THE BEST HIP HOP ALBUMS OF 2020 ...SO FAR

 

 

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With each new month, 2020 brings the world a list full of new surprises, and most of them haven’t been positive. Luckily, we made it to November.  But even amidst all of the chaos that persists in the world, nationwide protests, a global pandemic, a presidential election that had everyone’s stress levels at an all-time high, and no sign of live concerts happening any time soon, there has been no shortage of great albums this year.

DX is narrowing down the endless amount of music released during the course of the year to the essentials, providing readers with a list of the must-listen projects. The team at DX highlights some of their favorite albums this year so far. This month’s list includes new work from the dynamic duo 21 Savage & Metro Boomin’, Benny The Butcher and the late King Von, who tragically passed away on November 6, 2020.

Check out our other lists:

Best R&B Albums Of 2020 …(so far)

Best Hip Hop Songs Of 2020 …(so far)

To see which albums qualify for this list’s contention, scroll to the bottom.

THE TOP HIP HOP ALBUMS OF 2020 (JANUARY – OCTOBER)

Contributing writers: Trent Clark, Kyle Eustice, Justin Ivey, Josh Svetz, Dana Scott, Brandon Caldwell, David Brake, Kenan Draughorne, Devon Jefferson, Michael Saponara & Jeremy Hecht.

Savage Mode – 21 Savage & Metro Boomin’



21 Savage and super producer Metro Boomin reunited for Savage Mode II, a sequel to their wildly successful Savage Mode from 2016. 21 appears to have matured in almost every way imaginable on this project. He’s finely tuned his dry, unflinching humor, his delivery has gotten crisper and his new confidence even allows him to sing hooks with ease. Metro too is pushed outside of his typical comfort zone and despite the fact he’s already released troves of music with 21, each beat sounds fresh and perfectly suited for 2020. Hit play on “Many Men” and “Runnin” for two of the best tracks on the album.

Welcome To O’Block – King Von



King Von’s life was tragically cut short in Atlanta on November 6, immediately before his career path reached its narrative arc. Von was the flagship artist of fellow Chicago native Lil Durk’s Only The Family imprint and gained traction as one of rap’s increasingly respected lyricists before his highly anticipated debut album Welcome To O’Block was released on October 30. Von detailed his sordid upbringing and past legal drama in the Windy City’s gang-riddled South Side over rumbling drill beats. This includes his dramatic singles about betrayals in romance and friendship (“Mad At You” featuring Dreezy, “Why He Told”), poignant stories of dealing with incarceration (“The Code” featuring Polo G, “Wayne’s Story”) and ironically avoiding death daily and cherishing loved ones (“I Am What I Am” featuring Fivio Foreign, “You Can’t Relate”).

Burden of Proof – Benny The Butcher



The Griselda wave continues with the most commercially successful album of their 2020 catalog Burden of Proof, a joint effort between Griselda captain Benny The Butcher and veteran producer Hit-Boy. More polished than The Plugs I Met, Benny’s 2019 cult classic Burden of Proof proves the Buffalo MC can rap on more than just grimy 90s-inspired beats. Hit-Boy’s instrumentals provides an ornate foundation for Benny to rap over, and the result is wondrous. Listen to the Freddie Gibbs-assisted “One Way Flight” and the title track “Burden of Proof” to fully understand Benny’s vision.

Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God – Busta Rhymes



Over two decades after Busta Rhymes released his platinum-selling 1oth LP, E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front, the 48-year-old MC returns with the sequel, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, his first release in 11 years. Sitting at a hearty 22 songs (26 on the deluxe version), the project packs some incredible collaborators (both on the bars and beats). Most notably, there’s the standout masterpiece “Look Over Your Shoulder” featuring Kendrick Lamar — which is no doubt poised to become a catalog staple as it ages. If this is the last lap for the celebrated OG, he leaves fans with ample gems to add to their list of reasons why he remains amongst the greats.

The Sharecroppers Daughter – Sa-Roc



After over a decade in the game, Sa-Roc’s new studio album The Sharecropper’s Daughter feels like a true breakout. Arguably her highest-profile and most refined project to date, the album serves as her Rhymesayers debut, despite signing with the label in 2016. Produced entirely by Atlanta producer Sol Messiah (except the Evidence-produced “Deliverance”), there’s a reserved yet incredibly poignant list of guests, including LOX member Styles P and reggae artist Chronixx. G.O.A.T. contender Black Thought also sparkles on the project’s timeliest jewel “Black Renaissance.” The consistency of the boom bap-tinged production and the maturity and depth of Sa-Roc’s pen game further proves she’s one of the most slept of lyricists in her lane.

 

Seven Times Down Eight Times Up – Elzhi



Elzhi reminded Hip Hop fans why he’s one of the most skilled lyricists to ever grace a microphone on his new album Seven Times Down Eight Times Up. Over the production of JR Swiftz, the former Slum Village MC showcased his intricate wordplay and spellbinding storytelling on his first solo album since 2016. The LP is not only one of the best Hip Hop releases of 2020 but also Elzhi’s finest work since The Preface.  

Spilligion – Spillage Village



Spillage Village, the supergroup from Atlanta which consists of J.I.D., EarthGang, Hollywood JB, Jurdan Bryant, Mereba, 6LACK and Benji, came together last month to release Spilligion, the dream team’s first release since 2016’s cult-classic Bears Like This Too Much. The Atlanta rappers trade bars atop funk, R&B and soul-inspired instrumentals. Spilligion reminds us that underground Atlanta rap won’t be underground for much longer.

From King To A God – Conway The Machine

The Griselda wave continues with From King To A God, the latest from Buffalo rapper Conway The Machine. A teaser for his Shady Records debut God Don’t Make Mistakes, FKTAG puts Conway in his prime alongside features from Griselda members Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher and Armani Caesar as well as legends in New York rap such as Lloyd Banks and Method Man. Alongside beefing up his bars, Conway is pushing himself outside of his comfort zone on FKTAG with an array of beats from Erick Sermon, Havoc and DJ Premier.

 

King’s Disease – Nas



Master P rhetorically asked in BET’s No Limit Chronicles documentary that aired in July, “the music business changes every three to five years. Are you ready for it?” Nas proves he’s been a well-armored god-body for over 25 years on his 10th studio album King’s Disease. Through most of 13-track playlist, Nas gracefully wades the waters with Hit-Boy, bringing lessons and elite artists from the past and present while pivoting towards rap’s future. 

Limbo – Aminé



Aminé brings a little of everything and a lot of emotion on Limbo. His clever wordplay and sincere vocal tone bring you closer to the speaker with each listen, unpacking another layer or detail. Not to mention, featured artists such as Young Thug, Gap Band legend Charlie Wilson and Summer Walker bring their A-game, making for a stellar album all the way through.

Queen Of Da Souf – Mulatto



Atlanta-based rapper Mulatto continues her phenomenal year with Queen of Da Souf, her widely anticipated follow-up to 2018’s Mulatto. Dripping with sexuality and feminine power, the twenty-one-year-old rapper makes a solid case for the throne. Mulatto doesn’t need a cosign, but with salacious verses from City Girls, Gucci Mane and 21 Savage, she seemingly has the entirety of Atlanta in her corner.

Top Shotta – NLE Choppa



Memphis newcomer NLE Choppa has taken 2020 by storm. He’s received a prestigious nomination for XXL‘s 2020 Freshman list and has found some inner peace thanks to meditation. Top Shotta, the debut from Choppa, highlights the maturity developed by the 17-year-old rapper. Top Shotta tells the tale of the long life Choppa has already lived at the young age of 17. Choppa’s bars, all-star features from the likes of Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch and Chief Keef and star-studded production from CashMoneyAP and Chapo make this project one of 2020’s best.

The OutRunners – Curren$y & Harry Fraud



Mixtape king Curren$y seemingly raps through a room of smoke in a lackadaisical fashion, making rapping almost look too easy. With Harry Fraud on the production, The OutRunners is cohesive and polished without sacrificing the underground sound that makes Curren$y so captivating. Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, Jim Jones and Conway The Machine all deliver rock-solid features. Highlights on the album include “Riviera Beach” and “Cutlass Cathedrals.”

RTJ4 – Run The Jewels

There couldn’t have been a more appropriate time for Killer Mike and El-P to emerge from their short hiatus and gift the world with new music. A crumbling economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the increasing high unemployment rate and the civil unrest over police brutality have made an album that rails against the powers that be a necessity. With Run The Jewels 4, the ATLien and New York felon do not disappoint, raging against societal inequalities, judicial injustices and calling out American traditionalism like the slave masters posted on our dollars. An early album of the year candidate, RTJ’s 4th installment asserts their dominance as being one of the go-to groups to throw on when fed up with the system and imbalance of America’s government practices; because every revolution needs a soundtrack.

The GOAT – Polo G



Nobody likes a sophomore slump, including Polo G. The young Chicago spitter built on his existing strengths and drew a line in the sand with his hardbody second studio album, THE GOAT. Whether it’s floating through Windy City streets on “33,” solidifying his love life on “Martin & Gina” or working through the pain on “No Matter What,” Polo G always raps with conviction and passion. The album is also backed by star-studded production from Mustard, Mike Will Made-It, Murda Beatz, Nick Mira and that’s just the m’s.

Alfredo – Freddie Gibbs



There may not be a better rapper going than Freddie Gibbs. Alfredo, his fourth project in the last two years trades Madlib production for that of Alchemist and Gibbs continues to be lightyears ahead of his contemporaries. “Michael Jordan, 1985, bitch I’m travelin’ with a cocaine circus,” he raps along spaghetti western guitar strings on “1985.” The 10-track quick-strike from Gibbs has already slotted itself into Album of the Year contention as the ESGN leader flaunts in and out of pockets with Rick Ross (“Scottie Beam”), Benny The Butcher (“Frank Lucas”), Tyler, the Creator (“Something To Rap About”) and Conway (“Babies & Fools”) and excels at every turn. If you’re a guest on a Gibbs project, it immediately becomes an event. We thought Gibbs had reached a max level of no skip with Bandana. He’s taken that to another level on Alfredo.

Pray For Paris – Westside Gunn

Much of the Westside Gunn story has already been written in stone. He’s established a dedicated following as the founder of Griselda Records and introduced the world to multiple talents such as Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher. Yet WSG took his biggest step toward a wider audience with Pray For Paris, releasing the most accessible album of his career — even more than the Griselda crew’s Shady Records debut WWCD. While he certainly hasn’t abandoned what’s worked so far, Pray For Paris expands WSG’s scope by getting contributions from the likes of Tyler, The Creator and Wale. The LP is the ideal entry point for listeners who haven’t jumped on the Griselda bandwagon but doesn’t compromise the foundation of what WSG has built.That makes it a great listen for newcomers and dedicated listeners alike, which is exactly what Westside needs to expand his influence in music industry

That's all for today #WhatsHotOnBuzz #InfluencerOnBoombuzz #FreshMusic #hiphopmusic #somethingtowatch