Our 10 Favorite Hip-hop Albums of 2021
Hip hop is the number one music genre in the world and is dominated by black artists. Even though touring has been slower since the beginning of the pandemic, some good music has been released. 2021 has been a good year for hip hop, so we have our ten favorite projects. Check them out below!
We’re All Alone In This Together by Dave
The U.K. has been consistently putting out quality music, and artists like Dave are at the forefront of that. We're All Alone In This Together is a cohesive project with features from Wizkid, Stormzy, and several others. His ability to tell a story is impressive. If you haven't checked this album out, do that ASAP.
Favorite Song: In The Fire
Favorite Bars:
“I think back to my youth and I was so ungrateful.
How many of our parents had dreams they abandoned
So they could put food on the table?
Intelligent, worthy, and able, that’s somebody’s parent
You know?
And that affected the way that I see shit.
Night club toilet, you peed on the seat
’Cause you don’t know how it feels when your mum’s gotta clean shit. ”
Elephant in the Room by Mick Jenkins
Elephant In The Room is a reflective project that has smooth production and a compelling narrative. Mick is a master of painting vivid pictures. If you weren't there, he takes you there.
Favorite Song: Scottie Pippen
Favorite Bars:
“I do not politic with the fools.
Counterfeit systems, I’m more than kind of bending the rules.
Donavan Mitchell, I’m definitely finna talk all this jazz.
Constantly victim, I’m more than kind of hip to the blues.”
Sometimes I Might Be An Introvert by Little Simz
Little Simz outdid herself on this album. "Sometimes I Might Be An Introvert" is a lush album with over-the-top production. Her voice and lyrics still manage to cut through in this masterclass of an album.
Favorite Song: Standing Ovation
Favorite Bars:
“Inner demon said, “Motherfucker, you earned this”
Like they strip you of everything you’re deserving.
Realise there is a prison in us, we are conditioned as fuck.
Man, it’s like they can’t sleep till our spirit is crushed.
How much fighting must we do? We’ve been fearless enough.”
The Off-Season by J. Cole
The long-awaited sixth studio album by J. Cole didn't disappoint. At a little under 40 minutes, The Off-Season is a concise project that has enough bright spots that it had to be included in this list. Cole sounds hungry, the production is aggressive, and it seems like he had to get a lot off his chest.
Favorite Song: let . go . my . hand
Favorite Bar:
“Shit crazy, didn’t know I got more M’s than a real Slim Shady video (I’m the real Shady).
Big Boss, less Rick Ross, more like a wavy Hideo
Kojima, they tote steamers around the way we tippy-toe.
’Round crack vials and cold-blooded killers, no reptiles.
Just projectiles from niggas salty, you rockin’ the fresher textiles. ”
USEE4YOURSELF by IDK
IDK had a really good year. "USEE4YOURSELF" is a great project with a ton of features. Jay Electronica, DMX, Sevyn Streeter, and a few others contributed to this project. We enjoyed this listen because IDK takes the listener on a journey. Right when you think you've figured him out, the next track proves you wrong.
Favorite Song: Cry In Church
Favorite Bars:
“To my unborn girl, yeah, you know you my world.
If you fuck with any nigga, I’ma need a referral.
And if you know you got a role, better play your part.
’Cause that’s karma for me if he break your heart.”
Call Me If You Get Lost by Tyler, The Creator
DJ Drama and Tyler, the Creator is a combination we didn't know we needed. Warm chords Tyler’s bars under DJ Drama talking crazy gave a nostalgic feeling that was refreshing to hear in 2021.
Favorite Song: Corso
Favorite Bars:
“Why you fill with terror whenever you in my presence? (Why?)
Is it ‘cause we look just alike and niggas said it? (Why?)
I will never lose any sleep, I’ll never sweat it.
And I’ll always be ahead of you, nigga, don’t you forget it.”
Vince Staples by Vince Staples
Vince's fourth studio album was an easy listen. His approach to music is generally laid back and it often sounds effortless, but when you listen closely there's always a lot to unpack. In a time where artists have albums with too many songs, "Vince Staples" is short and to the point.
Favorite Song: Take Me Home
Favorite Bars:
“I ain’t gon’ lie, she only want me ‘cause I money-touch.
I hate July (I hate it, sheesh), crime is high, the summer sucks (We run it up).
Can’t even hit the beach without my heat, it’s in my trunks.
They ride the tide (Yeah), I don’t got no one to trust (Can’t trust, shooters out here, man).
Trust and believe I see the shit that’s up your sleeve (Ain’t fooling nobody, cuz).”
Once Upon A Time By CHIKA
"Once Upon a Time" is a project with a ton of bright spots. CHIKA doesn't waste any bars on this project. It's a shorter project that ends as soon as you start to get into it. We enjoyed this and we're excited for what she has coming next.
Favorite Song: HICKORY DICKORY
Favorite Bars:
“I look at the stars.
They asking me what do I see (They asking me what do I see).
I noticed that lately
All them constellations been looking like me (They been looking like me).
Inspired to shine, nigga (Inspired to shine).
Inspired to dream (Inspired to dream).
I think of my life and I feel
That I may be as good as I seem (I may be as good as I seem).”
The House is Burning by Isaiah Rashad
We waited five years for Isaiah Rashad to return. "The House is Burning" was a triumphant reminder that he's still as good as we thought.
Favorite Song: Score
Favorite Bars:
“Don’t die, my dude,
They say it’s finna go down, on bloods.
Can’t blame your god.
Sometimes you gotta maintain your side.
My days too long.
Sometimes I wanna lay down and love.”
The Plugs I Met 2 by Benny The Butcher and Harry Fraud
Benny The Butcher released three projects in 2021. "The Plug I Met 2" was our favorite of the bunch. Harry Fraud's production is in peak form on this project, and Benny The Butcher as usual takes no bars off.
Favorite Song: Survivor's Remorse
Favorite Bars:
“I let niggas talk all last year, I was too modest.
Whole gang up and my safe stuffed like a Jew wallet.
Uh, I pray for block boys who phones doin’ fifteen hundreds.
Just to turn the shit he pumpin’ into crispy hundreds.
Yeah, okay, we know it’s rap, but don’t forget we hustlers.
And how we used to bag dope up on empty stomachs.”
Honorable Mentions: CLB by Drake, Donda by Kanye West, Hall of Fame by Polo G, Magic by Nas, and Something for Thee Hotties by Megan Thee Stallion.