[JACQUES] The 2010s are coming to an end so our Genius community decided to put together
their top 100
albums of the decade. But, here is our top 10.
[JACQUES] First up at number 10 is Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar’s 2012 major label
debut, ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city.’
[JACQUES] Kung Fu Kenny’s autobiographical tale of growing up in Compton introduced the
MC to mainstream rap.
From a dissection of alcoholism and peer pressure on “Swimming Pools” to linking up with
Drake on “Poetic Justice,” ‘m.A.A.d city’ set Kendrick up for dominance over
the last 7 years.
[JACQUES] Coming in at number 9 is Solange’s opus, 2016’s “A Seat At The Table.”
[JACQUES] “A Seat At The Table” encapsulates the ethos of being a black woman in America
dealing with microaggressions, the over policing of black people and the joy and empowerment
of owning our work.
[JACQUES] In an essay entitled, ‘And Do You Belong?
I Do,’ Solange writes [JACQUES] We belong.
We belong.
We built this.
[JACQUES] At no.
8 is Chicago’s Chance the Rapper and his 2013 mixtape, “Acid Rap.”
[JACQUES] “Acid Rap” brought Chance the Rapper international fame.
On the project he interrogates the Chicago gang crisis on “Acid Rain,” and collaborates with
Childish Gambino for a mixtape that immediately felt like an album.
[JACQUES] At no.
7 is SZA’s “CTRL.”
[JACQUES] SZA’s 2017 debut project is a coming of age story of a millennial black
woman making her way into the industry.
Through 14 tracks, SZA tackles emotional vulnerability on songs like “Garden,” polyamory on “The
Weekend” and putting herself first on the Travis Scott assisted “Love Galore.”
[JACQUES] Up next at no.
6 is Rihanna’s “Anti.”
[JACQUES] “Anti”‘s fusion of reggae, R&B and pop with a splash of Trap cemented
Rihanna as an icon.
From the smash Caribbean hit “Work,” to the SZA-penned “Consideration” and the
doo-wop inspired “Love on the Brain,” “ANTi” remains one of the deepest projects
of the decade that has only left the Navy, Rihanna’s fan group, thirsting for her upcoming
oft delayed supposedly reggae inspired project, R9.
[JACQUES] Beginning our top 5 is someone who appeared on “Anti,” it’s Drake and his
2011 sophomore album, “Take Care.”
[JACQUES] “Take Care” set Drake up as the oversharing MC fans know and love today.
From the aforementioned “Marvin’s Room,” to his anthems “Hell Yea Fuckin’ Righ”
and the Just Blaze-produced “Lord Knows“ Take Care” remains one of Drake’s most
important projects.
[JACQUES] Coming in at no.
4 is Beyoncé’s “Lemonade.”
[JACQUES] After surprising the world with 2013’s eponymously named album, the Queen
Bee up the ante yet again with the 2016 album.
‘Lemonade’ hit hard - with an accompanying HBO visual that drew inspiration from Julie
Dash’s film “Daughters of the Dust” and tracks focused on her husband JAY-Z’s
infidelity like “Sorry” as well as her take on country with “Daddy’s Lessons.” 'Lemonade'
set the bar higher than thought possible for the musical juggernaut.
[JACQUES] Beginning our top 3 is Frank Ocean’s 2016 album, ‘Blonde.’
[JACQUES] As surprise release the day after his visual woodworking album, 'Endless,''
'Blonde' represents Ocean taking control of his career and narrative.
From the beatswitch on “Nights,” to crooning over a failed relationship on “Ivy,” ‘Blonde,’
settled Frank Ocean as one of the generations most celebrated talents.
[JACQUES] At no.
2 with his second entry on the list is Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 album 'To Pimp A Butterfly.'
[JACQUES] Kendrick’s “To Pimp A Butterfly” tells the story of survivors guilt and the
new trials, tribulations and joy of fame and the black American experience in general.
[JACQUES] While the aforementioned “Alright” became an anthem for Black Lives Matter, on
“The Blacker the Berry,” Lamar interrogates himself wanting to take revenge after a friend
of his was killed.
Dot’s second major label album, especially songs like “For Free?” made his performance
art.
[JACQUES] And the number 1 album according to the Genius community is Kanye West’s
“My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”
[JACQUES] After a self imposed exile for interrupting Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs, West’s “My
Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” is arguably Yeezy’s magnum opus and the pinnacle of
his collaborative creative process.
[JACQUES] He encouraged some of the best bars of Nicki Minaj’s career on “Monster.”
[JACQUES] And pulled a career verse from Rick Ross on “Devil In A New Dress.”
[JACQUES] The 2010 album held what’s essentially his non-apoglogy apology - encapsulated on
“Runaway.”...
[JACQUES] For some, This project was the apex of soul sample Kanye as he married his varying
interests of musical arrangement, visual creative direction, and cinematic interests with the
album’s companion film.
[JACQUES] Well that’s the list!
For the full 100 check out the article on Genius.com.
What’s your favorite album of the decade?
Let us know in the comments.
[JACQUES] I’m Jacques Morel with Genius News, bringing you the meaning and the knowledge
behind the music. Peace!