Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2017

By Christopher Norris, Reporter
January 16, 2018

2017 was one of the best years in recent hip-hop history. Many of the biggest names in the industry released studio albums and mixtapes. The music released this year was very well received at Susquehannock High School. However, many students have different opinions on what they think the best album was. For example, junior Will Ogude says Culture, by Migos, was the best album of 2017. “The whole album had quality songs that most people would enjoy,” says Ogude. Culture was a great album, but there are many others with different sounds and styles that can compete for the top spot.

Drake – More Life

Drake. By thecomeupshow [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
It would be hard to make a list of top albums and leave out Drake, as he has proven to be one of the most versatile artists of this generation. His most recent album, More Life, was released on March 18. More Life features a wide variety of sounds that allow Drake to show how dynamic he can be. The album ranges from trap, R&B, to even dancehall music. Drake features many artists on this album with some of the most notable being Kanye West, Young Thug, and Travis Scott. Some of the most popular songs from the album are “Fake Love,” “Passionfruit,” and “Portland.”

Lil Uzi Vert – Luv Is Rage 2

Lil Uzi Vert. By Johny712004 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Lil Uzi Vert is one of the most popular rappers from the XXL Freshman class of 2017. Luv Is Rage 2, released on August 25, is his first studio album. The album is full of catchy trap beats. Uzi’s mix of singing and rapping, when paired with his distinct voice, makes it hard to skip over songs on this album. Some of the most popular tracks on this album are “Neon Guts,” “Dark Queen,” and “XO TOUR Llif3.”

Playboi Carti – Playboi Carti

PLayboi Carti. By The Come Up Show [CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
Playboi Carti is the self-titled commercial mixtape from rapper Playboi Carti who was also a XXL Freshman in 2017. It was released on April 14. Playboi Carti is the epitome of “mumble rap,” which is a rap genre that is quickly taking over the industry. With mumble rap, rappers focus more on flows and ad-libs than clear diction. Where Carti lacks in lyricism, he makes up for in his delivery and flows. The production on this mixtape is second to none. Features from Lil Uzi Vert and A$AP Rocky help add new elements to the tape. A few of the most popular tracks are “New Choppa,” “Flex,” and “Magnolia.” “Magnolia” is arguably one of the most popular songs of 2017.

Joey Bad*$$ – All-Amerikkkan Bad*$$

Joey Bad*$$. By G. Carus (talk) 21:30, Oktober 2013 (UTC) (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Joey Bad*$$ is widely regarded as one of the best lyricists of the new generation. Many of his albums and mixtapes appeal to “old-head” hip-hop fans due to his style being similar to older rappers like Nas and Biggie Smalls. His newest album, All-Amerikkkan Bad*$$, follows the same classic sound, but adds a much deeper message. Joey raps about racial issues and the importance of equality for a large majority of the album. Two of the biggest rappers featuring on this album are J. Cole and ScHoolboy Q. Joey released two singles leading up to the full album. The single titled “Devastated” was one of the most popular songs on the album, and it was musical risk for Joey because it went against his usual style. Devastated is a more mainstream song which is uncommon for Joey.

Tyler, The Creator – Flower Boy

Tyler, The Creator. By PoJay on flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mobstereo/5587077296/) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Flower Boy, the fourth studio album from Tyler, The Creator, was released on July 21. It has gained so much popularity that it is a nominee for best rap album album of 2017. The album is full of soft, dreamy instrumentals. Tyler shows his softer side on this album, as he raps about his love life and the importance of being yourself. Flower Boy gained a lot of buzz early on as speculation came out that this was Tyler’s “coming out” album. While there is no concrete evidence to back this up, it would be interesting because there are currently very few prominent gay rappers. Some of the features on this album include A$AP Rocky and Lil’ Wayne. A couple of the most popular songs are “Who Dat Boy” and “911/Mr. Lonely.”

Kendrick Lamar – D*MN.

Kendrick Lamar. By Merlijn Hoek (wikiportret.nl) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
Kendrick Lamar is regarded by many as the best rapper of the current generation, and some even say he is one of the best of all time. D*MN, his fourth studio album, was released on April 14. It is a nominee for rap album of the year, and album of the year. Kendrick raps about what’s stuck on his mind, or even memories from his childhood. It is constructed in a way that if a listener plays the album in reverse, it tells a completely different story. Some of the biggest features on this album are Rihanna and U2. The entire album is full of memorable songs, but the two that stand out the most to listeners are “DNA” and “Humble.”

Brockhampton – Saturation 1,2,3

Kevin Abstract is one of the most popular group members. By Derek Pulliam (Derek’s Day at a Kevin Abstract show) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Brockhampton was one of the most pleasant surprises of 2017. After the group members met on an online music forum, they took a risk and moved out to California in hopes of making it big in the music industry. Brockhampton is redefining the term “boyband” in a way many have never seen before. After their first mixtape, All-American Trash, released in 2016, Brockhampton decided they wanted to saturate the music industry with three albums in one year. All three Saturation albums have been received extremely well worldwide. It is hard to get sick of their music, as they seem to have mastered numerous genres. Some of the most popular members of the group are Kevin Abstract, Ameer Vann, and Matt Champion. A few of their most popular hits are “Gold,” “Junky,” and “Bleach.”

Migos – Culture

MIgos. By The Come Up Show [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Without a doubt, the most popular rap group in 2017 was Migos. Group members Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff have been able to release hit after hit over the past few years. Their second studio album, Culture, was released on January 27. The trap beats on Culture allow every member to rap in their comfort zone on this project. Migos have never been known for conscious lyrics, but their catchy voices and amazing flows make up for it. Migos have also popularized the phrase “Do it for the culture” with the release of this album. Culture featured other popular artists such as Gucci Mane and Lil Uzi Vert. Some of its most popular songs are “Bad and Boujee” and “Slippery.”

21 Savage, Offset, Metro Boomin – Without Warning

Metro Boomin produced the entire album. Photo by @metroboomin on Instagram

Without Warning, released on October 31, is one of the most popular collaborative albums of the year. One of the most respected producers, Metro Boomin, teamed up with rappers 21 Savage and Offset to create a 10 track album full of dark trap beats. The album truly lives up to its title. The album was announced as a complete surprise to the population. 21 Savage and Offset compliment each other very nicely on this project. Popular rapper Travis Scott and Quavo are featured on this album. A few of the most popular songs are “Ric Flair Drip” and “Rap Saved Me.”

It will be hard for 2018 to be a more memorable year in music than 2017. However, hip-hop fans have a lot to look forward to this year. Migos are rumored to release Culture 2 in January. Also, Travis Scott has been hinting at releasing his newest album, “Astroworld,” for quite some time. Senior Josh Smiley can not wait for A$AP Rocky to release a new album. “Rocky hasn’t dropped an album in over two years,” said Smiley. “His features and appearances with A$AP Mob promise that he hasn’t lost a step.” With many rumored projects to be dropping this year, Susky students should have plenty of music to discuss as the year progresses.