Usually, these favourite albums lists are done in December; but I was like fuck that, I want to party. And party, I did. There are some things that we can leave behind in 2017 – the music is not one those things. We had a lot of interesting music in 2017; I wish I could have listened to allof, but it’s also fine.
Without further ado, my favourite albums of 2017 (in no order):
1) Wiley – Godfather
We start off with some Grime tings, yuh don know. Wiley is the OG of grime. Majority of grime cats that I listen to look up to him. I read that this was Wiley’s last album. It’s a damn shame, because it’s my 1st album listening to him. This here will get you hyped AF, fam!
2) Rick Ross – Rather You Than Me
What I liked the most about this album is that he opened up more to the listener. I mean he told us that he suffered a stroke in the first damn song! This was an important album for him because his last ones weren’t good. You can trust Ross to bring the luxury beats that make you buy boating shoes – even if you have no boat.
3) Jidenna – The Chief
The Classic Man. I had doubt that he had bars until I heard Long Live The Chief. He’s nice with it. He dropped, in my opinion, the most genre bending album I’ve heard for 2017. From pop to afrobeats to trap to boom bap & it all works. He’s on to something, hey.
4) Freddie Gibbs – You Only Live 2wice
About 18 months ago, Freddie Gibbs was awaiting trial in an Austrian jail for sexual assault charges. However, he was later acquitted from the charges due to lack of evidence. He was rapping like a man who was not sure of his future because he blacked the fuck out here!
5) Joey BadaSS – All Amerikkkan Bada$$
Joey surprised me, no lie. I thought that I was gonna hear another boom bap type of album. The soundscape is more live instrumentation with lush grooves and a dash of boom bap. I like this change. What said the same is the hunger in his bars; he’s still conscious AF.
6) Lady Zamar – King Zamar
I wanna start by sayimg that I loooove Lady Zamar’s voice. I’d pay her to sing me to sleep. She wanted to show the world that she is more than a house vocalist, which is ironic as the best songs on the album are house songs, haha. Very solid album.
7) Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
This was probably the most hyped album of the 1st quarter of 2017. Was he going to continue the conscious path of To Pimp a Butterfly? Nope, he decided to go pop. Which is fine, because he did it in a way that it was not corny. I don’t care who you are, if you make corny music, deuces!
8) Shane Eagle – Yellow
If you knew Shane Eagle from the days of The Hustle & listened to this album, you would not think they are the same gent because wow wow wow! A very mature album for a 21 year old. Sonically consistent with the right mixture of trap & boom bap. What a way to introduce yourself to the game.
9) Goldlink – At What Cost
I found out about Goldlink through Kaytranada of the bouncy tunes. I was convinced after hearing the first 3 songs. I like the way he fits his words around the beats, he does it like no one else. The theme of the album is a refreshing take on trying to make it out of the hood.
10) Calvin Harris – Funk Wav Bounces Vol 1
I imagine myself driving down Cape Town’s Marine Drive in a drop top while listening to this album. Funky AF with a hint of luxury. He’s got a lot of rappers on here & I’m glad that he didn’t become Calvin Trap Beats. The light-hearted vibe is consistent; this is a sunset & sundowners album.
11) Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer
A very complete album from Romelu Lukaku’s twin brother. Haha, just kidding. He can talk about wrecking shit in 1 track, disclose his struggles with depression in another while trying to get closer with God in another ‘nother one. Another win for grime.
12) Rouge – The New Era Sessions
Rouge is, in my opinion, the best pound-for-pound rapper in South African rap right now. She goes hard on every track I’ve heard her in. The album was a good way to get into the game. She can sing well too.
13) 2 Chainz – Pretty Girls Like Trap
Best. 2 Chainz. Album. EVER! He really stepped it up on this one. The backdrops are as luxurious as his raps. I like him but it took me a while to like him as a rapper. Let’s hope he keeps it like this.
14) Damian Marley – Stony Hill
The most famous Marley after Bob & Rita is back. Well, not like he ever lost but here we are. Jr Gong came through with another no skip album for a good ragga time. I almost thought of buying a one way ticket to Jamaica.
15) dvsn – Morning After
Wooooo, this album is sexy AF! I think that God sent these guys to remind us that 90s R&B never died, it just repackaged itself. Anyone that can sample Maxwell is good in my books. Drake has a good asset in dvsn (pronounced division), let’s hope he nurtures it well.
16) Wizkid – Sounds From the Other Side
The prince of Afrobeats did not disappoint with this one. I like that he took a few musical risks & they worked for him. It helps that he got assists from some of the biggest artists from the States & they could fit into the Afro tinged grooves. He’ll make you dance.
17) SZA – Ctrl
The First Lady of TDE came through clean on this one. I like this more than her last album. I heard someone called this the album for side chicks. Well, I don’t know about that, all I know is that this is a dope album.
18) Jay Em – The September Blueprint
Technically, it’s a 4 track EP but it still bangs. The house beats are offbeat yet are organized. You can hear the Kaytranada influence. I can see why Kid Fonque signed them to his label. I’ll look out for them in 2018.
19) Cassper Nyovest – Thuto
Cassper’s last album was not good. He probably knew it too. There is big improvement here. The first half of Thuto is basically an open diary. The party songs are also good. Man even went to perform for over 70 000 people at the FNB Stadium. You can’t fill up a World Cup stadium with a wack album, ya dig?
Now, for the honourable mentions:
20) Tyler, The Creator – Flower Boy
21) Emtee – Manando
22) Distruction Boyz – Gqom is The Future
23) AKA & Anatii – Be Careful What You Wish For
24) Jay-Z – 4:44
25) House Afrika & Born In Soweto Present – AmaPiano Volume 3
The 19th Letter 