Top 3 Rap Albums in 2025

A rap reflection of 2025 written by Nessa

#1. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL – Larry June and 2 Chainz 

Cover for Larry June & 2 Chainz' LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL album, released Feb. 7, 2025.

This shit right here is a KNOCKER. The project bang more than shrimp. You’re at Bonefish grill. You look at the appetizers and you see that Bang Bang Shrimp that cost $18 for no reason? This is that.

If I had to further express how tough this album is, I would say the production from The Alchemist and lyricism from both Larry June and 2 Chainz was nothing short of greatness. A huge appreciation I have for the Alchemist is his fierceness in beat production and how he uses samples to create something new and fresh.

In its entirety, Larry June and 2 Chainz provided us with creative storytelling consisting of both the hardships and ease that come with success; what had to be done to get to that level of success and the influence and impact they’ve created from just putting in that work daily.

How can we not feel motivated after hearing the first song "Munyon Canyon"? It doesn’t matter what you do for work, cause putting this song on will quickly remind you that you’re getting to that munyon no matter what. While being greeted that way by Larry June in the first line isn’t the greatest thing to hear first thing in the morning, I can imagine the humor that came with that in the studio and how he thought "lets introduce the listeners to this album this way."

We got tracks like "Colossal", "LLC’’ "Any Day" and more to remind us of the famous saying: if we put our mind to it, we can really achieve anything. 2 Chainz is rapping his ass off on every song. "Generation" is an honorable mention and if you heard this track, you know why. 2 Chainz was the perfect person to collaborate on this album.

Listen, the album speaks for itself. Highly recommend.  

#2 LET GOD SORT EM OUT – Clipse 

Of course I had to give recognition to this project as it was the duo’s first album since their album "Til the Casket Drops" back in 2009. Unfortunately I was too busy playing the Wii back then to witness greatness at that time, but I bet you if I did lock in, I would have collections instead of watches right now.

Nothing like an album by Pusha T and Malice to make you feel like you should have woke up at 4am every day and gotten to work since you was born. If you wasn’t working towards being the best version of yourself, you’re wasting time and money, at least according to this duo.

2009's TIL THE CASKET DROPS (cover pictured left) was Clipse's most recent album until LET GOD SORT EM OUT (cover pictured right) dropped on July 11, 2025.

The shit they had to go through to drop this controversial album is only one of my reasons as to why this belongs in my top 3; They had fight and pay a large sum to clear Kendrick Lamar’s insane Grammy-winning feature on "Chains and Whips" with their previous record label Def Jam and man, was it worth it.

The media coverage on the lyricism citing criticism on  Drake, Travis Scott, Jim Jones and more, made this album even more relevant and enticing to listen to. To have features like Pharrell Williams, Nas, and John Legend; how can we not tune into what off rip appears to be a classic?

Malice, Pusha T, Pharrell Williams, (pictured left on 2026 Grammys Red Carpet) and Kendrick Lamar (pictured middle on Grammys stage) won 'Best Rap Performance' this past Sunday for CHAINS AND WHIPS.

The production was brash and unsettling in a way that provokes the common mean mug face when you hear a nasty beat. You can probably imagine any face Timbaland has made when he finishes creating a beat; that's exactly the face I’m talking about. Harsh and cunning lyrics referencing money, power, criticism, success and more, it was easy to pick this album as apart of my top 3. 

#3 AM I THE DRAMA – Cardi B 

This is Cardi B’s highly-anticipated album, the long-awaited drop since her last album in 2018, "Invasion of Privacy".  Fans were waiting for several years for another album, and I included this album on my list because with so much time and so many events passing by over the years, Cardi B did not disappoint in releasing such an intricate rap album.

When this project dropped last September, it debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 200 and has continued to receive many positive reviews since its release. Although older singles "WAP" and "Up" were placed on the album and may have seemed off-putting or out of place, it was claimed that the album was being continuously worked on during these several years and was pushed back multiple times, as she knew the expectations were high.

The album was raw and revealed a significant amount of honesty and vulnerability, as we hear songs referring to her relationship with Stefon Diggs, the betrayal she experienced with Offset and what she experiences as a successful and heavily-critiqued female rapper.

It’s clear she’s "Outside" while being "Pretty and Petty" so there’s no need to ask "What’s Goin On". I’m sure she felt "Safe" as she was "Killin You Hoes" because she was  making sure these women were "Dead" and couldn’t get back "Up".

There’s 23 tracks on this album, so I’m not going to let you guys suffer as I try to continue whatever the previous statements were. But, I am somewhat proud of the word play, so here we are.

Anyway, listen, she had great features such as Cash Cobain, Tyla, Summer Walker, Janet Jackson, Kehlani, Megan Thee Stallion and more, all whom were diligent in providing complementary verses and hooks. I believed everyone played their part accordingly.

Cardi B was not afraid at all to defend herself as she showcased her rigid explicit lyrics and practiced freedom of speech to curse a few bitches out, all while still uplifting women who deserved better. A wonderful emotion-inducing album, this was easy to think about when referring to my Top 3 Rap Albums of 2025. 

Cardi B. EDWARD BERHTELOT / GETTY IMAGES

Thank you for your continued support on The Recess Bell! I hope we all are having a great start to 2026 and I’m looking forward to continue bringing you all more content surrounding the critique of music. I’m also looking forward to exploring more aspects of different genres of music in its entirety as well.

Let’s have a great year of music and have So Much Fun. Shout out  to the Young Thug fans if you understood that reference. Til next time!