In recent years for me:

Some Rap Songs
I loved both singles and was a huge Earl fan so I expected something special. I got one of my favorite rap albums oat

SAVAGE MODE II:
I’ve loved every Metro x 21 collab in the past. SM 1 and Without Warning are two of my favorite trap projects so I was expecting heat, but the album was even more cinematic and well-arranged than I anticipated

Whole Lotta Red:
As a huge fan of S/T, Die Lit, leaks and older SoundCloud tracks, I expected this to be great, even with the delays and drama. I didn’t expect this man to reinvent his whole damn sound and go 24 for 24 on the track list while keeping things exciting, interesting, and well-performed

Some Rap Songs is a great example

After waiting years for a follow up, We knew it was gonna be special, but I would have never guessed it would have turned out how it did

After Hours

The Big Day

Drogas Wave

Blonde

more life 🔥

Blonde

Honesty, I Am > I Was.

MBDTF
4:44
More Life
After Hours
Thank U, Next

Over it

Loveloveasap

KIDS SEE GHOSTS

"MBDTF"

Hearing that Ye was going back to rapping & all the dope s*** he dropped during GOOD Fridays had my hype through the roof.

Once the album dropped, I couldn't believe how much dope s*** he had given us during that time span.

ASTROWORLD

accurate

Oh. I misread the question. I thought OP worded it to mean rap albums you didn't expect to be impressed by that blew you away.

I'd say TPAB.

REAL

So Much Fun

classic

definitely some rap songs and CTRL

felt like a heavy downgrade to me tbh

EA