Below I have compiled my top 10 albums of 2019. Unlike my half-year list that I made in July, I did not include any albums that dropped late 2018. I limited this list to only projects that dropped in this calendar year.
Without further adieu, here’s the list:
10. “Die a Legend” – Polo G
This year, Polo G has quickly ascended to one of the top rappers out of Chicago. His transparency and honesty shined throughout this album. If you’ve ever seen one of his interviews, you can tell he has a good head on his shoulders. That paired with good music, could keep him around for years to come.
9. “Baby on Baby” – DaBaby
I was honestly surprised by the year DaBaby had. I started the year as a non-believer in Jonathan Kirk, and I am ending it as a fan. He was able to create an album with such a high replay value that I couldn’t possibly put him on this list. He had the world dancing to “Suge”. His immediate impact is evident; DaBaby is here for the long-run.
8. “AI YoungBoy 2” – YoungBoy Never Broke Again
Raps bad boy had much to prove and a lot of eager fans waiting for his piece of music after being released from jail earlier this year. He delivered on both of these projects. Filled with a young man bearing his pain and frustrations on wax, how can you not love this project?
7. “Seven 25” – Tsu Surf
The battle rap legend, Tsu Surf, came earlier delivering one of the stronger projects of the year. His unique way of painting a vivid picture for the listener, helps you envision the stories he is telling you throughout this album.
6. “Bandana” – Freddie Gibbs & Madlib
The chemistry between this top tier emcee and the legendary producer is evident. This project was far from their first rodeo together, and their uncanny ability to work together helped them deliver one of the best projects of this year and the second-best rap project on this list.
5. “Shea Butter Baby” – Ari Lennox
This album is exactly what Ari intended for it to be, a soul album. This is music that our generation will be playing when it’s time for our kids to get up and clean the house. Listening to this album, you can’t help but feel good. She delivered one of the better R&B projects of the decade. It just sucks she didn’t get the deserved recognition for it.
4. “Indigo” – Chris Brown
First things first, this album has entirely too many tracks on it. But, with that many songs, you are bound to find something that you like, and with Indigo, I found a whole album’s worth. For me, this album had the highest replay value out of any album on this list, or this year if we’re being honest. On this project I finally felt like I got a glimpse of Chris Brown, the person is doing and not just a front for the world to see.
3. “Ugh, those feels again” – Snoh Aalegra
This is one of those albums that when you put it on, you instantly know you will be playing for years to come. This album has songs that everybody can relate to. Snoh pulled back a layer of herself that can sometimes be hard for people to do and it’s appreciated because it resulted in great music for everyone to connect with.
2. “Chasing Summer” – SiR
I’ve always felt like SiR was the forgotten artist of TDE. He never got the credit I felt he deserved, but with this album, I think he took a step in the right direction into stepping into the spotlight. With the travel theme he took on with this album, the way he executed showed how much focus he put into this project. Everything flowed smoothly from track to track. I’m excited to see what’s to come from SiR.
1. “Everything’s For Sale” – Boogie
My favorite album of this year belongs to Boogie. He has an uncanny ability to paint his feelings on the track. I feel like his lisp gives his raps a unique delivery that makes him stand out from the rest. This album dropped in January and I find myself, here in December still giving it heavy spins. Boogie has a bright career ahead of him.
