2024 was one of the most memorable years for hip hop in recent memory, but with so much going on, it’s easy for some projects to get overshadowed and fade into the background. So today, here’s a list of what I believe are the most underappreciated albums of the year.
1. Lupe Fiasco – Samurai
Lupe Fiasco has been quietly releasing some of the highest-quality hip-hop since 2015, and his most recent effort, Samurai, is yet another installment in his second prime. Just shy of 30 minutes, the album is a jazzy, mellow, masterful exploration of battle rap, blending all sorts of sharp verses over minimalistic, polished production with an occasional Nujabes feel. Lyrically, Lupe commits metaphorically and truly channels his Samurai. He details the struggles and journey of being an artist, exploring ideas of reputation, legacy, and inner battles, all with a Mos Def esque delivery and unmatched wordplay. Though, most of it is interpretation-heavy, with much of his commentary masked under rhetorical questions, storytelling, and a general vagueness in the rare explicit statements.
The project also offers some of the most charming, expressive, and occasionally beautiful choruses in his whole discography, often serving as a pleasant, well timed contrast in pace and feel to provide a moment to breathe and digest each densely packed verse while almost attempting to match the thematic depth from a tuneful standpoint. Just a phenomenal listen with enough substance to captivate for ages.
Highlights: “Samurai,” “No 1 Headband,” “Bigfoot”
8.5/10
2. Vince Staples – Dark Times
There’s a lot of variety in sound and aesthetic in the sphere of conscious hip hop, and that’s because introspection comes in many forms. Regardless of whichever way emotionally the ideas lean, they can only be as potent as the sonics allow, needing full conceptual alignment production-wise for full resonance to be achieved. For Vince Staples, whose artistic air hinges on navigating a troubled psyche, this sort of footing finally presented itself on Dark Times, a purely somber and smoky album that still manages to breathe hints of hope through acceptance. He’s as monotone and numb expressively as ever, glossing over themes of love, trauma, isolation, and all sorts of self-reflection. Though not necessarily anything groundbreaking in Vince’s catalog, it’s still a great step forward with a heavier, more mature sound.
“Étouffée” and “Radio” encapsulate the feel of this record beautifully, standing out as personal contenders for rap song of the year. They reflect what many, myself included, wanted sonically from the rest of the album, as some other tracks feel out of place with sluggish instrumentation that doesn’t fully suit an artist like Vince, who shines best when he’s trailing the beat for your attention. Otherwise, great direction in ideas and quality.
Highlights: “Radio,” “Black&Blue,” “Étouffée”
7.9/10
3. Mach-Hommy – #RICHAXXHAITIAN
Unique, unnerving, trippy production across the whole thing with scrambled rhymes and amazing features, just a little bloated and a bit repetitive at points. Arguably a top 5 Griselda album regardless, as well as undoubtedly one of the best abstract hip hop projects of the last couple years.
7.7/10
4. Freddie Gibbs – You Only Die 1nce
Freddie takes a step towards trap and cuts down a bit on substance and character for this more chill, comfy bridging album. Consistent and catchy, just nothing super special and it’s nowhere on the same level as his best work. Montana is coming in 2025 though, so we’ll take this as a little gift.
7.5/10
5. Common & Pete Rock – The Auditorium Vol.1
Soulful, classic jazzy boom bap. Common and Pete Rock complement each other great on this project, neither outshining the other. It feels like their own version of Cheat Codes, and a sequel would be more than welcome. Catching samples for me was the best part of the experience, Common just needs to clean up his chorus work a bit.
7.3/10