In case you missed it, we’ve shared our Most Anticipated Albums of 2026, and after rounding up the metallic and laborious, pop, and indie and various rock albums we’re wanting ahead to, we’re specializing in the hip-hop LPs we are able to’t wait to listen to this 12 months. Ensure that to additionally take a look at our 2026 Artists to Watch and 50 Most Anticipated Excursions, and skim our 2025 Annual Report recap.
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Have you ever heard? Final 12 months, hip-hop songs fell out of the High 40 of the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart for the primary time in 35 years. You probably have your wits about you, this commentary didn’t make you bat an eye fixed. In any case, hip-hop died and was reborn in 2025, and it was precisely what the style wanted. This recalibration offers us a lot to look ahead to on our record of the ten Most Anticipated Hip-Hop Albums of 2026.
This 12 months will see the grand return of A$AP Rocky, whose fourth studio album Don’t Be Dumb has been eight years within the making. Fellow blog-era rapper J. Cole will even be releasing his long-awaited album THE FALL-OFF, greater than 5 years after it was initially introduced. One other group who hasn’t dropped in a minute, Bone Thugs-N-Concord are making an epic comeback with their upcoming full-length, which is ready to be the Cleveland group’s first undertaking that includes all 5 authentic members since 2010.
Newcomers to the highlight AZ Chike and Range God Cooks are every seeking to capitalize on their high-profile options with Kendrick Lamar (“Peekaboo”) and Clipse (“F.I.C.O.”), respectively. Doechii is predicted to additional tackle the misogynoir and industry-plant allegations which have been swirling round her on the follow-up to her Grammy-winning 2024 mixtape Alligator Bites By no means Heal.
In the meantime, GloRilla has not too long ago revealed that the follow-up to her debut album Superb will arrive this 12 months, and he or she plans to provide it her all. Moreover, Freddie Gibbs and KAYTRANADA have teased a collaborative undertaking that’s certain to deliver the dance and hip-hop worlds collectively. Experimental rap acts like Demise Grips and Denzel Curry are additionally set to launch new LPs, rounding out the breadth of hip-hop.
And these are simply the albums that we learn about; of course, we’ll be right here to replace you about shock releases and initiatives coming later down the road. For now, take a deeper look into our 10 Most Anticipated Hip-Hop Albums of 2026 beneath.
— Kiana Fitzgerald
Contributing Function Author
