A Hip Hop Snob's Guide to the Best Music of 2018


For about 10 years (roughly 2006-2016) beatmakers were galaxies ahead of MCs as far as being able to produce quality, innovative material that demonstrated artistic maturity. It appears MCs are finally beginning to close that gab.  Some of that is thanks to new talented MCs appearing on the scene (Griselda, Mach Hommy, the continued genius of Roc Marciano, to name a few); while the rest of the credit can be given to known quantities who seem to have figured out how to do what seemed to be elusive within Hip Hop; staying current as an "older" MC without acting like you're in your 20's.

As a music lover, I feel absolutely spoiled by 2018. Below are a variety of categories that capture albums released in 2018 that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you familiarize yourself with (if you're not already familiar).

Raps and Beats (Mostly in order of release date)
Spencer for Hire - Vic Spencer
Weather or Not - Evidence
In Celebration of Us - Skyzoo
Bulletproof Luh - Mach Hommy
Jericho Jackson - Jericho Jackson (Krysis and Elzhi)
Rosebud's Revenge 2: The Bitter Dose - Roc Marciano
The Black Tape - Conway
FlyGod is Good...All the Time (EP) - Westside Gun and Mr. Green
Czarface Meets Metal Face - Czarface and MF Doom
Consumers Park - Chuck Strangers
Daytona - Pusha T
Streams of Thought Vol. 1 (EP) - Black Thought
Nasir - Nas
Supreme Blientele - Westside Gunn
Frozen Angels - Meyhem Lauren and DJ Muggs
Daffi - Jeremiah Jae
Orpheus vs. The Sirens - Hermit and the Recluse (Ka and Animoss)
Paraffin (feat. Billy Woods and Elucid) - Armand Hammer
Behold a Dark Horse - Roc Marciano
Walking on Water - Elcamino
Chinese Algebra - Mach Hommy and Tha God Fahim
Kaos - Roc Marciano and DJ Muggs
Hitler Wears Hermes 6 - Westside Gunn
Notorious Dump Legends - Mach Hommy and Tha God Fahim
Streams of Thought 2 - Black Thought
Tana Talk 3 - Benny the Butcher

Beats, Hold the Raps (Mostly in order of release date)
Beat at the Table - Koreatown Oddity
Gladwemet (EP) - Knxwledge
GT.2 - Knxwledge
Stargate Music - Ras G
Happysad - Kiefer
Low - Jansport J
Believe - Ghost McGrady
Rooster - Koreatown Oddity
Holy Ghost - Budgie
Yuletide Bangerz - Jonwayne


Beats Lead, Raps Follow (Producer lead albums with MCs)
Lunch Meat (EP) - Alchemist
Soul Assassins: Dia Del Asesinato - DJ Muggs
Dntaskmefrshit - Knxwledge
Thug Ballads - J. Rocc
Share My Bed - J. Rocc
Fetti - Alchemist/Curren$y/Freddie Gibbs
Bread - Alchemist


On Some Other Ish (Mostly in order of release date)
Adrian Younge Presents Voices of Gemma - Adrian Younge
Piano and a Microphone 1983 - Prince
Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album - John Coltrane
And Yet It's All Love - Fatima

Awards after the jump.


Stay Away from My Favorite Artist Award
Tha God Fahim (Mach Hommy)
Kanye West (at least keep your vocals away from Nas)

I Hate that Your Music is So Good that I Follow You on Social Media Award
Westside Gunn

I Thought You'd Make the List, But You Didn't Award
Anderson Paak
PRhyme
2018 Baker's Dozen releases
Earl the Sweatshirt

Lil Mixes Award (2018 Albums Most Enjoyed By My Daughter)
Piano and a Microphone 1983 - Prince
Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album - John Coltrane
And Yet It's All Love - Fatima 
Happysad - Kiefer
Low - Jansport J
Believe - Ghost McGrady

Introspection Award
Jericho Jackson - Jericho Jackson (Krysis and Elzhi)
In Celebration of Us - Skyzoo
Daffi - Jeremiah Jae
Orpheus vs. The Sirens - Hermit and the Recluse (Ka and Animoss)

Inspired My Mixtape Style Award
Beat at the Table - Koreatown Oddity
Stargate Music - Ras G
Low - Jansport J
Rooster - Koreatown Oddity

Until My Tape Went Pop Award
Bulletproof Luh - Mach Hommy
Rosebud's Revenge 2: The Bitter Dose - Roc Marciano
Soul Assassins: Dia Del Asesinato - DJ Muggs
Behold a Dark Horse - Roc Marciano
Kaos - Roc Marciano and DJ Muggs

Kings of 18 Award
Roc Marciano
DJ Muggs
Alchemist

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