Albums are being ruined.

What makes a perfect album? Some say the sound, some the lyrics, and for some they just really enjoy the artist. But what makes the perfect album isn’t just one of these things.

There are plenty of incredible albums that won’t reach the same level of perfection as only some do. Such as the various hip-hop rappers that have amazing melodic sounds or a touching meaning in the lyrics.

However, we stand against an issue in this day and age with the Hip-Hop/Rap community. Long albums are becoming more and more common as the industry in hip hop and rap becomes more popular.

For years now, fans have been complaining about these over-extended albums, but artists continue to release 20+ songs on each album, following with hours of playtime that no one wants to sit through. Minimalistic culture has taken over the fashion and architecture industries, but it seemed to have missed the music industry. So why is the saying “less is more” not compatible with albums?

Artists are seeking more streams or plays, rather than putting out shorter albums for less. They take the songs they like, and on top of it throw on “filler songs” to fill up the rest of the album. There are no physical limitations on the length of an album, and it’s become common for track lists to reach or exceed 20 songs, the issue with this being there is more room for mediocre music. The more songs, the lower the chance the album has at being “perfect.” Despite the fact the fans love their favorite artist, albums are getting way too long and it’s becoming way too common. In 2016, Drake released Views, a 20-song album with a runtime of one hour and 21 minutes.  In 2017, Chris Brown dropped his 45-track album Heartbreak on a Full Moon, which clocked in at two hours and 38 minutes. In January 2018, the Migos followed with Culture II, a 24-track album that ran for an hour and 45 minutes. Then, six months later, Drake dropped his 25-track project Scorpion.

Albums in the late 90’s and early 2000’s seemed to be even longer than albums today, but double albums like OutKast’s “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below or Dipset’s Diplomatic Immunity” were calculated decisions of production costs, but still met the same artistic value. Long albums today are just lacking artistic intention to get paid more or have their album boosted on the charts.

So, what’s the sweet spot? Well, in short, any album that doesn’t surpass 14-17 songs. Albums like “IGOR” by Tyler, The Creator, which won 2020’s Best Rap Album award. Also, albums such as “17” by XXXTENTACION, which won Favorite R&B album at the 2018 American Music Awards, “Goodbye and Good Riddance” by Juice WRLD, released in 2018 and certified triple platinum, selling over 8.7 million albums. “The Melodic Blue” by Baby Keem, and “Swimming” by Mac Miller, are also highly rated, new-gen albums, that all stay under 18 songs each.

Albums are getting too long. We need to shorten them, and bring back the meaningful, artistic values of hip hop and rap.