Glide’s 20 Best Hip Hop Albums Of 2022: Denzel Curry, Fly Anakin, Action Bronson, Freddie Gibbs, Mavi & More

2022 has seen some of the biggest names in hip-hop release some of their best work to date. A year filled with releases from veterans and fresh faces, all coming together to make one of the most memorable years the genre has seen in quite some time. We saw the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Big K.R.I.T release some of their most daring music to date while unsung acts like The Cool Kids make their triumphant return. The leaders of the next generation such as Kenny Mason and JID both dropped albums that predicted their longevity and legends like Mach-Hommy and Roc Marciano each released some of the best music of their careers. No matter what style of hip-hop you’re into, 2022 birthed some incredible albums from the genre and while it is too early to predict, there may be a few classics amongst the class of ‘22. 

Glide combed through these releases to put together The Glide 20: Hip-hop Edition, our take on what are the best 20 albums that came from the genre in the 2022. We present our list in alphabetical order below; 

Action Bronson – Coccodrillo Turbo 

Action Bronson is far from the chef-turned-rapper who used to fill the track time with food references and colorful yet obscure scenery. Bronson has transcended rap and became a renaissance man, transitioning into literature, T.V., and painting, hence the abstract, vibrant reptile that packages his latest effort, Coccodrillo Turbo. Much like the artwork, Bronson strung together some of his most ambitious music yet. There is a jazzy feel to this album, while the baritone “Turbo” ad-lib strings the album together, Bronson bounces between different tempos and moods that come at you like a gunshot. Bronson brings along with him a level of poise that is endlessly entertaining, the 10-tracks on Crocodrillo Turbo have Bronson expanding his pallet to new instrumentals and deliveries that add to his already impressive repertoire. 

Billy Woods – Aethiopes 

The ever-cryptically autobiographical veteran of the New York rap scene strikes a new creative height on his first album of 2022, Aethiopes. Billy Woods navigates through the menacing minimalism of Preservation, who fully produced the LP. Woods further pushes himself as an artist by attacking off-kilter tempos with the same fierceness that is synonymous with Woods’ delivery, the aggravation expressed on “No Hard Feelings” is a perfect example of this. The dense instrumental of the song provides the perfect accompaniment to Woods’ strained vocals that deliver true-to-life stories. That same fire ignited on “No Hard Feelings” is only the spark that started the forest fire, Woods spends the rest of the album exploring dark undertones and touching on topics like personal wealth (“Remorseless”) and flexing his seasoned skillset as a pure rhymer (“Heavy Water”).

Woods is a walking example of a side of New York City that doesn’t get written about in the pop ballads that glamorize the big apple, and Aethiopes is just another notch in the belt of one of the most underrated discographies in modern hip-hop. 

Boldy James & Nicholas Craven – Fair Exchange No Robbery

The combination of Boldy James and Nicholas Craven on paper is already something hip-hop has been waiting for, but the resulting album that came out of their connection went beyond anyone’s expectations. Fair Exchange No Robbery is a masterclass in chemistry as Craven’s soulful instrumentals act as the perfect juxtaposition for James’ laid-back approach to cadence.

Their song “Scrabble” is not only one of the best songs released this year but a prime example of how this duo is able to play off each other so effortlessly. The twinkling drum pattern on “Scrabble” is a thing of beauty and a quick vocal sample thrown in adds a needed element that creates the gentle melody of the instrumental while James comes in with his natural sense of timing that provides the perfect cadence that delivers the clever hook and vivid storytelling verses for this stand-out track. If you haven’t heard Fair Exchange No Robbery, sprint to press play.

Curren$y & The Alchemist – Continuance 

With the volume in which Curren$y releases music, it is easy to miss the release of one of his albums, Continuance is not an album you should miss. On his first release of 2022, Curren$y teamed up with the king of dirty loops The Alchemist as the duo go three for three on their collaborative albums. Their chemistry is undeniable, Curren$y effortless cadence glides over Alchemist’s collage-style production to make very subtle but boastful textures.

No matter how many years go by and how many albums he records, Curren$y’s bars about classic cars and marijuana smoke never get old. He reinvents himself in subtle ways with every release and never hesitates to try new ideas. For example, his uncharacteristic liveliness on “The Tonight Show” adds a needed break from the relaxed tempos of the first half of the project and reminds us that behind all the tropes that come with a Curren$y album, he is far from a one-trick pony. Continuance is a widely relaxing ride through the friendship of Curren$y and The Alchemist, two men who put nothing before the music, allowing them to leave their egos at the door to create the magic that is their 2022 album. 

Danger Mouse & Black Thought – Cheat Codes

Ask any rapper nowadays who grew up in the 90’s golden era, Black Thought is the most underrated rapper of all time. The Roots frontman has always had one of the sharpest wits in the genre but in recent years, Thought has stepped out on his own, not for further validation but to feed whatever intellectual creature sits dormant in the emcee’s mind just waiting for the opportunity to rap. Pair this tireless approach to improvement with the dusty, larger-than-life drums used by super producer Danger Mouse, you get the Black Thought album die-hard fans have been waiting for. There aren’t a ton of bells and whistles to Cheat Codes, the album focuses on the pure skill of Thought’s songwriting while the instrumentals actually seem to build around the rapper’s complex verses.

Cheat Codes is bound to be on everyone’s year-end list, and for good reason, Black Thought and Danger Mouse melted their worlds together and created a murky hip-hop album that is undeniably well-written beyond the verses. 

Denzel Curry – Melt My Eyez See Your Future

Denzel Curry’s creative process is akin to a chameleon, he blends and bends his influences and natural talents to fit whatever mood or concept he is attempting to portray. On Melt My Eyez See Your Future, Curry leaves behind his love for electronic-driven production for a more jazzy, soulful approach to his face-smacking flows while addressing his own personal battles and the battles he sees occurring throughout the world. His songwriting is centered around empathy on what is Curry’s most acclaimed album to date.

“Worst Comes To Worst” has Curry at a low point as he contemplates his options if everything around him were to fall apart while “The Last” sees the emcee questioning the government and questioning the cold world he lives in. “The Last” is not only an emotional track but sees Curry experimenting with structure, providing one of the more memorable yet heart-wrenching hooks of his discography. Everyone has been talking about Melt My Eyez See Your Future since it was released earlier this year, and for good reason. The cast of instrumentals that Curry landed on to craft his tales of uncertainty is not only a refreshing step sonically, but a reminder that there is a human behind the typically cartoonish persona Curry portrays during his raps. 

Fly Anakin – Frank 

Fly Anakin has been one of the most promising voices coming out of Virginia since the days of Clipse and Pharrell. After years of dropping under-appreciated classics via his Bandcamp, Anakin’s latest project, Frank, feels like all that hard work has paid off. Through flows that are head-spinning and lyrics that are awe-inspiring, Anakin crafted a project for any questioning why they can’t escape the artist’s moniker on hip-hop blogs. Much like the collage-style artwork of the album, Anakin takes center stage with his throat-scratching vocal tone that leaves no room for overly-textured instrumentals or unnecessary features. Anakin seems to see the bigger picture when writing his songs, never deviating too far from the concept while still creating a maze of rhyme schemes for the listener to navigate through as they attempt to keep up with the artist’s intricate approach to song craft. While Frank truly is one of the better albums released across any genre this year, for the artist behind it, it is the beginning of a very fruitful career. 

Freddie Gibbs – $oul $old $eperatly 

Freddie Gibbs has been slowly but surely proving why he is one of the most important voices in music today. $oul $old $eperatly is the amalgamation of Gibbs’ discography, mixing his love of chopped-up soul samples with moments of modern 808s and hi-hats all being blended through the unapologetic creativity that has made Gibbs a Grammy-nominated artist. $$$ is as close to perfect as you’re going to get without shuffling through the praised classics of the genre, Gibbs’ ever-clever approach to songwriting is delivered through a plethora of cadences making him one of the most diverse vocalists to release an album this year, or any year for that matter.

Gibbs’ albums always have a consistent feel to them, but he has never put together a tracklist that is so sporadically beautiful, making the cinematic feel of $$$ all that more impressive. The single “Too Much” has such a swing to it, it’s shocking it didn’t land on any charts while the vulnerable “Grandma’s Stove” allows the usually stoic Gibbs to air some personal grievances in a therapy-style storytelling track. Gibbs’ creativity knows no bounds, his work on $old $oul $eparately its further proof as to why he is one of the most praised and sought-after rappers of today, a modern-day example of “Your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper” if you will. 

Mavi – Laughing So Hard It Hurts

Mavi had the weight of the world on his shoulders when he was recording his sophomore album, Laughing So Hard It Hurts. The college student was coming off of one of the most impressive debut albums hip-hop has seen in the last decade, 2019’s Let The Sun Talk, which introduced us to the thoughtful poet whose youth shows in his lyrics laced with intellectual uncertainty. Since his debut, Mavi has been creating magic with the likes of Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist but his sophomore album is not focused on his career trajectory, but rather on his own creative process and how it has evolved since we last heard from him.

Mavi’s music is personal, you can hear the growth in his voice not only as a songwriter but as a human being. While on the surface his sophomore LP has a more cheery tone to it, his songwriting is still riddled with hints of meditative thoughts and self-examination. Mavi’s technical skills as a vocalist seem to be his main focus here, his flows are more lively as he approaches more off-kilter instrumentals courtesy of Dylvinci (“Doves”) and Monte Booker (“Baking Soda”).  Mavi’s second LP can be summed up with one line from the far too short cut, “Known Unknowns”; “Cuts, bruises, subtle improvements and throughout this shit, I honor you”, though it could be argued that the artist’s improvements from his debut are far from subtle.  

Meechy Darko – Gothic Luxury

Hip-hop artists have always said that their voice is their instrument, if that’s the case Meechy Darko’s voice is some sort of flute-drum combination that cuts through a song like a chainsaw through butter. The Flatbush Zombies vocalist finally steps out on his own and didn’t waste any time making a statement with his solo debut, Gothic Luxury. The album is filled with dark undertones that act as a contradiction to Darko’s sometimes cartoonish delivery, a delivery that can easily shift from a hushed whisper to a guttural rasp in a matter of seconds. While his delivery is awe-inspiring, that doesn’t discredit Darko as a potent songwriter.

There are moments of pure triumph on this album, look at tracks like “The MoMA ” and “Cursed”, both of which are packed with gut-punching bars. On the other hand, Darko expresses uncertainty in his surroundings in songs like “Kill Us All” and “Lost Souls” where we see a more cautious side to his poetry. Within the 50-minute runtime of Gothic Luxury, the listener is able to feel properly introduced to Meechy Darko, a complex artist who isn’t afraid to experiment with his sonics and invites you into his world of thought-provoking, drug-laced raps. 

Pusha-T – It’s Almost Dry

Even so, deep into his career, Pusha-T continues to experiment with his sound. The veteran’s fearless approach to crafting his albums has never shined so bright as on It’s Almost Dry, the rapper’s most colorful album to date. Pusha-T tapped long-time collaborators Kanye West and Pharrell Williams who split production credits on the album and respectively provided Pusha-T with textured instrumentals that act as the backdrop for the rapper’s signature slick talk. It’s Almost Dry feels alive, the chopped-up samples from West clash with the bright chord progressions from Willams as Pusha-T’s timeless rhyme schemes act as the heartbeat for the project.

Where Pusha-T shines the most is his cadence, his cartoonish and energetic approach to his delivery adds an otherworldly juxtaposition to the dark tales that he spins. The cleverness of his lyrics has never been more evident than on the single “Diet Coke” and the sinister “Call My Bluff” features some of the artist’s most impressive use of a structure that we’ve seen in his tenure as rap’s anti-hero. No matter the level of praise received, it can’t justify the strides hit on It’s Almost Dry, Pusha-T crafted one of the best moments of his discography all while continuing to reshape his creative process without losing sight of what makes him one of the genre’s most under-appreciated assets. 

Quelle Chris – Deathfame 

Whether it’s the soaring piano ballad that kicks off the album or the wonky, baritone ad-libs on the heady “Feed the Heads,” Quelle Chris’ Deathfame is a bullet train that uses the otherworldly and the familiar as its railroad. While Chris is commonly clustered in with the art rap scene, there is a purity in his love for rap music hidden under his unconventional drum patterns and fluctuating tones of his voice used as the artist continues to surprise listeners so deep into his career.

Deathfame has Chris exploring the nooks and crannies of his psyche to craft an emotional project that plays like an arthouse film, the interludes act as cinematic shots of people walking in the rain while moments like the lo-fi, melodically melancholy “How Could They Love Something Like Me?” Seems to be the soundtrack to a dramatic character arc the audience never saw coming. Don’t let the film-like structure of this album fool you, this album is dark and vulnerable, allowing the artist behind its beautifully penned lyrics to express moments of self-doubt that are contradicted by songs that will help even the timidest soul puff out their chest (“King in Black”). On Deathfame, Quelle Chris crafted one of the most well-structured albums we’ve heard this year, yet another feather in his cap as the every-man of rap uses his songwriting to explore the ups and downs of being a pure artist. 

Redveil – Learn 2 Swim 

There is no better feeling than coming across a new artist who is creating something so exciting you can’t help but smile and press repeat. Redveil was that artist for a large majority of hip-hop fans just two years ago when his album Niagara to outstanding reviews. This year marks the young poet’s 18th birthday and to celebrate he released one of the most interesting and refreshing projects of the year, Learn 2 Swim.

The soulful project sees the 18-year-old artist coming into his own as a songwriter as he attempts to navigate the newfound attention his talents have brought him. Songs like “Diving Board ” have redveil taking a more melodic approach to the well-crafted instrumental while the aggression on “Pg Baby ” proves that while young in his career, redveil can channel the cadence of a veteran. Learn 2 Swim further introduces us to a legend-in-the-making, redveil proves himself as one of the most promising rising acts of the genre as he recites his poetic verses with grace and confidence. 

Rome Streetz – Kiss The Ring 

Griselda’s golden child has one of the most consistent catalogs in modern rap, but on his 2022 album, Kiss the Ring, Rome Streetz crafted a project that was meant to shock new listeners and long-time fans. Under the all-seeing eye of Griselda’s Westside Gunn, who executively produced the LP, Streetz smooth cadence finds an edge over instrumentals that feel as artsy as they do conventional.

While the instrumentals on Kiss The Ring are diverse and intriguing, nothing can take away from Streetz performance on these songs. His verses are filled with clever plays on classic rap styles while still feeling refreshing. Songs like “Soulja Boy” show just how witty Streetz can be while “Fashion Rebel” doubles as a nod to his new label while also acting as a harsh reminder that Streetz is one of the most exciting and intimidating voices in modern hip-hop. With venomous raps, and hard-hitting production, Rome Streetz’ Kiss The Ring is one of the purest hip-hop albums released this year while refusing to fall victim to convention and puts the vocalist on a pedestal above anyone who ever had a dream of being a rapper. 

$ilkmoney – I.D.G.A.F.A.T.R.S.I.J.D.U.I.D.F.L.I 

With honesty comes directness, and there is no rapper more direct than the mysterious $ilkmoney. The Divine Council alumni throw convention out of the window with a confident grin as he laces his raps with drug references and futuristic ideology that requires your undivided attention. His 2022 album, I Don’t Give A Fuck About This Rap Shit, Imma Just Drop Until I Don’t Feel Like It Anymore, is yet another artistic leap in $ilkmoney’s complex discography as he enlists Kahlil Blue to provide a minimalistic murkiness to the album’s sonics.

While short in length, the vocalist does not waste a second on his fourth LP. He treats every line as it was his last and packs a lifetime of knowledge into his verses, all delivered with a chip-on-his-shoulder mentality. I.D.G.A.F.A.T.R.S.I.J.D.U.I.D.L.I.A balances the cryptic with the obvious, the songwriting on this album is as clever as it is technically impressive, his machine gun cadence puts emphasis on every syllable while his voice bounces around the obscure tempos with ease. $ilkmoney stares in disgust at the use of Black culture in popular media as he denounces appropriation in a way that does not compromise his art, but enhances it. $ilkmoney crafted an album that is fearless and meaningful in its pursuit, I.D.G.A.F.A.T.R.S.I.J.D.U.D.F.L.I.A is a psychedelic trip through the artist’s unwavering morales all while showcasing the artist’s undeniable talents as a songwriting and performer. 

Tony Shhnow – Reflexions 

People tend to take life too seriously, the raw energy that Tony Shhnow brings on his album Reflexions is a proper answer to the hum-drum of everyday life. Shhnow’s infinitely entertaining approach to his flows is the driving force behind this album but is not meant to overshadow his keen ear for beats and motivational songwriting. Most people throw Shhnow into a certain group of rappers who aren’t as diligent with their work, most people would be horribly wrong. Don’t put him in a box, Shhnow is as intentional as any rapper you hold as a great and in some instances, maybe even a little better. His voice is like butter and his knowledge of self allows his personality to shine on Reflexions, putting him a step above his Atlanta counterparts.

Moments like “Finessin ‘’” have the songwriter speaking directly to the youth in a motional prowess while “Days Get Cold” show a more tempered approach to the lush instrumentals that drive the sonics of this album. Reflexions is not an album you should overlook from 2022, Tony Shhnow pieced together something so personality-driven it’s hard to deny its authenticity, ultimately creating a world that will have you running back to hear what the artist has coming next.  

Vince Staples – Ramona Park Broke My Heart 

If you haven’t realized it yet, Vince Staples is one of the greatest rappers to ever approach an instrumental. In his tear-stained love letter to his hometown,  Staples shuffles through his memories to paint a vivid picture and make his best project to date. Ramona Park Broke My Heart packs enough personality into its 40-minute runtime that even during its most grandiose moments, there is still a level of intimacy that bridges the gap between raw emotions and radio-friendly melodies. Staples’ songwriting reaches a new height on this album, moments like the infectious “Magic” prove that the Long Beach native can pen a light-hearted soundtrack to a house party while the intricate storytelling on “When Sparks Fly” introduces a new side of Staples’ songwriting that further solidifies him as one of his generation’s greats.

‘Staples’ tireless efforts to improve his craft pay off on this album, the refusal of complacency has always been in the DNA of his discography but this album sums up his dedication to expanding his creativity while doubling as an outlet for Staples’ to grapple with his innermost thoughts. Ramona Park Broke My Heart feels like an opus, Vince Staples surpassed any preconceived notions to create an album that is consistent, creatively ambitious, and ultimately, an undeniable masterpiece. 

Wara – Influenza

For far too long, Wara has been on the cusp of stardom and his latest effort, 2022’s Influenza, is the project he’s been waiting for. The 10-song album is the artist’s first LP since he shortened his name from Wara From The Neighborhood, under the past moniker the artist released two albums both of which are terrific in their own right, but his most recent is his best yet. Influenza is a clinic of cadence that shows the multiple facets of Wara as a songwriter as he pens catchy hooks that are met with heartfelt verses. In just 30-minutes you feel like you really get to know the artist behind these songs, “When It’s Cold Out” is the cynical and passionate deep cut that sounds like it could fit in any era of hip-hop while the energetic “Blazphemy” uses its complex textures as a stepping stone for Wara to exercise the limits of his voice.

The artist pulls stories from his life and recontextualizes them as prophecy, penning poetic verses of the trials and tribulations of an artist who has been tirelessly perfecting his craft in order to reach the artistic feats achieved on this album. Influenza bounces from different eras and pulls influences that are filtered through the eyes of Wara, making the album widely entertaining while still delivering mind-blowing moments of pure hip-hop.  

Westside Gunn – 10

Over the past few years, Westside Gunn has successfully carved a lane for himself by becoming one of the greatest curators the genre has ever come across. On the 10th installment of his mixtape series, Gunn found himself connected to some of the most exciting young acts and storied veterans along with having a cast of innovative producers who craft unassuming yet dense instrumentals, all centered around Gunn’s unforgettable lisp-riddled flows. While Gunn can hold his own on a song, the Pete Rock produced “Mac Don’t Stop” being a prime example, the artist approached his album with an ego-less vision, sacrificing the spotlight for the sake of the art and providing memorable moments like Rome Streetz verse on “BDP” or Busta Rhymes on “Science Class”.

‘There is one word that can sum up 10; chemistry. The way Gunn is able to bring in a cast of characters like this and have every little element of the album play on one another without stepping on any toes is a novel within itself, the Buffalo emcee’s distinct voice and relaxed flows are so natural he can manipulate the two to fit over any tempo with ease. Westside Gunn creates timeless music, his approach to his craft eradicates borders and allows any and all to join him in his unpredictable creativity, and while 10 is one of the better pieces of work he’s released, he makes it feel like he is just getting started. 

Your Old Droog – YOD Wave 

Your Old Droog – Lost Love (Prod. Nicholas Craven)

While Your Old Droog is one of the most consistent and prolific rappers of our time, there is something special about YOD Wave, Droog’s first of many releases throughout this year. On this album, which is entirely produced by Nicholas Craven, we see the classic wit of Droog take a backseat to allow room for softer, more sentimental moments. Droog uses the smoothness of Craven’s production to exercise relaxed flows and show a more direct side of his songwriting. A Song like “Lost Love” is not only a highlight from this particular album but a special love-struck moment in Droog’s massive discography. He stretches the idea of the typical love song and reforms it into his own, proving yet again that Droog is more than just an artist who can come up with clever metaphors, but overall passionate songwriting willing to be vulnerable when the time is right.

YOD Wave sticks out as one of the best releases of the year through its consistent melancholy feel that acts as a canvas for Droog’s ever-evolving songwriting.