As 2021 came around, the pandemic further solidified its status as the new normal. Throughout the year, hip-hop artists have been navigating this new normal, quite well. I mean, have you seen this year’s stacked catalog of hip-hop albums? Since there’s been tons and tons of fun, and exciting projects coming from all different corners of the genre, we decided to compile a list of our top 10 hip-hop albums of the year.
10. Slime Language 2 – Young Thug & YSL
In 2021, Young Thug and YSL came together for Slime Language 2, and it was definitely a hit. From booming production on tracks such as “Slatty” feat. Yak Gotti & Lil Duke to star-studded features with Lil Baby & Lil Uzi Vert, Slime Language 2 is an excellent project to kick our list off, especially for those who haven’t listened to Thug & cree much.
9. 25 – G Herbo
Lately, Chicago has really been on the map. We’re not shocked; the city is responsible for producing so many stars, both young and old. One of the biggest artists out of Chicago is Herb, so it makes sense that his latest album landed a spot on our list. He tells stories from the city, touching on wins and losses on tracks such as “2 Chains” and “I Don’t Wanna Die,” while being supported by bassy production that the city is known for. When it first debuted, 25 was given a warm welcome, and the album still continues to proven that welcome was for a reason.
8. The Off-Season – J. Cole
Cole took a brief hiatus from music following his 2018 project KOD, so when he made his return with The Off-Season, people were understandably excited. He peppered fans with lyricism and topped things off with production that utilizes elements of trap and traditional hip-hop to create a project that would be a proper conclusion, if he were ever to decide he’s done with music.
7. The Life of Pi’erre 5 – Pi’erre Bourne
The fifth installment, in Pi’erre Bourne’s The Life of Pi’erre series, is one of the best ones in the series. It takes what made The Life of Pi’erre 4 great and expands on it. Here, Bourne uses seamless transitions to serve as the glue that helps hold things together. Although the album isn’t as great as its predecessor, is the sequel really ever as good as the original?
6. The Voice of The Heroes – Lil Baby & Lil Durk
In 2021, collaboration projects sort of became a staple. This year, we saw artists such as Pi’erre Bourne team up with TM88, but the craziest collab had to be Lil Baby & Lil Durk’s The Voice of The Heroes. The two channel the best parts of themselves to put on a show, alternating through singing and rapping, and telling stories of street life, determination, and the perseverance that you have to lean into in order to survive the lives Baby & Durk live.
5. The Melodic Blue – Baby Keem
Baby Keem has been on the come-up for a long time, but The Melodic Blue was the album that propelled him into the mainstream. Keem opts for a limited number of features for this album, calling on the likes of Kendrick Lamar to help tie up any of his loose ends. This helps showcase Keem’s solo ability (something that was already known to be special) as it gives him the room to put on his best performance without any potential outshines, which in turn landed The Melodic Blue on our list.
4. Certified Lover Boy – Drake
Certified Lover Boy did not live up to the hype that had been brewing for the two years it was in development, but it’s still an incredible body of work. Drake made sure to pepper this album with hits, as seen with “Girls Want Girls,” “Fair Trade,” and “Way 2 Sexy” feat. Future & Young Thug. Although he didn’t do much that was new, Drake still was able to bless fans with a ton of hits, which is something he excels at doing.
3. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert – Little Simz
Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, by Little Simz, takes the third spot on our list. For those who are unaware, Simz is a rapper from the UK who combines the lyricism of classic hip-hop with the flamboyant bravado of new-age hip-hop, especially on Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. This combination results in tracks such as “I Love You, I Hate You,” where the braggadocious production matches the aforementioned bravado. The lyrical content gives a glimpse into Simz’s emotional side, though, as she touches on her strained relationship with her father. This shows the different sides of the UK rapper, and hopefully sets the precedent for her future works.
2. Donda – Kanye West
Donda takes the second spot on our list. Note: the album would be at number one if it weren’t for all of the antics, pre and post-release. Nevertheless, it is an amazing body of work. Ye calls on a host of artists to help support him through the 27 tracks, all of whom bring their A-game. It’s definitely going to go down in history as one of the best projects from Ye’s catalog. For that, it lands at number two.
1. Call Me If You Get Lost – Tyler, the Creator
Tyler, the Creator takes the crown with Call Me If You Get Lost. This was his self-proclaimed return to rap, so who better to host than DJ Drama? The rap legend provides Tyler with the perfect amount of background hype, serving as a loud, kicked-back antithesis to Tyler, who returns with bars about his successful career and failed relationships. Throughout the 16 tracks, Tyler shows his critics that he can hold his own with the greats. If CMIYGL is any indication, he will make sure to solidify his status as one of those greats.
That’s our list! There were a ton of hip-hop projects that hit shelves and streaming services this year, so if you’ve got a different top 10, let us know in the comment section. We also want to hear your thoughts on our list in the comment section, as well. Your take is important to us!
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