It’s that time of the year to break down, discuss, and debate, which artist earned the coveted title of Album Of The Year. Since the beginning of 2022, plenty of artists, rappers or otherwise, have made up for the time lost during the pandemic so there certainly wasn’t a shortage of heat to choose from.
The trinity of Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole (via Dreamville), and Drake emerged to critical and commercial glory throughout the year. At the same time, the next generation preceding them claimed their stake in hip-hop, from J.I.D., Lil Baby and NBA Youngboy. However, it’s also a year when plenty of veteran MCs came through with extraordinary bodies of work showcasing the timelessness in their pens (i.e. Nas, Pusha T, Black Thought).
Whether it’s an artist like Denzel Curry, whose Melt My Eyez See Your Future defies expectations through strong wordplay and versatile production, or the hedonistic trap god Future, who reminded fans of his innate ability to craft hit records with the release of I NEVER LIKED YOU, 2022 had something for everyone.
As difficult as it was, we ranked the top 40 albums of 2022. Scroll through HNHH’s picks and sound off in the comments with your thoughts on our Album of The Year.
40. Armani Caesar – The Liz 2
39. Nigo – I Know Nigo
38. Central Cee – 23
37. Babyface Ray – FACE
36. Boldy James & Futurewave – Mr. Ten08
35. Rome Streetz – Kiss The Ring
34. billy woods – aethiopes
33. redveil – learn 2 swim
32. Kodak Black – Back For Everything
31. Action Bronson – Cocodrillo Turbo
30. Flo Milli – You Still Here, Ho?
29. EarthGang – Ghetto Gods
28. Benny The Butcher – Tana Talk 4
27. Westside Boogie – MORE BLACK SUPERHEROES
26. Yeat – Lÿfe
25. Dreamville – D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape
24. Megan Thee Stallion – Traumazine
23. Lil Baby – It’s Only Me
22. Earl Sweatshirt – SICK!
21. Conway The Machine – God Don’t Make Mistakes
20. Tee Grizzley – Chapters Of The Trenches
19. Jeezy – Snofall
18. Westside Gunn – 10
17. Black Thought x Danger Mouse – Cheat Codes
16. Quavo x Takeoff – Only Built For Infinity Links
15. NBA Youngboy – The Last Slimeto
14. The Game- DRILLMATIC Heart Vs. Mind
13. Metro Boomin – Heroes & Villains
12. Smino – Luv 4 Rent
11. Joey Bada$$ – 2000
10. Future – I Never Liked You
9. Drake x 21 Savage – Her Loss
8. Gunna – DS4EVER
7. Vince Staples – Ramona Park Broke My Heart
6. Nas & Hit-Boy – King’s Disease III
5. Freddie Gibbs – $oul $old $eparately
4. Pusha T – It’s Almost Dry
3. Denzel Curry – Melt My Eyez See My Future
2. J.I.D. – The Forever Story
1. Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
