200 2018 Songs and 100 2018 Albums I Loved A Lot

2018 was a phenomenal year for music, as far as I’m concerned. Rap will always be my first love but one of this wretched existence’s few small pleasures is the volume of bilateral discovery that is available to us across all genres. Between the current deluge and the amount of great music that already exists, all we can do is hope to swipe a well curated thimble’s worth from the ocean. This list isn’t about my idea of what the “best” of anything was. There’s lots of good and/or great stuff that probably isn’t on here. I didn’t spend as much time with Invasion of Privacy as a lot of my friends but to call it anything less than an unqualified triumph is ridiculous. Travis’ part of “Sicko Mode” is one of my favorite 2 minute stretches of the year, just a great beat & he even manages to land some memorable one liners (“I might take my exes & put ’em all in a group”).

“Wah wah wah, bitch i’m da Baby”, “YOU ARE HIDING A CHILD”, “something Rich The Kid said on Plug Walk”, there’s lots of music we can all agree on. The degree to which we get to pick nits about this stuff on the rap Internet speaks to the sheer volume of great music there is to enjoy. I could easily have done a list that goes far deeper if I just listed every single thing I liked this year. Or had the mental bandwidth to tackle all the music (I promise you, I have many blind spots) I see getting talked up on my timeline. There’s some non rap on here but I’m in no way suggesting those albums/songs are the very best of their respective genres, they’re just some stuff that stuck for me.

I’m not attaching a numerical ranking to any of this. The best I can tell you is that Sada Baby has a true AOTY contender in an alternate universe where all his loosies are properly compiled & that there was too much great stuff this year for there to be a meaningful gap between the 7th ‘best’ song or album and the 95th ‘best’. A few of the songs may have technically dropped in 2017 but had a 2018 video release. This didn’t take long to put together, I just kept a notepad file throughout the year of stuff that was special to me, hopefully you find something that you agree with or that’s new to you.

Albums

Burna Boy-Outside

I stumped for this one at POW & they let me ramble a bunch about how much I liked it so you can read that or you can listen to it. Unless you already did. In which case you’re A-OK with me, friend.

03 Greedo-God Level

Free Greedo.

Drakeo The Ruler-Cold Devil

Free Drakeo. Free the Stincs.

Nickleus F-Stuck
Popcaan-Forever

This is one of the most well sequenced albums of the year, every time I thought it’d slide out of rotation, a different song would grab me.

Janelle Monae-Dirty Computer

I was also inexplicably allowed to ramble about my enthusiasm about this one at POW.

Maleek Berry-Last Daze of Winter
Jacquees-4275

The arguments over whether Jacquees “can sing” or that he should “make his own songs” are about as tired as the ones about Blueface rapping “on beat”, this album is way better than those boring conversations would indicate.

YNW Melly-I Am You
Rae Sremmurd-Sr3mm
Mozzy-Gangland Landlord
Trouble-Edgewood
Odunsi-Rare
Armand Hammer-Paraffin
Koran Streets-Late 20s

Stuck and Late 20s are two of the best albums of the year and the lack of talk about them is baffling from a “this is the rap y’all cry for, why are so few people actually listening” standpoint. For my money, Koran is one of the best storytellers of the current era, very detailed writer. He had to have been a novelist in a past life.

Mariah Carey-Caution

Of course I wanted to love this cause Mariah’s a national treasure so the indisputable FACT that it is objectively great gives me a lot of relief.

Fly Anakin & Ohbliv-Backyard Boogie

Everyone should listen to more Mutant Academy.

Freddie Gibbs/Currensy-Fetti
Gunna-Drip Season 3

Neck and neck battle between Melly and Gunna for best Thug baby. This project grew on me over the course of the year like few others.

Mr Eazi-Life Is Eazi 2
Noname-Room 25
VanJess-Silk Canvas
Estelle-Lovers Rock

Estelle’s album fell into a similar space as Mariah’s for me, in the sense that I was rooting for both of them to deliver & each exceeded even my wildest expectations.

Roc Marciano-Rosebudd’s Revenge 2
Chris Crack-Being Woke Ain’t Fun

Roc Marciano and Chris Crack both had great years, with multiple projects that are worthy of attention. These just happen to be the best ones. It’s always fun to see rappers destroying the stereotype that “lyrical” rappers are incapable of a prolific release schedule because “trap music” is so much easier to make.

Payroll Giovanni/Cardo-Big Bossin 2

4–1P and 10 Stack Commandments are worthy listens if you’re willing to hear Payroll over more traditional Detroit production but Big Bossin 2 is tough to beat. Never left my rotation all year.

Blood Orange-Negro Swan
Playboi Carti-Die Lit
Masego-Lady Lady
Leon Bridges-Good Thing
Hermit and the Recluse-Orpheus vs. the Sirens
Smino-Noir
Sauce Walka-Sauce Ghetto Gospel
Mach Hommy-Bulletproof Luh
Yves Tumor-Safe in the Hands of Love
BlocBoy JB-Simi
Mick Jenkins-Pieces of a Man
ALLBLACK/Kenny Beats-2 Minute Drills
Sango-In The Comfort Of
Blueface-Famous Cryp

What a ride its been. I never envisioned that people would care this much about Blueface, for better or worse. It speaks to how flattened the conversation is becoming when artists with ‘cult legend’ written all over them start to drive heated discussions this early in their career arc. The idea that he raps “offbeat” was always oversold, he weaves in and out of the production in a way that’s clearly premeditated. Too many people want to believe they’re at the forefront of something unprecedented or gate keeping rap from unwanted interlopers when in reality, there’s no new idea under the sun.

ZMoney-Chiraq Mogul
Shy Glizzy-Fully Loaded
Earl Sweatshirt-Some Rap Songs
MIKE-Renaissance Man
The 1975- A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships
Starlito-At War With Myself Too

Starlito wasn’t as prolific as he usually is but this project compares favorably with his very best. One of the best rappers alive, full stop.

Kevin Gates-Luca Brasi Story 3

I love this project but “MATA” is a smudge in the corner of a gorgeous painting.

Bump J-I Don’t Feel Rehabilitated

It just feels good to hear Bump again and this tape was more than worth the wait, Cardo laced him.

Tierra Whack-Whack World
Junglepussy-JP3
Vince Staples-FM!
NBA Youngboy-Until Death Call My Name
Future-Beast Mode 2
serpentwithfeet-Soil
JPEGMAFIA-Veteran
Benny The Butcher-Tana Talk 3
The Dream-Sextape
Queen Key-EMP
Lil Durk-Signed To The Streets 3

Not sure if anyone’s coined a name for the “auto-trap” stuff that’s become so en vogue but it’s hard not to look at Durk as an originator within that particular lane. He had a fantastic year and as someone who viewed him as more of a singles artist initially, his run ever since the ill fated Def Jam album (cause who doesn’t wanna hear Durk and Logic songs?) has more than disproved that silly notion.

Rico Nasty-Nasty
NAO-Saturn
Lil Gotit-Hoodbaby
bbymutha-Muthaz Day 3
Vic Spencer/Sonnyjim-Spencer For Higher
Dede Porter-All The Grams and Autographs
AZChike-My World
EL Hitta-Owe Nobody Nothing

A very recent release but a worthy inclusion, the songs that got him on the radar initially are on the tape & the newer stuff is especially strong (Groovy Walk/A Star Is Born in particular). The melodic songs remind of me of Fetty Wap a bit but then again, Fetty was never this energetic or skillful of a rapper.

FMB DZ-The Gift 2

Also a recent release but another worthy inclusion because I already like it more than In My Bag off the first few spins and that was likely to be included. This feels a bit more essential, though. He’s a great foil for Sada Baby, his lines are every bit as memorable, even though they’re delivered in a slightly lower register.

Cupcakke-Euphorize
Peewee Longway-State of the Art
70th Street Carlos-777
Leikeli47-Acrylic
OMB Peezy-Loyalty Over Love
Nef The Pharoah-The Big Chang Theory
Kali Uchis-Isolation
Florence & The Machine-High As Hope
G Herbo/Southside-Swervo
Jay Critch-Hood Favorite
Snail Mail-Lush
Arin Ray-Platinum Fire
Doja Cat-Amala
Swizz Beatz-Poison
Kamasi Washington-Heaven and Earth
Key Glock-Glockoma
Meek Mill-Championships

Watching people act if this is the “good” Meek album has been fun, it was really good but I would lean towards Wins and Losses if I’m picking the best studio album from his catalog.

Shatta Wale-Reign
Conway-Everybody Is F.O.O.D. 2

It’s been hilarious to watch everyone flee the Conway bandwagon just in time for him to drop the projects that he was always capable of. He might be a one note rapper but he plays that note beautifully.

Shad Da God-City of God
Kodak Black-Dying To Live
Sun-EL The Musician-Africa To The World
City Girls-Period
Rucci-El Perro
Saba-Care For Me
Megan Thee Stallion-Tina Snow
Husalah-H
LAX-Rasaking
Key-777
Cash Kidd-Bebe Kidd 2
SOB x RBE-Gangin
1TakeJay-Wait Hol Up
Bandhunta Izzy-Code Blue

Songs

Sada Baby/Drego-Bloxk Party
Rae Sremmurd/Young Thug-Offshore

Play Thug’s verse on this for anyone who wants to tell you that his sons have already surpassed him, skill wise.

Drakeo The Ruler/03 Greedo-Ion Rap Beef
Stefflon Don f/ Ebenezer-Uber
Skooly-Done Too Much
Sada Baby/FMB DZ-Rock With Us
03 Greedo-Look At Me Now

God Level is the better album but Wolf of Grape Street is no slouch. The way he ties the first verse together so that it culminates in an ode to Lil Money is beautiful. The flow reminds me a lot of what Thug was able to do on Drippin.

Maleek Berry-Love U Long Time
Wande Coal-So Mi So
Azchike/Almighty Suspect-Licked Up
Big Baby Scumbag-Dale Earnhardt
FBG Duck-Slide
NBA Youngboy-Diamond Teeth Samurai
SOB x RBE-All Facts Not 1 Opinion
YungManny-Fadeaway
MHD/Wizkid-Bella
Damso-Tard La Night
TeeGlazedIt f/ All of Milwaukee-No Hook

My favorite posse cut of the year. TeeGlazedIt directs a lot of the videos that have caught my eye from the Milwaukee scene and he put together a great song that lets everyone go for broke.

ALLBLACK/Rexx Life Raj/Cash Kidd-YNAF
Weupnexxt-Joggin’ Thru The Bag
Lil Durk/Lil Baby-How I Know
Kevin Gates-Find You Again
Jacquees-23
Smooky Margiela-Vlone Flex
Davido-Assurance
Ajebutter 22/BOJ-24
DaBaby-Up The Street

The past couple years have taught me that serious minded cultural observers are always going to rail against any hype street rappers receive by pinning their popularity on the mythical “hipster” listener that still lives in 2002, forever in search of the next 50 Cent. Admittedly, 21 Savage mania (seriously, how are people STILL doing “ 21 makes me wanna shoot people” memes for albums with Post Malone, J Cole AND Donald Glover on them?) shows that we still have a ways to go in this department.

However, this narrative does a massive disservice to artists who are more likely to find an audience that doesn’t possess any immediate awareness of their backstory (or particularly give a shit). It also ignores the fact that this tag is never given to people who enjoy the Kendricks of the world, even though they can’t theoretically ‘relate’ to their music any more easily.

If everyone is so obsessed with authenticity that even the most middling street rappers can blow up, then I’d imagine AR-Ab would be wildly popular. I stumbled into DaBaby’s music long before I had any awareness of the Wal-Mart shooting (that seems to have taken place out of self defense, for what its worth) and it’s been great to see him come up, feels like he’ll end up on a lot more radars by this time next year.

ManMan Savage/03 Greedo/Ohgeesy-She a Freak
10K Cash/Rico Nasty-Mutombo
Santi/Nonso Amadi/Bridge-Freaky
Ceeza Milli-Yapa
Future-31 Days
Lil Keed/Young Thug-Fetish remix

Thug did a lot of his best work this year on features, loosies and leaks. Keed is one of the more promising Thug babies and he gets Dad up out of his rocking chair to take him to school on this one.

Cash Kidd/DaBoii-Zorbas
D’Angelo-Unshaken

You wouldn’t think a D’Angelo/Red Dead Redemption collaboration would be this good but you’d be wrong.

Sada Baby-Pimp Named Drip Dat
Molly Brazy-You Spook’d
03 Greedo-Pop It
B Young-079-ME
Shy Glizzy-Diamonds
LPB Poody-Early Bird
Kizz Daniel/Wizkid-For You
Adamn Killa/ZMoney-Cluckin
KAYTRANDA/Ty Dolla Sign-Nothin Like U
ZMoney-Bitcoin
Rucci/KingRikoX/Bossmann-Andalay
Young Thug/Gunna-Dirty Shoes
Junglepussy-I’m In Love
Sada Baby/E Will-Gettin Off
Looney Babie/Gwapo Chapo-ALLRACKS
Sheck Wes-Chippi Chippi
ALLBLACK/DaBoii-07 Lynch
Trippie Redd/Kodie Shane-Negative Energy
Freddie Gibbs/Mozzy/G Perico-Colors
Tiwa Savage/Duncan Mighty-Lova Lova
WeupnexxtFresh/Lil Chicken-Back 2 Back

So many great one liners on this one but “when I hop my ass out with this book? I look the fuck around!” is still doing laps around my brain.

Polo G-Hollywood
Kekra-Viceland
Alkaline-Load Up
Big Boogie-Fuck Da Media
Dede Porter-Trap Shit
King Louie-Just Relax
K Camp-Cranberry Juice
Payroll Giovanni/Yhung T.O.-Turn Ya Phone Off
Freddie Gibbs/03 Greedo-Death Row
Peewee Longway-On Dat Freestyle
Wani-2Face Riddim
Future-Stains
Stonebwoy-Bawasaaba
Teni-Askamaya
Sauce Walka-N2Dat
Paid Pat-Drip Drop

I’m trying my absolute best to get out of the habit of playing industry prospector BUT HOW IS THIS NOT A SMASH?!

Dreezy/2 Chainz-2nd II None
Gunna/Young Thug/Lil Baby-Oh Okay
Jeremih/Ty Dolla Sign-FYT
Valee/Jeremih-Womp Womp
K Camp-Body a Canvas
Blueface-Movie Scenes
Mozzy/03 Greedo-Free Greedo
Young Dolph/Key Glock-Major
Benny The Butcher/Dark Lo-03 Draft
Shoreline Mafia-Bands
Kalan.frfr/G Perico-Right Wit It
Lil Cj Kasino-Stainer
Starlito-I Don’t Care
Woop-Laser Beams
Hoodrich Pablo Juan-Flawless
Davido/Skales-Currency
Lil Tjay-Brothers
Thouxanbanfauni-Scared of Fire
Young Thug/Elton John-High
Teyana Taylor/Ghostface Killah/Method Man/Raekwon-Gonna Love Me (Remix)

If I had to pick one album out of the batch that will not be named, KTSE would be it. Already loved this song and a Wu-Tang remix is very much up my alley.

Khalid/Ty Dolla Sign/6LACK-OTW
Lil Wayne-Got Em

Wayne’s 2018 was a lot like other years he’s had, a well received studio album, accompanied by some leaks that are arguably even better. I’ve accepted that the Wayne I grew up on isn’t coming back, but he pops in for five minutes on Got Em. Wouldn’t be surprised if this was an old recording.

Lil Baby/Starlito-Exotic
SOB x RBE/Cash Kidd-LockDown
Lupe Fiasco-King Nas

Drogas Wave didn’t stick for me as a whole but there’s some top shelf rapping on there, this especially.

Go Yayo-On Top
Gunna/Lil Baby-Drip Too Hard
Blueface-Respect My Crypn

This seems to be the Blueface song that everyone is starting to flock to and for good reason. “Alpha male/ain’t no bitch in me/grown ass man/feed my family” is a mantra.

Lil Durk-Granny Crib
Famous Dex-Right Now
Jim Jones/Mozzy-Bangin’
Kodak Black-Feb 14th
El Hitta-And Gang Nem

“Ace of Spades bottle in the garbage, that shit made me puke!”

Queen Key/Dreezy-Ha
D-Lo/03 Greedo/OMB Peezy-Thugged Out
Dark Lo/Benny The Butcher-Roy Jones
147Calboy-Envy Me
Yung Bleu-Wanna Fuck

504 Boyz-I Know should become the popular song for newer artists to flip.

Mozzy/YG/Ty Dolla Sign-Thugz Mansion
Tyga/Offset-Taste
Peewee Longway-Jumanji
Ayo Jay-Let Him Go
Usher/Zaytoven-Say What U Want

If you missed out on this one cause you were too busy accusing Usher of trying to recapture his lost youth by working with a producer who he had a working relationship with (“Papers”) before he became ubiquitous, shame on you.

03 Greedo/Drakeo The Ruler/Fenix Flexin-Wake Me Up In Traffic
Mut4y/Wizkid-Commando
Yung Bans/Lil Skies-Lonely

The video for this didn’t drop til late December 2017 so I’m counting it. Skies verse is totally superfluous but that refrain is undeniable.

Jay Rock/Kendrick Lamar/Future-King’s Dead
Runtown-Unleash
Alkaline-Fine Whine
City Girls-In My Feelings (Remix)

In My Feelings was the standout Scorpion track, one of my favorite Drake singles in ages. The City Girls remix stayed in my personal rotation a bit longer, though.

Young M.A.-PettyWap

M.A. has done a great job of not allowing her first hit to define her. This and “Walk” are miles better than the Bobby Shmurda Mad Libs she blew up with.

ZMoney/03 Greedo-California 2 Chicago
Playboi Carti-Flatbed Freestyle

I’ve said this before but Carti embodies the spirit of what rap is supposed to be, it was a genre built on kids creating something out of nothing and breaking the rules being set by the establishment. Somewhere along the way, rap developed its own ‘establishment’ and it makes my day to watch them get vexed by the continued existence of music they didn’t cosign.

Konshens-Every Gyal a Freak
Q Da Fool/Zaytoven-Private
Skepta/Wizkid-Energy (Stay Far Away)
Rexx Life Raj/E-40-Sprinkle Me
Boosie Badazz-I Know How To Have A Good Time

Here for a Boosie zydeco album.

GlokkNine-Fiesta
Lil Baby/Moneybagg Yo-All of a Sudden
Gunna-No Joke
Valee/Dro Fe-Spondivits
Roddy Ricch-Die Young
Dexta Daps-Weak To You
Future/King Louie/Chance The Rapper-My Peak
DaBaby-Blank Blank
Key-Boss
Lil Peep-Runaway
Olamide-Motigbana
Aidonia-Breeze
Wiz Khalifa-Late Night Messages

Somehow, Wiz Khalifa has been able to sneak into my rotation two years in a row. Last year, I could blame my love for “Something New” on Ty Dolla Sign but this was the one song off Rolling Papers 2 that felt special to me, outside of the Jimmy Wopo collaboration.

Nipsey Hussle/Konshens-Succa Proof
Kosm1c-Toyosi
Mayorkun-Tearing Rubber
Rico Nasty-Countin Up
FBG Young/FBG Dutchie-Whats The Word

Duck got most of the attention this year but the FBG guys have great taste in production. The FBG Young tape has keepers, this one stuck to my ribs all year.

Duwap Kaine-Phone
Playboi Carti/Gunna-No Time
Mozzy/Yhung T.O./Too $hort/DCMBR-Excuse Me

This technically came out in 2017, as part of the Mozzy/T.O. EP but it took on a life of its own and ended up being included on Gangland Landlord, so it feels okay to include.

Skooly-Lawyer Fees
Aidonia-Big Baller (Benzema)
DloWith3Hoes / Shmichyy-100 Band Lick
10cellphones-Too Busy
ALLBLACK/03 Greedo-Florida Gator
T.K. Kravitz/Jacquees-Ocean
Peezy-Back End
Drego & Beno-Marxo-Bittie
Ty Money-First Day Out
Yung Pinch/YG-Big Checks
Mozzy/CashLordMess-What We Pissin
Splurge-Intro Part 2
Yella Beezy/Lil Baby-Up One
‘LGado-What/Flow

Technically two songs but the video is one of my favorites of the year and now I can’t hear one without wanting to hear the other.

Willie The Kid/Lil Eto-Heather Grey
Janelle Monae-Django Jane
Young Dolph-Slave Owner
BlocBoy JB-Rover
Ness Nite-Flex On Me
Afro B-Je T’aime
03 Greedo-100 100 100
SuckaFreeJuice-Dis & Dat

It takes guts to attempt a Michael Jackson flip but this is fantastic.

Migos/2 Chainz-Too Playa

I didn’t include Culture II on the albums list because its overstuffed and takes a bit to get going (feels like a lot of the early songs follow the “Quavo leads off with the hook and first verse” formula) but there’s a good album buried within the flab.

Chief Keef-I Need Mo
Valee-Juice & Gin
Jay Rock-Troopers
Moneybagg Yo/BlocBoy JB-Black Foot
Popcaan-Call Me
Yhung T.O.-Diamonds
Westside Gunn/Jadakiss-Gods Don’t Die
Rich Homie Quan-Changed
Lil Uzi Vert-New Patek
Rod Wave-Heart 4 Sale
YungManny-Missile
Gunna/Lil Baby-Sold Out Dates
Kiddo Marv/City Girls-Real Drip
Trouble-Krazy
Xanman-Drug Man
Phyno/Wale-NWA
Kranium-No Odda
Wizkid/Ceeza Milli/Terri/Spotless-Soco
Papee Lovee/Lil Baby-No Socks
Sheff G/Sleepy Hallow/Fresh G-Panic (Part 3)
Fetty Wap-Feels So Right
Lil Tjay-Ride For U

You would think more rappers would follow Tjay’s lead and use Afrobeats production to help their music stand out. Runtown-Mad Over You is an inspired choice and Tjay makes the most of it, even someone who loves the original song is bound to dig this.

Drego & Beno-Recipe
03 Greedo/Nef The Pharaoh-Feeling You
Olamide/Wizkid-Kana
Show Dem Camp-Tropicana
Not3s-Just Fine
J-Hus-Dark Vader
Philthy Rich/FMB DZ/Cookie Money-Bet I Could
Lil Wayne-Uproar

Carter 5 was more of a data dump than a proper album but there’s plenty to like. Glad they found a way to smuggle some mixtape Weezy into the mix, it’s been fun to hear this in the wild.