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The Allmusic 2020

Year In Review

Our picks for the year's best rap and hip-hop albums include artists who left us too soon (Mac Miller, Juice WRLD, Pop Smoke), some who are making a comeback (The Streets, Quakers), and some who are just getting started (NLE Choppa, Headie One, REASON).

Aesop Rock

Spirit World Field Guide

A compendium of surrealist narratives and fantastic scenarios, partially inspired by the brainy rapper's real-life travels.

Aminé

Limbo

Bold and mature sophomore set from the thoughtful Portland, Oregon rapper.

Apollo Brown / Che Noir

As God Intended

Buffalo's Che Noir demonstrates her remarkably focused lyricism and stylistic versatility over Apollo Brown's rich, earthy productions.

Big Sean

Detroit 2

Detroit rapper enlists an intimidating star-studded host of guest contributors to pay tribute to the city that made him.

Black Noi$e

Oblivion

Brief but invigorating album from the Detroit producer, who provides sludgy yet intricately crafted beats for guests like Danny Brown, Liv.e, and Earl Sweatshirt.

Black Thought

Streams of Thought, Vol. 3: Cane & Able

The Roots' lead rapper resumes his inspired solo activity with Undun collaborator Sean C.

Boldy James / Sterling Toles

Manger on McNichols

Unparalleled artistic therapy fusing sample-based production, a large ensemble, and vivid street nightmares, recorded from 2007 to 2018.

City Girls

City on Lock

The second studio album from this Miami rap duo delivers track after track of hyped-up, belligerent fun and attitude.

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Visions of Bodies Being Burned

The noise rap trio continue the deep dive into horrorcore that they began on their last album, focusing on themes of paranoia and grisly violence.

Conway the Machine

From King to a God

Consistently striking and highly collaborative LP from the Griselda member, still riding a 2020 hot streak.

Denzel Curry / Kenny Beats

Unlocked

Quick and dirty EP that showcases the emcee/producer pair's seamless and thrilling collaborative energy.

Dizzee Rascal

E3 AF

The grime pioneer's seventh full-length is leaner, more refined, and more upbeat than his 2017 return to form.

EarthGang / JID / Spillage Village

Spilligion

The first album in four years from this Atlanta collective continues the OutKast-informed musical synthesis exhibited by core members EarthGang.

East Man

Prole Art Threat

Second album from Antoney Hart's grime project, accompanied by a host of lyricists from London and beyond.

Flo Milli

Ho, Why is You Here?

The debut mixtape from this viral rapper is a nonstop explosion of attitude, confidence, and fun.

Headie One

EDNA

On his studio debut, the Tottenham icon provides an expansive portfolio of his career thus far.

Homeboy Sandman

Don't Feed the Monster

The Queens-based rapper reflects on trauma and anxiety as well as self-determination and persistence on his most soul-baring, introspective work to date.

J Hus

Big Conspiracy

The London rapper's chart-topping second full-length is significantly more focused and mature than his 2017 breakthrough.

Jackboy

JackBoy

Kodak Black protege sharpens his distinctively flexible flow for his strongest effort to date.

Jadakiss

Ignatius

The "so raspy" rapper responds to the death of his close friend and manager in humbled, sharp-as-ever form.

Jay Electronica

A Written Testimony

Heavy on uncredited contributions from Jay-Z, the long-awaited debut from this esteemed rapper is an inspired, innovative master stroke.

Juice WRLD

Legends Never Die

Posthumous studio album from genre-bending rapper/songwriter is some of his best, and saddest, material.

Ka

Descendants of Cain

Adopting a biblical metaphor for his fifth solo set, rapper Ka continues his poetic illustration of the struggles of his Brownsville home.

Key Glock

Yellow Tape

This raw, slow-boiling mixtape from the Memphis rapper highlights his loner mindset.

King Von

Levon James

The rapper's second tape continues to expand his explosive, Chicago-rooted sound.

Knxwledge

1988

Glen Boothe's second solo LP for Stones Throw is another transfixing beatmaking exhibition.

Lecrae

Restoration

Career peak from the Christian rapper features mainstream production, A-list guests, and deep introspection.

Lil Uzi Vert

Eternal Atake

The second studio album from charismatic Philly rapper is rich with futuristic production, quick switching flows and a sharpened, more enthusiastic delivery.

Logic

No Pressure

The sixth and final album from one of rap's most self-aware personalities is some of his clearest and most enjoyable material.

Loski

Music, Trial and Trauma: A Drill Story

The third project from Kennington icon Loski embraces all facets of the artist's sound in a wide-ranging three-act tape.

Lyric Jones

Closer Than They Appear

Executive-produced by Phonte, this EP from the sharp and smooth rapper/singer packs the wallop of an album.

Mac Miller

Circles

Bittersweet-but-soothing sixth set from the late Pittsburgh rapper that was completed by producer Jon Brion.

Megan Thee Stallion

Good News

The debut studio album from this rap superpower finds her raw talent and effortless charisma reaching new levels.

MIKE

Weight of the World

Fragmented and atmospheric songs continue the exploration of grief this rapper/producer began on his 2019 album.

Model Home

One Year

Concise introduction to the expanding universe of D.C. avant-rap duo Model Home, drawn from their first eight digital releases.

NLE Choppa

Top Shotta

The debut studio album from this virally successful Memphis rapper offers a versatile showing of his raw talents without watering them down.

Open Mike Eagle

Anime, Trauma and Divorce

The rapper/comedian reacts to personal tragedies and ponders the steps necessary to maintaining self-care.

Polo G

The Goat

The second album from this melodic Chicago rapper in under a year continues his unbroken hot streak and expands his stylistic approach.

Pop Smoke

Meet the Woo, Vol. 2

The second mixtape from this Brooklyn drill star is exhilaratingly raw, the sonic equivalent of a room where a fight is about to break out.

Quakers

II: The Next Wave

The guest-heavy hip-hop collective's second album is trippier, spacier, and more political than their 2012 debut.

REASON

New Beginnings

After years of refining his craft, this California rapper delivers a studio debut notable for its stylistic range and direct impact.

Royce da 5'9"

The Allegory

The powerful eighth album from the Detroit emcee tackles America's ills in an unflinching, grand fashion.

Run the Jewels

RTJ4

On their intensely political fourth salvo, the rap duo tackles a litany of American ills with wit and wisdom.

Sada Baby

Bartier Bounty 2

The Detroit MC is charged up and ready to go on his latest tape, an expansive collection of charisma-driven rap.

Skyzoo

Milestones

The Brooklyn rapper celebrates fatherhood on this highly autobiographical, jazz-tinged EP.

The Alchemist / Freddie Gibbs

Alfredo

The rapper and producer resume their affiliation following 2018's Fetti with riveting, often reflective flair.

The Koreatown Oddity

Little Dominiques Nosebleed

The Koreatown Oddity's second Stones Throw LP is a dense, psychedelic epic vividly portraying the rapper/producer's upbringing.

The Streets

None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive

Mike Skinner makes a welcome return on this highly collaborative mixtape that mixes timely homemade grit with some classic sonic hallmarks.

The Twilite Tone

Clearing

The experienced producer's first album is a joyous yet introspective fusion of synth-funk, hip-hop, and sci-fi themes.

Young Dolph

Rich Slave

The latest from this Memphis rap powerhouse includes features from Key Glock and Megan Thee Stallion.

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The Koreatown Oddity