So I think I've got my hip-hop albums sorted out for the year. I restricted it to five albums that are (relatively) easy to label "hip-hop," because once I started putting Frank Ocean and Kaytranada in there it fucked everything up and I was asking myself, "where does it end?" If Kay and Frank then why not Solange, Beyoncé, etc.?

So fuck it... these are my hip-hop albums of the year:

1. Kanye West - The Life of Pablo
2. A Tribe Called Quest - We Got it From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service
3. Common - Black America Again
4. Kendrick Lamar - untitled unmastered.
5. Chance the Rapper - Coloring Book
6. ScHoolboy Q - Blank Face LP
7. Danny Brown - Atrocity Exhibition
8. Vince Staples - Prima Donna EP
9. Ka - Honor Killed the Samurai
10. Isaiah Rashad - The Sun's Tirade

[EDITED: for Ka]

you always talk about how punk/indie you were. I bet you were into STP and Prodigy in the 90's you can't fool me. you were that annoying guy in high school that loved "FireStarter" and Foo Fighter songs. admit it.

I like most of the first Foos album and "Setting Sun" by the Chemical Brothers. I'm not sure what else to say to this. I'm too punk and/or indie for whatever you're going for right now.

I'm just so very indie, because that's a thing.

exactly.

I still listen to Foo Fighters so whatevs.

This was a weird year. A LOT of hip hop releases and I'm not sure I could actually make a Top 10 hip hop albums. :|

I think my actual Top 10 ALBUMS of the year is going to be pretty... weird.

You said it friend.

You know, now that I made that list I remember that there was this super chill album by Ka that came out in August called Honor Killed the Samurai. It's so mellow and dark and minimal that I didn't even think about it when ranking albums, but I think I might like it more than the bottom three albums on that list!

Actually, NR, you should check it out on Spotify. It's somewhat reminiscent of Wu-Tang in terms of production, only with a MUCH more chilled out vibe and no vocal craziness. I think you'd really like it!

There was also that free album by Kamaiyah, which is available for free on her website. It's pretty fuckin' gangster, but parts of it remind me of Outkast and MIA when she's good. I think that album deserves some fanfare.

Re: Foos

Say what you want about the Foo Fighters (that they embody all that's wrong with American rock, that they have made some of the most embarrassingly bland music of the last 20 years, that Dave Grohl has sullied the memory of Nirvana — all true), BUT their first album was pure ear candy from start to finish. I don't care what anyone says, or how non "punk and indie" (deep!) it might make me, but I will always have a soft spot for that record. Also "My Hero," late-’90s power ballady as it may be.

Oh, yeah.. this too. Big time. Been thinking about my list a lot, and it's gonna be pretty all over the place.

Skipped my Senior prom to go see that first album's tour. Never once have regretted the decision. That album was everything my little 18 yo self needed at the time, and I loved it. Was saddened how far downhill they slid, but meh, this is a hip-hop thread. I will leave it at that.

Ka is good shit. I haven't heard his last album but I really liked Grief Pedigree from a few years ago.

I think your list is a fair presentation of hip hop in 2016. Lil Big Pac, Everybody Looking and SremmLife 2 did it for me, personally.. but I just like my share of ignorant, hood, party hip hop records. *shrug*

Honestly, I think Everybody Looking is as good as post jail Gucci is going to get. His music is pretty repetitive and his last two projects prove that he's no more than a one trick pony, but it works for me. But anyway.. if you don't like it, Gucci probably isn't for you, period.

started watching the beginning of a Hip Hop history documentary series on Netflix and they spent too much time talking to pedo Bambaataa

The drugged up vibe of Gucci's older works is basically gone at this point though. His voice also lacks the oomph that he had back when he was fat and on lean.

I enjoyed Everybodu Looking as SremmLife 2 but not enough to put them above anything on that list.

In fact I'm going to edit to replace Keith with Ka. Keith has been on plenty of my lists. His new album was good, but ultimately kind of forgettable. Not as good as Time? Astonishing! upon further inspection.

Danny's album was good. Really good. Better musically than Blank Face LP, but also very hard to listen to from beginning to end, while Blank Face is full of fucking ear candy.

Sad that the new De La Soul and that A$AP Mob album and other promising releases didn't really hold up that well. That A$AP album had some fine moments, but quickly revealed itself to be extremely redundant and pandering a bit to the lowest common denominator. Gone are the bracing beats and full-bodied production of Rocky's first two albums. I'm not saying he's done, but Cozy Tapes felt like a record with very little at stake. Like a collection of Rocky outtakes.

Sad, that.

Especially considering how good the LORD singles were that got scrapped.

Yeah. The album (Cozy Tapes) is OK ... defnintely not bad... but back in 2013 Rocky had one of the best, freshest albums in rap. "OK" doesn't cut it. Too bad.

Drake on Gucci's new tape:

"Shoutout Yacty, but this ain't a lil boat"

Ha. This is on par with the Chaining Tatum line.

Ever since Yams passed away I knew this day would come. He was the musical ear and creative mind behind all A$AP projects.

right right... I LIKE Cozy Tapes. I like it a lot actually. But it is one of three records fighting for the spot of #10 on my Top 10 list this year. Y'know? It's a good album. It's solid. There's no duds.

BUT as a bit of an A$AP Mob obsesso, I've come to expect mind-blow each time out. LORD knows they make us wait long enough for proper releases.

Love this new Hodgy song and video, what a nice surprise, so peaceful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZb2Gw01tp4