Editor’s word: The next article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the creator’s personal. Learn extra opinions on theGrio.
What a yr 2024 was musically! Clearly, 2024 was the yr of Kendrick Lamar. What began with one verse on one music launched in March (“Like That” with Okay. Dot, Future and Metro Boomin) set the tone for a summer season of beef with considered one of music’s greatest stars, Drake, and finally led to the Compton MC’s greatest yr but. Whereas that fracas was occurring, plenty of different fantastic music was being launched, particularly on this planet of hip-hop and R&B. A number of artists delivered outstanding and recreation altering albums that had each the critics and social media buzzing. Right here’s TheGrio’s listing of the highest 10 albums of 2024, ya know, in line with yours really.
Beyoncé “Cowboy Carter”
“Cowboy Carter” is hands-down my favourite album of the yr, and if I’m being sincere and maybe even just a little controversial, is my second favourite album of hers, after solely 2013’s self-titled fare. “Cowboy Carter” wasn’t simply music, it was a historical past lesson and an aggressive reimagining of what the panorama of nation and Americana music seems like with us on the helm. Black artists have all the time been, and are at present working and creating, in nation however the recognition is commonly lacking.
White individuals, and plenty of Black individuals, really feel nation is the white man’s area, and that’s odd contemplating the narrative of the style as one constructed round storytelling. Who has extra tales to inform than Black individuals? “Cowboy Carter” has jams, ballads, options artists within the style and tells a narrative. It’s necessary and it mattered, even when all of us type of came upon some Black of us don’t love nation that a lot, even when Beyoncé is the one making it.
Doechii “Alligator Bites By no means Heal”
When Doechii’s album (or mixtape, although who is aware of the distinction as of late) landed,the dialog began up instantly about whether or not or not it was the album of the yr. Doechii can rap and sing with one of the best and her creativity on data in each the supply and content material was a revelation for these of us who knew her however weren’t really acquainted. Think about me modified; earlier than her tape got here out, I used to be acquainted, now I’m a fan and suppose she may be one of the vital proficient artists, no matter style, making music right this moment.
Tyler, the Creator “Chromakopia”
So far as albums in 2024, Tyler’s album is among the many prime three dialog starters for album of the yr functions. Musically it’s inventive and attention-grabbing, one thing we would take without any consideration as a result of that’s simply what Tyler does. Conceptually, it’s a extra mature tackle the lifetime of Tyler, the Creator; household and fatherhood and rising up. We additionally get a few of the most weak, gut-wrenching ideas and bars of his profession on “Like Him,” the place he questions if he’ll be like his father solely to be advised that that relationship didn’t actually have a good likelihood to exist by his mom, who guides all the album. Tyler is an artist who requires a real and thoughtful hear and who’s gracious sufficient to offer a sonically fulfilling palate to take action. “Chromakopia” is an album that rightfully belongs at (or in any case close to) the highest of any listing discussing 2024’s musical choices.
Kendrick Lamar “GNX”
The one factor Kendrick’s yr was lacking was an album. He had the largest singles and took down considered one of music’s greatest juggernauts and was THE dialog of the yr. Then, in November, we obtained a shock album drop in “GNX” that successfully ensured that 2024 belonged to at least one artist and one artist solely. “GNX” is nearly extra necessary for present than it’s good, and it’s loads good! Songs like “television off” and “squabble up” are prone to be chart mainstays whereas songs like “Dodger Blue” have of us making an attempt to do new line dances. Level is, Kendrick popped out and confirmed of us that he’s to not be performed with and “GNX” is the feather in that cap for 2024.
GloRilla “Wonderful”
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love GloRilla. However does that love for her imply she makes wonderful albums? On this case, it does. “Wonderful” dropped with a LITANY of scorching singles that aren’t simply good for the membership, however the experience, for the picnic, for leaving church and positively for Friday night time. “TGIF” and “Hollon” had been the mainstays on radio and principally throughout TikTok and social media — it was principally 95 levels on Friday for months on finish this summer season when you let the streets inform it. With banging beats and GloRilla’s appeal and penchant for catchy bars and hooks, no dialog about albums of 2024 is full with out “Wonderful.”
Widespread and Pete Rock “The Auditorium, Vol. 1”
Two of hip-hop’s most celebrated and revered craftsman joined forces for an album that had the potential to be 25 years too late however was nearly proper on time. Widespread wrote and rapped with inspiration. Pete cooked up beats each paying homage to growth bap’s glory days whereas sitting very properly within the pocket for 2024. Fairly merely, the album is simply dope. Widespread and Pete (and LL Cool J along with his album launch, “FORCES”) demonstrated to youthful generations you’ll be able to preserve doing that factor you’re keen on, efficiently, many years into your hip-hop profession and nonetheless be related.
Muni Lengthy “Revenge”
I nearly really feel just a little dangerous for Muni Lengthy. She had a shock viral hit on TikTok with 2023’s “Made For Me” and the label took too lengthy to get her album out. In right this moment’s world the place social media relevance is forex, had her album come out on the finish of the yr or prime of 2024, she would have killed the sport numbers clever. Be that as it might, when August 2024 rolled round and we obtained “Revenge” I used to be amazed at how good of an R&B providing it was. The album was written and produced with a who’s who of creatives and it opened up robust with “Superpowers.” I’m telling you, the album is sweet from begin to end and Muni has a voice that everyone ought to hear. “Revenge” won’t have gotten the find it irresistible deserved, particularly being launched within the mixture of 2024’s landmark releases, however it’s an album that’s simply nearly as good, and higher, than most.
Leon Thomas “Mutt”
I wasn’t even aware of Leon Thomas till 2024’s version of The Roots Picnic in Philadelphia. I walked in on his set and was instantly caught up. When his sophomore album, “Mutt” dropped, I used to be floored. It was vibes-meets-the-R&B I do know and love with a singer who has the chops and the songwriting. The entire album simply rides and I think about it will be insane to see dwell. His lead single “Mutt” stayed on rotation on finish and I can’t get sufficient of “Lucid Goals” with Masego. Apparently I’m not alone, and for good purpose. “Mutt” was an album everyone on my socials can’t cease, received’t cease speaking about. It’s simply the most effective choices of 2024.
Tierra Whack “World Extensive Whack”
Tierra is an artist whose music is so inventive and imaginative that it’s both embraced or handed over by the lots who don’t fairly get it. For my cash, once I first pulled up “World Extensive Whack” I used to be impressed and stunned at what number of kinds and variations in sounds she waded into and out of. With songs that work within the automobile, the membership and even your yoga session, Tierra’s second providing was vastly ignored however not for high quality however as a result of, nicely, possibly of us are nonetheless making an attempt to catch up.
Future and Metro Boomin “We Don’t Belief You”
Future and Metro Boomin are mainstays in music as of late. And their March launch “We Don’t Belief You” is jam-packed album stuffed with bops and Future being textbook Future, additionally it is the album that turned the warmth up on the simmering Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud with the music “Like That,” a music that hit primary on the Billboard charts and was inescapable. However the entire album is filled with aural gems for any event. It was a kind of albums that performed whereas every little thing else was occurring since you simply needed to get again to that music you liked.
Panama Jackson is a columnist at theGrio and host of the award-winning podcast, “Expensive Tradition” on theGrio Black Podcast Community. He writes very Black issues, drinks very brown liquors, and is fairly fly for a light-weight man. His greatest accomplishment so far coincides along with his Blackest accomplishment so far in that he obtained a telephone name from Oprah Winfrey after she learn considered one of his items (greatest) however he didn’t reply the telephone as a result of the caller ID mentioned “Unknown” (Blackest).
