GRANDMASTER FLASH (Prolog)
“Grandmaster Flash gave me a job”
From Laraaji by Armand Hammer & The Alchemist
We are SudetyRaport, Your favorite rap plug, and we welcome you to our massive list of the TOP 100 Best Rap Albums of 2025. You may be wondering why we are releasing the list with a slight delay. The answer is simple: we didn’t want to rush anything. We listened to hundreds of albums released last year (yes, really hundreds), from which we carefully selected the 100 best. We always strive to dive deep into the genre and explore all corners of rap. Throughout the year, we give a chance to underground artists, rap stars who top the charts, and complete newcomers. Before compiling the list, we listened again to all the albums that impressed us the most this year. We listened to both the most famous albums and the ones you sent us in DMs. Choosing only a hundred albums was really difficult. We could easily expand the list to two hundred projects, and they would still be absolutely top-notch albums. You’ll find both LPs and shorter projects in the list. When compiling the list, we had only one rule—each rapper can only have one album in the list, unless it is a collaboration with another rapper. This restriction does not apply to producers. It is simply impossible to fit all the amazing artists who regularly release great albums and push the genre forward into one list. That’s why we publish our Rap Weekly article every Monday, where we write about the best of the rap scene. If your album didn’t make it into the list, don’t worry, we appreciate every artist, and it’s quite possible that we’ve given you space in Rap Weekly. Take the ranking with a grain of salt; every single artist in our list deserves enormous respect. We understand that praise such as “98th best album of the year” may seem ironic, but we selected from a much larger number of albums, and we would stake our reputation on all 100 of them. The descending order of the albums from 100th to 1st place is based on the intensity with which the album impacted us and serves primarily to keep the reader in suspense while reading the article. We won’t keep you waiting any longer, let’s dive into the depths of the best rap. Peace.
Title photo: Clipse by colorsxstudios
WELCOME 2 DA TERRORDOME (Chapter I.)
“fight the power!”
From fight the power! by Mike Shabb
100. Che Noir & Superior – Seeds In Babylon
Che Noir is one of the best rappers of our time, and every year we praise her projects that are incredibly thought-provoking, authentic, and admirable. On Seeds In Babylon, she teams up with producer Superior, and together they’ve created a powerful story where impressive beats intertwine with introspective bars to form one big whole. Che Noir understands that strength comes with sensitivity and vulnerability. On Seeds In Babylon, she reflects on powerful themes like motherhood and social inequality with masterful artistry. Che Noir raps without a hint of glorification, describing the dark world around her with a similar depth as, for example, Ka (Rest in peace), whose thought-provoking monologue on rap culture can be found on the track Interlude. The rapper demonstrates sheer mastery on the chilling and heartbreaking Ivory, where she describes growing up in a world filled with violence, anxiety, systemic racism, and drug addiction within her family. Destiny Rose is a sensitive love lovesong for her daughter, for whom Che Noir and her boyfriend want a better world. We wish them such a world and thank Che Noir for her powerful and thought-provoking music. Last year, she released four outstanding albums, proving her determination. She doesn’t waste time.
99. Tha God Fahim & Richard Milli – Omega Beams
Great beats, determined rap, and a mentality that knows no rest. The album Omega Beams offers exactly what you expect. Tha God Fahim is the hardest-working artist on the rap scene. On the album Omega Beams, produced by Richard Milli, he once again takes on the role of a mythical rap hero. Otherworldly endurance, endless bars, and a legendary run. Fahim has released over fifteen albums since 2025, so don’t expect overly innovative or sophisticated tracks; this is rap as natural as breathing itself. Rap is Fahim’s part of the body, a daily routine, and a superpower. It serves to express thoughts and emotions. Of course, we wouldn’t write about the album if we didn’t think it was great; Fahim still manages to surprise with his bars, and Richard Milli conducts the whole soundscape with masterful precision. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we’re sharing the entire album right away.
98. Errol Holden – Roc Marciano Presents: MULBERRY SILK ROAD
Last year’s second album by rapper Errol Holden is so cold that Roc Marciano himself signed it: MULBERRY SILK ROAD is a must-listen. On this album, Errol is utterly determined, cold, confident, and focused, his vision and cadence reminiscent of Marciano. Right on the first track, he mentions “How I make sound visual,” a concept that resonates throughout the album. Minimalist beats give Errol space, and you’re hypnotized by his cold flow and bone-chilling voice. The album is full of surprises, like the beat switch on PERHAPS IN THE NEXT or skits that lend cinematic depth. Errol isn’t a newcomer, yet this release feels like a pivotal moment that will bring him to a wider audience – and we’re glad for that, because it’s truly quality rap.
97. Fatboi Sharif & Driveby – Let Me Out
Fatboi Sharif is a truly unique artist whose works have fascinated us for several years. We dedicated an entire article to his album Decay (w/ steel tipped dove), which he released under Backwoodz Studioz, where we combined an experimental sci-fi short story with a list of Fatboi Sharif’s TOP 5 mind-bending rap albums and an analysis of the mentioned album. After all, how do we write about albums that defy all conventions, create new worlds, and take listeners to places they’ve never been? The same can be said for this album, which is even sharper, more striking, and darker than his previous projects. The world is bleeding, and from its wounds come things that can’t be described. Let Me Out by Fatboi Sharif & producer Driveby is a mind-bending experience. The bone-chilling album mirrors the current turbulent times in a fantastic and epic way, uncovering the demons hiding under the veil of illusions. The album will put glasses on you like in They Live (1988) and recharge and free your mind from the prison of self-doubt. Driveby didn’t produce rap beats—this is not music; it’s an entirely new world where blood and oil flow through its veins. The album features Beans, Lungs, and Curly Castro, who enter the story as new crazy characters, disrupting the trajectory of the narrative in ways the listener doesn’t expect. Wow.
96. Jalen Frazier & godBLESSbeatz – ETHICS OF WAR
The album ETHICS OF WAR by Jalen Frazier and godBLESSbeatz is a raw, unfiltered testimony about life on the streets, woven with personal experiences and harsh realities. The track JUST WAR THEORY is a vivid example, with every bar pulsating with authenticity, pain, and an unbreakable will to survive. From the very first moments, it’s clear this is no superficial listen. Jalen Frazier presents himself as a storyteller, a professor of the streets, painting a picture of a world where loyalty and trust are rare commodities. We feel the weight of his words as he speaks about loss and returning to the core — to what keeps him alive. It’s a story about finding meaning and holding onto principles even in the toughest realities. ETHICS OF WAR isn’t just about violence and conflict; it’s also about perseverance, loyalty, and striving to maintain integrity in a challenging environment. Jalen Frazier and godBLESSbeatz offer an authentic portrayal of life that is unimaginable for many but is the reality for so many others. The album is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the ability to survive and express oneself even in the darkest times. And if seven tracks in a similar vein aren’t enough for you, there’s also a deluxe version in the form of a three-track EP.
95. Niontay – Fada♡of$
Niontay, along with collaborators like MIKE, Sideshow, and El Cousteau, is one of the most prominent artists in contemporary rap. The rapper and producer from Brooklyn released his debut album, Dontay’s Inferno, in 2023, and since then, he has firmly established himself as an artist worth keeping an eye on. Fada♡of$ is a sonic tapestry woven from freedom and the desire to have fun with music, capturing the chaos of today’s hyper-digital, fast-paced world. The beats screech, the hi-hats dominate the entire soundscape, the tempo is relentless, and the rapper’s voice functions as another musical instrument, blending with the beats and dissolving into one unified whole. Niontay produced most of the album himself, but other contributors include Tony Seltzer, DJ Blackpower (MIKE), and Harrison from Surf Gang. The album features guest appearances from MAVI, Sideshow, El Cousteau, Jadasea, lil peanutbutter, and Dav1d. The track Triangle Offense feat. MAVI & Sideshow is a highlight, as all three artists relentlessly jump on the beat and, with a cadence that will send adrenaline rushing through your veins, spit punchline after punchline. This album is impossible to get bored with. Niontay’s approach to making music is all about fun, and he transfers that same energy to the listeners. Yet, the album is still an authentic reflection of the present era—fast, constantly changing, and if you’re not careful, it will run you over.
94. André DeSaint & Machacha – The Black Teddy Santis
Rapper André DeSaint and producer Machacha rank among the most distinctive and hardworking artists on today’s rap scene. Machacha produced over ten albums last year, yes TEN, and André DeSaint kicked off last year with the excellent album Open Up Shoppe (w/ Don Carrera). Together, they’ve joined forces on the quintessentially rap album The Black Teddy Santis. Expect rap in its purest form — this record tells the stories of people living on the “margins” of society, the kind of stories other genres might overlook. The artists reference Teddy Santis, founder and creative director of Aimé Leon Dore, in the album’s title. Born and raised in Queens, NY, to Greek immigrant parents, Santis represents the very spirit this record explores — the life of a kid raised by immigrants in Queens. In this case, the perspective shifts to Jamaican heritage. André DeSaint proves himself a masterful storyteller, while Machacha delivers striking, character-rich beats. The result is a captivating narrative that truly comes alive the moment you press play.
93. Blu & August Fanon – Forty
Blu is a poet. August Fanon is a beat alchemist. And when these two join forces, the result is a record like Forty, a project that doesn’t push for effect but slowly and lovingly gets under your skin. This record isn’t about making you jump around the room but rather sit down, turn off the noise of the world, and listen. And most importantly, feel. Forty is not just a number in the title. It’s age, reflection, crisis, peace, and wisdom all rolled into one. A confession of age that isn’t afraid to show vulnerability, humility, and the joy of having lived to the point where one understands what true value is. Each track is like a drop from a diary where Blu has surrounded himself with people who have something to say, and more importantly, say it with respect and a soul vibe. The record has a rich line-up of guests: Mickey Factz, Chester Watson, Charles Hamilton, Homeboy Sandman, Asher Roth, Fashawn, and more, but no one overpowers each other. Everyone here has the space to be themselves, in peace and in soul. Fanon’s beats are like a meditation—no boom bap in a box, more free-flowing sound collages, jazz-kissed loops, drums that don’t rush, and keys that caress. And then there’s Love (1-4), nearly eight minutes of pure poetry about love in its many forms. Love for family, partner, God, music, love that hurts, heals, destroys, and saves. A confession that is more of a modern psalm than a classic rap song. Every verse here pulses with a heartbeat. This track is the essence of the album. Love here is the foundation of life, of rap, and of aging itself. And that’s the power of Forty. It doesn’t pretend to be tough. It doesn’t play at eternal youth. It celebrates evolution, gratitude, depth, and acceptance. And it also shows that Blu is still the same emcee who blew up the scene years ago with Below the Heavens; only now he’s more mature, more calm, and perhaps even more in touch with what makes rap rap.
92. Joey Bada$$ – Lonely At The Top
On his new album Lonely At The Top, Joey Bada$$ finds himself exactly where the title points—at the top, yet in a space dominated by silence and the weight of his own thoughts. He has always been a rapper carrying the burden of Brooklyn, the legacy of Pro Era, and an entire generation on his shoulders, and here he seems to be trying once again to find balance between what success has given him and what it has taken away. The tracklist is packed with features that add varied textures to the album—Westside Gunn, Ab-Soul, Rapsody, Ty Dolla $ign, and A$AP Ferg. Yet, it remains Joey’s story. The cover also plays a significant role, which Joey describes as an abstract depiction of loneliness at the top. Gold symbolizes success, red represents effort, and blue and white eyes pose questions—are they tears, sky, or just a mirror? The music works the same way, like a painting that the listener will never experience exactly as Joey does.
91. Vega7 The Ronin & Machacha – The Ghost Orchid
On The Ghost Orchid, two artists who rely on atmosphere, precision, and inner drive instead of viral moments meet. Vega7 The Ronin rides focused rap without embellishment, while Machacha builds beats that don’t have a superficial glitz but breathe, subdued, slow, and with depth. The beginning is calm; A Floating Secret feels like an intro to the unknown. But once Quoth The Raven kicks in, it’s clear that this is no poetic stroll. Vega is rapping hard, the words clinking like iron. Metaphors about war, technology, and survival are crammed into every line. No superficial storytelling, but rather a stream of consciousness that makes you slow down and listen closely. Machacha keeps a consistent tone throughout the album; the beats aren’t cluttered and leave room for the lyrics. They are soundscapes that hold the emotion but don’t push the envelope. Look forward to analog sounds, noise, and lo-fi layers. The Ghost Orchid is a record that doesn’t impose itself. It’s not a first listen album. But if you give it space, it has a lot to offer: strong lyrics, balanced production, and most importantly, the feeling that the MC is speaking directly to you—no filters, no exaggeration. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so here is the video for the track REM.
