AllMusic 2014 Year in Review
Favorite Rap and Hip-Hop Albums
2014 was a strong year for rap and hip-hop, featuring excellent output like the second album from El-P and Killer Mike's Run the Jewels, the left-field experimentation of Shabazz Palaces, the exhilarating debut of politically-minded NYC crew Ratking and the rebirth of Big K.R.I.T. Catch up on these and the rest of 2014's best rap and hip-hop albums.
The Black Hippy member skillfully mixes the artful and the gangsta on his third album.
Conceptually restless and stylistically dizzying, the second album from this N.Y.C. artist is a brilliantly strange experience.
Whether it's moody hip-hop or moody electronica depends on the track, but Alias' 2014 effort is dark and down all around.
Founding member Esoteric returns to make major contributions to Vinnie Paz's supergroup on the Pharaohs' best effort to date.
Mature and less mad at the world, the indie hip-hop duo now navigates the dreck and depression of everyday life with flair and wisdom.
Furious drum machines and fierce lyrics combine on the drag queen's delicious debut.
The rapper grows and stuns on his most eclectic and satisfying effort to date.
Hick-hop and horror are brothers in debauchery once again as the rapper returns with his strongest album to date.
It's certainly not a commercial clampdown, but the avant rapper is more approachable than ever on this excellent effort.
Political commentary and artistic freedom power the Puerto Rican hip-hop group's excellent 2014 effort.
The duo's excellent sophomore effort for Tech N9ne's Strange Music label features Wrekonize and Murs among its guests.
Action Bronson, Ab-Soul, and others join the Cool Kids member on his flashy and fun solo debut.
The edgy Memphis rapper uses the strange sound of cloud rap to create something poignant and positive.
Strengthened by intense productions from No I.D. and appearances from fellow Chicago natives, this is some of the rapper's heaviest, hardest work.
Five years off and the literate rapper is all the way live on this welcome return.
J. Cole's discovery makes his stunning debut, led by the singles "Dreams" and "Cody Macc."
The South African electro-freakshow duo return with an album as wild and wonderful as their debut.
The album is a fun-loving affair, frequently switching styles from jazzy, sophisticated R&B workout
The avant producer and the Indiana rapper collaborate on an excellent album that should please both left-field and hardcore rap fans.
The weird and wobbly rapper returns with an excellent sophomore release featuring Drake, Kanye West, and others.
Rapper Grieves shows significant growth on this 2014 release, expanding on his signature style without losing any of his pathos.
Aesop Rock and Rob Sonic return to their supergroup and offer an album on a Run the Jewels level.
The skilled rapper combines street knowledge and progressive lyrics on his proud and vibrant sophomore release.
With hooks, punchlines, and swagger all in abundance, the follies of youth sound utterly fly on the pop-rapper's debut.
Seen It All: The Autobiography
Rick Ross, Game, and Jay-Z join the Atlanta rapper on this excellent effort featuring "Me OK" and "Seen It All."
The Slaughterhouse crew join Ortiz for one of his most personal, and one of his best, efforts to date.
The performance poet/rapper makes their Big Dada debut with a stunning concept album.
Plies, 2 Chainz, and Doe B help Gates deliver his excellent, and official, 2014 mixtape.
The Christian rapper deals with his acceptance in the secular world on this interesting and excellent effort.
No guest artists or filler to be found on the Maryland rapper's stunning autobiographical debut album.
Murs makes his Strange Music debut with help from Mayday! and it's guys night out, turned up to 11.
Full grooves and fresh takes on familiar sounds make the producer's debut for Stones Throw an easy recommendation.
P.T.S.D.: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
It's a sci-fi concept album, but don't think Monch's 2014 effort is nerdist fluff, as this one is both deep and wise.
The fourth album by the highly underrated Christian hip-hop artist is a subtle and powerful work that should resonate with all types of listeners.
Political boom-bap is alive and well thanks to this N.Y.C. hip-hop crew and their revolutionary debut.
He's stuck in a gangsta anthem rut, but with numerous highlights and no filler, the formula still works wonderfully on Ross' 2014 effort.
Twerking and tripping meet at the strip club as the rapper makes his outlandish and outstanding Mad Decent debut.
Growing into something serious, rappers El-P and Killer Mike stun once again with this excellent sequel.
The thrill of his early days meets wiser lyrics and layered ideas on the indie rapper's 2014 album.
Serengeti's Kenny character gets funky across America on this excellent, and quite bizarre, concept album.
Souls of Mischief / Adrian Younge
Adrian Younge Presents There Is Only Now
One of the Oakland group's finest releases -- a flowing, guest-filled narrative concept album driven by supreme sonic stylist Adrian Younge.
Trunk-rattling beats meet thought-provoking lyrics on the Massillon, Ohio rapper's debut album.
The underground comes out in full force for the hip-hop producer's excellent 2014 effort.
With help from Raheem DeVaughan, Vado, and his fellow LOX members, the rapper gets rangy and wins on this 2014 release.
Pharrell executive produces the rapper's very pop 2014 effort, and the results are vibrant and varied with plenty of highlights.
The rapper's 2014 effort is an excellent ode to artistic freedom with Mike Posner, Raekwon, and Big K.R.I.T. as guests.
Dry, elevated humor meets thug-worthy beats on this wild project from Evidence and the Alchemist.
The trip-hop veteran diversifies without losing the plot on his excellent and inspired album number ten.
The hardcore Houston rapper goes deeper, both musically and lyrically, on this excellent effort.