Top Rap Albums of 2019

Andrew Munger

Here are the top albums of 2019:

3. Zuu- Denzel Curry

Denzel Curry’s album Zuu comes in at #3. Zuu is Denzel Curry’s 4th album which was released by Loma Vista Recordings on May 31. Although the billboard ranks (peak at #32) do not show why we have Zuu at #3, you have to really listen to know why. Curry was named the best lyrical artist of 2019 by Genius. As a child in Carol City, Florida, Curry started making music when he was only six. Curry’s album shares some of his childhood memories and the rise of fame he experienced with some friends while losing some on the way.

Curry’s album has 12 songs on it. The most streamed song on the album is “RICKY” (with a little over 42 million on Spotify). “RICKY” is the most popular song on the album probably for the hook on the song.

Zuu also has some big name rappers featured on it as well in Rick Ross (“BIRDZ”), Tay Keith (“AUTOMATIC”), Kiddo Marv (“WISH”), Ice Billion Berg (“CAROLMART”), Sam Sneak (“SHAKE 88”), PlayThatBioZay (“P.A.T.”).

While Zuu does not look like a huge success to some, Curry’s album ended up having over 17K in first week sales. Denzel Curry released Zuu with only freestyling the whole album. Curry and his crew decided to go into the studio and make a new album that would show the art of rap. Zuu was about his childhood city because in an interview with Genius he said, “Stuff I was freestyling always related back to what I was doing when I was living in Miami.”

2. IGOR- Tyler the Creator

Tyler, the Creator’s album IGOR comes in at #2. IGOR is Tyler, the Creators 5th studio effort and was released by Columbia Records on May 17. Billboard ranked IGOR #1 on June 1st, as it was the first time in the Creator’s first time holding that spot. His album has been a huge success as IGOR is considered to be his best album. IGOR ended up having over 165K in first week sales.

Tyler the Creator’s album has 12 songs on it. “EARFQUAKE” being the most streamed song on the album with over 250 million on Spotify. Although IGOR gives out no credit to any other artists for features, IGOR has a bunch of artists. They span from Kanye West, Lil Uzi Vert, Pharrell, Playboi Carti, Cee Lo Green, and many more.

On January 26, Tyler the Creator was performing at the Grammys for the first time. Later in the night he won a Grammy for Best Rap Album. In Tyler the Creator’s acceptance speech for his Grammy, he personally thanked Pharrell as he was a huge role model for IGOR. His album will change how people look at the rap game and the beauty it can bring.

1.Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial- Roddy Ricch

Roddy Ricch’s album Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial comes in at #1. Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial is Roddy Ricch’s 3rd album which was released by Atlantic Records on December 6. Roddy was nominated for a Grammy, with Nipsey Hustle, for Best Rap Performance. With Ricch’s album dropping in late 2019, he will be an artist everyone will watch what he will do in 2020. His album currently is still in the Billboard Top 100 at #4 and when released jumped all the way to the top. In the first week of the albums release, he had over 101K in first week sales.

Roddy Ricch’s album has 16 songs on it. His biggest hit “The Box ” has been at the top spot for 4 weeks in a row and will most likely stay there for the 5th week. “The Box ”, which is the most popular for its hook, has been Roddy Ricch’s best song in his career which has a total of 200 million streams on Spotify.

Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial also has plenty of rap stars that have features on his album. Artists like Gunna (“Start Wit Me”), Lil Durk (“Moonwalkin”), Meek Mill (“Peta”), Mustard (“High Fashion”), Ty Dolla $ign (“Bacc Seat”), and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie (“Tip Toe”).

With Roddy Ricch’s album, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial, being the best rap album of 2019, plenty of single hits, and plenty of features he will look to become the next big thing. Only being 21, Roddy Ricch has plenty of time and potential to become the best rapper in the world. Also with already one Grammy under his belt he will look to win many more in his career.