REESE’S TOP ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2022

(Reese fire's back with a Top 10 List of his own.)

This year, the underground rap scene has been making waves once again with artists like Yeat, Sofaygo, Destroy Lonely, and Homixide Gang making names for themselves, and maybe suggesting that the allegations of mainstream rap falling off were somewhat true. With their unique sounds and styles, these artists have brought back the vibes of 2016 and 2018, making for an exciting year in rap music for listeners willing to dig a little deeper.

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10. Highway – Highway (EP)

Highway dropped his 10 track self-titled tape in June, and it was his first project under Victor Victor Worldwide. Growing to over 200k monthly listeners on Spotify this year, Highway’s entire discography features a unique blend of Hip-Hop and RNB, with slow, melodic verses and hard-hitting 808s and kicks. Songs like “Looking @ Me” and “Ain Change”showcase Highway's modernized, rapping version of artists like Bryson Tiller, and shows a lot of similarities to one of my favorite artists, Don Toliver. This tape is the perfect mix of Hip-Hop and RNB and is sure to please fans of both genres.

9. Homixide Gang – Homixide Lifestyle

Homixide Gang has taken the music industry by storm this year, thanks to their signing with Playboi Carti. Carti's loyal fanbase has been quick to show their support for the group, and it's easy to see why. Their hard-hitting rap style over heavy, rage beats is sure to get you hyped up no matter what time of day it is. With the backing of Playboi Carti, the sky is the limit for Homixide Gang, and they are sure to continue to make waves in the music industry.

8. Drake & 21 Savage – Her Loss

Her Loss was a saving grace for Drake after his summer release Honestly, Nevermind that left most fans underwhelmed. 21 Savage's performance was stellar but was overshadowed by the sheer volume of Drake throughout the album. This project will also be remembered for the countless memes it spawned on the internet, and it was a breath of fresh air to hear Drake return to his rap roots instead of singing.

7. Nav – Demons Protected By Angels

The GOAT returned with Demons Protected by Angels after a relatively quiet 2021. Featuring some of the biggest names in the industry such as Gunna, Uzi, and more, Nav delivered a masterpiece that left fans asking for more. Despite the absence of a Drake feature, which he hinted at during the rollout of the album, Nav still managed to deliver an album that was different enough from his last projects, while still staying true to what got him to this point. It’s always time to celebrate when Nav drops, leaving fans excited for his tour with Sofaygo in the spring.

6. Sofaygo – Pink Heartz

Sofaygo finally dropped his highly anticipated debut tape under Travis Scott's Cactus Jack label after two years of begging from fans. Though some debate if the album was worth the wait, Sofaygo showcased why he is one of the next great artists. From the opening track to the last, the tape is filled with great music that will have you hooked. Songs like “Me Too” and “Goin Back” are just a few of the reasons why Sofaygo is one of my favorite artists. And if you check out the rest of his discography you can see why he already has such a large and dedicated fanbase at such a young age.

 5. Gunna – Drip Season 4

Before Gunna was forced to take a break from the rap game due to the YSL RICO case, he blessed us with an incredible album that was on repeat for the entire year. Gunna has yet to disappoint with his "Drip Season" series, and now that he's out of jail, I'm eagerly anticipating what he has in store for his "First Day Out" release. 

4. Lucki – Flawless Like Me

Lucki catapulted himself out of the underground and into the mainstream rap scene with the release of his album, "Flawless Like Me". The track “Kapitol Denim” featuring Future is one of the best songs of the year. And with Lucki's effortless flow and lyrical prowess, the song became an instant classic. His style may not vary much from song to song, but each track from this project is a testament to Lucki's undeniable talent. Every track will make you feel like you are as high as he was when making it.

3. No Stylist – Destroy Lonely

Destroy Lonely was another Opium artist who made a huge splash this year as a Playboi Carti signee. His unique flows and dark, rage beats provided a stark contrast to the more upbeat sounds of Ken Carson and Playboi Carti, and his album was an instant hit with Carti fans. Destroy Lonely quickly became one of the most talked-about artists on the label (surpassing Ken Carson), and it's no surprise that he's become a fan favorite.

2. Yeat – 2 Alivë

Yeat, after dropping four albums in 2021, putting him firmly on the map, released only two projects this year, and both did not disappoint. Initially, it was hard to tell if Yeat was here to stay, or if he was just another viral moment, but after the release of 2 Alive which sold 35k in its first week, he has cemented himself onto the mainstream rap scene.

1.     Summrs – Fallen Raven

The album of the year, "Fallen Raven", by Summrs was nothing short of incredible. I wasn’t much of a Summrs fan before, but this album served as a revelation for me. Summrs has been in the underground for a few years now, and has truly perfected his sound. Songs like “So Much Cheese” and “Don’t Mean Sh*t” have become anthems for the underground rap scene, and Summrs' influence on social media is growing exponentially. His songs and clips from his livestreams are going viral on TikTok every week, and he has already developed a passionate, cult-like fan base. 

Honorable Mentions:

11. Lil Uzi Vert – Red & White (EP)

12. Future – I Never Liked You 

13. Metro Boomin – Heroes & Villains (Dropped too late)

14. Lil Baby – It’s Only Me

15. Ken Carson – X

16. NBA Youngboy – (All the albums he dropped this year), Cochise – The Inspection & SSG Kobe – Relapsed (EP)