The rap album is still alive if you know where to look.

There are 45 albums on this list, only 5 are major label releases. That's counting Kendrick and Future who are both now on the "distribution-only" deals with their respective labels, something only available to artists of a certain stature that employ good lawyers.

In 2024 the independent world is where you'll find the rappers, producers and labels who still care about the art of the rap album. Most of the records on this list are, to some degree, self-funded and geared toward an audience still looking for a cohesive full-length listening experience.

The one producer / one artist collaboration album, in particular, is thriving, making up 21 of the entries on this list, while another 6 are fully self-produced. A few producer / artist team ups from this year worth mentioning that didn't make the cut:

-Black & Whites - Big Hit, Hit-Boy & The Alchemist

-Hidden In Plain Sight - Boldy James & whothehelliscarlo

-CINE - Cavalier & Child Actor

-The Auditorium Vol. 1 - Common & Pete Rock

-This, Is Not That - CRIMEAPPLE & Apollo Brown

-Crip James - G Perico & Steelz

-Rich II - Homeboy Sandman & Mono En Stereo

-Richmond Hill - Masta Ace & Marco Polo

-Carrot Season - Phiik, Lungs & Olasegun

-Chaos Is My Ladder 2 - Ransom, Conway The Machine & Don V

Some thoughts on other 2024 releases...

The worst rap album I gave time to this year was VULTURES 1 [Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign]. No I didn't listen to VULTURES 2. Eternal Atake 2 [Lil Uzi Vert] was a close second, it's safe to say Uzi has lost the creative momentum he's been running on since an MVP-level 2020.

My Story Got Stories [Bruiser Wolf] is a boring effort from someone who shouldn't ever be boring. american dream is the embarrassing pop crossover attempt 21 Savage has been threatening us with for years. I really wanted to like The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace) [Eminem]. It's significantly better than his 2013-2020 output but ends up being a weird stylistic fusion of Encore and Recovery with all of those projects' flaws and nothing that sticks.

CHROMOKOPIA [Tyler, The Creator] earns its distinction as the 2024 "Rap Album It's OK For Non-Rap Fans To Like!". The issue is not that it's basically an R&B record - we know at this point Tyler's interest in rap goes in and out - the issue is that for long stretches it sounds like you might be listening to throwaways from the Wicked soundtrack. Tyler and Kendrick (and I guess maybe Killer Mike but we'll see how long that lasts) are the two rappers currently anointed by the industry as prestige acts so we'll be living with all Tyler releases flagged as "important hip hop" for the foreseeable future. Alligator Bites Never Heal [Doechii] has a female rapper competently rapping very fast. I prefer the loosies and features that preceded it.

It's cool that Rakim put out an album (REB7RTH) crafted with so much care in 2024, and I get that he wanted to do the MC/Producer/DJ thing but it would have been nice just to hear him rap. The entire thing has maybe 2-3 Rakim verses? Chupacabra has a similar issue. It's billed as JasonMartin (Problem) + DJ Quik and barely has any Quik rapping or production. Can we get our legends a little more air time?

These are the Best Rap Albums of 2024.

45.       Lavish Misery - Ransom & Harry Fraud

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Harry Fraud

Highlights: "Live From The Roxy (ft. Boldy James)", "Wilson Fisk (ft. 38 Spesh)", "AND 1", "Matchstick Men"

Harry Fraud knows how to get the best out of his collaborators. Half of these beats sound like leftovers from 2023's VICES [w/ Curren$y], half sound like leftovers from The Bricktionary [w/ Boldy James]. Both positives.

44.       Please Don't Cry - Rapsody

Label: Roc Nation

Producer(s): BLK ODYSSY, Eric G, Hit-Boy, S1, Major Seven...

Highlights: "Raw (ft. Lil Wayne & Niko Brim)", "Marlanna", "Asteroids", "Loose Rocks (ft. Alex Isley)"

"I was told if they don't wanna be or fuck you, it's not workin'"

Rapsody, she's very good at rapping. On this album, she will show you how good at rapping she is...

I don't mind the "rapper's rapper" schtick when the music comes out like this, it seems Rapsody is morphing into an artist that can rap and make good songs. This songwriting would work so well with 9th Wonder, Khrysis, etc.

43.       WAKING UP AND CHOOSING VIOLENCE - YUNGMORPHEUS & Alexander Spit

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Alexander Spit

Highlights: "Fermentation", "The Harder They Come", "Strawberry Rhubarb (ft. Zeroh)", "CCTV (Targets)"

These two are a match. Come for the heady stoner-rap and stay for musings on wine bars, grilled fish and grapes that actually taste like apricots.

42.       Los Pollos Hermanos – DJ Muggs, CRIMEAPPLE & RLX

Label: Soul Assassins

Producer(s): DJ Muggs

Highlights: "Don Eladio Vuente", "God's Trail", "Stirring", "2 To The Chest"

Muggs hasn't lost a step when you pair him with MCs on his level. CRIMEAPPLE and RLX are up to the task. RIP Don Eladio.

41.       MAJORLY INDEPENDENT - LaRussell & P-Lo

Label: Good Compenny

Producer(s): P-Lo

Highlights: "YANKIN! (ft. D-Lo, Raymon Marco & MALACHI)", "WHO ELSE YOU KNOW? (ft. MALACHI)", "GIVE ME A BEAT! (ft. Too $hort)", "LIL LAD (UNIMPRESSED)"

LaRussell released a lot of music this year. He works best over P-Lo beats.

40.       Death Tape 2: We Gon' Need Each Other - Quelle Chris, Cavalier & Denmark Vessey

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Quelle Chris, Sebb Bash, Denmark Vessey, Mosel & Scott Thorough

Highlights: "Holding On (ft. Navy Blue)", "Shining Brighter (ft. Pink Siifu)", "Lil Love Lil Patience (Lil Mama, Keys, and Jay-Z) (ft. Mosel)", "We Powerful (ft. Mosel)"

Cavalier also released a lot of music this year. He sounds best over Quelle Chris beats and rapping with Quelle Chris.

This one is not available to stream. Worth the purchase if you enjoy their music.

39.       F.U.N. T.O.Y. - Sideshow

Label: 10k

Producer(s): Popstar Benny, Alexander Spit, Tony Seltzer, AYOCHILLMAN, Marc Rivera...

Highlights: "F.U.N.", "HOW TO KILL A MAN", "RIP TY RIP RICCO (T PAIN)", "PRAY 4 THUNDER"

"They don't like me now / Skinny Mr. T off pints and beans"

All-star lineup of underground producers, Popstar Benny steals the show. Dark and funny as hell.

38.       THE FORCE – LL Cool J

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Q-Tip

Highlights: "The FORCE", "Basquiat Energy", "Murdergram Deux (ft. Eminem)", "Huey In The Chair (ft. Busta Rhymes)"

Turns out all LL needed was 11 years off from rapping and an album-worth of Q-Tip beats. Shocking how good this is.

37.       Stabbed & Shot 2 – 38 Spesh & Benny The Butcher

Label: TCF / BSF

Producer(s): Harry Fraud, V Don, Daringer, Reddy Rock, STREETRUNNER & Tarik Azzouz...

Highlights: "Center Stage", "Jesus Arms (ft. Busta Rhymes)", "Thruway Music 2", "Coke Runs (ft. Ransom)"

And all Benny needed was 38 Spesh. This is what all Griselda projects should sound like. Let's please stop with the trap beats (Conway), Hit-Boy collabs (Benny) and mixtape DJ shout gimmicks (WSG). I know he's from Rochester but it's time to hand 38 Spesh the GxFR keys.

36.       Personification - Maxo Kream

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Nascent, EVILGIANE, Ryan ESL, Tyler, The Creator, Tez...

Highlights: "Drizzy Draco 2", "Bang The Bus", "Big Hoe Me", "Street Fraternity"

BACK FROM MAJOR LABEL JAIL, TEST CASE 001: Maxo Kream leaves RCA/Sony, goes independent.

Success! Maxo reclaims the "Best Big Guy Out Of Texas" title. The chemistry with EVILGIANE pops, a full-length collab in 2025 would be quite welcome.

35.       Nothing Is My Favorite Thing – Nappy Nina & Swarvy  

Label: LucidHaus

Producer(s): Swarvy

Highlights: "Quickness (ft. ELUCID)", "Out The Park", "TSA", "Arm In The Rim"

"Got tree in my sack 'cause TSA black, I know that they lettin' me past / And then I consider, get instantly bitter, 'cause folks are still locked for the gas"

A really, really good rap album. Nina solidified as the underground female MC of the moment.

34.       KING OF THE MISCHIEVOUS SOUTH – Denzel Curry

Label: Loma Vista

Producer(s): FNZ, Oogie Mane, Charlie Heat, 454, SkipOnDaBeat...

Highlights: "SKED (ft. Kenny Mason & Project Pat)", "WISHLIST (ft. Armani White)", "ULTRA SHXT (ft. Key Nyata)", "ACT A DAMN FOOL (ft. Duke Deuce & Slim Guerilla)"

Entirely derivative but it doesn't matter. Memphis-underground cosplay fits Denzel nicely.

33.       LAFANDAR - Heems & Lapgan

Label: Mass Appeal

Producer(s): Lapgan

Highlights: "Obi Toppin (Darling) (ft. Kool Keith)", "Bukayo Saka", "I'm Pretty Cool", "Yellow Chakra (ft. Sir Michael Rocks & Open Mike Eagle)"

"Smokin' exotic chronic with a gin and tonic / Ya bars myopic, you study Russ & Logic"

Heems took 6 years off and came back as the best version of himself. Overstuffed with ridiculous, hilarious bars.

32.       one of wun – Gunna

Label: YSL / 300

Producer(s): Turbo, Evrgrn, Kenny Stuntin, Kizzy, Teddy Walton...

Highlights: "one of wun", "whatsapp (wassam)", "back in the a", "prada dem (ft. Offset)"

Gunna found this very specific groove over the past year and change and hasn't looked back. Sure the songs all sound the same but they're good so who cares? One of the few rappers working within the major label system with this command over their sound and aesthetic.

31.       I've Never Been Here Before: The Director's Cut – Erick The Architect

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Erick The Architect, James Blake, Kaelin Ellis, RÜDE CÅT, Linden Jay...

Highlights: "2-3 Zone", "Mandevillain", "CA$HMERE TEAR$", "Shook Up (ft. Joey Bada$$ & FARR)"

Can't say I was expecting Erick Arc Elliott from Flatbush Zombies to break out one of the best rap solo artists we have in 2024, but I'm glad he did. Aside from maybe one other instance this is the only time I've enjoyed James Blake's moonlighting as a rap producer.

30.       BRAVADO+ INTiMO – IDK

Label: Independent

Producer(s): TaeBeast, Calvin Valentine, IDK, Turbo, Evrgrn...

Highlights: "SWiTCH (i) ft. Conway The Machine", "TiFFANY (B) ft. Gunna", "KiCKIN! (B)", "DENiM (B) ft. Joey Bada$$"

BACK FROM MAJOR LABEL JAIL, TEST CASE 002: IDK leaves Warner Records, goes independent.

Success x2! For my money IDK's best full-length release. You know someone has it when they're just as comfortable rhyming with Conway The Machine as they are with Gunna.

29.       Heads I Win, Tails You Lose – Gangrene

Label: ALC

Producer(s): Oh No, The Alchemist

Highlights: "Just Doing Art (ft. Boldy James)", "Oxnard Water Torture", "Royal Hand", "Congratulations, You Lose"

“I’m short, I got a complex like Napoleon Bonaparte with a frozen hart” [Alchemist]

Alchemist is officially all the way back into rhyming. As is tradition his best bars are saved for 2024's Gangrene project. Fittingly also features some of Oh No's best work as a producer.

28.       Pinball – MIKE & Tony Seltzer

Label: 10k

Producer(s): Tony Seltzer

Highlights: "Two Door", "Reminiscing (ft. Jay Critch)", "Underground Kingz", "On God (ft. Earl Sweatshirt & Tony Shhnow)"

MIKE (or, dj blackpower) is a good producer. Tony Seltzer is a better producer. It's refreshing to hear MIKE rhyme over beats with so much energy (MIKE x Enrgy Beats next?).

27.       The Genuine Articulate – The Alchemist

Label: ALC

Producer(s): The Alchemist

Highlights: "Minnesota Fats (ft. Action Bronson & Big Body Bes)", "Scientology (ft. Havoc)", "Diego Maradona (ft. Conway The Machine)", "Details (ft. Larry June)"

More Alchemist rhyming, this is not a bad thing.

26.       1937 South Corning St – Big Sad 1900

Label: EMPIRE

Producer(s): MikeMadeThe808s, Xclusive, Bernie, Bear On The Beat, JuJuTheProducer...

Highlights: "Half a Million", "40 & Broke", "Hurt My Soul", "4AM In Los Angeles"

Kendrick provided the LA underground street-rap scene with a spotlight in 2024, Big Sad should be it's breakout star.

25.       The Skeleton Key – Roc Marciano & The Alchemist

‍

Label: PIMPIRE / Roc Nation

Producer(s): The Alchemist

Highlights: "Chopstick", "Rauf", "Mystery God", "Street Magic"

"Actually, if we let rappers eat, then that's a bag of yeast to fatten the geese / I run NYC to burn calories"

No Elephant Man's Bones but Al + Roc can make a great record in their sleep.

24.       Sli’merre 2 – Young Nudy & Pi’erre Bourne

Label: RCA

Producer(s): Pi'erre Bourne

Highlights: "10pc Teriyaki", "I'm Big Dawg", "Breakdown", "Save Myself (ft. BabyDrill)"

Superior to the first Sli'merre. Nudy is frighteningly consistent, Pi'erre at his best.

23.       Temple Needs Water. Village Needs Peace. – Lukah & Real Bad Man

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Real Bad Man

Highlights: "The Initiates Piece (ft. billy woods)", "The Cleansing", "The Farmer", "The Poets Pour Libations"

Lukah is out here dropping great music every year, he's still not getting the attention he deserves.

22.       BLUE LIPS – ScHoolboy Q

Label: Interscope / TDE

Producer(s): J. LBS, TaeBeast, The Alchemist, Devin Malik, Cardo...

Highlights: "Yeern 101", "Movie (ft. AzChike)", "Back n Love (ft. Devin Malik)", "Pig Feet (ft. Childish Major)"

Comeback Player of THe Year, 2024. Can we just take a breather on the beat-switches?

21.       Nobody Planning to Leave – ShrapKnel & Controller 7

Label: Backwoodz Studioz

Producer(s): Controller 7

Highlights: "Nutcracker Blues (ft. Breeze Brewin & D-Styles)", "Dadaism 3 (ft. Open Mike Eagle)", "Deep Space 9 Millie Pulled a Pistol", "Uru Metal (ft. ELUCID)"

The best Backwoodz release of 2024. Star turn for Controller 7.

20.       The Tonite Show Part 2 – Jay Worthy & DJ Fresh

Label: EMPIRE

Producer(s): DJ Fresh

Highlights: "You Thought You Had Me", "Kreepin", "More Then Bags (ft. Larry June)", "Kalifornia (ft. Mitchy Slick, Menace & Bart Oatmeal)"

On this album you'll hear verses from Keak Da Sneak, Bun B and Baron Davis (yes that Baron Davis). And some of the best work to-date from P Worthy and DJFreshDJFreshDJFresh.

19.       The Bricktionary – Boldy James & Harry Fraud

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Harry Fraud

Highlights: "Pressin' My Bunk", "Cecil Fielder (ft. Tee Grizzley)", "Shadowboxing", "Pillar To Post"

Boldy James released 4 albums in 2024. Boldy James will appear on this list 3 times.

18.       We Don’t Trust You – Future & Metro Boomin

Label: Epic / Republic

Producer(s): Metro Boomin, Zaytoven, Will-A-Fool, Da H.O.N.O.R.A.B.L.E. C-Note, Southside...

Highlights: "Like That (ft. Kendrick Lamar)", "Fried (She A Vibe)", "Where My Twin @", "Magic Don Juan (Princess Diana)"

Against the odds, two stars that have seemed bored for years manage to recapture the magic of their creative peaks. If we're getting "Mixtape Pluto" can we start replacing Travis Scott with Young Scooter?

17.       I Lay Down My Life For You – JPEGMAFIA

Label: AWAL

Producer(s): JPEGMAFIA, Kenny Beats, Flume

Highlights: "either on or off the drugs", "i scream this in the mirror before i interact with anyone", "i recovered from this", "loop it and leave it"

"this album is for me" - JPEGMAFIA. This is what it sounds like listening to this album.

16.       Los Angeles – Blu & Evidence      

Label: Bigger Picture Recordings

Producer(s): Evidence

Highlights: "Wild Wild West", "Live From 54th", "Heaven (ft. C.S. Armstrong)", "Three Wheel Motion (ft. Kokane)"

The best kind of LA album where you're safe from an .AndersoonPAK feature but treated to a sprinkle of Kokane.

15.       Majician – Kurious

Label: Metalface

Producer(s): Mono En Stereo

Highlights: "Cow's Eye", "Bacalao Opera", "Par For The Course (ft. Mr. Fantastik)", "Eye of Horus"‍‍

Kurious gives us the perfect DOOM tribute and the first Mr Fantasik appearance in years but this is more than a nostalgia trip. His work with Mono En Stereo warrants AOTY consideration on its own merits.

14.       JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACHLAVA THE DOCTOR – Action Bronson        

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Daringer, Action Bronson, The Alchemist

Highlights: "Doctor", "NBA Leather on NBC (ft. The Alchemist)", "Nourish a Thug", "Salvaje"

"Mel Gibson gave me COVID at McGregor vs. Poirier 3, when he broke his leg / His favorite breakfast was coke & eggs"

Bronson got very good at rapping again in 2022 and hasn't looked back. At least one "LOL-worthy" line (positive) per song.

13.       Across The Tracks – Boldy James & Conductor Williams    

Label: Near Mint

Producer(s): Conductor Williams

Highlights: "St. Juliana", "Stamps In The Middle", "Off-White Lumberjack", "Terms and Conditions"

Boldy's laidback flow + Conductor's overly busy production = Match made in heaven.

12.       Casts of a Dreamer – 454

Label: Independent [Cassette / Soundcloud Only]

Producer(s): 454

Highlights: "Outside The Game", "Between Us", "Casts of a Dreamer", "M.F.G. (ft. WOODY1K)"

A small miracle that this exists, a triumph of production, mixing and sequencing. Only lives on cassette and Soundcloud which feels appropriate.

11.       You Only Die 1nce – Freddie Gibbs

Label: AWAL

Producer(s): Pops, 454, Lambo, BNYX, YG! Beats...

Highlights: "Rabbit Island", "On The Set", "Cosmo Freestyle", "Wolverine"

BACK FROM MAJOR LABEL JAIL, TEST CASE 003: Freddie leaves Warner Records, teams with AWAL.

Back to basics for Freddie. It's rare and refreshing to hear this much actual rapping on a record in 2024. Don't forget he can rap circles around pretty much everyone.

10.       Love (the) Ominous World – Blu & Exile

Label: Dirty Science

Producer(s): Exile

Highlights: "A Song Called Precipitation", "Love Is Blu (ft. Aloe Blacc)", "Hello L.A. (ft. Georgia Anne Muldrow)", "Smack (ft. Fashawn)"

B&E finally live up to the promise we all saw in 2007. Just might stand the test of time the same way Below The Heavens has.

9.         The Thief Next To Jesus – Ka

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Ka

Highlights: "Lord Have Mercy", "Such Devotion", "Hymn and I", "Borrowed Time"

Eerie gospel-based, death obsessed record that will end up being Ka's last. As with his entire discography every single second feels like it's been meticulously labored over. He's one of the greatest rapper-slash-producers of all time with no qualifiers.

8.         Almighty So 2 – Chief Keef

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Chief Keef, Akachi Beats, Young Malcolm, Bobby Raps, Johnny Juliano...

Highlights: "Believe", "Grape Trees (ft. Sexyy Red)", "Treat Myself", "Jesus (ft. Lil Gnar)"

"Chief Sosa made drill, Kanye think he did too"

As he's been trying to tell us for years, Chief Keef is a better beatmaker than your favorite producer. It feels like he's approaching a second career peak as an artist.

7.         A Forsaken Lover’s Plea – Chuck Strangers

Label: Lex Records

Producer(s): Chuck Strangers, The Alchemist, Animoss, Graymatter, Obii Say...

Highlights: "Dead Vines", "Ski'd Up", "A Forsaken Lover's Plea", "Sunset Park"

Two years ago Chuck Strangers was best known as (i) a former member of Pro ERA; (ii) a dependable underground producer working with the likes of Navy Blue, Roc Marciano, Pink Siifu, Fly Anakin, etc.; and/or (iii) one of the very few MCs to feature as a guest on a Ka release (I believe Chuck and Roc Marci are the only ones to do so more than once).

With this record and last year's Boys & Girls EP he's morphed into one of the best solo artists in indie rap. It sounds like this is the album he's been waiting to make his entire life.

6.         Memories In Armour – Navy Blue

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Child Actor, Chuck Strangers, Navy Blue, Nicholas Craven, Budgie...

Highlights: "La Noche", "Red Roses", "Slow", "Say The Word"

BACK FROM MAJOR LABEL JAIL, TEST CASE 004: Navy leaves Def Jam, goes independent.

Navy's sole Def Jam release, Ways of Knowing, is not terrible but compared to his earlier output it fell flat.

Memories In Armour is a return to form, a lean 26 minutes that rewards multiple listens. I have a hunch that each of the collaborators on here are saving their best beats for Sage...

5.         Penalty of Leadership – Boldy James & Nicholas Craven

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Nicholas Craven

Highlights: "Formal Invite", "Jack Frost", "Soccer Mom", "No Pun Intended"

...except for Nicholas Craven. This is Boldy's best of 2024, with a certain spark you can only find when these two collaborate. It doesn't quite match the highs of 2022's AOTY-level Fair Exchange No Robbery but you're guaranteed to catch something - whether a drug dealing metaphor you've never heard or a vocal sample that feels so obscure but familiar at the same time - every few moments that will perk your ears.

4.         #RICHAXXHAITIAN – Mach-Hommy

Label: Independent

Producer(s): SadhuGold, Conductor Williams, Messiah Musik, Quelle Chris, Kaytranada...

Highlights: "COPY COLD (ft. Black Thought)", "ANTONOMASIA (ft. Roc Marciano)", "LON LON", "HOLY ____"‍

AKA Mach Goes Hollywood. None of the quality is lost with the level-up in budget and production value; it sits firmly among his better full-length releases. Before the next album, though, it would be great if Mach happens to lose Kaytranada's phone number...

3.         GNX – Kendrick Lamar

Label: pgLANG / Interscope

Producer(s): Sounwave, Mustard, DJ Dahi, Jack Antonoff, Sean Momberger...

Highlights: "tv off (ft. Lefty Gunplay)", "squabble up", "hey now (ft. Dody6)", "dodger blue (ft. Wallie The Sensei, Roddy Ricch & Siete7x)"

An album full of huge swings, which is the only way Kendrick knows how to make music these days. I wouldn't have it any other way.

There are big misses: "reincarnated" sounds like something The Game would proudly post as a freestyle on Instagram; "man at the garden" is the bargain bin "One Mic" remake no one asked for; and "luther" was probably better suited for the SZA record. The rest is addictive, fun, weird, impressive (+spooky, hilarious) and I can't stop coming back to it.

2.         Marciology – Roc Marciano

Label: PIMPIRE

Producer(s): Roc Marciano, The Alchemist, Animoss

Highlights: "Goyard God", "Killin' Spree (ft. CRIMEAPPLE)", "Tapeworm", "Went Diamond"

The most vivid crime-boss, shit-talking pimp imagery over the most lush production. Simple formula and simply an artist working at the top of their game. Never break character, Roc.

1.         shadowbox – MAVI

Label: Independent

Producer(s): Beach Noise, Monte Booker, Angelo LeRoi, Alexander Spit, Jacob Rochester...

Highlights: "the giver", "drunk prayer", "open waters (ft. Malaya)", "grindstone"

shadowbox is vulnerable, sad, and hopeful. It's expertly crafted and it's the best thing I listened to in 2024. The future is bright.