We're nearing the end of 2018, and thus, the publications will be delivering their annual Album Of The Year roundups. As it happens, Time Magazine is among the first to land, coming through with their "Best Albums Of 2018" list. As it happens, Time has dubbed Cardi B's Invasion Of Cardi was naturally ecstatic, taking to Instagram to hit Time with the all-caps "THANK YOU TIME MAGAZINE." For the record, here are Time Magazine's Top 10 Albums Of The Year:
1) Cardi B - Invasion Of Privacy
2) Janelle Monae, Dirty Computer
3) Mitski, Be the Cowboy
4) Shawn Mendes, Shawn Mendes
5) J Balvin, Vibras
6) Robyn, Honey
7) Troye Sivan, Bloom
8) Kacey Musgraves, Golden Hour
9) The 1975, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships
10) Camila Cabello, Camila
While Cardi's Invasion Of Privacy is an excellent project, the lack of hip-hop albums in Time's Top 10 is somewhat suspect, given their willingness to champion Cardi's cause. After all, this year brought us particularly stellar efforts from a wide array of voices, with contributions from J. Cole, Eminem, Travis Scott, Future, Gunna, Denzel Curry, Royce, Lil Baby, Lil Wayne, Young Thug, Drake, Jay Rock, Noname, Trouble and more. Many, many more. In fact, we recently chronicled the best years of the current decade, with 2018 coming in third place. And J.I.D. hasn't even dropped yet.
The fact that their top ten features a singular hip-hop album feels like an act of strategic cherry-picking, and given Time's honored status in the grand scheme of things, it might have been beneficial to see them include a greater representation of hip-hop albums. Especially given the fact that hip-hop is a driving force within North American culture, and the sheer volume of quality proved artistry was thriving. That's not to say that Cardi B doesn't deserve to be honored. Invasion Of Privacy is a well crafted, enjoyable debut album from a talented and charismatic young artist. Yet those publications that hold a greater voice need to start putting respect on hip-hop's name.