What a time to be alive.  2015 was an important year for hip hop with its many album releases, fashion trends and“beefs” between rappers.  Kendrick Lamar dropped his incredibly influential and critically acclaimed “To Pimp a Butterfly,” while other big name artists like Drake and Future continued to make it rain at every club they walked into.  However, between all of these high profile rappers releasing albums and mixtapes and Kanye West announcing his run for presidency, there were many other influential artists whose voices didn’t quite reach the mainstream.  While these albums have already made waves within the hip hop world, here’s a quick Top 5 list in case you’ve been out of the loop.

5. “Cherry Bomb” by Tyler, the Creator

Wikipedia

It’s been a wild ride watching Tyler mature since his first controversial album, “Goblin,” was released.  Many of Tyler’s earlier projects were riddled with dark lyrics, taboo topics and overall crazy ideas that most sane humans would be scared to even think.  However, Tyler has since changed  his mindset and instead focuses on the joys of life and everything that it has to offer.  The result of Tyler’s changes is his third studio album, “Cherry Bomb,” a project completely produced by Tyler himself. Unfortunately, that’s where some of the problems arise.  You can tell that each track was made with care and reflect all of Tyler’s emotions and thoughts. However  the mixing of instruments and voices and the various arrangements of synths and strings often conflict, conveying a chaotic sound.  The confusing mixes are a shame because the messages and lines that Tyler spit are extremely  clever and smooth.  Despite the somewhat lackluster production, Tyler should still be applauded for his ambition, new focus and lyrics.  Overall, “Cherry Bomb” is an important album for Tyler and arguably his best work so far.

Kev’s Top Picks:  “Smuckers,” “Find Your Wings,” “Buffalo”

4. “90059” by Jay RockWikipedia

It must be hard being Jay Rock.  The 10-year veteran of Top Dawg Entertainment is now overshadowed by his label-mates, such as Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul.  On top of that, Rock hadn’t put out an album for four years until the release of “90059.”  And yet, Rock proves that he still has the swag to kick it with the rest of his “Black Hippy” peers on his recently released sophomore album.  “90059” is yet another piece of the West-coast rap renaissance that is widely heard today.  The gritty reality of growing up in the ghetto is laid out across eleven tracks as Rock paints a vivid and unapologetic image.  Aiding his story-telling are great beats and solid production.  Rock seems right at home as he spits over some airy trap beats and some slower, funkier beats.  It’s also a great pleasure seeing all of Black Hippy on a track together (“Vice City”), and an impressive one at that.  Kendrick lays down a style that ties the song together in his first line, and it’s  fun watching Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and Q all try to outdo each other.  Over his album, Rock definitely proves that you should check out his work now if you haven’t already.

Kev’s Top Picks:  “Necessary,” “Easy Bake,” “Gumbo,” “Vice City”

3.  “God, Money, War” by King LosWikipedia

While more known for his dope freestyles and mixtapes, King Los should definitely be an artist bumping on everybody’s iPhones and stereos.  Hailing from the streets of Baltimore, this rapper is  gifted with some Lupe Fiasco-level wordplay and a flow like the hair on a lacrosse player’s head.  Seriously, Los requires several listens just to catch all of the metaphors packed into a line or two.  All of his talents can be easily seen on his pre-debut studio album, “God, Money, War.”  While not necessarily comprised of solely his own experiences, “God, Money, War” is full of Los’ commentary both on discrimination from outside of his race and on discrimination from within his race.  Los brings attention to some  important underlying issues of the race debate, as well as what it means to be human.  All of Los’ verses are packed with thought-provoking questions and some straight up boastful claims of being able to overcome the obstacles in his way.  If you haven’t checked this MC out yet, now’s the time to light the fireplace, brew some tea, and dive into the scriptures of King Los.

Kev’s Top Picks:  “War,” “Glory to the Lord,” “Can’t Fade Us,” “King”

2.  “Summertime ‘06” by Vince Staples Wikipedia

While everyone was still buzzing about the Meek Mill/Drake beef — or lack thereof — Vince Staples was having his own beef against, well, everyone.  The self-proclaimed Sprite spokesperson somehow found himself involved in a Twitter feud of epic proportions as he debated against a good chunk of Twitter over the importance of 90’s hip hop.  It just goes to show the dangers of giving a highly opinionated man such a public outlet, but his opinions are just what make Vince and his album so interesting.  “Summertime ‘06” is a lot like Rock’s “90059,” except for one thing:  Vince Staples used to be an active member of the Crips.  Thus, his album tells the story of a young boy (Vince Staples) who was raised in the midst of murder, drug abuse and broken relationships in the city of Long Beach in California.  Throughout the entirety of this double-album, Vince leisurely recounts the lessons he learned and the struggles that he faced in his gang-banging days against some intense beats and rhythms that match the focused intensity of his lyrics.  Vince’s story is a captivating one that is told effortlessly in this project, and he is definitely the young, new artist to watch for in 2016 and beyond.

Kev’s Top Picks:  “Lift Me Up,” “Norf Norf,” “Jump off the Roof,” “Senorita,” “3230”

1. “King Push – Darkest Before Dawn:  The Prelude” by Pusha-TWikipedia

If it were up to me, I would make it law for “Hail to the Chief” to play whenever Pusha-T walks into a room.  Out of all of the rappers listed here, the 38 year old kingpin may have had the best 2015 of all.  On top of being appointed to the position of G.O.O.D. Music president, Push has also announced his intentions for “Cruel Winter,” a follow-up to 2012’s G.O.O.D. Music album “Cruel Summer,” revealed the release date of his self-proclaimed “hip hop album of the year” (mark your calendar for April, folks) and dropped his critically acclaimed prelude to “King Push,” “Darkest Before Dawn.”  Although clocking in at just over 30 minutes, DBD is a full masterpiece that refuses to conform to the new trends of hip hop.  While more mainstream hip hop songs are becoming more Bryson Tiller-like with their increasing focus on melodious vocals and lilting sounds, Pusha-T refuses to sacrifice the message of his tracks and instead opts for some hard-hitting and epic beats that allow him to emphasize the gravity of each syllable and rhyme.  Push’s DBD serves as the perfect transition from his first studio album, “My Name is My Name,” and his upcoming project as it’s packed with material, yet anxiously short.  Push is able to fit his commentary on just about every modern day issue over ten brutally short tracks.  I say “brutally” because by the end of the album, I find myself grow ever more anxious for the release of “King Push.”  All I’m saying is that if DBD is THIS good, then Push’s prediction of “hip hop album of the year” may just come true.  

Kev’s Top Picks:  “Intro,” “Untouchable,” “M.F.T.R.,” “M.P.A.,” F.I.F.A.,” “Sunshine”