2019, in my opinion was overall a down year for music but that doesn’t mean there weren’t some great projects that were released. As the last year of the 2010s decade comes to a close, it is fit that I take a look back at the top 10 albums that were released during the year.
10. Port of Miami 2 – Rick Ross
Release Date: August 9, 2019
Top Tracks: Rich N***a Lifestyle, Nobody’s Favorite, BIG TYME, Fascinated, Gold Roses, Vegas Residency, White Lines
Features: Wale, Gunplay, Summer Walker, DeJ Loaf, Swizz Beatz, Meek Mill, Nipsey Hussle, Teyana Taylor, Jeezy, YFN Lucci, Ball Greezy, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Denzel Curry, John Legend, Lil Wayne, Drake
esLists.com’s Analysis: Port of Miami 2 is the sequel to Rick Ross’ first studio album, Port of Miami, which was released in 2006. POM2 doesn’t quite live up to the success of the first album but it is a very strong effort. Ross’ ear for top notch beats continues on this project. “Rich N***a Lifestyle” featuring Teyana Taylor and the late great Nipsey Hussle truly is a standout on the project. Port Of Miami 2 is Rick Ross’ tenth studio album and it has everything that longtime fans of the rapper have come to expect.
esLists.com’s Rating: 73/100
9. So Much Fun – Young Thug
Release Date: August 16, 2019
Top Tracks: Sup Mate, Ecstasy, Hot, What’s the Move, I’m Scared, Surf, Mannequin Challenge
Features: Future, Machine Gun Kelly, Gunna, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Duke, 21 Savage, Doe Boy, Lil Keed, Quavo, Juice WRLD, NAV, J. Cole, Travis Scott
esLists.com’s Analysis: Young Thug is quite possibly the most influential rappers of the entire decade. His innovative flows and delivery have birthed an entire new generation of artists. He continues that on So Much Fun. Almost every song on the album feels like it could be played on commercial radio. So Much Fun is easily one of the best albums of 2019.
esLists.com’s Rating: 76/100
8. When I Get Home – Solange
Release Date: March 1, 2019
Top Tracks: Things I Imagined, Way to the Show, Almeda, Dreams, Binz
Features: Playboi Carti, Sampha, Gucci Mane, Standing on the Corner
esLists.com’s Analysis: When I Get Home is the follow-up to Solange’s critically acclaimed A Seat at the Table album from 2016. This soulful project has multiple songs which are named after streets and areas in Solange’s hometown of Houston, Texas. As she did on her previous album, When I Get Home continues on the themes of black excellence and black empowerment. All in all, When I Get Home is a project that takes a few listens to get adjusted to but is still very enjoyable nonetheless.
esLists.com’s Rating: 79/100
7. Hollywood’s Bleeding – Post Malone
Release Date: September 6, 2019
Top Tracks: Saint-Tropez, Enemies, A Thousand Bad Times, Circles, Staring At The Sun, Sunflower, Goodbyes
Features: DaBaby, Future, Halsey, Meek Mill, Lil Baby, SZA, Swae Lee, Young Thug, Ozzy Osbourne, Travis Scott
esLists.com’s Analysis: Hollywood’s Bleeding really solidifies Post Malone’s place as one of the most popular recording artists in the world. It features four massive singles (Sunflower, Wow, Goodbyes, and Circles) which have have had major success worldwide. It is apparent on the project that Post Malone has mastered the ability to create catchy and successful hits which consistently sit atop radio and streaming service charts alike. Post Malone has figured out his own unique musical formula for success and Hollywood’s Bleeding is great for that reason.
esLists.com’s Rating: 81/100
6. Revenge of the Dreamers III – Dreamville
Release Date: July 5, 2019
Top Tracks: Under The Sun, Down Bad, Swivel, Oh Wow…Swerve, Self Love, Ladies Ladies Ladies, Costa Rica, MIDDLE CHILD
Dreamville Artists: J. Cole, Bas, Cozz, Omen, Lute, Ari Lennox, EarthGang, J.I.D.
Features: DaBaby, T.I, Young Nudy, Buddy, Reason, Maxo Kream, Mez, Ty Dolla Sign, Dreezy, Vince Staples, Ty Dolla Sign, Dreezy, Smino, Saba, Guapdad 4000, Childish Major, Zoink Gang, Key!, Buddy, Yung Baby Tate, DaVionne, Baby Rose, Reese Laflare, Jace, SmokePurpp, Ski Mask the Slump God, Mereba, Deante’ Hitchcock, and St. Beauty
esLists.com’s Analysis: Revenge of the Dreamers III is a massive project by J. Cole’s Dreamville record label. Over 340 artists and producers were invited to the recording sessions for this project. After the 10 days of the recording sessions, over 140 songs were recorded. The final project ended up with 18 songs with contributions from 35 artists and 27 producers. The project features the largely successful single “MIDDLE CHILD” by J. Cole and the GRAMMY nominated song “Down Bad”. It is a great compilation album from the record label that listens very well.
esLists.com’s Rating: 84/100
5. uknowhatimsayin¿ – Danny Brown
Release Date: October 4, 2019
Top Tracks: Change Up, Dirty Laundry, Savage Nomad, Best Life, uknowhatimsayin¿, Combat
Features: Run The Jewels, Obongjayar, JPEGMAFIA, Blood Orange
esLists.com Analysis: uknowhatimsayin¿ is Danny Brown’s long awaited follow-up album to Atrocity Exhibition from 2016. Q-Tip serves as the album’s executive producer. Lyrically, Danny Brown is in his prime on this project. uknowhatimsayin¿ is clever, funny, and compelling all at the same time. It is also less dark than some of his earlier albums. Brown’s keen ability to employ and use a variety of flows within songs is present throughout the album. “Best Life” produced solely by Q-Tip is one of my favorite songs in all of 2019. uknowhatimsayin¿ is easily one of the best albums of 2019.
esLists.com Rating: 85/100
4. IGOR – Tyler, The Creator
Release Date: May 17, 2019
Top Tracks: EARFQUAKE, I THINK, NEW MAGIC WAND, A BOY IS A GUN*, WHAT’S GOOD, GONE GONE
Features: Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, Solange, Kanye West, Jerrod Carmichael
esLists.com’s Analysis: Tyler, The Creator handles the entirety of the production on IGOR. It is Tyler’s fifth studio album and has since been nominated for a GRAMMY in the “Best Rap Album” category. IGOR features Tyler in his most vulnerable state in which he professes his love for someone who still has feelings for their ex. Sonically, IGOR is very complex and unique. In my opinion, IGOR doesn’t quite match the greatness of Flower Boy (2017), but it is a very solid project nonetheless.
esLists.com’s Rating: 86/100
3. Ventura – Anderson .Paak
Release Date: May 17, 2019
Top Tracks: Come Home, Make It Better, Reachin’ 2 Much, Yada Yada, Chosen One, Twilight
Features: Andre 3000, Smokey Robinson, Lalah Hathaway, Jazmine Sullivan, Sonyae Elise, Brandy, Nate Dogg
esLists.com’s Analysis: Anderson .Paak’s Ventura album might possibly be my most played album of the entire year. It is a very soulful project which features .Paak in his element. The themes of love, relationships, and conflict resolution on Ventura are so relatable as well. Ventura is easily one of the best projects of 2019.
esLists.com Rating: 88/100
2. Eve – Rapsody
Release Date: August 23, 2019
Top Tracks: Aaliyah, Maya, Michelle, Hatshepsut, Sojourner, Afeni
Features: J. Cole, D’Angelo, GZA, Queen Latifah, SiR, JID, PJ Morton, Elle Varner, Mereba, K. Roosevelt, Leikeli47
esLists.com’s Analysis: Eve by is Rapsody is an album in which the title of each song is named after an influential black woman. The album speaks heavily to the empowerment of black women and the hardships that they face on the daily. Rapsody is able to accomplish this so eloquently with her diction, samples used, and beat selection. It is truly a masterpiece of an album that is a must-listen if you have not heard it already.
esLists.com’s Rating: 90/100
1. Bandana – Freddie Gibbs and Madlib
Release Date: June 28, 2019
Top Tracks: Freestyle S**t, Half Manne Half Cocaine, Crime Pays, Massage Seats, Fake Names, Situations, Practice, Cataracts, Gat Damn, Education, Soul Right
Features: Pusha T, Killer Mike, Anderson .Paak, Yasiin Bey, Black Thought
esLists.com’s Analysis: Coming in a #1 on my list for the best albums of 2019 is Freddie Gibbs latest album, Bandana. This album, which is a collaborative effort with producer Madlib. Upon your first listen of Bandana, it is likely that you’ll notice the greatness of the production in which Madlib handled entirely on an iPad. Couple this grand production with Freddie Gibbs vast talent as a rapper and a classic is created. Gibbs is able to discuss so much on the album’s 15 tracks. It is undoubtedly the best album of 2019 and is a must-listen for all fans of hip hop.
esLists.com’s Rating: 92/100
Thank you so much for reading! Let me know in the comments and via social media what you think and what your personal favorite album of 2019 is.
