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TOP HIP HOP ALBUMS OF 2023
2023 has been a year to remember. From political uproars to all out wars. This year will be marked in history books as iconic. But the most exciting and one of the most positive things this year was the celebration of Hip Hop turning 50 and its contributions to American culture. One of the youngest but most popular genres of music. Hip Hop like Jazz is the voice of the people. And over the years we have had the opportunity to watch it grow and blossom into an international sensation. From the gritty streets of New York, Hip Hop has become a staple in music. Some of Hip Hop’s biggest names were celebrated in countless ways this year. From big names like Nas’s letter to Hip Hop for the Hennessey brand to our local Hip Hop artist, like Malik X screaming “It was all a dream,” for the taste of Tremont 2023 show case. Hip Hop is a part of all of us and The Juke Joint is a proud student of its teachings.
Happy 50 Years Hip Hop
Now, to celebrate our Hip Hop artist today, The Juke Joint would like to pull out the top five albums of the year. Now before you get your panties in a bunch, this is a list of Hip Hop albums. Not trap, not gangsta rap. Hip Hop. Although each of those genre’s stem from Hip Hop, they are not the focus here and personally, I believe they deserve a list of their own. With that being said, it was very difficult to find a list of Hip Hop albums, but here is what I have come up with.
Written By: Jewels Alexandria
5 minute Read
November 2, 2023
01
KILLER MIKE
MICHAEL
Now, I will be the first to admit, I am not a huge fan of Killer Mike or Run The Jewels. Partially because of the beat selection he typically picks when making an album. However, that was not the case with Michael. And for those of you who do not know, Killer Mike is an Atlanta rapper who work alongside artist like Outkast and Goodie Mob. This album is about personal growth, and touches on subjects many “regular” people can relate to. Drug addict family members, lost loved ones and most importantly, forgiveness. And to keep your music relatable to everyday people after fame and money is not an easy task. The visuals for this project are so moving, it is almost as if you’re watching a short film. Some features include Jagged Edge, 6lack, and one of Hip Hop’s greatest voices, Andre 3000. He makes #1 album for his flow and relatable content.
02
KAYTRAMINE
KAYTRAMINE
Kaytranda and Amine teamed up for the album, Kaytramine. This fun filled album includes some heavy hitters like, Freddie Gibbs, Big Sean, and Snoop Dogg. Production on this albums is one if my favorites of the 5 top album picks.
03
MICK JENKINS
PATIENCE
The Chicago native, Mick Jenkins released an album I was not prepared for. And I am not afraid to admit, I never heard of the guy. But I am happy to have gotten to know his work on this project. At first listen, his music reminded me of something I would hear coming out of New York. This excites me because New York is the birthplace of Hip Hip and gives a feel of art. The 28-minute-deep project gives us a small glimpse into the world of Mick Jenkins. A proud strong clever man from the Chicago, Illinois who “found a way out.” Songs like Smoke Break-Dance featuring JID is so relatable to some and an instant favorite. Give this album a listen to see what you think.
04
NAS
MAGIC 2
In case any of you have been sleeping under a rock the past 3 years, Nasir Jones has released 3 album’s and 3 mixtapes. All produced by the GOAT producer, HitBoi. For an artist who started in the game in the late 80s, Nas is giving these young cats a run for their money. I usually do not like back-to-back pieces of work, but Nas made this work. With Magic 2, Nas displays is love for music and keeps the ART of music alive.
05
TRAVIS SCOTT
UTOPIA
Travis Scott made the list because of the production. He is never afraid to step out the box and explore with sound. Similar to Kanye, he is a musical genius. I wouldn’t say he is the best rapper ever, but his ability to create beats no one has ever heard before goes without saying. And Hip Hop is more than just dope rhymes, it’s the creation of something new for the better. Give Utopia a spin.
Today marks 4 years of The Juke Joint! 4 years of passion, devotion to a love for the art. 4 years of networking and learning different styles of music. The Juke Joint is devoted to displaying unground music. And with the help of local musicians, The Juke Joint is still striving to expand and get to know each and every individual artist in their own unique way. It has been a pleasure to do business with each and every artist and I look forward to many more years to come. To the fans, thank you so much to taking the time to ready each article and listen to each playlist. Thank you for tuning in to New Music Fridays to catch the latest album releases. There is plenty more to come for 2024 and I cannot wait to share it with you!
Much love,
Jewels Alexandria (CEO)