Hip Hop, Soul, and R&B Dominate the Decade
James Carlisle
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West (2010) – Hip hop’s most polarizing figure returns from self-imposed exile with a maximalist, star-studded masterpiece
Essential Tracks: Dark Fantasy, Power, All of the Lights, Monster, Runaway
21 by Adele (2011) – Adele’s sophomore album is an intense, stirring effort that goes down as one of the best soul albums of the decade.
Essential Tracks: Rolling in the Deep, Rumour Has It, Set Fire to the Rain, Someone Like You
Take Care by Drake (2011) – Drake adjusts to fame and begins to make his inescapable presence felt with a mesmerizing, seductive sophomore album.
Essential Tracks: Headlines, Take Care, Marvin’s Room, HYFR
Channel Orange by Frank Ocean (2012) – Frank Ocean redefines R&B and soul with an unconventional yet enchanting debut album.
Essential Tracks: Thinkin Bout You, Pyramids, Bad Religion, Pink Matter
good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar (2012) – Kendrick Lamar breaks into the rap scene with a masterful concept album that takes the listener through his violent, tumultuous upbringing in Compton, California.
Essential Tracks: Backseat Freestyle, Money Trees, M.A.A.D City, Swimming Pools, Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst
Random Access Memories by Daft Punk (2013) – Daft Punk brings us back to the past with a thrilling, imaginative, electrifying retro album.
Essential Tracks: Give Life Back to Music, Giorgio by Moroder, Instant Crush, Get Lucky
Yeezus by Kanye West (2013) – Kanye’s sixth studio effort embraces his polarizing persona in an aggressive, combative, abrasive, yet fascinating record.
Essential Tracks: Black Skinhead, I Am a God, Blood on the Leaves, Bound 2
To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar (2015) – Kendrick’s poignant, experimental masterpiece takes a nuanced look at African-American culture, as well as the impact of fame on his ability to stay in touch with his roots in his community.
Essential Tracks: Wesley’s Theory, King Kunta, These Walls, Alright, How Much a Dollar Cost, The Blacker the Berry
Blonde by Frank Ocean (2016) – Frank Ocean continues to stretch R&B’s limits with a psychedelic, avant-garde masterpiece, topped off an impressive list of guest appearances.
Essential Tracks: Ivy, Pink + White, Solo, Self Control, Nights, White Ferrari
Lemonade by Beyonce (2016) – Beyonce returns with her most defiant, confident, empowering record to date. The result is an album that will be talked about for generations.
Essential Tracks: Hold Up, Sorry, Sandcastles, Freedom, Formation
Damn by Kendrick Lamar (2017) – Kendrick explores personal faith and internal strife while remaining intriguing as ever on his fourth studio album.
Essential Tracks: DNA, Element, Feel, Humble, Fear
thank u, next by Ariana Grande (2019) – After a year of tragedy, Ariana Grande makes a triumphant return with an album that screams “girl power.”
Essential Tracks: Imagine, Needy, Fake Smile, Thank U, Next, Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? by Billie Eilish (2019) – The music world is introduced to the enigmatic, infectious angst of Billie Eilish.
Essential Tracks: Bad Guy, You Should See Me in a Crown, When The Party’s Over, Bury A Friend
IGOR by Tyler, The Creator (2019) – Tyler tells a story of tumultuous relationships in one of the best-produced albums of the decade.
Essential Tracks: Earfquake, I Think, A Boy Is a Gun, Puppet, Are We Still Friends?
