Our Annual Report continues with our list of the Best Rap Albums of 2023. As the year winds down, stay tuned for more awards, lists, and interviews about the best music, film, and TV 2023 had to offer. You can find it all in one place here. Also, check out a map of all our Crate Digging features from our Hip-Hop 50 celebration.
While putting together the shortlist of candidates for the best hip-hop albums of 2023, a fascinating pattern emerged: a large percentage of the top records this year were released without any sort of backing from a major label. After some careful consideration, we decided to use this opportunity to highlight these independently produced efforts. Call it a retort to the complaint that “there’s no good hip-hop being released anymore.”
There’s not enough space here to debate all the pros and cons of partnering with a major label versus staying independent, especially since the definition of an indie artist has become more nebulous over time. However, there’s never been a better time to operate outside of the confines of the big machine. Thanks to more prevalent digital distribution and artist services platforms, there’s no need to give up ownership of one’s records and creative freedom to reach the masses.
While that unlimited creative freedom doesn’t automatically produce better art, it does give artists more time to experiment and find the sound that works for them right now, whether they are rising stars gaining a foothold or established veterans trying something different. It’s truly magic when an artist’s vision and talent come together to produce an undeniable body of work, and that’s true of every entry on the list.
After recently celebrating its 50th anniversary, hip-hop still has plenty of room for growth both as a culture and genre of music. This collection of albums simultaneously serves as proof of how far it’s come and hints at where it could go in the future.
So fire up your streaming service of choice while scrolling through this list; we’re confident there’s at least an album or two befitting your taste. Here are the best rap albums of 2023 released without the aid of a major label.
— Eddie Fu
News Editor
15. Boldy James & RichGains — Indiana Jones
Producer RichGains’ mellow, psychedelic instrumentals provide a different sonic palette than the jazzy or boom bap beats typically found on a Boldy James project. Ever unflappable, the Detroit rapper delivers some of his most devastating bars to date, including a remembrance of his dying father (“Kat Eyes”) and a meditation on the numbing effect of witnessing a murder (“Frozen”). Meanwhile, the unflinching resolve of “Never Had a Friend” feels especially topical following his severe car accident in January. — E. Fu
Listen via Apple Music
14. Haviah Mighty — Crying Crystals
Canadian rapper Haviah Mighty entered different territory with her 2023 record, Crying Crystals. More focused in scope than some of her previous projects, this album spends quite a bit of time walking the listener through the end of a relationship, and the result not only allows for plenty of personal exploration on Mighty’s part, but also the chance for her to flex her skill set. Her melodic style shines on tracks like “Lil Baby” featuring Zach Zoya and the bitter, pointed “Huh.” She had plenty of input on the production end, as well, making the whole project feel cohesive and ultimately one of the more memorable albums of the year. — Mary Siroky
Listen via Apple Music
13. Paul Wall & Termanology — Start Finish Repeat
Houston rapper Paul Wall and East Coast veteran Termanology’s second collaborative album finds Wall fully at ease over boom bap beats, bringing dazzling multisyllabic rhyme patterns to songs like the CL Smooth collaboration “It’s Magic.” In turn, Termanology was inspired to level up his own wordplay, leading to a dream scenario for any fan of traditional hip-hop: impeccable lyricism (bolstered by appearances from legends like Bun B and AZ) over soul production from Statik Selektah, Large Professor, and Diamond D. — E. Fu
Listen via Apple Music
12. Che Noir & Big Ghost Ltd — Noir or Never
Noir or Never might start off referencing chart-toppers like Lil Wayne and DMX, but the following eight tracks take a more left-field approach in terms of both beats and bars. Sometimes nostalgic (“Low Altitude”), sometimes dramatic (“Resilient”), and sometimes downright eerie (“Sleep Paralysis” or the Twin Peaks-esque “Caps Lock”), the project always has another trick up its sleeve. And yet, Che Noir still comes through with memorable hooks that stick with the listener long after its brisk 22-minute runtime wraps. — Jonah Krueger
Listen via Apple Music
11. H31R — HeadSpace
Rapper and producer duo Maassai and JWords’ second project under the H31R moniker aims to push the boundaries of hip-hop with an expansive soundscape. The pair touch on themes of growth while also leaning towards a more experimental sound with the glitchy, off-kilter production. HeadSpace also features notable contributions from rappers Quelle Chris and Semiratruth, whose trademark sounds get enfolded into H31R’s artistic vision. HeadSpace is a world unto itself. — Sun Noor
Listen via Apple Music
10. Mick Jenkins — The Patience
On The Patience, Mick Jenkins breaks free from the weighty expectations of projects like the Gil Scott-Heron-influenced album Pieces of a Man. Unburdened by his typical concept-driven approach, the Chicago rapper unleashes years of frustration with biting rhymes about the state of the industry (“Show & Tell”) and his materialistic peers (“Guapanese”) while still talking bravado (“Michelin Star”). Featured artists Freddie Gibbs, Benny the Butcher, JID, and Vic Mensa all do their part to keep the same energy. — E. Fu
Listen via Apple Music
