Each year, artists strive for dominance upon the top charts. It comes as no surprise that 2018 was nothing short of a marathon for artists to reach their goals in the music industry. Here are the albums from 2018 that listeners just couldn’t seem to get enough of:

Before listening to these albums on your own, please be aware that many contain explicit content.

ASTROWORLD by Travis Scott

The man who is famous for his intense and rave-inspiring music completed and released Astroworld this year. The album produced many hits, including the Drake-assisted “Sicko Mode,” which is nominated up for the Grammy award for  “Best Rap Song.” Although many of the lyrics are a storm of feelings and insanity, he also includes many allusions to his real life. In “Sicko Mode”, Scott sings about his daughter Stormi and “wife” Kylie Jenner.

“Pass this to my daughter, I’ma show her what it took

Baby mama cover Forbes, got these other ******* shook”

-Travis Scott, Sicko Mode

Swimming by Mac Miller

Before Mac Miller’s tragic death in September due to a drug overdose, he left the world with an album that will continue to satisfy fans for years. The melancholy lyrics and downbeat rhythms are hurtful, now more than ever, to his listeners. The album begins with the following lines from “Come Back To Earth”:

“My regrets look just like text I shouldn’t send,

And I got neighbors, they’re more like strangers,

We could be friends,

I just need a way out of my head”

-Mac Miller, Come Back To Earth

Invasion of Privacy by Cardi B

On a more, um, turbulent note, Cardi B released her highly anticipated album in 2018. After the success of her song “Bodak Yellow” in 2017, fans were more than excited to hear what else Cardi had in store, and they were not disappointed. The 13 song album includes high profile feature artists like Migos and 21 Savage and therefore produced many successful songs. Perhaps the most notable songs, “Be Careful” and “I Like It.”

“Man, I said we gon’ win

Knock me down nine times but I get up ten

Look myself in the mirror, I say we gon’ win

Knock me down nine times but I get up ten”

-Cardi B, Get Up 10

Sweetener by Ariana Grande

As mentioned in the first issue of Lions’ Digest, Ariana Grande released her fourth studio album this year. Grande’s return to the industry came after a whirlwind few years: from the tragic terrorist attack at her Manchester concert, to a breakup, and then on to an engagement. Sweetener has a very positive outlook on life, but Grande’s life has since changed drastically. The previously mentioned breakup took a turn for a worse after the death of Mac Miller, and Grande ended her engagement to Pete Davidson shortly after. Although her Sweetener era has a new meaning, the music is still very inspiring.

“You can work your way to the top,

Just know that there’s up and downs,

And just drops”

-Ariana Grande, Get Well Soon

Camila by Camila Cabello 

The music industry will never be the same after the release of Camila Cabello’s debut album earlier this year. The ex Fifth Harmony member showed off her impressive range and power on the album, while also offering up her beautiful lyrics to her listeners. “Havana,” perhaps the most notable song of the album, topped the Billboard charts at number one.

“Both, you know she lives for the thrill,

You know she lists for the kill,

So they won’t come back”

-Camila Cabello, She Loves Control

beerbongs & bentleys by Post Malone

Post Malone is definitely feeling like a rockstar after his successful, whirlwind of a year. Post could not have produced a better album, with features the likes of Nicki Minaj, 21 Savage, Ty Dolla Sign, and many more of music industry’s biggest stars. Although the album centers around Post’s consistent womanizing and party-boy attitude, he manages to display the feelings of heartbreak, love, and many other personal issues.

“My money thick, won’t ever fold

She said, ‘Can I have some to hold?’

And I can’t ever tell you no”

– Post Malone, Psycho

Scorpion

Drake’s nonstop release of singles and features this year did nothing but get in the feelings of his fans. Hit after hit, the Canadian rapper worked his way up to the top of the charts. Scorpion was even nominated for Album of the Year at the 61st Grammy Awards. “God’s Plan” was heard on every radio station and in everyone’s earphones throughout 2018, and was Spotify’s most played song of the year. The 25 song album was possibly the most successful and anticipated album of the year.

“Palace look like Buckingham

Bills so big I call ’em Williams, for real

Reasons to go crazy, got a trillion for real

They been tryin’ me but I’m resilient for real”

-Drake, Nonstop

Tha Carter V

Seven years after the release of his album, Tha Carter IV, the icon Lil Wayne released his long-awaited album, Tha Carter V. Not only are fans entertained by the immersive tones on the album, but Lil Wayne managed to tell incredibly personal stories on the album. While his lyrics are rather explicit and not for everyone, the universal ideas of love, pain, and humanity are consistent through the lives of many.

“I got a story to tell you now that I cherish thee,

Hope it ain’t too many feelings involved”

– Lil Wayne, Mona Lisa

A Star is Born

The accompanying soundtrack for the movie that sent us all off the deep end this year brought back so many emotions to those who watched. The plot of A Star Is Born centered around the harsh realities of love, Hollywood, pressure, and substance abuse. The album speaks for itself in terms of emotion, leaving listeners in puddles of tears with its impressive sentiments.

“Tell me something, boy

Aren’t you tired tryin’ to fill that void?

Or do you need more?

Ain’t it hard keeping it so hardcore?”

– Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, Shallow

Youngblood

When 5 Seconds of Summer released their iconic single “She Looks So Perfect” in 2014, they attracted a large fanbase that ranged throughout the ages. Now, 5SOS has released their third studio album, containing one of the most played songs of the year, “Youngblood.” Perhaps the four Australia friends tapped into their own experience or emotions on this record because this album is the most personal so far. The intense rock sounds that the band is known for took a backseat on this album, and all of the lyrics spoke for themselves.

“Switching into airplane mode again

We’re not alright but I’ll pretend

Press my cheek against the glass

Just be good ’til I get back”

–  5 Seconds of Summer, Why Won’t You Love Me

2018 brought many highs and lows, but one thing was for sure; the music got everyone through the year.