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Sekou Bermiss’ 2024 Hip Hop Year in Review

2024 was a very interesting year for hip-hop. While the year will likely be remembered for one standout event, I believe (and hope) it will also be seen as the rebirth of lyricism in rap music.  As someone who subscribes to No Bars Off, I wasn’t entirely sure if most rap fans still cared about #bars. Then, suddenly, it seemed like everyone was deeply invested in what two rappers (Kendrick & Drake) had to say in their songs—dissecting allusions, metaphors, double entendres, cadences, and more. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but I’m optimistic. The best albums of 2024 showcase a diverse range of styles and voices. Instead of ranking them individually, I’ve grouped them into three tiers: the top, the overshadowed contenders, and the honorable mentions.

I “published” my first year in review in 2005. Twenty years later, I’d say my track record is pretty solid. So let’s see how I did this year. Without further ado, here’s my list of the top rap albums of 2024:

 

Top Tier

Kendrick Lamar

(Highlights: Ending Drake’s Career; TV Off)

The seeds of Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 dominance were planted with his verse on Like That. His back-and-forth with Drake defined the year in music. You might be tired of Not Like Us, but it’s one of the rare diss tracks that doubles as a certified club hit—a nearly impossible feat. Few could have imagined Kendrick burying Drake with a song that dominates both lyrically and on the dance floor.

This year, Kendrick took out the two MCs who were his biggest competition for the title of the best of his generation. The moment felt like Michael Jordan in the 1990s, systematically dismantling the back-to-back champion Bad-Boy Detroit Pistons, Magic Johnson, Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley, Shawn Kemp & Gary Payton, and John Stockton & Karl Malone. Speaking of Stockton and Malone, they might be the closest NBA analogy for Drake: by the numbers, they’re undeniably among the greatest, but most fans didn’t love them and celebrated when Jordan denied them a championship.

GNX is a strong album, but it was the relentless barrage of Drake diss tracks that cemented 2024 as Kendrick Lamar’s year. There’s simply no debate about it.

 

Good Albums that Got Overshadowed Tier

 

(highlights: DENIAL IS A RIVER; BOOM BAP; NISSAN ALTIMA)

Listening to Doechii feels like a breath of fresh air, reminiscent of the first time I watched Ja Morant play in college. This is exactly how discovering a new artist should feel. Her music commands your attention, keeping you on edge because you never know what she’ll do or say next. You can hear echoes of her influences in her cadence —part Nicki Minaj, part Missy Elliott. Her flow also contains some classic hip hop elements. “Denial is a River” is the entertaining self-dialogue song that was popular in the late 90s, see Biggie’s “Gimmie The Loot” and DMX’s “Damien”. She sings, she raps, and she unapologetically overshares, and it’s all fantastic.  I’m excited to see what kind of albums she creates in the future.

 

(Highlights: Pricey; Crocodile Terz; Stealth Mode)

Lyrically and sonically, this album meets the high standard we’ve come to expect from J. Cole. However, its title feels fitting—it sounds more like the rough draft of a full-fledged album. With more time and refinement, only four or five of these tracks might have made the cut for a polished project. Clearly, those 4-5 tracks were elite enough for this album to land on my best of 2024 list. This album made waves largely because of 7 Minute Drill, Cole’s fiery response to Kendrick’s attack on him and Drake. But everything shifted when, at Dreamville Fest, Cole publicly apologized to Kendrick Lamar (and perhaps everyone?) for releasing the diss track. That moment seemed to mark the end of any real momentum for this album. Maybe in five years, listeners will revisit and appreciate some of the verses, but for now, its impact feels muted. However, if you are reading this it's NOT too late (corny Drake pun intended)…check it out.

 

Samurai; Lupe Fiasco

(Highlights Samurai; Palaces)

Personally, this is my favorite album of 2024. I don’t usually keep up with Lupe Fiasco’s music, but three or four people hit me up saying, “Have you heard the new Lupe?” So I gave it a spin—and it’s a beautiful album. Sonically, it’s a gem. Soundtrakk handled all the production and was truly in his element. The title track feels like a sunny spring day in Chicago—a warm, welcome break from the usual cold. I later read that the album was inspired by Amy Winehouse, which makes sense given its jazzy vibe and deep reflections on what it means to be an artist. The album feels heavy in its themes but seamlessly translates into a light and effortless sound. It’s not something you’d hear in a club or on the radio, but it’s a masterclass in craftsmanship.

 

The Force; LL Cool J

(highlights: Spirit of Cyrus; The FORCE; Passion; Murdergram)

 

This was the biggest surprise of the year. I’m Bad was the first rap song I ever deliberately memorized—I was nine years old. That was 37 years ago, and it turns out Cool James is still a force to be reckoned with in the booth. I can’t decide if he updated his flow or if he stayed the same and his style came back into vogue, like Starter jackets. Either way, it works. Q-Tip remains a master behind the boards, crafting beats that elevate this project. Most of the features feel authentic (though I’d be fine never hearing Praise Him again). The pièce de résistance is Murdergram, where LL goes bar for bar with Eminem on a distinctly Eminem-style track—and outshines him on his own turf. Shoutout to the OGs for proving they’ve still got it. This album even gives me hope that I can make a comeback on the basketball court one day.

 

 

Everybody Can’t Go; Benny The Butcher

(highlights: Back Again; One Foot In; How To Rap)

If Martin Scorsese can make gangster movies well into his 80s, then I can listen to trap music well into mine. Right now, no one does it better than Griselda. Benny the Butcher is the De Niro of the group, delivering battle rap punchlines laced with street wisdom. Lyrically, he holds his own alongside legends like Snoop, Jadakiss, and Lil Wayne—a testament to his skill, not a fluke. If the Bills win the Super Bowl, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear Josh Allen featured on a Griselda mixtape in 2025.

 

 

Honorable Mention Tier

Missionary; Snoop Dogg

Missionary was packaged as a 30-year sequel to Snoop’s Doggystyle classic. Snoop and Dr. Dre wanted to show a different level of maturity in this sequel which ultimately led to many listeners struggling to find the connection to Doggystyle. It’s an enjoyable listen, but it feels over-produced. Many of the samples are either too well-known or lack intrigue, which takes away from the overall experience. The album comes off like a big-budget movie packed with star-studded cameos (see Tom Petty and Sting), but with little substance or a compelling storyline to tie it all together. Despite the cons of the album, it’s great to see Snoop and Dre back together giving you a heavy dose of 90’s nostalgia.

 

 

Still Praying; Westside Gunn & DJ Drama

Westside Gunn may not have much range as a rapper, but the brilliant compilation of boom-bap beats, DJ Drama’s scratching and narration, and the humorous skits and interludes provide all the depth and variety needed to make this an album you can play from start to finish. Every workout I did in 2024 was better with this album in my earbuds.

 

RIP to DJ Mister Cee and DJ Clark Kent.  Two hip hop trailblazers from the beautiful borough of Brooklyn that have shaped the soundtrack of my life. 

 

 

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