
Every year, it feels like music accelerates. 2016 saw major releases from nearly every marquee artist under the sun, signaling that 2017 might be something of an off-year. A year for discovery, maybe, instead of established statements from major artists. Somehow, it was both. 2017 saw full-length releases from rappers we know to be at the peak of their powers—Future (twice), Kendrick, and Drake all made a run at an album of the year—and proof from veterans, Jay-Z in particular, that he's still at the height of his. And, as always, a new crop of artists arrived on the scene. 2017 heralded the major label debuts from a new class of SoundCloud rappers like Lil Yachty, Lil Pump, and Lil Uzi Vert—to varying degrees of success.
There were far, far more than 50 great albums this year. Here is Complex's picks for the best Albums of 2017.
50. Lil B, 'Black Ken'

49. Lil Pump, 'Lil Pump'

48. Haim, 'Something to Tell You'

47. Khalid, 'American Teen'

46. Lana Del Rey, 'Lust for Life'

45. Cyhi The Prynce, 'No Dope On Sundays'

44. Lorde, 'Melodrama'

43. J.I.D, 'The Never Story'

42. Miguel, 'War And Leisure'

41. Smino, 'blkswn'

40. 21 Savage, Offset, and Metro Boomin, 'Without Warning'

39. Young Dolph, 'Thinking Out Loud'

38. John Mayer, 'The Search for Everything'

37. 21 Savage, 'Issa Album'

36. Aminé, 'Good for You'

35. Dua Lipa, 'Dua Lipa'

34. Meek Mill, 'Wins & Losses'

33. Harry Styles, 'Harry Styles'

32. ASAP Twelvyy, '12'

31. Sonder, 'Into'

30. Thundercat, 'Drunk'

29. Roc Marciano, 'Rosebudd's Revenge'

28. GoldLink, 'At What Cost'

27. G Perico, 'All Blue'

26. Taylor Swift, 'Reputation'

25. 2 Chainz, 'Pretty Girls Like Trap Music'

24. Gucci Mane and Metro Boomin, 'Droptopwop'

23. Freddie Gibbs, 'You Only Live 2wice'

22. Kodak Black, 'Painting Pictures'

21. Kesha, 'Rainbow'

20. Rick Ross, 'Rather You Than Me'

19. Calvin Harris, 'Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1'

18. Joey Bada$$, 'All-Amerikkkan Bada$$'

17. Kelela, 'Take Me Apart'

16. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, 'The Bigger Artist'

15. Future, 'FUTURE'

14. Vince Staples, 'The Big Fish Theory'

13. Rapsody, 'Laila’s Wisdom'

12. Charli XCX, 'Number One Angel'

11. Syd, 'Fin'

10. Drake, 'More Life'

9. Daniel Caesar, 'Freudian'

8. Lil Uzi Vert, 'Luv Is Rage 2'

7. Migos, 'Culture'

6. Tyler, the Creator, 'Flower Boy'

5. Sampha, 'Process'

4. Future, 'HNDRXX'

3. SZA, 'Ctrl'

2. Jay Z, '4:44'

1. Kendrick Lamar, 'Damn'
