Future Hendrix undeniably has a hall-of-fame resume.
5. FUTURE (2017)
This feels like a Wal-Mart version of “DS2.”
Future found a winning formula around 2015, sparking an incredibly successful run with albums/projects like Monster, Beast Mode, 56 Nights, and DS2, released back to back. However, by the time Future came out two years after “DS2,” I think that formula had lost some of its magic. Nevertheless, there were still glimpses of that previous success on this album, making it enjoyable overall.
I really appreciate how this album flows. The songs complement one another very well. Also, Future never deviates too far from this grungy trap vibe, and he ensures he’s the main star of the show by only calling on Drake (Who is damn there on every single album of his), Kendrick Lamar, and YG. This album is for true fans of Future’s main alter ego.
What am I looking at with this artwork?
Favorite Tracks: “Mask Off,” “Draco,” & “Rent Money.”
4. Pluto (2012)
While I didn’t love this album, it did introduce Future to the casuals.
I don’t think people understand how difficult it is to drop a classic debut studio album. Sometimes, artists need time to figure out their sound, so they may struggle to find a rhythm or release a project that flows well. Unfortunately, for Future, I believe that’s what happened with Pluto. The album sounds a bit disjointed, and he seems somewhat unsure of his approach. Overall, I don’t feel like he fully established his identity as an artist at that time. However, Pluto did showcase his versatility to some extent. The project includes a mix of gritty trap records, trap love songs, and commercial tracks. In essence, Pluto served as a solid launching pad for Future.
Favorite Tracks: “Turn On the Lights,” “Tony Montana,” “Magic.”
3. I NEVER LIKED YOU (2022)
This is one of the albums that could’ve easily won a Grammy.
When this album was released, many already regarded Future as a legend. To me, this feels like the ultimate house money album for the Atlanta native. He experimented extensively, worked with A-listers and underrated trap rappers, and crafted smooth trap bangers that only he could make. But let’s be real: The biggest highlight of this album is his “WAIT FOR U” track with Drake and Tems. Not only is the beautiful track one of his most streamed ever, but it showed his growth as an artist and won him his first and only lead artist Grammy. As a matter of fact, this is the only Future album so far that has been nominated for a Grammy.
Favorite Tracks: “WAIT FOR U,” “PUFFIN ON ZOOTIES,” and “LOVE YOU BETTER.”
2. HNDRXX (2017)
Isn’t it funny how you think of Future over Jimi Hendrix when you hear the name “Hendrix?”
Remember that time Future dropped two albums in back-to-back weeks? The first one, Future, was on some ignorant trap s**t, while the second one, HNDRXX, had the rapper diving more into his vulnerable, emotional side. It turns out the streets wanted to hear the latter side of Future.
HNDRXX doesn’t feature the Rockos or Young Scooters of the world; instead, it features borderline pop stars in Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, The Weeknd, and Rihanna. What I think is hella dope is that Future holds his own with these megastars, proving there is a lane for a trap pop star.
Future showed a level of versatility that is glaring in this album. While maintaining a slightly gritty demeanor on some tracks, for the most part, he delivers stomachable music that you don’t have to have a degree in trap-a-nomics to appreciate. This project was vital to Future’s Hall-of-Fame case.
Favorite Tracks: “Coming Out Strong,” “Solo,” and “Incredible.”
1. DS2 (2015)
You must be arrested if you don’t have “DS2” as Future’s best album.
One could argue that DS2 is a skip-free album. From the opening track “Thought It Was A Drought” to the closing anthem “F*ck Up Some Commas,” Future delivers a series of raw, unfiltered trap bangers that explore themes of love, violence, and success. It’s as if Future has fully embraced his roots in trap music, abandoning any pretense of commercial R&B and diving headfirst into the genre’s gritty, authentic vibes.
In addition to its cohesive direction, the album boasts a variety of memorable hooks, each distinct from the next, along with an array of beat styles. Future delivers punchy verses (Which switch between rapping and singing) that reaffirm his gangsta persona throughout the tracks.
Favorite Tracks: “Thought It Was A Drought,” “Stick Talk” & “Real Sisters.”
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
