Making a top 10 list is never easy. When it comes to Vermont’s exploding hip-hop scene, that calculus is harder than ever. In 2024, we’ve been blessed with dozens of worthy album releases, and the bar for quality control is set professionally high. The only problem? The embarrassment of riches makes it difficult for artists to stand out — and for listeners to keep up.

Accurately summing up all this hustle and flow is an impossible task. In preparation for this doomed attempt, I have been picking the brains of local hip-hop artists, promoters, producers and fans for weeks. Beyond the fact that everyone feels there’s too much going on to keep track of, there is very little clear consensus on the best music of the year.

Certain names come up a lot, though. Established rappers Konflik, Charlie Mayne and D.FRENCH get love from every corner of the state. Breakout newbies such as Devon Dutchmaster, HAKIMXOXO, Topia and Flywlkr have made waves beyond their social circles, too. The Funky Diabetic is universally hailed as a hard worker with a great live set, and Real Ricky’s upcoming debut album is a highly anticipated release.

Vermont producers get a lot of respect, as well. In my conversations, Caleb Lodish’s obsessive perfectionism and huge musical range were often cited. Rico James has been an undeniable force, delivering a record label’s worth of output by himself this year. “I’ve given up on trying to get noticed,” he admitted, “and I’m just cranking out beats. It’s made it fun and satisfying again.”

While youthful energy has driven the narrative in 2024, the pillars of the scene remain in place. DJ, producer and promoter David Chief is still one of Burlington’s foremost tastemakers, and nearly everyone gives props to AfterLyfe Music founder and VT Union legend Nastee. Despite formally retiring as a group, the individual members of 99 Neighbors are at the forefront of the new wave. Conswank’s solo debut, Low Point Retreat, was one of 2023’s finest local albums, and maari’s All Is Fair in Love & War, a collaboration this year with Burlington producer Es-K, continues their unbroken winning streak.

Since the glory days of Lynguistic Civilians, veteran rapper and promoter Mister Burns has never stopped working. Last month alone, he brought Talib Kweli and the Pharcyde to Vermont. If he ever retires or jumps ship to another state, it will be a huge loss for 802 music fans.

On the question of who had the best album drop in 2024, however, things get messy fast. Much of this discord stems from the same debates the scene has had my entire life: what qualifies as “real” hip-hop, organic support versus label-money promotional clout, and the eternal complaint of Burlington’s outsize influence over the rest of the state. None of these issues is ever getting resolved, and I have grim news for my fellow old heads: If the kids like it, it’s dope, and that’s it.

There is also the question of what qualifies as “Vermont hip-hop” when so many of the small scene’s champions are currently living out of state — which is itself a marker for the strength of the scene. Windsor’s Jarv, Burlington’s rivan and Washington’s Robscure are all doing incredible work in New York City, as is video artist, concert promoter and cultural force Kelly Butts-Spirito, one of the main architects behind the breakout success of Burlington’s young scene after 2020.

That success has inspired a vital culture since then. The Genesis promotion team got its start doing DIY parties around Vermont State University in Castleton, but this year it’s had triumphant appearances at the Double E in Essex and, most recently, the newly revitalized ArtsRiot in Burlington. Alongside upstart stars such as Pleasant Boys, tyler serrani and Obi the Voicegod, Genesis has earned a reputation for must-see events.

Then there’s “Wave Cave Radio Show,” hosted by Flywlkr and Gingervitus, who recently recorded their 42nd episode on 105.9 FM the Radiator. Wide-open playlists, along with the hosts’ deep love for the scene, have made the show the single most essential outlet in the state right now. The duo has no plans to stop anytime soon. “It’s a lot of fun,” Flywlkr said, “and feels good to give back to the community that gave me a platform.”

It’s worth noting that Flywlkr dropped two projects that got heavy praise from his peers: the tripped-out Flying Car 2, followed by YW8?, a knockout LP that stands among the year’s best. His top pick for 2024? Topia’s self-produced KO RABWA.

That attitude is typical of the new generation of 802 hip-hop artists, and it’s not just modesty; it’s mutual respect. For his part, Topia said, “Honestly, I kinda shut out outside influences and locked in on my own art.” Even so, his top pick would be rivan’s self-titled reinvention of an EP. “It really impressed me because it seemed super authentic,” Topia said.

Another big story was the return of audio engineer and musical savant Zach Crawford, who reopened his SkyLab studio after a long hiatus and immediately set to work mixing and mastering incredible albums for artists around the country.

Two of them are on this list: D.FRENCH’s All Saints Day got a lot of enthusiastic nominations, and boom-bap believers everywhere were still bumping Verona, Mavstar’s monumental tribute to his mother. Expect to see and hear even more of Crawford’s work in 2025.

While this all adds up to an undeniably triumphant year, there’s still a lot of work to be done. Many artists I talked to lamented a lack of serious artist management or mentors to help them with the business side of the music industry. A universal suspicion persists that many Vermont venues are deliberately avoiding the genre. And there’s widespread concern that this big, inclusive scene may be backsliding into cliques and in-groups.

Such growing pains are inevitable. But it’s a safe bet that those same challenges will create new success stories by this time next year. For fans and listeners, we’re in a golden era of Vermont hip-hop, a multigenerational renaissance of diverse sounds and styles. Using the list above as a starting point, take some time over the holidays to get caught up. You won’t regret it.

Justin Boland’s Top 10 802 Hip-Hop Albums of 2024

Caleb Lodish, An Evening Into Sweet Despair

D.FRENCH, All Saints Day

Flywlkr, YW8?

Juicebox, Ollies in the Hallway

maari and Es-K, All Is Fair in Love & War

Mavstar, Verona

rivan, rivan

Robscure, WATER: Whirled Around the Endless Ripple

SINNN, Art N Depression

Topia, KO RABWA