Not every album is Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly or Nas’ Illmatic. Not every album is critically acclaimed to be mentioned with the greatest albums of all time. In actuality, those timeless and classic albums are so infrequent. They only come around once every few years or so.
What comes around more frequently though are the albums that get overlooked for some reason. It’s almost like an album can’t be considered a classic or great unless it has top notch lyricism. I disagree with that notion. There is so much more that goes into an album than just words. Whether it is the production, instrumentation, or the vocal performances, albums have a lot more to offer than just clever words and punchlines.
This list takes a look at 10 albums that you may have missed out on. All of these albums do things very well that is not just limited to lyrics. Some of them have great production, some have a great concept, and some just sound really good. With all of that being said, take a look 10 albums that you should REALLY check out if you haven’t already…
Twenty88 – Big Sean and Jhene Aiko
Release Date: April 1, 2016
Most Popular Song(s): On The Way
Features: K-Ci & JoJo, Detail
What makes Twenty88 so underrated yet so great?
Twenty88 is a concept album by Big Sean and Jhene Aiko that explores the highs and lows of a real relationship. At the time in 2016, the two weren’t in an actual relationship yet but in the album they were. Their musical chemistry is evident on the project. What is so cool about this album is that they included a nearly 15 minute video with its release that features the majority of the songs on the project. This album was criminally overlooked in my opinion.
The Evolution of Robin Thicke – Robin Thicke
Release Date: October 3, 2006
Most Popular Song(s): Lost Without U, Can U Believe, Wanna Love U Girl
Features: Faith Evans, Pharrell, Lil Wayne
What makes The Evolution of Robin Thicke so underrated yet so great?
“Lost Without U” was a massively successful hit in 2007 that, for many of us, was our first introduction to Robin Thicke. Before his commercial detour with “Blurred Lines” in 2013, Thicke’s music was more niche R&B. In my opinion, that is where his strengths lie. The Evolution of Robin Thicke is an insanely great R&B project aside from its singles. Songs like “Wanna Love U Girl” with Pharrell and “All Night Long” with Lil Wayne are true gems on this project. It is a smooth listen throughout the 60+ minute album.
Last Train To Paris – Diddy-Dirty Money
Release Date: December 13, 2010
Most Popular Song(s): Coming Home, Hello Good Morning, Angels
Features: Lil Wayne, Drake, Justin Timberlake, Rick Ross, Chris Brown, Notorious B.I.G., Wiz Khalifa, Skylar Grey, T.I., Usher, Seven Streeter, Trey Songz, Swizz Beatz, Grace Jones, Bilal, James Fauntleroy, and Nicki Minaj
What makes Last Train To Paris so underrated yet so great?
Last Train To Paris might be one of the most underrated projects I’ve heard in my entire life. I remember being quite hesitant to purchase this album when I had went to Best Buy in early 2011 to find a new CD. This was back when you had to purchase an album before you truly knew if you’d like it or not. At least, this was the legal way. But I can say that it was a great decision in buying the album.
Sonically, Last Train To Paris was ahead of its time in 2010 and still sounds new a decade later. Diddy really collaborated with some amazing producers to compile a great album. He also used his far reach within the industry to gather the top artists in the world to contribute to this album. I listened to this album for months and never got tired of it. It offers something for everyone to enjoy. It is really tragic that this album did not get more praise for just how revolutionary it is.
Careless World: Rise Of The Last King – Tyga
Release Date: February 21, 2012
Most Popular Song(s): Rack City, Faded, Make It Nasty
Features: Lil Wayne, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Pharrell, Busta Rhymes, Robin Thicke, Nas, Wale, Big Sean, Marsha Ambrosius, T-Pain, Chris Richardson, Wynter Gordon
What makes Careless World: Rise Of The Last King so underrated yet great?
This album being on this list probably will surprise most people. Tyga has become well known for just making club bangers. But I can honestly say that Careless World: Rise Of The Last King is a very solid album in its entirety. It does feature some of the biggest hits of his career (“Rack City” and “Faded”). But it also tells a story and gives background into his life. I was quite surprised with just how much substance the album has. It is very introspective on many songs and that is something that I really look for in albums that I listen to. If you don’t believe me, listen to “Let it Show” featuring J. Cole and “I’m Gone” featuring Big Sean and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
R O Y A L T Y – Childish Gambino
Release Date: July 4, 2012
Features: Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Nipsey Hussle, Bun B, RZA, Chance The Rapper, Beck, Danny Brown, Danielle Haim, Ghostface Killah, Steve G. Lover III, Josh Osho, Kilo Kush, Alley Boy, Swank, Tina Fey, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Gonage
What makes R O Y A L T Y so underrated yet great?
R O Y A L T Y, which is a mixtape, makes this list because it never gets brought up when discussing Childish Gambino’s top projects and that annoys me. When discussing his discography, Because the Internet, Camp, and Awaken, My Love are the main albums that are mentioned. I get it; really I do. But R O Y A L T Y is actually my favorite Childish Gambino album to listen to and this is coming from a huge fan. This mixtape is so great because it feels like this was Gambino letting the world know that he wasn’t just Troy from Community anymore. He was able to snag features from some of the most respected artists in the game at the time. On this project too, he introduced his fans to Chance the Rapper who would go on to release the critically acclaimed Acid Rap project about a year later. R O Y A L T Y is Childish Gambino without label restrictions. I highly suggest checking this project out if you haven’t.
Motion – Calvin Harris
Release Date: October 31, 2014
Most Popular Song(s): Summer, Blame, Outside
Features: Ellie Goulding, Big Sean, Alesso, John Newman, Gwen Stefani, HAIM, Tinashe, Hurts, All About She
What makes Motion so great?
I’ve really always loved Calvin Harris as a producer. The song that made me a fan was “Feel So Close” which was released in 2012. Motion was released 2 years later and had the hit “Summer” on it. This is an album that really is just fun to listen to. It is perfect for your workout playlist. “Love Now” featuring All About She is my favorite song on the album. Calvin Harris is one of the top producers in the world but what is particularly cool about him is his ability to compile the perfect artists for his songs. Motion does just that. Check it out.
Bush – Snoop Dogg
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Most Popular Song(s): Peaches N Cream
Features: Pharrell, Stevie Wonder, Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, Gwen Stefani, Charlie Wilson, and T.I.
What makes Bush so underrated yet so great?
I first listened to Bush because the album heard how the album is entirely produced by Pharrell. When Pharrell produces things, I listen. This album is just fun. Snoop Dogg doesn’t really even rap on the entire album. With the help of some great autotune, Snoop Dogg harmonizes his way through the entire project and it sounds great. When this album was released in 2015 I listened to it for months. It is a relatively short album that clocks in just above 40 minutes in length. Some of my favorite parts of the album are the little vocal additions that Charlie Wilson provides on most of the songs. Snoop really just sounds great on music produced by Pharrell. I revisit this album multiple times every year. It is most definitely worth a listen.
Big Baby DRAM – DRAM
Release Date: October 21, 2016
Most Popular Song(s): Broccoli
Features: Erykah Badu, Young Thug, Lil Yachty
What makes Big Baby DRAM so underrated yet so great?
I became a supporter of DRAM when I first heard him on Chance The Rapper’s Surf album from 2015. DRAM performed “Caretaker” which was a standout on that project. A year later, Chance went on to release Coloring Book which, again, featured DRAM singing “DRAM Sings Special”. So after 2 amazing performances, I had to check out his debut album when it was eventually released.
Big Baby DRAM is an album that meshes hip-hop with R&B in a way that you don’t see very often. It is one of my favorite albums that was released in 2016. If you really liked his songs on Chance’s albums then Big Baby DRAM is a must listen.
Passion Pain & Demon Slayin’ – Kid Cudi
Release Date: December 16, 2016
Most Popular Song(s): Surfin’
Features: Andre 3000, Pharrell, Travis Scott, Willow Smith
What makes Passion Pain & Demon Slayin’ so great?
I still wonder why Passion Pain & Demon Slayin’ did not get more hype from the massive group of Kid Cudi fans. For years, people have been clamoring for Cudi to get back to his famous sound and style from the Man on the Moon days of 2008-2010. In my opinion, Passion Pain & Demon Slayin’ is a true return to that form. The album features many of the same producers from Kid Cudi’s earlier albums. Plain Pat and Dot Da Genius handle the majority of the production on this album just like they did on MOTM1 and MOTM2. I found myself having major flashbacks to Cudi’s old work when listening to Passion Pain & Demon Slayin’. My theory for why this album was overlooked was that it came out so close to the Christmas holiday that it just flew under the radar of so many. Either way, if you a Kid Cudi fan and haven’t heard this album, go listen now!
SYRE – Jaden Smith
Release Date: November 17, 2017
Most Popular Song(s): Icon, Watch Me
Features: ASAP Rocky, Raury
What makes SYRE so great?
SYRE is another one of those albums that completely took me by surprise. I didn’t know what to expect from Jaden Smith when first listening to this album. I did know that I really loved “Icon” and I enjoyed Jaden’s contributions to Childish Gambino’s Kauai EP from 2014. SYRE is a project that just listens very well. You can tell that Jaden’s musical style is heavily influenced by Drake, Kid Cudi, and Childish Gambino. Jaden really goes out of his way to show his range as a rapper as well. The album also touches on a variety of topics and leaves the listener with a lot to think about. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed SYRE.
Thanks for checking out this list. Please let me know what you think of this or any of the above albums in the comments.
