2017 was an amazing year for rap albums. It is one of the best years we have had since 2014 and 2016. Oh, did you think I was going to say 1998 or something? No, when you pay full attention to more than just the commercial hit sellers and actually look for the content and quality of material, you can find outstanding work from phenomenal artists. With the help of you the commenters, all of these albums listed have actually been heard and deemed as good music. Some albums you might have heard of, others you might have not and others you will be surprised as much I was.
Unlike many other “Best of” lists that other websites post, this is not a ranking of or a limitation to a list of albums. Since many have a preconceived view that 2017 was a terrible year for rap, we hope that this list shows how much good quality material was put out there this year. So, put your trust in the list below and put the biases to the side. Let us hope that 2018 continues this trend of great quality albums.
Action Bronson – Blue Chips 7000
AD – Blue 89 C2
Arsonal – Vibes
ASAP Twelvyy – 12
Belly – Mumble Rap
Berner & Styles P – Vibes
Big Boi – Boomiverse
Big K.R.I.T. – 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time
Blu & Exile – In the Beginning (Before the Heavens)
Bone Thugs – New Waves
Brother Ali – All the beauty in this whole life
C Bo – The Problem
Crank Lucas – Rap Goals
Cyhi The Prynce – No Dope on Sundays
Da Flyy Hooligan – S.C.U.M
Dave East – Paranoia: A True Story
David Banner – The God Box
Devin the Dude – Acoustic Levitation
DJ Quik & Problem – Rosecrans
Edo G – Freedom
Fabolous & Jadakiss – Friday on Elm Street
Freddie Gibbs – You Only Live 2wice
G Herbo – Humble Beast
G Perico – All Blue
G Perico – 2 Tha Left
HorseShoe Gang – Dope Lyrics Matter
Hospin – No Shame
Hus Kingpin – Cocaine Beach
Jaden Smith – SYRE
Jay Worthy & G Perico G-Worthy
Jay-Z – 4:44
Jarren Benton – The Mink Coat Killa
J.I.D. – The Never Story
Jidenna – The Chief
Joe Moses & NWB – Til Death Do Us Part
Joey Bad@$ – All Amerikkkan Bada$$(A.A.B.A)
Joyner Lucas – 508-507-2209
JR Writer – I Really Rap
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN
Kirk Knight & Nyck Caution Nyck @ Knight
Kool G Rap – Return of the Don
Krayzie Bone – E 1999: The Leatherface Project
Krayzie Bone – Eternal Legend
KRS-1 – The World Is Mine
Kxng Crooked – Good Vs Evil 2: The Red Empire
Logic – Everybody
Locksmith – Olive Branch
Lute – West 1996 Part 2
Masta Killa – Loyalty Is Royalty
Meyhem Lauren & Dj Muggs – Gems from The Equinox
MC Eiht – Which Way iz West
Meek Mill – Wins and Losses
Migos – Culture
Moneybagg Yo – Heartless
Mozzy – 1 up top ahk
Murs – Captain California
Nick Grant – Return of the Cool
Nicolas Craven -Craven N
Nitty Scott, MC – Creature!
Oddisee – The Iceberg
Offset & 21 Savage – Without Warning
Planet Asia – Anchovies
Problem – Selfish
Prodigal Sunn – The Spark
Prodigy – Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation)
Raekwon – The Wild
Ransom – Greatest Rapper Alive
Rapsody – Laila’s Wisdom
Ras Kass – Year End Closeout
Rick Ross – Rather You Than Me
RJMRLA & DJ Mustard – The Ghetto
Rockness Monsta – Rockness A.P.
Scarface – Deeply Rooted: The Lost Files
Sean Price – Imperius Rex
Sha Stimuli – Lazarus
Skyzoo – Peddler Themes
Smino – Blkswn
Snoop Dogg – Make America Crip Again
Snoop Dogg – Neva Left
Spice 1 – Throne of Game
Stalley – Tell the Truth Shame the Devil
Statik Selektor – 8
TeeCee4800 – Realness Over Millions 2
Tee Grizzley – My Moment
Talib Kweli & Styles P – The Seven
Talib Kweli – Radio Silence
The Underachievers – Renaissance
Mozzy & Gunplay – Dreadlocks and Headshots
Vic Mensa – The Autobiography
Vince Staples Big Fish Theory
Westside Gunn – Riots on Fashion Avenue
Willie the Kid – Blue Notes
Willie the Kid – Deutsche Marks
Willie the Kid – Filthy Money
Wu Tang Clan – The Saga Continues
Young Buck – 10 Toes Down
Yukmouth – Based on a Vill Story
YWN Daboii – Young Wild Nigga
So what album were missed?
