18 Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2015

2015 was an amazing year for Hip-Hop! From Grammy award-winning hits, controversial records, beef records to platinum albums, this year will go down as one of the best year's in Hip-Hop for a long time. We couldn't end the year without mentioning some of its notable favorites. Unfortunately some of our personal favorites Kanye West and Drake didn't release their highly anticipated albums, but they still had an outstanding year on record for the conversation. Artist such as Raury, Logic, Jadakiss, G-Eazy, Fetty Wap, Puff Daddy and Mac Miller created a pretty popular fan buzz with their 2015 releases. The 2015 heavy hitters in Hip-Hop indeed belongs to Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Future.

Check out FH411's 18 Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2015 below. The list is in no particular order. If we didn't add one of your favorite albums tell what the album(s) should and why.

Summertime '06- Vince Staples
Vince Staples made quite a name for himself this year for his intriguing perspectives on music, sports and life through his interviews and social media. He was featured as one of XXL's 2015 Freshman Class members. Summertime '06 takes you through his life coming up in the hood of  Long Beach, California with the help of producer and Def Jam honcho No I.D. Summertime '06 has broaden his fan base and placed him in the conversation as one of the dopest young rappers on the rise.

2014 Forest Hills Drive - J. Cole
Although J. Cole released his third album 2014 FHD at the end of 2014, the album definitely didn't make its mark on the world until well into 2015 selling over 1 million records by this summer. 2014 FHD may never get the proper accolades it deserves, but its production and overall message led it to be one of the best albums this year. Cole headed one of the biggest movements of self-love, cherishing the simple things in life and appreciating where you come from in Hip-Hop this year. His album titled tour was such a success this year, a special documentary will air January 2016 on HBO.

To Pimp A Butterfly- Kendrick Lamar
It's pretty safe to say Kendrick Lamar's 11 Grammy-nominated album TPAB has done remarkably this year! The album may not have went platinum (yet), but TPAB was simply a beautiful compilation of sounds, intellect and groovy vibes. While many expressed their disliking for the album, the rest of the music world couldn't get enough of the Compton kid's burning passion for expressing a young black man's point of view through poetic raps. K. Dot's single "Alright" had a huge influence on movement #BlackLivesMatter this year.

AT. LONG. LAST. A$AP - A$AP Rocky
A$AP Rocky had a fairly dope year. His sophomore album landed at #1 during its May release. A.L.L.A developed the familiar Pretty Flacko sound as well as exposed A$AP's versatility. Future, UGK, Kanye West, M.I.A, Schoolboy Q, Miguel and more were featured, creating an all around great vibe.

Compton- Dr. Dre
The legendary Dr. Dre released his final album this year in correspondence with one of 2015's biggest movies "Straight Outta Compton." The album was announced soon before its exclusive release on Apple Music. Dre pulled together some of the best talent in the game old and new to create a true sonic motion picture (in music form). Compton was true to the authentic retro 80's/90's LA sound. Dre recruited some of his best artist he brought into the game Kendrick Lamar, Ice Cube, Eminem and The Game to deliver some of the rawest bars we've heard all year. Compton's production from top to bottom was insane.

Dark Sky Paradise- Big Sean
B.I.G Sean Don had a phenomenal year surrounding his DSP release. DSP has appeared on the Billboard charts all year with single "Blessings," "IDFWU," "One Man Can Change The World" and "Play No Games." Many Hip-Hop fans would agree DSP was a coming of age for Big Sean, finally allowing him to be recognized as one of the best artist, performers and lyricist right now. If you've been down with Big Sean since his Finally Famous mixtape days, seeing his progression of an artist has been one of the best to watch. Congrats Sean! His single "One Man Can Change The World" is nominated for a Grammy.

If You're Reading This It's Too Late- Drake
The boy Drizzy kicked the year off with the first major project in Hip-Hop during the NBA All Star Weekend. His mixtape released in a form of an album came as a surprise to fans, causing a complete frenzy on social media. The surprise release worked strongly in Drake's favor. With swirling rumors that this project would release him from his Cash Money Records contract, IYRTITL was the hot topic for weeks. Drake broke records having one of the first albums to have every song featured on the Billboard 200 charts. IYRTITL was the first "album" to go platinum in 2015 and has been nominated for a Grammy.

The Documentary 2 - The Game
The Game celebrated 10 years since release of his debut album The Documentary in 2005. At a first glance fans were a bit overwhelmed The Documentary 2's lengthy tracklist and features, but it ended up Game rolled through with a very solid deliverable. His album received the blessing from Dr. Dre himself as one of the best albums of the year. The Documentary was released separately in two parts; The Documentary and The Documentary 2.5, both full length projects.

Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude- Pusha T
Its safe to officially name Pusha T as an OG in the rap game. He's been Hip-Hop's top unhyped lyricist for some years now, but with his newest position as President of G.O.O.D Music has people looking deeper. He released his third solo album Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude to his next album set to drop 2016. The album features Kanye West, The Dream, Kehlani and more. DBD is nothing but authentic and free flowing rhymes. Dope project all around.

Rodeo- Travis Scott
Travis Scott was able to bring a great deal of fame to his name this year. Expanding his rodeo of crazed fans from his mixtape days, La Flame kicked down the mainstream doors this year with his debut album. The Houston Hustle Gang rapper has probably been seen on stage or partying with your favorite artist this year and you most likely hear is single "Antidote" every time you turn on the radio. Scott ran tight with Hip-Hop's new big brother Kanye West this year which was not only reflective through his style but through his music. The album was accompanied by an actor figure doll (pictured as the cover) for a separate expensive purchase. Rodeo was a collision of sounds and waves, which really made Travis Scott stand out this year.

The Album About Nothing -Wale
It's taken Wale some time but he's finally okay with everyone not liking his music. Even if you wouldn't consider yourself a fan of Wale's you have to admit that he always does his best to put out quality music. The Album About Nothing rekindles his earlier mixtapes "The Mixtape About Nothing" and "More About Nothing" with snippets from Seinfeld. The Album About Nothing isn't really about nothing, but actually touches on an array of relevant topics through "Wordplay Le's" poetic recital. TDE's SZA joined Wale in "The Need To Know," a modern cover/sample to Musiq Soulchild's "Just Friends," seeming to be a fan favorite.

What A Time To Be Alive - Drake/Future
The name of Drake and Future's surprise yet not so surprise joint mixtape-album speaks for itself. WATTBA is more than than just a title, the phrase is a lifestyle. After leaving a trial of breadcrumb clues for weeks to their fans, Future Hendricks and the boy Drake released a project that created a memorable social media trending experience. Fans were able to stream WATTBA through Drake's Apple Music OVO Sound Radio before purchasing it on iTunes or streaming on Spotify. The collaborative project was the perfect meet of Future's turnt up hard-hitting trap music and Drake's established OVO sound. The Esco-Boomin produced mixtape may only have scored a major radio hit with "Jumpman," but socially the entire project created a huge movement in the streets.

SremmLife - Rae Sremmurd
Mega producer Mike Will Made It introduced his first group under his label Ear Drummers Records in 2014. After releasing their breakout single "No Flex Zone," it was no slowing down for brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jimmy. Rae Sremmurd (spelled Ear Drummers backwards) dominated radio in 2014 and 2015 with their debut album SremmLife. "No Type" is a certified platinum single. Their sremm life movement created a life of its own, for youngsters living life and having fun doing it. The album may not have been the most lyrical release of the year but it probably contains one of the most Hip-Hop #1 singles of 2015 from one project.

Dreams Worth More Than Money - Meek Mill
2015 may not be ending the way Meek Mill wants its too, but it didn't start off too bad. His summer DWMTM release had all of Hip-Hop on his side. DWMTM was a great body of work for the Philly MC, honestly his best work so far. Meek was able to find a happy medium between becoming commercially and street successful. Unfortunately for him, a relationship with Nicki Minaj and a hot album wasn't enough to keep Meek on top of his game once picking a beef with Drake. His album still goes hard if you can get past the Drake beef.

90059- Jay Rock
TDE's Jay Rock release some heat that received great reviews from Hip-Hop fans. 90059 was highly anticipated by Rock fans. The numeric album title is the zip code that embraces the area Jay Rock is from in Los Angeles. With Kendrick Lamar being the dominant face of TDE, some often forget about the label's other artist. Lyrically Jay Rock is sick. Like many west coast artist Jay Rock has the rough almost violent approach to his rhymes. 90059 is the perfect vibe when you're on west coast gangster ish.

DS2 (Dirty Sprite 2) - Future
Future takes MVP of 2015. "Beat Mode" and "56 Nights" for the alley opp, and DS2 for the slam dunk. No one was able to accomplish what Future did this year. Upon releasing his biggest commercial record of his career, Future was crowned the streets newest Trap King earning the spot since Gucci Mane has been locked up. Dirty Sprite 2 was the follow-up to Future's earliest 2011 mixtape. Future stans better known as the Future Hive, crowned DS2 the best album of the year before it even dropped. Future's influence on Hip-Hop since DS2 has been pretty massive.