Kendrick VS. Drake VS. J. Cole: Ranking Rap's Big 3 Top 5 Albums

If you're reading this, it's too late to change my opinion — I said what I said.

For Black Music Month, where we embrace the influence of its roots and the artists that carry on its legacy, it's only right that we rank some albums. I'll be ranking the rap game's Big 3 Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Drake's albums head to head in this piece.

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Debut Album: Section.80

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Rap was in such a weird place when this album came out; the jerking era was still relevant, and there wasn't much substance coming from mainstream artists. Kendrick's studio debut project, Section.80, put the rap industry on notice that a new challenger was coming to take the throne. This album takes me back to my freshman year of high school, when everything was new and you were just trying to figure out this new stage in life. Songs like "Hol' Up," "ADHD," "Poe Man's Dreams," and "HiiiPower" were perfect introspective tracks that left you with a different perspective. The jazz influence throughout the record along with the great thought-provoking storytelling made for an amazing debut project that still connects today.

Debut Album: Cole World: The Sideline Story

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This was a great debut album that had a lot of classic moments that showed why we would love J. Cole for years to come. While I couldn't have been more than 14 years old when this came out, there was so much that I appreciated from this project; it was like a breath of fresh air. When Cole dropped "The Sideline Story" and after hearing hits like "Can't Get Enough," and "Workout," I knew that rap was changing for the better. It was no longer just Kanye that was a regular guy that just wanted to make good music with Jay-Z. While this may be one of Cole's more feature-heavy albums, it was still one of the best records to drop in 2011. 

Debut Album: Thank Me Later

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When Thank Me Later came out, Drake was still wheelchair Jimmy to me until I heard Find Your Love on the radio while visiting my uncle that summer. Tracks like "Over," "Fancy," along with "Find Your Love," jet ascended the Canadian actor into a bona fide rap star. His ability to talk about fame, money, sex, and love in a way that was compelling, authentic, and different from the run-of-the-mill 2010s rap music showed he was really about the rap life.  Thinking back on this album, it was nice to witness the live transition from Aubrey Graham the actor to Drake the rapper that put Canada on the map.  

Winner Best Debut: Section.80

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When it comes down to it, Section.80 was the best debut project out of the three. Its heavy jazz beats, introspection, and fantastic storytelling from the Compton native made for one of the best debut albums that we've seen throughout the years. It was impactful, relatable, and connected in a way that brought a whole city to its feet rejoicing in this musical breath of fresh air. This project put the rap game on notice that there was a new heir to the throne and his name is Kendrick Lamar.  

Sophomore Album: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City

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When it comes to a sophomore album, there's not a better one than Kendrick's Good Kid, M.A.A.D City by a landslide. In 2011 we were introduced to the Compton wordsmith in an illustrious fashion. While Kendrick had dropped earlier projects such as Overly Dedicated and Section.80, his sophomore record was the epitome of a homegrown album that screams Los Angeles. Aside from the hit songs, like "B**** Don't Kill My Vibe," "Swimming Pools," and "Poetic Justice," the cohesiveness complemented by Kendrick's immaculate storytelling abilities throughout made for one hell of a sophomore record. This album was relatable, impactful, and connected with many in such a way that let everyone know that Kendrick Lamar was here to stay. Using his amazing lyrical prowess to speak on a range of topics with themes around religion, violence, monogamy, and lust, we got to dive more into the mind and thoughts of Kendrick Lamar in a vivid fashion. I'll still never forgive the Grammys for the infamous Album of the Year snub.

Sophomore Album: Take Care

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When an artist puts out their sophomore project, usually only two things can happen: It either connects, or they fall into a sophomore slump. The latter was not the case for Drake's sophomore album, Take Care. The album that's most remembered for Drake's use of rapping and singing along with sullen hits such as "Crew Love" and "Marvin's Room," putting the Canadian MC on the map as one of the best in the game. The heavy R&B influence throughout the project catapulted  Drake into a league of legendary songwriters. The raw emotions and peeled-back layers are what make this record a classic sophomore album that stands out from its contemporaries. When this album came out, it felt as if Drake made it cool to be emotional in a way that I hadn't seen before in rap at the time. Drake showed us that behind all the fame, riches, and chains, even he still gets sad sometimes. 

Sophomore Album: Born Sinner

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I always felt like Born Sinner was one of J. Cole's more slept-on projects. There were a lot of great moments on the record. It was an amazing follow-up to Cole World: The Sideline Story, where we find him speaking on a multitude of subjects, many of which revolve around his new fame and progress within his career. With tracks like "Crooked Smile," "She Knows," and "Power Trip," it's hard not to think that Cole was at the top of his game when he dropped this. This album was crafted with tons of soul and excellent wordplay, making for one of the best sophomore albums to come out.

Winner Best Sophomore Album: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City

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Kendrick's Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is easily one of the best sophomore releases to come out in hip-hop. The immaculate storytelling and timeless tracks cement this album as one of the best albums to come out in the rap game, period. I really loved this album when it came out, and while both Drake and J. Cole had very well-made albums, Kendrick's album had more of an impact upon its release. As soon as you hit play, it feels like you're riding in Kendrick's mama's infamous black van, and he's telling you about the things he's been through while growing up in Compton, California. The way Kendrick was able to vividly paint a complete picture of what it means to be a good kid in a m.A.A.d city changed how we looked at rap music in recent years. He brought life back to what some would call "conscious" rap and made it palpable to the mainstream, which is more than enough reason to name it the best sophomore album out of the three. 

Junior Album: To Pimp a Butterfly

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This is arguably one of Kendrick's best albums to date; there's so much to love about this album. It was such an amazing follow-up to the electrifying sophomore project Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. While the album may not have gotten its flowers upon its initial release, I feel like Kendrick was giving us his magnum opus at the time. It felt like the good kid had grown up and seen some things while being away and was sharing his experiences and thoughts on wax. It's personally my favorite Kendrick Lamar album; it was a piece of work that connected with me on an emotional level. The record felt so personal, with tracks like "U," "Wesley's Theory," and "Alright," and along with the jazz and p-funk influence, made for an immaculate body of work. While most were expecting another Good kid, M.A.A.D City, Kendrick gave us something completely different and told us to deal with it, and it was probably for the best. 

Junior Album: Nothing Was the Same

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When I first listened to this album, I knew that Drake had just taken things to a new level with Nothing Was the Same. It's easily my favorite album out of Drake's discography; not only is it cohesive all the way through, but the moody sounds courtesy of Noah "40" Shebib throughout make for one hell of a listen. This album is special; it's one of those albums that you play around your kids, and you can tell them exactly what you were doing when it came out and how it made you feel. If you didn't know Drake was about to be one of the greatest rappers in our generation after Take Care, you definitely knew it after Nothing Was the Same dropped. There are so many great moments throughout the record, from start to finish, not to mention this album had a ton of hits. This was easily one of the best albums, if not the best album, to come out in 2013; there was something for everyone on this record. It was emotional, soulful, and filled with timeless tracks from top to bottom. 

Junior Album: 2014 Forest Hills Drive

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This album was easily one of the best albums to come out in 2014. We received one of Cole's best works in my opinion. While Born Sinner was a great follow-up to his debut record, 2014 Forest Hills Drive was personal, earnest, and overall just a great listen. As we all know, it did go platinum with zero features, which should speak for itself, but numbers aren't what makes an album great — it's how it connects with the audience. This album connected with me greatly; I felt like Cole really gave us his best with this body of work. Not only was it self-produced, but it also showed us a more personal look into Cole's life and perspective on life. I love this album; I feel it aged like a fine wine. There are a lot of timeless songs on this project that are still beloved by many today. The album was very down-to-earth considering what most rap music nowadays was filled with at the time. It was so personal it was almost uncomfortable, like when you meet someone and they overshare and then proceed to give you information that you weren't ready to hear. Nonetheless, that's what I love most about Cole's music, that he's not afraid to peel back layers of himself so he can create quality music. There are a thousand ways we can debate what defines a "classic"; regardless, this album is certainly in that conversation. 

Winner Best Junior Album: 2014 Forest Hills Drive

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This was an extremely tough decision to make, due to all three artists offering some of their best work with their junior album. However, as much as I love the other two albums on this list, the songs from Cole's third album really connected with me the most. I felt like he was speaking from the perspective of the average guy reminiscing over his life, and that's what I loved most about the album. The production, subject matter, and the bars were some aspects of the album that stuck with me the most, which is why it lands the spot for the best junior album. 

Senior Album: Damn.

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It had been two years since we heard from Kendrick Lamar when he released Damn., and like always he delivered excellently. After hearing To Pimp a Butterfly, there was no telling what Kendrick was going to do with this album, but I was all ears. This album is the polar opposite of its predecessor; it's blunt, visceral, and straight to the point as soon as you press play. After hearing the infamous innocuous line "So I was taking a walk the other day," in the opening track, I was immediately locked in for what Kendrick had in store with this record. The gut-punching gunshot at the end of the intro is a grab-you-by-the-shirt decree that Damn. was as blunt, complex, and unwavering as the name suggests. No topic was too big on this album; each song was as bold as its all-cap track name. From the smash hit "Humble" to introspective deep cuts like "Feel," along with excellent storytelling like the outro track "Duckworth," this made for one top-notch album. While this may not have been my favorite album from his discography, I appreciate this album for all the moments and memories. I remember seeing Kendrick for the first time for this album tour and was in awe the entire time, it was easily one of the best experiences of my life. Kendrick's ability to command the conversation through his music with works like Damn. shows why he's one of the top artists and revered voices of our generation. 

Senior Album: Views

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This was a brilliant piece of work from Drake in 2016. There was a lot to love about this album. His fourth album Views put the 6 God in a completely different stratosphere than before. As shown from the iconic album cover, where he's looking down from Toronto's CN Tower as he sits at the top, it's clear that Drake isn't so much a rap superhero hitmaker, but more so a troubled monarch who still deals with trying to simply exist as one of rap's most trusted and beloved voices. The first half of the album is immaculate, with each song getting better than the last. When I first listened to this album, I was in awe of not just Drake's wicked pen game, but also 40's production and how well he captures Drake's sound every time. I remember being a freshman in college listening to this album on repeat; there are so many great moments and memories associated with this record. Tracks like "Feel No Ways," "Weston Road Flows," "Child's Play," and "Still Here," along with a slew of others, really put this album in contention for being a classic when it's all said and done. I remember going to Tyler the Creator's Camp Flog Gnaw with my girlfriend in 2019 and witnessing the infamous Drake boos after he played hit after hit, one of which was "Feel No Ways." While I only got to enjoy a Drake set for a measly 15 minutes, being able to hear "Feel No Ways" live only further cemented how great of an album Views is. 

Senior Album: 4 Your Eyez Only

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Just when you thought J. Cole couldn't reach deeper into his soul to produce more great music, he does it in excellent fashion with 4 Your Eyez Only. Over strings and touches of jazz, Cole puts his words on center stage and allows the listener to hear his perspective on the world around him. Songs like "Neighbors" and "Change" examine the tensions and imbalances affecting the Black community. I remember seeing Cole perform live for the first time with two close friends for this album, and it was one of the best experiences ever  — from the way the stage was set up as a prison yard to Cole performing the album from top to bottom in an orange prison jumpsuit. It brought the album to life in a way that impacted how I look at music as a whole, and it gave me a new appreciation for artists that go the extra mile when they release an album and go on tour. This was a very personal album that might be an acquired taste for some, but for the average Cole fan, this was easily one of J. Cole's best albums. 

Winner Best Senior Album: Views

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This album was undeniably great in every way; out of all three records, it's the winner by a landslide. I would even go as far to say it's a classic Drake album. When Drake dropped Views, he was letting the world know from his ivory CN Tower that he was the best in the rap game and everyone knew it. It had all of the best elements that we all love Drake's music for, from club bangers to moody deep cuts; Drake left no stone unturned when he put this record out. When you think of some of the best moments from 2016, this album is one of the very first things to come to mind. The album is filled with outstanding songs from start to finish, making this an easy choice for the best senior album. 

Most Recent Album: Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers

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While this album is still very new, there's still so much that I love about it after listening to it for about a week straight. It's easily one of Kendrick's most personal albums that really taps into his humanity, which I felt was perfect seeing as how we haven't heard from him since his last album, Damn., in 2017. Some of my favorite cuts from the album, "Rich Spirit," "Count Me Out," and "Father Time," all examine the human expects of Kendrick Lamar, and that's always great to see from a fan standpoint. I also enjoyed the guest appearances from one of hip-hop's trailblazing newcomers and cousin Baby Keem and even the rather controversial appearances from Kodak Black. I loved how the project is split into two parts, both doing a great job of illuminating Lamar's ever-evolving worldview. While I can't say this album is a classic, it's definitely making its way up the ladder as one of my top Kendrick Lamar albums.

Most Recent Album: Certified Lover Boy

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I honestly expected more from this album upon its release. The rollout for this album was exquisite and for good reason, but Drake's Certified Lover Boy didn't live up to any of the hype in my opinion. While Drake calls this body of work a "combination of toxic masculinity and acceptance of truth," there really wasn't much beyond that. There were probably a handful of tracks that stood out to me, such as "N 2 Deep," "Love All," and "TSU." Outside of those, there weren't many songs that really stuck with me. This definitely didn't feel like one of Drake's best albums, seeing as how his projects prior completely wash CLB, and it's not even close. I remember seeing Drake perform the album at Ye's Larry Hoover benefit concert, and even then the songs remained lackluster. The concept of the album was great, but the execution was a bit of a letdown, and it really started with the album cover for me. 

Most Recent Album: The Off-Season

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When you think about what the off-season means for most athletes or anyone that plays a sport, it's a time for sharpening skills, recuperation, and preparation for the next season. In the 12-track album The Off-Season, Cole is doing just that. The album is a true testament to J. Cole's skills as a rapper and how he's at the top of his game and has only gotten better since his last album, KOD, in 2018. Upon the first listen, I knew that we were getting a more braggadocious Cole who was set on talking his talk throughout these 12 tracks. I really enjoyed this album; it was great hearing from Cole again, especially in this fashion nonetheless. It was an outstanding body of work, from the guest features to the production; this was the perfect way to reenter the rap game. 

Best Most Recent Album: The Off-Season

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To be fair, Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers hasn't been out long enough for me to determine if it's automatically the better album out of the three. My opinion may not stay the same, but for now, I have to give this one to J. Cole. It's an excellent piece of work that lets everyone know where Cole stands within the rap hierarchy. I had a great time listening to this album, and it only gets better with each listen; it's only right to give The Off-Season the spot for the best most recent album. 

Bottom Line

While we all know rankings are completely subjective, it's nice being able to have this much quality music from three extremely gifted musicians to even do a ranking such as this. All three of these artists can create timeless classics that can stay with you for years to come, which is something that we can all appreciate. Whether you're a Kendrick fan, Drake fan, J. Cole fan, or maybe even a fan of all three like me, you know each one is great in their way, and that's what makes the music that much better. 

How would you rank these albums? Let me know in the comment section below.