7. The Hybrid (2010)

Following four volumes of his Detroit State of Mind mixtape series and other free self-released mixtapes, Danny Brown released his first solo studio album, The Hybrid, in 2010. Many people consider Danny Brown’s breakout project X X X his proper debut, meaning this project is very slept on, even by many Danny Brown fans. Even if The Hybrid is not as polished as the albums that would follow it, it still is pretty good.

One of Danny Brown’s unique talents is his ability to say truly offensive and outrageous things in such a way that’s so funny it makes it all acceptable. The Hybrid sounds a bit ‘mixtape-ish’—some instrumentals are a bit rough around the edges and Danny Brown’s delivery is not always as accomplished as on later records, but The Hybrid, for the most part, offers strong beats, strong lyrics, and Danny Brown’s typical juxtaposition between heavy subject matter, vulgar lyrics, and fun rhymes about parties and bullsh*t. Tracks like “Greatest Rapper Ever” and “Re-Up” provide a raw, unfiltered look at Brown’s life and experiences, blending humor with gritty realism.

The album’s title, The Hybrid, captures the essence of Danny Brown’s eclectic style, combining elements of traditional Hip Hop with more experimental sounds. While it may lack the refinement of his subsequent releases, it is a significant entry in his discography, laying the groundwork for the innovative approaches he would later develop. Don’t sleep on The Hybrid. | 7/10

6. uknowhatimsayin¿ (2019)

uknowhatimsayin¿ is Danny Brown’s most traditional-sounding album since his 2010 debut The Hybrid. In contrast to the dark chaos of 2016’s Atrocity Exhibition, this record takes a lighter, more playful approach. Rather than attempt to recreate the intensity of his previous work, Danny shifts directions, reflecting his personal growth and a more positive mental space. The opening track, “Change Up,” sets the tone, with Danny making it clear from the jump that this album will offer something fresh.

Standout tracks like “Theme Song,” “Dirty Laundry,” “Best Life,” and “Negro Spiritual” (featuring JPEGMAFIA) keep the energy high. The album’s brevity is noticeable—11 tracks with an average length of about three minutes each. With a run time of just over 30 minutes, it borders on being too short, leaving little room for filler. Every song needs to land perfectly, and not all do. Songs like “Belly of the Beast” and the title track fall flat, with Obongjayar’s contributions on the hooks being so-so.

Despite a couple of weaker moments, uknowhatimsayin¿ remains a strong project, backed by top-notch production from Cartie Curt, Flying Lotus, JPEGMAFIA, Paul White, Thundercat, and Q-Tip, who also served as the album’s executive producer. While it might not reach the heights of its predecessor Atrocity Exhibition, uknowhatimsayin¿ is a fun, engaging listen that displays Danny Brown’s versatility. | 7/10

5. Quaranta (2023)

Quaranta arrived with plenty of anticipation, particularly after Danny Brown hinted it would be a follow-up to his breakthrough album X X X. However, listeners expecting an unhinged, high-energy project were met with something quite different. Quaranta is Brown’s most introspective and laid-back work, revealing a more mature and reflective side as he confronts his personal struggles and balances the duality of his chaotic persona with his grounded self.

The album’s production stays true to Danny’s unpredictable style, although it takes a more subdued approach compared to the manic beats of X X X, Old, or Atrocity Exhibition. Despite the toned-down intensity, the instrumentals remain rich and varied. From the raw guitar riffs on the title track “Quaranta” to the dark, ominous synths on “Dark Sword Angel” and the soothing keys of “Celibate,” the production keeps listeners engaged with its range of moods and textures.

Quaranta manages to offer something for every fan. Tracks like “Dark Sword Angel” and “Tantor” echo the chaotic energy of his earlier work, while songs like “Down Wit It” and “Hanami” provide a more introspective, conscious vibe. This balance reflects Brown’s journey and evolution as an artist, blending his past with a new, more thoughtful direction.

Danny’s performances on Quaranta are as dynamic as ever, switching between his signature yelp and a more restrained delivery. This shift signals a possible new era, one where he’s still fierce but more grounded. Whether he’s delivering high-energy bars on “Dark Sword Angel” or showing vulnerability on “Down Wit It,” his versatility shines throughout the album.

Lyrically, Quaranta delves deep into Danny’s battles with addiction, mental health, and the transition into middle age. While the album’s second half loses some intensity, with a few forgettable tracks, the overall project remains a strong and cohesive entry in the catalog of one of rap’s most creative and fearless voices. | 7.5/10

4. Old (2013)

Danny Brown’s third studio album, Old, cemented his position as one of Hip Hop’s most distinctive voices in the 2010s. This captivating release serves as a compelling precursor to his masterwork Atrocity Exhibition while standing tall as a remarkable work in its own right.

Old presents a dual nature, effectively splitting its 19 tracks into two contrasting yet complementary halves. The first part reveals a more contemplative Danny Brown, delving into his personal struggles and inner turmoil with unflinching honesty. In contrast, the second half leans into Brown’s wilder side, delivering high-energy club tracks without sacrificing lyrical depth.

Despite its divergent sections, Old maintains a cohesive listening experience. Brown’s unique vocal delivery and off-kilter production choices unify the album, creating a sonic landscape that’s unmistakably his own. This duality in sound and subject matter reflects the complexities of Brown’s character and experiences, offering listeners a multifaceted portrait of the artist.

The album’s strength lies in its ability to balance introspection with unbridled energy. Brown fearlessly explores his demons while also crafting infectious party anthems, demonstrating his versatility as a lyricist and performer. This dynamic approach ensures that Old never feels one-dimensional or predictable, even if Old‘s unconventional style may not appeal to all listeners.

In the context of Danny Brown’s discography, Old represents a crucial evolutionary step. It builds upon the foundation laid by his earlier works while hinting at the artistic heights he would reach in subsequent releases. For fans of Hip Hop that challenges conventions and expectations, Old offers a thrilling and thought-provoking journey into the mind of one of the genre’s most captivating figures. | 8.5/10

#96  Top 150 Hip Hop Albums Of The 2010s

3. X X X (2011)

Danny Brown’s X X X exploded onto the Hip Hop scene with the subtlety of a firecracker in a library. This sophomore album showcases an artist gleefully tossing convention out the window, replacing it with a cocktail of manic energy and razor-sharp wit.

From the opening track, Brown’s distinctive high-pitched delivery grabs listeners by the collar and refuses to let go. His verses ping-pong between outrageous boasts and startlingly vulnerable confessions, often within the same song. This duality forms the album’s backbone, mirroring the highs and lows of the drug-fueled lifestyle Brown both celebrates and critiques.

The production on X X X is a wild ride in itself. Skittering beats and warped samples create a sonic landscape as unpredictable as Brown’s flow. Tracks like “Die Like a Rockstar” and “Monopoly” are chaotic sugar rushes, while “DNA” and “Fields” reveal a more introspective side to Brown’s artistry.

Danny Brown lays bare his experiences with addiction, poverty, and the grind of coming up in Detroit’s Hip Hop scene with unfiltered honesty. This rawness, coupled with his off-kilter humor, creates a listening experience that’s simultaneously uncomfortable and exhilarating. X X X isn’t an easy album to digest. Its explicit content and frenetic pace can be overwhelming. However, for those willing to dive into Brown’s world, it offers a thrilling glimpse into one of Hip Hop’s most unique minds.

In the pantheon of Danny Brown’s discography, X X X marks the moment he truly found his voice. It’s a bold, unapologetic statement from an artist unafraid to be himself, warts and all. While later albums would refine his sound, X X X captures the pure, uncut essence of Danny Brown – brilliant, messy, and utterly captivating. | 9/10

#43  Top 150 Hip Hop Albums Of The 2010s

2. SCARING THE HOES (2023, with JPEGMAFIA)

JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown, two of Hip Hop’s most innovative artists, have consistently delivered albums that challenge genre norms. Danny Brown’s X X X, Old, and Atrocity Exhibition are exceptional LPs, while JPEGMAFIA’s Veteran (2018), All My Heroes Are Cornballs (2019), LP! (2021), and I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU (2024) have expanded the genre’s sonic boundaries. Their collaboration on SCARING THE HOES is an exhilarating venture that highlights the creative audacity of both artists.

The album fuses Peggy’s abrasive soundscapes with Danny Brown’s erratic flows and lyrical intensity, generating a frantic energy throughout. The raw mixing, which occasionally overwhelms their vocals, contributes to the project’s experimental ethos. This deliberate stylistic choice amplifies the album’s daring nature rather than detracting from it.

The intense lyrical performances and distorted instrumentals create a dense sonic experience that rewards repeated listens. Each track is laden with clever wordplay ranging from humorous to thought-provoking to unsettling. While some moments may be challenging to decipher, they maintain an engaging quality. As Peggy questions on the opening track, “what kind of rapping is this?!”, the answer to that question may take time to fully grasp, but in the future, SCARING THE HOES will surely be acknowledged as a landmark album.

The wild and weird SCARING THE HOES is a triumph of originality and creativity. It exemplifies the impressive synergy between two of Hip Hop’s most intriguing left-field artists and will no doubt be considered a classic in years to come. SCARING THE HOES is a bold statement in contemporary Hip Hop, challenging listeners and expanding Hip Hop’s possibilities. 9/10

1. Atrocity Exhibition (2016)

With Atrocity Exhibition, Danny Brown hit a home run, delivering a masterpiece that plunges listeners into the depths of his psyche. This album is a feverish journey through insanity, depression, and hedonism, crafted with a level of artistry that elevates it to classic status.

Brown’s lyrical prowess shines throughout, as he navigates themes both personal and universal. His flow morphs from track to track, at times manic and energetic, elsewhere introspective and somber. Regardless of the delivery, Brown’s verses consistently provoke thought, challenging listeners to engage with his complex narrative.

The production on Atrocity Exhibition is nothing short of extraordinary. Each beat serves as a carefully constructed backdrop for Brown’s vocal acrobatics, creating an atmosphere that’s simultaneously unsettling and captivating. The sonic palette draws from a wide range of influences, resulting in a sound that defies easy categorization.

While the album’s experimental nature might initially seem daunting, even those who typically favor more conventional Hip Hop will find much to appreciate here. Brown’s talent lies in his ability to make the avant-garde accessible, infusing even the most out-there tracks with an undeniable groove.

Like most of Danny Brown’s albums, Atrocity Exhibition is not an easy listen. It’s dark, intense, and at times overwhelming. But it’s precisely this uncompromising vision that makes the album so powerful. Brown doesn’t shy away from the uglier aspects of his experiences, instead laying them bare with his unflinching honesty.

Atrocity Exhibition represents the pinnacle of Brown’s artistic vision. It’s the work of an artist operating at the height of his powers, unafraid to take risks and push his craft to new heights. While Brown’s entire catalog is worth exploring, Atrocity Exhibition stands out as his crowning achievement.

For those willing to take the plunge, Atrocity Exhibition offers a listening experience unlike any other in contemporary Hip Hop. Call it experimental, call it crazy, call it weird – but above all, call Atrocity Exhibition what it truly is: a modern classic. | 9.5/10

#10  Top 150 Hip Hop Albums Of The 2010s