5 Underrated Hip-Hop Albums You Need to Hear

 

Hip-hop is a constantly evolving genre, with countless artists delivering incredible projects that don’t always get the attention they deserve. While big names like Drake and Travis Scott dominate the charts, many underground and independent artists are pushing the culture forward in exciting new directions. Here, we’ll explore five underrated albums that deserve more recognition, including work from Zack Fox to That Mexican OT.

 

1.      Zack Fox - shut the f**K up talking to me (2021)

Zack Fox is best known for his comedy work through his standup and Abbott Elementary 2017- Present . However this debut album mixes outlandish humour with sharp lyricism. This is definitely an album you’ll find yourself hearing new bars that originally went over your head on the first listen. Songs like “fafo” and “bane” have hard infectious beats and genuinely laugh out loud hilarious bars. This is a nice refreshingly different take on rap, that wont be everyone’s cup of tea, but its certainly worth a try. Its short, sweet and is an enjoyable listen.

stfu talking to me (2021)

 

2.      That Mexican OT – Texas Technician (2024)

That Mexican OT's Texas Technician is a raw and gritty Southern rap album that’s gaining attention for its energetic flow, bilingual wordplay and strong Texas roots. This is That Mexican OT’s latest installment into his catalogue, this album is packed with bangers such as “Twisting Fingers” featuring Moneybagg Yo, including a hard hitting beat with fast wordplay from OT throughout, the feature from Moneybagg Yo is also a nice addition, they flow nicely and blend well together on this one. “Function” featuring Propain, is another one of my favourites on this album, its more chill than Twisting fingers but it still features those hard hitting 808’s, while maintaining that hard hitting noise we associate with That Mexican OT.  The production is heavy on trap beats, and features many nods to Texas legends. OT is heavy on representing himself as a true Texas Mexican and I believe he does himself justice on this record.

 

Texas Technician (2024)

3.      BabyTron – Megatron 2 (2023)

Babytron is a leading figure in Michigan’s new rap wave. Here he brings witty lyricism and a distinct style that only Babytron can offer. His offbeat flows and sampling of unconventional beats, shows Tron’s innovation in this project. One of my favourites on this album is “IRL” featuring BLP Kosher. Every time these two get on a beat its straight mayhem, they constantly trade bars back and forth, while also linking each others rhymes together, its simply genius. “Stutter Flow” is another one you should definitely listen to, here Tron, stutters throughout the entire track while still making it sound like straight up fire. This is another album packed full of songs which will have you catching new bars every time you re-listen to it.  Tron is definitely one of the most exciting voices in modern rap, hes starting to now receive his flowers from the industry as he recently featured on Eminem’s newest album, so if Em can give him a chance, why cant you?

 

Megatron 2 (2023)

4.      Lil Yachty - Michigan Boy Boat (2021)

Michigan Boy Boat is a love letter to the Michigan rap scene, blending his signature playful style with the gritty, offbeat flows of Michigan’s underground artists. Featuring collaborations with rappers like Sada Baby, Babyface Ray, and Icewear Vezzo, the album highlights the raw energy and unfiltered style that define Detroit’s rap scene.  “This That One” is a track jam packed with features from Krispy Life Kidd, Louie Ray, Slap Savage, Veeze and YN Jay. You would think the abundance of artists on this track may make it a bit of a mess, however it’s a great track with everyone’s styles blending well together, it’s a hard hitting track with great one liners and word play from all. “Concrete Goonies” is a great solo effort from Yachty, with upbeat trap production and off-kilter flows, that are characteristic of that Michigan rap style I have come to love.  This album flew under the radar for many listeners but serves as an important bridge between Atlanta and Detroit’s evolving sounds.

 

Michigan Boy Boat (2021)

5.      Concrete Boys – It’s Us Vol.1

This album released earlier this year and has been in my rotation ever since. Full of high energy trap beats and off beat flows from the likes of Karrahbooo, it makes for a fun listen. While it seems that the future of the group may be up in the air as we are amidst the beef between the two main members Lil Yachty and Karrahbooo, its still an album worth listening to. My favourite tracks are “Hit Diff” and “Playa Walkin” anything featuring Karrahbooo on this album is immediately worth listening to. Her off beat, relaxed flow is soothing to the ears while simultaneously hitting hard, I honestly think Karrahbooo shows most potential of the bunch but only time will tell.  The Concrete Boys bring a rawness and creativity that’s aligned with Yachty’s own experimental style, blending Atlanta trap with unconventional melodies.

It's Us Vol 1. (2024)