It’s been over 30 years since Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre struck gold withDoggystyle, a quintessential work in hip-hop history. Their chemistry blossomed during a pivotal era marked by seminal releases from East Coast giants like A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, and Nas. Despite this, Snoop and Dre left much to build upon after their initial success. Their creative partnership faltered following the decline of Death Row Records, with Dre departing to establish Aftermath under Interscope, where he cemented his legacy through artists like Eminem, 50 Cent, The Game, and Kendrick Lamar. Snoop, however, never strayed far from Dre’s orbit. Even during his stints with Star Trak and No Limit, the Compton producer remained a trusted collaborator, albeit no longer an exclusive one.
On Missionary, their first collaborative album in 32 years, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre tap into the current nostalgia-driven zeitgeist in a year when the West Coast dominates the commercial rap landscape. The influence they forged in the early ’90s still serves as a blueprint for Los Angeles’ hip-hop scene in 2024. However, neither seems particularly invested in evolving the regional sound they helped pioneer. Instead, Missionary emerges as hip-hop’s equivalent of stadium rock. Dr. Dre’s production leans heavily on live instrumentation and classic samples, complementing Snoop Dogg’s larger-than-life persona. Together, they rediscover a synergy where Dre’s direction revitalizes Snoop’s performance, while Snoop pushes his own boundaries as an MC.
Snoop Dogg sounds more invigorated than he has in years. His signature laid-back delivery combines with hardened lyricism, intricate rhyme schemes, and the earned confidence of a 30-plus-year career, making this one of his most compelling recent projects. Much of the credit belongs to Dr. Dre, whose brilliance as a producer lies in his ability to amplify his collaborators’ strengths. On Missionary, Dre draws from decades of Snoop’s artistry. Tracks like “Fire” nod to the reggae influences of Snoop Lion, enhanced by Cocoa Sarai’s intoxicating hook. Meanwhile, “Sticcy Situations” updates the G-Funk sound with grungy strings and slippery synths, effortlessly aligning with their classic M.O.
Despite these highlights, the album occasionally falls short of expectations. Part of the issue lies in Snoop’s inability to challenge Dre creatively in the same way Dre elevates Snoop. Dre’s production remains top-tier, but it often feels confined to a vacuum. In a recent interview with Complex, Dre admitted that Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly—which turns ten next year—was the last hip-hop album to inspire him. This perspective explains a certain staleness in Missionary’s approach to sampling. For instance, the interpolation of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)” on “Hard Knocks” fails to live up to the gritty East Coast sophistication in the production. Similarly, tracks like “Another Part of Me” and “Last Dance with Mary Jane” rely on familiar samples that seem tailored to Gen X with the former including an appearance from Sting. While “Last Dance with Mary Jane” has potential as a 4:20 anthem, Jelly Roll’s feature feels more suited to the Christian TikTok niche.
Despite its missteps, Missionary feels like a victorious declaration of a 30-year career, a rarity in any genre. Tracks like “Shangri-La” highlight Snoop’s swagger as he raps, “S-N-Double-O-P, my name is the f**kin’ equity/ N***a, never check for me unless you got a check for me.” Similarly, “Thank You” underscores his enduring importance to the West Coast. Despite Snoop’s humility, this album demands recognition for his contributions to hip-hop.
The chemistry between Snoop and Dre shines on tracks like “Outta the Blue,” a lyrical back-and-forth showcasing their enduring rapport. However, the true lyrical highlights occur when Snoop teams up with other legends. “Skyscrapers” featuring Method Man and Smitty, introduces a New York flavor with luxe strings and Dre’s precise percussion. Method Man, as always, proves he’s still a lyrical powerhouse. In contrast, “Gunz N Smoke,” featuring 50 Cent and Eminem, feels underwhelming, though 50 delivers one of his strongest performances in recent memory, giving both Snoop and Em a run for their money. While Missionary can’t match its predecessor in impact or innovation, it doesn’t need to. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have little left to prove. The torch they lit has been carried proudly by subsequent generations. Though the album occasionally lacks creative ambition, it’s a smooth, enjoyable listen that celebrates their legacy while reaffirming their enduring chemistry.
In many ways, Kendrick Lamar is comparable to a volcano. For years, he will lay dormant but the threat of destruction is always there. Although he may not be close to an eruption, those who understand his power live in fear knowing what could happen if things go South. The residents of Pompeii knew that Mount Vesuvius was a threat to their way of life. However, they never could have expected to wake up one day knowing it would be their last. When Mount Vesuvius erupted, the city of Pompeii was covered in volcanic ash that left the residents frozen in whatever position they were in at the time of contact.
Overall, the tragedy in Pompeii can be seen as a metaphor for what Kendrick Lamar did to Drake in their rap battle. Drake knew that Kendrick was a formidable MC, but he underestimated him at the most crucial moment and got burned. Now, his career is in limbo. Frozen in place, if you will. The Toronto megastar has dropped numerous songs and nothing has hit. Meanwhile, Kendrick has continued his path of destruction. He has secured the Super Bowl Halftime Show and even dropped a chart-topping album called GNX. Moreover, the Pulitzer Prize winner has earned more Grammy Nominations, and he is also going on tour with SZA, starting next year.
Kendrick Lamar has been on a generational run in 2024, and it is why we have decided to crown him HotNewHipHop’s MVP of 2024. With that being said, it’s important to look back and explain how we came to this conclusion.
On the morning of Friday, March 22nd, hip-hop fans woke up to a treat. At the time, everyone knew that Future and Metro Boomin were dropping their album We Don’t Trust You. However, we didn’t know the features, and we certainly didn’t know that this would set off a nuclear reaction that would create a hip-hop civil war. Of course, we are alluding to Kendrick Lamar’s verse on the song “Like That.” Even without Kendrick’s verse, this would be the best song on the album. From the sensational production to Future’s catchy hook, the song is a powerhouse. Although, it is Kendrick’s verse that really takes it to legendary heights.
In his feature, Lamar takes aim at Drake and J. Cole for teaming up on the track “First Person Shooter,” a song that Kendrick was rumored to have been approached for. He takes direct aim at the concept of the “big three” and claims he is the only one sitting atop the throne. It was an energetic verse that featured some of K. Dot’s signature vocal embellishments, and some double-entendres to boot. Moreover, it forced Drake and J. Cole’s hand, with both artists dropping responses, albeit to varying degrees of success.
Following “Like That,” J. Cole opened fire with “7 Minute Drill,” the final song off of his surprise album Might Delete Later. Unfortunately, this diss track fell flat and it left fans disappointed. To make matters worse, Cole went on stage at Dreamville Festival and apologized to Kendrick. Subsequently, he pulled the song from the album which led to choruses of digital boos and hilarious nicknames like “J. Fold.”
With Cole bowing out of the battle, the only challenger left standing was Drake. At first, he put up a great fight. We got “Push Ups,” a catchy and formidable diss record that poked fun at Kendrick’s height and the financials of his record deal with TDE. The song also planted the seeds of infidelity allegations towards Whitney Alford, Lamar’s long-time fiance. From there, Drake kept his foot on the gas with the AI Tupac and Snoop Dogg-assisted “Taylor Made Freestyle,” which proved to be in poor taste. Although one could argue he got the reaction he wanted.
This all fueled Kendrick to drop perhaps one of the best lyrical showcases of the decade so far, “Euphoria.” This sprawling 6-minute track was the most direct we have heard Kendrick since the “Control” verse in 2013. Overall, he took aim at Drake’s upbringing, his parenting skills, his fashion sense, and even his Toronto accent. It was a song that immediately put Kendrick back in the lead, and in many ways, it predicted exactly how the rest of this beef would go.
Kendrick Lamar Claims Victory With “Meet The Grahams” & “Not Like Us”
A few days after the release of “Euphoria,” Kendrick Lamar taunted Drizzy with the Instagram-exclusive track “6:16 In LA.” This song was more of a warning sign than an actual diss. It was a prophetic declaration that Kendrick knew how Drake was going to respond and that when the response came, he would be ready for it. On schedule, Drake dropped “Family Matters” on the night of Friday, May 3rd, only for Lamar to stomp all over it 45 minutes later.
With the help of one of the most sinister Alchemist beats you will ever hear, Kendrick took Drake to a therapy session. In “Meet The Grahams,” Kendrick addresses Drake’s family members one by one. He explains to them how Aubrey is falling short and even levels some pretty hefty allegations. However, perhaps the most genius part of the song is how Kendrick attempts to isolate Drake from everyone he loves. It’s a masterclass of manipulation that tugs on the heartstrings of the listener and everyone who is addressed by name.
For instance, naming Steph Curry and LeBron James was very intentional. Both men have young daughters, and by taking the “protect the children” angle, Lamar forces Drake’s real-life friends to reconsider their associations. He does the same when addressing the women fans who have propped up Drake his whole career. Because without the women fans, how else does Drake become the megastar he is today?
The very next day, Kendrick gave us a surprise drop with “Not Like Us.” What else is there to say about this record? From the Mustard beat to the catchy flows and shocking lyrics, this was the biggest song of the entire year. It will go down in history as a Top 5 diss record of all time, and in the eyes of some, it is already Number 1. Additionally, it’s a song that topped the Billboard charts and has received numerous Grammy nominations. Drake’s response record “The Heart Pt. VI” was pitiful, and a winner was ultimately declared.
In the immediate aftermath of the battle, Kendrick Lamar announced “The Pop Out,” an Amazon Music concert held at the Forum in Los Angeles. This was Kendrick’s first real victory lap and it was also a celebration of West Coast culture. DJ Hed’s set included performances from Tommy The Clown, AzChike and Rucci, Remble, JasonMartin, and many more. Meanwhile, Mustard brought the house down with Steve Lacy, Tyler, the Creator, Roddy Ricch, and of course, YG.
Meanwhile, Kendrick started off his set with “Euphoria” and eventually delved into his greatest hits, all while reuniting with Black Hippy. Moreover, he performed alongside Dr. Dre, who introduced the very first live performance of “Not Like Us,” which was played five times in a row. It was a spectacular show, and it was a huge moment for Los Angeles and California as a whole. The entire West Coast was united that night, a theme that would be re-established on Lamar’s latest album, GNX.
Following the Drake beef, Kendrick laid dormant yet again. Perhaps the most impressive part about this beef was the fact that Kendrick wasn’t even saying anything on social media. No interviews, no antics, just YouTube links with no preamble. It was an efficient display that proved the artist to be a master of strategy. Had Drake taken a similar approach, perhaps he would have had a chance.
Having said that, Kendrick broke his silence on September 8th when he revealed that he would be performing at the Super Bowl 59 Halftime Show in New Orleans. This was a controversial decision as some felt like the hometown hero, Lil Wayne should have gotten the nod. However, Kendrick is a phenomenal performer and after his win against Drake, there is no doubt that the honor was well-deserved. Ultimately, the announcement served as another point in K. Dot’s favor for being named MVP of hip-hop for 2024.
Once again, Kendrick decided to surprise, this time on the morning of November 22nd. He did so by dropping his new album GNX, a 12-track appetizer that seeks to hold fans over until his Super Bowl Halftime Show performance in February. Overall, this is the type of project that fans have been hoping for from Kendrick. It’s not beholden to a concept or a deeper overall meaning. While individual songs like “Reincarnated,” “Man At The Garden,” and “Gloria” are deeply conceptual, the rest of the album is filled with bangers and R&B slow jams.
“Squabble Up,” “tv off,” “peekaboo,” and “hey now” are tracks that have huge Super Bowl potential. Meanwhile, “luther” is easily the biggest crossover hit on the record, as SZA delivers stunning vocals and harmonization alongside Kendrick. Given the duo have two collaborations on GNX, it only makes sense that they would team up for the Grand National stadium tour which begins in April 2025.
Everything that we have outlined here demonstrates why Kendrick Lamar has had the best year of any rapper in 2024. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone else who even came close to this kind of domination. 2025 is going to be interesting, but if there is one thing for certain, it’s that it will be difficult for any other artist to match this kind of year.
Overall, 2024 was phenomenal for a whole lot of reasons, and chief among them was the sheer amount of quality R&B albums we got. Although most fans were paying attention to all of the wild stories going on in rap, others were chilling out while listening to artists like Leon Thomas, Lucky Daye, and Tems. The genre’s biggest superstars decided to drop projects, and we are certainly grateful for that. From sensational debuts to continuations of iconic album series, R&B fans were truly blessed.
Having said that, we have now reached the end of the year and it is officially time to count down the hottest R&B albums of 2024. We’re sure there is going to be quite a bit of debate about these. However, if one thing is certain, it is that there is something here for everyone. So without further ado, behold our latest list.
2024 was a big year for hip-hop. Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s viral lyrical battle thrust the genre into the spotlight, for one, leaving even non-hip-hop-heads with no choice but to weigh in. On top of this, Diddy’s arrest, his long list of disturbing allegations, and mansion raids also went mainstream. This marked the start of what will likely be a long and complex legal battle.
He’s far from the only hip-hop artist to make headlines for their legal issues this year, however. Lil Durk was also arrested for alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy and remains behind bars facing a hefty sentence if convicted. Young Thug, on the other hand, saw the chaotic YSL trial come to an end and was finally released. Check out a breakdown of these moments, and a few more of the biggest hip-hop moments of the year down below.
Kendrick Lamar performs during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden. Usp Entertainment 60th Annual Grammy Awards. Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In March of this year, Future and Metro Boomin unleashed their eagerly anticipated collaborative album, We Don’t Trust You. The project boasts various high-profile features, including a verse from Kendrick Lamar on “Like That.” In it, K. Dot disses both Drake and J Cole, shutting down the latter’s “First Person Shooter” claim that they make up the “big three.” This ignited what would become an explosive and viral lyrical battle between Kendrick and Drake, who responded a few weeks later with his track “Push Ups.” Ultimately, the two of them went back and forth for a while until things reached an ugly peak.
Drake dropped “Family Matters” in May, accusing Kendrick of domestic violence and more. Kendrick responded within the hour with “Meet The Grahams,” addressing Drake’s son directly and leaving fans in shambles. Less than 24 hours later, Kendrick put the final nail in the coffin by releasing “Not Like Us.” In it, he alleges that Drake and his OVO crew are sexual predators. This quickly became a massive hit, which Kendrick later performed at his LA “Pop Out” show surrounded by peers. This feud has been dominating headlines for some time now and continues to even months later. Several of the rappers’ peers have jumped into the mix too, making for a feud that’s sure to be discussed for years to come.
Diddy’s Disturbing Allegations, Home Raids, And Arrest
Feb 4, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Recording artist P. Diddy a/k/a Sean Combs prior to the game between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium. Brad Rempel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In November 2023, Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie filed a lawsuit against the Bad Boy founder, which contained countless disturbing allegations. She accused him of sexual assault, abuse, and much more. Almost immediately, they settled, but this was far from the end of his legal issues. Diddy went on to be hit with several other lawsuits from individuals making similarly shocking allegations against him. In March of this year, his mansions in LA and Miami were raided by federal agents.
In September, the mogul was arrested in NYC, where he remains behind bars for charges related to alleged sex trafficking, racketeering, and more. An unsealed federal indictment shows that authorities accuse him of forcing people to participate in drug-fueled sex parties called “freak offs,” using blackmail to silence his alleged victims, and much more. Diddy is currently awaiting a trial which is expected to begin in May 2025. He’s maintained his innocence, denying all allegations aside from the 2016 assault of Cassie captured by hotel surveillance cameras.
Young Thug attends a dinner celebrating his album “Punk” on October 25, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
In May 2022, Young Thug and various other YSL affiliates were arrested as part of a 56-count indictment. Authorities accused the Atlanta rapper of leading a criminal street gang, and he was facing serious time behind bars if convicted. Following a long and chaotic trial, however, Young Thug finally decided to accept a plea deal and was released In October of this year. As part of the deal, he’ll spend 15 years on probation and can’t communicate with any alleged gang members or YSL affiliates, on top of various other release conditions.
Following over two years in prison, however, Young Thug and his supporters were thrilled with the verdict. Immediately, social media users praised his lawyer Brian Steel for his work and began to anticipate what’s next for Young Thug. This is still unclear, though he has since been spotted in the studio alongside peers like Travis Scott, Lil Baby, and Future.
Lil Durk’s Arrest For Alleged Murder-For-Hire
Rapper Lil Durk performs during Morehouse & Spelman College Homecoming 2023 at Morehouse College on October 25, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
In October of this year, Lil Durk was arrested in Florida for alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy. His arrest took place hours after five alleged OTF affiliates were arrested. Authorities believe they were allegedly paid to carry out the murder of Quando Rondo in retaliation for the 2020 murder of King Von. In 2022, Quando Rondo and his cousin Lul Pab were targeted in a shooting at a Los Angeles gas station. Quando Rondo walked away unscathed while Lul Pab succumbed to his injuries.
In December, he was linked to yet another alleged murder-for-hire, this time concerning the 2022 death of Stephon Mack. Authorities believe his fatal shooting was allegedly carried out in retaliation for the 2021 murder of Durk’s brother Dontay “DThang” Banks. They accuse the rapper of offering payments to eliminate witnesses, but he’s not been formally charged for this. Durk remains behind bars in LA for his alleged crimes, and reportedly, could face a life sentence if convicted. Per U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue’s orders, he will await trial in custody. His trial has been scheduled to begin on January 7 of next year. According to ABC7, however, it’s “expected to be postponed.”
Rich Homie Quan performs during the inaugural 2024 Gazebo Festival at Waterfront Park on May 25, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)
Hip-hop fans said goodbye to several artists in 2024, and while they’re no longer with us, they certainly won’t be forgotten. In September of this year, for example, Rich Homie Quan passed away at the age of 34 in Atlanta. The Fulton County Medical Examiner soon ruled his death an accidental overdose. According to TMZ, various substances including fentanyl, alprazolam, codeine, and promethazine were in his system at the time of death. After his passing, Quan’s father Corey Lamar revealed that he had an entire full-length album on the way when he died. In October, his estate unveiled his first posthumous album, Forever Goin In, featuring 35 tracks worth of previously unreleased material.
In June, 26-year-old 1017 signee Enchanting also passed away unexpectedly after it was revealed that she’d been placed on life support. The tragic and untimely loss hit the hip-hop community hard and left her supporters devastated. The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed that she too died of an accidental overdose. Reportedly, oxycodone and benzodiazepines were found in the young artist’s system. “She lived her life with grace and blessed so many with friendship, laughter and love,” the Texas rapper’s family fondly recalled in a statement.
Weeks after Enchanting’s passing, Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio passed away after a shooting at his 26th birthday party. Five suspects were later identified and four were taken into custody. The state of Florida plans to seek the death penalty for three of them. Other notable hip-hop figures who passed away in 2024 include Rico Wade, Ka, DJ Mister Cee, Fatman Scoop, DJ Clark Kent, and more.
Killer Mike Gets Arrested After Grammys Sweep
Killer Mike performs during the 2024 The Thing Festival at Remlinger Farms on August 10, 2024 in Carnation, Washington. (Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage)
In February of this year, Killer Mike took home various Grammys for his sixth studio album, MICHAEL. He won an award for Best Rap Album, as well as Best Rap Song and Rap Performance for his track with Andre 3000, Future, and Eryn Allen Kane, “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS.” The impressive sweep came as a surprise to many and led to plenty of debate amongst social media users.
Shortly after his big wins, however, footage of him being led out of the ceremony in handcuffs hit the internet. Reportedly, he’d been booked for misdemeanor battery after an alleged altercation with a security guard who refused to let him in the venue. He later addressed the debacle on The View. “All of my heroes have been in handcuffs,” he said at the time. “[Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Medgar Evers]. I walked out with the same dignity and respect that I walked in with, and I would implore people to just take that from it. Don’t dwell on the bad stuff.”
Drake performs onstage during “Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert” at State Farm Arena on December 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Months after Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s heated feud reached its peak, the latter made one of his most controversial moves yet by taking legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify. In a pre-action petition filed in November, he accused the companies of artificially boosting Kendrick’s diss track “Not Like Us” using bots and payola. “UMG did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices,” the filing alleges in part, per Billboard. “It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.” Drake also accuses UMG of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, deceptive business practices, and false advertising.
Unsurprisingly, this sparked a major debate among fans and peers. Some believe he has a real chance of exposing alleged corruption in the music industry. Others think the petition makes him look jealous of Kendrick’s success. Hours after it was filed, UMG released a statement denying the allegations. “The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue,” it reads. “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
Jay-Z Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 13-Year-Old With Diddy
Nov 24, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Recording artist Jay-Z walks on the field before the game between the Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys at Northwest Stadium. Peter Casey / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In December, an anonymous woman amended a lawsuit she’d filed against Diddy in October, adding new allegations against Jay-Z. She alleges that they both sexually assaulted her at a party in 2000 when she was 13 years old. The woman is being represented by Tony Buzbee, a Houston-based lawyer already representing several of Diddy’s accusers. The Roc Nation founder quickly fired back amid the allegations. He even hit Buzbee with some of his own in a lengthy statement.
In it, he accuses Buzbee of blackmail, being a “fraud,” and more. Jay-Z and his attorney Alex Spiro sued Buzbee for alleged extortion before he was named in the anonymous woman’s lawsuit. They allege that he came to them and “threatened to unleash entirely fabricated and malicious allegations of sexual assault” if they didn’t comply with his demands.
Dr. Dre Finally Secures Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Feb 5, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dr. Dre accepts the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In March, Dr. Dre was honored for his invaluable contributions to hip-hop with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Friends and collaborators like Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Jimmy Iovine, Eminem, and more were in attendance to celebrate and hear the producer’s heartfelt speech. In it, the Compton native reflected on his career, making a living doing what he loves, and more.
“Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of finding and nurturing new talent as well as pushing the boundaries in hip-hop both in content and substance,” he said in part. “But I’m most proud of elevating the sound and clarity of how we experience hip-hop. Getting that thing right is one of my greatest achievements. I love that this honor is unique to Los Angeles and brings fans from all over the world to connect with their favorite artists. I’ll be here forever.”
Kendrick Lamar Surprise-Drops GNX
Apr 23, 2017; Indio, CA, USA; Kendrick Lamar performs during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club. Zoe Meyers / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In November, Kendrick Lamar took the world by surprise by dropping an entire album without warning, GNX. Rumors that he had something up his sleeve had been circulating for months before the release. It left his supporters in shambles regardless and has since been a major success.
It sold a whopping 319K album-equivalent units in its first week, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. It’s the fifth No. 1 album of Kendrick’s career and the sixth-biggest debut week for an album in 2024. Shortly after the release, the Compton rapper also unveiled a reference-packed music video for “squabble up,” paying homage to the West Coast.
Between the biggest battle of the last 20 years, YSL’s stint in the longest criminal trial in Georgia history, and the downfall of a previously unstoppable executive, hip-hop had a pretty massive 2024. Sadly, these stories and many others garnered a lot of headlines and pushed the culture’s proliferation far outside of its musical boundaries. Many folks re-listening to “Family Matters” and “6:16 in LA” did so to catch the gaps in evidence and strategy, not to reflect on their melodic or lyrical prowesses. So it goes without saying that many of the art form’s most compelling and impressive offerings over the past 12 months or so flew completely under the radar… Even our own, for a time. But we’re very happy to admit that we slept on some gems and rounded up five of the most underrated rap albums of this year that grew on us the most.
These hip-hop projects took some time to settle in for many different reasons. They all came out pretty early in the year, back when we still had larger releases on our horizon or found ourselves completely overwhelmed by surprise diss tracks. We’ve already sung some of their praises before and want to double down on them, whereas other picks never got their proper shine. However, no matter why we initially brushed these records off, their merits in performance, production, thematic depth, catchiness, or idiosyncrasy eventually eroded any skepticism. Obviously, we missed out on a lot of hidden treasures in 2024, and looking back on everyone’s sleeper picks will be one of the year’s very last treats for the rap community. Before we head into the next quarter of the century, don’t skip out on these outstanding works.
Bruiser Wolf – My Story Got Stories
My Story Got Stories easily ranks among 2024’s funniest hip-hop albums for the enthralling and unmistakable delivery of Bruiser Wolf, one of Danny Brown’s Bruiser Brigade colleagues from Detroit. But many fans heard his storybook tone and kept their praise to only that. Despite the acquired taste that this project’s main artist and production pallet employ, don’t miss out on some of the sharpest, most clever, and most hilarious punchlines of the year. “Everything I do is monumental / It’s a cycle, period, menstrual” had us laughing all throughout 2024, and there’s plenty of heartfelt sadness and melancholy to balance out that sense of humor. Dusty samples, languid boom-bap beats, vivid street life descriptions, and quick-hitting song structures make for a whole slew of stories that walk the line between harrowing and hilarious. Also, the focus on accountability and loyalty informs the bravado with a lot of conviction.
All that said, don’t think that Bruiser Wolf’s My Story Got Stories is just a collection of old-timey, quirky, comical asides. “2 Bad” with Danny Brown and Zelooperz is one of the most ridiculously animated bangers of the year, and “I Was Taught To” with Trinidad James is a trill and low-riding cruise. Some of the stark and skipping sample flips, such as the atmospherically stretched-out vocals of “Holla At Ya Mans” and the static-laden soul on “Dope Ain’t Good” with Stretch Money, can bleed into each other on occasion. Fortunately, once you really focus on the instrumentals and verses, it all comes together as a psychedelic, rugged, and somehow unsettling album experience. It just goes to show that a whimsical perspective can bring the light out of the darkest street corners, which was an unparalleled process to undergo in 2024.
When thinking about the best rap albums of any given year, you might initially call attention to what feels deep, meaningful, or thematically significant. But then you’d have to balance that out with some of the most fun and vibrant music of that same period, and we can’t let 2024 go by without putting TiaCorine’s Almost There EP into that conversation. It’s eight tracks of no-frills plugg and rage-inspired material with some truly catchy melodies and moments, such as the phased-out and swirling buzzes on “Blick” with Key Glock and the choppy triplet embellishments on “Burnt.” What really creeps under your skin and leaps out without warning, though, is the North Carolina spitter’s vocal dynamism and flow control on here. It’s a big part of what makes these beats come alive, even as they might not hit your ears as particularly unique instrumentals.
For every deep-toned and menacing trap banger like “Give No F**k,” there’s a bubbly and sweet wave to ride on cuts like “Shamone.” Production-wise, there’s a lot here to create a solid resting place for TiaCorine’s displays: acidic synths, dense bass, sharp trap percussion, dreamy pads, and airy tones. She handles it all with a lot of charisma and surprising versatility, as her raspy growls on the Luh Tyler-assisted “Yung Joc” match the bass while her malleable flow delivery compliments the crystalline keys. All in all, Almost There occupies multiple hip-hop moods and appeals at the same time. “Olive” with Zelooperz is still one of our favorite ragers of the year, whereas “Bonnet” and “Nah He Tweakin” round the EP out with more relaxed and ethereal melodic dominance. Despite its short length and simple nature, this is one of rap’s most satisfying batches of ear candy in 2024.
Quadeca – SCRAPYARD
By the time our mid-year list rolled around, Quadeca’s new mixtape SCRAPYARD was already burrowing itself into our brains. Still, a lot of that appeal came down to the enduring catchiness and emotional resonance of the Los Angeles native’s 2023 EPs leading up to the full album. The tender bossa nova and alt-tinged hyperpop fusions of “A LA CARTE” featuring brakence, the brief yet minimally glitched-out confidence of “I MAKE IT LOOK EFFORTLESS,” and the jittery distortion on “GUESS WHO?” were leftovers from last year that, when we initially listened to SCRAPYARD, ranked head and shoulders above its newer offerings. Eventually, the controlled chaos of genre mixes, mood swings, and production techniques of the whole package really settled in as an expressive, cathartic, and engrossing full-length.
Harcore Quadeca fans finally got “BEING YOURSELF” on an official release, introducing its cavernous bass and fluttering flows to a whole new base. “PRETTY PRIVILEGE” draws from – and evolves – the emo-trap tradition with rich hand percussion and intoxicating electric guitar tones. Perhaps the biggest grower is “U TRIED THAT THING WHERE UR HUMAN,” whose initially off-putting whispers perfectly prelude an ambient, folky, lo-fi beat that gives more singer-songwriter than seasoned MC. Add a soulful boom-bap cut in “WAY TOO MANY FRIENDS” and you’ve got one of the most creative, undefinable, and colorful albums of 2024 in any genre. Maybe that’s why the 24-year-old’s latest LP took some time to grow. It’s not solely hip-hop – or any genre, for that matter. Yet its assembly of disparate scraps to craft an earthy sound not only creates amazing rap music as a result, but also excellently embodies the art form’s ethos.
A week after Tierra Whack dropped her long-awaited debut full-length album WORLD WIDE WHACK, Kendrick Lamar lit the rap game on fire and reset the year for our minds. It was honestly a huge disservice and misstep on our part, as the Philly native came through with the vibrance and wonder that she’s known for while adding some new flourishes to her arsenal. For example, “MS BEHAVE” is one of her most brash and bass-heavy songs yet, and “X” continues this dark and primal percussive journey. Longtime fans still got some of the low-key, crisp, and perky jams they love such as “DIFFICULT” and “INVITATION,” in addition to Tierra’s most diverse and organically fused sonic pallet yet. The project travels from triumphant and egocentric excess to down-trodden and despondent tribulations, although it never loses its personal and intimate charm. In other words, it fittingly and progressively expands Whack World.
Nevertheless, Tierra Whack’s experimentation and songwriting focus on WORLD WIDE WHACK doesn’t automatically jump out at you. Somber interludes like “NUMB” and “BURNING BRAINS” are pretty unassuming at first, and only reveal their powers once the stickiness of other tracks wears off on you. Maybe you can attribute this to the thin trap drums on a lot of beats here, or to the washed-out aesthetics that cloak much of each song’s atmosphere. But you eventually realize what’s taking all that extra space up, and it’s the 29-year-old’s captivating personality and presence. It’s sometimes understated, but those partially obscured moments always pair up with relatable lyricism and grounded themes of identity, contradiction, and emotional volatility. It might not be the most bombastic or instantly gratifying LP of 2024, but it certainly stands among its most vulnerable and varied.
Cavalier – Different Type Time
Finally, we wanted to shout out Backwoodz Studioz for backing one of the best lyrical displays of 2024. Cavalier’s Different Type Time reflects the passions of a rapper unsatisfied with the perfectionist rat race of the music industry, and these 21 tracks reflect that level of frustrated inspiration with grace. Boom-bap permeates throughout calm and collected instrumental clouds on cuts such as “Can’t Leave It Alone” with Eric Jaye, and the project overall feels like a particularly healing piece of underground hip-hop. Of course, jazzy passages and reflective ambiance define much of this LP as well. It makes more fiery fare like “Doodoo Damien” hit that much harder, especially when the Brooklyn-born and New Orleans-based lyricist weaves intricate rhyme schemes together with raw perception wise beyond his years. Since it’s such a familiar sound, it’s up to the listener to dig through the diamonds in these verses.
As much as the pen dominates Different Type Time, Cavalier also crafted some of the most gorgeous soulful fusions of hip-hop this year, such as “Think About It” with Billzegypt. There’s such an immediate and in-your-face approach to a lot of the mixing behind the instrumentation and percussion here, adding this live feel to narratives of struggle that turns them into consistently evocative songs. Even though 2024 had more daring or widespread challenges to rap’s status quo, this album shows off the power of tradition, homage, and fundamental ingenuity with no need for invasive bells and whistles. It’s a very blunt record in that sense, even if the bars here will always warrant a rewind. For those listeners looking for the furtherance of the culture’s linguistic excellence, storytelling prowess, and foundational elements, this offers even more.
This past year was absolutely massive for the sports world, and some of the best athletes of 2024 came from an array of disciplines. Overall, the NBA and the NFL reigned supreme, at least from an American perspective. However, sports like hockey, and Formula 1 saw huge surges in viewership. Baseball was also a huge story this year, thanks to the Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ultimately, dynasties were born, and other dynasties grew strong. Although some may have been disappointed with the outcomes of championship games, you cannot deny that numerous athletes put on spectacular performances. So without further ado, here are our top 10 best athletes of 2024.
To begin our list, we have none other than Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic who, in tandem with Kyrie Irving, led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals this past year. Overall, Doncic proved himself as one of the best players in the entire National Basketball Association. Although his team came up short in the end, Doncic has pretty much ascended as the most likely heir to the face of the NBA throne. When LeBron James eventually retires, players like Doncic will ensure that this league remains in good hands. It is only a matter of time before Doncic hoists the Larry O’Brien trophy.
9. Lionel Messi
Subsequently, we have Lionel Messi who should forever be a mainstay on these kinds of lists. Although his year was relatively quiet compared to 2022 when he won the World Cup, Messi has remained the GOAT of soccer. His past season with Inter Miami led to even more legacy building and when you compare his current play to Cristiano Ronaldo’s, it becomes clear who the better player is and has always been. What more can you say? Messi is the greatest soccer player on the planet and when all is said and done, he will have a very strong case as the best to ever step on the pitch.
8. Max Verstappen
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates his fourth World Drivers’ Championship with his crew in pit lane during the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images)
While some of you out there may not consider Formula 1 a sport, such a take would be coming from a place of ignorance. These drivers are athletes through and through, and the best of the best over the last four seasons has been Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver picked up where Lewis Hamilton left off. After Hamilton won four championships in a row, Verstappen has matched that, even though his competition is considerably weaker. This season was one of his most difficult as the Red Bull car slowed down in the middle of the season. However, Verstappen outperformed his equipment and gave some impeccable drives that ultimately saved his championship campaign.
7. LeBron James
You cannot mention the best athletes of 2024 without also giving some love to none other than LeBron James. LeBron is set to turn 40 years old at the end of December, and somehow, he has been able to fend off father time. Admittedly, the start of this season has been a bit of a rocky one for LeBron. His age is finally catching up to him, but at this point, who cares? LeBron has given us over 20 years of high-level basketball and in 2024, he continued to grow his records. Moreover, he gave us more myth-building that will last generations. Not to mention, he got his son Bronny drafted into the NBA and even got to share the floor with him. If that is not special, we don’t know what is.
6. Lamar Jackson
LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 8: Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens poses for a portrait after winning MVP at the 13th Annual NFL Honors on February 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
Next up on our list, we have the NFL MVP himself, Lamar Jackson. Once again, Jackson had another exceptional regular season. Although his Baltimore Ravens came up short against the Kansas City Chiefs, this was the furthest Lamar had ever gone in the playoffs, and it seems like he is on the cusp of greatness. In the 2024 regular season, Jackson has continued his MVP-level play, and the Ravens look like a team that could definitely make it to the Super Bowl. Regardless of whether or not they win it all, Jackson is a top-three quarterback in the NFL, and his accomplishments throughout 2024 speak for themselves.
A best athlete of 2024 list would be completely out to lunch without an entry for Connor McDavid. Sure, hockey is not very popular compared to basketball and football. However, one of the best players in their respective sport would be Connor McDavid. The Edmonton Oilers captain led his team to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they eventually lost in seven games to the Florida Panthers. That said, the series itself was a special one as McDavid was able to lead his team back from an 0-3 deficit. He was on a tear at one point in the Finals, and he showed the world that he could be the best player in the biggest moments. Had he won the Cup, he would be higher than fifth on this list.
4. Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics won the NBA Finals this past year in five games against the Dallas Mavericks. It was an easy series for the Celtics, and while Jaylen Brown won Finals MVP, there is no doubt that Jayson Tatum was sensational, especially in the close-out games. Throughout the season, Tatum was making an argument for himself as the best player in the NBA. Upon winning the championship, Tatum has continued to play at a high level and has been dominant to start the 2024-25 season. The Celtics are already the championship favorites, and if Tatum wins a Finals MVP, then he may just become the true face of the league, whether the haters want that or not.
3. Caitlin Clark
No athlete on this list has been more polarizing than Caitlin Clark. However, Clark has certainly earned her place at number three as she has completely transformed the WNBA since being drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever. For many, Clark’s ascension to fame began in the NCAA Championship Game against LSU where she went toe-to-toe with Angel Reese. This past year, Clark got her revenge in the Elite Eight against LSU. Many predicted that she would come into the WNBA and immediately become one of the league’s best players. While it took her until after the Olympics to get her footing, Clark catapulted to a Top 5 player and won Rookie of the Year. Additionally, every single game she played in had a sold-out crowd, and the TV ratings for Fever games were competing with some NBA match-ups. Regardless of results, no athlete had a larger impact on their league than CC.
2. Patrick Mahomes
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 07: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs off the field after the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
What more can you say about Patrick Mahomes? Overall, he is already one of the best quarterbacks to ever do it. In just seven seasons, he has managed to win three Super Bowls including two back-to-back championships. Moreover, the Chiefs looked primed and ready for a three-peat. There isn’t much else to say about Mahomes at this point. The only person he is chasing down right now is Tom Brady, and that is certainly going to take a while. However, in terms of pure talent and creativity, Mahomes might be the best quarterback we have ever seen. Teams fear him, and opposing fans absolutely despise him. But at this point, you just have to sit back and appreciate greatness.
1. Shohei Ohtani
Our number-one athlete for 2024 is none other than Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his first season with the Dodgers, Ohtani was able to win his first World Series, and based on the team’s upcoming roster moves, he may just win another. Having said that, 2024 was truly the best year of Ohtani’s career. Due to surgery, he decided not to pitch. Instead, he focused on hitting, and it worked out well for him. His home run/stolen bases record was truly impressive, and there was no doubt that his production was fueling the Dodgers to new heights. He elevated his teammates, and come playoff time, Ohtani showed that he’s also fantastic in the clutch. No athlete was as captivating as Ohtani. He will be the face of Major League Baseball for years to come.
2024 might just be the most consequential year of the decade so far within hip-hop, but this presumed revival was preluded by many fans carrying the culture’s casket. The conversation around the death of rap in 2023 became an exhausting one, as listeners questioned the genre’s direction amid a drought of No. 1-selling singles and albums. While the year still gave us some incredible artistry, it also generated debates around values, ethics, tradition, and change that clearly led to the art form drawing a line in the sand in 2024. Much to the excitement of hip-hop lovers, it worked. More No. 1 singles and albums from early in the year all the way to the end, more than double the number of weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, and according to Luminate’s 2024 Midyear Music Industry Report, continued success as the United States’ overall most popular genre.
This commercial success and visibility of rap was, of course, led by blockbuster moments. Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign let their VULTURES fly, Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion clashed, Future had three No. 1 projects across different sides of his artistry, Travis Scott’s Days Before Rodeo re-release proved its resonance ten years later, GloRillahit her peak, Tyler, The Creator showcased how artists don’t need to conform to the industry to succeed and connect, and obviously, Kendrick Lamar and Drake duked it out in the greatest rap battle of the millennium. But amid all this success were also RICO trials, incarcerations, raids, and lawsuits that pointed towards the fall of hip-hop’s leaders in this line-in-the-sand moment. In 2024, rap did not define its growth solely by sales. It was a cultural breaking point that we cannot take for granted this time.
Our theory about the culture’s artistic evolution back in 2023, especially as it relates to “the death of hip-hop,” was proven true this year. Hip-hop is more dead the smaller your scope of discovery is; you’ll find greatness if you seek it. But in 2024, rap’s commercial strides made this call for more variety and curation a much easier and more wide-reaching mission than it was last year. Underground favorites like xaviersobased, Nettspend, and LAZER DIM 700 found critical and cultural acclaim, the beef showcased lingering passion for lyricism that many had declared a fading memory, the West Coast’s staggering celebrations during its generational 2024 hip-hop run created an intoxicating atmosphere, and there was no shortage of culturally or socially relevant masterpieces like Mach-Hommy’s #RICHAXXHAITIAN, Rapsody’s Please Don’t Cry, MAVI’s shadowbox, and the legendary Ka’s final album.
Any artistic argument against rap’s excellence in 2024 would be favoring big-picture criticism over fair community assessment. Nevertheless, anti-fandom persisted this year as old heads continued to police new trends and rising stars dismissed the legends before them–nothing new for the genre, we might add, but at a more visible and eye-catching level than previous discussions. This time around, though, breakout champs like Doechii were more successful, beloved, and rewarded for their efforts, adding a little more hope to the pot at hip-hop’s highest levels than there was 12 months ago. So from a pure musical and artistic standpoint, the culture continues to make the 2020s feel like a renaissance of almost every era prior while paving new ground. But the reason it’s at this combative binary, as far as direction, is largely thanks to its two biggest superstars.
— Long Beach County (@longbeachcounty) May 4, 2024
The Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, for better or worse, aimed to define “what the culture’s feeling,” something that this writer–to quote Justin Hunte–is not in the position to properly contextualize. As much as they lead two schools of thought within hip-hop and popular music, the centralization of this binary within mainstream rap often fails to properly assess how similar they are. Both play at the biggest stages possible (“Big as the what?”), both made abhorrent allegations they cannot prove, and both peppered their run of diss tracks with many contradictions. In other words, they already bought in, and the industry followed suit–or rather, the industry followed the money. No narrative dominated fan engagement this heavily in 2024, but it also set up an easy out for both K.Dot and Drizzy stans to excuse and goalpost-shift.
By overshadowing the artistic merits of the battle to an admittedly small degree, the debate watered it down to “lesser evil” rhetoric, Twitter threads, and the concept of being “right” after tallying up all the points. The real reason why this beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake became difficult to “believe in” is because the discourse around it somewhat limited people’s view of hip-hop today. They are not your only options, and they are certainly not the ones who will actually fix any of the problems that they rap about on their diss tracks, whether that’s culture vultures or 20v1s. To put it bluntly, this feud was too big; it would inevitably betray itself at some point. The “righteous” option’s victory this time around is certainly beneficial, but it only clinched its win because it’s where the industry followed the money, propping up one golden goose over another… Allegedly.
Yes, Drake’s petition against Universal Music Group and Spotify is basically one huge open secret scolded by someone who–in all likelihood–benefitted from presumed neo-payola practices until he lost a rap battle. But not only could this be a ploy to get out of a UMG deal, but it’s also not wrong… At least, on paper. A move against the industry is a move against the industry nonetheless, especially if this goes as deep as it seems like it could. Smaller artists could potentially benefit greatly from a precedent-setting ruling here that addresses these alleged schemes. But it would still require so much more advocacy and collective action regarding low streaming pay, predatory contracts, and cutthroat business practices to be worth the optical disaster of the petition. Even if this has little to do with the Kendrick Lamar beef specifically, that context burned into people’s minds and judgments.
Regardless of whether Drake succeeds, we have to set this context aside and think about what the defendants really did here without even having to try, bots or no bots. The label houses the two biggest rappers right now, so of course they wanted to milk whoever came out on top for their overall benefit. This is an opportunity for the culture to gather and combat this boxing-in of the battle, which fans took more seriously than we’ve seen in a long time. But it’s becoming harder and harder to find new answers for the culture’s direction. Decades-long icons led the charge of commercial success in 2024. The biggest sales week for hip-hop this year for an album was for a ten-year-old Travis Scott mixtape, and many other artists are clinging onto their reigns through continued emphasis on their classics.
You Either Die A Hero…
Here’s the new lawsuit against Diddy that also names Jay Z as a defendant. It accuses them of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000.
It was filed by attorney Tony Buzbee, whom Jay Z has accused of extortion.
Despite 2010s artists maintaining their spots with not many equally mainstream or beloved successors, it feels like more of the culture’s leaders are in danger than ever. Still, we have to acknowledge a wide spectrum. Diddy–and now Jay-Z–faced abhorrent allegations this year that also dominated engagement, following up on decades of rumors and rumblings with a highly publicized and highly controversial takedown. It’s key context for the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle and rap’s 2024 as a whole. Salacious criminal activity sold a lot in hip-hop this year, and Hov’s implication means that both “sides” are not free of this burden. Both foundations for criticism are shaky, and we can’t help but feel like the binary is obfuscating some real issues in this shocking scandal. Pair this with the UMG/Spotify petition, and you have an anti-industry movement.
But online, that movement is often about which superstar you support against the other, who “deserves” the crown, and who is more believable. It’s noticeably not about the conditions that hedonistic industry practices impose upon victims, the actual lived experiences of these individuals, the mentalities and mechanisms that drive systemic abuse, or anything that aims to advocate for ending an epidemic rather than getting over the flu just to get mononucleosis for a couple of weeks. Abuse stories are not “gotcha” moments. So our leaders are either taking out each other, reckoning with a steady equalization with other popular music genres, dead, or in jail, whether justifiably or not. With so many questions about where the culture is going right now, these circumstances make answers fewer and farther between, which is a sad and counterintuitive consequence of the biggest rap battle since Jay-Z and Nas.
A Fulton County judge modified probation for Young Thug today and says he can start visiting his #Atlanta home, several times a year, starting in 2027 if he doesn’t violate his probation before then. @FOX5Atlanta
However, the artistic and social implications of this loss of leaders might run deeper than we know. The high-profile criminal cases of Young Thug and Lil Durk this year caused a lot of skepticism in Atlanta rap and the drill scene, respectively, and these differing situations carry uniquely vague complications. Thugger is out of prison on unclear probation and with a potentially limited musical arsenal, whereas Smurk’s history of philanthropy will no longer define his relationship with street life in the long run in listeners’ eyes. We can’t fully remove accountability from these shifts in legacy, but the social issues they touch on require more nuanced and broad analysis. On the other hand, Kendrick Lamar has the weight of a crusade on him with pushback everywhere he goes, and Drake maintains his dominance while being 2024’s biggest loser.
As we previously hinted, this wouldn’t be a big issue if the future of hip-hop was more solidly established on a mainstream stage. Yet one of the lingering issues from 2023 is the lack of new superstars in the wake of these leaders losing their luster–although, again, Doechii and many others have us feeling better than last year. Maybe the underground, the true lifeblood of rap, is realizing that the mainstream’s variations of righteousness and bag-chasing are not for them, instead seeking more direct, independent, and self-sustaining success that doesn’t depend on selling out. This means that 2010s stars are entering legend status quickly with less competitive metrics, and that new leading roles like Playboi Carti are that much harder to emulate and live up to–even for himself, apparently. All the context of 2024 raises questions about grand-scale longevity and how an MC can even compete for the throne.
What Is The Culture Really Feeling?
Our music has always been deep. It’s always been complex and it’s always been soulful/spiritual. We use hip hop to evolve. To protest. To celebrate. Etc. Art/music plays a role in why a lot of us are proud to be black today. Our culture is all through these genres. Don’t let…
Then again, who wants the throne these days? The volatility of the music industry, in its many forms, might mean that more and more artists shoot for a mid-tier and over-perform rather than trying to get something even close to what Drake’s position entails. Hip-hop fans reward consistency at their core, which is why Vince Staples makes most EOY lists in any given calendar run. Similarly, the culture could start to segment even further into distinctly protective and preservative “philosophies,” especially after a U.S. election year that has many looking out for themselves rather than trusting the system meant to serve their interests. Recent controversies–such as a Kids Take Over hip-hop media event with no Black representation, Justin Hunte’s back-and-forth with What’s The Dirt?, and a recent On The Radar interview with producer EMRLD that bashed soul samples–show this split.
In 2024, the culture seemed to define who is really about hip-hop and who is just looking for solely personal gain. The year, which was defined by beef and many different industry bombshells, created a rocky binary for the mainstream that neither Kendrick Lamar, Drake, or anyone else can reverse the tides of. But this time around, hip-hop’s move toward the underground and possibly exiting the mainstream stage could be much more fruitful. The culture has a chance to focus on truly pertinent issues from a genuinely passionate perspective, and artistically, we’ve never been so well-fed across all levels of rap visibility. As hip-hop leaders fade over time and the culture looks to itself for a banner to raise, it needs to focus on its long-term health, variety, sociocultural power, and values if it wants to keep the true art form’s casket locked away.
The last year may have been marred with some of the most viral feuds in hip-hop history, but that doesn’t mean 2024 wasn’t filled with phenomenal hip-hop collaborations as well. Even while sparking one of the biggest rifts in years, Kendrick Lamar worked with both Metro Boomin and Future to kick off his war of words with Drake. Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge finally reunited for a new NxWorries album, Boldy James once again partnered with Nicholas Craven, and ASAP Rocky even reached outside of the genre to tap the elusive folk singer, Jessica Pratt, for his Don’t Be Dumb lead single. Altogether, the following hip-hop collaborations have helped lead 2024 to be one of the strongest stretches for hip-hop in recent memory.
Future, Metro Boomin, Kendrick Lamar – “Like That”
Arguably the most important song on this list for defining this year in hip-hop came from Future, Metro Boomin, and especially Kendrick Lamar. “Like That” launched one of the biggest feuds in the history of the genre, serving as an impetus for countless diss tracks including what may well be the song of the year. Lamar’s fiery verse alone was so headline-grabbing, you might forget Metro Boomin and Future put together an amazing song around it. In what has amounted to a busy year for Future, he gave one of his best choruses when it mattered most.
“#RICHAXXHAITIAN” is a show of force for Mach-Hommy. Teaming up with Kaytranada’s quick-hitting, colorful production for a second time following 2021’s “$payforhaiti,” the underground rapper showcases his hypnotic flows in his most accessible way yet while staying true to his unparalleled lyrical and thematic depth. 03 Greedo chimes in to make singing along to the hook irresistible.
MIKE has become a staple on year-end lists this decade and 2024 is no different. Teaming up with fellow Brooklyn producer Tony Seltzer, MIKE’s latest project, Pinball, feels like a short and sweet victory lap following the biggest album of his career, Burning Desire. Across just 21 minutes, MIKE bounces over Seltzer’s vibrant, shifting beats for some of his most confidently energetic music yet.
El Cousteau included only one feature on his new album, Merci, Non Merci, but it alone was strong enough to position him among the best of the year. For “Words2LiveBy,” he teamed up with the elusive Earl Sweatshirt to drop a career-best single. Earl’s contribution has been getting ample attention on social media and rightfully so. With politically charged bars like “Free Gaza, we on the corner like Israelites,” mixed with emotional proclamations such as, “I’m not okay, but I’m gon’ be all right,” he takes the song’s title to heart. Cousteau’s verse is nothing to slouch at either with its raspily delivered bars about dodging task forces and smoking more than Bob Marley.
Boldy James & Nicholas Craven – “Penalty of Leadership”
Penalty of Leadership arrived at the start of 2024, a year after Boldy James’ near-fatal car accident that left him with broken vertebrae. The incident is everpresent across the project, whether it be a simple glance at the artwork or recognized through the languished vocals Boldy uses to deliver blunt bars about the incident on tracks like “Brand New Chanel Kicks.” Together with Nicholas Craven’s penchant for finding the perfect sample, Boldy easily dropped one of the best collaborative projects of the year.
Finally following up on their iconic 2016 collaboration, Yes Lawd!, Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge proved why they’ve been able to retain excitement for a sophomore album for nearly a decade with the release of Why Lawd? Over the last eight years, .Paak has honed his craft with the release of several critically acclaimed albums, including the massively successful An Evening With Silk Sonic with Bruno Mars, and the maturity shines through in 2024. The new effort features some of .Paak’s most emotionally candid and vulnerable music yet, while Knxwledge provides a beautifully strung web of production for him to bare his soul across.
This year may have been a bit quieter for Sampha than 2023, but it’s telling that he decided to work with Little Simz for the first single from the deluxe edition of his album, Lahai. “She’s one of my favourite artists,” Sampha said of Simz in a press release caught by Rolling Stone. “Her confidence and creative bravery are so refreshing, it’s amazing to see someone giving so much to their art.” Reworking the original version of “Satellite Business,” Simz joins in to give the track a bolstered level of passion through her existential verse, elevating it to one of the best collaborations of the year.
It’s been a career year for Doechii, who dropped her critically acclaimed third mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal, while also lending her talents to songs from high-profile artists such as Tyler, The Creator and Ab-Soul. The effort resulted in several Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist. But before all that, she previewed the year that was to come with her single, “Alter Ego,” with JT. Prophetically, the track kicks open with her emphatic bars announcing the arrival of “Doechii season.”
While 2024 has come and gone without the long-awaited release of ASAP Rocky’s fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, he has held fans over with some of his best music in years. On “HIGHJACK,” he brags over beautiful backing vocals about his influence in both hip-hop and fashion while noting his marriage to Rihanna. He even seemingly throws a quick jab Drake’s way by referencing the aforementioned, “Like That.” And this is all before Jessica Pratt, who has been having a huge year of her own, fades in to close out the track with some of the best vocals on a hip-hop song this year.
It’s not too often we get to see two hip-hop legends with as much experience as Common and Pete Rock collaborate for an entire album like The Auditorium Vol. 1. On the new project, they work in tandem to recapture the glory days of hip-hop as they see it, with dense lyricism and crisp production. It’s no surprise Common labeled the project the best in his storied discography during an interview ahead of its release.
Vybz Kartel is finally home after 13 years of incarceration. Though much of the headlines in the music industry this year surrounded one beef or another, a string of arrests and heinous allegations, and other petty drama, the return of Vybz Kartel was well-received across the board. The dancehall sensation was released on July 31st, 2024 after successfully getting his conviction overturned. In the months that followed, he began laying the foundation for what will undoubtedly be an amazing 2025, beginning with the highly anticipated Freedom Street concert on New Year’s Eve.
It’s difficult to put Vybz Kartel’s impact throughout his incarceration in words. Even while serving a sentence that could’ve left him behind bars for decades to come, there wasn’t a single party or summer where Vybz’s voice didn’t ring through the speakers. Of course, this is not solely off of his back catalog but also, his prolific output that he managed to record while imprisoned. His 2024 EP, Party With Me, dropped two months before his release, and undoubtedly had a grip on the year. More importantly, it also earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album.
The impeccable feat marked a warm welcome back for the King of Dancehall, one who has remained at the forefront of the genre for nearly two decades. His influence continuously exceeds his own genre, too. It’s hard not to look at the catalogs of Drake, Rihanna, and Major Lazer without feeling his impact and influence.
As the new year begins, Vybz Kartel will honor the 10-year anniversary of his groundbreaking album Viking (Vybz Is King) with a deluxe re-release. Originally launched in 2015, the album cemented Kartel’s reputation as the undisputed king of dancehall, featuring hits like “Unstoppable,” “Dancehall,” and “Gon Get Better.” The deluxe edition, set to drop in January 2025, will include remastered versions of the original songs alongside bonus tracks that showcase Kartel’s evolving artistry.
More than anything else, the most exciting part of Vybz Kartel’s return is the legendary performances that we will hopefully see in the future. On December 31st, 2024, Vybz will headline the Freedom Street concert at Kingston’s National Stadium–a landmark event marking his first performance since his release. As you could expect, it will be packed to the brim with dancehall’s finest talent including several collaborators, like Spice and Popcaan. Additionally, other prominent guests at the concert include the new generation, including Skillibeng and Kartel’s sons, Likkle Vybz and Likkle Addi. Vybz also confirmed that Sheba, Chronic Law, Tommy Lee, Shawn Storm, Gaza Indy and Lisa Hyper will appear on stage.
Beyond an established legacy, Kartel is now proving that his name rings in boardrooms, too. The “Romping Shop” star leveraged his party-centric tunes for the launch of his premium rum line, STR8 VYBZ, in partnership with TJ Records and The House Of Angostura Bitters. Stepping into the alcohol business, STR8 VYBZ offers bold flavors with names inspired by his hit records, such as “Fever” and “Ramping Shop.” “STR8 VYBZ is more than just a rum; it’s a movement. Each bottle embodies the energy and passion of my music, and the spirit of the culture I represent,” stated Vybz Kartel. Produced by Angostura Distillers in Trinidad and Tobago and distributed exclusively by Caribbean Producers Jamaica Ltd. (CPJ), fans could get their hands on a bottle through select retailers across the Caribbean, the U.S., and the U.K.
What Could 2025 Hold For Vybz Kartel?
Although this final stretch of 2024 will be exceptionally busy for Vybz Kartel, we can only imagine what he has in store in the coming year. To see Vybz take home a Grammy would be nothing short of well-deserved, considering how understated his impact truly is in mainstream conversations. However, we also hope that the new year sees him releasing new music, specifically alongside former and new collaborators. It’s truly a new chapter in his career and we’re excited to see how 2025 shapes up for him.
Celebrity relationships suffer in the public eye regularly but what transpired between Remy Ma, Papoose, and boxing gold medalist Claressa Shield last week was the breaking point in a year filled with speculation. Their relationship between Remy Ma and Papoose has been on the rocks as of late, especially as rumors surface that the “All The Way Up” rapper has been in an extramarital relationship with battle rapper Eazy The Block Captain.
Things took a turn when Remy Ma put Papoose on blast for his secret relationship with Claressa. The Terror Squad MC shared texts messages between Pap and Shields, revealing a supposed affair. However, things began spiralling afterward, eventually leading to Remy Ma and Clarissa Shields proposing to step into a boxing ring.
Papoose claims Remy cheated multiple times, called her a narcissist and says he’s asked her for a divorce numerous times after she exposed his girlfriend Claressa Shields. https://t.co/H2EaRjo0H8pic.twitter.com/7UTDOIv25k
In an unexpected turn of events, Remy Ma accused Papoose of infidelity, sharing text messages between her husband and Claressa Shields. The two argued after Pap seemingly failed to tell Claressa Shields that he made it home in one piece. “Papoose dum ass fell asleep on the phone with @claressashields. Laying in my house he refuses to leave,” Remy captioned the screenshot. “This b*tch supposed to be a world champion boxer and get scary ass hung up soon as she heard my voice. Nowww I’m telling everything ohhhh and babygirl u not the only one.”
In response, Papoose revealed that he tried to file for a divorce in the past as their relationship crumbled. He referred to her as a narcissist and cheated on him often. “Now that I finally moved on, she’s playing the victim,” he wrote. “She rather clout chase on social media. Than handle this like civilized adults. I did not wanna do the social media foolishness. For the sake of my 6 year old baby.” He reiterated that he didn’t speak publicly on the issues, especially with a child that has to go to school and potentially be exposed to the headlines surrounding their marital issues.
As things unfolded, Claressa called Remy in the comments of her photo, revealing that the rapper allegedly has two boyfriends, though Remy Ma refuted this. Then, Remy claimed that Shields’ publicity team continued to put out fake stories in an attempt to paint her negatively and make Papoose “look like God’s gift.” “I Begged [Papoose] to put out something to stop the narrative and he kept telling me just stay quiet, that that’s the best thing to do… welp I’m tired oh and he said, he would never f*ck [you] cuz you ugly but don’t worry I saw EVERYTHING now the world gonna see it since you so tough.”
Revenge Porn? Remy Ma Accuses Papoose Of Threatening Her
Remy Ma and Claressa Shields keep going off on each other, revealing more texts and accusing Papoose of threatening revenge p*rn
Remy caption: “Papoose u f*ckin Dummy! Hey Ms Shields, he took your advice but not before I screenshot yall convo. Oh, he was getting me arrested, the… https://t.co/CErCpQmj5Upic.twitter.com/tCnBdY5Mxq
Tea continued to spill on the internet following Papoose’s response. Remy Ma shared more screenshots from his conversation with Shields who told Pap to mitigate the situation with his wife before her PR team freaks out, especially since she has a movie coming out. However, Remy Ma fired back, claiming that Papoose threatened to leak intimate content of herself as a form of retaliation.
“Papoose u f*ckin Dummy! Hey Ms Shields, he took your advice but not before I screenshot yall convo. Oh, he was getting me arrested, the woman that NEVER fucked off on him in 17 years! While plotting with ONE OF his chicks to try to destroy me. The same woman that could’ve BEEN used my platform to expose you. I got all your pics and messages from the chicks while I was away and he was ‘holding me down,’” she wrote. “ASidebar: he bout to say he wrote me rhymes. IMAGINE THAT, and if anything sexual leaks about me it was him cuz he threatened that too.”
Claressa swiftly fired back on Twitter without mentioning names. “Misery loves company baby…. Smh. I’m just so happy over here… I can’t believe a 45 year old woman is crashing out like this clown behavior,” she wrote.
Rumors surfaced in the past thath Papoose and Eazy The Block Captain got into a physical altercation, though those claims were eventually brushed aside. Apparently, the relationship between Remy and Eazy began getting even more serious as time passed, and Pap confirmed that the two did get into a fight. Pap claimed that Remy Ma spent last Christmas with Eazy The Block Captain while he was with her daughter with photo evidence to back up the allegations.
“I told her we could divorce like adults. She refuses to do that because I wouldn’t lie & say I didn’t knock this chump out. I sitll got the messages of her begging me to lie about the knockout. But who cares! He didn’t throw 1 punch back #supersoft Last time I saw this chump, he was in the fetal position. Everybody saw it!” Pap wrote. He also accused Remy Ma of leaving with Eazy for four days while he was taking care of their daughter. “I didn’t knock him out because he slept with my wife. I knocked him out because he shook my hand, and then slept with my wife,” Pap wrote.
Eazy didn’t add much to the conversation but he did address Pap on his story. “Telll pap to unblock me I want to holla at you,” he wrote, alongside a duck emoji. However, he hopped on a livestream where he shared his side of the story.
“That n**ga knew already!” he stated. “I know he up there trying to play victim and all of that sh*t but they knew, he knew two years ago. I ain’t going to lie… he did knew. And I’m going to tell you all how he knew… The n**ga you all think is so thorough, he put a recording device in Remy’s car, so how he knew is, bugging her f**king car. So that how he knew. That n**ga’s a f**king weirdo.”
Considering that Claressa Shields can throw hands, it came as no surprise that she wanted to settle the ongoing online feud with Remy Ma in the ring. As things heated up, Shields shared a tweet with a proposed date for a potential boxing match. “Claressa Shields vs @RealRemyMa Feb 2nd! Come get yo ass whooped crash out!!” Shields tweeted. The proposal undoubtedly garnered attention across the board, including a mention from 50 Cent who urged Shields to retract.
Eventually, Claressa Shields explained that she only responded to Remy Ma out of boredom. Though some didn’t necessarily believe that was the case, she insisted that she does “not give a f*ck” about any of the parties involved. “ Listen to me, I do not give a f*ck about so much sh*t,” she explained. “I be bored responding, needing something to do.”
Shortly after, she shared a video of herself in the ring with a perceived jab towards Remy. “Btc couldn’t take me, even If I tied one hand behind my back call me ‘Danger’! #Claressashields #GWOAT,” she wrote.
So far, it seems that things have died down publicly. Remy Ma hasn’t responded to the possibility of a boxing match while footage of Pap supporting Shields resurfaced in the midst of the online kerfuffle. Nonetheless, it seems like Remy and Pap might be better off dealing with these issues quietly behind the scenes without any input from Eazy or Claressa.
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