Despite what seemed like a slow start, 2023 turned out to be another memorable year for hip hop. From trap to drill, from pop to soul, from legends to newcomers, rap artists put their best foot forwards, delivering impressive albums and breaking records along the way. Here are the top 15 best selling rap albums of 2023, based on the number of copies sold worldwide.
- 15. Album: Almost Healed.
Artist: Lil Durk
Year: 2023
Copies Sold in 2023: 722K
Lil Durk showed his resilience and maturity with his eighth studio album, Almost Healed. The project, which he described as “therapy” to his fans chronicled his journey from the streets of Chicago to the heights of the rap industry, as he faced challenges, losses, and triumphs. The album featured guest appearances from the late Juice WRLD, J. Cole, Alicia Keys, Morgan Wallen, Future, and more. Propelled by the Grammy nominated motivational anthem “All My Life,” Almost Healed sold 722,000 copies worldwide.
- Album: DAMN.
Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Year: 2017
Copies Sold in 2023: 771K
Kendrick Lamar’s fourth studio album, DAMN., was released in 2017, but it remains one of the most acclaimed albums of all time. The album contains some of Lamar’s best writing and performances, exploring themes such as identity, morality, spirituality, politics, and culture. Although the album has been described as conscious hip-hop, it has defiled the tag and continues to be among the best selling albums of all time. The album sold 771,000 copies worldwide in 2023, bringing its total sales to over 8 million copies.
- Album: Take Care
Artist: Drake
Year: 2011
Copies Sold In 2023: 776K
Over a decade after its release, “Take Care” remains a cultural behemoth. The album’s masterful blend of rap, R&B, and pop continues to resonate with fans and dominate sales charts. Drake laid bare his vulnerabilities, soaring ambitions, and tangled relationships, offering a heartfelt portrait of a young man on the cusp of superstardom. He wasn’t alone on this journey, enlisting the star power of Rihanna, The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and others, each adding their own spark to the musical tapestry. The album sold an impressive 776,000 copies in 2023, pushing its total sales past a staggering 12 million worldwide.
- Album: Pink Tape
Artist: Lil Uzi Vert
Year: 2023
Copies Sold In 2023: 791K
Lil Uzi Vert surprised fans with their third studio album, “Pink Tape” in 2023, which they released after a long hiatus and label issues. The album showcased Uzi’s flexibility, as they explored a diverse variety of sounds ranging from metal to a distinctive blend of techno and alternative rap. The album spawned hits such as “Endless Fashion”, “Suicide Doors”, and “Flooded The Face”. The album sold 791,000 copies worldwide.
- Album: I NEVER LIKED YOU
Artist: Future
Year: 2022
Copies Sold In 2023: 797K
Future’s ninth studio album, I NEVER LIKED YOU continues to enjoy commercial success. The album, released last year was a reflection of his dark and moody rap style, as he rapped about his pain, his drugs, his women, and his enemies. The album featured guest appearances from Drake, Young Thug, Gunna, Tems, and more, spawning hits such as ” Wait For U”, “Worst Day”, “Love You Better”, and “Keep It Burnin”. The album sold 797,000 copies worldwide.
- Album: good kid, m.A.A.d city
Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Year: 2012
Copies Sold In 2023: 830K
Kendrick Lamar’s second studio album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, was released in 2012, but it remains one of the most critically acclaimed and influential rap albums of the century. The album was a concept album that narrated Kendrick’s coming-of-age story in the streets of Compton, California. Featuring guest appearances from Dr. Dre, Jay Rock, Drake, MC Eiht, and more, the album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, and spawned hits such as “Swimming Pools (Drank)”, “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”, “Poetic Justice”, and “Money Trees”. The album sold 830,000 copies worldwide in 2023, bringing its total sales to over 7 million copies.
- Album: Curtain Call
Artist: Eminem
Year: 2005
Copies Sold In 2023: 874K
Though dropping over two decades ago, Eminem’s “Curtain Call” isn’t ready to take its final bow. Featuring chart-toppers like “The Way I Am,” “Lose Yourself,” and the legendary live duet of “Stan” with Elton John, “Curtain Call” is a time capsule of Slim Shady’s reign. Guest appearances from Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, and Dido add fuel to the fire, creating a sonic spectacle that still ignites audiences. In 2023 alone, the album sold a staggering 874,000 copies worldwide, pushing its total sales past the 15 million mark.
- Album: Nostalgia
Artist: Rod Wave
Year: 2023
Copies Sold In 2023: 896K
Rod Wave proved that he was one of the most talented and soulful rap artists of his generation with his fifth studio album, Nostalgia. His signature emotional rap style soared, as he poured his heart out over every track. Guest appearances from the likes of Lil Durk, Polo G, and A Boogie wit da Hoodie added depth and texture to the soundscape. Singles like “Fight the Feeling,” “Call Your Friends,” and “Checkmate” became anthems, resonating with listeners across the globe. But “Nostalgia” was more than just catchy tunes. It was a cultural touchstone, selling a staggering 896,000 copies worldwide.
- Album: It’s Only Me
Artist: Lil Baby
Year: 2022
Copies Sold In 2023: 915K
Lil Baby stuck to a particular formula with his third studio album, It’s Only Me. The Atlanta rapper approached every track with the same gobble flow that earned him fame, as he tackled topics such as his struggles, his success, his family, and his faith. The album featured guest appearances from Nardo Wick, Future, Pooh Shiesty, Young Thug, and more.
- Album: Certified Lover Boy
Artist: Drake
Year: 2021
Copies Sold In 2023: 926K
Drake’s sixth studio album, Certified Lover Boy, was one of the most anticipated and hyped rap albums of 2021. The album was a celebration of Drake’s love for rap, women, and life, as he delivered some of his most confident and charismatic songs. The album featured guest appearances from Jay-Z, Lil Baby, Future, Young Thug, Travis Scott, Lil Durk and more. The album spawned hits such as “Girls Want Girls”, “Way 2 Sexy”, “Knife Talk.” The album sold 926,000 copies worldwide.
- Album: My Turn
Artist: Lil Baby
Year: 2021
Copies Sold In 2023: 970K
Lil Baby proved that he was not a one-hit wonder with his second studio album, My Turn. The album showcased his artistic growth and emotional maturity, with raps that center around politics, his success, and his love. The album featured guest appearances from Gunna, 42 Dugg, Future, Lil Wayne, Lil Uzi vert and more.
- Album: For All The Dogs
Artist: Drake
Year: 2023
Copies Sold in 2023: 1.4M
Drake’s “For All The Dogs” arrived with much fanfare but was negatively received by critics who criticized the album’s lack of rap content. Despite the mixed reviews, the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, earning Drake his 13th chart-topping album. While some tracks like “First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole, excited fans, others like “Slime You Out” with SZA fell short of expectations. Regardless, the album proved commercially potent, selling 1.4 million copies worldwide and securing its place as the fourth highest-selling rap album of 2023.
- Album: Her Loss
Artist: Drake & 21 Savage
Year: 2022
Copies Sold in 2023: 1.4M
Drake and 21 Savage displayed great camaraderie on their first ever collaborative album Her Loss. Their chemistry and contrasting styles helped propel the album to great commercial success. Unsurprisingly, the album’s popularity hasn’t waned, having sold 1.4 million copies worldwide.
- Album: Heroes & Villains
Artist: Metro Boomin
Year: 2023
Copies Sold aim 2023: 1.6M
Metro Boomin’s second studio album Heroes & Villains is an unlikely hero that not many would’ve seen coming. The album dedicated to his late mother was themed around his love for comic books and super heroes. Released with two sides: the “Hero” side and the “Villain” side. Metro was able to create a cinematic and cohesive rap album that featured some of the biggest names in the industry. The album sold 1.6 million copies this year.
- Album: UTOPIA
Artist: Travis Scott
Year: 2023
Copies Sold in 2023: 1.7M
Travis Scott delivered his first full album since the 2021 Astroworld tragedy, which claimed scores of lives and left several others injured. The album was a concept album that explored the idea of a perfect world, through the lens of Travis Scott’s imagination and experiences. The album, featuring guest appearances from Beyoncé , Drake, Swae Lee, The Weeknd, Kid Cudi, Bad Bunny and more shattered records, claiming the highest first-week sales for any rap album of 2023 and reigning supreme as the year’s undisputed best seller.
