By: Meghan Mahaffey
2024 will go down in Hip-Hop history as a legendary year for the genre. Legendary names continued to push out incredible tracks and performances, while new names also began creeping into the limelight. Hip-hop fans of all walks and backgrounds were privy to revolutionary live performances. Ranking this year of outstanding performances is a feat we will try to embark on and narrow down to our top 10 favorites.
Drake & J. Cole Joint It’s All A Blur Tour in Tampa, Florida
Kicking the year off strong, Drake and J. Cole took the stage for night one of their joint tour in Tampa, Florida, on Feb. 2, 2024. The two prominent actors in the industry going on a combined tour sent waves to fans. Concertgoers were further impressed by the stacked setlist that the tour debuted in Tampa.
Vince Staples Black in America Tour
Vince Staples ran a month-long tour that was highly personal to the artist. The tour received a bit of backlash due to the lack of variation in the setlist and performance styles. However, many fans could recognize the intentionality and raw emotion that the lyrical artist put into the shows.
Doja Cat – The Scarlet Tour European Leg in Glasgow
Doja Cat extended her invitation to European fans, and it was incredibly well received. She was forced to cancel her last tour due to tonsil surgery, and the summer shows were filled with energy from fans itching to see her perform again post-op. Doja Cat continues to enjoy commercial success following her recent entrance into the limelight, and the international tour indicates her recognition.
BAND4BAND – Central Cee ft. Lil Baby at Rolling Loud
UK rapper Central Cee broke into the international music landscape, gaining recognition from big names in the game. His success coincided with Lil Baby’s time to re-enter the release arena– leading to a packed track that skyrocketed to No. 18 on Billboard Hot 100. The song’s release in May provided a backtrack to many fans’ summers. Lil Baby took his Rolling Loud set on Dec. 15, 2024, as an opportunity to bring out Central Cee to perform the energetic hit that melts UK drill and Lil Baby signatures.
Future and Metro Boomin We Trust You Tour
Speaking of collaborations, the “We Trust You” Tour was iconically planned after Future and Metro Boomin’s collaboration albums entitled We Don’t Trust You and We Still Don’t Trust You. The commitment to artistry, brand identity, and collaboration was shown during the summer tour. The two artists have teased working together for nearly a decade and appeased their fan bases with fully collaborative albums and tours, portraying a genuine combined energy throughout the tour.
Balloon – Tyler, the Creator ft. Doechii at Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival
It is safe to say that Doechii took Hip-Hop by storm by abandoning traditional production formulas. Legend Tyler, the Creator, recognized her unique voice in the industry, and when it came time for him to release his recent album CHROMAKOPIA, she cut as a featured artist. Their collaboration on the track “Balloon” infuses their earworm sounds beautifully. Doechii appeared at Tyler’s music festival, Camp Flog Gnaw, as a special guest in his set, where the two artists proved they were both made for live performances.
Offset – Set It Off Tour as His First Solo Headline Tour
Offset, a former member of Migos, embarked on his first solo tour on March 10, 2024. The 17-stop tour was a fundamental step in the rapper’s curating his own artist aesthetic and identity. The tour featured beautifully executed dance numbers and an energy fueled by his loyal fans.
Tyler, the Creator Brooklyn Pop Up Show Debuting CHROMAKOPIA
Tyler’s double feature on this top 10 list is no coincidence. Five days following the release of CHROMAKOPIA on October 28, 2024, the Hip-Hop artist announced that he would be performing the album for just 15 dollars for entry. The impulsivity did not lessen the show’s quality, yet created a space for his fans to sit with the new music in a casual space. Amongst the recent price hikes, music fans know too well that this opportunity that Tyler, the Creator, offered to see the album days after its release had the fans’ interests in mind.
Nicki Minaj Pink Friday 2 World Tour
Nicki Minaj’s world tour from March to Oct. of 2024 was a complete package where one show cannot be singled out. The tour grossed over $108.8 million, amounting to the highest-grossing tour by a female rapper in history. If you are a fan of extensive sets that make you feel as if you are transported to a new dimension, this is the tour to do a deep dive into. The production included extensive costume changes and set design that was revolutionary for Minaj and the industry.
Kendrick Lamar at The Pop Out: Ken & Friends
Kendrick Lamar’s name has been smeared on every headline in the past few months due to his big moves in the industry, but his work is not new. In Juneteenth 2024, Lamar put on a one-off concert at the Kia Forum only two weeks after announcing the performance. This was the first live performance he had following his public feud with Drake, in which he performed his now Grammy-awarded Drake-targeted diss track, “Not Like Us,” five times throughout the event. Lamar is no stranger to industry recognition, and the intentionality behind the event has turned many heads.
Kendrick has kept up the momentum from the revolutionary performance that he put on in the middle of 2024. Coming off of five Grammy wins and a Super Bowl Halftime Performance, the artist has all of America’s eyes on him. We look forward to seeing how 2025 will top the historical year of 2024 in Hip-Hop.