2024 is considered by many rap fans to be a groundbreaking year as stadium-selling artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, the Creator drop some of their most unique and trailblazing music to date, while underground sensation JPEGMAFIA brings a completely distinct sound that defies what it means to have influence and creative status in the hip-hop world.
Somewhat unexpectedly, Lamar, on Nov. 22, 2024, dropped GNX following the array of diss tracks against Drake that had already put Lamar in the spotlight. GNX sent waves through the hip-hop world as everyone was equally shocked at the release and the unique sound each song had, like “Luther” and “tv off.” Some highlights include the bouncing West Coast hip-hop-inspired sound and the amount of LA pride that was exuded into the entire project. In the past, Lamar has been the gold standard for hip-hop not only in LA but also for the entire world, and with the introduction of GNX to his roster, he only further solidified his position.
Similarly gaining high praise as well is another hip-hop giant representing the LA area. Tyler, the Creator, and his hip-hop, R&B, and psychedelic rock-inspired CHROMAKOPIA has taken the scene by storm. As Jacob Uy ‘27 puts it, “‘CHROMAKOPIA feels like you’re on a journey.” Like many of Tyler’s other LPs, CHROMAKOPIA is an album that sounds completely isolated in his discography while also showing his growth and artistic maturity gained throughout his career.
This growth can be traced in the lead single “Noid,” where the Zambian band, the Ngozi Family, is sampled to provide the song with an almost shock-inducing energy that describes how Tyler struggles with paranoia and the result of fame.
Baltimore and Los Angeles creative, JPEGMAFIA, continues to set himself apart. I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU radiates everything JPEGMAFIA is known for: loud, electrifying, and different from the crowd. Like so many past projects, JPEGMAFIA continued to pour his soul into every bar, production, and vocal delivery in this record. Using the momentum built from his previous record, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU was flooded with personality and samples that could not be conjured by any other.
Charlie Walter ‘25 can relate, saying, “JPEGMAFIA is a really underrated rapper with consistently great records and deserves more recognition.” Some highlights include the brilliantly produced songs “SIN MIEDO,” “it’s dark and hell is hot,” and “either on or off the drugs.” Like any other project of his, this one distinctly brings something fresh to the table.
2024 was a year that showcased some of the best creatives in the industry to date and left rap fans in 2025 wanting Kanye to stop releasing VULTURES albums and for Playboi Carti and Frank Ocean to finally release new music.
