1. “Run the Jewels 2” by Run the Jewels

Fact: Run the Jewels 2 has eclipsed all other rap music in 2014 in terms of intensity, lyrical deftness and beat quality — basically everything that makes rap, rap. It swaggers with the confidence of Kanye West on his best day, spouting off lyrics like, “Run the Jewels is the answer, your question is ‘what’s poppin’?’” With equally as much punch and certainty and incorporating live drums, trap-style beats and synthesized horns among numerous other effects, the production raises the bar for its genre, an even greater feat considering the album was released for free on their site.

But decades from now, RTJ2 will be remembered most for its ability to focus anger with laser beam intensity on the police state, the established rap culture, racism, oppression of the poor and anything else that pisses off the duo. With only a few years as a group, the band has brashly proclaimed themselves as no one to mess with.

– Kyle Somers, A&E Associate Editor