2022 has been a great year for music. After euroing around all TikTok foolishness, Music Hive has comprised a list of the 25 best albums released in 2022. (Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd have been left off for obvious reasons, they dominate in their own right). Hip Hop, House, RNB, Amapiano and even SoundCloud vibes have snuck their way into our ears and hearts this year. Welcome to the Music Hive: Top 25 Albums of 2022 countdown. Let's see who we have first.
25. Working on my Karma - Dvsn
First on our list: Another R&B project that Dvsn bodied. “Stay Faithful” is the hottest song that stays in my ear. It pretty much sets the tone for the album as in speaking on what the them of it is. It’s for sure the most relatable album for this winter season, cause it’s coming from a situationship perspective. Hopefully this album brings more R&B projects from OVO or just PND alone..
Hive Picks: Last Time (feat. BLEU), Stay Faithful
24. EA Monster - Young Nudy
Honestly, this album smells like a cover to cover. Even though some of the track names are misleading, this is definitely good war ready music. My personal favorite song would have to be “Lunch Meat” , the album itself is definitely great music to get active in the gym to. This body of work puts me in the mood to rob someone’s bbq cookout and bring it some someone’s bm and her kids. Nudy, yet again creating more motivational music.
Hive Picks: Lunch Meat, Impala
23. Vibe Forever - K CAMP
After breaking back into the scene with his 2020 TikTok anthem “Renegade”, Kristopher Campbell is clearly back to stay. Vibe Forever is the perfect blend of catchy love ballads like “Walls Could Talk” and club bangers.
Hive Picks: Holy Spirit, To The Moon, If These Walls Could Talk
22. Spaceships on the Blade - Larry June
Sipping on some freshly squeezed OJ, while admiring the view of this freshly crisped white tee..I was just visualizing myself riding down hitting the dash, doing numbers and it dawned on me that this album is a good piece of work. This is purely good for running errands and riding around wasting gas. Spaceships and Orange Juice is by far my favorite when it comes to having it on repeat. If you’re wanting to cruise to enjoy the sunset then I hope this album find you.
Hive Picks: Private Valet, Corte Madera, CA
21. Pretty in Black - Joony
Joony is a lowkey artist who is making a name for himself. The song “Misery” really sets the tone as to what the rest of his work sounds like, ‘tis the reason why it’s my personal favorite. This album is great theme music for a picnic and a late night cap all in one. He’s literally a rapping Brent Faiyaz, which wouldn’t hinder his career.
Hive Picks: Misery, Drifting In Tokyo
HIVE SLEEPER: FLAWLESS LIKE ME - LUCKI
Our first Hive Sleeper is the new king of SoundCloud, Flawless Lucki. The lazy, lean-flow rapper takes a lot of his inspiration from '08 Wayne. Trap anthems featuring Future & Babyface Ray really show Lucki's range and his ability to compete with heavyhitters. We are expecting a lot more from him in 23
Hive Picks: Super Urus, Kapitol Denim (feat. Future)
20. GOD DID - DJ KHALED
Another One! As usual, Khaled hired a montage of the game’s best artists and coldest producers for this project. I don’t know if these niggas owed Khaled a bag or not, but we got some of the best verses of the year on this album. Jay-Z, Future Nardo Wick and Vory delivered standout performances. They didn’t believe….God Did… also, let’s keep Khaled off the jet-skis
Hive Picks: Beautiful, God Did, It Ain’t Safe, Party
19. Simple. - IDK, KAYTRANADA
UK rapper, IDK and world-renown DJ/producer KAYTRANADA dropped an 18-minute masterpiece. This tape is the perfect blend of Soul and House music. You can safely argue, this tape was executed better than Drake and Beyoncé’s respective House projects. Smooth tropical beats, melodic flows and some funny interludes (in the background) that pop in and out without warning.
Hive Picks: Breathe, Dog Food (feat. Denzel Curry), Drugstore
18. LBJJ3 - A$AP ANT
The most slept on A$AP Member completed the Lil Black Jean Jacket Trilogy and it’s steady rotation. It’s a cover to cover in my eyes, with the best song being “God Hour” with the A$AP Rocky feature. Aside from the music, Ant really went on tour just selling merch. The work ethic is bizarre , hence why his music is one of a kind.
Hive Picks: 3AM in New Orleans (feat. Curren$y), Fly Away (feat. Larry June)
17. Gemini Rights - Steve Lacy
Steve Lacy has been buzzing for a while as the lead guitarist of RnB group, The Internet. He rose to instant fame after dropping hit single Bad Habits. On his sophomore album, Steve shows that he is a crooner with heartbreaking ballads, (reminiscent of Frank Ocean). In the opening track “Static”, Lacy flexes on his drug-abusing ex with heavenly background vocals.
Hive Picks: Bad Habits, Cody Freestyle, Sunshine (feat. Fousheé)
16. Sorry 4 What - Tory Lanez
Despite his lil man syndrome, he always drop nothing but great music. This album just proves that tory is diverse and talented with switching flows. There’s more situationship music on this project which is great and relatable. The go to song for me would have to be Red Casamigos, it seemed like he was flowing in cursive. Another cover to cover for the Quarantine Radio host.
Hive Picks: No More Parties In LA, Red Casamigos, LV BELT
15. Melt My Eyes See Your Future - Denzel Curry
The 2016 XXL Freshman and Dade County native, Denzel Curry delivers a. Near-complete project. Melt My Eyes is both sonically pleasing with smooth tracklisting and consciously uplifting.
Hive Picks: Walkin, The Last, Troubles (feat. T-Pain), X-Wing
14. It's Only Me - Lil Baby
If you had to pick one artist that ran 2022 who would come to mind? Dominique Jobnes? Yep. Lil Baby has continued his Lil Wayne-esqe run that started in 2020. While still doing his long-sentence, waterfall flow. Baby updated his content from the typical street talk to his current ventures as a superstar. The Hero shows his range on songs like California Breeze and Stop Playing
Hive Picks: Stand On It, Stop Playin (feat. Jeremih), Never Hating (feat. Young Thug)
HIVE SLEEPER: PAPER ROUTE FRANK - YOUNG DOLPH
UUUUUH HUUUH!! Love Live Paper Route Frank aka Young Dolph aka Ap... Even though this album came out late this year, it is is full of trap anthems as expected. Expecting Key Glock to take the Paper Route torch next year
Hive Picks: Beep Beep (feat. 2 Chainz), Love For The Streets
13. Luv 4 Rent - Smino
Smino floats in on his 3rd studio album with an odd array of high-pitched cadences and soulful production. Challenging himself to take the road less traveled with his song selections, it seems Smi-on Sanders may just be one of the leaders of the new school.
Hive Picks: 90 Proof (feat. J. Cole), Blu Bully, Pudgy (feat. Lil Uzi Vert), Matinee
12. Breezy - Chris Brown
Has C Breezy ever dropped a project without 15 bangers? ...I'll wait.
Aside from everyone saying that Chris Brown uses the same doowop doobop sound, he’s still projecting timeless music. Breezy collabs Nigerian superstar WizKid to deliver the Afrobeats anthem “Call Me Everyday”. Lil Wayne and Jack Harlow deliver some standout verses
Hive Picks: Possessive (feat. Lil Wayne & BLEU), Forbidden, Need You Right (feat. Bryson Tiller)
11. It's Almost Dry - Pusha T
With an album being produced by 2 madmen: 50% by Pharrell, 50% by YE… There was no way King Push could this fuck up. Every song puts you in the mindset of Franklin Saint. “We hollowed the walls in back of bodegas. Can we agree that Hov’s feature verse was Top 10 of the year?
Hive Picks: Neck & Wrist (feat. Jay-Z), Brambleton, Call My Bluff
10. Few Good Things - Saba
One of the Hive’s personal favorites. In early February, the Windy City native Saba dropped a cover to cover. This tape was a perfect blend of Andre 3000 and early Kendrick Lamar feels. Random features from G Herbo, Smino, 6lack and Black Thought really string the tape together. (SN: FGT is #1 in my heart)
9. Only Built for Infinity Links - Quavo, Takeoff
RIP to the Rocket. This album was the most anticipated, mainly because there is no more “Migos”. Everyone knew that this was Takeoff’s chance to show everyone his true potential. He definitely delivered, nothing but club bangers. My go to song would be “Bars into Captions” , just because they paid tribute to Outkast. Offset for sure missed out on being apart of this project. LLTR
Hive Picks: Bars to Captions, Hotel Lobby, Big Stunna (feat. Birdman)
8. Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers - Kendrick Lamar
Kung Fu Kenny has been in deep meditation the last 5 years and has re-emerged as the prophet Oklama. This new moniker, translates “my people”; Kendrick directly conveys his message from The Man Up Above. This album is a story of grief, depression and how to deal with it. This is an album of self-therapy. On “Father Time” and “Auntie Diaries”, Kenny reflects on his rough upbringing and how he related to those situations now. He didn’t leave off the bangers either, enlisting Kodak Black for “Silent Hill” and Summer Walker for “Purple Hearts”.
Hive Picks: Father (feat. Sampha), Count Me Out, The Heart Part 5
7. Honestly, Nevermind - Drake
With this being part of the trilogy, Drake once again set himself apart from his competition. He tapped into the genre, that he’s been teasing at for quite some time on each of his previous albums. My personal favorite song would have to be “A Keeper” and it’s honestly i arguably the best song on there. Tap in and let us know what you think.
Hive Picks: A Keeper, Liability
6. WASTELAND - Brent Faiyaz
The Italicized R&B Future strikes again
With his 4th studio album, Brent Faiyaz presents us with “Wasteland”, another classic. People tend to say he’s toxic based off of the lyrics from his songs, but it’s steadily grasping everyone’s ear. Call me a scumbag, if you will, but he’s just speaking honest, coldhearted, facts that’s turning into good music. The originality within this album is way ahead of its time, the skits also helps shape this project into a relatable time piece. With features from Alicia Keys, Drake, and Tyler the Creator, this album is well stacked. My favorite song would be “Ghetto Gatsby” ft. Alicia Keys , mainly because it creates a good vibe for me as I’m riding or just reminiscing on old times. Brent is one of the artists that is helping keeping R&B alive because we need that genre of music to help keep a good, calm, spirit. All that hard Rap/Hip-Hop is not always healthy. Besides, I can’t wine and dine a chick in a pooh shiesty ski mask that provides an unpleasant neck odor.
Hive Picks: Jackie Brown, Ghetto Gasby (feat. Alicia Keys)
HIVE SLEEPER: RED AND WHITE - LIL UZI VERT
Our final Honorable Mention is Red And White EP by Lil Uzi. Symere Woods has had fans in utter anticipation waiting for his next album "The Pink Tape". R&W is a mix of the most popular SoundCloud leaks from 2020 and 2021.
We aren't too sure how the tape will sound yet because Uzi is currently riding the Jersey Club wave. Hopefully JT breaks his heart so we can get the Uzi we've all been waiting for!
Hive Picks: Cigarette, FF, For Fun
5. DS4EVER - GUNNA
On January 13th, Gunna Wunna blessed a world with DS4EVER. The fourth installment of the Drip Season series was full of club anthems including “Too Easy” and “Pushin P” with Future and Young Thug. Songs like “Livin Wild” give you a direct look into the life of the Atlanta rockstar After he revealed he was dating Chloe by way of the “You & Me” video, We thought this year would be Gunna’s to rule. Sadly the whole YSL is currently in a RICO predicament. Free Wunna. Free Jeffery.
Hive Picks: Flooded, Livin Wild, P Power (feat. Drake)
4. SOS - SZA
When SZA dropped "Hit Different" and "Good Days", I knew Solána Imani Rowe had a classic on the way. The Top Dawg leading lady, croons effortlessly over tracks like "Low" and "Kill Bill". To me the standout tracks were "Smoking on my Ex Pack" and "F2F". She really showed her diversity on SOS and deserves to be at the of the Music Hive countdown
Hive Picks: Low, Concieted, Gone Girl
3. I NEVER LIKED YOU - Future
We turned Miami, Skyami!
Once again, Super Fire Marshal Future delivers a cover to cover infused with toxic one-liners as he brags about the finer commodities of life. King Pluto makes sure to serenade the female listeners: harmonizing over “Love You Better” and “Wait For You” featuring Tems and Drake. On cuts like “Massaging Me” & “Puffin On Zootiez”, The Atlanta native, Nayvadius Cash Wilburn floats gracefully over TM88 and ATLJacob production.
Hive Picks: Massaging Me, Love You Better, 712 PM
2. HEROES & VILLAINS - Metro Boomin
Yup, Metro definitely didn’t play fair with this one. Matter of fact, he cheated because he waited til the last minute to drop this masterpiece. With my favorite song being Superhero, this work of art has too many bangers. Along with the late great, RIP Takeoff, he delivered and did a nice closing on this artwork as well. This will be one of the most memorable albums for numerous of reasons, what a time.
Hive Picks: Raindrops (Insane), Superhero, Creepin, Metro Spider
1. Her Loss - Drake, 21 Savage
Topping off the Best Albums of 2022 is Her Loss, the collab project between the Certified Lover Boy and the Atlanta-UK phenom 21. Her Loss is the final installment of Drake's latest trilogy (CLB, Honestly, Nevermind & Her Loss). Every song gives you the feeling that you've heard it before. While Drake looked for a new lover in Honesty, Nevermind... he is finally over his ex in this project. Tracks like "Hours in Silence" and "Spin Bout U" he declares his love for his new side chick and promises to shower her in Balenci and Birkins. 21 Savage pieces the album together perfectly with his witty one-liners. This album has been in rotation since the day it dropped.
Hive Picks: Hours in Silence, Middle Of The Ocean, Treacherous Twins, Jumbotron Shit Poppin
Thank you for checking out Music Hive's Best 25 Albums of 2022. Please comment below and let us know what your favorite album of the year was.
Editors: Larfadarf, DJ Yung
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