The Hypebae Best: Best Albums, Songs and Rising Artists of 2024

2024 proved once again that great music never lets up. At the center of it all was Brat, Charli XCX's summer-defining record that had everyone in its grip. Charli was so deep in her Brat era that she kept the party going with two companion albums -- Brat and it's the same but there's three more songs so it's not and Brat and it's completely different but also still brat. It was her world this summer and we were all too happy to live in it.

But Brat wasn't the only thing spinning on repeat, pop music as a whole had a moment. Sabrina Carpenter served up flirty, sugary confidence with "Espresso," while Chappell Roan's theatrical, heartfelt songwriting made her an instant favorite. Both became staples on our office playlist and racked up Spotify streams we'll pretend not to look at. Meanwhile, the rap world was anything but quiet. Kendrick Lamar and Drake's feud hit new heights, with "Not Like Us" transforming sharp jabs into a West Coast victory lap -- a diss track so infectious, it doubled as a hit single.

As for rising stars, this year shined a spotlight on voices like Tems, Renée Rapp, Elyanna and more -- these artists carved out their own lanes with distinctive sounds and undeniable talent. We even caught up with Elyanna earlier in June and her ambition to use music as a tool for change, which made her double wins at the Billboard Arabia Music Awards all the more meaningful.

Keep scrolling to discover our top albums, songs and rising artists of 2024.

BEST ALBUMS

Latto -- Sugar Honey Iced Tea

Alyssa Michelle Stephens, known professionally as Latto is a rising rap queen and her latest release, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, served up a razor sharp masterpiece. Latto creates an album that is equal parts playful and reflective. Tracks like "Big Mama" and "Georgia Peach" highlight her signature Atlanta sound, while softer cuts like "Good 2 You" featuring Ciara, showcase her versatility and romantic side. Sugar Honey Iced Tea stands out for its authenticity -- a confident homecoming that embraces Latto's Southern belle identity with charm and finesse.

GloRilla -- Glorious

GloRilla's Glorious is exactly that. This album marks her evolution from viral sensation to hip-hop powerhouse and dives deeper to reveal more personal stories of resilience and ambition.  Though "TGIF" or "WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME (feat.Sexyy Red)" made waves as viral hits, tracks like "Blessed and Reckless" are equally as infectious. Glorious is an anthem of self-belief, delivered with GloRilla's signature grit, charisma and unmistakable Memphis sound, earning its well-deserved place on our 2024's best albums list.

Charli XCX -- Brat

You already know what we're gonna say about Brat, it dominated our whole summer. It's just one of those albums where you can't fault any song, we can't pick a favorite because we love every one of them. Don't even get us started with the music videos and for those who missed the tour, we are truly sorry.

Tinashe -- Quantum Baby

Tinashe's seventh album, Quantum Baby is a testament to her DIY ethos and genre-blending vision. It's fluid, seductive and unapologetically experimental. Not to mention, its standout track, "Nasty," set the tone for an even more Brat-ier summer and was a slick production that instantly caught fire.

aespa -- Armageddon - The 1st Album

aespa's arrival in 2021 with "Next Level" marked them as the new leaders of K-pop, merging AI-inspired concepts with futuristic visuals. Their first full-length album Armageddon - The 1st Album, showcases their signature gritty and powerful sound, led by the single "Supernova." While the album steers away from the R&B influences of tracks like "Thirsty" or "Lucid Dream," it highlights the group's strength in solidifying their musical identity.

BEST SONGS

Chappell Roan -- "Good Luck, Babe!"

Chappell Roan is the ultimate pop chameleon. Her sound, style and visuals shift effortlessly, making her impossible to pin down and her single "Good Luck, Babe!" perfectly encapsulates this artistry. Beneath its polished production and striking vocals -- particularly the explosive moments late in the track, Roan's real magic lies in her storytelling. She delivers lyrics with the intimacy of a conversation and the weight of a monologue, pulling listeners deep into the narrative. It's this balance of emotional depth and performance that makes "Good Luck, Babe!" so captivating and cements her as one of pop's most compelling new voices.

Sabrina Carpenter -- "Espresso"

In addition to everything we've covered so far, we've got Miss Sabrina Carpenter to add to the list. Known for her flirtatious allure, Carpenter delivers hooky, playful lines like "My give a f-cks are on vacation" with a honeyed yet sharp edge. The song is filled with quirky, eyebrow-raising moments like "That's that me, espresso" and "I Mountain Dew it for ya" -- delivered with cheeky confidence. Its surreal, carefree vibe channels the spirit of '80s Italo-disco, where emotion takes precedence over literal meaning.

Flo Milli -- "Never Lose Me"

Flo Milli's unapologetic, eccentric style has earned her significant attention in the rap world. Despite critiques of her over-sexualized lyrics, she stays true to herself -- no easy feat for an emerging artist. Since debuting four years ago, the Alabama-based artist has carved a unique space for herself. Her December release, "Never Lose Me," became a TikTok sensation, topping Billboard's TikTok Top 50 chart for a record-breaking four weeks, making history with the longest reign on the chart.

Kendrick Lamar -- "Not Like Us"

The ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been one of this year's most talked-about music stories and it's reflected in the charts. On the Billboard's Hot 100, Kendrick takes aim at Drake in a blunt diss track, featuring a West Coast-style beat with the line, "Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophile." Kendrick doubles down on the controversy surrounding Drake, all while delivering a certified hit. This track is more than just a diss -- it's Kendrick's victory lap, blending cultural commentary with a chart-topping sound.

Billie Eilish -- "Birds of a Feather"

We love Billie Eilish and "Birds of a Feather" showcases her vocal range and emotional depth. The chorus is a standout, with Eilish belting out powerful notes that move beyond her signature whisper. Her high note towards the end reveals new layers to her voice to add depth to her sound, proving she's capable of much more than her usual style.

BEST RISING ARTISTS

Doechii

Doechii has had a breakout year, earning Grammy nominations for "Best New Artist," "Best Rap Performance" and "Best Rap Album" with "Alligator Bites Never Heal." She made history as the first woman nominated in the "Best Rap Album" category for a mixtape and impressed with powerful performances on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and a standout NPR Tiny Desk concert. With all this momentum, 2025 is set to be even bigger, with a potential Grammy win and a new album on the horizon.

Elyanna

The first-ever Billboard Arabia Music Awards 2024 officially made its way to Saudi Arabia and for Elyanna, it was a night to remember. Alongside performing two of her top songs -- "Al Sham" and "Ganeni," she also took home two prestigious awards: "Best Arab Indie Artist" and "Best New Artist." With her double win marking a career milestone, we’re excited to see what 2025 brings for her.

Renee Rapp

Renée Rapp, originally known for her work as a singer-songwriter, has made a notable shift from Broadway to pop stardom. She gained widespread recognition for her role in this year's musical reeboot of Mean Girls, but her true breakout came with her music career, particularly with her hit single 'Too Well." With 2.8 million Instagram followers and a growing TikTok presence, Rapp has steadily built a dedicated fanbase.

Tems

Tems (born Temilade Openiyi) has quickly become one of music's most celebrated rising stars. With 2024 marking a major milestone with the release of her highly anticipated studio debut album, Born in the Wild. The record has already made waves, with the standout track "Love Me JeJe" earning a nomination for "Best African Music Performance" at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Tems' soulful voice, unique sound and undeniable talent continue to position her as a leading force in both African music and the global music scene.

Lola Young

She honed her craft at the renowned BRIT School, home to some of the UK's brightest stars. By 18, she had already secured her first record deal and released her debut project, Intro in 2019. But her breakthrough came with "Messy," a TikTok smash that propelled her into the mainstream and skyrocketed her Spotify streams to 12.7 million monthly listeners. With a feature on Tyler, The Creator's Chromakopia and a sold-out U.K. tour closing out her stellar 2024, she's cemented herself as an artist on the rise.

While you're here, check out the rest of our Hypebae Best features for 2024 starting with The Best Fashion Brands and Items of 2024.

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