TOP 5 RAP ALBUMS OF 2024
GNX by Kendrick Lamar
Many view this record as a victory lap, a boisterous stamp on a helluva MVP season filled with plentiful highs and quotables. At its core, though, GNX is a rangy declaration against impartiality; the 12-track, 44-minute juggernaut is a posture toward substantiating identity and revitalizing cultural temperament. From the title to the production to the features to the flows, Kendrick sources his West Coast roots and seeks his moral compass. On ‘wacced out murals,’
Kendrick utters, “I drew the line and decimals,”
endorsing a division amongst him, Drake and any and everybody that picked a side. Underneath the flair, though, GNX is a metamorphosis of sorts—a reincarnation, one might say. Kendrick not only embodies the idea of his evolution but champions it. He seems hyper-aware of his current position and reifies his status as the rap vigilante, willing to burn everything to the ground just to start anew.
GNX doesn’t inherit the thick and unyielding endeavoring of something as complex, ambitious, and zealous as To Pimp a Butterfly. It may not conceptually pry on the virtues of its narrator, such as a good kid, m.A.A.d city – but as years pass, I think this record will not only be celebrated but compulsory and essential in its undertaking towards bringing West Coast rap back to the mainstage.
Kendrick Lamar is no longer just a rap superstar; he’s a flag bearer and Left Coast representative who has reignited the importance of regional influence.
Pinball by MIKE & Tony Seltzer.
The beauty of MIKE’s Pinball lies in its display of ambidexterity — make no mistake: MIKE is a rapper’s rapper. Often, he serves as a dense provocateur of contemporary boom-bap, a baton handler of drudged lo-fi angularity. On Pinball, though, MIKE esteems a juxtaposing bravado. Throughout the brisk 21-minute journey, Tony Seltzer laces MIKE with animated, buoyant loops, challenging the MC to adopt a lighter mood, and muted landing. The result is a composition brimming with spirit and playful solitude, exemplifying MIKE’s versatility and resourceful resolve, pronounced in his expressive curiosity.
A standout track, “Reminiscing,” features fellow Brooklyn rapper Jay Critch and showcases the synergy between MIKE, Seltzer, and their collaborators. The sparse, melodic production, bolstered by additional credits from Dylvinci, conjures a soundscape reminiscent of prime Zaytoven. Both rappers shine as they playfully dismantle the beat with braggadocio bars and standout lines like:
“Big muscles, b*tch, I could squeeze you an onion,”
“Stay with that iron like Cheadle.”
Pinball feels aptly titled, embodying the art of bouncing seamlessly between creative pockets with finesse. It may play like an appetizer, however, it leaves the audience thoroughly satisfied—a testament to MIKE’s ability to craft something compact yet impactful. At the same time, it builds anticipation, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what’s yet to come.
Casts of a Dreamer by 454
The most unconventional release on the list comes from 454, also known as Squills, an underground rapper from Florida whose edge is as razor-sharp as his skateboarding tricks. Unrestrained by the confines of mainstream rap, he's crafted an acoustic landscape that nods to Kanye's once-loved "chipmunk soul" but with a twist—manipulating the pitch of his vocals instead of the instrumental. His sound is a bit of an acquired taste, though it's unequivocally invigorating once you adapt to its boldness. Casts of a Dreamer, released via SoundCloud and YouTube as one continuous file just over an hour long, also debuted in a slightly different format on cassette for a limited time. The project feels more like a reflective output of thoughts and musings that takes listeners on an audacious journey through shifting tempos and kaleidoscopic soundscapes—from start to finish, it weaves through experimental beats, unpredictable flows, as an evolving atmosphere bursting with effervescence.
454 trudges through sample flips, crafting vivid backdrops with elastic production, fueled mainly by his prowess, while racing through instrumentals with vigor and precision. It's worth noting that 454 is no novice as a producer. As a teenager, he produced 'YUNGXANHOE' for a then-emerging Playboi Carti, and more recently, contributed to Freddie Gibbs' You Only Die 1nce. His breakthrough came in 2021 when Frank Ocean embedded 454's project 4Real into Homer's web page, Ocean's independent luxury company. This exposure propelled him into the spotlight, solidifying his place as a multifaceted artist to watch.
Here, on Casts of a Dreamer, 454 builds on all his momentum, offering his audience a beautiful and transporting stream of consciousness. Tracks like "PAIN," which kicks in at 10:22, are deeply purging reflections on past traumas. He voices, "…this life sh*t get so tragic, lookin' up to God, I pray he bring my ni**as back quick." The song then seamlessly bleeds into a tale of Squills in a high-speed chase with Florida's police, where he's forced to jump out, run on foot, and hide in the bushes. Moments like these truly showcase his dexterity—his ability to make heavy, ugly topics sound boppy and digestible.
I look forward to hearing what he has next as his storytelling and production continue to evolve in exciting and unexpected ways, hinting at even deeper explorations into his life and artistry.
Chromakopia by Tyler the Creator
Tyler, the Creator's Chromokopia, meticulously explores his ideas of freedom and the nuanced ramifications of those freedoms within the context of his abridged successes. Tyler traverses through his own bouncy production and contextualizes his present-day impulse, all the while acknowledging potential shortcomings. Throughout the journey of Chromakopia, Tyler dismantles the caricature(s) and worlds he's constructed and instead limelights his intimacy.
On the cut, Hey Jane, Tyler dives deep into his personal history, using the song as a canvas to reflect on a past relationship with raw, unflinching honesty. The lyrics unfold like a confessional, where Tyler candidly explores the complexities of love, regret, and the unintended consequences of intimacy—precisely, the sudden reality of an unexpected pregnancy. Tyler doesn't shy away from addressing the weight of these heavy topics, like the possibility of abortion, the emotional gravity of impending fatherhood, and the sheer unpredictability of life. These moments carry a palpable tension, showcasing a profound self-awareness as Tyler confronts both his past decisions and the identities he's still grappling with.
Truthfully, Chromokopia becomes not just an exploration of self but a raw reckoning with the complex realities of adulthood and the paths that define our freedoms. On the track Tomorrow, Tyler wages the stark contrast between the genuine, everyday happiness of those around him and the shallow, external markers of success.
In the second verse, he raps, "They sharin' pictures of these moments, shit is really cute, And all I got is photos of my 'Rari and some silly suits."
In the end, it seems Tyler is questioning whether all these achievements—these material symbols of success—are enough to provide him with the deeper, more fulfilling connections he's missing. Yet, he continually pushes and pulls on the idea that his freedom—his autonomy and ability to define and redefine his path—remains more important than anything else, even if it comes at the cost of emotional fulfillment.
Saaheem by Sahbabii
Undoubtedly one of rap's most enigmatic and provocative figures, King Squid makes his long-awaited return with a fiery, idiosyncratic journey that proves every bit worth the wait. Sahbabii establishes himself as the epicenter of this sonic universe, soaring through innumerable altitudes to flex his ideation. The second track, Viking, immediately seizes the listener's attention with its aggressive, punchy flow. Sahbabii's tonality and precision are striking, commanding the space with a rugged, even proclamatory of regeneration and an impending era.
On All the Way, the fifth track, he asserts, "I influence the influence, can't forget about us, p*ssy n**a we chose," making it clear he's not just demanding his due recognition—he's taking it back with no hesitation. Much of what works here — is what works with his artistry at large; his facetious aroma preemptively asserts an organic boldness and often joy — though what makes this record in particular special is the refined sustenance packaged in its seams. Sahbabii radiates emotional connection through his performance; a cathartic depth lures the listener in and keeps them there. 1095 Osborne St is nearly a zeitgeist to 2014 Thug; the slugging vocals and the drowsy production almost put the audience in a trance. Yet, the song remains true enough that it doesn't lose its personality.
Saaheem is undeniably a standout record, and the response speaks for itself: Sahbabii's monthly Spotify listeners have surged by nearly 90% in just a few weeks. With any luck, this momentum will enhance his visibility and propel him toward even greater creative output.
