Top 10 Hip Hop Albums & Top 5 R&B Albums of 2013

Jay Z – Magna Carta Holy Grail

Jay Z continued to push the envelope with his new motto #NewRules.  With this album he has fused the world of music and art into a masterpiece that can be consider one of his best albums released since Reasonable Doubt.  With 527,000 copies sold during the first week, not including the digital release with Samsong, this was a must have in the world of music.  Peaking at #1 on the Billboard US top R&B/Hip Hop Albums this year.  Release July 4, 2013.

 Kanye West – Yeezus

The most controversial album release of 2013 was Yeezus.  Yeezus was Kanye West’s most critical acclaimed album of 2013.  Still to this date this album is speaking volumes with socially awareness that people are just now comprehending.  Peaking #1 on the Billboard US top R&B/Hip Hop Albums this year with 327,000 albums sold first week.  Release June 18, 2013.

 Wale – The Gifted

The Gifted was the most inspirational/emotional driven Hip Hop album to drop 2013.  From the intro throughout the album, it again takes you on a journey through the life of Wale.  With 158,000 first week sales from June 24, 2013 and peaking at #1 on the Billboard US top R&B/Hip Hop Albums for the 2013.

 Big Sean – Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame was the player album of 2013.  From his personal stories and self reflections, with Big Sean’s word play, this album is a contender.  Peaking at #1 on the Billboard US top R&B/Hip Hop Albums for the year and 72,000 albums sales the first week release on August 26, 2013.

 2 Chainz – B.O.A.T. 2 #MeTime

B.O.A.T. 2 #MeTime was the party album of the year from the first song to the last song, you will understand his place as top ten album of the year 2013.  With only 63,000 albums sold first week, only gave those early birds who purchased the album the advantage of what B.O.A.T. 2 is actually about.  Peaking at #2 on the Billboard US top R&B/Hip Hop Albums for this year why not.  Release September 9, 2013.

 Pusha T – My Name is My Name

My Name Is My Name has to be and is the hip-hop album of 2013.  Raw rap was brought back with this album.  This album will cause the listeners to scrunch their faces up and nod their heads.  Peaking at #2 on the Billboard US top R&B/Hip Hop Albums for 2013 and 74,610 first week sales.  No one was disappointed.  Released Octorber 8, 2013.

Drake – Nothing was the Same

Nothing Was The Same was the dopest album of year.  The production made Drake get at everybody and go in lyrically.  The most anticipated album of 2013, Drake delivers what ever he felt and knew it was hot.  With regard to his feelings, he put on for his city on the microphone and it was dope, and the naysayers know it.  With 658,179 sold first week and peaking at #1 on the Billboard US top R&B/Hip Hop Albums.  Release September 19, 2013.

 Earl Sweatshirt – Doris

Doris was an anticipated release, and one of the illest and chillest album of 2013, the word play is hip hop hands down, and the flow is dope.  Only his second album selling 48,552 first week released in August; the album was just right for the season.  Peaking at #2 on the Billboard US top R&B/Hip Hop Albums.  Release August 20, 2013.

 Tyler the Creator – WOLF

WOLF was the most creative and conceptual album of 2013.  The finishing or beginning of the storyline, which made me personally go back to his first and second album to get at least an understanding of the episodes was a genius business move.  With his own production with the help of a few, this has to be the most creative album of the year 2013.  Selling 89,895 albums first week, and peaking at #2 on the Billboard US top R&B/Hip Hop Albums is because it was a nice album.  Release April 2, 2013.

 Yo Gotti – I AM

I AM will have to be the hardest album release of 2013.  I mean even the hottest single of 2013 belongs to this album in my opinion.  Even with the 4^th Quarter release November 19, 2013 selling 47,000 it did numbers.  Peaking #2 on the Billboard US top R&B/Hip Hop Albums.  Yo Gotti delivers a classic for the South.

Fav Five Top 5 R&B Albums

 Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience (The Complete Experience)

This album brought the class back to the music.  Very classy album and a plus for a two disc set.  This album was a must have for a enjoyable evening of nice listening.  Released on September 27, 2013.  Peaking #1 on the Billboard 200 with 968,000 albums sold first week.

 Tamar Braxton – Love and War

Love and War was the sultry album of the year.  This album shows what the music industry has been missing, songs and ballads, and this album defiantly delivered.  With 114,000 albums sold first week and peaking # 1 on Billboard US top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Release September 3, 2013.

 Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines

Blurred Lines was the jamming album of 2013 “everybody get up” was the catch phrase as soon as the DJ dropped the record.  Having the single push the album as it is exactly supposed to do, and did.  Peaking at # 1 on Billboards Top 200 with 177,000 albums sold first week.  Releasing on July 12, 2013.

 Beyonce – Beyonce

Beyonce with her slick release of her fifth album was good enough to be mentioned.  Her forth quarter release was what the fans weren’t expecting.  Releasing on December 13, 2013, her loaded album along with videos position herself for the win with 828,773 digital copies in three day, peaking # 1 on the Billboard US top R&B/Hip Hop Albums.

 Janelle Monae – Electric Lady

Electric Lady was the most rejuvenating and the most energy giving album of the year.  Janelle gave her fans a 2 disc album that puts you in her wondaland with beautiful ballads and amazing songs.  Selling 47, 000 the first week and peaking #3 on the Billboard US top R&B/Hip Hop Albums.  Release September 6, 2013.

Disclaimer:  all numbers are approximates.

Onyx Truth Contributor:  Tyson McCrary