The Top 100 Best Rap Albums of the 2010s

The 2010s, a dynamic and transformative period for hip hop, saw the culture’s profound permeation and shaping of the global cultural zeitgeist. The decade was marked by explosive creativity, personal storytelling, and audacious experiments that redefined the contours of rap music.

From the cinematic vulnerability of Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city, which spun tales of Compton streets into mythic epics, to the experimental sonics of Kanye West’s Yeezus, breaking boundaries and redefining what rap could sound like, the decade was rife with innovation. Tyler, the Creator’s Flower Boy served as a coming-of-age tale, unfolding with each track, while the enigmatic Earl Sweatshirt left us I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside as a love letter to introspection.

Saba’s mournful Care for Me proved that art could be the salve for grief, a triumph in expressing the human experience of loss. Meanwhile, the unexpected harmony of Freddie Gibbs’ hard-hitting lyricism and Madlib’s eccentric beats in Piñata defied all odds and resulted in a timeless classic. These and many more brilliant records stand as the cultural signposts of the 2010s, each one uniquely defining the decade’s hip-hop narrative.

So let’s get into it. From Kendrick Lamar’s brilliant To Pimp a Butterfly to Drake’s confrontational If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, here are the top 100 best rap albums of the 2010s.

100. 2 Chainz – Pretty Girls Like Trap Music

Released: June 16, 2017

After grinding it in the rap game for close to two decades, 2 Chainz hit a career zenith with Pretty Girls Like Trap Music. Dressed in casual presentation, the album’s barebones packaging belies its significant and tantalising content. Evoking the past while exploring the future, the Atlanta rap veteran offers vivid wordplay and cutting commentary that showcases the richness left in trap music. Producers like Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Mike Dean, Mike Will Made It, and Murda Beatz lace 2 Chainz with some the finest beats he’s rapped over, while guest stars Gucci Mane, Quavo, Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Swae Lee, and Drake make this a star-studded affair.

99. Cardi B – Invasion of Privacy

Released: April 6, 2018

With Invasion of Privacy, Cardi B transformed her journey from strip club to stardom into a powerful debut album. An intoxicating mix of trap beats and pop glitter, the rapper’s album is a fearless statement from a rising star, bolstered by her vibrant personality and raw talent. It’s a magnetic collection of tracks celebrating Cardi’s ascension, with a potent blend of party anthems and candid reflections on her past and newfound fame.

98. Kevin Gates – Islah

Released: January 29, 2016

Kevin Gates’ debut album Islah is an introspective triumph, presenting an artist unafraid to confront personal hardship and controversy. Gates’ blend of rap and melody unravels a range of emotions, from the fiery intensity of “La Familia” to the profound reflection on fame and heritage in “The Truth.” Islah is more than a rap album—it’s a powerful exploration of resilience, creating a captivating narrative through the lens of an artist whose honesty fuels his artistry.

97. Childish Gambino – Because The Internet

Released: December 10, 2013

Blending indie and mainstream vibes, Childish Gambino’s wit and lyrical prowess pull together to create a tapestry of relatable anxieties and unique narratives, making Because The Internet both attractive and intellectual. From the ethereal “Telegraph Ave.” to the self-assured “3005”, the album embodies a confluence of hip-hop audacity and reflective introspection. Despite its irksome grandiosity, the album offers a fascinating exploration of the cost of privilege and fame.

96. Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint

Released: December 15, 2014

Navigating the intricate labyrinth of love, heartache, and resilience, Nicki Minaj’s third studio album, The Pinkprint, stands as a bold, introspective deviation from her previous work. A finely-crafted blend of rap and R&B with occasional excursions into dancehall, the album offers more than Minaj’s typical fiery bars and punchlines. From the candid confessions in “I Lied” to the soul-baring revelations in “Grand Piano”, Nicki delivers a cathartic exploration of lost love and self-discovery. Littered with memorable collaborations and punchy hardcore rap, The Pinkprint represents a scattered yet intrinsically cohesive narrative of Minaj’s artistic evolution.

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