JAY-Z - The Blueprint
88

This is probably Jay-Z’s best album. The production is amazing — soulful, polished, and timeless — and it fits his style perfectly. Jay-Z’s rapping is top tier throughout the project, sounding confident, sharp, and completely in control.

The album feels focused and consistent, with no real low points. It played a huge role in shaping early 2000s hip-hop and still sounds great today. My favorite track is “Girls, Girls, Girls (Part II)” — smooth ... read more

Can - Tago Mago
58

The instrumentals on this album are cool at times, and I can definitely hear why it’s so respected. Can experiment a lot with sound and structure, and some of those ideas are interesting.

That said, it’s just not really my genre. As the album goes on, I started to get a bit bored, and it didn’t hold my attention the whole way through. I can appreciate what it’s doing, but it doesn’t fully click with me personally.

Freddie Gibbs - $oul $old $eparately
72

I’m still not the biggest Freddie Gibbs fan, but this is a good album overall. There are some really strong tracks on here, and he’s undeniably an amazing rapper — his technical skill and confidence are clear throughout the project.

One detail I really like is the phone call skits at the ends of some songs. They add a fun and personal touch that helps the album feel more connected. While it doesn’t fully convert me into a huge Freddie Gibbs fan, it’s still an ... read more

OutKast - Stankonia
85

I love this album. The beats are strange, energetic, and experimental in the best way, and the energy stays high throughout. André 3000 and Big Boi are incredible together — their chemistry is effortless, and it’s a big reason why the album works so well.

Despite the long tracklist, there isn’t a single miss here. The album constantly pushes boundaries while still sounding confident and fun. It also includes some of OutKast’s most popular and recognizable songs, ... read more

OutKast - ATLiens
85

This album isn’t quite as strong as Stankonia or Aquemini, but it’s still a really fun and solid project. OutKast lean into a darker, more spacey sound here, and it gives the album a more serious tone while still keeping it interesting and creative.

The production is smooth and atmospheric, and André 3000 and Big Boi sound confident and locked in throughout. It feels more focused and laid-back compared to their later work, but that’s part of the charm.

My favorite ... read more

86

This album honestly feels like a movie. The atmosphere is incredibly dark, sinister, and traumatizing in a way that really sticks with you. From start to finish, it feels heavy and immersive, pulling you deeper into its world with every track.

There isn’t a bad song on here. Have a Nice Life fully commit to the mood, and it pays off — the album feels cohesive, intense, and emotionally draining in the best way. My favorite track is “Earthmover”, which is a perfect closer ... read more

PARTYNEXTDOOR - $ome $exy $ongs 4 U
47

I always thought this album was overhated because of the Kendrick beef, but honestly, it’s just not good. Drake sounds uninspired here — his flow is weak, and he doesn’t bring much energy. PARTYNEXTDOOR doesn’t really add anything either, which makes the whole project feel flat.

The biggest issue is how boring it is. There are only about two good songs on the entire album, and the rest just blends together. The only time this album works is if you’re not really ... read more

Baby Keem - Ca$ino
84

Baby Keem is finally back with a new album, and it was definitely worth the wait. This project is great — some of these songs are incredibly strong. There’s a lot of high-energy tracks, but also plenty of emotional moments that give the album more depth and balance.

The album feels exciting and focused, and it shows real growth from Keem. The features are cool, but nothing too special — the main appeal here is Keem himself and the production.

My favorite track is ... read more

21 Savage - american dream
65

This feels like a pretty standard 21 Savage album. There are some good songs on here, but also a lot of filler and mid tracks that don’t really stand out. It’s not as boring as some of his other projects, but it’s also not a really strong album overall.

There aren’t many moments that truly stick with you, even though the production is solid at times. My favorite track is “Redrum” — I love the sample on that one, and it easily stands out from the rest.

73

I found this album kind of hard to really vibe with, but I can still respect it a lot. Maybe on a future listen I’d rate it higher. What’s undeniable is how insane it sounds — the way Death Grips rap over these aggressive, chaotic beats is actually crazy.

It’s a really interesting and intense album, and I get why people love it, even if it didn’t fully click for me yet. My favorite track is “Hustle Bones” — that one stood out the most.

¥$ - VULTURES 2
44

This is easily Kanye West’s worst album for me. The project sounds unfinished, with rough and sometimes unmixed vocals that make it hard to enjoy. Kanye’s rapping is barely present, and when it is, it doesn’t come close to his past work.

There are a few small highlights, but they don’t save the album at all. The AI verses are especially bad and completely take you out of the experience. If I had to pick a favorite track, it would be “Field Trip”, mainly ... read more

The Roots - Things Fall Apart
81

This is a really good album with strong rapping performances on every track. The Roots sound focused and consistent throughout, and the lyricism is sharp across the whole project. Sometimes, though, I feel like it’s missing that little extra something to keep it truly gripping from start to finish.

Still, it’s easily a great album overall. My favorite track is “You Got Me” — it’s one of the most beautiful hip-hop songs I’ve ever heard. The emotion and ... read more

65

This is definitely one of Kanye West’s weaker projects. There are some really fun moments on here, but there are also some pretty low points that hold the album back. It feels inconsistent overall.

Ty Dolla $ign sounds good throughout the project — his vocals fit the production really well. Kanye’s rapping and lyricism, though, aren’t what they used to be, and that’s noticeable on a lot of tracks. The beats are a highlight, though — they’re strong and ... read more

Common - Be
99

Wow — this album is actually perfect. This might be one of the best hip-hop albums I’ve ever heard. Common’s flow is crazy throughout, and he sounds completely locked in on every track. Kanye West’s production is incredible — soulful, emotional, and polished.

There isn’t a single bad moment on this album. Everything feels intentional, focused, and timeless. This is genuinely what a perfect album sounds like: strong rapping, amazing beats, and a powerful ... read more

Racionais MC's - Sobrevivendo no Inferno
64

was really excited after hearing the first track, but overall the album ended up being a bit of a snooze fest for me. The beats are good and the rapping is decent, but a lot of the songs feel way too long, and not much really happens to keep things interesting. It starts to drag as the album goes on.

That said, this doesn’t make it a bad album. There are still strong moments, and my favorite track is “Jorge da Capadócia” — the beat on that song is magical and the ... read more

The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die
90

This might be the best ’90s hip-hop album I’ve ever heard. Biggie’s lyricism and rapping are on another level throughout the entire project. Sometimes ’90s East Coast rap can feel a bit boring to me, but that’s definitely not the case here — every song brings something special.

The album is packed with Biggie’s biggest and most iconic tracks, and it never feels repetitive or dull. His storytelling, confidence, and delivery make every song engaging from ... read more

Playboi Carti - MUSIC
82

This album is better than Whole Lotta Red. There are some really strong features on here, and overall the project is anything but boring. The Future and Travis Scott appearances stand out in particular, adding a lot of energy and replay value.

I’m not completely sure how I feel about the Carti and Kendrick Lamar collaborations. They’re interesting, but they don’t fully click for me. The biggest issue is the length — thirty tracks is a lot, and the album would benefit ... read more

MF DOOM - MM..FOOD
78

I’m not the biggest MF DOOM fan — I think he’s a bit overrated. The album isn’t super consistent, but when it hits, it really hits. Some of his best songs are on here, and those are amazing, but there are also a lot of tracks that just feel a bit bland.

No doubt, his rapping ability is solid, and his wordplay is always clever. My favorite has to be “Hoe Cakes” — the beat is weird in the best way, and it just sticks with you.

A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders
85

Midnight Marauders has that classic laid-back Tribe vibe I love. The group’s chemistry is crazy — Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Ali just bounce off each other so naturally.

Honestly, there isn’t a single bad song here. My favorite is “Steve Biko (Stir It Up)” — it’s catchy and just sticks with you. Every track feels like it belongs, and the whole album flows perfectly.

Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
84

Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is a must-hear album that really showcases Little Simz’s skill. The production is cinematic and magical, giving the album a dreamy, immersive vibe that feels like stepping into another world. Her rapping is sharp, confident, and full of personality, flowing perfectly over every beat.

Tracks like “Introvert” capture her energy and set the tone for the album, while other songs balance bold, high-energy moments with introspection and emotion. ... read more

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