Curated by Danielle
Everyone had their eyes on Hip Hop in 2014: how the world would react to the “Anaconda“ cover (and how Nicki would react to the haters); how Twitter would respond to Macklemore and Iggy Azalia’s confusing Grammy and MTV wins; and how the the hip-hop community would come together and fight for justice following the Mike Brown and Eric Garner cases. However, 2014 proved to be the year for hip-hop’s newcomers. Fresh talent infiltrated our iPods and the streets of NYC this year as we No Flex Zoned with Rae Sremmurd, did the Shmoney Dance with Bobby Shmurda, and got Fancy with Iggy.
Here is the list of the best hip hop albums this year:
Ana Tijoux Vengo
Attention hip hop heads: brush up on your Spanish. French-Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux has been making waves in the Latino hip hop scene since her breakout single, “1977,” which was featured on an episode of AMC’s Breaking Bad. Her authenticity and homage to her Chilean roots make Venjo well worth your attention. Highlights include a 43 second mariachi clip on “Los Diablitos,” which drowns into “Interlude Agua,” which is 40 seconds of the Andean pan-flute-just in case you needed a break from her flow.
YG My Krazy Life
YG’s debut album sounds like a soundtrack to a full length feature film. That’s probably because that is exactly how he envisioned it to read. To mirror “My Krazy Life,” YG conceived a film about gang-culture in LA titled Blame It On The Streets. My Krazy Life is filled with plenty of chart-topping hits thanks to pals Drake, Schoolboy Q, Jeezy, and Ty Dolla $ign. Highlights include hearing the rapper’s soulful voice in his R&B apology to his mother, in which he sings, “Momma, let me take some weight off your shoulder.”
Vince Staples Hell Can Wait
Vince Staples produced one of our favorite videos of the year, and his debut album has been long time coming. Hell Can Wait came out amidst the protests surrounding Michael Brown, which prompted the 21-year-old rapper to drop the protest anthem “Hands Up.” Staples’ impressive use of wordplay and his fearlessness when rapping about what it takes to get into heaven and the birds and the bees keeps listeners hung up on every word. You can hear the influences in the album (Wu-Tang Clan at the start of “Blue Suede,” for one), but Staples has proven that he can hold his own. Highlights include a hard-hitting love song with it-girl Teyana Taylor.
Shabazz Palaces Lese Majesty
Seattle based duo Shabazz Palaces have caused a ruckus in 2014. The elusive pair dropped their sophomore album on the heels of the break-up note leaked by reigning experimental hip-hop group Death Grips in July. Lese Majesty is presented as a science project, but when unwrapped it’s an intimate collection of sounds, beats, and lyricism that gets under your skin. Highlights include the seductive intro to “They Come In Gold.”
Isaiah Rashad Cilvia Demo
After being featured on XXL’s 2014 “Freshman Class”, Southern-born, California rapper Isaiah Rashad dropped his critically acclaimed debut album Cilvia Demo. Rashad’s sincerity and excellent storytelling throughout Cilvia Demo make you want to be his best friend. Cilvia Demo is easily one of the best albums of the year because of its ability to take elements from Southern rap and West Coast hip-hop and create a new sound. Highlights include “Shot You Down” featuring fellow Top Dawg Entertainment brothers Jay Rock and ScHoolboy Q.
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib Cocaine Piñata
Freddie Gibbs told Hip Hop DX that he conceived the original name for his latest project, “Cocaine Piñata,” from a dream he had involving a dope filled piñata. It’s a brutally honest album from start to finish. Freddie Gibbs and Madlib make the perfect pair and have, by far, the best album cover on this list. Highlights include his words on “Broken,” such as “Seven grams of rock, I stuff ’em in my nuts, and seven bucks an hour wasn’t good enough, cause seven days a week I’m living in a rush.”
Run The Jewels Run The Jewels 2
Run The Jewels 2 is brash, comedic, socially conscious, and lyrically sharp: “If anytime murder gets complacent, face it.” The lyrics are borderline psychotic – which adds to its charm. Killer Mike and El-P announced they are working on Run The Jewels 3, which is to be released in 2015. Highlights include the head-banging joyride song “Blockbuster Night Part 1.”
ScHoolboy Q Oxymoron
We aren’t sure whether to thank ScHoolboy Q or resent him for his triumphant return of the bucket hat. The former Black Hippy member dropped Oxymoron, which is by far his greatest achievement, as he proves to be one of the most charismatic rappers in the game. It’s nearly impossible not to get caught up in his catchy hooks in ” Studio” or “Collard Greens.” It’s raw, gritty, and one hell of a fun ride. He is reliant on an impressive list of cameos, but his talent is certainly enough to carry him through. Highlights include his most vulnerable closing track “Man of the Year.”
Ratking So It Goes
Reckless Harlem trio Ratking are bringing hip-hop back to NY. So It Goes is a dirty, enthusiastic collection of New York City’s next generation in music, who use the city as both their canvas and inspiration. “Canal” is one of the more celebrated tracks off the album and a crowd favorite for the references: “So Lenox here I lay; Lay, lay, lay you’re my guest; breathe out the stress, let’s digress. ” Highlights include the fast-paced dance track “Puerto Rican Judo,” because featured female rappe Wavy Spice sounds like both Salt -N- Pepa and you can feel the group’s energy through your speakers.
Black Milk If There’s A Hell Below
Black Milk allows all of his hidden talents to come to the surface in If There’s a Hell Below. Each well constructed song weaves effortlessly into the next, and you begin to fall under the trance of long time rapper/producer Black Milk. He plays with ’80s dance beats, R&B vocals, and jazz and rock elements — yet he produced one cohesive sound. This is not an album to be rushed, as it engulfs complex beats, tight rhymes, and lyrics from an accomplished artist at the height of his game. Highlights include the intense dance track “Detroit’s New Dance Show” and the powerful lyrics on “Scum” that could not ring any more true today: “We don’t think like Martin when Malcom was the outcome.”
Honorable Mention
Step Brothers Lord Steppington
Future Honest
Ab-Soul These Days
Your Old Droog Your Old Droog
Common Nobody’s Smiling
The Roots …and then you shoot your cousin
T.I. Paperwork
Open Mike Eagle Dark Comedy
Azalea Banks Broke With Expensive Taste
Young Thug and Bloody Jay Black Portland