photo courtesy of deep cuts via Youtube
As the New Year arrives in just some hours, I find it necessary to look at some of my PERSONAL favorite albums of the last decade. These albums have helped shape and mold me in various ways through the unique narratives and pictures that they have painted.
It was actually quite the task for me to really think about all of the albums that stimulated me lyrically, mentally, emotionally, and sonically. There were so many choices and don't get me confused there are other albums I would love to share, but I had to keep it limited. My list meshes both R&B / Hip-Hop because both of those genres are what makes me... me.
At the beginning of the decade I was a fresh 14 year-old, and as it ends, I am now 24. This past decade was very influential in helping me discover my love for Hip-Hop/R&B and music in general. The music that came from this decade sparked my love for music writing and I will always be grateful for it.
I decided on this list of albums based on their production, lyrical content, impact, and timelessness. Some of these albums have passed the test of time and continue to be played to this day. On the other hand, some of these albums are fairly fresh but possess those same previously stated qualities
I was actually nervous in creating this, because I know it may not be the list that everyone agrees with... but who cares? This collection of music helped me to grow up and will always mean so very much to me. These projects (in my opinion) also shaped and molded the culture and face of both Hip-Hop / R&B in so many ways that it simply cannot be described.
Check out my list of the top 30 albums of the Decade below:
(Disclaimer: There is NOT a particular order for the albums. I am simply listing them.)
1. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
2. Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday
3. Drake - Take Care
4. Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d. city
5. Chief Keef - Finally Rich
6. A$AP Rocky - LONG. LIVE. A$AP
7. Drake - Nothing Was The Same
8. Big Sean - Dark Sky Paradise
9. The Internet - Ego Death
10. Frank Ocean - Channel ORANGE
11. Justin Bieber - Journals
12. J. Cole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive
13. JAY Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne
14. Meek Mill - Dreams & Nightmares
15. ScHoolboy Q - Oxymoron
16. Future - DS2
17. Beyoncé - BEYONCÉ
18. Rihanna - ANTI
19. Kendrick Lamar - DAMN
20. SZA - CTRL
21. Migos - Culture
22. Solange - A Seat at the Table
23. Rick Ross - Mastermind
24. Chris Brown - X
25. Kehlani - SweetSexySavage
25. Jay Rock - Redemption
27. Ariana Grande - thank u, next
28. Snoh Aalegra - Ugh, those feels again
29. Travis Scott - Rodeo
30. Jhene Aiko - Trip
