Favourite Albums Of 2023

Another year has flown by where we received a boat load of music within the Hip-Hop and R&B world. As always each year brings the highs and the lows, but I was able to find the gems that ended up being some of my favourite albums of 2023. Similar to last year, I have curated a top 10 end of year list of my favourite projects to come out this year. I made a mid-year list back in July, and so we’ll see how many of those projects made it to the end of year list. My list is based on two things, how good the album was and how many times I returned to the album. So without further a do, here are my favourite albums of 2023.

10. Jorja Smith — Falling Or Flying

5 years on from her debut album Lost & Found, which was one of my favourite albums of 2018, Jorja Smith released her sophomore project Falling Or Flying in September. Breaking the sophomore jinx, Falling Or Flying sees Jorja reinvent herself as she sings on production we haven’t heard before and it paid off from the up-beat “Little Things” to the grand and heavy drummed “Try Me”. Jorja’s second album is fresh and different from her debut, and so far she hasn’t missed in her consistent discography.

9. Skyzoo & The Other Guys — The Mind of a Saint

The Mind Of a Saint came out thirteen days within the new year and has remained one of my favourite projects of this year. Incredibly creative, conceptual and cohesive. Skyzoo teamed up with The Other Guys for an album centred around the character of Franklin Saint, the main protagonist on the FX Series Snowfall. The Mind of a Saint seems to be an overlooked project this year and it’s a shame, because the album is filled with great production and great rapping. Full review

8. Cleo Sol — Gold

After the brilliance of her debut album Mother back in 2021, Cleo was back with two back to back projects this year. Heaven came first, and though it was a good project for the most part it it wasn’t consistently great. However, with Gold Cleo released a better project that was more commanding and catching, though still soulful. Tracks like “There Will Be No Crying” and “Lost Angel are particular highlights within the ten track LP. Genuinely one of the brightest talents within her generation, I continue to look forward towards more music.

7. Danny Brown — Quaranta

Reflective and emotional is the side we got from Danny Brown for his latest full length LP, Quaranta. The sequel to his 2011 classic album, XXX or commonly known as 30. Usually known for his eccentric and chaotic vocals and pitch, Danny opts for a more laidback and sombre approach. “Down With It” and “Shakedown” are examples of this, and perhaps sonically reflect where Danny is in life, trying to calm down. As a person who has listened to Danny for some time, this change of pace was different and enjoyable. Quaranta is a great follow up and is one of my favourite projects from the Detroit rapper.

6. KAYTRAMINÉ — KAYTRAMINÉ

My summer album of 2023, KAYTRANADA and Amine’s collab album KAYTRAMINÉ was consistently played during this summer and during my holiday. A true good summer album, Tracks such as “Eye” and “K&A” are some of my favourite songs of this year and both Amine and KAYTRANADA brought the best out of each other. The album made an immediate impact for me as it was included in my mid-year ranking soon after it came out and it’s position is intact for my end of year ranking. Full review

5. BOLDY JAMES & RICHGAINS — INDIANA JONES

Boldy James teamed up with producer RichGains to release another stellar project within Boldy’s catalogue. The Detroit MC continued his consistent run with January’s Indiana Jones. Similar to Skyzoo’s The Mind Of Saint, Indiana Jones has still remained one of my favourite projects even though it was released so early into 2023. The project is a thoroughly enjoyable and is another project that was overlooked in 2023, in my personal opinion it’s one of Boldy’s best efforts. Full review

4. EL MICHELS AFFAIR & BLACK THOUGHT - GLORIOUS GAME

Black Thought is 52 years at the time of writing, the Philly-bred MC has been rapping his socks off since the 1990s and is aging like fine wine. There’s not many rappers that can compete with Black Thought’s longevity and consistency. His collab album, Glorious Game, with El Michels Affair is another phenomenal project within his catalogue. The follow up on his 2022 collab album with Danger Mouse, Cheat Codes, which was also in my 2022 end of year top 10. Glorious Game is another great body of work with great bars and great production. Full review

3. CONWAY THE MACHINE — WON’T HE DO IT

Another year and another great project from Conway the Machine, does this man ever rest? 2023 saw Conway release his third LP and his follow up to 2022’s God Don’t Make Mistakes. Won’t He Do It like his previous efforts is filled with many great records, with particular highlights towards the album’s production and features. With tracks like “Brick Fare” and “Stab Out” being in constant rotation throughout the year, Won’t He Do It is my favourite LP from Conway. Let’s see what he does in 2024. Full review

2. Nas — Magic 3

Another rapper along with Black Thought who is aging like fine wine, is legendary Queensbridge MC, Nas. The man who released his debut album back in 1994, released two albums this year. The first was the sequel to his 2021 album Magic, which wasn’t great and was mixed bag. But out of the blue we got the third instalment of the Magic series two months later and it was the complete opposite. Magic 3 is the last collab album with Hit-Boy, and what a way to end the collaboration they have had by releasing their best work. Magic 3 almost made it to number one, as it’s damn near perfect from top to bottom.

1. LARRY JUNE & THE ALCHEMIST — THE GREAT ESCAPE

Still holding on to the number one spot since it came out in March, as mentioned before Larry June and The Alchemist did not disappoint with their new collab album, The Great Escape. The album contains both great singles and great album cuts. Its been in constant rotation for me, which is the main reason why it beat Magic 3 to the top spot. To provide context, Larry June was my fifth most streamed artist this year and The Great Escape was the only thing I played from him this year, which shows how much I played this album. Alchemist again had another phenomenal year as a producer, and this project was his biggest highlight. Providing perfect production that fitted well with Larry’s style. Hopefully we get a sequel in the near future. Full review