Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Rap Albums Of 2023
The ever evolving landscape and heavy release schedule of hip-hop means there's usually something for everyone - but it might get lost in the shuffle. The best rap albums of 2023 include drill and trap to more conscious and also region specific styles like Detroit trap and Miami bass. There's also a larger influx of female rappers now than ever before, lending their voices to new stories and new styles.
This year, YoungBoy Never Broke Again dropped his studio album I Rest My Case.The 23 year old industrious rapper is now up to five studio albums to join his dozens of mixtapes. Meanwhile, London's own Clavish released his anticipated debut mixtape Rap Game Awful, full of ominous instrumentals and grim storytelling.
What are your favorite rap albums of 2023? Vote up the best in hip-hop and check back to see updates to the list!
After being the blueprint for so many up-and-comers, NBA YoungBoy decides to switch it up a bit. On I Rest My Case, the versatile rapper hops on glitchy, glittery, synthesizer beats reminiscent of Playboi Carti's Die Lit to excellent results.
Artist: YoungBoy Never Broke Again
Release Date: January 6
Photo: Jamla/Roc Nation
2
68 votes
Love Is War
Best Tracks: “Butterfly Doors”, “February 13th (feat. Rapsody)”, “Geechie Suede”
For fans of J.Cole comes Charlotte native Reuben Vincent. Over soulful production, the young Roc Nation rapper delivers vulnerable platitudes about love and life.
Artist: Reuben Vincent
Release Date: January 27
Photo: 10K Projects/Capitol
3
147 votes
Like..?
Best Tracks: “Gangsta Boo” with Lil TJay, "Princess Diana", "Munch (Feelin' U)"
Ice Spice's brand of playfulness mixed with bravado meld over the top of bouncy drill beats courtesy of RIOTUSA. The best part of the Bronx rapper may be how readily she leans into her internet infamy, exemplified by the proclamation that “in the hood [she's] like Princess Diana.”
Artist: Ice Spice
Release Date: January 20
Photo: Polydor
4
63 votes
Rap Game Awful
Best Tracks: “No Difference”, “Rocket Science (feat. D-Block Europe)”, “Traumatised”
Over 28 tracks, Clavish reveals his bleak worldview to his audience. Though his delivery stays calm and measured, the London native grimly reveals his feelings of paranoia after life on the streets, aided by minimal production.
Artist: Clavish
Release Date: January 13
Photo: Quality Control
5
60 votes
Before the Gloss Up
Best Tracks: “Bestfrenn (feat. GloRilla)”, “Eeny Meeny Miny Moe” with K Carbon, Aleza & Slimeroni, “Pussycat”
Twinkling beats and engaging flows make Before the Gloss Up an ideal feel-good party album. The charismatic Memphis emcee is at her best when feeding off other rappers like on the posse cut “Eeny Meeny Miny Moe” or GloRilla featuring “Bestfrenn.”
