Some of Our Favorite Rap Albums of 2026 So Far

Here’s a few projects we’ve kept coming back to this year.

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IT’S BEEN AWFUL — Isaiah Rashad

Isaiah Rashad has always had a way of making heavy conversations feel approachable, and this project might be the clearest example of that. IT’S BEEN AWFUL feels like someone trying to make sense of life in real time. It’s reflective, messy, honest and somehow comforting all at once. The more time you spend with it, the more it sticks.

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656 — Roc Marciano

At this point, Roc Marciano is operating in a lane that almost nobody else can replicate. 656 doesn’t try to overwhelm you. It just settles in and lets the details do the work. The beats are smooth, the bars are sharp and the confidence never feels forced. Another reminder that some artists don’t need to reinvent themselves when they’ve already built something timeless.

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Planet Frog — Action Bronson

Planet Frog is exactly what you’d want from an Action Bronson album. It’s colorful, weird, hilarious and surprisingly focused. One minute he’s talking food, the next he’s painting some completely absurd picture that somehow makes perfect sense. It’s a project that feels like having a front row seat inside Bronson’s imagination.

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AMERIKA’S NEXT TOP PARTY — Partyof2

Few projects this year have captured youthful energy like this one. AMERIKA’S NEXT TOP PARTY feels chaotic in the best way possible. The duo blends rap, punk, internet culture and personality into something that feels completely their own. Even when the music feels reckless, there’s intention behind it.

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Pompeii//Utility — Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE & Sur Gang

This isn’t the type of album that gives you everything on the first listen. Pompeii//Utility asks you to sit with it. Earl, MIKE and Sur Gang create a world that feels hazy, layered and deeply textured. Every revisit seems to uncover another line, another detail or another moment you missed the first time around.

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E.T.D.S. — IDK

One thing IDK rarely gets enough credit for is his willingness to take risks. E.T.D.S. moves through different sounds and ideas without losing its identity. Whether he’s being introspective or just rapping at a high level, there’s a confidence to this project that keeps it engaging from start to finish.

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I Don’t Wanna Die (Pt. 1 & 2) — John Wells

Some projects feel less like albums and more like conversations. That’s what makes I Don’t Wanna Die stand out. John Wells approaches difficult topics with honesty and patience, allowing the music to breathe instead of forcing big moments. It’s vulnerable without feeling performative and personal without losing its relatability.

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BULLDAWG — Kenny Mason

Kenny Mason continues to be one of the most exciting artists in rap because you never really know where he’s going next. BULLDAWG is aggressive, creative and packed with energy, but underneath all of that is a rapper who can genuinely write. The project feels like another step forward for an artist who’s constantly pushing himself.

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Everything Beautiful Died Early — Ankhlejohn

There’s an intensity to Ankhlejohn’s music that immediately grabs your attention. Everything Beautiful Died Early feels raw, focused and unapologetically itself. The production and writing work together to create something that feels heavy without ever becoming repetitive. It’s the type of project that rewards listeners who appreciate substance over trends.

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Junkie In The Sun — Deante’ Hitchcock

Deante’ Hitchcock remains one of the most underrated storytellers in rap. Junkie In The Sun feels personal without becoming self-indulgent, reflective without losing replay value. His ability to make everyday experiences feel meaningful is what separates him, and this project is another strong example of that gift.

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What rap albums have stayed in your rotation this year?