Favorite Rap & Hip-Hop Albums | AllMusic 2023 in Review

Aesop Rock

Integrated Tech Solutions

More reflective and impressionist than dystopian, the mainly self-produced effort is themed around technology's impact on humanity.

Agust D

D-Day [Version A]

The official studio full-length debut from the BTS rapper features emotional introspection and matured production.

Armand Hammer

We Buy Diabetic Test Strips

Dense, dystopian experimental hip-hop from the innovative duo and a lengthy cast of guest musicians, rappers, and producers.

Big Freedia

Central City

Triumphant -- and fun as hell -- sophomore full-length from the mainstream ambassador of New Orleans bounce.

Big Scarr

The Secret Weapon

Posthumous album from the Memphis rapper, whose star was rising right as his life ended far too soon.

Black Thought / El Michels Affair

Glorious Game

Typically riveting work from the Roots MC combined with bandleader Michels' surprising and effective use of sample-based productions.

Danny Brown

Quaranta

The Detroit rapper's sixth album takes on a melancholy tone as he examines deep regrets, self-doubt, and a full spectrum of undiluted emotions.

Danny Brown / JPEGMAFIA

Scaring the Hoes

Collaborative album from two of rap's more experimental players that is marked by dense, risk-taking production and a chaotic catchiness.

DPR Ian

Dear Insanity...

The atmospheric and moody sophomore EP from the Australian K-pop auteur.

Gucci Mane

Breath of Fresh Air

Living up to its title, this 16th set from the Atlanta trap king features a more positive outlook on life and a slew of standout guests.

Kenny Segal / billy woods

Maps

A vivid travelogue inspired by the rapper's touring experiences.

Kool Keith

Black Elvis 2

The rap visionary revisits one of his key alter egos on the sequel to his 1999 major-label effort.

Lil Yachty

Let's Start Here

This mumble rapper's foray into psychedelic soul is held together by the same curious, open spirit that shone on his best work before it.

Macklemore

Ben

Hardened yet hopeful, this third solo set provides the most vulnerable peek into the pop-rapper's life to date.

MC Yallah

Yallah Beibe

Fearless second album from the multi-lingual Kenyan-Ugandan rapper.

MIKE

Burning Desire

The rapper/producer turns in one of his most accessible and musically nuanced albums while maintaining his roughly hewn, dreamlike style.

Nas

Magic 2

Fifth consecutive collab between legendary New York rapper and gifted producer approaches the level of greatness they achieved with their King's Disease series.

Navy Blue

Ways of Knowing

Enhanced production makes this Brooklyn rapper's meditations on family and the life cycle especially vivid.

Sleepy Hallow

Boy Meets World

The second studio album from the Brooklyn drill rapper gets into unexpected experiments with genre and pop songwriting structures.

Speech Debelle

Sunday Dinner on a Monday

The British rapper ties themes of food and family history into her empowering, reflective lyrics on her fourth album.

The Alchemist / Earl Sweatshirt

Voir Dire

This collaborative project finds a surprisingly complementary pairing between the Alchemist's warm, mellow beats and Earl Sweatshirt's circuitous flows.

The Alchemist / Larry June

The Great Escape

The productive Bay Area rapper teams up with the star producer for a smooth, determined, and creative effort.

The Streets

The Darker the Shadow the Brighter the Light

A satisfying and ambitious comeback stamped with Mike Skinner's undeniable signature.

Travis Scott

UTOPIA

Aided by wildly famous collaborators, the fourth studio album from the multi-platinum rapper strays from his psychedelic trap sound and experiments with new approaches.

Young Nudy

Gumbo

The Atlanta rapper avoids limiting himself to any one style or approach on his minimal, mercurial fourth studio album.

The AllMusic 2023

YearInReview

Collaborations, returns from icons, and international voices all dominate our favorite rap & hip-hop list this year. Check out veterans like Nas, Gucci Mane, and Kool Keith (pictured) alongside relatively new voices Sleepy Hallow, DPR Ian, and MC Yallah.