2022 featured a wide range of album releases from some of the biggest names in music. We got long awaited from SZA, Kendrick Lamar, and Beyoncé. Also, there were some albums released by newer artists that came and shook the game up! Whether you’re a fan of rap or R&B, there was an album for you in 2022. This latest esLists article takes a look at the best 10 albums from 2022 and ranks them. This article is by no means an exhaustive list. It is just the 10 best albums that I heard in their entirety in 2022. I’m sure I’ll discover some 2022 albums that I missed in 2023.
10. It’s Almost Dry – Pusha T
Release Date: April 22, 2022
Features: Kanye West, JAY-Z, Pharrell Williams, Kid Cudi, Lil Uzi Vert, Don Toliver, Nigo, Labrinth, MALICE
esLists.com’s Analysis: It’s Almost Dry comes in at #10 on the best albums of 2022 list. What’s special about this album is that the production is handled by two of the most well known hip-hop producers of all-time. On the 12 song album, Kanye produces 6 of the records while Pharrell Williams produces the other 6. It’s Almost Dry features a lot of the raps that you come to expect from Pusha T. The album is worth a listen.
9. Ramona Park Broke My Heart – Vince Staples
Release Date: April 8, 2022
Features: Lil Baby, Ty Dolla $ign, Mustard
esLists.com’s Analysis: Ramona Park is a neighborhood in the Long Beach area of California in which Vince Staples grew up. Ramona Park Broke My Heart is an album in which Vince Staples takes a trip down memory lane detailing what life was like growing up in southern California. The album is quite vulnerable and vivid. It’s a must listen album for West Coast rap fans.
8. Her Loss – Drake & 21 Savage
Release Date: November 4, 2022
Features: Travis Scott
esLists.com’s Analysis: Drake and 21 Savage’s controversial collaborative album comes in at #8 on this list. Her Loss largely deals with the two rappers airing out a variety of grievances they’ve had with exes as well as other known public figures. 21 Savage elevates his lyrical ability to the highest point of his career on this project. Her Loss is strong offering that has a little bit of something for everyone.
7. King’s Disease III – Nas
Release Date: November 11, 2022
Features: N/A
esLists.com’s Analysis: King’s Disease III is the third installment of Nas’ album collaboration series with producer Hit-Boy. The first King’s Disease album, released in 2020, resulted in Nas’ first every GRAMMY Award win. The 49 year old iconic rapper is in peak form on King’s Disease III. Nas uses this cut to reminisce on the past but also provides some OG wisdom to the next generation. To me, that is the most enjoyable part of the project. Instead of trying his best to remain young, Nas uses his platform and life experiences to enlighten the youth on the good (and bad) that comes with certain lifestyles. King’s Disease III is a must listen for fans of old school, more traditional hip-hop.
6. Soul Soul Separately – Freddie Gibbs
Release Date: September 30, 2022
Features: Kelly Price, Offset, Moneybagg Yo, Rick Ross, Anderson .Paak, Raekwon, DJ Paul, Push T, Musiq Soulchild, Scarface
esLists.com’s Analysis: Soul Sold Separately (also stylized as $oul $oul $eparately) is Freddie Gibbs’ 5th studio album and his first album release since his GRAMMY nominated Alfredo album from 2020. Gibbs compares his risky come-up as a rapper and drug dealer to the risky Las Vegas lifestyle of gambling. The album features voicemail excerpts placed for Freddie at the fictional “Triple S” Vegas style hotel. $oul $oul $eparately is a great listen from beginning to end and is one of the best albums of 2022.
5. SOS – SZA
Release Date: December 9, 2022
Features: Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott, Ol’ Dirty Bastard
esLists.com’s Analysis: SOS is SZA’s 2nd studio album which arrived over 5 years after her critically acclaimed CTRL album. Relatability is one thing that SZA pours into her music better than most. TDE’s songstress released what feels like an instant classic with SOS. It’s an ambient and smooth listen from track 1 to track 23. SOS, like CTRL, has the potential to be a culturally relevant album for many years to come.
4. Dawn FM – The Weeknd
Release Date: January 7, 2022
Features: Tyler, The Creator, Lil Wayne, Quincy Jones, Jim Carrey
esLists.com’s Analysis: Dawn FM was released at the top of 2022. It was actually announced on January 1, 2022 via an Instagram post. It’s one of The Weeknd’s lesser celebrated albums, but I truly feel it is one of his best. Dawn FM is a concept album that was sort of designed to sound like an “adult contemporary” radio station. It also features original excerpts from the legendary record producer, Quincy Jones as well as Canadian actor, Jim Carrey. Dawn FM doesn’t feature a radio single as big as “Blinding Lights” or “Starboy”, but it is quite possibly The Weeknd’s most cohesive offering to date.
3. Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers – Kendrick Lamar
Release Date: May 13, 2022
Features: Kodak Black, Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah, Sampha, Blxst, Amanda Reifer, Taylour Paige, Baby Keem, Sam Dew, Tanna Leone, Beth Gibbons
esLists.com’s Analysis: Kendrick’s 5th studio, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers comes in as the 3rd best album of 2022. It was released over 5 years after his previous album. As a matter of fact, this album’s first track mentions how this release comes exactly 1,855 days after the release of DAMN in 2017. It is the final album released by TDE before Kendrick makes the move over to his own media label, PGLang.
A lot has happened in the world since the DAMN album and Kendrick uses this latest album to touch on a wide range of subjects. From fatherhood, to social injustice, to relationship dynamics; Kendrick discusses relevant topics and still is able to create new sounds and flows that are not widely used in hip-hop today. Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers features production from many of best producers in music today. The album has a little bit of something for everyone and it is deep enough to remain in your rotation for many months to come.
2. Renaissance – Beyoncé
Release Date: July 29, 2022
Features: Grace Jones, Tems, Beam
esLists.com’s Analysis: Renaissance is Beyoncé’s first solo studio album since Lemonade in 2016. Fans have been eagerly awaiting this release and it did not disappoint. Renaissance almost feels like a celebration. It’s a celebration of self-expression and feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin. It features no shortage of the industry’s top writers and producers. The album seamlessly flows from track to track. Renaissance is intentionally a dance album, which may have caught some long-time fans off guard at first. But make no mistake, Renaissance is another classic in Beyoncé’s discography.
1. Gemini Rights – Steve Lacy
Release Date: July 15, 2022
Features: Fousheé, Matt Martians
esLists.com’s Analysis: Steve Lacy’s Gemini Rights is esLists.com’s top album of 2022. Steve Lacy, the longtime guitarist and vocalist of The Internet, put out a solo effort worthy of album of the year. With songs like “Bad Habit”, Lacy dominated and peaked at #1 on the the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Steve Lacy is reminiscent of a modern Prince and André 3000 on Gemini Rights. What’s so special about this project is that Lacy writes his records, plays instruments, and performs his songs. It is truly a project created from scratch. Gemini Rights is a must listen that sounds like nothing else that is being released in 2022. It stands on its own.
Thank you for reading this latest addition to esLists.com! I’m excited to see what music we get in 2023.
