Yaosoner – WelcomeToMarsLLC.com Favorite Albums of 2025
Yaosoner – WelcomeToMarsLLC.com
Favorite Albums of 2025
I’ve now made this an official annual tradition. Every December, I reflect on the albums that dominated my headphones, stayed in constant rotation, and still sound just as incredible on the 100th listen as they did on the first.
These rankings are entirely personal and based on three main factors: the quality of the production, how cohesively the album flows as a full body of work, and—most importantly—its replay value.
The order of the list doesn’t reflect any ranking at all. Naming something “#1” doesn’t mean I consider it the best project of the year—it’s simply a collection of my personal favorites.
Here’s what soundtracked my 2025:
The full-length collab we’d all been praying for. 13 tracks, zero features, just Boldy doing what he does over V Don’s menacing Serious Sound production. Instant classic.
2. Willie The Kid & V Don – “Catch Me If You Can 2”
Seven tracks of pure luxury rap. Willie’s pen and V Don’s boards are a ridiculous combination; every song feels like a short film.
Dropped on 2/27 day. 11 tracks, all Chuck on the beats. Quiet, moody, and ridiculously replayable.
Sounds like a GTA V radio station on acid (compliment). 17 tracks packed with Sheck Wes, Don Toliver, SoFaygo, Future, Carti, 21, GloRilla, Kodak, Tyla, Vybz Kartel, and more. Pure chaos in the best way.
The three-pack that broke the internet, disappeared, then came back as an official EP. Conductor Williams on two of the beats; still gives me chills.
6. Black Milk & Fat Ray – Food From The Gods
Detroit stand up. 11 tracks with Guilty Simpson, Danny Brown, and Bruiser Wolf cameos. Black Milk’s production is insane as usual.
The Flygod’s first big swing of the year. 11 tracks of that signature Griselda opulence with Stove God, Estee Nack, and the usual suspects.
Nobody saw this coming, everybody needed it. Uncle Al on every beat, Larry and 2 Chainz trading bars like veterans. Good job, Larry.
22 tracks, no listed features (but definitely some surprises buried in there). The finale to the trilogy; lived up to the hype.
V Don’s first compilation of the year. 7 tracks loaded with BSF, Conway, Benny, Willie, Lloyd Banks, ETO, etc. Producer albums don’t usually bang this hard.
The long-awaited sequel. 14 tracks with Anderson .Paak, Larry June, J.I.D., and that “1995” single still on repeat.
7-track BSF statement with Boldy, Styles P, and the usual Daringer/Harry Fraud suspect list.
Joey’s first album in three years. Boom-bap soul mixed with everything else he does well. Features from Westside Gunn, Ab-Soul, Rapsody, Rome Streetz, etc.
12 tracks of summer cookout music for people who move weight.
15. Smoke DZA – On My Way To Berlin
Kush God season. Features from Killer Mike, Dom Kennedy, Wiz, Dave East, Ab-Soul, and more.
16 tracks of South Central excellence over Khrysis soul chops.
The wrestling-inspired sequel with Benny, Stove God, MIKE, Skyzoo, and that undeniable Griselda grit.
Pusha and No Malice finally came back. Kendrick, Nas, Tyler, Pharrell, Stove God… the features list alone is ridiculous.
The WrestleMania weekend drop. 5 flawless tracks.
Drumless, psychedelic, gritty, gorgeous. One of the most cinematic underground albums of the year.
Two legendary producers rapping over each other’s beats. Conway, Havoc, Boldy, Big Hit… this shouldn’t have worked this well.
Havoc + unreleased Prodigy verses + Alchemist beats. Emotional doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Came kinda late in the year, but trust this tape is one of them ones. Laid-back West Coast soul at its finest. Domo’s evolution is one of rap’s best-kept secrets.
First album in nine years, first without Trugoy. 20 tracks of joy, pain, and celebration. A beautiful send-off and continuation all at once.
The second Boldy/Craven tape of 2025. Still sounds like a movie.
Full-circle moment. Hardest Chicago has sounded in years.
Halloween drop. 25 minutes of pure mood.
The Documentary 3 teaser we didn’t know we needed. Mike & Keys production, Drama tags, Game in vintage form.
These are the ones that never left the rotation. Appreciate everybody who made 2025 another ridiculous year for the culture. See y’all in 2026. 🚀
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