10.

Big KRIT — 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time

Top Tracks = Big K.R.I.T. // Get Up 2 Come Down // Bury Me In Gold

I've followed Big K.R.I.T.'s career from the early mixtapes so when he dropped this double album it was a nice surprise. His studio releases have never quite been able to catch the vibe of his up-and-coming mixtapes but this record is the closest he has got to capturing that feeling. A few of the tracks could have probably have been cut but there is no denying K.R.I.T. is a rap powerhouse, producing stellar beats whilst still having the bars to match.

 

 

9.

Open Mike Eagle — Brick Body Kids Still Daydream

Top Tracks = (How Could Anybody) Feel at Home // Brick Body Complex // My Auntie's Building

Mello Music Group have probably never dropped a bad record and this was no exception. The production caught me off guard: brooding and low key but still razor sharp, accentuating the wordplay and if anything giving it more impact than anything else I really heard this year. The whole record just seems to swell to a climax that never quite gets there but still knocks your head off at the same time.

 

 

8.

Jonwayne — Rap Album Two

Top Tracks = TED Talk // City Lights // These Words Are Everything

I love music that is personal and it doesn't get much better than Jonwayne opening up about his deeply personal struggles over some decent samples. After falling off the map for a few years this comeback record is his therapy and the music is cathartic. The wordplay and delivery are second to none and the beats are the perfect compliment, hitting hard without ever distracting from the lyricism.

 

 

7.

Vince Staples — Big Fish Theory

Top Tracks = Big Fish // Yeah Right // BagBak

For me Vince Staples is one of the most exciting rappers to emerge in recent years. A rapper with intelligent bars and wordplay but who can also make tracks that absolutely bang. Some high profile features on here, but it's best when it's just Vince killing it by himself. Can't wait for whatever he does next

 

 

6.

Oddisee — The Iceberg

Top Tracks = Things // NNGE // Rights & Wrongs

This record grew on me over the first month or two after its release but it wasn't until I saw him play it live in Manchester with my man @natureboy_yo that it took on a whole new level. His production is perfect with live instrumentation adding a new dimension to the classic rap sound. His bars and concepts are intelligent and articulate and a refreshing change to the majority of mainstream rap records. Even the pace and balance of the album is near perfect with a good mix of dark and light tracks. A brilliant artist well worth seeing if you ever get the chance

 

 

5.

Kendrick Lamar — Damn.

Top Tracks = DNA // LOVE // FEEL

Despite a lot of hype there is no denying that this is a special record. Kendrick doesn't follow trends but he makes great music and this was definitely on point. Even tracks I didn't like at first (Loyalty) became favourites over time. Like all his other albums it takes a while to fully appreciate the music. I even listened to it in reverse to get the full experience, although it felt like more of a gimmick than adding any real value to the narrative. The record flows far better played forwards and I loved the overarching concept, themes and track names. No one can deny Kendrick is a gifted lyricist and he doesn't disappoint. The beats are all top notch, but the best moment is arguably when 9th Wonder pops up at the end with a killer sample to round everything off. Over-hyped but a brilliant record.

 

 

4.

Drake — More Life

Top Tracks = KMT // Can't Have Everything // Do Not Disturb

I stayed up late listening to OVO Sound radio to hear this live as it dropped and I wasn't disappointed. Drake insists it is a playlist rather than an album and although I'm fairly sure it is all the cuts that didn't quite make it onto "Views" it is still a strong body of work that manages to maintain a consistent flow despite the multiple features. In fact the features are what make the record, especially the first time I heard it with no tracklist or warning of who would pop up next. As ever the production is on point and the end product manages to stand up alongside his other records. In the end I love the overall concept more than anything else...More time with family and friends. More Life!

 

 

3.

Run The Jewels — Run the Jewels 3

Top Tracks = Down // Panther Like a Panther // A Report to the Shareholders / Kill Your Masters

The risk of this record was that it wouldn't live up to its predecessors. Luckily everything about it was just as good, if not even better. The artwork, production, verses...all top notch. I've listened to El-P and Killer Mike independently for years but the combination of the two just seems to work and creates something spectacular. The timing of the record just after Trump's shock political win gave it a whole new element and the unexpected Zac De La Rocha feature at the finale was an absolute treat. In a world full of half baked rap music it is nice to listen to rappers with something worth saying, who can still provide a thoroughly banging record. I was lucky enough to see them on the World Tour and it was nothing short of incredible. For me they are probably the most important rap group of the last decade and this was a perfect end to the trilogy. Run The Jewels 4?

 

 

2.

Jay Z — 4:44

Top Tracks = Smile // Family Feud // 4:44

I've been waiting a long time for Jay to drop a new record so when rumours began to circulate I began to get a little worried. Would he be trying to rap about Xanax on Metro Boomin beats? Would it be able to live up to the hype I created for it in my own head? Luckily 4:44 is everything I could have wanted from a Jay Z record in 2017. Brilliant samples and production exclusively from the legendary No-iD and nothing but exceptional bars from the man himself. Dubbed as Jay's response to last years Lemonade, the honesty in his lyrics is unusual but also quite refreshing. I can't really relate to verses about multi million dollar property investment but when he opens up about his marriage, family and real life struggles it brings him back down to earth. It is a side of Jay Z that is very rarely seen, especially in the music. That combined with the flawless sampling/ production make it one of the best records in his entire catalogue and is probably the reason I enjoyed it so much.

 

 

1.

Freddie Gibbs — You Only Live 2wice

Top Tracks = Crushed Glass // Homesick // 20 Karat Jesus

Only 8 tracks long this still ended up being my favourite rap release of 2017. There is no denying Freddie Gibbs has the perfect voice for rap and combined with the perfectly curated beats on here it sounds better than ever before. His first music since being released from jail feels raw and honest whilst still absolutely banging. Maybe it's the quality of the production or maybe it's the fact he has a baby daughter a similar age to mine but in this era of mumble rap it's nice to hear something and someone who still feels real.