2020 Plenty: Top Rap Albums

1. Run The Jewels - RTJ4

On their fourth and crispest RTJ installment Killer Mike and El-P offer up the definitive party (on your own) starter single of the year in "Ooh La La" with Greg Nice and DJ Premier.  "Yankee and the Brave" could be the year's top jump off track.  Perhaps the duo's most cohesive, end to end project to date.  

2. Homeboy Sandman - Don't Feed The Monster

The Queens rapper is on his grown man rap on this dope project.  Production from Quelle Chris keeps the album consistent.  Bangers like "Monument" and funny joints like "Waiting on my Girl" as well as introspective tracks like "Don't Look Down" highlight throughout.

3. Marlowe - Marlowe2

Producer L'Orange and rapper Solemn Brigham are following up their original with another collection of boom bap but yet some broader musical beats.  Stand out tracks include "OG Funk Rock" with A-F-R-O and "Future Power Sources" with DJ Trackstar.

4. Aesop Rock - Spirit World Field Guide

Aes blesses us again with his array, and I mean array of vocabulary, and even more of random references (Chaka Kahn, Paddington Bear, etc.) "The Gates" kicks off the album, which is in fact, a guidebook.  "Sleeper Car" hits hard at the guidebook's midway point.

5. King Magnetic and Tone Spliff - Nobody's Safe

A gritty, 90s centric boom bap album akin to a 2 x 4 to the dome, sees producer Tone Spliff lacing the tracks for former AOTP member King Magnetic.  "Ice Cream Sandwiches" is a stand out track as it jumps between the styles of KM, Tug McRaw, and the legendary Kool Keith.

6.  The Professionals - The Professionals

Producer Madlib and his brother, rapper Oh No's debut is full of the producer's trademark soul and clean beats.  The last track, "Dishonored Valor" is a poignant track as Oh No highlights military reintegration. "Superhumans" is a banger built around a Too Short sample and features Chino XL and Elzhi.

7. Your Old Droog - Dump YOD: Krutoy Edition

Like Jewelry, on this offering Droog turns inward to his Eastern European self, even delivering some lyrics in Russian. Perhaps the year's strongest guests: Mach Hommy, Tha God Fahim, billy woods, Phonte, El-P, and Black Thought, with the latter two on the posse cut "Pravda".

8. Armand Hammer - Shrines

billy woods and Elucid's fourth LP is a bit brighter than their previous work, but don't think it's all fun and unicorns now.  The album cover is the first aspect to suck you in, then tracks of incredible beats and current lyrical content.  "Leopards" and "Dean Cars", the latter with RAP Ferreira are play again worthy tracks.

9. ShrapKnel - ShrapKnel

Curly Castro and PremRock unite to form the follow up to the EP Cobalt and it doesn't disappoint.  With the beats and production mined by Elucid and Willie Green, the duo shines over tracks like "Ghostface Targaryean" and "Dumile High."  Guest spots from Zilla Rocca, Castle, and billy woods help set it apart.

10.  clipping. - Visions of Bodies Being Burned

The trio's fondness for crafting horror-core leaning Hip-Hop continues on their well received abrasive record.  Taking the name from the Geto Boy's Scarface's verse on "Mind Paying Tricks On Me," we see rapper Daveed Diggs in his ominous lane on tracks like "Say The Name" and "96 Neve Campbell."  

11. Westside Gunn - Who Made The Sunshine

Without question the year belonged to Griselda and Westside Gunn. From his three project drops, to his fashion promotions, and even the Griselda tour early in the year.  The Buffalo MC and curator followed up Pray For Paris with his Shady records debut.  Guest appearances from Slick Rick, Busta Rhymes, and the rest of the Griselda camp on the ill posse cut "98 Sabres."

12. Busta Rhymes - Extinction Level Event 2

As we've seen far too many times, Golden Era MCs don't usually fare well with comebacks, however Busta bucks that trend with his first album in nearly a decade.  He brings in big names in the rap game  with Rakim, Chris Rock, MOP, Rapsody (a rare he vs she on "Best I Can," Kendrick Lamar, and a tremendous verse from Q-Tip on "Don't Go."

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES, 13-25

-DJ Chong Wizard and Zilla Rocca - Midnight Sons

-Big Ghost Ltd and Conway - No One Mourns The Wicked

-RA The Rugged Man - All Of My Heroes Are Dead

-Eleven and Jason D - Strike Back

-Jay Electronica - A Written Testimony

-Third Root - Passion Of The Poets

-Boldy James - Real Bad Boldy

-UFO Fev and Big Ghost Ltd - The Ghost Of Albizu

-Westside Gunn - Pray For Paris

-Blu and Exile - Miles

-Moor Mother And billy woods - Brass

-Freddie Gibbs and Alchemist - Alfredo

-Kid Abstrakt and Emapea - Jazzy Vibes