It’s a lot of bad and mid pointed out in 2026 (a pretty mid year in general) but, there is still gems that came out

You can find the proof on the thread I was getting ready to hate (as I have gained Alc fatigue after these last few tapes of alc collabs I was just tired) and Next To You wasnt hittin for me.

Thank god I was wrong. The live additions along with Badu being…well Badu. Made this a high point for me.

GENA This hasnt left my top 3 since it dropped. Definitely some of Liv.e’s best work and that nigga Karriem Riggins is a cheat code dawg. Saw these niggas live at Herbert Von King and

Lulamoon Shoutout to @KIR I was getting ready to hate cause it was a KIR thread title but yo this trans woman is RAPPING rapping. It’s some quotables that had me shocked (I read your tarot card it said you was a f is still the craziest way to start a track), highly advise if you like boombap and just some hard ass lyrics. Real pleasant surprise.

Portrait of Tracy got next. It’s the fact knowing she played alot of these instruments dolo makes me have hope that the young niggas might be ok. This in my top 5 for sure.

It’s Auntie Jill. Nothing more to say dawg

It’s Devin mf Morrison. I press play. Purple Abyss one of the best closers of the year. This man needs more production placements and it’s more proof that lot of current niggas is P**** that this aint the case.

My fav rapper to come out of the hometown for the past few years. Had a year or 2 of artistic lows trying to “conform” and change up his sound (in his own words) but ever since Angel Eyes he been on a streak. In a better world, my nigga Kenny be a superstar. 7ELEVEN one of my favorite songs of the year.

Gotta give flowers whenever hearing a youngin that’s actually trying. I been on my Ebenezer Scrooge s*** with a lot of the younger artists coming out so I gotta keep the same energy. “Aight” been getting replayed constantly and even in spite of the album title, this was another pleasant surprise of the year for me. Thanks @Oblivion99

Some of the best vocal performances of the year came out this album ngl. It dropping early kinda got some people forgetting that (and I can admit it’s a very maximalist piece of work) but yeah this is fire.

My first kelela listen ever (dont kill me, I got like 3 black female friends irl already did that) and I get the hype. Caught my attention from idea 1 and that song with PinkPantheress is my fav collab of the year. Her interview explaining how she had her fellow queer audience that grew up “alternative” in mind makes a lotta sense. Bout to make me go back through her catalog but I’m excited for this grime n b project.

Who r these dawg (not tryna shade I wanna actually know lol)

Oh! I saw AjRadico open for my guy Cisco Swank and was impressed. That Slick Rick impression he did on that song was definitely fire.

I wasn't big on Gemini and cooled off on Lucki's music but this album hasn't really left my rotation since it came out. Just really good if I want to let an album play out in the car or something

I slept on the original release last year but the re-release with the new tracks and remixes really added to what was already a great project and it’s ended up being my most played album this year

@op already named mine 😭

3 am at the spot, hoes shakin ass everywhere and Janice STFU came on. Deadass forgot the album was dropping that weekend, had the club all dark and shii threw atleast a band while it played

AJRadico the second coming of Shock G

sakura?

AOTY for me so far

Also GENA & Erykah

• Reggie - UNDRA

a bit disappointing at first due to the wait, and the length of it but it's a really easy listen that grows on you. Also a very refreshing album with various types of sounds and eclectic production and writing. Sometimes, New headstone, Beautiful things, Watch comittee, Congrats are all really amazing

• Mack Keane - Wide Eyed

Only found about him this year but yea this album hit the spot. Very much im the dijon lineage but this s*** still goes

• Samm Henshaw - It Could Be Worse

Delivered his best album. Live instrumentation and great vocals. Just an all around great traditional soul album.

• GENA - The Pleasure Is Yours

Production is pretty immaculate all the way through with great. Overall just unique and fresh sound that makes very easy to replay

• La Reezy - Skiddle Bandana

Seeing his evolution has been dope, he really recaptured a lot of what I loved from the blog era and in a modern context. Colorful production, distinct voice and flows, and varied subjects

• J. Cole - Fall Off

Know a lot of this site disagree, but there's a lot to love about this album. And its still my RAOTY With regards to his discog, its pretty close to his best imo

f*** it man if there's anyone we need to be an actual influence in the music scene I'm glad it's dijon.

Jill Scott album was dope!

Elucid x sebb bash

So much preeshaaaa!

I was getting ready to hate cause it was a KIR thread title

Not exactly a gem but I loved the new Steve Lacy album, even though I'm not a fan of his.

Jane Remover is one artist I got into this year, loved the EPs she dropped as venturing and the Summer Fling loosie as Leroy.

Some lesser known artists I discovered this year that I like: doggone, sahn, baileyRP.

All due respect you be making some stinkers in this sxn dawg

gena or erykah who had the better drop

Damn nigga don't make me choose dawg please

went into this album not knowing a thing about slayyyter other than that song from anora, but whew did this girl impressed me with this one. the first 5 tracks are still probably my favorite run of the year. @op i would seriously recommend this one because imo this is the true spiritual successor to brat in every way

I'm ngl I was a little surprised by how much quality those 3 drake albums had. Especially iceman. Those singles weren't too promising.