Best 12 New Hip-Hop Album So Far (January-June)

Since the start of the year, artists from a variety of genres have been producing projects with varying concepts and skills. But if you love Hip-hop and rap, you should be delighted because we’ll be looking at the top 12 albums in this genre in 2023. However, only LPs and albums are included; compilations, EPs, and instrumental albums are not. Let’s get started now. Take a look at the best 12 Hip-hop records that, in our opinion, 2023 has produced so far.

12. Conway The Machine – WON’T HE DO IT

Conway The Machine’s WON’T HE DO IT isn’t awful at all, but it falls short of Conway’s earlier albums. In particular, God Don’t Make Mistakes (2022) and From King to A GOD (2020) are better. WON’T HE DO IT adopts Griselda’s signature style, which isn’t necessarily a negative thing, but this specific endeavor lacks enthusiasm.

The production is a bit of a mixed bag, with some of the traditional Griselda roughness and some beats that are more blandly crossover-oriented. Conway’s lyrics are decent enough, though. There could have been fewer features on the project.

11. TzariZM – O.T.H.E.R. (Over Time He Earns Respect)

Emcee/producer TzariZM, who is from Orlando, Florida, has released a ton of good Hip-hop in the past, but this O.T.H.E.R. (Over Time He Earns Respect) album might be his greatest one yet. This album has a peculiar beauty to it, a sort of unpolished basement atmosphere that somehow lends it a genuine Hip-hop vibe. Although the album’s production is a little ragged around the edges, it actually benefits it.

10. Kota The Friend & and Statik Selektah – To See A Sunset

To Kill A Sunrise (2021), the first full-length collaboration between Kota The Friend and Statik Selektah, was a simple but enjoyable listen thanks to Kota The Friend’s cerebral lyrics and Statik Selektah’s jazzy boom-bap sounds. The Brooklyn rapper carries on the laid-back summertime vibes from To Kill A Sunrise on To See A Sunset. Statik Selektah’s warm, soulful sounds and Kota’s lyrics keep the listener entertained from beginning to end. To Kill A Sunrise was decent, but To See A Sunset is Kota The Friend’s best record to date.

9. Reuben Vincent – Love Is War

Reuben Vincent from Charlotte, North Carolina, released his much awaited debut studio album titled Love Is War on 9th Wonder’s Jamla label (exclusively licensed to Roc Nation Records). The album features production and guest appearances from 9th Wonder, Young Guru, The Soul Council, Rapsody, Reason, Domani, and Stacey Barthe.

Reuben Vincent is one of those naturally gifted performers; at the age of 20, he already possesses all the necessary skills to become a Hip Hop superstar. He has a flawless pen game, a top-notch flow, and an elusive amount of star power. Reuben Vincent is an artist to watch out for, and Love Is War is a fantastic record.

8. Rigz – Heal In

Heal In, the latest project from Rochester emcee Rigz (of Da Cloth), is a banger. With the help of DJ Muggs’ superior production, which was well matched for Rigz’s smooth flows and Griselda-style street raps, Rigz’s solo debut Substance Abuse (2020), his 2021 sophomore solo album Wake Ups, and his 2022 solo album Gold were all fairly impressive. Heal In, a solid follow-up to Gold, features some of Rigz’s most intimate bars to date and is a 43-minute presentation of top-tier underground Hip-hop.

7. Ja’king The Divine – Parables Of The Sower

One of the most promising artists to appear on the Hip Hop scene in recent years is Brooklyn’s Ja’king The Divine. His fifth album, Parables Of The Sower, is a solid follow-up to the outstanding BLACK SUN TZU (2022). Ja’king The Divine’s lyrics on Parables Of The Sower are dope af; he has an expressive flow and comes with great content as well.

The album’s production is inventive, with clean sampling and distinctive melodic twists. Parables Of The Sower is a fantastic album that features entertaining, slightly off-center music and poetic jazz rap with boom-bap influences.

6. ICECOLDBISHOP – GENERATIONAL CURSE

Rapper ICECOLDBISHOP, a native of Los Angeles, delivers on all counts with his eagerly awaited first album GENERATIONAL CURSE. The South Central-born ICECOLDBISHOP sounds like the Kendrick Lamar of this generation, with heartfelt and profound content throughout.

On GENERATIONAL CURSE, ICECOLDBISHOP discusses systemic trauma and contemporary society’s obsession with firearms and violence, going into great depth about how his generation is essentially screwed from the start at every level. The concept behind the album is really effectively done.

5. Kid Abstrakt & Leo Low Pass – Still Dreaming

Kid Abstrakt is a talented emcee from Los Angeles, California, who expertly captures the jazzy rap style of the 1990s. Kid Abstrakt collaborated with Amsterdam-based producer Leo Low Pass on Still Dreaming. The jazzy boom-bap and lo-fi sounds that define Leo’s particular sound provide the ideal backdrop for Kid Abstrakt’s inspiring and proficient lyrics.

4. Talib Kweli & Madlib – Liberation 2

Liberation 2 is the ten-year-in-the-making sequel to Talib Kweli and Madlib’s 2006 album Liberation, featuring a 15-song tracklist and a slew of guest appearances. Liberation 2 was released exclusively on the Luminary Podcasts platform, following the same disastrous roll-out method that ruined the buzz, attention, and potential exposure for last year’s Black Star album. Unfortunately, Liberation 2 is a great project, more fleshed-out and well-rounded than the original Liberation album.

3. Logic – College Park

College Park is a behemoth of an album, clocking in at just under 70 minutes, similar to Vinyl Days. Logic travels back to 2011 at the College Park concept, living a day in the life of his younger self at the beginning of his career. On College Park, Logic and guests like RZA, Redman, Joey Bada$$, and Bun B give exciting performances.

The album also features interesting production, excellent material, and an array of dope songs. The inventive skits on the album aid in the transition between tracks and solidify the album’s overall thematic coherence.

2. Larry June & The Alchemist – The Great Escape

The Great Escape is the first album that San Francisco rapper Larry June and esteemed producer The Alchemist have produced together. Al has a distinctive sound, and his realistic percussion, lively basslines, and enticing soul sampling combine to create incredibly smooth instrumentals that were intended to complement Larry June’s leisurely flow and approachable rapping style. Action Bronson, Big Sean, Ty Dolla $ign, Slum Village, Boldy James, Evidence, Wiz Khalifa, Jay Worthy, Joey Bada$$, and Curren$y are among the A-listers who make cameos.

1. Lil Durk – Almost Healed

Almost Healed is American rapper Lil Durk’s eighth studio album. On May 26, 2023, it was released by Only the Family, Alamo Records, and Sony Music. Alicia Keys, J. Cole, Chief Wuk, Future, 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Rob49, the late Juice Wrld, and Morgan Wallen all make appearances on the album. Whether you’ve been a fan of Lil Durk for a long time or are new to his music, this album promises to be an immersive and unique listening experience.