With 16 tracks that move from the trap, to the clubs, to the gutter, and back again, Trap or Die 3 is potent enough to leave listeners fiending for his next hit.

The LP finds Meek at his most concise and focused in some time. All 17 songs carry that raw, kinetic emotion that has made Meek such a force to be reckoned with but they are also much more dialed in and concentrated than anything on DC4 or his Meekend Music series.

J. Cole is righfully satisfied with the end product, as will the fans.

The Roots have not only proven once again that they are one of hip-hop’s most consistent acts, but also one of the genre’s most important.

The Wonder Years will be remembered with great fondness.

The project is one of his best thus far by virtue of him composing an album in which listeners can empathize with how he views religion ("Hallelujah"), the club ("Ball"), women ("Guns and Roses," "Can You Learn," and "Crusin'") and so forth.

Though Keys to the Kuffs is no magnum opus, occupying a place just a notch under Take Me To Your Leader in terms of execution, it is an important step for the veteran.

Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight is a roller coaster ride of an experience, with an endless amount of highlights, whether it be an indelible hook here or timely guest verse there.

Truly, a thrilling upgrade of signature East Coast delivery in the new age and one of the best albums of the year to date.

Bravely, Boogie has given us something true, something we can feel. Even if it hurts.

There is no denying how pleasantly digestible Victory Lap, despite the minor idleness. The beats bump, the flows follow suit and the messages of humbly hustling are crystal clear.

With his latest effort, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, the 37-year-old Dungeon Family elite again tackles fresh sonic landscapes while remaining nimble with verbal wizardry.

Swimming merges enlightening, candid rhymes over funky beats, providing a transparent look at how Mac Miller hit a personal rock bottom and his vigorous climb to save himself.

[It's the] astute observations on the human condition and keen self-awareness that set this effort apart.

Though he may no longer be quite the underdog he once was, rapping like it--at least for no--still works

Saigon's second LP offers a sizable amount of diversity over fitting instrumentals, exhibiting how much he has evolved as a rapper by personifying his bars to reflect his music and his life.

The project feels unified, and the three artists mesh well with one another throughout.

Diehard fans of Joey Bada$$’ older, more minimalist will applaud the latter half of the album. Whereas the top half dozen songs flex Joey’s evolved songwriting and beat selection, the bottom has Statik Selektah handling a few more beats and thus opening up Joey’s perfect in-pocket rhyming.

While Astroworld has some slight flaws, the project is Travis' best, most-progressive and most-well-rounded album to date.

HNDRXX is a reminder that no matter how hard he tries to shun his reputation as a hitmaker, Future remains one of the most reliable acts in mainstream music, his reluctance aside.

The multi-talented artist has indeed gotten better, steadily working towards perfecting his crafts.

Cherry Bomb is his greatest achievement thus far, solidifying his place in the game, with or without the conspicuously absent Odd Future crew.

Effected confirms that Cozz has more in him than just straight bars. He continues to tell his own story but through new flows, different hooks and an advanced way of making rap songs.

A coherent, consistent album--both thematically and sonically--that captures where hip-hop’s resident astronaut is residing these days.

The genius of Flying Lotus, which has been invariably present throughout his preceding releases, but most especially on You’re Dead!, is that he has an incredible ability to both illustrate and extract exceptional amounts of emotion, without saying much at all.

Six albums deep on the solo tip, Royce’s introspective side clearly shines through on Layers.

He may still be too lyrical for some, but for many his Gravitas will be a welcome change from hip-hop’s current norm.

Seeking peace of mind and understanding while speaking to the human condition, Kendrick drops poignant gems on the idiosyncrasies of life, as well as his own, over the rich production provided by his trusty platoon of boardsmen on untitled unmastered.