I didn’t really feel this track until I saw the video. Now I can’t get it out of my head.

 

Lemonade – INTERNET MONEY (Ft. Don Toliver, Gunna & Nav) (Produced by Taz Taylor, Nick Mira, Alec Wigdahl, E-Trou & Pharaoh Vice) – Over a lovely acoustic guitar, Internet Money assembles a hit squad to croon Xanny bars about their love for sex, drugs and the rock star life…and money…and jewels…but mostly drugs.

 

Life Is Good – FUTURE (Ft. Drake) (Produced by D. Hill, Oz & Ambezza) – “Working on the weekend like usual…” Drake delivers the best line of the year on this pre-Covid moonshot. 2020 might have been rough for many, but in Future and Drake’s world the lavish life rolled on unabated. 

 

Lockdown – ANDERSON PAAK (Produced by Anderson Paak & J. LBS) – Conscious hip hop was m.i.a. in 2020 until Anderson Paak stepped up to meet the BLM moment with eloquent vocals about racial injustice over this bouncy, laid back track from J. LBS.  

 

Look Over Your Shoulder – BUSTA RHYMES (Ft. Kendrick Lamar) (Produced by Nottz) – Busta Rhymes is in excellent form here, and Nottz MJ sample is magical…but this track is all about the verse from Kendrick. 

 

No Commas – D SMOKE (Produced by J. LBS) – Propelled by revolutionary drums and pristine keys from producer J. LBS, D Smoke puts the world on notice with blistering vocals in 2 languages. 

 

Respect It – BIG SEAN (Ft. Young Thug) (Produced by G-Dav, Corbett & Hit-Boy) – There are a lot of hits to choose from on Detroit 2, but this is the one I keep coming back to. Like Sean’s best work, it’s a deceptively clever rhymefest masquerading as a straightforward brag session. 

 

Rockstar (BLM Remix) – DABABY (Ft. Roddy Ricch) (Produced by SethInTheKitchen) – With its soaring cords, soulful singing and unforgettable chorus, Rockstar was already anthemic. Then DaBaby’s BLM remix verse made it indelible. 

 

Savage Remix – MEGAN THEE STALLION (Ft. Beyonce) (Produced by J. White Did It) – Megan officially ascends to the head of the class with a co-sign from Bey (who reminds us once again that she can seriously flow). Dazzling, dymanic and simply undeniable.

 

Spicy – NAS (Ft. Fivio Foreign & A$AP Ferg) (Produced by Hit-Boy) – Nas sounds energized on this Hit-Boy party starter, throwing down the gauntlet with extra spicy couplets and daring the young guns to keep pace. 

 

Sum 2 Prove – LIL BABY (Produced by Twysted Genius) – Aided by a dark and sinister Twysted Genius groove, Lil Baby continues to soar above your average trap rapper with vivid storytelling and relentless drive. 

 

The Climb Back – J. COLE (Produced by J. Cole) – So soulful. So deep. So crafty. Bear witness to a GOD MC at the top of his game. Cole is operating at a level here that few have ever been able to reach. I’m out of platitudes. This is special talent on display.

 

The Light – JOEY BADA$$ (Produced by Statik Selektah) – “This is mumble rap extermination / this is Godly interpolation / this is that ‘who your top 5’? conversation”. Joey and Statik are locked in here with a righteous true school banger that skillfully blurs the line between contemporary and classic.

 

The Way – TRIPPIE REDD (Ft. Russ) (Produced by Igor Mamet, Pearl Lion & Angel Lopez) – If you had told me last year that I’d have a sad love song by Trippie Redd and Russ on my list of favorite songs, I would have laughed and said that 2020 will be a very strange year. Well…here we are.

 

Whats Poppin – JACK HARLOW (Produced by JetsonMade, Pooh Beatz, & LosTheProducer) – It’s hard to decide what makes this song so irresistible, Jack Harlow’s goofy swagger or that piano loop at the heart of the impossibly catchy production. Either way, it’s all working. Just roll with it.

 

Plus 50 More That Were Too Good To Leave Out:

 

4 Thangs – Freddie Gibbs (Ft. Big Sean & Hit-Boy) / 1985 – Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist / Agenda – Grafh (Ft. Royce Da 5’9”) / Afrikan Children – Salaam Remi (Ft. Chronixx & Black Thought) / All In – Lil Baby / A Song For Fathers – Skyzoo / Back Roads – Nappy Roots / Best Interest – Tyler The Creator / Black Savage – Royce da 5’9 (Ft. Sy Ari Da Kid, White gold, Cyhi The Prynce & T.I.) / C12H16N2 – Action Bronson / Dangerookipawaa Freestyle – Ab-Soul / Deep Reverence – Big Sean (Ft. Nipsey Hussle) / Demons & Goblins – Fivio Foreign (Ft. Meek Mill) / Don’t Go – Busta Rhymes (Ft. Q-Tip) / Fear Of God – Conway The Machine (Ft. Dej Loaf) / Father Figure – Tobe Nwigwe (Ft. Royyce da 5’9 & Black Thought) / Feel A Way – 2 Chainz (Ft. Kanye West & Brent Faiyaz) / Flex - Polo G (Ft. Juice Wrld) / Gifted – Cordae (Ft. Roddy Ricch) / Godzilla – Eminem (Ft. Juice Wrld) / GTA – Meek Mill (Ft. 42 Dugg) / Hit My Line – Logic / Huntin Season – Jadakiss (Ft. Pusha T) / King Of My City – A Boogie With The Hoodie / Kickback – 2% Reese (Ft. Cbreezy) / Kites - Distmos & Jason Jump (Ft. Ras Kass) / K Lo K – Tory Lanex (Ft. Fivio Foreign) / L.L.L.L. (Love Life Live Large) – Dizzee Rascal & Chip / Might Not Make It – Reason / Off My Mind – Statik Selektah (Ft. Rome Streetz, Fly Anakin Halie Supreme) / One Way Flight – Benny The Butcher (Ft. Freddie Gibbs) / Ooh la la - Run the Jewels (Ft. Greg Nice & DJ Premier) / Out On Bail – YG / Paint A Picture – J-Live / Perfect – Logic / Pig Feet - Denzel Curry + Terrace Martin (Ft.. Daylyt, Kamasi Washington, & G Perico) / Quiet Trip – Black Thought (Ft. Portugal The Man & The Last Artful, Dogr) / Simply Done – Armani Caesar (Ft. Benny The Butcher) / Sleepless Nights – Dinner Party (Ft. Buddy, Reuben Vincent & Phoelix) / Sweatpants Spiderman – Open Mike Eagle / The Adventures Of Moon Man & Slim Shady - Kid Cudi & Eminem / The Code – King Von (Ft. Polo G) / The Scotts – Travis Scott & Kid. Cudi / The Woo – Pop Smoke (Ft. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch) / Tyler Herro – Jack Harlow / Ultrablack – Nas (Ft. Hit-Boy) / Universal Soldier - Jay Electronica (Ft. Jay-Z) / Will – Joyner Lucas / Wrong Wit Me – Pardison Fontaine / Thugged Out Zombies – eLZhi