Top 10 Hip-Hop/R&B Albums of 2020

2020 felt that much harder for the hip-hop community. With posthumous releases from Mac Miller, Pop Smoke, and Juice WRLD, and dedications to late legends like Kobe, the music world responded by putting emotions to the pad.

Several superstars were speculated to drop projects at the beginning of the year, but several delayed their rollouts due to the pandemic. The upside of their absence meant lesser-known artists took more of the spotlight than they otherwise could. Groups such as Griselda capitalized this year, and other lesser-known artists such as Jay Electronica, Spillage Village, and Amine came into their own with incredible projects.

Another note this year was the rise of rapper/producer albums (we have 3 on our list!). Nas famously broke the industry mold of only having a single producer on an album when he dropped Illmatic back in 1994, but the tides may finally be swaying back to that form of collaboration.

Take a look below at some honorable mentions, followed by our Top 10 list of 2020 and let us know what you think!

Honorable Mentions

It Is What It Is - Thundercat

The Price of Tea in China - Boldy James

Spilligion - Spillage Village

From King To A GOD - Conway the Machine

Burden of Proof - Benny The Butcher

Top 10 List of 2020

10. Circles - Mac Miller

A heavy album knowing it will be our last new project from Mac, but incredibly thankful it came in this form. Sad, reflective, with some upbeat parts throughout the album, this one was especially provoking given Mac’s death. One of the most genuine posthumous albums in recent memory for one of the most genuine hip hop artists of the generation.

9. Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon - Pop Smoke

Despite his untimely death, Pop left us with an incredible album with some of the best hard rap songs of the year. This album was a great one to push the drill sound into mainstream, and Pop executed it perfectly to mesh the true sound and cultural identity of drill into commercial success. Rest easy young legend.

8. After Hours - The Weekend

We didn't expect so much disco and we didn't expect drum & bass, but we did expect The Weeknd executing a top notch album. The man who “ran out of tears when he was 18” impressively finds a way to keep digging deeper.

7. Modus Vivendi - 070 Shake

070 Shake's sound is one of the hardest genres to pin down, but this is the same versatility that allows her to morph and capture each emotion she sets out to define. Her soundscapes hold the finesse of seasoned electronic producers and her lyricism holds the emotional value of veteran indie rock writers. And this was just her debut...

6. UNLOCKED - Denzel Curry/Kenny Beats

This album gave an incredible themed look at what two creatives can accomplish with no limits. The rollout to the album was incredible, and the fact that they made it in such little time is equally inspiring as it is impressive. Denzel always spits heat, and the grittiness and one-take feeling of the verses give the project a rebel-like feel and delivery. Some beats are better than others, as are verses, but all-in-all this project deserves all the praise.

5. Savage Mode II - 21 Savage/Metro Boomin

Another incredible collaboration between producer and rapper. The constant theme, Morgan Freeman features, and overall vibe that the project sticks to is felt throughout and never dips away from its intended purpose. 1 + 1 = 3.

4. RTJ4 - Run the Jewels

THEY. DON'T. MISS. One of the most consistent rap groups ever comes out with another heavy hitting album. Same energy with new delivery on relevant topics. They were a summertime staple this year.

3. Limbo - Amine

Of all rappers Amine sounds like he's having the most fun making music. He has the type of mic presence where you could throw on any type of beat and he'd deliver a catchy melody on the spot. He crafted an excellent album by not trying to be overly ambitious and playing true to his soul.

2. A Written Testimony - Jay Electronica

This album starts with a powerful and thought-provoking three-song series that sets the tone for the album. It then moves through experimental moods through unique sampling and carried by Jay Electronica’s spiritual ideas tied to religion, race, and humanity. Between Jay Z’s creative boost, ADIPTA standing as one of the songs of the year, and the otherwordly feel of these tracks, A Written Testimony stands tall in 2020.

1. Alfredo - Freddie Gibbs/The Alchemist

Freddie Gibbs has become the face of success in rapper/producer collab albums - this time striking gold with The Alchemist. The collaboration between these two is felt in every track, merging experimental beats with hardened verses.

Thank you for reading and we hope you found some new music because of it! Let us know your thoughts on our list and if there are any albums you think we should’ve included.