By: Kiara Wilkerson (’22), Staff Writer
From hip-hop, to soul, to rap, to R&B, here are some of 2018’s hottest albums.
J.Cole- K.O.D. April 20, 2018
Cole shocked everyone when he announced that he would be dropping an album three days before it was released to the public. His album titled KOD has three interpretations that were revealed on Twitter: Kids on Drugs, King Overdosed, and Kill Our Demons. The third song on the album is “Photograph” where Cole talks about how common it is for people to fall in “love” over social media in today’s society. Two songs that have a music video to go along with them are “Kevin’s Heart” and “ATM.” The former addresses Kevin Hart’s cheating scandal and the concept of temptation. In the video for “ATM” Cole goes from floating on a throne in the clouds with kids following behind him to being in a room where the walls are covered in money dressed in a straight jacket. The song includes the line “can’t take it when you die, but you can’t live without it” which is Cole’s way of saying that people will do crazy things for money even if it means dying for it.
Cardi B-INVASION OF PRIVACY April 5, 2018
Ever since Cardi released “Bodak Yellow” in 2017 she has been a hot topic in the music industry, so it was no surprise that her first album, Invasion of Privacy, would turn out successful. Her best song, “I Like It,” incorporates a lot of Latin influences and influencers like Bad Bunny and J. Balvin. The trumpets and drums make this an all-around hype song that makes you want to get up and dance with someone. Her song “No Limit” featuring A$AP Rocky and produced by G-Eazy starts off with a fast-paced beat that builds and spans the entire song. Other hits on this album are: “Drip (feat. Migos),” “Be Careful,” and “Bartier Cardi.”
Teyana Taylor-K.T.S.E. June 23, 2018
Teyana Taylor’s album, K.T.S.E. which stands for “Keep That Same Energy,” was released three days after it was supposed to due to Kanye’s personal issues, but once we finally listened to it, he was quickly forgiven. From the low and rough tone of “No Manners” that opens with a string ensemble to the transitioning raspy voice of “Gonna Love Me,” Taylor’s second album combines old and new sounds of R&B that are extremely catchy and easily likable.
Drake-Scorpion June 29, 2018
Drake’s single “Nice for What” featuring Big Freedia was released two months before the Scorpio album and got the number one spot on the US Billboard Hot 100, replacing his very own song, “God’s Plan.” The ninth track “In My Feelings” became so popular that social media turned it into an international dance challenge. Another song, “Can’t Take a Joke,” may only be about two minutes long but the deep baseline and high-pitched drone in the background leaves you wanting more. This album is so good that all of the included twenty-five songs made the Hot 100, showing that, once again, Drake never fails.
Ella Mai-ELLA MAI (self-titled) October 12, 2018
Ella Mai, mostly known for her hit song “Boo’d Up”, gives a new sound in her self-titled album of 2018. The most popular song on this album would have to be “Trip” and has most people saying that it is even better than “Boo’d Up” as it gives a 90’s vibe. The song opens up with her voice and a piano accompaniment while the beat doesn’t drop until the beginning of the chorus. The simplicity of her soothing voice and piano is what makes this such a quality song. She is definitely making R&B popular again and gives us a break from the typical rap and trap music that has infiltrated 2018.
These were only some of 2018’s best albums and with still a month of the year left, there is still plenty of time for more dope albums to drop!
