Metacritic/EOY Aggregate: 2025 New Music: Hip-Hop

Notes

For information on what lists are consulted, and what the various abbreviations and notes mean, click here.

For reissues and compilations, click here.

Sub-Lists

Some breakdowns by genre:

Ranking

  1. Billy Woods: Golliwog (Backwoodz Studioz) {47}: AV:+, BPM:*, BV:+, Cl:*, CM:+, CS:+, DW:**+, Ex:*+, Fa:+, G:*+, HG:+, HV:+, LBF:*, Mj:72, MO:*, NT:*, P:+, Pf:*, PM:+, PO:*, Ov:*, RC:*, RS:*+, SC:*, Sg:+, Sk:*, Sl:*+, Spk:*, StL:*, Tr:+; am:*, vu:+, xjdc:* -- A:87/21, RX:A-, TH:A-
  2. Little Simz: Lotus (Little Simz) {30}: AD:*, Al:*, BV_i:+, Cl:*, D:*, DIY:*, HG:+, I:*, LBF:*, MO:*, Mj:13*, Ne:*, NME:*+, Ov:*, PO:*, RC:*, RS:*, RSUK:*, Sk:*, Sl:+, T:*, U:*, XCI:**; am:*, xjdc:* -- A:86/21, TH:*
  3. Sudan Archives: The BPM (Stones Throw) {20}: BPM:*, Cl:*, DW:**, Ex:*, Mj:*, MO:*, NT:*, P:*, Pf:*, PO:*, Sk:*, Sl:*, StL:*; am:*, xjdc:* -- A:82/13, TH:A-
  4. Clipse: Let God Sort Them Out (Roc Nation) {16}: Cl:*, CS:*, G:*, HG:+, Ne:*, PO:*, RR:*, RS:*; am:* -- A:80/12, RX:B+, TH:A-
  5. Backxwash: Only Dust Remains (Ugly Hag) {15}: AV:+, BV:+, DiS:*, Ex:+, HG:+, K:*, P:*+, PO:*, Sg:+, Tr:+; vu:+ -- A:87/4, TH:***
  6. Buck 65: Keep Moving (Handsmade) {15}: DW:*+, PO:*, XCI:**; xjdc:* -- RX:A, TH:A-
  7. Earl Sweatshirt: Live Laugh Love (Tan Cressida/Warner) {14}: Cl:*, Em:*, Ex:*, G:*, Ne:*, NT:*, P:*, Pf:*, PO:*, RS:*, Sl:*, StL:*; am:* -- A:82/13, TH:*
  8. Kae Tempest: Self Titled (Island) {14}: Cl:*, DIY:*, G:*, I:*, L:*, MO:*, NME:*, U:*, XCI:*; am:* -- A:83/8, TH:A-
  9. Danny Brown: Stardust (Warp) {13}: D:*, DIY:*, DW:**, Ex:*, G:*, NME:*, NT:*, Sk:*, Sl:* -- A:75/14, TH:***
  10. Chance the Rapper: Star Line (self-released) {13}: Cl:*, DW:**, RS:*, XCI:*; am:* -- A:70/6, RX:B+, TH:A-
  11. MIKE: Showbiz! (10k) {13}: CS:+, Ex:+, G:*, HG:+, P:*, Pf:*, RS:+; vu:+ -- A:76/5, RX:B+, TH:**
  12. Public Enemy: Black Sky Over the Projects: Apartment 2025 (Enemy) {13}: DW:**, HG:+, PO:*; xjdc:* -- RX:A-, TH:A-
  13. Aesop Rock: Black Hole Superette (Rhymesayers) {12}: HG:+, Ne:*, Pf:*, PM:*, PO:*, SC:*, XCI:*; am:*, xjdc:* -- A:74/8, TH:***
  14. Brother Ali: Satisfied Soul (Mello Music Group) {12}: Al:*, HG:+, PO:*, RR:*, ST:+ -- A:90/1, RX:***, TH:A-
  15. Loyle Carner: Hopefully! (EMI/Universal) {12}: AD:*, Al:*, Cl:*, D:*, DIY:*, G:*, LBF:*, NME:*, PM:*, Sk:*, T:* -- A:81/14, TH:**
  16. Clipping.: Dead Channel Sky (Sub Pop) {12}: Cl:*, D:*, DIY:*, Ex:*, HG:+, NT:*, PO:*; am:* -- A:78/8, TH:A-
  17. Chuck D: Chuck D Presents Enemy Radio: Radio Armageddon (Def Jam) {11}: HG:+, PO:*; am:* -- A:80/1, RX:A-, TH:A-
  18. Open Mike Eagle: Neighborhood Gods Unlimited (Auto Reverse) {10}: BPM:*, HG:+, P:*, Pf:*, Spk:*, XCI:* -- A:84/5, TH:A-
  19. John Glacier: Like a Ribbon (Young) {10}: BV:+, Cl:*, D:*, DIY:*, G:*+, MO:*, Pf:*, Sg:+ -- A:82/8, TH:*
  20. Playboi Carti: [I Am] Music (AWGE/Interscope) {10}: BB:+, Fa:+, G:*, HV:+, NME:*, RS:*+, Sg:+ -- A:67/8, TH:**
  21. Saba & No I.D.: From the Private Collection of Saba and No ID (From the Private Collection) {10}: Cl:*, CS:+, HG:+, P:+, RS:*+ -- A:85/2, TH:A-
  22. Central Cee: Can't Rush Greatness (CC4L/Columbia) {9}: BB:+, Cl:*, G:*, I:*, NME:*, RS:*+ -- A:69/11, TH:**
  23. McKinley Dixon: Magic, Alive! (City Slang) {9}: DIY:*, HG:+, Ne:*, P:*+, Spk:*, Tr:+ -- A:85/5, TH:**
  24. JID: God Does Like Ugly (Dreamville/Interscope) {9}: CS:*, LBF:*, Ne:*, NT:*, PO:*, SC:* -- A:75/10, TH:***
  25. Wretch 32: Home? (AWAL) {9}: Cl:*, MO:*, NME:*+, Ov:*, RSUK:*, T:* -- A:85/6, TH:**
  26. $ilkMoney: Who Waters the Wilting Giving Tree Once the Leaves Dry Up and Fruits No Longer Bear? (Lex/DB$B) {8}: Pf:*, PO:*, Sl:*, SpL:** -- A:80/2, TH:***
  27. Kassa Overall: Cream (Warp) {8}: DW:**, Mj:*, PO:*; am:* -- A:80/2, TH:***
  28. PremRock: Did You Enjoy Your Time Here . . . ? (Backwoodz Studioz) {8}: BV:+, HG:+ -- RX:***, TH:***
  29. Antony Szmierek: Service Station at the End of the Universe (Mushroom Music) {8}: Cl:*, D:*, DIY:*, NME:*, RC:* -- A:85/6, TH:***
  30. Tyler, the Creator: Don't Tap the Glass (Columbia) {8}: CS:*, G:*, LBF:*, MO:*, Ne:*, NME:*, StL:* -- A:75/12, TH:*
  31. Wu-Tang X Mathematics: Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman (36 Chambers/DNA Music) {8}: HG:+, PO:*, RR:*; xjdc:* -- A:75/1, TH:A-
  32. Aesop Rock: I Heard It's a Mess There Too (Rhymesayers) {7}: DW:**; xjdc:* -- TH:A-
  33. Dave: The Boy Who Played the Harp (Neighbourhood) {7}: Cl:*, G:*, NME:* -- A:79/6, TH:A-
  34. Infinity Knives & Brian Ennals: A City Drowned in God's Black Tears (Phantom Limb) {7}: Mj:*, Ne:*, RS:+, S:+, SC:* -- A:83/3, TH:**
  35. Apathy: Mom & Dad (Dirty Version/Coalmine) {6}: HG:+, RR:* -- A:80/1, TH:A-
  36. Armand Hammer & the Alchemist: Mercy (Backwoodz Studioz/Rhymesayers) {6}: LBF:*, Pf:*; am:* -- A:75/4, TH:***
  37. MC Paul Barman: Tectonic Texts (Househusband) {6}: -- RX:B+, TH:***
  38. Yugen Blakrok: The Illusion of Being (IOT) {6}: HG:+, PO:*, RR:* -- A:80/1, TH:***
  39. Cardi B: Am I the Drama? (Atlantic) {6}: DW:**, G:*, RS:* -- A:67/12, TH:**
  40. Ho99o9: Tomorrow We Escape (Last Gang/999 Deathkult/MNRK) {6}: D:*, DiS:*, DIY:*, K:*, LBF:*, Ne:* -- A:80/8
  41. Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist: Life Is Beautiful (The Freeminded/ALC/Empire) {6}: Cl:*, CM:+, HG:+; vu:+ -- A:67/4, TH:**
  42. Pink Siifu: Black'!Antique (Dynamite Hill) {6}: Cl:*, HG:+, RS:+, SLi:*, Tr:+ -- A:74/4, TH:*
  43. Princess Nokia: Girls (Artist House) {6}: Cl:*, PO:*; xjdc:* -- A:80/1, TH:***
  44. 2hollis: Star (Interscope) {5}: NME:*, O:*, Sg:+, -- A:74/4, TH:**
  45. Blueprint: Vessel (Weightless) {5}: HG:+ -- TH:A-
  46. Apollo Brown & Bronze Nazareth: Funeral for a Dream (Escapism) {5}: HG:+ -- TH:A-
  47. DJ Haram: Beside Myself (Hyperdub) {5}: Cl:*, PO:* -- A:79/2, TH:**
  48. Doseone & Height Keech: Wood Teeth (Hands Made -EP) {5}: PO:*; xjdc:* -- TH:***
  49. Ghais Guevara: Goyard Ibn Said (Fat Possum) {5}: HG:+, LBF:* -- A:70/2, TH:***
  50. Homeboy Sandman & Illingsworth: Dancing Tree (self-released -EP) {5}: ST:++ -- TH:***
  51. KRS-One: Temple of Hip Hop Global Awareness (R.A.M.P. Ent Agency) {5}: HG:+ -- TH:A-
  52. Jim Legxacy: Black British Music (XL) {5}: G:*, NME:*, P:*, RS:* -- A:87/5, TH:*
  53. Vinnie Paz: God Sent Vengeance (Iron Tusk Music) {5}: HG:+ -- TH:A-
  54. Preservation & Gabe 'Nandez: Sortilège (Backwoodz Studioz) {5}: HG:+, PO:* -- TH:***
  55. Queen Herawin: Awaken the Sleeping Giant (Matic) {5}: HG:+ -- TH:A-
  56. Rizzle Kicks: Competition Is for Losers (BMG) {5}: AD:*, D:*, MO:*, NME:*, T:* -- A:77/6
  57. Big L: Harlem's Finest: Return of the King (Mass Appeal) {4}: HG:+ -- TH:***
  58. Doseone/Steel Tipped Dove: All Portrait, No Chorus (Backwoodz Studioz) {4}: HG:+, PO:* -- TH:**
  59. Fines Double: Espejismo (self-released) {4}: HG:+ -- TH:***
  60. Ghostface Killah: Supreme Clientele 2 (Mass Appeal) {4}: Em:*, HG:+, RS:* -- A:74/6, TH:*
  61. Freddie Gibbs & the Alchemist: Alfredo 2 (ESGN/ALC) {4}: BPM:*, Cl:*, RR:* -- A:78/7, TH:*
  62. Mexstep & Principe Q: Tráfico (Puro Unity -EP) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  63. MIKE & Tony Seltzer: Pinball II (10k) {4}: HG:+, Pf:*, RS:*, Sl:* -- A:80/3
  64. Napoleon Da Legend & Giallo Point: F.L.A.W. (Legendary) {4}: HG:+ -- TH:***
  65. OsamaSon: Jump Out (Motion Music/Atlantic) {4}: Pf:*, RS:+; am:*, vu:+ -- A:81/2
  66. Slick Rick: Victory (Mass Appeal) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  67. Vega7 the Ronin/Machacha: The Ghost Orchid (Copenhagen Crates) {4}: HG:+ -- TH:***
  68. The Young Mothers: Better If You Let It (Sonic Transmissions) {4}: CM:+, PO:* -- TH:**
  69. Fly Anakin: The (Forever) Dream (Lex) {3}: HG:+, XCI:* -- TH:*
  70. Black Milk & Fat Ray: Food From the Gods (Computer Ugly/Fat Beats) {3}: PO:* -- TH:**
  71. Blockhead: It's Only a Midlife Crisis if Your Life Is Mid (Future Archive) {3}: ST:+ -- TH:**
  72. Doja Cat: Vie (Kemosabe/RCA) {3}: Cl:*, G:*; am:* -- A:70/7, TH:**
  73. Josiah the Gift & Machacha: The Happening (BarsOverBs) {3}: HG:+ -- TH:**
  74. Knowledge the Pirate: The Round Table (Pimpire/Trouble Chest Entertainment) {3}: HG:+ -- TH:**
  75. Krept & Konan: Young Kingz II (Play Dirty) {3}: O:*, Ov:*, Sk:* -- A:80/3
  76. Lil Wayne: Tha Carter VI (Young Money/Republic) {3}: HV:+; xjdc:* -- TH:*
  77. John Michel/Anthony James: Egotrip (Loudmouth) {3}: HG:+ -- TH:**
  78. Nerves Baddington: Driving Off Cliffs () {3}: HG:+ -- TH:**
  79. ShrapKnel & Mike Ladd: Saisir Le Feu (Fused Arrow) {3}: HG:+ -- TH:**
  80. Skaiwater: #mia (GoodTalk/Capitol -EP) {3}: DW:*+ -- TH:*
  81. UFO Fev & Body Bag Ben: Thousand Yard Stare (1332) {3}: HG:+ -- TH:**
  82. WNC WhopBezzy/70th Street Carlos: Out the Blue (WNC) {3}: Pf:* -- TH:**
  83. Wolfacejoeyy: Cupid () {3}: DW:*+, G:+ -- A:60/1
  84. Evidence: Unlearning Vol. 2 (Rhymesayers Entertainment) {2}: HG:+ -- TH:*
  85. Fatboi Sharif & Driveby: Let Me Out (Deathbomb Arc) {2}: HG:+ -- TH:*
  86. Homeboy Sandman & Brand the Builder: Manners (self-released -EP) {2}: RR:* -- TH:*
  87. Homeboy Sandman & Sonnyjim: Soli Deo Gloria (Dirty Looks) {2}: -- TH:**
  88. Killah Priest & Purpose: Abraxas 2 () {2}: HG:+ -- TH:*
  89. Mobb Deep: Infinite (Mass Appeal) {2}: AD:*, HG:+ -- A:73/2, TH:B
  90. Rico Nasty: Lethal (Fueled by Ramen/Elektra) {2}: Cl:*, RS:+ -- A:69/8
  91. Niontay: Fada<3of$ (10k) {2}: RS:+ -- A:75/1, TH:*
  92. Pan Amsterdam: Confines () {2}: Cl:*, MO:* -- A:80/3
  93. Kojey Radical: Don't Look Down (Warner/Asylum/Bellyempty) {2}: I:*, Sk:* -- A:90/2
  94. Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams: Trainspotting () {2}: BB:+, HG:+ -- A:68/1
  95. Smif-N-Wessun: Infinity () {2}: HG:+, RR:*
  96. AJ Tracey: Don't Die Before You're Dead (Revenge) {2}: Cl:*, MO:* -- A:80/2
  97. Westside Gunn: 12 () {2}: -- HG:+, ST:+
  98. Abbatia: Phantasma! In the Ends of the Loom () {1}: SLi:* -- A:83/1
  99. Kevin Abstract: Blush (X8/Juno) {1}: Cl:* -- A:80/1
  100. Action Figures of Speech: Action Figures of Speech () {1}: HG:+
  101. Aminé: 13 Months of Sunshine (CLBN/10K Projects) {1}: Cl:* -- A:65/2
  102. Anitek & Tabinstereo: Indigo Immaculate () {1}: HG:+
  103. Ant: Collection of Sounds Vol. 4 (Rhymesayers) {1}: RR:* -- A:80/1
  104. Arrested Development: Adult Contemporary Hip Hop () {1}: HG:+
  105. Atmosphere: Jestures (Rhymesayers) {1}: HG:+
  106. The Bad Seed/Murda Megz: From Us With Love () {1}: HG:+
  107. Big Cheeko: Coulrophobia () {1}: HG:+
  108. Bigg Sluggathor: The Wizard Behind the Curtain () {1}: HG:+
  109. Blu & August Fanon: Forty () {1}: HG:+
  110. Boldy James/Chuck Strangers: Token of Appreciation () {1}: HG:+
  111. Boldy James & Nicholas Craven: Late to My Own Funeral () {1}: HG:+
  112. Boldy James & Real Bad Man: Conversational Pieces () {1}: HG:+
  113. Bruiser Wolf: Potluck () {1}: HG:+
  114. Ken Carson: More Chaos (Opium/Interscope) {1}: am:* -- A:60/5
  115. Isaac Castor & Foul Mouth: The Rabbit Hole 3: Smoking Caterpillar () {1}: HG:+
  116. Che Noir: The Color Chocolate 2 (Poetic Movement) {1}: RR:* -- A:80/1
  117. Che Noir & the Other Guys: No Validation () {1}: RR:* -- A:85/1
  118. Ciel: Spice (Nomad) {1}: NME:* -- A:80/1
  119. JD Cliffe: Misfit. (APLCO -EP) {1}: NME:* -- A:80/1
  120. Miles Cooke: Ceci N'est Pas Un Portrait () {1}: HG:+
  121. Cortisa Star: E.M.O. (Evil Motion Overload) () {1}: CS:+ -- A:64/1
  122. Cupcakke: The Bakery (self-released) {1}: PO:*
  123. Curren$y & Harry Fraud: Never Catch Us () {1}: HG:+
  124. Da Inphamus Amadeuz/The Punchline Academy: The Punchline Playbook: Lesson 1 () {1}: HG:+
  125. Dear Derrick Featuring Kool Keith: Galaxy Thot () {1}: HG:+
  126. Defcee & Parallel Thought: Other Blues LP () {1}: HG:+
  127. DirtyDiggs: Gold Chain Music () {1}: HG:+
  128. Distrik22: Brooklyn Queens Expressway () {1}: HG:+
  129. DJ Premier & Roc Marciano: The Coldest Profession (To the Top) {1}: Al:* -- A:70/4
  130. Doodlebug & 80 Empire: A Galactic Love Supreme (Gladiator) {1}: HG:+ -- TH:B
  131. Drayco McCoy: World Domination (self-released) {1}: ST:+
  132. Duckwrth: All American F*ckboy (Them Hellas/The Blind Youth) {1}: Cl:* -- A:80/1
  133. Dave East & Ransom: The Final Call () {1}: HG:+
  134. El Michaels Affair: 24 Hr Sports (Big Crown) {1}: FO:* -- A:67/3, TH:B-
  135. The Expert: Vivid Visions (Rucksack) {1}: HG:+
  136. Farma G: How to Kill a Butterfly () {1}: HG:+
  137. FastLife, Madhattan & Spanish Ran: Bergin Hunt & Fish () {1}: HG:+
  138. Feng: What the Feng () {1}: Fa:+
  139. R.A.P. Ferreira & Kenny Segal: The Night Green Side of It (Ruby Yacht/Alpha Pup) {1}: PO:*
  140. G-Clef Da Mad Komposa & Jus-P: Xavier & Logan () {1}: HG:+
  141. Grand Official: Supreme () {1}: HG:+
  142. Goya Gumbani: Warlord of the Weejuns () {1}: HG:+
  143. Handsome Gentlemen: Filmed by Quentin Tarantino () {1}: HG:+
  144. Omari Hardwick: BuffalOes & Butterflies () {1}: HG:+
  145. The High & Mighty: Sound of Market () {1}: HG:+
  146. Benny Holiday: Holiday Land () {1}: HG:+
  147. Homeboy Sandman & Guidance: Tears of Joy (self-released -EP) {1}: -- TH:*
  148. Homeboy Sandman: Soli Deo Gloria () {1}: xjdc:*
  149. Homeboy Sandman & Yeyts.: Corn Hole Legend (self-released -EP) {1}: -- TH:*
  150. ILL Tone Beats: The Outcome () {1}: HG:+
  151. Eddie Kaine & Machacha: Crown Me Kaine () {1}: HG:+
  152. Wiz Khalifa: Kush + Orange Juice 2 (Taylor Gang) {1}: am:* -- A:80/1
  153. Kool Keith & Dane Uno: The Yoohoo Bros. () {1}: HG:+
  154. Kool Keith: Karpenters () {1}: HG:+
  155. Lex Nyre: The Best Language () {1}: HG:+
  156. Lil Baby: Wham (Quality Control/Motown) {1}: Cl:* -- A:53/4
  157. Lizzo: My Face Hurts From Smiling (Nice Life/Atlantic) {1}: -- A:50/3, TH:*
  158. Henny L.O. & Ewonee: The Coldest Season Ever () {1}: HG:+
  159. Lord Sko: Piff () {1}: HG:+
  160. Lords of the Underground & Snowgoons: So Legendary (Goon MsSick) {1}: RR:* -- A:75/1
  161. Maze Overlay & Slang Hugh: Word () {1}: HG:+
  162. MC Homeless: Stay Slick () {1}: HG:+
  163. Otis Mensah & the Intern: Before the Noise My Cousin () {1}: HG:+
  164. MindsOne: Stages (Fort Lowell) {1}: HG:+
  165. Murderers' Row & Snowgoons: Murderers' Row () {1}: HG:+
  166. M.W.P.: Temple of Roses () {1}: ?:*
  167. Nuse Tyrant & Trust One: If All Else Fails, Trust Nuse () {1}: HG:+
  168. OC From NC: Project 25 () {1}: HG:+
  169. Offset: Kiari (Motown) {1}: RS:* -- A:75/2
  170. Onyx: Lower East Side () {1}: RR:* -- A:75/1
  171. Ovrkast.: While the Iron Is Hot () {1}: BB:+
  172. Phill Most Chill/Djar One: Deal With It () {1}: HG:+
  173. Phill Most Chill: I'm (Volume One & Volume Two) () {1}: HG:+
  174. Joey Purp & Thelonious Martin: Champagne Seats () {1}: RR:* -- A:80/
  175. Raekwon: The Emperor's New Clothes (Mass Appeal/Ice H2O) {1}: HG:+ -- A:61/5
  176. Recognize Ali & Stu Bangas: Guerilla Dynasty 3 () {1}: HG:+
  177. Recognize Ali & Tragedy Khadafi: The Past the Present and the Future () {1}: HG:+
  178. Redline the Ace: Origin Story () {1}: HG:+
  179. Rio Da Yung OG: Rio Free (Something Happen) () {1}: Fa:+
  180. Edward Skeletrix: Museum Music (none) {1}: G:+ -- A:37/1
  181. Slik Jack/Vincent Pryce: Everyone's Gotta Pryce () {1}: HG:+
  182. Tetsuo: Gossamer () {1}: HG:+
  183. uMaNg & B.B.Z. Darney: Monu-mental () {1}: HG:+
  184. Uncle Murda: Murda He Wrote () {1}: RR:* -- A:75/1
  185. Joey Valence & Brae: Hyperyouth () {1}: HG:+
  186. WateRR & Machacha: Almighty II () {1}: HG:+
  187. Landon Wordswell & Es-K: Remember to Breathe () {1}: HG:+
  188. Xzibit: Kingmaker () {1}: HG:+
  189. YT: Oi! (G2G) {1}: NME:* -- A:75/2
  190. ZelooperZ & Real Bad Man: Dear Psilocybin () {1}: HG:+