Top Albums of 2024
Jameel, AP & Nigel write their top 5 albums for 2024. Scroll to read the lists and their highlights.
Jameel’s Top Five Albums of 2024
#1. GNX - Kendrick Lamar
One of hip-hop's greatest victory laps.
In all honesty, I thought we had seen Kendrick Lamar peak. His discography is unparalleled - a ‘conscious’ rapper that reached heights we have not seen before, like winning a Pulitzer prize. Then came 2024. After his onslaught on Mr Aubrey Graham during their rap feud, he propelled himself into a new stratosphere of superstardom, and GNX was a victory lap of all this.
GNX is a tribute to Kendrick’s California roots, with some of the best sampling and overall production that I have seen in my lifetime. The album features many introspective moments, as well as bars where he talks his shit a little bit. I enjoyed the features of younger artists he is trying to put on from California. Overall, it is clear the beef will never be over, and he does not really care how people feel about it - he cares about his city and people.
Standout Tracks
Reincarnated -
Fav bar/line: “Every individual is only a version of you
How can they forgive when there's no forgiveness in your heart?”
- A deep line that we can all think about, we are all the same
Wacced out murals
Fav bar/line: “Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud
Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down” - I can understand his disappointment, as one of his greatest idols has become salty at the success Kendrick has earned with his super bowl performance
Luther
Fav line: “If this world were mineeeee” - A beautiful sample, Luther will never miss
#2. Bando Stone & the New World - Childish Gambino
A work of art that slipped under the radar
Donald Glover is a jack of all trades, he has shown his unrelenting talent of making amazing music in a career which has spanned from the 00’s. Bando Stone, will be his last album under the Childish Gambino name and it was a phenomenal swan song. Childish Gambino shows out with all of the tricks he has in his bag, he takes us through a ride with a wide array of production and genres.
This album will also accompany a movie which he leads, as the main character who navigates a post apocalyptic world. This album really does feel like it can take you on that journey. A tool that he used well to take us on the trip is the features. With many names like Khruangbin, Jorja Smith, Yeat, Flo Milli & one of his children Legend. A masterpiece that will age well.
Standout Tracks
Lithonia
Fav line:
“My sweet Lithonia
What have you done?
These are your children
I am your son”
- I enjoyed how Gambino references his country roots across the album. Lithonia is the town which borders his hometown and this is central to the album overall.
Happy Survival
Fav bar/line: Not alot of words used, but gorgeous production from Khruangbin, with their usual airy and dreamy basslines which carry the song.
In the night
Fav bar/line:
“I'm just a country boy from Georgia
Your body's made for California, my love” - It seems as though he feels that the woman referenced is more for someone from California rather than a country boy, and this is just one of the ways his country upbringing has made him feel inadequate
#3. Why Lawd? - NxWorries
Modern R&B at its finest
A moody, melodic album with dreamy vocal performances from Anderson .Paak and jazz, soul & boom bap inspired beats cooked up by Knxwledge. The track list sits at 19 across the album but the run time is close to 44 minutes, meaning most songs are under 2 minutes. The result of the shortened tracks are a beautiful listening experience where we go in and out tracks quickly.
Paak speaks on many themes like deep sadness, a sense of loss of where he is meant to be & general trouble with love. Themes which are delivered oh so smooth because of the delivery and production. Features are also used in the album but sparingly, with features such as Thundercat, Rae Khalil & Charlie Wilson. This album meshes older sounds of soul & r&b in a way that remains smooth and fresh to listen to.
Standout Tracks
DayDreaming
Fav line: The guitar riffs carried this song. WOW
KeepHer
Fav bar/line:
“How you gon' compare me to this guy?
He don't love you the way I-
You don't look good in that Honda, bitch” - Hilarious but painful because I have owned 2 Hondas
WalkOnBy
Fav bar/line:
“Feel like everybody's staring
But they don't see me here
Am I really by myself?
I feel like ain't nobody caring” - Introspection from Rae which I think a lot of people can relate to
#4. Mutt - Leon Thomas
One of my favorite sleeper albums
I stumbled upon this album when it was released, as I looked through Apple Music's new album releases. Right from the first track “HOW FAST” I was transported, on what felt like a cinematic experience. His use of synths and vocals sold me on the album. The album goes from strength to strength, as the beats feature a variety of pacing, instruments and samples. Leon Thomas shows how good he is.
The complexity of the layering in the music is a true highlight of the album. The features on the album are not numerous but impactful. I really enjoyed Wale on Feelings on silent as well as Freddie Gibbs on the Mutt remix.
Standout Tracks
MUTT
Fav line:
“She said, "Take your time, what's the rush?"
I said, "Baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt"” - A classic chorus, easy to have this on repeat
HOW FAST
Fav bar/line:
“Oh Lord, I'm a visionary
This shit gettin' kinda scary
So addicted to the top, it's always missionary” - You can feel him manifesting his greatness through this track
FEELINGS ON SILENT
Fav bar/line:
“Please, don't tell me what they say about me
Especially if your kitchen's not clean
All these opinions either sweet or salty
So paying attention to everything gets costly
That's probably gluttony”
#5. 1-800 FANTASY - BLK ODYSSY
Left field pick but a strong conceptual album
The first BLK ODYSSY project I have heard and easily one of my favorites from the year. BLK ODYSSY created something that I am not entirely sure how to label. I do not think it fits traditionally in one genre, there are elements of rock, indie, soul and RNB scattered throughout the project. The concept of the album is a person in the search for love, on the phone to a call girl service.
You can feel the desperate search for love throughout the album. I like the variability in the beats as well as the use of the call girl through the album. Both Joey Badass and Wiz Khalifa had great verses which added to the abum as well. This is a must listen from 2024.
Standout Tracks
STANK ROSE
Fav line:
“Question is can that nigga fulfill all of her needs
Cause if he can't then there's a chance she can find something in me
It gotta be something missing like maybe hes a bad listener
Or maybe, his lack of expression he showin pissin her
Or maybe,, he don't tell her enough how much he missin her” - I love that he wants this girl so bad he is willing to do anything for her
XXX
Fav bar/line:
The production on this beat is one of my favorites from the album. The drums and baseline combined with the vocals in the background. Such a phenomenal song
CHANGES
Fav bar/line:
“Come on baby, just a little kiss
There's a couple voices into my head
One of them said she'll budge when you're dead
The other one said to move on instead” - More pining for love in this song, a sense of desperation for the woman he is interested in.
Alejandro’s Top Five Albums of 2024
#1. WhyLawd - NxWorries
R&B Classic
The hip-hop and soul duo NxWorries features vocalist Anderson .Paak and producer Knxwledge, two powerhouses of the 2010s L.A. underground scene whose work together is soulful yet contemporary. The mid-June release of their full length LP, “WhyLawd”, marks the duo's second album and first since the 2016 project, “Yes Lawd!”. In fact, one could argue this new album is a continuation of their debut with similar themes on love, loss, and the passage of time, with a more introspective/mature approach this time around.
WhyLawd was my favorite overall project of the year. Every song flows smoothly into each other whilst still remaining independent on their own. It’s quite apparent these two gentlemen spend a lot of time together in the studio and sonically fit together like a glove. I think where this album truly separates itself is with the multitude of sub-genres that are explored and perfected throughout. Knxwledge’s production is outright breathtaking at times, featuring elements of gospel, soul, psych-rock, funk, and more. And all of these are perfectly paired with Anderson’s versatile vocals and notable contributions from Thundercat, H.E.R., Charlie Wilson, and Snoop Dogg, adding variety and pops of depth to the project. If you ever just need to listen to something smooth on a late-night drive or Sunday afternoon chores, throw this on and you will not be disappointed.
Standout Tracks
KeepHer (feat. Thundercat) - A ballad of a man going through a difficult breakup. Anderson describes his love interest falling out of love with him and trying his hardest to impress her with the money he has, and sadly, the money won’t keep her. Thundercat’s feature is incredible, with his signature groovy bassline and high-pitched background vocals that complete the track.
Fav bar/line: “You said you needed peace, then spent the week in Greece. Phone off, you said you was ‘sleep. I know you was getting ya cheeks beat, bitch”
I mean, to me, that’s just the epitome of being down bad but laughing through the pain.
Daydreaming - A dreamy psych rock/R&B fusion that has Prince influence alllll over it. This track sits on the fine line between nostalgic and fresh, with perfect summer vibes and a crooning lyrical performance from Paak expressing his longing for a meaningful connection that feels other worldly.
Fav bar/line: Lines like “I’m living in a daydream / where every moment is you” reflect both the joy and melancholy of distant affection.
NVR.RMX (feat. Charlie Wilson) - On this 78 second long track some could label an interlude, Anderson reflects on the damage he’s caused in his relationship and expresses regret for his actions as they were never intended to do harm to his lover. My only gripe with this track is that it is criminally too short and could use another verse, but again, that’s also the beauty of the album because the next track “DistantSpace” seamlessly transitions to a similar theme but with drastically different production from Knxwledge.
Fav line: “I can’t for the life of me get over you, and it's all for real. That kinda pain that painkillers just don’t kill.”
#2 GNX - Kendrick Lamar
Victory lap for the rapper of the year, while also paying homage to his west coast roots.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past 12 months, you should already be well aware of Kendrick Lamar Duckworth and his standout 2024 campaign. After jumping headfirst into a rap beef with the Canadian rapper turned pop star Drake, and successfully winning the feud through clever chess moves and the diss heard around the world “Not Like Us”, Kendrick rightfully talks his shit on the surprise project GNX, an homage to the beautiful late 1980’s Buick Grand National Experimental which doubles as the album cover as well.
GNX feels like a victory lap for the rapper of the year. It’s also quite apparent that this LP is his most commercially-conscience project to date with his Super Bowl 2025 halftime performance coming next February. All the critics (myself included) who said Kendrick didn’t (or couldn’t) make club bangers and songs you’d play at a party, have to eat their words as he did just that throughout GNX. The album showcases his evolution as an artist, blending introspective thoughts with his signature West Coast sound. It almost feels like Kendrick is talking from his perspective as a Black executive, focusing on motivational themes and featuring collaborations with various L.A. artists that most of us have never heard of until now.
Standout Tracks:
Wacced out murals - I mean, what an introduction to start a surprise project. The song starts out with these beautiful soulful vocals from Mexican singer and Mariachi performer Deyra Barrera, whose soulful vocals add an exquisite texture to the song. Follow that up with these sinister-sounding Star Wars-esque violins (??) honestly not quite sure but man oh man does it feel dark and gritty. A track that perfectly foreshadows what the listener is in store for on the rest of the project; grimey, witty, and eye-opening bars from Kdot.
Fav bar(s): “Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud. Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down. Whatever though, call me crazy, everybody questionable. Turn me into an eskimo, I drew the line in decimals. Snoop posted Taylor Made, I prayed it was the edibles. I couldn’t believe it, it was only right for me to let it go.”
I could add the entire timestamp from 2:03-2:31 as Kendrick addresses all the tea his fans wanted to hear his take on since we last heard him musically on the loosie “Watch the Party Die”. From Lil Wayne’s public annoyance with not being picked to host the halftime show in his hometown of New Orleans to Snoop Dogg reposting a video on his IG of Drake’s A.I. assisted diss track to using Snoop’s voice to diss Kdot himself.
Luther (feat. SZA) - Another standout for me, a perfect blend of contemporary R&B and hip-hop elements, creating a soulful and emotive experience for all. The track is built around a fireee sample of “If This World Were Mine,” written by Marvin Gaye and performed by Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn, which serves as an homage to the song’s namesake.
Fav line: “If this world was mine, I’d take your dreams and make them multiply. If this world were mine, I’d take your enemies in front of God. Introduce them to the light, hit them strictly with the fire. Fah-fah, fah-fah-fah, fah fah. Fah!!” Wooooofffttt
Heart pt. 6 - Kendrick flexes his story-telling prowess on the continuation of his “The Heart” series’ 6th edition, giving us an insight into his personal and professional evolution, reflecting on his journey from his early days with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) to his current status as an independent artist. A beautiful, self-reflective narrative exploring his relationships with his former group, Black Hippy, and his departure from TDE. The song features a perfectly themed soulful background, sampling SWV’s 1996 R&B smash hit “Use Your Heart,” which blends smooth melodies and contemporary beats. The authenticity of this track is what makes it pop for me.
Fav bar: “Ab-Soul in the corner mumblin’ raps, fumblin packs of Black N Milds. Crumblin’ kush till he cracked a smile. His words legendary, wishin’ I could rhyme like him. Studied his style to define my pen.”
#3 - Alligator Bites Never Heal - Doechii
One could argue Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon aka Doechii aka Swamp Princess had one of the most incredible “debut” entries for a rapper in quite some time. The Tampa Florida-native burst onto the scene through TikTok with the viral success of her song “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” in 2021 and kept pushing the needle ever since. So much so that in 2022, she officially signed with Top Dawg Entertainment and completely took off from there. Her 19-track mixtape “Alligator Bites Never Heal” rightfully sits at #3 on my list and is one of the best projects I’ve listened to all year. Although she herself considers this a mixtape, I’d argue it’s as formidable of a full-length debut as you’ll hear for awhile.
Doechii’s raunchy, cheeky, and downright silly style is a breath of fresh air to the cookie-cutter, fit-to-the-algorithm music that the top streaming platforms like Spotify would never recommend to us users. In this album/mixtape/project, Doechii is fluid yet focused, showcasing her versatility through elements of hip-hop, R&B, and experimental sounds that has rightfully been met with widespread critical acclaim.
Standout Tracks
Denial is a River - You ever heard of a boom-bap rap song that also sits eloquently as a therapy session to oneself? Because that’s exactly what you’re in store for when you throw this shit on. The story-telling, the candidness, the silly bars - you’re truly in for a treat with this one, let’s just leave it at that.
Fav bars:
“I mean fuck, I like pills, I like drugs
I like gettin' money, I like strippers, I like to fuck
I like day-drinkin' and day parties and Hollywood
I like doin' Hollywood shit, snort it, probably would (yeah)
What can I say? The shit works, it feels good”
Nissam Altima - This has Lil’ Kim influence written alllllll over it. Doechii’s confident, braggadocious delivery paired with the energetic beat make this another one of my fav tracks of the year. Hard af, that flow is ungodly and Doechii is in her bagggggg. 2 minutes of gyrating are the only logical way to consume this song.
Fav bars:
“Doechii cooler than a fan, but she get hotter than a sauna
Take a trip out of Japan and I tsunami her vagina
Wine and dine her, Benihana
I'm the new hip-hop Madonna”
Slide - A great tone switch for track 16 of the 19-track project. In this one, Doechii flows over this breezy reverse-sounding production mixed with these hard-hitting drums and explores themes of a romantic interest and sensuality. Slide really showcases her R&B influence as she raps in a melodic tone, displaying her versatility and downright disregard to fit into any kind of box.
Fav bar:
“And he sip that potion all in the whip
Got that wet, keep 'em all on my hip”
#4 - PARTYNEXTDOOR4 (P4) - PARTYNEXTDOOR
The fourth installment of the self-titled albums from moody Toronto-native singer/songwriter PARTYNEXTDOOR was another fantastic listen ever since it dropped in late April. P4 showcases Party’s evolution as an artist as this is his most vulnerable and intimate album to date. There’s a nice blend of sensual R&B tracks with elements of dancehall, reflecting Party’s growth and exploration with new sonic avenues.
Seamless transitions between tracks really stuck out during my initial listen, with voicemails from lovers and even a 43 second prayer from Party’s mother - showing his willingness to invite the world into his life through this project a bit more than before. Overall, this is a project with some radio smashes, baby-making anthems, toxic masculinity, and bops all lightskins can relate to all wrapped in 46 minutes of run time.
Standout Tracks:
Make it to the morning - One of my favorite tracks of the year. In this record, Party is longing for a deeper connection beyond a single night while simultaneously having to apologize for his wrongdoings that made the night sour in the first place. The harmonizing, addicting melody, random but much necessary violin notes sprinkled in throughout make this a must listen personally. It feels like a polished/grown up version of the Party we all fell in love with when he first entered the scene back in 2013.
Fav line: “It’s the lyin that you said felt like Maybelline, you can’t just make shit up.”
No Chill - My close second would have to be the track following my number one. In this four and a half minute ballad, Party is Partying in typical Party fashion. Flexing how he can get with any woman he wants, but pleading to one girl in particular that she’s his #1. The toxic masculinity is strong in this one as he tells the listener how amazing this woman is, how she’s loyal to the soil for him, and how he needs to be on his best behavior just to keep her around. Mixed with the underwater production, melodic avenues pushed, and warm notes of Party’s voice cutting through the hi-hats mixed with his own background vocals, the listener is in for quite an experience.
Fav line: “And to me, you are the star of the show still. Even though I found your pretty ass out in Mobile.” Alluding that this love interest is top of mind for him, even if she’s from a city of Mobile, Alabama which isn’t necessarily known for having the best collection of Party’s type of women.
For Certain - The dancehall record of the year for me. Party taps into his Caribbean roots and makes an afrobeats banger about wanting to cuff up this bad gyallll. This isn’t his most depthful record to say the least but it’s just a great, hip-moving track about trying to secure a love interest with dreamy vocals and masculine bassy drums paired with those iconic afrobeats shakers.
Fav line: The bridge of this song does it for me. “So I-I-I, pure desire. So heart racing entire body saying ‘Ah-oh-ohh-oh-I. I want to - to make you my girlfriend, wait till the world ends.”
#5 - Dark Times - Vince Staples
Vince Staples is well aware of his fit within the music ecosystem. He’s not your first thought when you have the aux on a Friday-night get together with friends, but he does have a place where his music does shine and I think Dark Times, ironically, is a perfect example of this. This album is perfect piece for a contemplative walk home as Vince takes a current snapshot of his life and portrays it beautifully through breezy, soulful beats and bars that make the listener ponder their own life purpose.
Vince is in his pro-Black bag throughout this LP, recognizing the corporate American bobble-heads who use black music and exploit it for their own interest. Again, this isn’t a project you’d necessarily play with a group of people but it’s definitely something I’ve found myself coming back to time and time again throughout the year.
Standout Tracks:
Étouffée - One of my favorite songs of the year. In this track, Vince pays homage to New Orleans hip-hop with bars reflecting on his journey and resiliency over lively production that nods directly to New Orleans bounce music. I think there’s a bit of bias from my end as I fell in love with the 1992 record “Get the Gat” by Lil Elt in 2020 during the rise of Louisiana State University’s football team path to a perfect season and national championship in the 2020 College Football Playoff. Not much needs to be said, just listen and appreciate the musicality on display. It wouldn’t hurt knowing the New Orleans bounce music that this is derived from either.
Fav bar: The hook is just fireee. “In the ghetto I’m a Martian. Crash landed in them dirty ass apartments. Stay solid, I’ll forever be the hardest. Big timing like them n*ggas in New Orleans.”
Black&Blue - Never did I think a sample of San Diego trio band Thee Sacred Souls 2022 smash hit “Weak for Your Love” would be featured on a Vince Staples record but I was gladly mistaken. The production on this track is fucking magical with these sinister yet catchy keys playing over some heavy drum breaks all mixed in with the aforementioned sample sprinkled in throughout. Pair this with Vince’s lyrical depth that delves into themes of the Black American struggle and personal reflection, it’s one of my fav tracks of the year.
Fav bar: “My people product of poverty, I don’t know why they would play with us. Choppers in luxury vehicles, living like Saudi Arabians. Learned Reaganomics and ran it up, we don’t got nothing to show for, infatuated with folklore. We still on some n*gga shit.”
Shame On The Devil - The slow-placed and soul-bearing fifth track on the project is another must-listen for me. A perfect laid-back listen with some fans even pointing out it’s relatability to the late Mac Miller. A true testament to Vince’s growth as an artist, blending hauntingly beautiful production with profound lyricism.
Fav bar: “Mission complete, outta the mud. Labeled the leader, they following cuz. Light on my feet, floating above. I don’t creeping or keeping in touch.”
Nigel’s Top Five Albums of 2024
#1. Why Lawd? - Anderson .Paak x Knxwledge (NxWorries)
Released as a collaborative album with New Jersey producer Knxwledge, Why Lawd? is easilyone of my favorite albums of the year. Anderson .Paak opens up about his separation from hiswife of 13 years in a way only he can—introspective, raw, yet undeniably playful.
My favorite bar on the album is on second track, 86Sentra, where .Paak raps,“I just did a Super Bowl halftime show with the GOAT s; why the fuck would I wanna do a Verzuz?” Usually, I’d break down a line like this, but honestly, it’s self-explanatory. Once you’ve done the Super Bowl, you’re in another tier. It’s the rules.
Other highlights for me include FromHere, featuring Snoop Dogg, and WalkonBy with Earl Sweatshirt and Rae Khalil. Both tracks dive into themes of growth and realization, all wrapped in Knxwledge’s smooth, buttery production. Why Lawd? shows what happens when two of modern music’s sharpest minds join forces.
Standout Tracks:
FromHere
WalkonBy
#2. Submarine - The Marías
The Marías are back, following up their breakout 2021 album CINEMA with Submarine, a 2024 psychedelic-soul LP that perfectly blends jazz percussion, melodic horns, and liquid vocals. This album is like a wave of emotions—confusion, isolation, and the bittersweet ache of separation.
On the third track, Echo, María’s vocals carry a haunting loneliness, wrestling with the confusion that comes with loss. It’s a theme that flows through the entire album. The first half of Blur feels like a desperate cry for help, bursting into a punchy guitar riff that cuts off abruptly, leaving the second half to offer a glimmer of realization and clarity.
Then there’s Lejos de Ti (“Far from You”), a track where María captures the lingering feelings of love post-breakup. I don’t speak Spanish, but her delivery and the production had me feeling every ounce of heartbreak. A quick Google translation confirmed I wasn’t imagining it.
Listening to Submarine is like being swept away by water—initial shock, surrender, and eventually finding weightlessness. This one’s a must-listen!
Standout Tracks:
Echo
Blur
Lejos de Ti
#3. Alligator Bites Never Heal - Doechii
2024 is the year Doechii proved she’s one of the world’s top-tier MCs. In Alligator Bites Never Heal, the TDE-signed rapper flexes her versatility, fusing punchy lyricism with dance-pop vibes.
She tackles her challenges as a Black woman in the music industry with sharp, witty rhymes. The 19-track album is packed with range, from the smooth R&B of WAIT to the relentless pace of NISSAN ALTIMA, where she spits like she doesn’t even need to breathe.
My favorite line comes from CATFISH: “Log ’em off the web and every gangsta’s giving actress. ” It’s a perfect jab at the digital age’s culture of performative toughness.
Doechii refuses to play by the rules of rap, and that’s what makes her a trailblazer. This album is all about being yourself, doing what you want, and owning it unapologetically.
Standout Tracks:
NISSAN ALTIMA
CATFISH
Slide
#4. God Said No! - Omar Apollo
On the heels of his previous LPs and notable cameos with artists like Daniel Caesar and Kali Uchis, Indiana native Omar Apollo delivers God Said No!, a deeply personal sophomore album. Featuring collaborations with Pedro Pascal (yes, the actor!) and Mustafa, the album feels like a creative catharsis.
Take the fifth track, Plane Trees, where Omar teams up with Mustafa.
“Life to withered leaves—with our words and how we breathe, ” he sings, reflecting on relationships that wither despite continued care. It’s a beautifully poignant metaphor.
Another standout is Dispose of Me, which captures the lingering pain of love lost. At times, I swear I could hear echoes of Frank Ocean’s influence in his delivery—a fitting comparison given their rumored closeness in recent years. But hey, this isn’t about gossip. It’s about music, and this album delivers.
Standout Tracks:
Plane Trees
Dispose of Me
#5. Boy - 2hollis
Like many, I first came across 2hollis on the internet, and from the jump, his sound struck me as almost nostalgic. Maybe it’s the looping synths and warbles that remind me of artists like Skrillex. With Boy, the Chicago-born artist blurs the lines between rap, trap, drill, and electro-pop, creating a sound entirely his own.
The standout track for me is Crush. It’s rhythmic and catchy, with bursts of fireworks woven through choppy vocals. On Teenage Soldier, 2hollis takes it up a notch, blending raw, emotional vocals with grungy electronic melodies.
This album feels like a glimpse into the musical future—rich with influences only possible in thedigital age. 2hollis is carving his own lane, and I can’t wait to see where he goes next.
Standout Tracks:
Crush – A rhythmic, addictive anthem.
Teenage Soldier – Emotional vocals meet gritty melodies.
