I know, I know, where the hell have I been right? This year has been one for the books to say the least. Reflecting on 2016, it was one of the worst years of my life from all angles; 2017 was much different! I’ve made so much progress since then and it just goes to show that nothing lasts forever including that phase of life you’re going through. So if you’re reading this, shit will get better believe me. Just keep your head down and work towards your goals!

Well I won’t ramble on about how I’ll post more next year or how much stuff I have in the archives to share in the coming weeks. Instead I’ll just let the work speak for itself so…yeah enough of that.

2017 was a great year for music. I listened to so many different albums (nothing new there) but what I did notice is that there were just so many releases. What I don’t like about the music game/industry now is that projects feel rushed. Personally, I prefer albums/mixtapes that were more put together and cohesive in sound and message. This year it felt like a lot of projects were released to reach some sort of streaming quota or just for the sake of having something out in a market where everything moves so quickly. 

If there’s one thing I took from 2017 it’s that even in our climate and time of multi-tasking and vast interconnectivity, you have to learn how to slow down and create the things that really speak to you and what you stand for. So my top albums have major replay value (at least in my book). My favorite albums from this year were with me during key moments and they were the soundtracks for the rollercoaster ride that is my life.

As usual I will give my top 10 rap albums (+ honorable mentions), top non-rap albums (because rap is easily my favorite genre but DEFINITELY not the only genre I listen to), and overall top 10 list.

See you in 2018!

Hip-Hop Album of the Year

1. DAMN. - Kendrick Lamar
2. No Dope On Sundays - CyHi The Prynce
3. Flower Boy - Tyler The Creator
4. Culture - Migos
5. Laila’s Wisdom - Rapsody
6. 4:44 - Jay-Z
7. More Life - Drake
8. You Will Regret - Ski Mask The Slump God
9. Big Fish Theory - Vince Staples
10. S.A.N.D.A.S. - Sahbabii

Honorable Mentions:

SYRE - Jaden Smith
Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho - Travis Scott x Quavo
Luv Is Rage 2 - Lil Uzi Vert
At What Cost - Goldlink
Gang Signs & Prayer - Stormzy
Saturation II - Brockhampton
NAV - NAV
A Love Letter To You - Trippie Redd
4 eva Is A Mighty Long Time - Big K.R.I.T.

Non Hip-Hop Album of the Year (All Other Genres)

1. Freudian - Daniel Caesar
2. Ctrl - SZA
3. Ash - Ibeyi
4. About Time - Sabrina Claudio 
5. Take Me Apart - Kelela
6. Melodrama - Lorde
7. How Did It Get So Dark - Royal Blood
8. What Now - Sylvan Esso
9. American Teen - Khalid
10. Number 1 Angel - Charli XCX

Honorable Mentions:

Fin - Syd
Ooz - King Krule
Dua Lipa - Dua Lipa
The Process - Sampha
About U - Muna
Villians - Queens of the Stone Age
MASSEDUCATION - St. Vincent

Album of the Year 2017

1. DAMN. - Kendrick Lamar
2. Freudian - Daniel Caesar
3. Ctrl - SZA
4. No Dope On Sundays - CyHi The Prynce
5. Ash - Ibeyi
6. Flower Boy - Tyler The Creator
7. About Time - Sabrina Claudio
8. Culture - Migos
9. Take Me Apart - Kelela
10. Laila’s Wisdom - Rapsody

***I feel like I’m forgetting something so if I come back and update don’t be surprised.***