This article is my personal ranking of the rap albums and projects that have defined my listening over the years, so it probably makes sense to start with a bit of context about who’s making the list. I’m Steve Malott — a lifelong music fan across pretty much every genre — and someone who spends a lot of time actually listening, not just talking about music. In 2025 alone I logged over 100,000 listening minutes on Spotify, and I’ve been a Spotify Premium user for more than a decade, so this list comes from years of real rotation rather than quick takes or nostalgia alone.
I’m a mid-90s kid who grew up in Canada, and my most formative music years lined up perfectly with rap’s late‑2000s and early‑2010s explosion. That era shaped how I listen to hip‑hop. I absolutely respect gangster rap and the foundational albums that built the genre, but if I’m honest, the projects I return to most lean toward melodic, party‑friendly, and sometimes stoner‑friendly rap.
So this isn’t meant to be a definitive “greatest rap albums ever” list. It’s a replay‑value list. These are the projects that stuck in rotation — the albums playing during road trips, house parties, workouts, and late‑night drives. Some might not top critics’ lists, but they’ve stayed with me, and that’s what matters.
There’s probably some Canadian bias baked in too. Drake’s rise happened right when my generation was locking in its music taste, so his catalogue naturally shows up a lot here. The same goes for artists who blurred rap with melody and atmosphere — Kanye’s genre‑shifting runs, Kendrick’s cinematic storytelling, Cudi’s emotional lane, Wayne’s mixtape dominance, and the wave that made rap both introspective and party‑ready at the same time.
In short: this reflects what I actually listened to, not what I feel obligated to rank highly.
Ranking #1
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West (2010)
Still in the rotation:
- Runaway (feat. Pusha T)
- All Of The Lights (feat. Rihanna and Kid Cudi)
- POWER
- Monster (feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, and Bon Iver)
- Dark Fantasy (feat. Nicki Minaj)
- Gorgeous (feat. Kid Cudi and Raekwon)
- Hell Of A Life
- So Appalled (feat. Swizz Beatz, Jay-Z, Pusha T, Cyhi the Prynce, and RZA)
Ranking #2
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar (2012)
Still in the rotation:
- Money Trees (feat. Jay Rock)
- Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe
- The Recipe – Bonus Track (feat. Dr. Dre)
- Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe – Remix (feat. Jay-Z)
- Backseat Freestyle
- The Recipe (Black Hippy Remix) – Bonus Track (feat. Black Hippy)
- Swimming Pools (Drank) – Extended Version
- Compton (feat. Dr. Dre)
Ranking #3
Nothing Was The Same
Drake (2013)
Still in the rotation:
- Pound Cake / Paris Morton Music 2 (feat. Jay-Z)
- All Me (feat. 2 Chainz and Big Sean)
- Started From the Bottom
- The Language
- Tuscan Leather
- Worst Behavior
- Wu-Tang Forever
- 305 To My City (feat. Detail)
- Too Much (feat. Sampha)
Ranking #4
Recovery
Eminem (2010)
Still in the rotation:
- Love The Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna)
- Not Afraid
- No Love (feat. Lil’ Wayne)
- Space Bound
- Cinderella Man
- Going Through Changes
- Won’t Back Down (feat. P!nk)
- Almost Famous
Ranking #5
Watch the Throne
Jay-Z & Kanye West (2011)
Still in the rotation:
- Ni**as In Paris
- HAM
- No Church In The Wild (feat. Frank Ocean and The-Dream)
- Otis (feat. Otis Redding)
- Gotta Have It
- Who Gon Stop Me
- Murder To Excellence
- Why I Love You (feat. Mr. Hudson)
Ranking #6
Graduation
Kanye West (2007)
Still in the rotation:
- Can’t Tell Me Nothing
- Stronger
- Homecoming (feat. Chris Martin)
- Barry Bonds (feat. Lil’ Wayne)
- Good Life (feat. T-Pain)
Ranking #7
No Ceilings (Mixtape)
Lil’ Wayne (2009)
Still in the rotation:
- Surf Swag
- Shoes
- YM Wasted
- Kobe Bryant
- Banned
- I’m Good (feat. Lucci Lou)
Ranking #8
Man On The Moon: The End Of Day
Kid Cudi (2009)
Still in the rotation:
- Day ‘N’ Nite
- Pursuit Of Happiness (feat. MGMT and Ratatat)
- Soundtrack 2 My Life
- Up Up & Away
- Make Her Say (feat. Kanye West and Common)
- Cudi Zone
Ranking #9
Blue Slide Park
Mac Miller (2011)
Still in the rotation:
- Blue Slide Park
- Frick Park Market
- Missed Calls
- Party On Fifth Ave.
- Smile Back
- Under The Weather
- Up All Night
Ranking #10
Paper Trail
T.I. (2008)
Still in the rotation:
- Live Your Life (feat. Rihanna)
- Dead And Gone (feat. Justin Timberlake)
- Swagga Like Us (feat. Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Lil’ Wayne)
- I’m Illy
- On Top Of The World (feat. Ludacris and B.o.B)
- Swing Ya Rag (feat. Swizz Beatz)
Ranking #11
Tha Carter III
Lil’ Wayne (2008)
Still in the rotation:
- A Milli
- Let The Beat Build
- Mr. Carter (feat. Jay-Z)
Ranking #12
Get Rich Or Die Tryin’
50 Cent (2003)
Still in the rotation:
- If I Can’t
- In Da Club
- Many Men (Wish Death)
Ranking #13
The College Dropout
Kanye West (2004)
Still in the rotation:
- Jesus Walks
Never Let Me Down (feat. Jay-Z and J. Ivy) - Two Words (feat. Mos Def, Freeway, and The Boys Choir Of Harlem)
- Slow Jamz (feat. Jamie Foxx and Twista)
Ranking #14
Thank Me Later
Drake (2010)
Still in the rotation:
- Fancy (feat. T.I. and Swizz Beatz)
- Over
- Up All Night (feat Nicki Minaj)
- Miss Me (feat. Lil’ Wayne)
- Light Up (feat. Jay-Z)
Ranking #15
Relapse: Refill
Eminem (2009)
Still in the rotation:
- Beautiful
- Crack A Bottle (feat. Dr. Dre and 50 Cent)
- Old Time’s Sake (feat. Dr. Dre)
- Elevator
- Hell Breaks Loose (feat. Dr. Dre)
Ranking #16
K.I.D.S. (Mixtape)
Mac Miller (2010)
Still in the rotation:
- Knock Knock
- The Spins
- Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza
- Nikes On My Feet
- Senior Skip Day
Ranking #17
Teflon Don
Rick Ross (2010)
Still in the rotation:
- I’m Not A Star
- MC Hammer (feat. Gucci Mane)
- Free Mason (feat. Jay-Z)
- Live Fast, Die Young (feat. Kanye West)
- B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast) (feat. Styles P)
Ranking #18
Take Care
Drake (2011)
Still in the rotation:
- Headlines
- The Motto (feat. Lil’ Wayne)
- HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right) (feat. Lil’ Wayne)
- Make Me Proud (feat. Nicki Minaj)
- Lord Knows (feat. Rick Ross)
Ranking #19
Hell: The Sequel
Eminem & Royce Da 5’9 (2011)
Still in the rotation:
- Lighters (feat. Bruno Mars)
- Fast Lane
- Above The Law
- Echo
- Living Proof
- I’m On Everything (feat. Mike Epps)
Ranking #20
Acid Rap
Chance the Rapper (2013)
Still in the rotation:
- Juice
- Favorite Song (feat. Childish Gambino)
- Good Ass Intro (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid, Will For The O’mys, JP Floydd For Kids These Days, Lili K, and Kiara Lanier)
- Smoke Again (feat. Ab-Soul)
- Chain Smoker
Ranking #21
LONG.LIVE.A$AP
A$AP Rocky (2013)
Still in the rotation:
- F**kin’ Problems (feat. Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar)
- Goldie
- Wild for the Night (feat. Skrillex and Birdy Nam Nam)
- Ghetto Symphony (feat. Gunplay and A$AP Ferg)
- 1Train (feat. Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, and Big K.R.I.T.)
Ranking #22
Views
Drake (2016)
Still in the rotation:
- One Dance (feat. Wizkid and Kyla)
- Too Good (feat. Rihanna)
- Still Here
- Pop Style
- Hype
Ranking #23
GOOD Music Fridays (Single Release Series)
Kanye West (2010)
Still in the rotation:
- POWER (Remix) (feat. Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz)
- Christian Dior Denim Flow
(feat. Kid Cudi, Pusha T, John Legend, Lloyd Banks, and Ryan Leslie) - Take One for the Team (feat. Keri Hilson, Pusha T, and Cyhi the Prynce)
- Looking for Trouble (feat. Pusha T, Cyhi the Prynce, Big Sean, and J. Cole)
- Christmas in Harlem (feat. Cam’ron, Jim Jones, Vado, Cyhi the Prynce, Pusha T, Musiq Soulchild, Teyana Taylor, and Big Sean).
Not on Spotify.
Ranking #24
The Blueprint 3
Jay-Z (2009)
Still in the rotation:
- Empire State Of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys)
- Run This Town (feat. Rihanna and Kanye West)
- Young Forever (feat. Mr. Hudson)
- On To The Next One (feat. Swizz Beatz)
- A Star Is Born (feat. J. Cole)
- Hate (feat. Kanye West)
Ranking #25
Camp
Childish Gambino (2011)
Still in the rotation:
- Bonfire
- Fire Fly
- Heartbeat
- Sunrise
Bonus Mentions
Kid Cudi — Indicud (2013)
Still in the rotation:
- Just What I Am (feat. King Chip)
- King Wizard
- Brothers (feat. King Chip and A$AP Rocky)
- Solo Dolo Part II (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
- Cold Blooded
- Girls (feat. Too $hort)
Tech N9ne — All 6’s and 7’s (2011)
Still in the rotation:
- Am I a Psycho? (feat. B.o.B. and Hopsin)
- Worldwide Choppers (feat. Ceza, JL B.Hood, Uso, Yelawolf, Twista, Busta Rhymes, D-Loc, and Twisted Insane)
- He’s a Mental Giant
Cordae — The Lost Boy (2019)
Still in the rotation:
- RNP (feat. Anderson .Paak)
- Lost & Found
- Way Back Home (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
J. Cole — 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014)
Still in the rotation:
- No Role Modelz
- G.O.M.D.
Big K.R.I.T. — Cadillactica (2014)
Still in the rotation:
- King Of The South
- Mt. Olympus (Reprise)
ScHoolboy Q — Oxymoron (2014)
Still in the rotation:
- Collard Greens (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
- Man Of The Year
- Hell Of A Night
- Break The Bank
Yelawolf — Trunk Muzik 0-60 (2010)
Still in the rotation:
- Pop The Trunk
- Daddy’s Lambo
- Get The Fuck Up!
- Good To Go (feat. Bun B)
- That’s What We On Now
- I Wish (feat. Raekwon)
My New Taste Direction
Lately my listening has started drifting toward lighter, melodic, and alternative‑leaning rap — projects that still live in hip‑hop but blur into pop, indie, and vibe‑driven songwriting. These aren’t ranked against the albums above yet; they just show where my rotation is heading.
Kid Quill — 94.3 The Reel (2017)
SonReal — The Aaron LP (2019)
Bryce Vine — Lazy Fair (2014)
Thank you for reading. Featured image generated using ChatGPT’s Images tool.
