Favorite Albums OAT

Just cutting the top 100, Whole Lotta Red isn't just an album; it's a moment that started a wave of copycats. After Carti dropped his junior project, everyone wanted to make this rage-type music. But the album as a whole is easily his best. Focused and fun, nothing could have prepared me for my first listen of this.

A party album, to say the least. Blink's Take Off Your Pants And Jacket shows you how perfect pop punk was in the 2000's. With hits like "The Rock Show", "First Date", and "Anthem Part 2", this album gets the point across perfectly that teens need punk music.

Future's self-titled album just goes to show how dominant he was in his prime. "Mask Off" was the obvious hit, but the hidden gems sprinkled around the album just go to show the skill he had from 2015 to 2018. "When I Was Broke", "Good Dope", "Might As Well", "Feds Did A Sweep", all bangers that go too unnoticed. But, not as good as the sequel...

With hits that defined their generation, the Black Eyed Peas kept changing their style. But their 2003 project Elephunk was the best they got. With hits like "Let's Get It Started" and "Where Is The Love?", Elephunk brought people together all over the world. Lots of quality throughout give it the life to keep you going throughout.

This is one of the most surprising releases I've been a part of. Jack Harlow's Monica just goes to show he's more talented than the industry takes him for, even with Jackman. being such a success in my eyes. Monica is a neo soul album that is quick in and out for the listeners. Even though it's short, there are some amazing songs on here. "Trade Places", "My Winter", and "All Of My Friends" are just a few that define this amazing release from Jack.

A fantastic start to Drake's long career, So Far Gone shows you the path he was destined to take. With his Wayne-esc flow throughout, Drake had major highs on one of the best mixtapes of the 2000s. With the huge hit of "Best I Ever Had", this put him into the spotlight, making him the most successful actor gone rapper. Although the back half is really good, the front half holds a special place in my heart.

Just like with Drake, Future's "Monster" was a huge step forward compared to his earlier mixtapes. This dark, ruthless project jumped into a whole different league of quality, truly starting his run. This is the hungriest he's ever been and has some of the most emotional storytelling he's ever written. "Throw Away" and "Codeine Crazy" are the two hits, which, if we're being honest, make perfect sense. Two amazing songs.

One album that I didn't think I'd like as much as I did was "Faith Of A Mustard Seed" by Mustard. This project is just a beautiful listen, and the features are phenomenal. From Young Thug to Future to Lil Yachty, the quality of rap is just amazing. Rap was in a weird spot when this came out, and I can confidently say this is the best album to come out in the summer of 2024.

This was Tory Lanez's first leap toward the R&B style that he is known for today. The darker, slower music on this is truly a testament to what he would drop in the near future. With a perfect intro and outro, this album couldn't go any lower on my list.

"I Thought About Killing You", "Yikes", "All Mine", "Wouldn't Leave", "No Mistakes", "Ghost Town", and "Violent Crimes". To me, I think this album just continues to get better the farther down the tracklist you go. This is where Ye peaked in his bipolar phase, and I think the main reason for that is that he kept it short and sweet. No crazy outliers, just straight quality music.

An album I didn't find til later, this is the sequel to NxWorries album "Yes Lawd". Just an amazing listen is what I would like to call it. My favorite track on the album is easily "Daydreaming", and I think that song sums up exactly what the album is about. Just slow tracks with great vocals. That's the beauty of it.

Both of these rappers' best collaborators are each other, and it shows. "Pussy & Millions", "Hours In Silence", and "Spin Bout U" are just a few tracks that show the chemistry these two share on the mic. Plus, the solo songs are very solid, showing they both have incredible talent with or without help.

"Octane" is Don's most recent album, and when it comes to the overall experience, it is clearly his best. From the hype moments like "Excavator", "Gemstone", and "Opposite" to the more laid-back moments like "Tiramasu", "All The Signs", and "E85", there is so much to appreciate on this album. My friend Landon is this album's #1 glazer, and to tell you the truth, all of his points are very solid. A great way to start 2026, and there are still a couple of albums to go from this year on this list.

What a pop album. When I hear this, I just think to myself, "This is the most confident anyone has ever sounded recording music". Her style in untouchable, and she does not have a single miss on this. But the title track has stuck with me the most throughout the years. Pure, emotional, perfect.

After not dropping an album in about a decade, Green Day came out with a bang with "American Idiot". If you know me, I love two-part songs, and this is the best showing of that on any rock album I've ever heard. "Are We the Waiting / St. Jimmy", "Holiday / Boulevard of Broken Dreams", and "Jesus of Suburbia" are all just roller coasters to say the least. An undeniable classic.

I got into this album because "We Belong Together" is one of my favorite R&B songs I've ever heard, and the rest of the album did not disappoint. One album I am so glad I have on CD, "The Emancipation of Mimi" covers every positive aspect about Mariah Carey. Just a very fun album overall, no negatives I could say.

A hit-filled album to say the least. This album just goes to show how incredible Michael truly was. It starts off fast, then slows down somewhat, and then picks right back up with hit after hit after hit. Imagine putting most all of your hits at the very back of the album! That's what Michael could do, because he was Michael, and that's all that needs to be said.

The better blink album, "Enema Of The State" encampsulates what they were all about, quirk. "What's My Age Again?", "Adam's Song", "Dynesty Gary" (which doesn't get talked about enough": these are all undeniable classics in the pop punk community. I pray for another pop punk classic in the near future, because it has been slacking lately.

What truly could've been a great band, Maroon 5 does have some iffy recent stuff, but this, this was special. "Songs About Jane" was a funk rock album nobody was ready for. Classics upon classics arose from this, and i can comfortably say anyone who likes Maroon 5 knows that this is their best album. I used to be an "Overexposed" type of guy, but as I matured, this one just stands so much better than it.

Although this is definitely not my favorite Weeknd album, the highs are absurd. "Often" is an all-time banger, "Earned It" is a fantastic R&B track, and "Tell Your Friends", to be completely honest, is my favorite Weeknd song of all time. The Kanye production with some of his best lyrics makes it a one-of-a-kind classic. This is a total shift from where he was in his Trilogy/Kiss Land era, but there were definitely positives from the switch.

Dance. Just dance. "Discovery" by Daft Punk pushed even more boundaries than they already did. And even though they were taking risks, they still made polished, fun dance music. Every song feels like an electronic symphony, and to this day, they haven't exceeded this level of funk since.

Metallica's "Kill 'Em All" is one of the greatest debut albums released in the 20th century, and it might just be the best. They started their career with some of the greatest songs ever written. "Seek & Destroy", "The Four Horsemen", "Whiplash": I could only imagine what type of substances they were on making this album. All I'm going to say is, it wasn't light.

A standout album from 2025, "BELOVED" brings the R&B back to its roots. GIVĒON is one of those artists I knew had talent, and after this, no one would be able to deny it. Smooth and soulful, this album holds a beloved place in my heart.

This was, at one point, a top 5 album for me. I know that might sound crazy, but when this first came out, it was in my rotation daily for months. It starts you off with bold hits that drag you in immediately, then switches back to older, rougher 21, and finally finishes off with some of my favorite songs from him, those being "See The Real", "Prove It", "Shoulda Wore A Bonnet", and "Just Like Me". This is my favorite version of him, and his confidence is at an all-time high with this project.

After watching the movie Project X three times in one weekend, I tried searching for the soundtrack. But, by complete accident, I stumbled upon this gem. This short, high-intensity album from Ken is like a rewiring in your brain. Each song competes with the last, and you're just left amazed after listening to it. While other Ken Carson might be a little repetitive, I find this to be the best new-era rage that there has ever been.

I don't know if you would consider some other albums higher than this R&B, but to me, this is the best true R&B album on this list. Such a pure listen front to back, this album does not get the credit it deserves. A moving album with unbelievable songwriting. Almost like the angel on your shoulder compared to Ken Carson, which is ironic because I first listened to them both on the same day.

Kanye's most indulging project, and probably the one I come back to most. Every listen just makes me feel some sort of way. "Say You Will" gets you into the album immediately, and then from there, you are a part of the world of Heartbreak. Iconic and groundbreaking album.

Now this, this is the most fun album I have ever heard. It is a tragedy that it's sitting outside the top 10, but there is almost nothing that could be moved out of my top 10. One of my first albums on CD, and bumping it in the summer of 2024 was a memory I will forever cherish.

Into the top 10, The Weeknd's final album under his name was a classic as soon as it came out. It just feels like a movie, which is ironic because there is a movie alongside it. From "Given Up On Me" to "Take Me Back To LA", there is so much to take from the best album of 2025.

Everybody knows the aura around this album. Drake's sophomore project just seems like a greatest hits for any normal artist, but no, for Drake, it's just an album. "Headlines", "Take Care", "Practice", "HYFR", "The Motto", "Marvins Room", the list goes on. Such an album from the boy, and this is the reason people beg for the old Drake back.

The best pop album ever conceived, and I don't even know how it was. Justin Timberlake straight up sounds like the best vocalist I've ever heard on this album, and the production...unbelievable. Timbaland's best work, from "Sexyback" to "Medley: Let Me Talk To You/My Love" to"What Goes Around.../...Comes Around" to "Chop Me Up". Some of the best two-part songs of all time, and I couldn't do it justice just describing it, go listen to it.

Anderson .Paak is a special musician. But this, this is his best. From the very start, you know what you're getting into, and it doesn't disappoint. Every feature is perfect, as well, and a .Paak and Andre 3000 collab is something I never thought I would get, but definitely something I needed. Perfect from start to finish.

Best trap album ever created. Future's prime, as we all know, was in 2015, and without this album, I don't even know if people would talk about that run like they do today. My favorite Future song is on this project as well, that being "Colossal", and I really want that song to get talked about more often, because it is truly a special one.

I think it is a general consensus that this is Jermaine at his peak. Hitters like "No Role Modelz", "G.O.M.D", and "Wet Dreamz" are obviously what gave this album its fame, but gems like "Apparently" and "'03 Adolescence" always bring me back. Nostalgia is just the perfect word for this album as a whole.

Kanye in his prime. Part of the reason I love this project is because of his confidence. One second he's crying because of his grandma dying and the nex he's telling everyone that no one will bring him down. An all-timer from a legend, and every emotion you can imagine is on this album.

An escape is the best way to describe this album. So fluid and some of the best transitions on any album. "Kiss Land pt. 2" is such a great way to describe this, but in my opinion, this franchise more aligns with The Terminator.

My first favorite album. Not a single skip, or even an okay song. This is what I'd like to consider Polo G's greatest hits. Every song is fantastic, and this is probably my hottest take ever, but even after all of my time listening to albums, this still stands as the second-best album for me.

This, my good friends, is the best and most replayable album I've ever heard. I knew it would be on the first listen. "U Wit Me?" and "Feel No Ways" pulled me in immediately, and then I just grew to love each and every song. Each time I listen to it, I feel like time speeds up, because an hour twenty suddenly gets over with what feels like 30. I'd suggest it to anyone and everyone. Thank you for reading, and go listen to one of these 100 albums today, because I know I probably will.