2020 has come to an end, music seemed to be one of the only positives this year. There was a good selection of new music that was released this year. After multiple listens to these records I have created a list of the worst albums I heard to the best. These are all opinionated and based on my personal standpoints of these albums.
49. “Changes” by Justin Bieber - 3/10
48. “TattleTales” by 6ix9ine - 3/10
47. “Good Intentions” by Nav - 3/10
46. “Pegasus” by Trippie Redd -3.5/10
45. “Blame It on Baby” by DaBaby - 4/10
44. “Artist 2.0” by A Boogie wit da Hoodie - 4/10
43. “My Turn” by Lil Baby - 4.5/10
42. “High Off Life” by Future - 4.5/10
41. “Emergency Tsunami” by Nav - 4.5/10
40. “WUNNA” by Gunna - 4.5/10
39. “No Pressure” by Logic - 5/10
38. “I’m Gone” by Iann Dior - 5/10
37. “Music To Be Murdered By” by Eminem - 5/10
36. “Funeral” by Lil Wayne - 5.5/10
35. “CTV3: Cool Tape Vol. 3” by Jaden - 5.5/10
34. “The New Toronto 3” by Tory Lanez - 5.5/10
33. “What Could Possibly Go Wrong” by Dominic Fike - 5.5/10
32. “Heaven or Hell” by Don Toliver - 5.5/10
31. “Who Made the Sunshine” by Westside Gunn - 5.5/10
30. “Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God” by Busta Rhymes - 6/10
29. “Streams of Thought, Vol. 3 Cane and Able” by Black Thought - 6/10
28. “The Slow Rush” by Tame Impala - 6/10
27. “Future & Lil Uzi Vert” by Pluto X Baby Pluto -6/10
26. “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon” by Pop Smoke - 6/10
25. “Meet the Woo, Vol. 2” by Pop Smoke - 6/10
24. “F--K Love (Savage)” by The Kid Laroi - 6/10
23. “Nectar” by Joji - 6/10
22. “So Help Me God” by 2 Chainz - 6.5/10
21. “A Written Testimony” by Jay Electronica - 6.5/10
20. “Spilligion” by Spillage Village - 6.5/10
19. “It Is What It Is” by Thundercat - 6.5/10
18. “Ugly Is Beautiful” by Oliver Tree - 6.5/10
17. “Legends Never Die” by Juice WRLD - 6.5/10
16. “Only For Dolphins” by Action Bronson - 6.5/10
15. “Detroit 2” by Big Sean - 6.5/10
14. “Burden of Proof” by Benny the Butcher - 6.5/10
13. “3.15.20” by Childish Gambino - 7/10
12. “RTJ4” by Run the Jewels -7/10
11. “Savage Mode II” by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin - 7/10
10. “Eternal Atake” by Lil Uzi Vert
This album was highly anticipated, the production was amazing on this album and Uzi killed each song. The first half of the album was awesome, there are plenty of bangers on this record and plenty of catchy tunes. Uzi executed this album perfectly. 7/10
9. “UNLOCKED” by Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats
This album was super loud and heavy, it was great. Kenny produced some bass heavy beats and Denzel destroyed each song with his impactful flow. Every song is great and this album would be perfect if it was longer. The duo cut it short with only 8 songs and lasting 18 minutes, feeling more like an EP but had the content of an album. Also the album cover art is awesome. 7/10
8. “Limbo” by Amine
I had high expectations for this album and this album was pretty darn good. Amine killed each track and the production was quite perfect. It fits his style very well. The album has great lasting time and the perfect amount of tracks. “Woodlawn” and “Compensating” were two of my favorite songs of the year. Amine did a great job and he has a bright future in music ahead of him. 7/10
7. “King Disease” by Nas
Nas is one of the greatest rappers ever and I did not expect much from this album because he hasn't dropped anything really special besides “NASIR” in the last 10 years. Nas killed this album and added a modern feel mixed with his old school rap style. Nas isn't known for adding features to his records but he added a great mix of modern artists. Nas definitely tried something new and he killed it. 7/10
6. “Circles” by Mac Miller
This album brought tears to my eyes. Not only because of the passing of Mac but because of the nature and purity of this record. This album is mixed so well and feels so finished even though it’s a posthumous project. His voice is so gentle and sounds so pure. It’s a quiet album but that's the vibe of the album. It’s a great sequel to “Swimming” and I’m sure this is exactly how Mac wanted this album to be. This is the best Mac Miller project I have heard. 7.5/10
5. “Alfredo” by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
Freddie Gibbs is one of the most consistent rappers today and The Alchemist never fails to produce classics. This album is awesome and Freddie’s rapping is perfect. It obviously met expectations because Freddie hasn't missed in the last 4 years. Production was nailed and it is mixed great. This album was definitely better than last year's album he did with Madlib, “Bandana”. 7.5/10
4. “Pray for Paris” by Westside Gunn
This album was on replay all year. This is an amazing album with almost zero flaws. Westside spits amazing verses and the whole concept is just great. If you have not listened to this, you definitely should. It’s a great rap album and any fan of rap would love it. Plenty of bangers and has a boat load of features. 8/10
3. “After Hours” by The Weeknd
The Weeknd has never failed and has never dropped a bad album. His discography is almost perfect. This album is a story told by his soft voice carried by a soft pop and R&B production. The production on this album is unreal and overall a fantastic album. Some songs are dragged out but there are more positives than negatives on this project. 8/10
2. “Whole Lotta Red” by Playboi Carti
I am a huge fan of Playboi Carti but from an unbiased standpoint this album is really something. It’s an experience and definitely a little odd, in a good way. The production on this project is flat out perfect. Carti uses his iconic punk high-pitched baby voice with repetitive and catchy lyrics. Yes, his rapping isn’t amazing or anything special but he forms his voice around each beat and it’s somehow perfect. These tracks are all head bangers with features like Kanye, Cudi, and Future. WLR was really great and super addictive to listen to. I’m sure this album will influence many artists. 8/10
1 “Man on the Moon III: The Chosen” by Kid Cudi
The third installment to the Man on the Moon trilogy was quite a trip to listen to and I’m super happy on how it came out. I haven't been so impacted by a first listen by any album since 2018 “Astroworld” by Travis Scott. Cudi sounds amazing and twists up his classic style and adds a little more rap and he does it well. Cudi was inspired by Travis with this album. This album is a good mix of pure rap and that hypnotical trippy feeling. Yes, Cudi’s traditional humming is present and still sounds amazing. Songs like “The Void” and “Dive” put the listener in a trance of greatness. It's good to hear Cudi such a good album, especially since it's the final installment of the MOTM trilogy. The features did a wonderful job and Trippie sounds the best he ever did. Also “Show Out” with Pop Smoke and Skepta is a great trio surprisingly. Overall this album is really something and quite amazing, especially with first listen. 8.5/10