The Best of 2023 R&B and Hip-Hop

Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán from Pexels.

Aadhi Balaji and Zen Nagao

2023 is almost over, and with another year coming to an end comes many new albums. This ranking contains our top 10 albums from the genres of R&B and hip-hop/rap. It was really hard to compare the albums to each other, so we ranked them based on our opinions and what we liked throughout the year. The rankings are completely subjective, and we hope to be able to spread the word of smaller artists releasing quality projects that made our top 10 lists for the year in addition to the heavy hitters.

RNB:

1. Electric Dusk by Leon Thomas

Leon Thomas released his first full-length album, Electric Dusk, in August of 2023. He has a unique take on the genre and consistently drives his distinctive sound through well-put-together songs. With a condensed track list, Thomas manages to deliver a different feel with every song while floating around the same ideas containing developed melodies over laidback synthesizers and drums. The album doesn’t contain many features, but each one is meaningfully placed. Benny The Butcher, Ty Dolla $ign, and Victoria Monét all have incredible features that add to the overall experience of the album. Thomas’s production and performances are also extremely notable, and the extent to his creativity shines through tracks like “Breaking Point”, “Love Jones,” “Treasure in the Hills,” "My Will,” “Sneak,” and “X-rated.”

2. Lahai by Sampha

Sampha’s anticipated second studio album, Lahai, released in October of 2023. Sampha’s last album, Process, was regarded as a large success and built a loyal fan base for the artist. He is known for his seraphic melodies and creative productions, and he delivers on Lahai. His pianist abilities glow through the tracklist as he incorporates them throughout the production of the tracklist. His lyrics are introspective and meaningful as each song has a distinct message that all hovers around the theme of searching for purpose and improving oneself. As a contemporary artist, Sampha pushed creativity boundaries on this album by incorporating futuristic synths in a combination with the piano and strings. While the entire tracklist is superb, some remarkable songs are “Stereo Colour Cloud,” “Suspended,” “Jonathan L. Seagull,” “Dancing Circles,” and “Only.”

3. Never Enough by Daniel Caesar

Daniel Caesar released the long-awaited Never Enough in April of 2023. The tracklist features mellow instrumentals with laidback drums and vibey production. Known for pushing boundaries in the genre, Caesar presents new sounds that include fleshed-out experimental ideas in combination with the fundamentals of what makes the genre R&B. Caesar’s voice floats over each song, and every melody is memorable. Some highlights include “Always,” “Vince Van Gogh,” “Shot My Baby,” and “Valentina.”

4. Alone at Prom Deluxe by Tory Lanez

The deluxe version of Tory Lanez’s Alone at Prom was released in November of 2023. The album was Lanez’s attempt at recreating the musical themes of the ‘80s, and it’s safe to say that he is successful in doing so. The production is indicative of an ‘80s dance floor and songs included repeat refrains that illustrate a sense of rhythm. Trumpets, saxophones, drums, and synths were used to give a euphoric feel to each song. Lanez’s performances on the 11-song deluxe were striking and catchy. His talent shines clear in songs like “Poison Ivy,” “Splash.Wave.Repeat (Interlude),” “KAME HOUSE,” “Wilona's Workshop,” and “Prom King // Love on Acid.”
5. Lovesick by Don Toliver

Don Toliver released his third studio album, Lovesick, in February of 2023. Don’s ability to mesh the genres of hip-hop and R&B together is exercised to the maximum in this project. He uses elements such as flows while maintaining stylistic R&B melodies. The feature list for the album is packed with big names from a variety of genres such as Charlie Wilson, Brent Faiyaz, Kali Uchis, James Blake, and Future. The production is smooth and relaxed at certain points and is contrasted with dynamic and energetic instrumentals at other points. Don exercises his range of vocal styles in catchy, memorable songs such as “Leather Coat,” “Honeymoon,” “If I Had,” “Company Pt. 3,” “Bus Stop,” and “Private Landing.”

6. Let’s Start Here by Lil Yachty

Lil Yachty released the most pivotal album of his career, Let’s Start Here, in January of 2023 to start off the year. Previously, Yachty’s soundscape consisted of rap, hip-hop, and trap. Stepping outside his comfort zone, Yachty’s new project presents a cinematic experience of indie, alternative, and R&B elements fused together. The instrumentals are vivid, and Yachty uses mixes of guitars, synths, and drums to create a psychedelic feeling. The album was a beautifully executed change of pace for the artist, and it is safe to say that Yachty reinventing himself put the artist back into the spotlight after releasing many mediocre and forgettable hip-hop projects. Songs such as “running out of time,” “the BLACK seminole.,” “sHouLd i B?,” “drive ME crazy!,” “the ride-,” and “The Alchemist.” really demonstrate Yachty’s creative direction with this album.

7. Red Moon in Venus by Kali Uchis

Kali Uchis released Red Moon in Venus in March of 2023. Her vocals are fluid, and the production is characteristic of spring with a bright and warm feeling. Kali combines Spanish and English together to create a stylistic take on R&B, and her execution is perfect on this album. There aren’t many features, but all of them cement their place on the project. Don Toliver, Omar Apollo, and Summer Walker all have stellar performances on their features. Notable tracks include “Worth the Wait,” “All Mine,” “Fantasy,” “Endlessly,” “Moonlight,” and “Happy Now.”

8. Falling or Flying by Jorja Smith

Jorja Smith released her second album, Falling or Flying, in September of 2023. After a five-year hiatus since her debut album, Lost and Found, Smith was able to reach the same standard quality in her new project. The tracklist features a wide soundscape with lively fast-paced songs and mellow, relaxed songs. Smith’s vocals are a highlight of the project, and the melodies are captivating. The quality of the album is best represented by songs such as “Greatest Gift,” “Little Things,” “Falling or flying,” “Lately,” “Feelings,” and “Make sense.”

9. How Do You Sleep at Night? by Teezo Touchdown

Teezo’s debut album, How Do You Sleep at Night?, was released in September of 2023. Teezo’s experimental mesh of genres containing elements of R&B and rock creates a refreshing sound that really bleeds character into his music. He calls it “Rock and Boom” and describes it as “R&B with the intensity of rock, the penmanship of hip-hop, and a boom that will shake the world.” The production is stylistic and full of emotions, and Teezo really stretches his vocal range throughout the project. He also sprinkles bits of humor to make the album almost seem like it’s a glorified joke. Songs like “Mood Swings'' and “Neighborhood'' demonstrate his hilarity well. He also takes introspective, meaningful approaches to songs like “Impossible” and “Familiarity.” Overall, it’s a creative approach to meshing genres that provides a fun listening experience. Some other highlights include “OK” and “Nu Nay.”

10. SOS by SZA

The long-awaited SOS was released in December of 2022. Despite the extensive tracklist and not many features, SZA was able to maintain a level of quality throughout the project. Using the length to her advantage, she provided a variety of paces to the album. Some songs were extravagant and high-energy, while others were calming and laidback. Don Toliver and Travis Scott provided excellent features on their respective tracks. Some highlights are “Used,” “Conceited,” “Snooze,” “Too Late,” “Open Arms,” and “Shirt.”

Honorable Mention: Larger than Life by Brent Faiyaz

Brent Faiyaz released Larger than Life in October of 2023. The album includes some quality highs sprinkled throughout the tracklist, but it lacks consistency. There are many mediocre or boring tracks on the album which makes it difficult to listen to it in its entirety. However, there are some unique productions and sounds on this album as Brent continues to experiment with his artistry. Songs such as “Upset,” “Moment Of Your Life,” “Wherever I Go,” “WY@,” and “Pistachios” give this album an honorable mention on the list.

Rap:

1. Utopia by Travis Scott

After five years since he last released an album, Travis Scott dropped Utopia in July of 2023. There were extremely high standards for this project to live up to as it was one of the most anticipated hip-hop albums of the year. It’s safe to say that Travis shattered those expectations by releasing the best hip-hop album of the year as well as one of the best albums in his discography. Hours could be spent gushing over the production, Travis’s performances, features, and the experimental nature of the album. Even with the incredibly high expectations to live up to, Travis provided an amazing listening experience that appeals to all different types of hip-hop fans. The tracklist features a soundscape with a variety of trap, rap, hip-hop, and R&B. It’s difficult to choose highlights as almost every song provides a level of quality and uniqueness that only an artist with the caliber of Travis is capable of pulling off. Nevertheless, some high points include “TELEKINESIS,” “TIL FURTHER NOTICE,” “SIRENS,” “MY EYES,” “SKITZO,” “LOST FOREVER,” and “MODERN JAM.”

2. Heroes & Villains by Metro Boomin

The 2nd installment in Metro Boomin’s superhero-themed album trilogy, HEROES & VILLAINS, was released in December of 2022. Metro Boomin is a well-renowned producer in the scene, and the scope of his talent was demonstrated perfectly in this project. Whether it be punchy trap beats or tasteful sample flips, the quality of Metro’s production is truly commendable. Metro meticulously chose artists that would fit the instrumentals he produced and did so with great success. Don Toliver, Future, A$AP Rocky, Takeoff, Travis Scott, and 21 Savage all had amazing features. Every song has a unique sound to it, and the project is paced well. Highlights include “Superheros,” “Too Many Nights,” “Feel The Fiyaaaah,” “Metro Spider,” “Walk Em Down,” and “Around Me.”

3. The Estate Sale by Tyler, The Creator

Tyler released the deluxe version of his latest album, CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale, in March of 2023. Adding eight tracks to the base album, the deluxe packs even more quality to the already excellent project with songs he deemed as “throwaways” that didn’t make the cut for the original tracklist. Tyler’s rapping performances are great, and the samples used enhance the listening experience. “WHAT A DAY,” “WHARF TALK,” “HEAVEN TO ME,” and “SORRY NOT SORRY” are all incredible songs that were surprisingly left off the base album despite the high quality.

4. The Great Escape by Larry June and The Alchemist

The collab album, The Great Escape, created by rapper Larry June and produced by The Alchemist was released in March of 2023. Larry June’s performances are easygoing and almost nonchalant, and The Alchemist matches the atmosphere perfectly with jazzy, relaxed instrumentals with keys and strings. The synergy between the two is outstanding. Despite the limited soundscape, the ideas in this project are developed thoroughly and provide for a great listening experience. The pair’s teamwork is demonstrated best on songs such as “Summer Reign,” “Solid Plan,” “Ocean Sounds,” “Left No Evidence,” and “What Happened To The World?.”
5. United Palace by Lord Sko

The up-and-coming rapper from New York, Lord Sko, released UNITED PALACE in September of 2023. Coming in at 15 tracks, Sko provides a short and sweet listen to a quality rap album. In a multitude of flashy productions, his delivery and flow maintain a mesmerizing sense of rhythm. Instrumentals such as trumpets, guitars, keys, and snares create a catchy background for Sko’s rapping. Some high points throughout the tracklist are “PIMP SOCKS,” “YELLOW TAPE,” “RIDDLES IN THE SAND,” “MESCALINE LEAVES,” “JAMES WORTHY GOGGLES,” and “FINDER’S FEE.

6. Round Trip by Statik Selektah

DJ/producer Statik Selektah released Round Trip in June of 2023. His production features jazzy, relaxing instrumentals, allowing for the artists he features to tap into their lyrics, delivery, and flow. Presenting a variety of artists ranging from seasoned rappers such as Method Man to young prodigies such as Redveil, the tracklist is packed to the brim with memorable features. The tracklist is quite long, but Statik is able to hold it together with synergy between the features and the catchy productions. Highlights include “Factory,” “One 4 Ages,” “Right Here,” “Unpredictable,” “It’s Different,” and “Can’t Stop.”

7. Kaytraminé by Kaytranada and Aminé

Rapper Aminé and producer Kaytranada released their collab, KAYTRAMINÉ, in June of 2023. The pair focused on bringing summer vibes with a tracklist filled with euphoric productions from Kaytranada. Aminé’s flows are smooth and groovy which compliments the instrumentals well. While the project doesn’t stick to its theme in its entirety, the summer themes are fleshed out in many of the songs. “letstalkaboutit,” “4EVA,” “Westside,” “Rebuke,” “Sossaup,” and “K&A” are all high points of the album.

8. Magic 2 by Nas

Nas released the second installment of his Magic trilogy, Magic 2, in July of 2023. In collaboration with producer Hit-Boy, Nas has released two trilogies worth of albums in the past few years. Coming in at 11 tracks, Magic 2 provides quality tracks with amazing rapping performances. Hit-Boy’s production does wonders for Nas’s cadence and flow. Every song sounds unique, whether it be unorthodox instrumentation or uses of distinctive samples. Some highlights include “Slow It Down,” “Abracadabra,” “Black Magic,” “One Mic, One Gun,” and “Pistols on Your Album Cover.”

9. Protea by Kota the Friend

Kota the Friend released Protea in June of 2023. The project is filled with summer themes with upbeat, electric productions and uplifting performances from Kota. The theme is executed really well and fleshed out with every song having a similar sound to them. The project does have a lot of filler in it, but there are a solid amount of standouts to provide a great listening experience. There are many features on the album, and they all contribute thoroughly to Kota’s performances. Some standouts include “Barcelona,” “Hope You Heal,” “Keep Me Goin,” “Nobody,” and “Road Rage.”

10. Welcome 2 Collegrove by Lil Wayne and 2Chainz

After seven years of anticipation, Lil Wayne and 2Chainz finally released their second joint album in November of 2023. This album sequels their first joint album, Collegrove, which was released in March of 2016. Both of which are about the friendship and respect that the rappers have for each other. This is seen most clearly in songs such as “Significant Other” or “Long Story Short.” Not only does this album have songs with a deeper meaning behind them, but songs where the two of them are clearly having fun like “Crazy Thick” and “P.P.A.”Although this album is a little one-note, the iconic duality of Lil Wayne and 2Chainz simply cannot be beaten. The most notable songs are “G6,” “Shame,” “Presha,” and “Long Story Short.”

Honorable Mention: Sunday Dinner by Nick Grant

Nick Grant released SUNDAY DINNER in September of 2023. Grant’s flow and introspective lyrics fit well with the light, rhythmic production. It’s clear that Grant is influenced by rappers such as Jay-Z, Nas, and Andre 3000 who all share a similar vein of soundscapes. Grant raps about matters such as self-confidence, gratitude, potential, and modern issues. Many different styles of production were used, including intricate sample flips and layered instrumentation. “COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS,” “KNOW YOUR WORTH/GRANDMA SAID,” “BRAVO,” and “CATCH THIS FADE” are some high points off the album.