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Staff List: The 20 Best Rap Albums of 2024


Billboard staff combs through the 20 best rap albums of 2024 ranging from Future to Kendrick Lamar to Megan Thee Stallion and more.

He hazily croons “ride me like a motherf—kin’ Harley” in “5 to 10,” taps fellow rap-rock star and frequent collaborator Teezo Touchdown on the laidback “Backstreets” and flips Tame Impala’s “One More Hour” and Snoop Dogg’s “Beautiful” on the singles “Bandit” and “Attitude,” featuring Charlie Wilson and Cash Cobain, respectively, with finesse. But the rapper named Glorious Hallelujah Woods doubles down on her faith by beseeching God to help her break the cycle of trifling men on “Glo’s Prayer,” and expressing gratitude for all the blessings on “Rain Down On Me” with Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Kierra Sheard and Chandler Moore. A soulful Zambian sample underscores the frenetic energy of lead single “Noid”; wistful gospel chords cradle the Earth-quaking truths unveiled across “Take Your Mask Off” and notes of country beautifully complement the storytelling of “Judge Judy.” Troubled by the state of celebrity in late-stage capitalism and explicitly informed by his complicated relationships with potential parenthood and sexuality, Chromakopia is a riveting album – one that is unafraid to blend marquee pop moments (“Sticky”) with moving explorations of its creator’s psyche (“Tomorrow”).

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