morning show Big BoyвЂ™s Neighborhood leading the way), to make the effort a total West Coast affair. The shrewd Long Beach native returns with more ingenuity, crafting his third LP in the style of a radio show (with elements of L.A. Vince Staples goes back-to-back after landing the futuristic Big Fish Theory on this very list in 2017.

What this album does best is bring listeners into YGвЂ™s world, and thereвЂ™s enough to love about it to keep them there. The sound of 2018вЂ™s Stay DangerousВ is defined by longtime collaborator Mustard, meaning everything is in its bouncy, West Coast place, while YG busts out his rolodex to coax attention-grabbing guest turns from Quavo on the old-school вЂњSLAY,вЂќ and 2 Chainz on the star-studded single вЂњBig Bank,вЂќ along with Nicki Minaj and Big Sean. Over the past three years, YG has discovered his ideal lane and gotten down to the nitty gritty work of honing and sharpening his craft within it. On вЂњCocaine,вЂќ Royce painfully reflects about his fatherвЂ™s drug addiction, while also addressing his own fears as a man on the blissful вЂњOutside.вЂќ Though Royce relishes his title of elite lyricist, on Book of Ryan, he shines brighter as an intrepid soul unafraid of embracing his muddy past. While his lyrical dexterity remains unmatched (вЂњGodspeedвЂќ) itвЂ™s his unrelenting honesty that cuts the deepest throughout this 22-track endeavor. Known for his exemplary wordplay, the criminally underrated Royce Da 5вЂ™9вЂќ crafted his most complete album with Book of Ryan in March. Walk along with us as we dish out our top 20 rap albums from an unforgettable 2018. Billboard's 50 Best Albums of 2018: Critics' Picks

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