ASTROWORLD opens quickly and powerfully with two tracks that play off of each other’s energy beautifully in “STARGAZING” and “CAROUSEL”. Thankfully, Scott finally released his 3rd studio album in August at a point where expectations were phenomenally high. Travis Scott had been teasing this long awaited album since 2017, so much so that fans began to believe the album was nothing more than a mere myth. From Cudi’s howling which opens the record on “Feel the Love”, to the quiet strings and synthesizers that let the project coast into oblivion on closer “Cudi Montage”, the watertight self-dissections brought by the duo on this debut have provided the millennial generation with their experimental, yet beautiful mental health opus. Much like “Ye”, released just one week earlier, it runs at a short-but-sweet twenty-ish minutes with seven tracks which also equates to an experience that is all killer, no filler. Sounding wholly unique compared to both modern rap and Yeezy’s own already-unique discography, it appears to its listeners as completely immersed in the sounds of neo-psychedelia and avant-garde Hip Hop. The third album to be released as a part of his seminal Wyoming sessions, “Kids See Ghosts” is a collaboration with long-time protege Kid Cudi.

This is not just the best rap music 2018 had to offer this is the best music Kanye West has ever pulled off. From Kanye outbursts to Cardi B domination, the cultural landscape has been completely drenched in Hip Hop. Speaking of Eminem, 2018 saw releases from long time veterans of the game, including Shady himself, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Nas.

Tory Lanez, and somehow, even Machine Gun Kelly vs. The year has also been sprinkled with high quality beefs between A-list rappers that have produced amazing diss tracks and kept the energy high. Long awaited releases from fan-favorite artists have been pumping out constantly, not to mention the rise of many new contenders to the field such as 27-year-old Atlanta rapper, J.I.D. 2018 has been regarded as one of the best, if not, the best, year for Rap of the decade.

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