The Music of 2025
Top 10 Albums
Album/Rank:
#10 - Thunderbolts* (OST) by Son Lux
Standout Track:
”Thunderbolts*”
Why Though:
It’s not just because it’s the original score from one of my favourite Comic Book Movies of 2025. It’s because I fell in love with it in real time. By the time the track I’d picked as the standout was playing in the theatre, it felt like the obvious conclusion to a musical narrative. I haven’t run a score back like this in a long time!
Album/Rank:
#9 - Light-Years by Nas & DJ Premier
Standout Track:
”Welcome to the Underground”
Why Though:
I have never been a BIG Nas fan. I respect him as one of the best, but I just didn’t jive with him. That was until he linked with Hit-Boy and went on a legendary run! Of course, I was going to pay attention when I found out he was going to do a full album with DJ Premier. Extra points for it being the capper to a year-long series called “Legend Has It” featuring albums from Slick Rick, Raekwon, Ghostface, Mobb Deep, Big L and De La Soul. While I see and understand some of the complaints about how the album sounds… I contend that it’s an album that achieves what it set out to do, and there is still some of that Hit-Boy energy in Nas’ delivery.
Album/Rank:
#8 - No Validation by Che Noir & The Other Guys
Standout Track:
”Dollar Tree (ft. Skyzoo & Von Pea)”
Why Though:
SPOILER ALERT this is not the only Che Noir appearance on this list! I just kept hearing and reading her name and carved out an afternoon to dive into her 4 2025 offerings. Honestly, they would all be part of my top 20 list. If ever there was a representation of what I look for in “new” music, it’s this album!
Album/Rank:
#7 - Infinite by Mobb Deep
Standout Track:
”Look At Me (ft. Clipse)”
Why Though:
I don’t know why this album caught me by surprise. I’ve always found a bunch of cuts off a Mobb Deep album to rock with, but this one felt particularly cohesive. Maybe it was just where I was at when I listened. This was such a consistent body of work, and I really appreciated that.
Album/Rank:
#6 - Cabin in the Sky by De La Soul
Standout Track:
”The Package”
Why Though:
My love for De La Soul is so connected to my childhood and how the adults in my life enjoyed their early work and sample choices. Which is to say, I don’t have an intellectual way of explaining why I was so happy to see Nas had them as part of the “Legend Has It” series. The fact that the album is narrated by Giancarlo Esposito is the icing on the cake, but the clincher was that Cabin in the Sky makes sure that Dave felt present throughout.
Album/Rank:
#5 - The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean
Standout Track:
”Lady Lady”
Why Though:
Sometimes the fact that I’m a mainstream bozo really pays off. I saw people talking about Olivia Dean, including the Grammys. So, of course, I listened to this endlessly listenable album. Sure I am usually a sucker for British singers, but this does feel like a special work even on top of that.
Album/Rank:
#4 - Star Line by Chance The Rapper
Standout Track:
”Back to the Go (ft. VIC MENSA)”
Why Though:
It might not mean much from someone who didn’t hate The Big Day, but I think Chance The Rapper is good at making music! Like, really good at it. It was nice to see everyone else respond well to this album. The music isn’t the only good part; I found myself agreeing with many topics that came up during the album about the Black experience, which doesn’t always happen for me. If it means anything, I also recognize this is a massive improvement on The Big Day.
Album/Rank:
#3 - Desired Crowns by Che Noir & 7xvethgenius
Standout Track:
”BlackGirl (Alternate Version)”
Why Though:
BARS BARS BARS! That’s the best way to look at this Che Noir album. I think this sonically appealed to me more than the other Che Noir album and had the added pleasure of discovering 7xvethgenius. Meaning now I can name two “new” (to me) artists to seem cool with younger people.
Album/Rank:
#2 - everything is a lot by Wale
Standout Track:
”Michael Fredo”
Why Though:
To be clear, the Michael Fredo intro into the song proper is the required listening order. Anyway, this is Wale. If you’ve been paying attention, then you know I’m in for Wale’s brand of vulnerability through song. I hate that he’s back to being sad, but I’m so happy he was able to channel that into an album that doesn’t pretend like Black men can’t “feel” or just want to move on to the next conquest. I don’t want to speak too much on his relationship with his mother, but BOY IS THAT INTRIGUING.
Album/Rank:
#1 - Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse
Standout Track:
”Chains & Whips (ft. Kendrick Lamar)”
Why Though:
I’ll never beat the mainstream bozo charges, and this pick for best album is yet another example among many. I loved it from the first listen (despite the alternate version of “So Be It” - thank goodness that was fixed by the next morning). And even now, as I write this at the end of the year, nothing feels so clearly my favourite than the Brothers Thornton over great production from a very unserious person, and DJ Clue drops.
Singles
Song/Rank:
#10 - “Anxiety” by Doechii
Why Though:
AHT AHT! This wasn’t officially available on streaming until January 2025! With that said, you knew I wasn’t going to be done with Doechii after her great showing last year. Plus, I’ve always loved this Gotye joint.
Song/Rank:
#9 - “Blueprint Supreme (ft. AR)” by SKAI ISYOURGOD
Why Though:
If these artists are problematic, I’m sorry. Me being chronically on TikTok (not just for dances and comedy… I be political sometimes), truly played into this song burrowing its way into my brain. I really do love this beat.
Song/Rank:
#8 - “Community (ft. Clipse)” by JID
Why Though:
I don’t know why I’ve never been into a FULL JID project in some time, but this song is evidence that he’s got the goods, and I’ll always try to listen to his albums as they’re released.
Song/Rank:
#7- “My Old Ways” by Tame Impala
Why Though:
Much like JID, I have a hard time LOVING a full Tame Impala project, but this was the year I got the closest. This album opener was right up my alley, though.
Song/Rank:
#6 - “Big Poe (ft. Sk8brd)” by Tyler, the Creator
Why Though:
I was hoping Tyler would continue the streak of appearing in my top albums, but at least he got to put this project out and have some fun. I hope it balanced out the fact that he had to reckon with the fact that he cultivated a core fan base that would eventually leave him feeling alienated. Anyway, Tyler, the Creator was able to drop some dope bars on the Clipse album, and he had this great album opener on Don’t Tap the Glass.
Song/Rank:
#5 - “DtMF” by Bad Bunny
Why Though:
I always thought Bad Bunny just wasn’t for me. Luckily, I found my way into liking some of his music based on him performing this song during the SNL50 concert. Now I have a couple of tracks from this album that I like, and I have a new artist to get caught up on.
Song/Rank:
#4 - “30 for 30 (ft. Kendrick Lamar)” by SZA
Why Though:
How many of y’all are Rich Boy old??? Anyway, here are SZA and K. Dot proving they are an undeniably winning combination even when doing a victory lap… maybe especially when they’re dancing on someone’s musical grave.
Song/Rank:
#3 - “600 School (ft. Ghostface & Method Man)” by Raekwon
Why Though:
Before I even got to the 30-second mark, this song was cemented in my top 5 of the year. I get that this might not be some people’s cup of tea, but it is the perfect mix of percussion and a bass line that makes you nod head and cinematic strings. It’s instantly dope.
Song/Rank:
#2 - “EGYPT (ft. Doechii)” by Westside Gunn
Why Though:
See, Doechii is great because she doesn’t just need quirky samples to stand out. She fits right in with that Griselda sound with Westside Gunn over another PURE HIP HOP beat! While the pairing seems weird on paper, you have to admit that nothing sounds out of place in practice.
Song/Rank:
#1 - “I Lied to You” by Miles Caton
Why Though:
Anyone who has seen this movie gets why this is THE SONG for me this year. I don’t want to spoil anything. But I will potentially overhype the moment in question. There is a moment during this song that had me go “Oh… we’re… is it happening?” almost immediately followed by me thinking “I want to just keep reliving this moment in time.”
-YG