Top 10 Best Rap Albums of 2018

2018 was a year that had a lot to offer, from lyrical geniuses making their comebacks to newcomers shaking up the scene.

Whether you're into old-school vibes, trap beats, or conscious rap, 2018 had a little bit of everything. So grab your headphones and get ready to explore some serious beats and rhymes, because we're about to delve into a year that was a smorgasbord of hip-hop goodness.

The Top Ten

Kamikaze - Eminem

It's been a long time since Em allowed himself to just go in the booth and vent. That's why this is the best album for many people. Every name had a reason, and every issue (like ghostwriters, copycats, skim reviews, disrespecting OGs, etc.) was pissing Em off. And his skills are still incredible.
Kids See Ghosts - Kids See Ghosts

Easily one of the better albums of this year. The song production is very creative and works excellently with the combination of Cudi and Kanye.

People don't realize this list is about music, not the political opinions of the artist.
Ta13oo - Denzel Curry

I really do not get all the hate you guys are giving this amazing album. It takes us on an adventure through Denzel's dark thoughts, his ego, and the insight of his alter ego Ta13oo. The album is separated into three parts: light, grey, and dark. It starts and ends with the same static, symbolizing the cycle of life. Denzel gives us egotistic, political, angry, and depressing songs. This album is purely genius. 10/10.

The album where Denzel finally started getting some recognition and also when he started to really improve as a lyricist.
Ysiv - Logic

Bobby killed it! Love the old-school production.

Great album, definitely should be higher than Ta13oo or Kids See Ghosts.
KOD - J. Cole

Some good songs, but the album as a whole could've been better. Not one of my personal favorites of 2018. Hopefully, Cole's next album will be better, but I'm a little worried since he's been working with all the trash rappers lately (21 Savage, Moneybagg Yo).
Dicaprio 2 - J.I.D
Waylon & Willie 2 - Jelly Roll & Struggle Jennings

Definitely a lot better than most of the "mainstream" hip-hop albums this year. You can actually understand the words and relate to what they're saying. It actually has a point, isn't just randomness, and it sounds good.
No Question - Apollo Brown & Locksmith

Even though this was only an EP, it is still one of the best projects released this year and is better than all of the 7-track "albums" produced by that wack job Kanye West. Locksmith's technical and conscious lyrics, combined with Apollo Brown's classic hip-hop production, make this a very enjoyable listen.
Some Rap Songs - Earl Sweatshirt

Not only the best rap album of 2018 but also probably the best album of 2018. It's a masterpiece.

Some Rap Songs is simply one of the best rap albums ever.
Care for Me - Saba

The Newcomers

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A Breukelen Story - Masta Ace & Marco Polo
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Awon & Phoniks - The Actual Proof

The Contenders

Daytona - Pusha T

Cold, mechanical street raps. This isn't the album for Aubrey's Angels or street-ignorant cats. This is for the hustlers and the real street Gs. The beats were fire, and King Push tore them apart. Drake stans stay losing.
Swimming - Mac Miller
No News is Good News - Phonte

Should be number 1, but everyone sleeps on Phonte.

Get this to number 1! Best rap album of 2018.
Astroworld - Travis Scott

I think there should be a separate category for albums like this. I'm not going to say people can't enjoy it, but I just wouldn't classify it as hip-hop in the same sense as I would a Logic or J. Cole.

Life is about trying new things. If you old heads don't want to try new things and don't accept new-school rap with autotune, you should give this masterpiece a chance.
Stokeley - Ski Mask the Slump God
Drogas Wave - Lupe Fiasco
Weather or Not - Evidence
Iridescence - Brockhampton
Lil Wyte - Lil Wyte

This is probably the best from Wyte since Still Doubted or No Filter. Wyte was starting to fall off over the past few years, but I think he's finding himself again. It's not as good as Doubt Me Now or Phynally Famous, but it's still decent. I only wish it were longer than just 12 tracks.
Edit: Actually, after really going back, I've realized that Still Doubted was Wyte's weakest album lyrically. This is definitely a better album as a whole, even though Still Doubted still has some good songs on it. His lyricism was at its weakest on that album, and I'm glad he's finally getting back his bars. Still Doubted was honestly an album that I liked back when I liked trap music, but now that I don't really like trap music anymore, it's his weakest album.
FM! - Vince Staples
Veteran - JPEGMAFIA
Tha Carter V - Lil Wayne

Okay, at first, when this dropped, it seemed very underwhelming, but it's actually a lot better than the crap Wayne usually releases. It just wasn't that great for a comeback album. I have to say, whoever is ghostwriting for Wayne these days is doing a good job because Wayne hasn't rapped this well since the Carter II days, when he had ghostwriters writing his lyrics. I can never forget the awfulness that Wayne unleashed on the world from 2008 all the way through 2013, so compared to that, this really seems impressive.
Streams of Thought Vol. 2 - Black Thought & Salaam Remi

Well, damn, this is a masterpiece! Better than the first one.
Testing - A$ap Rocky
Ali - Locksmith