By Daniel Paiz
The 13th Annual Cypher Seven article is here, as we select 2024’s Seven Best Hip Hop albums and more. 2024 was different than 2023 and previous years in that it felt that Hip-Hop was largely about hype this year. The charts reflected that. Big names dropped projects that dominated streams and social media.
Criteria for deciding what qualified for 2024
Grading albums was figured out in 2023, and that same timeframe was used this year. Albums released between December 1st, 2023, and November 30th, 2024, were deemed to be eligible for consideration. Everything released December 1st, 2024 and later can be graded in 2025.
Figuring out the Seven Best Albums of 2024 required much patience. Album lengths continue to vary widely, with some artists even dropping five to six tracks in about 15 minutes. There’s never been a more free-flowing time when it comes to releasing a body of music. It almost seems as if the idea of an album isn’t really a goal or focus anymore; instead, it’s about getting live shows and just putting music out in general. Therefore, some projects considered were more EP than album, as the age of albums being the end goal has changed.
A sonic spectrum of ideas and beats across the board make up the seven chosen before you. The Honorable Mentions also were in the mix to make the Cypher Seven but fell short. Music from across the world and across several languages were graded this year.
In addition to the Seven Best and Honorable Mentions selections, other awards are again paused for this year (including best soundtracks/Hip-Hop adjacent projects). There’s so much fluctuation that it’s really hard to keep up with all of it. This year, the awards consist of the Seven Best, the Honorable Mention, and the Capital Steez Award (read that section for more info on the name). For your enjoyment (and ours), the Cypher Seven of 2024 follows below.
OUR SEVEN BEST ALBUMS OF 2024 ARE:
7. Ana Tijoux: Vida
Ana Tijoux might not be on your radar if you only listen to Hip-Hop in English. However, this Chilean artist has been around quite a while and has been tackling a number of topics while doing so. The veteran emcee/vocalist delivers a wide range of sounds and delivers intriguing rhymes. There’s a particular team-up with Talib Kweli and Plug 1 aka Posdnuos of De La Soul for the memorable track “Tu Sae” that will have you listening multiple times.
6. Vince Staples: Dark Times
Vince Staples has been pretty consistent with the work he puts out, but something feels different about this album. There’s growth exuding across these tracks, as Staples reflects on where he’s been and how he got to his present success. Obstacles in life can also shape one’s perception on life itself. There are lessons to be taken from difficulties. This project has a slice of life feel to it, mixed with retrospection that comes across as authentic and observatory.
5. Killer Mike: Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival, Songs For Sinners And Saints
Killer Mike is still frankly flying high on life after winning several Grammy awards for his previous album, Michael. This follow-up project is kind of like an after party spaced out a couple of months after the dust settles from the Grammys time period. There are boisterous lyrics with some very soulful vocals; Mike has surrounded himself with impressive singers that sound even better live. No Killer Mike album is complete without something to ponder on. There’s something here for most fans of Hip-Hop.
4. Blu & Exile: Love (the) Ominous World
These beats are so soulful as Exile laces his instrumental magic for Blu to rhyme along. Blu delivers reflective yet forward-thinking rhymes throughout, and it makes for a very enjoyable project. This album has even more of a West Coast sound to it than usual for these two. Later songs on the track list have experiences that teach as much as they entertain. Experience is something that naturally comes out at some point from veteran artists, and there’s some good stuff here to absorb.
3. Rapsody: Please Don’t Cry
This album is introspective from the jump. Rapsody’s storytelling is reflective, and yet simultaneously, also has a fluid stream of consciousness feel. As only few artists out there can consistently do, Raps makes you want to listen. There is a spectrum of life’s experiences scattered across these tracks. This is a wonderful, complete album that will be worth revisiting for years to come.
2. CZARFACE: CZARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE
These guys keep delivering pop culture references mixed in with slick rhymes and classic Boom Bap-type beats. There might not be another model of consistency when it comes to putting out albums in recent memory. Inspectah Deck has rhymes for days about whatever you might be interested in, and Esoteric and 7L craft beats that fit his sound. If it weren’t for the comic book album covers these guys might be under the radar even more than they are now.
1. Lupe Fiasco: Samurai
Lupe Fiasco is determined to continue delivering his brand of rhymes, and there’s a lot packed into these tracks. The lyrics Lupe layers over these smoothly laced beats are rhymes that other folks aren’t even thinking of doing, let alone attempting. There’s a code of conduct Lupe seemingly displays in this project, and it’s one that is being followed less and less these days. There were lots of good albums put out this year that relied on storytelling; there’s no problem with that. However, there has been a slight avoidance of lyrical dexterity and multisyllabic rhymes. Mastering the ability to combine storytelling and lyrical versatility is something worth appreciating.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
- Common & Pete Rock – The Auditorium, Volume 1
- Mozzy – Children of the Slums
- Big Sean – Better Me Than You
Storytelling and sharing what one has been through were major aspects of Hip-Hop this year. Vulnerability was still present, but it wasn’t quite as front and center as it had been in 2023. Lots of projects gaining ears and eyes the world over were really quite focused on braggadocio and conflict. While those things are certainly part of Hip-Hop, they are not the core of the culture or the music. Some projects didn’t make this list because of the devotion to conflict or braggadocio above all else.
There was no clear front runner as album grading unfolded. Grading began in early December, and due to the large volume of projects it finally concluded in the waning hours of 2024. One particular result that stands out would be two women making the Best Seven (Ana Tijoux, Rapsody), as well as the first Spanish album (Ana Tijoux, Vida). Albums not in English have been considered before, but none had made the Best Seven or Honorable Mention.
Thankfully, all of the projects listed give you something different to jam.
THE CAPITAL STEEZ AWARD (OR THE ARTIST WE WISHED WE KNEW MORE ABOUT AWARD):
Stella Standingbear
[Capital Steez was a member of Pro Era and had a number of unique mixtapes. Steez’s life sadly ended years ago, and this award is given to artists who are offering something dope and unique to the masses.]
This award typically goes out to newer, under the radar types that are not getting their just dues; Stella Standingbear is working on changing that right now. Being an independent artist is hard work, especially when said artist also manages things, books things, writes, and performs. Going solo at anything takes time, patience, and a game plan of sorts.
Support from those who appreciate Standingbear’s work certainly helps, and each new listener for an indie artist is paramount. Stella is spreading their work and message as they see fit; that’s what Steez and Pro Era did when they were working on their stuff. While the independent game has been the go-to route for some time now, that leads to there being more and more creatives vying for the same number of eyeballs and ear canals. Standingbear will gain more listeners and notice in 2025.
That concludes the 13th Annual Cypher Seven: 2024’s Seven Best Hip-Hop albums and more. I want to thank everyone for reading this article, and for checking out previous work on Cypher Sessions. Whether you’ve been here since 2012 or just started reading it is truly appreciated.
There’s no group of people putting this together. Instead, the author of this article is the one tweaking and reworking. Writing and editing takes time. Every time the above work is read and/or shared, this writer appreciates it. If you enjoy these artists, check out their work, and if you enjoy these words, please share them, comment, talk about them, get them to people you know.
Here’s to the close of 2024 and well wishes for 2025. It’s time to be even better, through consistency and community. Take care and keep reading.
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