Below are some of my favorite hip-hop highlights of 2018. Check the following playlists, albums, music videos, cyphers, and rap battles for my personal run-down of the year.
The Latest Playlist: 2018
*Track listing at bottom of post
Notable Albums of 2018
Avantdale Bowling Club – Avantdale Bowling Club
New Zealand based rapper Tom Scott is backed by a full live band for this collaborative hip-hop jazz-fusion project. The sound is raw, high-energy, and feels completely improvisational. The tracks are very long and have multiple jazzy instrumental sections that transition from one sound to the next, making 8 tracks sound like at least a dozen songs. Scott’s ability to keep up with the band while maintaining clear vocal projection is one of his most impressive qualities. With each musical transition, Scott manages to adapt the style of his flow to the band. His lyrics are not especially complex, but they come off as commendably honest and personal. Scott raps primarily about his own personal experiences and memories, which are often accompanied by vivid descriptions. He also raps about friends, relationships, and other aspects of his life, at times progressing into unorganized contemplative tangents.
Black Thought – Streams of Thought Vol. 1 & 2
In his first major solo project, 47-year-old veteran MC and The Roots front man, Black Thought blessed 2018 with a 2-part project that made clear he is still in his prime. Thought plays the role of an elder instructor with every bit of vigor from his youth. Commanding attention with his powerful cadence, every line is delivered like it’s for a packed stadium. Vol. 1 was a June release primarily produced by 9th Wonder that served as an explosive re-introduction of who Black Thought is and what he’s about. Black Thought is uncompromisingly conscious and ultra-political, frequently referencing history, spirituality, and current events from local to global levels. Vol. 2 was a late November release produced by Salaam Remi, and debatably album of the year. With the same energy and intentions in Vol. 1, Vol. 2 was a platform for Thought to get into more specific issues, such as the pharmaceutical industry, industrial prison complex, school shootings, and gang violence to name a few. This is classic hip-hop with clean production. For any old heads in 2018, Streams of Thought Vol. 1 & 2 are true gems.
Earl Sweatshirt – Some Rap Songs
Only 3 years after his last release, Earl Sweatshirt sounds like he has aged a decade. Despite the album title, this is Earl’s most stylistically and conceptually cohesive project to date. The entire album carries a lethargic dystopian energy as Earl raps with a low muffled tone over mostly uplifting, dusty lo-fi samples. Over 15 very short songs, Earl offers admirably genuine pictures of his life and psychological condition. Despite the undertones of depression, he presents himself as sarcastically optimistic or at least apathetic. Most of his expressive content is not direct, but layered in metaphor and wordplay.
Jericho Jackson – Khrysis & Elzhi are Jericho Jackson
This project is another gem for classic heads. Renowned independent rapper Elzhi flexes clever east cost lyricism over headnodic beats that feel like the cold winter streets of New York City. Throughout the project Elzhi delivers an onslaught of continuous wordplay, creative punch lines and metaphors. Despite the lyrical density, his message is crystal clear, which is in a word, ‘struggle’. He makes clear that his life has been dangerous and difficult, that he has little trust for anyone, that he is “Self Made” and as an underground veteran, has worked for everything he’s earned. Elzhi is often known for his proudly Nas-influenced style, which is expectedly evident in this project. In a way Jericho Jackson feels a bit like a classic Nas album.
Check out other Notable Albums from: Armand Hammer, Jay Rock, Jean Grae & Quelle Chris, JID, Mick Jenkins, Milo, and Noname.
Notable Videos of 2018
Childish Gambino – This Is America
Jay Rock – The Bloodiest
JID – Working Out
Earthgang – Up
Mick Jenkins – What Am I To Do
Iron Solomon vs Rum Nitty
Chris Webby on Sway
The Latest Playlist 2018
Black Milk – Could It Be
Saba – LIFE
Michael Christmas feat. Tobi Lou – Not the Only One
Mick Jenkins – Gwendolynn’s Apprehension
JID – 151 Rum
JPEGMAFIA – 1539 N. Calvert
Roc Marciano – Power
Mayhem Lauren feat. Conway – Venetian Loafers
Action Bronson – Prince Charming
The Skull Eclipses, Botany & Lushlife – Take My
Avantdale Bowling Club – F(r)iends
Earl Sweatshirt – Azucar
Royce da 5’9” feat. Ashley Sorrell – God Speed
Marlowe – Lost Arts
Bishop Nehru – Driftin’
Jericho Jackson – Self Made
Black Thought – 9th vs. Thought
The Lioness – Great Things
Jean Grae & Quelle Chris feat. Dane Orr – Peacock
Masta Ace & Marco Polo feat. Pearl Gates – Still Love Her
Milo – Mid Answer Trying To Remember What the Question Is
Open Mike Eagle – Southside Eagle
Hermit and the Recluse – Golden Fleece
Evidence feat. Jonwayne – To Make a Long Story Longer
Pete Flux & Parental – Burgermeister
Gavlyn & DJ Hoppa – Note to Self
Chester Watson – Floating
Iojii – Spook Who Sat By Da Floor
Busdriver feat. Dntel & Lorde Fredd33 – The year I became a mutherfuckin’ G
The Alchemist feat. Earl Sweatshirt – E. Coli
The Mic is the Message 