At HHGA we love lists. This The Best Hip Hop Albums Ever list is the ultimate one. Most of the lists on this site are composed factoring in things such as popularity & sales figures and historical & cultural impact, but only to an extent. We think best-selling does not necessarily mean best. Our lists are largely based on personal preferences, and of course on our expert opinions about what exactly is quality Hip Hop;). Any list is that is not completely based on objectively measurable facts and figures is subjective by definition. So because of this subjectivity, all the lists you can find on this site are debatable – and that is just what they are intended for. Nothing better than discussing subjects you’re passionate about – if nothing else it helps keep the music we all love alive.
This article serves as a reference for all those who want a comprehensive overview of the best Hip Hop albums ever, and it is also a gateway deeper into the HHGA site. Every list comes with a link to a top 40 page for each year, where you can find short albums reviews and dozens of honorable mentions. Dive deep into those lists, and no doubt you will find lots of excellent Hip Hop albums you have never listened to before. If you discover new favorites, let us know in the comments! Now, let’s get into it – go check out this list with the best Hip Hop albums ever released.
Top 15 Hip Hop Albums 1980 - 1985
- LL Cool J – Radio (1985)
- Run DMC – Run DMC (1984)
- Mantronix – The Album (1985)
- Run DMC – King Of Rock (1985)
- Whodini – Escape (1984)
- Wild Style Soundtrack (1983)
- Treacherous Three – Treacherous Three (1983)
- Fat Boys – Fat Boys (1984)
- UTFO – UTFO (1985)
- Kurtis Blow – Kurtis Blow (1980)
- Fat Boys – The Fat Boys Are Back (1985)
- Whodini – Whodini (1983)
- West Coast Crew – In The Mix (1985)
- Kurtis Blow – Ego Trip (1984)
- The Sequence – Sugar Hill Presents The Sequence (1980)
Top 15 Hip Hop Albums 1986
- Run DMC – Raising Hell
- Beastie Boys – Licensed To Ill
- Stetsasonic – On Fire
- Schoolly D – Schoolly D
- Just Ice – Back To The Old School
- Salt N Pepa – Cool & Vicious
- Doug E Fresh – Oh My God
- Skinny Boys – Weightless
- Mantronix – Music Madness
- 2 Live Crew – 2 Live Is What We Are
- Afrika Bambaataa – Planet Rock The Album
- Steady B – Bring The Beat Back
- Kool Moe Dee – Kool Moe Dee
- Whodini – Back In Black
- Fat Boys – Big & Beautiful
Check here for 1986’s Top 40 Hip Hop Songs.
Top 20 Hip Hop Albums 1987
- Eric B & Rakim – Paid In Full
- Boogie Down Productions – Criminal Minded
- Public Enemy – Yo! Bum Rush The Show
- LL Cool J – Bigger And Deffer
- Ice T – Rhyme Pays
- Schoolly D – Saturday Night The Album
- Dana Dane – Dana Dane With The Fame
- DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Rock The House
- Too Short – Born To Mack
- MC Shan – Down By Law
- Just Ice – Kool And Deadly
- Kool Moe Dee – How Ya Like Me Now
- T La Rock – Lyrical King
- Skinny Boys – Skinny & Proud
- N.W.A. & The Posse – N.W.A. & The Posse
- UTFO – Lethal
- Kaos – Court’s In Session
- Heavy D & The Boyz – Livin’ Large
- Steady B – What’s My Name?
- Fat Boys – Crushin’
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions, and here for 1987’s Top 40 Hip Hop Songs.
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 1988
- Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
- Ultramagnetic MCs – Critical Beatdown
- Slick Rick – The Great Adventures Of…
- N.W.A – Straight Outta Compton
- Eric B & Rakim – Follow The Leader
- Big Daddy Kane – Long Live The Kane
- Boogie Down Productions – By All Means Necessary
- EPMD – Strictly Business
- Ice T – Power
- Jungle Brothers – Straight Out The Jungle
- MC Lyte – Lyte As A Rock
- Eazy E – Eazy Duz It
- Marley Marl – In The Control Vol 1
- Biz Markie – Goin’ Off
- Too Short – Life Is…
- Run DMC – Tougher Than Leather
- DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper
- Superlover Cee & Casanova Rud – Girls I Got Em Locked
- Stetsasonic – In Full Gear
- King Tee – Act A Fool
- MC Shan – Born To Be Wild
- Lakim Shabazz – Pure Righteousness
- DJ Cash Money & Marvelous – Where’s The Party At?
- The 7A3 – Coolin In Cali
- Rhyme Syndicate – Comin’ Through
- Tuff Crew – Danger Zone
- JVC Force – Doin’ Damage
- Def IV – Nice & Hard
- Schoolly D – Smoke Some Kill
- Audio Two – What More Can I Say?
- Kid N Play – 2 Hype
- Masters Of Ceremony – Dynamite
- Mantronix – In Full Effect
- Doug E Fresh – The World’s Greatest Entertainer
- Salt N Pepa – A Salt With A Deadly Pepa
- Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock – It Takes Two
- 2 Live Crew – Move Somethin’
- Skinny Boys – They Can’t Get Enough
- Steady B – Let The Hustlers Play
- Cold Crush Brothers – Troopers
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions, and here for 1988’s Top 40 Hip Hop Songs.
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 1989
- De La Soul – 3 Feet High & Rising
- Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique
- The D.O.C. – No One Can Do It Better
- Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Road To The Riches
- EPMD – Unfinished Business
- Boogie Down Productions – Ghetto Music: The Blueprint Of Hip Hop
- Geto Boys – Grip It! On That Other Level
- Ice T – The Iceberg
- Big Daddy Kane – It’s A Big Daddy Thing
- Jungle Brothers – Done By The Forces Of Nature
- LL Cool J – Walking With A Panther
- 3rd Bass – The Cactus Album
- Gang Starr – No More Mr Nice Guy
- MC Lyte – Eyes On This
- Low Profile – We’re In This Together
- Nice & Smooth – Nice & Smooth
- Biz Markie – The Biz Never Sleeps
- Chill Rob G – Ride The Rhythm
- Young MC – Stone Cold Rhyming
- Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five – Piano
- Schoolly D – Am I Black Enough For You?
- Queen Latifah – All Hail The Queen
- Special Ed – Youngest In Charge
- Tuff Crew – Back To Wreck Shop
- Awesome Dre – You Can’t Hold Me Back
- Kwame The Boy Genius – Featuring A New Beginning
- Three Times Dope – Original Stylin’
- Just Ice – The Desolate One
- Donald D – Notorious
- Willie D – Controversy
- Stezo – Crazy Noise
- The Jaz – Word To The Jazz
- Tone Loc – Loc-ed After Dark
- Cool C – I Gotta Habit
- Def Jef – Just A Poet With A Soul
- Vicious Beat Posse – Legalized Dope
- Black Rock & Ron – Stop The World
- Kool Moe Dee – Knowledge Is King
- The New Style – Independent Leaders
- King Sun – XL
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions, and here for 1989’s Top 40 Hip Hop Songs.
Top 30 Hip Hop Albums 1990
- Public Enemy – Fear of a Black Planet
- Ice Cube – AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted
- Paris – The Devil Made Me Do It
- A Tribe Called Quest – People’s Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm
- LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out
- Eric B & Rakim – Let The Rhythm Hit Em
- Lord Finesse – Funky Technician
- Brand Nubian – All For One
- Above The Law – Livin’ Like Hustlers
- Kool G Rap – Wanted Dead Or Alive
- Boogie Down Productions – Edutainment
- EPMD – Business As Usual
- Master Ace – Take A Look Around
- Poor Righteous Teachers – Holy Intellect
- Digital Underground – Sex Packets
- Too Short – Short Dog’s In The House
- Intelligent Hoodlum – Intelligent Hoodlum
- D-Nice – Call Me D-Nice
- K-Solo – Tell The World My Name
- X-Clan – To The East, Blackwards
- Compton’s Most Wanted – It’s A Compton Thang
- Grand Daddy I.U. – Smooth Assassin
- Big Daddy Kane – Taste of Chocolate
- The Jaz – To Your Soul
- Shazzy – Attitude: A Hip Hop Rapsody
- Special Ed – Legal
- King Tee – At Your Own Risk
- CPO – To Hell And Black
- King Sun – Righteous But Ruthless
- Boo Yaa Tribe – New Funky Nation
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions, and here for 1990’s Top 40 Hip Hop Songs.
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 1991
- A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
- De La Soul – De La Soul Is Dead
- Ice T – Original Gangster
- Gang Starr – Step In The Arena
- Ice Cube – Death Certificate
- Cypress Hill – Cypress Hill
- Main Source – Breaking Atoms
- Black Sheep – A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing
- Public Enemy – Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black
- Naughty By Nature – Naughty By Nature
- Organized Konfusion – Organized Konfusion
- Scarface – Mr Scarface Is Back
- Geto Boys – We Can’t Be Stopped
- DJ Quik – Quik Is The Name
- Del The Funky Homosapien – I Wish My Brother George Was Here
- NWA – Efil4zaggin
- Leaders Of The New School – A Future Without A Past
- 2Pac – 2Pacalypse Now
- Ed OG & Da Bulldoggs – Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto
- Freestyle Fellowship – To Whom It May Concern
- Compton’s Most Wanted – Straight Checkn’ Em
- Chubb Rock – The One
- Godfather Don – Hazardous
- WC And The MAAD Circle – Ain’t A Damn Thing Changed
- KMD – Mr Hood
- UMC’s – Fruits Of Nature
- 3rd Bass – Derelicts Of Dialect
- Digital Underground – Sons Of The P
- J- Rock – Streetwize
- Nice & Smooth – Ain’t A Damn Thing Changed
- MC Lyte – Act Like You Know
- Tim Dog – Penicillin On Wax
- Slick Rick – The Ruler’s Back
- Poor Righteous Teachers – Pure Poverty
- OG Style – I Know How To Play Em
- Downtown Science – Downtown Science
- Schoolly D – How A Black Man Feels
- Terminator X – Terminator X & The Valley Of Jeep Beets
- Stetsasonic – Blood, Sweat & No Tears
- D-Nice – To Tha Rescue
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions, and here for 1991’s Top 40 Hip Hop Songs.
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 1992
- Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Mecca & The Soul Brother
- Dr Dre – The Chronic
- The Pharcyde – Bizarre Ride II…
- Showbiz $ AG – Runaway Slave
- Diamond D & The Psychotic Neurotics – Stunts, Blunts & Hip Hop
- Compton’s Most Wanted – Music To Driveby
- Gang Starr – Daily Operation
- Redman – Whut? Thee Album
- Eric B & Rakim – Don’t Sweat The Technique
- Arrested Development – 3 Years. 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of…
- Hard Knocks – School Of Hard Knocks
- Boogie Down Productions – Sex And Violence
- Ice Cube – The Predator
- Beastie Boys – Check Your Head
- Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Live And Let Die
- Paris – Sleeping With The Enemy
- Lord Finesse – Return Of The Funky Man
- EPMD – Business, Never Personal
- Das EFX- Dead Serious
- Positive K – The Skills Dat Pay Da Bills
- Ultramagnetic MCs – Funk Your Head Up
- Too Short – Shorty The Pimp
- Common – Can I Borrow A Dollar?
- The Goats – Tricks Of The Shade
- UGK – Too Hard To Swallow
- Spice 1 – Spice 1
- X-Clan – Xodus
- Da Lench Mob – Guerillas In The Mist
- Grand Puba – Reel To Reel
- DJ Quik – Way 2 Fonkay
- House Of Pain – House Of Pain
- Grandmaster Caz – The Grandest Of Them All
- Willie D – I’m Going Out Lika Soldier
- Fu-Schnickens – F.U. Don’t Take it Personal
- K-Solo – Time’s Up
- Rough House Survivors – Straight From The Soul
- The Future Sound – The Whole Shabang, Vol. 1
- MC Serch – Return Of The Product
- Roxanne Shante – The B**** Is Back
- The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy – Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions, and here for 1992’s Top 40 Hip Hop Songs.
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 1993
- Wu-Tang Clan – Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
- A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders
- Snoop Doggy Dogg – Doggy Style
- De La Soul – Buhloone Mind State
- KRS One – Return Of The Boom Bap
- Black Moon – Enta Da Stage
- Freestyle Fellowship – Innercity Griots
- Souls Of Mischief – 93 Til Infinity
- Ultramagnetic MCs – The Four Horsemen
- Digable Planets – Reachin’
- 2Pac – Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.
- Lords Of The Underground – Here Come The Lords
- Queen Latifah – Black Reign
- Fat Joe – Represent
- Del – No Need For Alarm
- Ice Cube – Lethal Injection
- The Roots – Organix
- Masta Ace Inc. – Slaughtahouse
- Too Short – Get In Where You Fit In
- Geto Boys – Till Death Do Us Part
- Ice T – Home Invasion
- Mac Mall – Illegal Business?
- Scarface – The World Is Yours
- The Coup – Kill My Landlord
- Leaders Of The New School – T.I.M.E.
- Tha Alkoholiks – 21 & Over
- King Tee- Tha Triflin Album
- Intelligent Hoodlum – Tragedy: Saga Of A Hoodlum
- Cypress Hill – Black Sunday
- Naughty By Nature – 19 Naughty III
- Onyx – Bacdafucup
- Eightball & MJG – Comin’ Out Hard
- MC Ren – Shock Of The Hour
- K-Rino – Stories From The Black Book
- Big Daddy Kane – Looks Like A Job For…
- E-40 – Federal
- MC Lyte – Ain’t No Other
- LL Cool J – 14 Shots To The Dome
- Poor Righteous Teachers – Black Business
- Above The Law – Black Mafia Life
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions, and here for 1993’s Top 40 Hip Hop Songs.
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 1994
- Nas – Illmatic
- The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready To Die
- Pete Rock & CL Smooth – The Main Ingredient
- OutKast – Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
- O.C. – Word… Life
- Jeru The Damaja – The Sun Rises In The East
- Common – Resurrection
- Gang Starr – Hard To Earn
- Scarface – The Diary
- Organized Konfusion – Stress: The Extinction Agenda
- Gravediggaz – 6 Feet Deep
- Dred Scott – Breakin’ Combs
- Digable Planets – Blowout Comb
- UGK – Super Tight
- The Beatnuts – Street Level
- Method Man – Tical
- The Coup – Genocide & Juice
- Warren G – Regulate… G Funk Era
- Redman – Dare Iz A Darkside
- Beastie Boys – Ill Communication
- KMD – Black Bastards
- Thug Life – Vol. 1
- Boogie Monsters – Riders Of The Storm: The Underwater Album
- Public Enemy – Muse Sick-N-Hour Mess Age
- Coolio – It Takes A Thief
- Artifacts – Between A Rock And A Hard Place
- Keith Murray – The Most Beautifullest Thing In The World
- Down South – Lost In Brooklyn
- Kokane – Funk Upon A Rhyme
- Above The Law – Uncle Sam’s Curse
- Fugees – Blunted On Reality
- M.O.P. – To The Death
- Big Mike – Somethin’ Serious
- Slick Rick – Behind Bars
- Black Sheep – Non-Fiction
- Da Brat – Funkdafied
- Eightball & MJG – On The Outside Looking In
- Casual – Fear Itself
- Esham – Closed Casket
- Odd Squad – Fadanuf Fa Erybody
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions, and here for 1994’s Top 40 Hip Hop Songs.
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 1995
- Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
- GZA – Liquid Swords
- The Pharcyde – Lacabincalifornia
- Mobb Deep – The Infamous
- 2Pac – Me Against The World
- Goodie Mob – Soul Food
- Big L – Lifestyles Ov Da Poor & Dangerous
- Ol’ Dirty Bastard – Return To The 36 Chambers
- Bone Thugs N Harmony – E. 1999 Eternal
- Smif N Wessun – Dah Shinin
- KRS One – KRS One
- DJ Quik – Safe + Sound
- Aceyalone – All Balls Don’t Bounce
- AZ – Doe Or Die
- Tha Dogg Pound – Dogg Food
- The Roots – Do You Want More?!!!??!
- Show & AG – Goodfellas
- E-40 – In A Major Way
- Eightball & MJG – On Top Of The World
- WC & The MAAD Circle – Curb Servin
- Kool G Rap – 4,5,6
- LL Cool J – Mr Smith
- Cypress Hill – III
- Tha Alkoholiks – Coast II Coast
- Masta Ace – Sittin’ On Chrome
- King Tee – IV Life
- K-Rino – Danger Zone
- Group Home – Livin’ Proof
- Mic Geronimo – The Natural
- Count Bass-D – Pre-Life Crisis
- Too short – Cocktails
- Fat Joe – Jealous One’s Envy
- Miilkbone – Da Miilkcrate
- Erick Sermon – Double Or Nothing
- The Nonce – World Ultimate
- Onyx – All We Got Iz Us
- The Grouch – Don’t Talk To Me
- Nine – Nine Livez
- Channel Live – Station Identification
- Souls Of Mischief – No Man’s Land
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions, and here for 1995’s Top 40 Hip Hop Songs.
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 1996
- OutKast – ATLiens
- The Roots – Illadelph Halflife
- De La Soul – Stakes Is Higher
- Dr Octagon – Dr Octagonecologyst
- The Fugees – The Score
- Nas- It Was Written
- Ghostface Killah – Ironman
- Jay Z – Reasonable Doubt
- 2Pac – All Eyez On Me
- Redman – Muddy Waters
- UGK – Ridin’ Dirty
- Jeru The Damaja – Wrath Of The Math
- DJ Shadow – Entroducing
- Makaveli – The Don Killuminati The Seven Day Theory
- Ras Kass – Soul On Ice
- A Tribe Called Quest – Beats, Rhymes & Life
- Mobb Deep – Hell On Earth
- Heltah Skeltah – Nocturnal
- Busta Rhymes – The Coming
- Keith Murray – Enigma
- Poor Righteous Teachers – The New World Order
- Real Live – The Turnaround: A Long-Awaited Drama
- Chino XL – Here To Save You All
- Sadat X – Wild Cowboys
- M.O.P. – Firing Squad
- Lost Boyz – Legal Drug Money
- Xzibit – At The Speed Of Life
- Lord Finesse – The Awaking
- Bahamadia – Kollage
- OGC – Da Storm
- E-40 – Tha Hall Of Fame
- Geto Boys – The Ressurection
- Westside Connection – Bow Down
- Ultra – Big Time
- Delinquent Habits – Delinquent Habits
- Chuck D – Autobiography Of Mistachuck
- Eminem – Infinite
- Mad Skillz – From Where???
- Lil Kim – Hardcore
- Too Short – Gettin’ It
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions, and here for 1996’s Top 40 Hip Hop Songs.
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 1997
- Company Flow – Funcrusher Plus
- Camp Lo – Uptown Saturday Night
- Wu-Tang Clan – Wu-Tang Forever
- The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death
- Mood – Doom
- O.C. – Jewelz
- Common – One Day It’ll All Make Sense
- Cru – Da Dirty 30
- Capone-N-Noreaga – The War Report
- Jedi Mind Tricks – The Psycho-Social […]
- Scarface – The Untouchable
- Kool Keith – Sex Style
- Jay Z – In My Lifetime Vol. 1
- Frankie Cutlass – Politics & Bullsh**
- Slum Village – Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1
- Busta Rymes – When Disaster Strikes
- Organized Konfusion – Equinox
- Missy Elliott – Supa Dupa Fly
- Rakim – The 18th Letter
- KRS One – I Got Next
- Suga Free – Street Gospel
- The Beatnuts – Stone Crazy
- Atmosphere – Overcast!
- Del The Funky Homosapien – Future Development
- Boogie Monsters – God Sound
- Jungle Brothers – Raw Deluxe
- EPMD – Back In Business
- Tha Alkaholiks – Likwidation
- Diamond – Hatred, Passions & Infidelity
- Latryx – The Album
- Murs – F’real
- Artifacts – That’s Them
- Aesop Rock – Music For Earthworms
- MJG – No More Glory
- No I.D. – Accept Your Own & Be Yourself (The Black Album)
- Royal Flush – Ghetto Millionaire
- Rampage – Scout’s Honor… By Way Of Blood
- Killarmy – Silent Weapons For Quiet Wars
- The Firm – The Album
- LL Cool J – Phenomenon
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions.
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 1998
- Black Star – Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
- OutKast – Aquemini
- Gang Starr – Moment Of Truth
- Big Pun – Capital Punishment
- All Natural – No Additives, No Preservatives
- Styles Of Beyond – 2000 Fold
- Aceyalone – A Book Of Human Language
- People Under The Stairs – The Next Step
- DMX – It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot
- Beastie Boys – Hello Nasty
- Hieroglyphics – 3rd Eye Vision
- Jurassic 5 – Jurassic 5
- Goodie Mob – Still Standing
- Xzibit – 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz
- The Coup – Steal This Album
- The Dynospectrum – The Dynospectrum
- Pete Rock – Soul Survivor
- Killah Priest – Heavy Mental
- Jay Z- Vol 2… Hard Knock Life
- Rasco – Time Waits For No Man
- A Tribe Called Quest – The Love Movement
- Kool G Rap – Roots Of Evil
- Sunz Of Man – The Last Shall Be First
- RZA – Bobby Digital
- AZ – Pieces If A Man
- M.O.P. – First Family 4 Life
- DJ Quik – Rhythm-al-ism
- Fat Joe – Don Cartagena
- Devin The Dude – The Dude
- Black Eyed Peas – Behind The Front
- Canibus – Can-I-Bus
- Ice Cube – War & Peace, Vol 1 (The War Disc)
- DMX – Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood
- Cappadonna – The Pillage
- Busta Rhymes – E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front
- Eightball – Lost
- Juvenile – 400 Degreez
- Big Daddy Kane – Veteranz Day
- Redman – Doc’s Da Name 2000
- Method Man – Tical 2000: Judgement Day
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions.
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 1999
- Mos Def – Black On Both Sides
- The Roots – Things Fall Apart
- MF DOOM – Operation Doomsday
- Eminem – The Slim Shady LP
- Pharoahe Monch – Internal Affairs
- Dr Dre – 2001
- Dr. Dooom – First Come, First Served
- Blackalicious – Nia
- Prince Paul – A Prince Among Thieves
- Lootpack – Soundpieces: Da Antidote
- Method Man & Redman – Blackout!
- Handsome B-boy Modelling School – So How’s Your Girl
- Jeru The Damaja – Heroz4Hire
- Inspectah Deck – Uncontrolled Substance
- Various Artists – Rawkus Presents: Soundbombing II
- Kurupt – Tha Streetz Iz A Mutha
- Nas – I Am…
- Q-Tip – Amplified
- Slick Rick – The Art Of Storytelling
- Arsonists – As The World Burns
- Ice T – 7th Deadly Sin
- The High & The Mighty – Home Field Advantage
- Peanut Butter Wolf – My Vinyl Weighs A Ton
- Public Enemy – There’s A Poison Goin’ On
- Rakim – The Master
- Mobb Deep – Murda Muzik
- Jay Z – Vol 3… Life & Times Of S. Carter
- Kool Keith – Black Elvis / Lost In Space
- GZA – Beneath The Surface
- Eightball & M.J.G. – In Our Lifetime
- Tech N9ne – The Calm Before The Storm
- EPMD – Out Of Business
- The Beatnuts – A Musical Massacre
- Atmosphere – Headshotz Se7en
- K-Rino – No Mercy
- Swollen Members – Balance
- Scaramanga – Seven Eyes, Seven Horns
- Black Moon – War Zone
- Hot Boys – Guerilla Warfare
- Polyrhythm Addicts – Rhyme Related
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions.
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2000
- Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP
- Deltron 3030 – Deltron 3030
- Common – Like Water For Chocolate
- Ghostface Killah – Supreme Clientele
- OutKast – Stankonia
- Reflection Eternal – Train Of Thought
- dead prez – Let’s Get Free
- Slum Village – Fantastic, Vol. 2
- Binary Star – Masters Of The Universe
- Zion I – Mind Over Matter
- Jedi Mind Tricks – Violent By Design
- Quasimoto – The Unseen
- Del The Funky Homosapien – Both Sides Of The Brain
- Jurassic 5 – Quality Control
- Bumpy Knuckles – Industry Shakedown
- Wu-Tang Clan – The W
- Aesop Rock – Float
- Big L – The Big Picture
- Dilated Peoples – The Platform
- People Under The Stairs – Question In The Form Of An Answer
- Foreign Legion – Kidnapper Van: Beats To Rock While Bike-Stealin’
- Tony Touch – The Piece Maker
- De La Soul – Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump
- Beanie Sigel – The Truth
- Rah Digga – Dirty Harriet
- M.O.P. – Warriorz
- Scarface – The Last Of A Dying Breed
- D.I.T.C. – D.I.T.C.
- Antipop Consortium – Tragic Epilogue
- Various Artists – Lyricist Lounge 2
- Big Pun – Yeeeah Baby
- DJ Quik – Balance & Options
- Jay-Z – The Dynasty
- Murs – Murs Rules The World
- The Pharcyde – Plain Rap
- Analog Brothers – Pimp To Eat
- Ice Cube – War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc)
- Bone Thugs N Harmony – BTNHResurrection
- Prodigy – H.N.I.C.
- Snoop Dogg – Tha Last Meal
Check here for the full list + videos & honorable mentions.
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2001
- J-Live – The Best Part
- Jay-Z – The Blueprint
- Cannibal Ox – The Cold Vein
- Masta Ace – Disposable Arts
- Nas – Stillmatic
- Immortal Technique – Revolutionary Vol. 1
- Aesop Rock – Labor Days
- Ugly Duckling – Journey To Anywhere
- CunninLynguists – Will Rap For Food
- Asheru & Blue Black – Soon Come
- Atmosphere – Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EP’s
- 7L & Esoteric – The Soul Purpose
- J. Rawls – The Essence Of J. Rawls
- Jay Dee aka J Dilla – Welcome 2 Detroit
- Substantial – To This Union A Sun Was Born
- Cormega – The Realness
- Abstract Rude + Tribe Unique – P.A.I.N.T.
- Sticky Fingaz – [Blacktrash] The Autobiography of Kirk Jones
- All Natural – Second Nature
- RZA – Digital Bullet
- Declaime – Andsoitisaid
- Ghostface Killah – Bulletproof Wallets
- Lone Catalysts – Hip Hop
- Eyedea & Abilities – First Born
- Beanie Sigel – The Reason
- De La Soul – AOI: Bionix
- Wu-Tang Clan – Iron Flag
- KRS-One – The Sneak Attack
- Dilated Peoples – Expansion Team
- Typical Cats – Typical Cats
- Sm*t Peddlers – Porn Again
- Aceyalone – Accepted Eclectic
- Kankick – From Artz Unknown
- Cypress Hill – Stoned Raiders
- Killah Priest – Priesthood
- Dungeon Family – Even In Darkness
- Mr. Len – Pity The Fool
- J-Zone – Pimps Don’t Pay Taxes
- The Lost Children Of Babylon – Where Light Was Created: The Equidivium
- Tunnel Rats – Tunnel Vision
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2002
- J-Live – All Of The Above
- Mr. Lif – I Phantom
- El-P – Fantastic Damage
- Nas – The Lost Tapes
- Eminem – The Eminem Show
- Scarface – The Fix
- Jurassic 5 – Power In Numbers
- Blackalicious – Blazing Arrow
- Nas – God’s Son
- Non Phixion – The Future Is Now
- Sage Francis – Personal Journals
- Busdriver – Temporary Forever
- Talib Kweli – Quality
- Atmosphere – God Loves Ugly
- The Roots – Phrenology
- People Under The Stairs – O.S.T.
- Cormega – The True Meaning
- Large Professor – 1st Class
- GZA – Legend Of The Liquid Sword
- Deepspace5 – The Night We Called It A Day
- Dälek – From Filthy Tongue Of Gods And Griots
- Insight – Updated Software V. 2,5
- Edan – Primitive Plus
- Canibus – Mic Club: The Curriculum
- MF Grimm – The Downfall Of Ibliys: A Ghetto Opera
- 7L & Esoteric – Dangerous Connection
- Alias – The Other Side Of The Looking Glass
- Clipse – Lord Willin’
- Archetype – Freehand Formula
- DJ Quik – Under Tha Influence
- Nappy Roots – Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz
- Jean Grae – Attack Of The Attacking Things…
- Cage – Movies For The Blind
- Motion Man ft. KutMasta Kurt – Clearing The Field
- Royce Da 5’9″ – Rock City
- DJ Jazzy Jeff – The Magnificent
- Kool G Rap – The Giancana Story
- Boot Camp Clik – The Chosen Few
- Busta Rhymes – It Ain’t Safe No More…
- Jay-Z – The Blueprint²: The Gift & The Curse
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2003
- Brother Ali – Shadows On The Sun
- Little Brother – The Listening
- Viktor Vaughn – Vaudeville Villain
- Canibus – Rip The Jacker
- Jay Z – The Black Album
- Immortal Technique – Revolutionary Vol. 2
- Ugly Duckling – Taste The Secret
- Non Prophets – Hope
- 50 Cent – Get Rich Or Die Tryin’
- CunninLynguists – Southernunderground
- Dizzee Rascal – Boy In Da Corner
- The Last Emperor – Music, Magic, Myth
- Aesop Rock – Bazooka Tooth
- Gang Starr – The Ownerz
- Louis Logic – Sin-A-Matic
- King Geedorah – Take Me To Your Leader
- OutKast – Speakerboxxx / The Love Below
- Murs – The End Of The Beginning
- Jaylib – Champion Sound
- KRS-One – Kristyles
- Danger Mouse & Jemini – Ghetto Pop Life
- Soul Position – 8 Million Stories
- Jedi Mind Tricks – Visions Of Gandhi
- T.I. – Trap Muzik
- Paris – Sonic Jihad
- Lightheaded – Pure Thoughts
- Killer Mike – Monster
- The High & Mighty – The Highlite Zone
- Killah Priest – Black August
- Vakill – The Darkest Cloud
- Insight – The Maysun Project
- Soul Supreme – The Saturday Nite Agenda
- Atmosphere – Seven’s Travels
- Cyne – Time Being
- Akrobatik – Balance
- Semi.Official – The Anti-Album
- Jeru The Damaja – Divine Design
- Hieroglyphics – Full Circle
- billy woods – Camouflage
- Nappy Roots – Wooden Leather
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2004
- Madvillain – Madvillainy
- Masta Ace – A Long Hot Summer
- De La Soul – The Grind Date
- Kanye West – The College Dropout
- Eyedea & Abilities – E&A
- P.O.S – Ipecac Neat
- Murs & 9th Wonder – Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition
- MF DOOM – Mm.. Food
- Foreign Exchange – Connected
- Jean Grae – This Week
- The U.N. – UN Or U Out
- The Roots – The Tipping Point
- R.A. the Rugged Man – Die, Rugged Man, Die
- Royce Da 5’9″ – Death Is Certain
- Ghostface Killah – The Pretty Tony Album
- Edo. G feat. Pete Rock – My Own Worst Enemy
- Gift Of Gab – 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up
- Nas – Street’s Disciple
- Beastie Boys – To The 5 Boroughs
- Time Machine – Slow Your Roll
- Shock G – Fear Of A Mixed Planet
- Masta Killa – No Said Date
- Jedi Mind Tricks – Legacy Of Blood
- Illogic – Celestial Clockwork
- Ill Bill – What’s Wrong With Bill?
- Visionaries – Pangaea
- Leak Bros. – Waterworld
- Rob Sonic – Telicatessen
- Braille – Shades Of Grey
- Blue Scholars – Blue Scholars
- Insight – The Blast Radius
- Dizzee Rascal – Showtime
- Typical Cats – Civil Service
- billy woods – The Chalice
- 7L & Esoteric – DC2: Bars of Death
- Non Phixion – The Green CD
- Oh No – The Disrupt
- Crown City Rockers – Earthtones
- Dilated Peoples – Neighborhood Watch
- Micranots – The Emperor & The Assassin
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2005
- Common – Be
- Little Brother – The Minstrel Show
- Ohmega Watts – The Find
- Kanye West – Late Registration
- Atmosphere – You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having
- Zion I – True & Livin’
- Beanie Sigel – The B. Coming
- Danger Doom – The Mouse And The Mask
- The Game – The Documentary
- Jazz Addixx – Oxygen
- One Be Lo – S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
- Sean Price – Monkey Barz
- Bun B – Trill
- Quasimoto – The Further Adventures of Lord Quas
- Blueprint – 1988
- Pumpkinhead – Orange Moon Over Brooklyn
- Edan – Beauty & The Beat
- Felt – Felt 2: A Tribute to Lisa Bonet
- Cage – Hell’s Winter
- Sage Francis – A Healthy Distrust
- The Crest – Skeptik
- Blackalicious – The Craft
- Qwel & Jackson Jones – Dark Day
- Fort Minor – The Rising Tied
- Cyne – Evolution Fight
- Shad – When This Is Over
- Common Market – Common Market
- K’naan – The Dusty Foot Philosopher
- Lone Catalysts – Good Music
- Dälek – Absence
- Busdriver – Fear Of A Black Tangent
- Sims – Lights Out Paris
- Geto Boys – The Foundation
- Reef The Lost Cauze – Feast Or Famine
- J-Live – The Hear After
- The Circle Of Tyrants – The Circle Of Tyrants
- Black Market Militia – Black Market Militia
- Tonedeff – Archetype
- Three 6 Mafia – Most Known Unknown
- Proof – Searching For Jerry Garcia
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2006
- The Roots – Game Theory
- Jedi Mind Tricks – Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell
- Lupe Fiasco – Food & Liquor
- J Dilla – Donuts
- CunninLynguists – A Piece Of Strange
- Ghostface Killah – Fishscale
- People Under The Stairs – Stepfather
- Nas – Hip Hop Is Dead
- Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury
- Ugly Duckling – Bang For The Buck
- MF Grimm – American Hunger
- Apathy – Eastern Philosophy
- Project Polaroid – Project Polaroid
- Murs & 9th Wonder – Murray’s Revenge
- Army Of The Pharaohs – The Torture Papers
- J Dilla – The Shining
- Mekalek – Live & Learn
- P.O.S – Audition
- 7L & Esoteric – A New Dope
- Kool Keith – Nogatco Rd.
- Modill – Midnight Green
- Ghostface Killah – More Fish
- Panacea – Ink Is My Drink
- Akir – Legacy
- Tanya Morgan – Moonlighting
- Dilated Peoples – 20/20
- Steady Diggin Workshop – Let’s Go Steady
- Oh No – Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms
- Mr. Lif – Mo Mega
- Surreal & The Sound Providers – True Indeed
- Aceyalone – Magnificent City
- KRS One – Life
- Rhymefest – Blue Collar
- Method Man – 4:21… The Day After
- The Game – Doctor’s Advocate
- Strange Fruit Project – The Healing
- J-Zone & Celph Titled Are The Boss Hog Barbarians - Every Hog Has Its Day
- Jurassic 5 – Feedback
- Psalm One – The Death Of Frequent Flyer
- OutKast – Idlewild
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2007
- Brother Ali – The Undisputed Truth
- Blu & Exile – Below The Heavens
- Aesop Rock – None Shall Pass
- Percee P – Perseverance
- Pharoahe Monch – Desire
- Lupe Fiasco – The Cool
- Kanye West – Graduation
- Cunninlynguists – Dirty Acres
- Talib Kweli – Eardrum
- Senim Silla – The Name The Motto The Outcome
- Shad – The Old Prince
- Y Society – Travel At Your Own Pace
- El-P – I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead
- Common – Finding Forever
- Evidence – The Weatherman LP
- UGK – Underground Kingz
- Jay-Z – American Gangster
- Sage Francis – Human The Death Dance
- Black Milk – Popular Demand
- Little Brother – Getback
- Ohmega Watts – Watts Happening
- Ghostface Killah – The Big Doe Rehab
- Polyrhythm Addicts – Break Glass
- Sean Price – Jesus Price Supastar
- Army Of The Pharaohs – Ritual Of Battle
- Panacea – The Scenic Route
- Blue Scholars – Bayani
- One Be Lo – The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.
- Phat Kat – Carte Blanche
- Scarface – M.A.D.E.
- Public Enemy – How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul???
- Killah Priest – The Offering
- Redman – Red Gone Wild
- DJ Jazzy Jeff – The Return Of The Magnificent
- Super Chron Flight Brothers – Emergency Powers
- Jeru The Damaja – Still Rising
- KRS-One & Marley Marl – Hip Hop Lives
- Camp Lo – Black Hollywood
- Wu-Tang Clan – 8 Diagrams
- A-Plus – My Last Good
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2008
- Q-Tip – The Renaissance
- Grip Grand – Brokelore
- Prolyphic & Reanimator – The Ugly Truth
- Elzhi – The Preface
- The Roots – Rising Down
- Doomtree – Doomtree
- Immortal Technique – 3rd World
- J-Live – Then What Happened?
- eMC – The Show
- Nas – Untitled
- Jake One – White Van Music
- Black Milk – Tronic
- Dela – Changes Of Atmosphere
- Invincible – Shapeshifters
- Ill Bill – The Hour Of Reprisal
- Vordul Mega – Megagraphitti
- Cyne – Pretty Dark Things
- Mike Mictlan & Lazerbeak – Hand Over Fist
- Atmosphere – When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Sh** Gold
- Dagha – The Divorce
- East Coast Avengers – Prison Planet
- Vast Aire – Dueces Wild
- Pacewon & Mr. Green – The Only Color That Matters Is Green
- People Under the Stairs – Fun DMC
- Johnson & Jonson – Johnson & Jonson
- Common Market – Tobacco Road
- Killer Mike – I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II
- Kenny Segal – Ken Can Cook
- Thirsty Fish – Testing The Waters
- Kool Keith – Dr. Dooom 2
- Jedi Mind Tricks – A History Of Violence
- Awon – Beautiful Loser
- Murs – Murs For President
- Akrobatik – Absolute Value
- Reks – Grey Hairs
- Paris – Acid Reflex
- Substantial – Sacrifice
- Snowgoons – Black Snow
- Craig G & Marley Marl – Operation Take Back Hip-Hop
- KRS-One – Maximum Strength
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2009
- Mos Def – The Ecstatic
- Diamond District – In The Ruff
- P.O.S – Never Better
- Felt – Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez
- Fashawn – Boy Meets World
- Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt II
- Skyzoo – The Salvation
- J Dilla – Jay Stay Paid
- Brother Ali – Us
- Marco Polo & Torae – Double Barrel
- Finale – A Pipe Dream And A Promise
- Killah Priest – Elizabeth (Introduction To The Psychic)
- People Under The Stairs – Carried Away
- Oddisee – Mental Liberation
- The Large Professor – The LP
- Qwel & Maker – So Be It
- O.C. & A.G. – Oasis
- Souls Of Mischief – Montezuma’s Revenge
- Paten Locke – Super Ramen Rocketship
- Eminem – Relapse
- Toki Wright – A Different Mirror
- DOOM – Born Like This
- Mr. Lif – I Heard It Today
- Tanya Morgan – Brooklynati
- Superstar Quamallah – Invisible Man
- Antipop Consortium – Fluorescent Black
- Slaughterhouse – Slaughterhouse
- Illogic – Diabolical Fun
- Ace & Edo – Arts & Entertainment
- Ugly Duckling – Audacity
- La Coka Nostra – A Brand You Can Trust
- KRS-One & Buckshot – Survival Skills
- Five O’Clock Shadowboxers – The Slow Twilight
- Black Noise – The Black Noise LP
- Curren$y – This Aint No Mixtape
- Jay Z – The Blueprint 3
- Sha Stimuli – My Soul To Keep
- Blaq Poet – Tha Blaqprint
- Sick Jacken – Stray Bullets
- Apathy – Wanna Snuggle?
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2010
- Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
- Kno – Death Is Silent
- Nas & Damien Marley – Distant Relatives
- Boog Brown & Apollo Brown – Brown Study
- Celph Titled & Buckwild – Nineteen Ninety-Now
- Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
- Roc Marciano – Marcberg
- The Roots – How I Got Over
- The Left – Gas Mask
- Skyzoo & !llmind – Live From The Tape Deck
- Black Milk – Album Of The Year
- Strong Arm Steady – In Search Of Stoney Jackson
- Qwel & Maker – Owl
- Dark Time Sunshine – Vessel
- Curren$y – Pilot Talk
- Incise – Daily Methods
- Freeway & Jake One – The Stimulus Package
- yU – Before Taxes
- Ghostface Killah – Apollo Kids
- Curren$y – Pilot Talk II
- Shad – TSOL
- Reflection Eternal – Revolutions Per Minute
- Blacastan – Blac Sabbath
- Rakaa Iriscience – Crown Of Thorns
- Guilty Simpson & Madlib – OJ Simpson
- 7L & Esoteric – 1212
- Vinnie Paz – Season Of The Assassin
- PackFM – I F*****’ Hate Rappers
- H.I.S.D. – The Weakend
- Bop Alloy – Substantial & Marcus D Are Bop Alloy
- Homeboy Sandman – The Good Sun
- A.G. – Everythings Berrii
- B. Dolan – Fallen House, Sunken City
- Kooley High – Eastern Standard Time
- The Heart & Brain – Mbodiment
- Tiff The Gift – Cool, Calm, Chill
- ESQ & Chikaramanga – The Succession
- Panacea – 12 Step Program
- Danny Brown – The Hybrid
- Brotha Lynch Hung – Dinner & A Movie
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2011
- Shabazz Palaces – Black Up
- CunninLynguists – Oneirology
- Rashad & Confidence – The Element Of Surprise
- The Roots – Undun
- Danny Brown – X X X
- Phonte – Charity Starts At Home
- Doomtree – No Kings
- Kendrick Lamar – Section.80
- Pharoahe Monch – W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)
- Common – The Dreamer / The Believer
- Evidence – Cats & Dogs
- Murs – Love & Rockets Vol. 1: The Transformation
- Thurz – L.A. Riots
- J-Live – S.P.T.A. (Said Person Of That Ability)
- Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
- Superstar Quamallah & DeQawn – Talkin’ All That Jazz
- People Under The Stairs – Highlighter
- Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Gonna Eat That?
- Rasheed Chappell – Future Before Nostalgia
- DJ Quik – The Book Of David
- Ugly Duckling – Moving At Breakneck Speed
- Rebels To The Grain – Harvest Season
- Hassaan Mackey & Apollo Brown – Daily Bread
- Apathy – Honkey Kong!
- Random Axe – Random Axe
- Has-Lo – In Case I Don’t Make It
- R.E.K.S. – Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme
- MarQ Spekt & Kno – Machete Vision
- Killer Mike – PL3DGE
- Action Bronson – Dr. Lecter
- Tone Spliff – Work Ethics
- Kanye West & Jay-Z – Watch The Throne
- Royce Da 5’9″ – Success Is Certain
- The Doppelgangaz – Lone Sharks
- Malcolm & Martin – Life Doesn’t Frighten Me
- DTMD – Makin’ Dollas
- 9th Wonder – The Wonder Years
- Outerspace – My Brother’s Keeper
- Atmosphere – The Family Sign
- Thirsty Fish – Watergate
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2012
- Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City
- Killer Mike – R.A.P. Music
- Ab-Soul – Control System
- O.C. & Apollo Brown – Trophies
- El-P – Cancer 4 Cure
- Nas – Life Is Good
- Roc Marciano – Reloaded
- Rapsody – The Idea Of Beautiful
- Sean Price – Mic Tyson
- billy woods – History Will Absolve Me
- Aesop Rock – Skelethon
- Death Grips – The Money Store
- Brother Ali – Mourning In America And Dreaming In Color
- Big K.R.I.T. – Live From The Underground
- Oddisee – People Hear What They Wanna Hear
- Lil Ugly Mane – Mista Thug Isolation
- Purpose & Confidence – Purpose Of Confidence
- ScHoolboy Q – Habits & Contradictions
- Skyzoo – A Dream Deferred
- Apollo Brown & Guilty Simpson – Dice Game
- Pacewon & Mr. Green – The Only Number That Matters Is Won
- Oh No – Ohnomite
- Dark Time Sunshine – ANX
- Reks – Straight, No Chaser
- Large Professor – Professor @ Large
- Constant Deviants – Diamond
- Evitan – Speed Of Life
- Murs & 9th Wonder – The Final Adventure
- Gensu Dean – Lo-Fi Fingahz
- Vinnie Paz – God Of The Serengeti
- Homeboy Sandman – First Of A Living Breed
- Styles Of Beyond – Reseda Beach
- DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles – KoleXXXion
- Substantial – Home Is Where the Art Is
- Gangrene – Vodka & Ayahuasca
- Masta Ace & MF DOOM – MA_DOOM: Son of Yvonne
- Ka – Grief Pedigree
- Public Enemy – Most Of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear On No Stamp
- Chino XL – Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary
- KRS One – The BDP Album
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2013
- Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels
- Oddisee – Tangible Dream
- Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge – Twelve Reasons To Die
- Awon & Phoniks – Return To The Golden Era
- Earl Sweatshirt – Doris
- R.A. The Rugged Man – Legends Never Die
- Qwel & Maker – Beautiful Raw
- Demigodz – KILLmatic
- Armand Hammer – Race Music
- Danny Brown – Old
- Ugly Heroes – Ugly Heroes
- Ka – The Night’s Gambit
- J-Zone – Peter Pan Syndrome
- A$ap Rocky – LONG LIVE A$AP
- Black Milk – No Poison No Paradise
- billy woods – Dour Candy
- Natti – Still Motion
- Killah Priest – The Psychic World Of Walter Reed
- Boog Brown – The Late Bloom
- Clear Soul Forces – Gold PP7s
- Czarface – Czarface
- Cubbiebear – Force Back To Sleep
- Deltron 3030 – Event 2
- Lewis Parker – The Puzzle: Episode Two: The Glass Ceiling
- Shad – Flying Colours
- DJ Format & Phill Most Chill – The Foremost
- L’Orange & Stik Figa – The City Under The City
- Prodigy & The Alchemist – Albert Einstein
- Roc Marciano – Marci Beaucoup
- Blame One & J57 – Walk In The Sun
- Yugen Blakrok – Return Of The Astro-Goth
- Epidemic – Somethin’ For Tha Listeners
- Prolyphic & Buddy Peace – Working Man
- Greenhouse – Bend But Don’t Break
- Curly Castro – FIDEL
- Boldy James – My 1st Chemistry Set
- Hieroglyphics – The Kitchen
- Freddie Gibbs – ESGN
- Talib Kweli- Gravitas
- Eminem – Marshall Mathers LP 2
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2014
- Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels 2
- Freddie Gibs & Madlib – Pinata
- PRhyme -PRhyme
- Open Mike Eagle – Dark Comedy
- Damani Nkosi – Thoughtful King
- Hail Mary Mallon – Bestiary
- Dilated Peoples – Directors Of Photography
- Pharoahe Monch – PTSD
- Diamond District – March On Washington
- Sage Francis – Copper Gone
- Schoolboy Q – Oxymoron
- People Under The Stairs – 12 Step Program
- Big K.R.I.T. – Cadillactica
- Skyzoo & Torae – Barrel Brothers
- Dag Savage – E&J
- J Cole – 2014 Forest Hills Drive
- Apollo Brown & Ras Kass – Blasphemy
- Awon & Dephlow – Dephacation
- Sa-Roc – Nebuchadnezzar
- The 1978ers – People Of Today
- Shabazz Palaces – Lese Majesty
- Army Of The Pharaohs – In Death Reborn
- Diabolic – Fighting Words
- Step Brothers – Lord Steppington
- YG – My Krazy Life
- Ghostface Killah – 36 Seasons
- Anti-Lilly & Phoniks – Stories From The Brass Section
- Black Milk- If There’s A Hell Below
- Common – Nobody’s Smiling
- Army Of The Pharaohs – Heavy Lies The Crown
- Diamond D – The Diam Piece
- Cormega – Mega Philosophy
- Atmosphere – Southsiders
- Souls Of Mischief – There Is Only Now
- Busdriver – Perfect Hair
- Ces Cru – Codename: Ego Stripper
- uMaNg – The Black Rose Certificate
- Jazz Spastiks – The Product
- Rozewood – The Ghost Of Radio Raheem
- Tiff The Gift – Better To Give
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2015
- Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly
- Lupe Fiasco – Tetsuo & Youth
- Add-2 – Prey For The Poor
- Oddisee – The Good Fight
- Vince Staples – Summertime ’06
- Awon & Phoniks – Knowledge Of Self
- Earl Sweatshirt – I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside
- Scarface – Deeply Rooted
- Czarface – Every Hero Needs A Villain
- Pusha T – King Push — Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude
- Joey Bada$$ – B4.DA.$$
- A$AP Rocky – At.Long.Last.A$AP
- Apollo Brown – Grandeur
- Skyzoo – Music For My Friends
- billy woods – Today I Wrote Nothing
- The Game – The Documentary 2/2.5
- Semi Hendrix – Breakfast At Banksy’s
- Asphate – Closed Doors To An Open Mind
- Dr. Yen Lo – Days With Dr. Yen Lo
- Junk Science – And The Hundred Dollar Sandwich
- L’Orange & Jeremiah Jae – The Night Took Us In Like Family
- Jay Rock – 90059
- Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge – Twelve Reasons To Die II
- Jazz Spastiks & Rebels To The Grain – Unkut Fresh
- Gangrene – You Disgust Me
- Rapper Big Pooh & Nottz – Home Sweet Home
- Ghostface Killah & BADBADNOTGOOD – Sour Soul
- First Division – Overworked & Underpaid
- Killah Priest – Planet Of The Gods
- Fashawn – The Ecology
- Kirk Knight – Late Knight Special
- Dephlow – Deph Threats
- Monday/Friday – Monday/Friday
- J-Live – How Much is Water?
- The Four Owls – Natural Order
- Jedi Mind Tricks – The Thief And The Fallen
- Triple Darkness – Darker Than Black
- Milo – So The Flies Don’t Come
- Grand Daddy I.U. – P.I.M.P. (Paper Is My Priority)
- MED, Blu & Madlib – Bad Neighbor
Check here for the full list, including honorable mentions
Top 40 Hip Hop Albums 2016
- Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels 3
- Danny Brown – Atrocity Exhibition
- Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid
- A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service
- Common – Black America Again
- Westside Gunn – FLYGOD
- Ryu – Tanks For The Memories
- Ab-Soul – Do What Thou Wilt
- Apollo Brown & Skyzoo – The Easy Truth
- Ka – Honor Killed The Samurai
- Royce 5’9″ – Layers
- Isaiah Rashad – The Sun’s Tirade
- ScHoolboy Q – The Blank Face LP
- Elzhi – Lead Poison
- De La Soul – And The Anonymous Nobody
- Kool Keith – Feature Magnetic
- J-Zone – Fish-n-Grits
- Kanye West – The Life Of Pablo
- Mikey D – Day Of D’struction
- Ugly Heroes – Everything In Between
- UG – Portals
- The Game – 1992
- Apathy – Handshakes With Snakes
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