Ab-Soul Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)
Stepping into Ab-Soul's world means navigating dense lyricism and intricate concepts.
His discography is a journey. Each album offers a distinct piece of his complex puzzle.
Today, we're looking at Ab-Soul albums ranked. Our primary guide is fan sentiment. We want to know what resonates most deeply with his listeners. This helps us explore what many consider the best Ab-Soul albums.
We'll also touch on how these releases perform based on current popularity data. Let's explore the powerful catalog of Ab-Soul.
Ranking Ab-Soul's albums: The fan favorites
Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.
We're starting with the most beloved.
1. Control System (2012)
Control System is Ab-Soul's second studio album. It was released in 2012 by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).
The album features a strong lineup of guest appearances. Jhené Aiko, Danny Brown, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and Kendrick Lamar all contribute.
Production was primarily handled by TDE's in-house team Digi+Phonics. Other producers like King Blue and Nez & Rio also lent their talents.
The album was significantly impacted by the passing of Alori Joh. She was a close friend and collaborator of Ab-Soul. Her vocals are featured, and the album is dedicated to her.
Key tracks:
- Illuminate (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
- Terrorist Threats (feat. Danny Brown & Jhene Aiko)
Topping this fan-driven ranking, Control System is often hailed as a masterwork in Ab-Soul's discography.
Its blend of raw emotion, intricate wordplay, and compelling themes solidifies its place as a fan favorite. Many point to this album as Ab-Soul at his most potent and vulnerable.
2. HERBERT (2022)
HERBERT is the fifth studio album from Ab-Soul. It arrived in December 2022 via Top Dawg Entertainment.
This release marked Ab-Soul's return after a six-year hiatus. It followed his 2016 album, Do What Thou Wilt.
The album is titled after Ab-Soul's birth name, Herbert Anthony Stevens IV. It features guest appearances from artists like Big Sean, Jhené Aiko, Joey Bada$$, and SiR.
Production credits include notable names such as Boi-1da, DJ Dahi, DJ Premier, and Hit-Boy.
Key tracks:
- DO BETTER
- ART OF SEDUCTION
Securing the second spot, HERBERT clearly resonated strongly with fans upon its long-awaited release.
The personal nature of the album, coupled with its polished production, made it a welcome return. It showed Ab-Soul exploring new depths while retaining his signature style.
3. Longterm Mentality (2011)
Longterm Mentality is Ab-Soul's first full-length album. It was released in April 2011 by Top Dawg Entertainment.
This debut retail release was exclusively available through digital retailers. It set the stage for Ab-Soul's distinct lyrical style.
The album includes guest appearances from Jhené Aiko, Schoolboy Q, and Kendrick Lamar. Production was handled by artists like Tae Beast and Sounwave.
Upon its release, Longterm Mentality received high acclaim from music critics.
Key tracks:
- Moscato
- Constipation
Positioned at number three, Longterm Mentality holds a special place for many early supporters of Ab-Soul.
As his debut studio effort, it introduced the themes and lyrical prowess that would become his trademarks. Fans often appreciate its foundational role in his discography.
4. Soul Burger (2024)
Soul Burger is Ab-Soul's sixth studio album. It was released in November 2024 under Top Dawg Entertainment.
The album features a diverse range of guest artists. These include Blxst, Doechii, JID, Lupe Fiasco, and Vince Staples.
Production credits include 9th Wonder, Beat Butcha, and Sounwave. Fellow TDE member Schoolboy Q also contributed to production.
The album's title pays homage to Ab-Soul's close friend Doeburger, who passed away in 2021. Doeburger is posthumously credited as a writer on all tracks.
Key tracks:
- All That
- California Dream
Landing at the fourth position, Soul Burger quickly made an impact on its release.
Its heartfelt tribute and strong collaborations likely contributed to its positive reception among fans. The album showcases Ab-Soul's continued evolution as an artist.
5. Do What Thou Wilt. (2016)
Do What Thou Wilt. is Ab-Soul's fourth studio album. It was released in December 2016 by Top Dawg Entertainment.
This album served as the follow-up to his 2014 release, These Days.... It continued Ab-Soul's exploration of complex themes.
The album was supported by singles "Huey Knew" and "Braille." The title itself is a famous quote from occultist Aleister Crowley, interpreted by Ab-Soul as free will.
Ab-Soul notably appeared without his trademark sunglasses on the album cover. He stated this was to convey sincerity and bare his all to listeners.
Key tracks:
- The Law (feat. Mac Miller & Rapsody)
- D.R.U.G.S.
At number five, Do What Thou Wilt. is an album that often sparks deep discussion among Ab-Soul's listeners.
Its dense subject matter and philosophical leanings are appreciated by fans who enjoy dissecting his lyrics. The album represents a period of intense creative exploration for the artist.
6. These Days... (2014)
These Days... is Ab-Soul's third studio album. It was released in June 2014 through Top Dawg Entertainment.
The album followed his critically acclaimed Control System. It featured guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Rick Ross, and Lupe Fiasco.
A significant portion of the album was recorded at Mac Miller's home studio. Production was handled by Digi+Phonics members, Rahki, DJ Dahi, and J. Cole, among others.
Ab-Soul described the album as a "time capsule" of the period since his previous release. He aimed to touch on various vibes and sounds of that era.
Key tracks:
- Hunnid Stax
- Gods Reign
While These Days... takes the final spot in this fan-based ranking, it still holds significance in Ab-Soul's artistic timeline.
The album's diverse features and production offered a broad sonic palette. It showcased Ab-Soul experimenting with different styles and reflecting on contemporary themes.
Ab-Soul albums: A look at popularity data
While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.
This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.
Below is a ranking of Ab-Soul's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.
| Popularity Rank | Album Title | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HERBERT | 2022 |
| 2 | Soul Burger | 2024 |
| 3 | Control System | 2012 |
| 4 | Do What Thou Wilt. | 2016 |
| 5 | These Days... | 2014 |
| 6 | Longterm Mentality | 2011 |
Quick FAQs about Ab-Soul's albums
Q: What was a significant personal event that influenced Ab-Soul's album Control System?
A: The album was deeply affected by the passing of Loriana "Alori Joh" Johnson, Ab-Soul's close friend and collaborator. The project is dedicated to her, and she is featured on tracks like "Empathy" and "A Rebellion."
Q: How was Control System received by critics upon its release?
A: Control System received universal acclaim from music critics. It was praised for its lyrical depth, conceptual themes, and Ab-Soul's overall artistic vision, earning an average score of 83 on Metacritic.
Ranking music is always a fascinating exercise. Ab-Soul's albums offer so much to discuss.
Fan sentiment often highlights the deep, personal connections made with an artist's work. Popularity data, on the other hand, shows current engagement levels.
Ultimately, the best Ab-Soul album is the one that speaks to you the most. Each record in the Ab-Soul albums ranked list tells a unique story.
What's your take? Which Ab-Soul album stands out as his definitive work?