This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip-hop for the year 2018.
Events January On January 10, Baton Rouge rapper Kevin Gates was released from prison on parole after serving nine months of a 30-month sentence for gun possession. On January 19, Chicago rapper Fredo Santana died in Los Angeles from a seizure.
February On February 10, Ensayne Wayne, a multi-platinum producer from Memphis, was killed in a shooting in Atlanta.
March On March 2, Rick Ross was hospitalized due to possible pneumonia. On March 13, Craig Mack died from congestive heart failure.
April On April 16, Damn by Kendrick Lamar won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, making Lamar the first non-jazz or classical artist to win the award. On April 24, Meek Mill was released from prison.
May On May 19, Offset was hospitalised following a car accident in Atlanta, Georgia. He was released from the hospital a couple days later. On May 27, Brockhampton announced that Ameer Vann would no longer be a part of the group following his sexual misconduct allegations. He would be the first member to leave the group since the success of their Saturation trilogy. On May 29, Trippie Redd and Lil Wop were arrested in Atlanta allegedly over a brawl with rapper FDM Grady.
June On June 9, Lil Kim filed for bankruptcy, having a total of $4 million in debt. On June 12, XXL released their eleventh annual freshman list, including Lil Pump, Smokepurpp, BlocBoy JB, Stefflon Don, Wifisfuneral, YBN Nahmir, Trippie Redd, JID and Ski Mask the Slump God. On June 18, XXXTentacion was shot dead in his car in Deerfield Beach, Florida, the same day that Pittsburgh rapper Jimmy Wopo was shot dead in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Atlanta rapper Rich the Kid suffered a home invasion where he was robbed and shot at his home in Atlanta, Georgia (Rich the Kid, however, would survive). On June 21, XXXTentacion's mother announced at a candlelight vigil that the police had arrested Dedrick Williams, one of the men involved in XXXTentacion's death. On June 22, South African rapper Pro suffered a seizure and died at the age of 37.
July On July 3, 03 Greedo was sentenced to 20 years in prison.Texas Offender Information Details On July 16, Azealia Banks cancelled her upcoming album Fantasea II: The Second Wave after an appearance on Wild 'n Out where she accused the cast of "colorist" jokes. She would resume work on the album in August 2018.
August On August 24, Geto Boys' founding member DJ Ready Red died at the age of 53, from an apparent heart attack.
September On September 5, Ty Dolla $ign and his entourage were arrested in Atlanta, Georgia for possession of marijuana and cocaine. On September 6, Young Thug was charged with eight felonies related to drug and weapon possession. On September 7, Mac Miller died of a drug overdose. On September 13, Lil Xan announced his retirement from rapping due to Mac Miller's death.
October On October 10, Gilbert Izquierdo, A.K.A. Toker of Brownside, died in a suspected shooting in Mexico. On October 13, Chris Brown and Drake squashed their longtime beef at the Staples Center during Aubrey and The Three Amigos Tour. On October 24, South African rapper Hip Hop Pantsula died by suicide aged 38. On October 26, YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser were shot and killed at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On October 29, New Orleans rapper Young Greatness was shot and killed at a Waffle House.
November On November 18, 6ix9ine was arrested by federal agents in relation to racketeering and firearm charges. 6ix9ine and five others faced trial in September 2019.
December On December 23, Atlanta-based DJ and producer Christian "Speakerfoxxx" Nilan died at 35.
Released albums January Day Artist(s) Album Record label(s) Entering chart position1Scallops HotelSovereign Nose of Your Arrogant FaceRuby Yacht, The Order Label5CupcakkeEphorizeCupcakke10Lil SkiesLife of a Dark RoseLil Skies Debuted at No. 23, peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 12Maxo KreamPunkenTSO Music Group, Kream Clicc16BernerThe Big PescadoBern OneDave EastParanoia 2Def Jam Recordings, Mass Appeal Records, From the Dirt Debuted at No. 78 on the Billboard 200KollisionBetter Than YesterdayFeed the Family, Quality Control Music19 JPEGMafiaVeteranDeathbomb ArcPlanet AsiaThe Golden BuddhaBrick RecordsPaul WallBounce Backs Over SetbacksOiler Mobb EntSirNovemberTop Dawg Entertainment26CellskiLegendaryInner City 2kEvidenceWeather or NotRhymesayers Entertainment Debuted at No. 187 on the Billboard 200Mistah F.A.B.Thug TearsFaeva AftaMigosCulture IIQuality Control, Capitol Records, Motown Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200Payroll Giovanni and CardoBig Bossin, Vol. 2Def Jam
February Day Artist(s) Album Record label(s) Entering chart position2GunnaDrip Season 3YSL Records Debuted at No. 55 on the Billboard 200Key GlockGlock BondPaper Route Empire Debuted at No. 101 on the Billboard 200Rich BrianAmen88rising, Empire Distribution Debuted at No. 18 on the Billboard 200Ski Mask the Slump GodYou Will Regret (Reloaded)Victor Victor Worldwide, Republic Records Debuted at No. 195 on the Billboard 200SkoolyDon't You Ever Forget MeTRUSkyzooIn Celebration of UsFirst Generation Rich, Empire82 ChainzThe Play Don't Care Who Makes ItDef Jam Debuted at No. 58 on the Billboard 2009Audio PushCloud 909Good Vibe TribeKendrick Lamar and various artistsBlack Panther: The AlbumTop Dawg, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope Records Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 20013CozzEffectedDreamville Records, Interscope14B.o.BThe Upside DownSelf-releasedFuturisticSongs About GirlsWe're The Future RecordsKodak BlackHeart Break KodakAtlantic Records Debuted at No. 48 on the Billboard 200Moneybagg Yo2 HeartlessN-Less Entertainment, Interscope, Collective Music Group, Bread Gang Entertainment Debuted at No. 31 on the Billboard 200Daz DillingerDazamatazDazamataz Inc., Felder Entertainment16L.A.R.S. (Bizarre and King Gordy)Last American Rock StarsMajik Ninja EntertainmentNipsey HussleVictory LapAll Money In Records, Atlantic Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200O.C.A New DawnD.I.T.C. StudiosOnyxBlack RockX-Ray RecordsRejjie SnowDear Annie300 Entertainment, BMG Rights ManagementShowbizA Room TherapyD.I.T.C. RecordsTygaKyotoLast Kings Records, EmpireYFN LucciFreda's SonThink It's A Game, Warner Bros. Records Debuted at No. 167 on the Billboard 200Young DolphNiggas Get Shot EverydayPaper Route Empire Debuted at No. 59 on the Billboard 200YukmouthJJ Based on a Vill Story ThreeSmoke-a-Lot Records, Empire20Snoop Dogg220Doggystyle Records, Empire236ix9ineDay69ScumGang Records, TenThousand Projects Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200ASAP AntThe PreludeMarino Infantry MusicBlac Youngsta2.23Epic Debuted at No. 42 on the Billboard 200Black MilkFeverComputer Ugly Records, Mass AppealCurrensyThe Spring CollectionJet LifeEarthGangRoyaltySpillage VillageHoodrich Pablo Juan & BrodinskiThe MatrixBroyal, Mony Powr Rspt, EmpireJericho Jackson (Elzhi and Khrysis)Elzhi & Khrysis are Jericho JacksonJamla RecordsMitchy SlickPost Traumatic Stress DiegoWrong Kind Records, EmpireRonny JOMGRonnyIndependently Popular, AtlanticSOB X RBEGanginSOB x RBE, Empire Debuted at No. 74 on the Billboard 200StalleyTell the Truth: Shame the Devil, Vol. 2Blue Collar GangTowkioWWW.Towkio, Republic RecordsYoung ScooterTrippple CrossYoung Scooter, Empire27Roc MarcianoRR2: The Bitter DoseMarci Enterprises
March Day Artist(s) Album Record label(s) Entering chart position2ApathyThe Widow's SonDirty Version RecordsChief KeefThe Leek 4Glo Gang, RBC RecordsLarry JuneYou're Doing GoodWarner Bros.MozzySpiritual ConversationsEmpireNesslyWild FlowerRepublicPhonteNo News Is Good NewsForeign Exchange MusicSkoolyDon't You Ever Forget Me 2TRUTech N9nePlanetStrange Music, RBC, INgrooves Music Group Debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard 200Tory Lanez Memories Don't DieMad Love Records, Interscope Debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200ValeeGOOD Job, You Found MeGOOD Music, Def Jam5PouyaFive FiveBuffet Boys6KillySurrender Your SoulSecret Sound Club9August GreeneAugust GreeneSelf-releasedLil YachtyLil Boat 2Quality Control, Capitol, Motown Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200LogicBobby Tarantino IIDef Jam, Visionary Music Group Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200PhoelixTempoSelf-releasedRobb BanksMolly WorldSS Records, EmpireYFN LucciRay Ray From SummerhillThink It's A Game, Warner Bros. Debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard 200Young FathersCocoa SugarNinja Tune03 GreedoThe Wolf of Grape StreetAlamo14Tre CapitalNew TierD.LX, PHZMSC16Bishop NehruElevators: Act I & IINehruviaChuck StrangersConsumers ParkNature Sounds, Pro EraMursA Strange Journey Into the UnimaginableStrange Music, RBC, INgroovesPRhymePRhyme 2PRhyme Records, INgrooves Debuted at No. 40 on the Billboard 200Rich Homie QuanRich As In SpiritMotown, RAIS, Universal Music Group Debuted at No. 42 on the Billboard 200Sean Price & Illa GheeMetal DetectorsRuck Down Records, Duck Down MusicSnoop DoggBible of LoveRCA Inspiration Debuted at No. 148 on the Billboard 200SaweetieHigh MaintenanceIcy, Artistry Records, Warner Bros.Trae tha TruthHometown HeroABN, EmpireXXXTentacion?Bad Vibes Forever Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 20021Yung BansYung Bans, Vol. 4Self-released23Andre NickatinaPisces75 Girls RecordsChief KeefThe Leek, Vol. 5Glo Gang, RBCDJ Luke NastyCruise ControlOthaz Records, EmpireDon QDon TalkSelf-releasedTroubleEdgewoodEar Drummer Records, Interscope Debuted at No. 130 on the Billboard 200Waka Flocka Flame, Zaytoven and Big BankThe Brick House BoyzBrick Squad Monopoly Music, Entertainment OneWestside Gunn and Mr. GreenFlygod Is Good... All The TimeNature Sounds 28CurrensyParking Lot MusicJet LifeStyles PNickel BagD-Block29London JaeGunz & RosesNo Genre30Czarface and MF DoomCzarface Meets Metal FaceGet On Down, Silver Age Debuted at No. 134 on the Billboard 200Don TripChristopherSelf-releasedGlokkNineKold Face Kold KaseSelf-releasedMeyhem LaurenGlassSRFSCHLQuelle Chris and Jean GraeEverything's FineMelloRich the KidThe World Is YoursRich Forever, Interscope Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200Saint JhnCollection OneGodd Complexx, HITCOThe WeekndMy Dear Melancholy,XO, Republic Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200U-GodVenomBabygrande RecordsVarious artistsBefore Anythang: The AlbumCash Money RecordsDoja CatAmalaKemosabe, RCA Debuted at No. 162 on the Billboard 200
April