SSV Best Of: Hip-Hop 2022

My favourite Hip-Hop releases of the year.

Nov 26, 2022

Hi Pal,

It’s that time of year again when we take a look back at the most memorable music releases of the year. It’s only fair that I give some disclaimers at this juncture.

I did not listen to every album, EP or song that dropped in 2022. These lists only contain the stuff that I listened to.
This list is strictly my personal opinion and as such is very biased.
This is a ranked list.

Stick around for the updated playlist at the end. Also, you can check out the songs on all platforms using the embedded links on the titles.

I listened to over 30 hip-hop albums and EPs this year. Here are my favourite album releases of 2022:

10 — America Shall Be Saved by Cephas

Concept albums are a constant theme on this list, so we’re kicking off with one. I am not a fan of music that has heavy political inclinations and at first, I was scared that this album was going to do that. What I found instead was a fairly balanced approach to the subject of Christianity and Godliness in America. Cephas did a good job with this one.

9 — The Brotherhood: War Cry by Marcus Rogers

Marcus Rogers is quite prolific and since I discovered him, I’ve been quite surprised about how much music he has released in the short space of time he has been on the scene. I went into this album expecting a concept album with defined boundaries. Instead, it turned out to be a more free-flowing experience. In some ways, this works for the album because it is an album that relies on a lot of different features that all have their own unique style. In other ways, I feel like the number of collaborations on it makes the project a bit sonically unfocused.

8 — 3rd Adam by Robin Martyr

In terms of approach, 3rd Adam is probably the direct opposite of The Brotherhood: War Cry. Robin Martyr keeps everything within a simple and direct creative pocket. From the start, you can tell what he intends to communicate and by the end, you get the message. It’s sweet and succinct.

7 — The MAP by H.U.R.T

With an eclectic mix of tracks and skits, this album is an offering of loosely connected stories exploring various themes. There are some tracks here that are up there with my favourite rap songs of the year while some others are quite generic and unmemorable. Ultimately, the production value of this album is what keeps it this high on my list. It’s very good.

6 — Yah’s Legacy by King Chai, Jay Anime

I have a soft spot for duos and this is not the only mention of such a project on this list. Still, the chemistry between King Chai and Jay Anime is undeniable. King Chai and Jay Anime have very different cadences that may have been a mismatch in the hands of a different producer. I have to give all the props to King Chai for producing such a gem.

5 — Matthew 10:16 by William Cata

William Cata dropped two albums this year and either of them could have made this list. I chose this album because I believe it is more thematically consistent than its predecessor — Not Too Late. All the songs speak about navigating life and various scenarios with the scripture, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves”, hanging as a fitting backdrop for most of the songs.

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This 35-track album is one of the more unique musical experiences that I have had this year. There’s hardly any style of rap/hip-hop that isn’t explored in some way on this journey and for that Rich 99 has my respect. Although this album has way more hits than misses, I have to admit that its length also does a bit of a disservice. If some songs were left on the threshing floor or kept for a future EP, this album will probably be ranked higher.

3 — Forgiven Music by Kieran The Light

At some point this year, this was my favourite hip-hop album of the year and for the most part, it still holds up nicely. Kieran The Light is quite conscious of the pressure that comes from being a Christian rapper and he uses his experiences as a vehicle for passing his intended messages. One consistent theme that I enjoy on the album is how much he believes in the excellence of his craft.

2 — ControverSoul by Isaiah Robin

I understand how some may see Isaiah Robin’s music as confrontational but I believe that voices like his are quite needed on the scene today. He is not afraid to speak on serious and controversial topics and he always approaches them from a Biblical perspective. My favourite thing about this album is his ability to switch in and out of different moods and cadences. So while he is tackling these issues, he can sound lighthearted, funny and even sarcastic without compromising his message.

1 — MORE GLORY by Young C, Jkzn

I heard one song off this album and I knew I was in for a great ride. Jkzn’s production is top-tier from start to finish and Young C has a way of slotting in wonderfully on both old-school and modern hip-hop beats. Their partnership on this album feels both fresh and classic. It certainly deserves the No 1. spot.