JMW's Top 30 Albums of the Decade

Joseph Gaither

Dec 31, 20192 min read

Updated: Nov 3, 2020

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.