Drake’s fifth studio album, Scorpion, is an ambitious yet inconsistent effort. By 2018, Drake was undoubtably one of the biggest artists in the world, with an impressive run of projects like Take Care, Nothing Was the Same, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, Views, and More Life. His ability to create both chart-topping bangers as well as introspective records had made him nearly untouchable. However, Scorpion, while commercially successful, feels more like a bloated ... read more

Following the massive success of Culture, Migos returned with Culture II, a project that aimed to capitalise on their newfound mainstream dominance. However, instead of refining their formula, they stretched it thin across an overly long tracklist. At 1 hour and 45 minutes with 24 songs, the album is simply too bloated and contains way too much filler tracks. While the trio’s signature flows, infectious ad-libs, and trap production are still present, the lack of focus makes it feel more ... read more

NASIR was supposed to be a grand return—Nas, one of the greatest storytellers in hip-hop, linking up with Kanye during his 2018 Wyoming Sessions era. On paper, that sounds like a recipe for something legendary. And while the album has its moments, it never quite reaches the heights you’d expect from a collab like this.

Lyrically, Nas is still sharp, talking you through themes of systemic racism, black empowerment, and personal reflection. He’s got plenty to say, and tracks ... read more

Juice WRLD’s debut album Goodbye & Good Riddance was definitely a defining moment for the emo-rap wave, with emo-melodies and heartbreak and emo-themed lyrics. Right from the jump, tracks like Lucid Dreams and All Girls Are the Same became massive hits, cementing Juice WRLD as a key persona in the genre.

The album thrives on its raw emotion—Juice spills his pain, frustration, and regrets over the melancholic beats. Tracks like Lean Wit Me and Used To capture that late-night, ... read more

At the height of his reggaetón dominance, J Balvin released Vibras, an album that captures his established place in the genre while offering a set of tracks that are solid but not necessarily groundbreaking. While the album doesn’t push the boundaries of reggaetón, it’s clear that Balvin was at the top of his game during its release, and the album is a reflection of that. With his signature smooth vocals and polished production, Vibras is an enjoyable listen for fans ... read more

A long-overdue collaboration between Beyoncé and JAY-Z, EVERYTHING IS LOVE finally arrived in 2018, marking the culmination of their personal and artistic journey together. Coming after the grand success of Lemonade and 4:44, this album serves as the victory lap where both artists celebrate their love, success, and dominance in the music industry. While it may not be the best work from either artist, it’s undeniably a solid and enjoyable record.

One of the album’s strengths ... read more

After making a name for himself with Stoney, Post Malone returned with beerbongs & bentleys, an album that solidified his status as a dominant force in pop-rap. With this project, he refined his sound into a melodic blend of hip-hop, pop, and a little bit of rock, creating a record full of massive hits and radio-ready anthems.

The tracklist is packed with chart-toppers. Rockstar featuring 21 Savage became an inescapable anthem, showcasing Post's ear for catchy hooks over moody, ... read more

After the success of 17 in the emo rap scene, XXXTENTACION returned with his second full-length album, ?, a project that, at 18 songs, is longer than its predecessor but still maintains a relatively short runtime of just 37 minutes. While ? had a fresh sound at the time of its release, does it still hold up today? Unfortunately, not quite. The album feels like a mixed bag, with some truly standout tracks, but also several moments that are lacking in substance or direction.

There are undeniably ... read more

Bad Bunny’s debut album X 100PRE is an ambitious project that helped solidify him as a raggaetón superstar, but it’s also a bit of a mixed bag. It showcases his versatility, blending reggaetón, Latin trap, and even some rock and electronic influences, but at times, it feels too scattered and lacking some cohesion. While Bad Bunny’s charisma and genre-bending approach are impressive, the album’s execution isn’t always consistent.

Some production ... read more

Donny Womack, the debut mixtape from Don Toliver, offers an enjoyable introduction to the artist’s style under the Cactus Jack umbrella. With Travis Scott's influence being present, Don delivers a project that showcases his unique voice and potential in the scene. The mixtape is solid, with smooth production and Don’s distinct, melodic flow setting him apart from many of his contemporaries. While it doesn’t break new ground or offer anything revolutionary within the trap ... read more

After nearly a decade of electronic, pop-infused dominance (though not the qualitatively best-made music), the Black Eyed Peas made a surprising return to their hip-hop roots with MASTERS OF THE SUN VOL. 1. Stripping away the glossy, club-ready beats of their The E.N.D. and The Beginning era, this album embraces old-school boom-bap production, conscious lyricism, and a more serious tone. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it’s a refreshing pivot that reminds listeners where the ... read more

After the success of his debut album American Teen, Khalid followed up with the Suncity EP, a short but smooth collection of tracks that further showcased his signature laid-back sound. While it doesn’t break new ground, it offers a glimpse into his evolving artistry.

The EP’s highlight is undoubtedly Better, a silky, atmospheric track that became a massive hit. It perfectly encapsulates Khalid’s effortless vocal delivery and relatable songwriting, making it the standout ... read more

J. Cole’s KOD arrived with high expectations, especially following 4 Your Eyez Only and 2014 Forest Hills Drive. While the album had an interesting concept—tackling addiction, materialism, and the pitfalls of fame—it ultimately fell short of delivering a truly compelling project. The execution felt somewhat rushed, and rather than being a sharp, focused statement, KOD ended up feeling uneven and at times uninspired.

There are definitely a few highlights on the album. Tracks ... read more

Maluma’s F.A.M.E is another step in his rise as a global Latin pop star, but it doesn’t quite break any new ground. The album is a polished mix of reggaetón, Latin trap, and pop ballads, with a few strong moments scattered throughout. While Maluma’s charm and smooth vocals are undeniable, the project as a whole feels like a safe play—solid but not particularly innovative.

The biggest highlight of the album is Felices los 4, a massive hit that became one of his ... read more

Following their solid self-titled debut, 88GLAM returned with 88GLAM2, but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite elevate their sound or push them into new territory. The duo—composed of Derek Wise and 88 Camino—stick to their established formula of atmospheric trap beats, smooth melodies, and laid-back delivery. While that formula worked well on their first project, 88GLAM2 struggles to bring anything fresh to the table.

That’s not to say the album is without its moments. ... read more

Usher teaming up with Zaytoven for a collaborative EP seemed like an exciting prospect, blending Usher’s smooth R&B vocals with Zaytoven’s signature trap-infused production. However, "A" plays out as a pretty predictable affair, offering exactly what you’d expect but not much more. It’s not a bad project, but it also doesn’t push any boundaries or bring anything particularly fresh to the table.

There are some enjoyable moments, with Usher still ... read more

Released in 2018 as part of Kanye West’s Wyoming Sessions—a series of five 7-track albums he produced in their entirety—ye stands as one of his most introspective and emotionally raw projects. At just seven tracks, it’s a concise, yet deeply personal journey into Kanye’s mind, exploring themes of mental health, fame, love, and self-reflection. While it might not have the grandiose production or larger-than-life statements of some of his previous records, ye thrives ... read more

With Supreme Blientele, Westside Gunn delivers one of his most refined and polished works to date, solidifying his place as a master of curation in the modern rap landscape. Released in 2018, this album feels like a perfect culmination of his signature style—grimy, eerie, and luxurious all at once. It perfectly balances raw, unfiltered street rap with high-end, artful production, making for an immersive listen from start to finish.

A major highlight of Supreme Blientele is its ... read more

With ASTROWORLD, Travis Scott really went all in. Named after the now-closed amusement park in Houston he grew up visiting, the album basically is an amusement park of its own — loud, colorful, trippy, and full of wild turns. After the somewhat mixed (still enjoyable for most though) Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, this was the one where he had to prove himself again, and he absolutely did. ASTROWORLD is the moment Travis became one of the biggest names in modern hip-hop.

Right from the ... read more

2018 was an unstoppable year for Griselda and Westside Gunn. After dropping Supreme Blientele—arguably his most refined project at that point—he quickly followed up in October with Hitler Wears Hermes 6, proving once again why he is one of the most unique voices in hip-hop.

The HWH series has always been a staple in WSG’s catalogue, blending his signature high-art meets street-rap aesthetic with impeccable beat selection and an ear for collaboration. HWH6 is no exception, ... read more