This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip-hop for the year 2019.
Events January On January 8, Cupcakke was hospitalized following a suicide scare. On January 23, 6ix9ine admitted to being guilty of all charges related to racketeering and gang violence. On January 25, DMX was again released from prison. On January 27, Florida rapper Jayo Sama was killed in a drive-by shooting in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was 22 years old.
February On February 3, 21 Savage was arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for having an expired visa and was revealed to be a United Kingdom national. On February 9, English grime rapper Cadet was killed in a car accident, at age 28. On February 10, Cardi B won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album with Invasion of Privacy and Drake won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song with "God's Plan". On February 12, Mystikal was released from prison on $3 million bond. On February 13, YNW Melly turned himself in to authorities and was charged with the double murder of rappers and childhood friends YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy. The same day that 21 Savage was released from ICE custody on bond. On February 28, BlocBoy JB was arrested for drug and weapons charges.
March On March 26, Billboard controversially removes Lil Nas X's breakout single "Old Town Road" from the Hot Country Songs chart for "not [embracing] enough elements of today's country music". On March 31, Nipsey Hussle was fatally shot outside his clothing store in Los Angeles, CA. He was 33 years old.
April On April 18, Cypress Hill receives a star in the walk of fame, making them the first Latino group to receive a star in the walk of fame. On April 21, Kanye West lead an Easter Sunday Service performance at Coachella, the group's first public performance.
May On May 18, it was revealed that Tyler, the Creator's ban in the United Kingdom had been lifted in an announcement for a London concert promoting his newly released album Igor. However, the show was cancelled due to overcrowding audience.
June On June 9, Bushwick Bill of the Geto Boys died at the age of 52, from pancreatic cancer. On June 20, the 2019 XXL Freshman Class was revealed, in which it included Gunna, DaBaby, Roddy Ricch, Cordae, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Mosey, Blueface, Comethazine, Tierra Whack, YK Osiris, and Rico Nasty.
July On July 1, Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" becomes the longest-running hip-hop song at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 after thirteen weeks, surpassing "Lose Yourself" by Eminem, "Boom Boom Pow" by the Black Eyed Peas, and "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth, which had each achieved twelve weeks at number one. On July 23, Tay-K was sentenced to 55 years in prison on a murder charge for a 2016 robbery that left a man dead.
September On September 5, Nicki Minaj announces her retirement from making music to "have my family". On September 19, Dave wins the Mercury Prize, given to the best album released by a British musician each year, for his debut album Psychodrama.
October On October 2, Gucci Mane partnered with Gucci. On October 6, 2 Chainz partnered with Atlantic Records with his independent label The Real University. On October 15, Tyga signed a multi-million dollar deal to be with Columbia Records. On October 23, Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" received an RIAA Diamond certification, 2019's first Diamond certification and the fastest song in history to reach this milestone.
November On November 6, Drake signed with the cannabis industry. On November 11, Bad Azz died four days earlier by the time he was arrested and jailed at Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta, California, on domestic violence charges. On November 13, Kodak Black is sentenced to three years and eight months prison time for lying about his criminal record while purchasing firearms. On November 21, French Montana was hospitalized due to stomach pains nausea and elevated heart rate.
December On December 8, Juice WRLD was pronounced dead after suffering a seizure in Chicago Midway Airport. According to TMZ, he died of a percocet overdose and swallowed all the pills so federal agents wouldn't find them on the jet. On December 18, 6ix9ine was sentenced to two years in jail after already serving 13 months because of racketeering and gang violence. However, he would get out of jail only months after originally being incarcerated due to his life-threatening asthma diagnosis.
Released albums January DayArtist(s)AlbumRecord label(s)Entering chart position28Ball & MJGClassic PimpinPush Management11ComethazineBawskee 2Alamo, Empire Debuted at No. 61 on the Billboard 200WatskyComplaintSteel Wool MediaWifisfuneral & Robb BanksConn3ct3dAlamoBig K.R.I.T.TDTMulti Alumni15FalzMoral InstructionBahd Guys Records18BlockheadFree SweatpantsBackwoodz StudiozBoondoxLiquor, Lies and LegacyMajik Ninja EntertainmentFutureThe WizrdFreebandz, Epic Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200Harry MackContents Under PressureSelf-releasedMalibu Ken (Aesop Rock & Tobacco)Malibu KenRhymesayers Debuted at No. 176 on the Billboard 200YNW MellyWe All ShineSelf-released Debuted at No. 27 on the Billboard 20023Members OnlyMembers Only, Vol. 4Bad Vibes Forever, Empire Debuted at No. 23 on the Billboard 20025BoogieEverythings for SaleShady, Interscope Debuted at No. 28 on the Billboard 200Boston George & DiegoBoston George & DiegoYJ Music, Def JamDendemannDa Nich Für!Vertigo, Paroli Beats Debuted at No. 1 on Germany ChartsDJ Kay SlayHip Hop FrontlineStreetsweepers, EmpireDreezyBig DreezInterscopeK-RinoLightning Language (The 4-Piece #1)Black Book International, SoSouthThen and Now (The 4-Piece #2)Black Book International, SoSouthThree Weeks Later (The 4-Piece #3)Black Book International, SoSouthThe S-Project (The 4-Piece #4)Black Book International, SoSouth
February DayArtist(s)AlbumRecord label(s)Entering chart position1FredoThird AvenueRCA RecordsG HerboStill SwervinMachine Entertainment Group Debuted at No. 41 on the Billboard 200People Under the StairsSincerely, the PPiecelock 708AJ TraceyAJ TraceySelf-released Debuted at No. 3 on the UK Albums ChartBoston George & Slim ThugBig Bad Boston and the BossHogg LifeDemrickNo Wasting TimeDEMMars & Young SwizzThe HangoverMad Insanity Records, EmpireSean Price & Small Professor86 WitnessRuck Down, Duck Down, Coalmine RecordsWiz Khalifa & Currensy2009Jet Life Recordings, Taylor Gang Debuted at No. 35 on the Billboard 20011ASAP AntAddie PitinoSelf-releasedBonesSparrowsCreekTeamSESH13Berner & MozzySlimey IndividualzBern One Ent., Mozzy Records, EmpireEem TriplinNowh3r3Self-released14Slim ThugSuga Daddy Slim: On tha ProwlHogg Life15Czarface & Ghostface KillahCzarface Meets GhostfaceSilver Age Insane Clown PosseFearless Fred FuryPsychopathic Records Debuted at No. 44 on the Billboard 200PapooseUnderratedHonorable Records, EmpireStruggle JenningsThe Widow's SonAngels & OutlawsWicca Phase Springs EternalSuffer OnRun for Cover Records22GiggsBig Bad...No BS, Island RecordsGorilla ZoeI Am Atlanta 4everHood FiggaGunnaDrip or Drown 2YSL, 300 Debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200Higher BrothersFive Stars88rising RecordsHilltop HoodsThe Great ExpanseUniversal Debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Australian Top 50 AlbumsLil PumpHarverd DropoutTha Lights Global, Warner Bros. Debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200Night LovellGoodnight LovellSCPPOffsetFather of 4Quality Control Music, Motown Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200Smif-N-WessunThe AllDuck Down RecordsThe DirtballSkull HollowThrottle House Inc27T-Pain1UpCinematic Music Group Debuted at No. 115 on the Billboard 200
March DayArtist(s)AlbumRecord label(s)Entering chart position12 ChainzRap or Go to the LeagueDef Jam Recordings Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200Blu & Oh NoA Long Red Hot Los Angeles Summer NightNature SoundsDaBabyBaby on BabyInterscope Debuted at No. 25 on the Billboard 200Eto & DJ MuggsHell's RoofSoul AssassinsLil SkiesShelbyAtlantic Records Debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200Little SimzGrey AreaAge 101 Music Debuted at No. 87 on the UK Albums ChartMyka 9 & AdriaticIn MotionAutomatic Records2NugzStashbox ChroniclesLoretta Records7Bullies (Denmark Vessey, DrxQuinnx & Azarias)いじめっ子Fxckrxp Records8DavePsychodramaNeighbourhood Recordings Debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums ChartJuice WrldDeath Race for LoveGrade A Productions, Interscope Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200KerserLifestyleABK, Warner Music Australia Debuted at No. 2 on the ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums14Lil GotitCrazy But It's TrueAlamo Records, EmpireNavBrown BoyXO15Chief Keef & ZaytovenGloTovenGlo Gang, RBC Records Debuted at No. 153 on the Billboard 200Dizzy WrightNobody Cares, Work HarderDizzy Wright, EmpireScarlxrdInfinityLxrd Records, Island 17 Lil' Flip La Clover Nostra: Clover Gang GT Digital, Lil' Flip18 Frenzo Harami Chaabian Boyz: Volume 1 Dubba Squad22Don TripDon't Feed the GuerillasMRVL Recording GroupNavBad HabitsXO, Republic Records Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200Rich the KidThe World Is Yours 2Interscope, Rich Forever Music Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 20029Birdman & JuvenileJust Another GangstaCash Money RecordsBoosie BadazzBadazz 3.5Lil Boosie MusicIll Bill & Stu BangasCannibal HulkUncle Howie RecordsMEDChild of the JungleBang Ya HeadQuelle ChrisGunsMello Music GroupYelawolfTrunk Muzik 3Slumerican, Shady Records, Interscope Debuted at No. 28 on the Billboard 200
April DayArtist(s)AlbumRecord label(s)Entering chart position5JellyRollWhiskey Sessions IIJingle Punks Music12Anderson .PaakVenturaAftermath Entertainment Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200Caleb StephBellwood ProductDirty Hit, INgroovesIann DiorNothings Ever Good Enough10kKSI and RandolphNew AgeSelf-released Debuted at No. 17 on the UK Albums ChartRiff RaffPink PythonJody Highroller Ent.Vinnie Paz & Tragedy KhadafiCamouflage RegimeIron Tusk Music, Enemy Soil15JellyRollCrosses and CrossroadsWar Dog1903 GreedoStill Summer in the ProjectsAlamo RecordsErick SermonVerniaDef SquadLizzoCuz I Love YouNice Life, Atlantic Records Debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200Loyle CarnerNot Waving, But DrowningAMF Records, Virgin EMI Records Debuted at No. 3 on the UK Albums ChartPivot GangYou Can't Sit with UsPivot GangTech N9neN9NAStrange Music, RBC, INgrooves Debuted at No. 34 on the Billboard 200Your Old DroogIt Wasn't Even CloseGogul Mogul, Mongoloid Banks20Bun B & Statik SelektahTrillStatikShowOff Records, II Trill EnterprisesKokaneFinger RollBud E. Boy EntertainmentUpchurchCreeker IIRedneck Nation Records Debuted at No. 66 on the Billboard 200Wiz KhalifaFly Times Vol. 1: The Good Fly YoungTaylor Gang, Rostrum Records, Atlantic Records Debuted at No. 70 on the Billboard 20025Kevin AbstractArizona BabyQuestion Everything, RCA Records Debuted at No. 53 on the Billboard 200OMB PeezyPreacher to the StreetsSick Wid It Records26MadchildDemonsBattle AxePete RockReturn of the SP1200Tru Soul RecordsRico Nasty & Kenny BeatsAnger ManagementSugar TrapSchoolboy QCrash TalkTop Dawg Entertainment, Interscope Debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200TwiztidGeneration NightmareMajik Ninja Entertainment Debuted at No. 51 on the Billboard 200Various artistsFor the Throne (Music Inspired by the HBO Series Game of Thrones)Columbia Debuted at No. 37 on the Billboard 200
May