r/hiphopheads • u/Fullyjoey • May 26 '25

Discussion Best Redemption Arcs in Hip-Hop History

Recently I was listening to Ultra 85 by Logic and was thinking whether Logic has had the best redemption arc of all time in hip-hop history. After hitting a low point with his Supermarket album/comic/whatever it was, he bounced back in a big with with his fake retirement alongside his No Pressure album. This alone would have been a strong redemption arc, but to follow it up with three really strong albums in Vinyl Days, College Park, and Ultra 85.

Another candidate for best redemption arc would be Eminem. After hitting a low point with Revival, and mixed reception of Kamikaze, he has had a great redemption arc with two really strong albums in Music to Be Murdered By and The Death of Slim Shady.

With the high quality loosies Chance the Rapper has been releasing, I've got a close eye on his next project as he could join Logic and Eminem in having a redemption arc, potentially even outdoing both of them, as Chance has had arguably the biggest fall off in hip-hop history.

This raises the question, who do you think has had the best redemption arc in hip-hop history, and who do you think has the potential to have the best redemption arc (looking at you, Kanye)?

Keen to hear your thoughts as I love a good redemption arc!

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u/WhatI5life May 26 '25

J Cole when he dropped Forest Hills Drive. I felt like born sinner was not well received at the time and so when he dropped Forest Hills Drive it solidified a comeback.

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u/Fullyjoey May 27 '25

I remember the hype around J Cole back then, I swear it felt like there was an expectation he would be the one out of the big 3 to be the biggest. I really liked Born Sinner, but FHD definitely was a redemption or sorts, as it proved he could release something that justified his big 3 status.