It’s time to reveal the top five hip hop albums of 2015! As mentioned in the first article (Available here: http://theodysseyonline.com/rutgers/top-10-hip-hop...), this list will be based off of the quality of the album. It does not matter how popular it may have been throughout the year. There are plenty popular rap artists who released a very mediocre album, so you won’t see Fetty Wap or Future on this list. Just because the radio plays it non-stop or it has a handful of songs that get you going doesn’t make it a great album. There may even be albums on this list you didn’t even know about, but they are all definitely worth your attention!
5. At.Long.Last.A$AP - A$AP Rocky
After 2013’s Long.Live.A$AP had hip hop heads thirsty for more, A$AP Rocky finally came through with an album that became one of the soundtracks of the summer. It’s a project that shows how much A$AP has grown in such a short period of time. With solid features from a unknown artist he personally discovered like Joe Fox, to hip hop legends like Kanye West & Mos Def, we are given a much more complete release that trumps his debut. Make sure ‘Electric Body,’ ‘Holy Ghost,’ & ‘Max B’ bump through your headphones with the volume turned way up.
4. Mr. Wonderful - Action Bronson
Of all the albums to drop in 2015, Mr. Wonderful probably shocked hip hop fans more than any other. Action Bronson’s collection of mixtapes throughout the years have boasted a solid combination of engaging beats, middle-of-the-road lyricism, and pure silliness. While this is exactly what makes Bronson who he is, his debut album is so surprising based on its amazing production quality, while still managing to stay true to the fun-loving MC that made him a star. The album also possesses a lot of hints of classic rock that makes Bronson’s sound so special. ‘Only in America,’ ‘Easy Rider,’ and ‘Actin’ Crazy’ prove just how unique he can be.
3. Tetsuo & Youth - Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco and his continuous feud with his label, Atlantic Records, finally came to a close with his final contracted album. Their divorce was so bad, hackers threatened Atlantic Records in order to finally receive a release date for this project. Needless to say, Lupe did not disappoint with some of his best work in a long time. Tetsuo & Youth opened a new chapter into his career, finding the perfect mix of hip hop magic without getting too political with his lyrics. This album shows that Lupe’s work is far from done, and his path beyond Atlantic Records looks to be an exciting one. ‘They.Resurrect.Over.New,’ ‘Mural,’ and ‘Madonna (And Other Mothers in the Hood)’ are some of the many tracks that prove Lupe Fiasco is just getting started.
2. Compton: A Soundtrack - Dr. Dre
For over a decade, Dr. Dre teased us with an album for the ages. For over a decade, this project was widely known as Detox. And for over a decade, fans were left with a few promotional singles and plenty of disappointment. Many fans had finally given up on Dr. Dre ever releasing a new project. Then suddenly, within a one week period, we had a full-length hip hop epic titled Compton. Coinciding with the release of Straight Outta Compton, the album did not disappoint in the least. In fact, he exceeded expectations, especially considering how long such a project had been hyped. The features are out of this world, including everyone from Snoop Dogg & Eminem, to newcomers like Anderson .Paak. Songs like ‘Satisfiction,’ ‘Genocide,’ and ‘All In a Day’s Work’ represent only a small fraction of what makes this album so great.
- To Pimp a Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar
What hasn’t already been said about this masterpiece? No one thought Kendrick could possibly outdo himself after Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City, with its well-pieced story arc and insightful lyricism. Sure enough, Kendrick surprises us again with a project that is on par, if not better, than its predecessor. We are once again given a stunningly pieced together album surrounded by a continuous poem. While its style is surely groundbreaking, using jazz and funk elements to create a totally unique sound, it only adds to its high quality. An album like this deserves at least one entire listen-through to understand what makes it so special, but ‘Wesley’s Theory,’ ‘King Kunta,’ ‘Complexion,’ and ‘Mortal Man’ are essential.
So what’s missing on this list? Most notably: If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late by Drake. Why would such a popular album not be included? Because while it was released as an album, Drake’s first project of 2015 is a glorified mixtape at heart merely released to escape the chains of Birdman’s Cash Money Records. With that said, there’s little doubt Drake’s Views From the 6 will most likely be on everyone’s top-ten list in 2016.
