The year 2024 was a prolific year for music of all genres. From country to pop, the music industry received so many unforgettable albums, singles, and tours. However, one genre in particular had a really standout year: rap. The quality of rap and hip-hop music produced in this year cannot be understated. Join me as I look back on my personal favorite releases from 2024 and discuss what makes them so noteworthy.
To start off, I want to highlight JPEGMAFIA’s newest album, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU. Released in August, this album carried me through the summer months. I would describe his sound as experimental and intense, yet deeply satisfying and genre-blending. He seemingly mixes sounds of hip-hop, punk, and electronic music to create tracks that scratch my brain while simultaneously pumping me up. A great example of this is found in his newest songs “SIN MIEDO” and “i scream in this mirror before i interact with anyone,” which often blend loud, grunge guitar riffs with the familiar drums and 808s of modern rap. He sometimes finds samples in unique places, ranging from Fortnite emotes to sound bytes from popular television shows like Succession. This album is perfect for those who enjoy a wide spectrum of tones. The standout track for me is “Don’t Put Anything On the Bible.” Its two minute intro features heavenly vocals by Buzzy Lee paired with ethereal choirs, violins, and acoustic guitar, which transitions into a mellow verse where Peggy (the nickname JPEGMAFIA’s fans have given to him) opens up about his relationship hardships and his struggles with building a career from the ground up.
Next, let’s discuss the newest release CHROMAKOPIA from (my personal favorite artist of all time) Tyler, The Creator. As a die-hard Tyler fan, I may be biased, but I’ve never anticipated a piece of music more than this album. Released on October 27, CHROMAKOPIA is Tyler’s most personal album to date. This album deals with a plethora of personal is
sues like the paranoia of being constantly harassed by paparazzi and fans, the stress of having children, the fear of getting old, and the existential crisis of looking like your father that you never met. This deeply personal tone makes the album relatable; even if you’re not in Tyler’s exact situation, his lyrics resonate on many levels. Featuring an impressive lineup of artists like Daniel Caesar, Lil Wayne, ScHoolboy Q, Doechii, Sexyy Red, and Lola Young, the album fuses hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and gospel music. The personal lyrics combined with Tyler’s stellar production provides for an unforgettable listening experience. He often uses instruments like synths, brass instruments, and piano with kicks and 808s to craft dreamy soundscapes that keep me pressing the replay button. Tyler is also not a stranger to interesting samples: He uses bits from psychedelic Zamrock songs like “Nizakupanga Ngozi” on the song “Noid” and elements of 1978 Japanese pop song “Yo-ro-ko-bi” by Akiko Yano on the song “Balloon.”
Finally another album I heard this year that blew me away was Childish Gambino’s Bando Stone and The New World. This soundtrack album accompanies an upcoming film starring Gambino, and I had the privilege of seeing this album performed live on tour in August. Similar to the other two albums I’ve discussed, the range of music present here is remarkable. The explosive opener “H3@RT$ W3RE M3@NT T0 F7¥” transports you into a new world created by Donald Glover (Childish Gambino’s real name). It is important to note that Glover announced that this would be his last album under the Childish Gambino moniker and possibly his last album ever. So, the project acts as a goodbye letter to the character of Childish Gambino that we love. Tracks like “No Excuses” stand out for their emotional depth, with Glover’s lyrics and Grammy-winning composer Ludwig Goransson’s astral production providing a comforting escape during a personal turbulent time in my life. On the other hand, there is still just enough songs to head bang to like “Yoshinoa” and “Got To Be.” These songs are where we really see Gambino’s flamboyant rapping side that we saw in his earliest LP Camp.
This year brought us many phenomenal releases from artists like Kendrick Lamar’s GNX and Eminem’s The Death of Slim Shady that I wish I could dive into, but these three albums stood out to me the most. Whether I connected emotionally to the songs or just loved their sound, they have become a staple in my playlist. I hope you’ll give them a listen and find your own connection to them.
