JMW's Top 30 Albums of the Decade

#commentary #lists #music #albums

photo courtesy of deep cuts via Youtube

As the New Year arrives in just some hours, I find it necessary to look at some of my PERSONAL favorite albums of the last decade. These albums have helped shape and mold me in various ways through the unique narratives and pictures that they have painted.

It was actually quite the task for me to really think about all of the albums that stimulated me lyrically, mentally, emotionally, and sonically. There were so many choices and don't get me confused there are other albums I would love to share, but I had to keep it limited. My list meshes both R&B / Hip-Hop because both of those genres are what makes me... me.

At the beginning of the decade I was a fresh 14 year-old, and as it ends, I am now 24. This past decade was very influential in helping me discover my love for Hip-Hop/R&B and music in general. The music that came from this decade sparked my love for music writing and I will always be grateful for it.

I decided on this list of albums based on their production, lyrical content, impact, and timelessness. Some of these albums have passed the test of time and continue to be played to this day. On the other hand, some of these albums are fairly fresh but possess those same previously stated qualities

I was actually nervous in creating this, because I know it may not be the list that everyone agrees with... but who cares? This collection of music helped me to grow up and will always mean so very much to me. These projects (in my opinion) also shaped and molded the culture and face of both Hip-Hop / R&B in so many ways that it simply cannot be described.

Check out my list of the top 30 albums of the Decade below:

(Disclaimer: There is NOT a particular order for the albums. I am simply listing them.)

1. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

2. Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday

3. Drake - Take Care

4. Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d. city

5. Chief Keef - Finally Rich

6. A$AP Rocky - LONG. LIVE. A$AP

7. Drake - Nothing Was The Same

8. Big Sean - Dark Sky Paradise

9. The Internet - Ego Death

10. Frank Ocean - Channel ORANGE

11. Justin Bieber - Journals

12. J. Cole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive

13. JAY Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne

14. Meek Mill - Dreams & Nightmares

15. ScHoolboy Q - Oxymoron

16. Future - DS2

17. Beyoncé - BEYONCÉ

18. Rihanna - ANTI

19. Kendrick Lamar - DAMN

20. SZA - CTRL

21. Migos - Culture

22. Solange - A Seat at the Table

23. Rick Ross - Mastermind

24. Chris Brown - X

25. Kehlani - SweetSexySavage

25. Jay Rock - Redemption

27. Ariana Grande - thank u, next

28. Snoh Aalegra - Ugh, those feels again

29. Travis Scott - Rodeo

30. Jhene Aiko - Trip