Alright, here it is. As always, it should be noted that this is not a list of every good album I heard in 2023. There are a plethora of enjoyable releases that didn’t make it onto this list that are still worth your time and attention. I just didn’t love any of them as much as these 20 records. Before I get into the list, I wanna talk about a couple honorable mentions. My favorite non-Hip Hop album of the year is Lahai by Sampha. I’ve been a fan of Sampha ever since I first heard him featured on a song called The Motion by Drake. I think he has one of the most beautiful voices in music right now, and the production all over Lahai is absolutely spectacular. The second project I wanna mention is the VEGA! compilation that I curated, Hits. That’s easily my most listened project of the year. The only reason it’s not on this list is that it’s not really an album. Like I said in my review, it’s more of a glorified playlist that I put together. It’s amazing though, so don’t sleep on it. Alright, without further ado, here is the list of my 20 favorite albums of 2023…

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20. “Bloodstained Suede” by IAMGAWD & Clypto

I wrote a review for this album for issue #2 of Def Goldbloom’s DEF Magazine, which is one of the coolest things I did last year in my opinion. IAMGAWD is one of the most consistent artists of the 2020’s. Every single project I’ve heard from him has been top notch, and this one’s no different. There’s not a single song here that I don’t fuck with, and the closing track in particular, Dog Food, was one of the best songs of the year. IAMGAWD is one of the best rappers alive in my opinion. He’s dropping a sequel to this project soon, so I’m really looking forward to that. Hopefully it’ll be even better.

19. “Al Chimera” by Lord OLO

This is one of many albums on this list that I sadly didn’t get a chance to review. This shit is fire though. Lord OLO was one of my favorite discoveries of 2023, and it’s mainly because of this project. The trippy, mystical-sounding production from Khrist Koopa and others is stellar, and Lord OLO is a really nice lyricist. These beats sound like a rainforest in the form of music. This project also has my favorite album cover of 2023. I think I like this album even more now than I did when I first heard it. This shit is dope as hell, and I’m looking forward to being a fan of Lord OLO and checking out his future releases. Hopefully I can do a write-up for his next project because this one was a little slept on in my opinion. This is definitely one of the best produced releases of the year, and Lord OLO killed it on the mic. Check it out.

18. “SUNDAE FUNNYZ GANGSTA EDITION” by Iceberg Theory & Bloodblixing

This album, as the title and cover kind of hint, is pure fun. This is probably the most fun album Iceberg Theory has ever made. The production and rapping from Bloodblixing are really colorful. As I mentioned in my 2023 EP list, Iceberg Theory has become one of my favorite rappers of all time, so I had high expectations for this project, and it didn’t disappoint at all. Bloodblixing is one of the most unique artists I’ve been exposed to in the 2020s, so them working together just led to a really one of a kind project for 2023. All of the features are excellent too. I love this album. It’s my favorite Bloodblixing project, which is saying a lot because I’ve never heard a bad album from him. This shit is fire. Check it out.

17. “Whatever the Case May Be” by Anwar HighSign & Giallo Point

This is another one of the more slept on albums on this list. I guess most of the albums on this list are pretty slept on, but this one in particular didn’t get nearly enough attention in my opinion. This is one of the best things Anwar HighSign has done in my opinion, and a lot of it has to do with the stellar production from Giallo Point. I think Anwar’s calm, monotone delivery is probably an acquired taste, but I think it works over these beats really well, especially since the lyricism is so good. These are the best beats I’ve ever heard from Giallo Point. This may seem kinda random, but when I heard this album it really made me want a Raekwon project produced by Giallo Point. I think that would be awesome. This album sounds like nighttime in the form of music. Is nighttime one word? I’m not sure. Anyway, make sure you check this album out, especially if you’ve enjoyed Anwar HighSign’s work in the past. This project was a major success to me, and I’m looking forward to hearing more work from both of these guys.

16. “Naked Brunch” by TMFSE & Shape

This is the saddest album I’ve ever heard in my life. It was recorded while TMFSE was in rehab, and it’s just 9 tracks over some really rich, emotional-sounding beats about being heartbroken and addicted. TMFSE didn’t really have a traditional recording setup, so the vocals are kinda muffled, but in my opinion it works well with the production, vocal delivery, and lyrical content. I guess if you don’t like listening to sad music you might not wanna hear this, but personally I love it. I’ve had conversations with people in the past in which they said things along the lines of “the lyrical content is so depressing that I can’t listen to the album without getting upset.” I can’t relate. Music doesn’t really affect me that way personally, but I think I should put a warning here that if you’re too sensitive to listen to depressing music then this isn’t gonna be the best album for you. I don’t mean that as a diss by the way. There’s nothing wrong with being in touch with your emotions. It’s not that I’m not emotionally impacted by this project; it’s just that I personally don’t find it uncomfortable or unenjoyable to be moved to tears by music. I personally love the feeling of crying and find it kind of addictive, so whenever I’m in need of catharsis I put a project like this on. This shit is beautiful. Check it out.

15. “ALL THE DREAMS I EVER HAD” by calm.

Time had a very prolific year in 2023; every single project he was involved in was dope, but this one in particular was the best out of all of them in my opinion. As always, AwareNess’ polished, clean production sounds absolutely fantastic, and Time’s writing had me hooked. If you enjoy this album, I also highly recommend his last solo record, Depressed Joy. As I said in that review, I think Time is a top 5 lyricist, mainly because he never ever has a single filler bar. He’s really one of those artists who’s able to keep me hooked on every word. I think this album might be even better than the project calm. dropped in 2022, which I also loved. They’re quickly becoming one of my favorite groups. If you’ve enjoyed any of their projects in the past, definitely make sure you check this one out because it’s dope as hell.

14. “SECRET ALBUM” by S. Reidy & SunnyMac

This is my favorite project that I’ve ever heard from S. Reidy, and a lot of it has to do with the stellar production from SunnyMac, with whom I was unfamiliar prior to listening. These are the best beats I’ve ever heard S. Reidy rap over. The personal, emotionally honest lyricism is another big reason why this album resonated with me so much. I also really loved how much more expressive S. Reidy’s vocal delivery was than usual. The melodic elements of this album really stood out in a great way too. I think S. Reidy’s singing is really nice. Also, the features here are great. I was really excited to hear the collab between him and Myles Bullen because that just seems like a no brainer to me on paper, and it didn’t disappoint. This might actually be the most slept on album on this whole list because I didn’t see a single other person talking about it, so be sure to give it a chance. It’s dope as hell.

13. “Heavy Vibrato” by Elzhi & Oh No

This was one of the most exciting collab albums of the year for me. Elzhi is one of my favorite rappers of all time, and this is probably my second favorite album from him. I put Lead Poison slightly above this one because it has more of an emotional impact on me, but I think this one is a bit more cohesive and consistent. It’s just that Lead Poison has more highlights to me. I also kinda wish Oh No’s production was a little more varied here. However, Elzhi absolutely slaughtered literally every single verse he spit here. I’m not crazy about all the featured artists such as Guilty Simpson and Phez Roc, but the Blu feature is nice. Fireballs is one of the best singles of 2023, and the rest of the album is great too. If you’re a fan, this should be right up your alley. If you’re not a fan, you have wack taste. Haha, just kidding. Seriously though, Elzhi is a beast on the mic, and he’s in rare form all over this record. It’s fire.

12. “Compendium of Arcanum” by WateRR & Lupara

WateRR is one of my favorite artists that I discovered in 2023, and this is the best album I’ve heard from him. There’s really not a single weak moment on this project. The production from the Lupara crew is really phenomenal. They’re definitely one of my favorite active groups right now. Every member of that collective is super talented. I think they’re one of the most important crews in the underground honestly. I think this was the first time that all of them contributed to a single album, and they knocked it outta the park in my opinion. Every single beat here is really nice, and WateRR is a super talented lyricist. He’s got a pretty recognizable voice too, which I appreciate. Also, the features from Defcee & Rufus Sims are exceptional. This album is fire. Check it out.

11. “Paper Cuts & Aged Spirits” by Pastense

Pastense is another one of my favorite discoveries of 2023. This album is technically a rerelease, but it’s too good for me to not include it here. The unorthodox production along with Pastense’s poetic, creative lyricism makes this one of the most captivating listens of the year for me. Listen to Juxtaposition. That song is fucking crazy. It’s got one of the weirdest beats I’ve ever heard in the best way possible. That shit really blew my fuckin’ mind. I really have a soft spot for abstract Hip Hop like this, so this was right up my alley. The production from artists such as Messiah Musik & Willie Green really blew me away, and I love Pastense’s voice and writing style. This shit is dope as hell. Don’t sleep on it.

10. “Ark Flashington” by AJ Suede

AJ Suede is one of my favorite artists of the 2020s so far, and this is my favorite album I’ve ever heard from him. He was hella prolific this past year, and every single project he dropped was dope. This was the one that really blew me away though. A lot of it honestly has to do with his production. The instrumentals here are fucking awesome. Damn near every track can be considered a highlight, and I feel like the songwriting is a step up from some of the other albums he dropped. This one also has some of the best features I heard in 2023 from artists like Eldon Somers and Sleep Sinatra. If you’re a fan of AJ Suede and you haven’t heard this one, you’re fucking up. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

9. “Life Is a Masterpiece.” by KILLVONGARD

Not being able to review this album is one of my greatest regrets of 2023. This shit is fucking fire. As I mentioned in my 2023 EP list, KILLVONGARD was my favorite producer of 2023. I decided that he was producer of the year when I heard the sample on dinner for schmucks. It samples my favorite movie soundtrack of all time, and I had a fucking nerdgasm when I heard it for the first time. That was like a dream come true. I’ve wanted to hear that shit sampled in a Hip Hop song ever since I first heard it, so it made me so fucking happy to hear it on this album. He’s a legend for that. That’s a top five music moment of the year for me. I can’t stress enough how excited I was about that shit. The lyrical content of this record really blew me away too. This is a beautiful album about the ups and downs of life. This is the type of shit that’ll make you reflect on your entire existence. Not only on the bad parts of life, but the good parts too. It just encapsulates KILLVONGARD’s experiences so well. It’s a really beautiful project. Do not miss out on this one. It’s dope as hell.

8. “Ritual” by Stik Figa & The Expert

This is Stik Figa’s best album in my opinion, which is saying a lot because there hasn’t been a single project from him in the past five years that I haven’t enjoyed. The other two albums he dropped in 2023 were great too, but this one is just amazing. The Expert is one of my favorite producers whom I’ve discovered in the past few years, and this album is also my favorite thing I’ve heard from him. The production here is stellar, and Stik Figa’s wordy lyricism had me hooked. This album also has some of the best features of the year from artists like Blu and Sleep Sinatra. There are really no weak moments on this record. If you’re a fan of either Stik Figa or The Expert and you still haven’t heard this project, you’re seriously fucking up. I don’t see how a Stik Figa fan could possibly be disappointed in this one. It’s really that good. Don’t sleep on it.

7. “Decay” by Fatboi Sharif & Steel Tipped Dove

As I mentioned in my 2023 EP list, Fatboi Sharif is another artist who’s becoming one of my favorite rappers, and I think this is the best thing he’s ever done. The production from Steel Tipped Dove here is absolutely incredible, and Sharif was totally in his element. This is quintessential Fatboi Sharif music. It’s easily some of the best abstract Hip Hop you’ll hear in the 2020s. There are seventeen tracks here, and damn near every one of them can be considered a highlight. Fatboi Sharif’s esoteric lyricism rewards multiple listens, and the super detailed, rich, layered instrumentals are absolutely mesmerizing. This is a super trippy listen in the best way possible. I can’t praise this shit enough. I don’t know if or how Sharif can top this project honestly. It’s that good. How much better can it realistically get? I ain’t got the answers. I couldn’t be more satisfied with this record. It’s dope as fuck.

6. “Maps” by billy woods & Kenny Segal

This is my second favorite billy woods album behind History Will Absolve Me. The intricate song structures, rich production, incredible lyricism, and phenomenal features make this one of the most exciting releases of 2023. Seriously, damn near every track with a feature landed on my “best features of 2023” playlist. Just like with the Fatboi Sharif album, damn near every track here blew me away. Hiding Places was already an amazing record, but they somehow outdid it with this one. This is easily the most popular album on this list, so I don’t need to tell y’all how amazing it is. Y’all knew that already. This shit is actually as good as everyone says it is though. I was kinda worried that I wouldn’t like it as much as everyone else because underground rap nerds stay on woods’ nuts, but I can’t front. This shit is amazing.

5. “No Cosign Just Cocaine 5: The Final Sniff” by Ty Farris

Ty Farris is another one of the best rappers alive in my opinion. He released several albums in 2023, and all of them are worth listening to, but this one is my favorite. This is the best album I’ve heard from him. The production, features, and bars are just breathtaking. I think this is supposed to be the last entry in the NCJC series, and he really went out in the best way possible. I would be pleasantly surprised if he managed to surpass this one in the future. Every single verse on this album, whether it be from Ty Farris himself or one of the features, is a show-stopping performance. No Cosign Just Cocaine 3 was my favorite album from him prior to this one, and I wasn’t sure if he could top that project, so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised in the future if one of his other projects overtakes this one. However, for now this is ranked comfortably at the top of his records for me. If you enjoy this one be sure to check out the other albums he released in 2023, especially the GRAYMATTER collab. Anyway, this shit is amazing. Check it out.

4. “Hand Painted Model Trains” by Unsung

A lot of what I said about Life Is a Masterpiece. applies to this album as well. This is a beautifully written record about life. I’ve only heard one other project from Unsung, which I enjoyed a lot, but this one is on another level. Unsung’s lyricism here is just absolutely gorgeous to me. I love the writing on this project. The production is really excellent as well. Unsung recently shared clips of other artists, fans, and media personalities such as Dan O and Rohan of the Rap Music Plug Podcast talking about what makes this record so good, and I agree with everything they said. The vulnerability expressed in the lyrics along with the rich production makes this easily one of my favorite albums on this list. This shit is marvelous. Don’t sleep on it.

3. “Paper Cut from the Obit” by Celestaphone

This is probably the best produced Hip Hop album of 2023 in my opinion. Celestaphone’s rich, dynamic instrumentals on this project are fucking crazy. He’s probably the most slept on producer I can name honestly. The vocals on this project are definitely an acquired taste, but I personally think they sound really good, and I think the lyricism is really great. The features from artists like Defcee and Moor Mother are all really stellar too. This is the best experimental Hip Hop album of 2023 in my opinion. I was really blown away by this one. It’s one of the most fun albums I heard last year. The production is insane. This is probably gonna be one of the more polarizing records on this list, but personally I think it’s incredible. Check it out.

2. “Glorious Game” by Black Thought & El Michels Affair

This is my favorite album that Black Thought has ever made, including his stuff with The Roots, which I know is a hella unpopular opinion. There are really no misses on this record in my opinion though. Pretty much every track blew me away. Black Thought is obviously one of the greatest rappers of all time, so I was really happy to get an album with no rap features from him, and I love the instrumentals that El Michels Affair cooked up here. Consistency goes a long way for me, and this project is consistently phenomenal. Every track is stellar, and this shit honestly grew on me more and more as the year progressed. I don’t know if Black Thought will be able to surpass this one for me. I couldn’t be more satisfied with this release. I think it’s incredible, and easily one of the best albums of the 2020s.

1. “Incorruptible Saints” by Sleep Sinatra & Televangel

In my review for this project, I said that it was one of the best albums I’ve ever heard in my life, and I completely stand by that statement. Sleep Sinatra has become one of my favorite rappers of all time, so it makes sense that I would make such a grand statement about his best LP. He dropped 8 (!) projects in 2023, and every single one of them is dope. However, this one in particular is his magnum opus to me. There’s not a single track here that doesn’t hit. It’s really an album full of highlights. Televangel provided him with the best beats he’s ever rapped over, and he knocked it outta the park. This man said “the way that I relay the vision will have you gainin’ wisdom like the sands of time slippin’.” That’s so fire. Goddamn. I’m getting excited just writing about this shit. Shoutout to Big Flowers for the beautiful cover art too. The more I look at the cover, the more I love it. The color scheme in particular is what makes it stand out so much to me. Again, Sleep Sinatra is one of my favorite rappers ever, and this album solidified that stance. Do not sleep on this shit. It’s incredible.

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^{As always, thanks for reading, and thanks for rocking with me in 2023. This year Focus Hip Hop is turning 10 years old. I don’t know if I’m gonna do anything special or different. I just think it’s worth mentioning. Anyway, like I said in the preamble, these are absolutely not the only great albums that are worth listening to from 2023, so don’t take it that way. They’re just my favorites. Let me know what your favorite albums of the year were in the comments below, and be sure to check out my EP list if you haven’t yet. Peace.}