LOS ANGELES, Aug 11 — Been too busy to stay current on this year’s new music? Now that summer relaxation time is here, we’re picking out five 2015 albums in each of five genres for your streaming pleasure, whether you are beachfront, poolside or taking off on a road trip. First up: rap and hip-hop albums you may have missed, but shouldn’t.

Kendrick Lamar — To Pimp a Butterfly



The American rapper released his third studio album in March to widespread acclaim. Preceded by the singles “i,” “The Blacker the Berry,” “King Kunta” and “Alright,” it topped charts in several countries. Lamar’s introspective lyrics and eclectic style, bringing in elements of jazz, funk and spoken word poetry, help set apart the album as one of the year’s best.

Drake — If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late



Surprise albums were something of a theme in the rap world this year, and Canadian rapper Drake generated instant buzz when he dropped his. What the artist calls a mixtape rather than an album includes production credits for Boi-1da and a host of others. Its February release was heralded by the short film “Jungle”—another element to see if you haven’t already.



A$AP Rocky — At.Long.Last.A$AP



Another surprise release, and another chart-topper in the rapper’s home country (the US). The at-times explicit album from the New York rapper features a veritable who’s who of collaborators including Lil Wayne, Kanye West, ScHoolboy Q and M.I.A., and it samples everything from Southern rock to indie to Rod Stewart.



Vince Staples — Summertime ‘06



The California rapper’s impressive debut album is hot off the presses—it released in late June—and sees the 22-year-old wax poetic with dark tales about his experiences in Long Beach in the summer of 2006 -- and attract a major fanbase in the process.



Meek Mill — Dreams Worth More Than Money



Another new release, the US hip-hop artist’s second studio album has topped the US Billboard chart after building buzz brought on by anticipation — it was due out last year but delayed by a short jail sentence. The Philadelphia native has producer executive Rick Ross behind his new effort, which features Diddy, The Weeknd and Drake. — AFP-Relaxnews