Best of 2021... Music

Even when the world might feel like it's in disarray, people are still creating dope things.

Here's my list of the best of the good stuff I experienced this year. 🧮


In this post, I'll be diving into the music that moved me in 2021, but note, not all of them came out this year. They're just the ones that moved me over the last 365 days.

I think these songs and albums are more than worth your time to listen to and experience. A proper soundtrack to 2021, if you will.

Without further ado...


Albums

Here are my top 10 albums of 2021. They're worth listening to top to bottom.

CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST by Tyler, The Creator
The album of 2021. This album is just fun, oozes creativity, and has master class rapping. Took me back to the boom bap era.


Made in Lagos by Wizkid
This albums just feels good. It'll be hard not to dance while listening to this. Yes this came out in last quarter of 2020 BUT it still dominated 2021.


The Off-Season by J. Cole
I like my rappers to rap. J. Cole rapped his ass behind off on this album. He's such a gifted storyteller also.


King's Disease II by Nas
Crypto/angel investor Nas combined with HitBoy is the best version of Nas. He followed up his Grammy winning album King's Disease with one that is arguably better.


An Evening with Silk Sonic by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak
This is stepping back in time. I will admit that the impossibility high expectations for this album made it feel flat on first listen BUT this has aged remarkably well. Best to listen to this with your shirt unbuttoned, gold chains hanging, and a pinky ring on.


Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies by Snoh Aalegra
Snoh makes music that sounds like the wind. Love this album and this one grew on me even more over the course of the year.


Dawn - YEBBA
YEBBA is special. This is more folk music with a 2021 spin.


If Orange Was a Place / For Broken Ears by Tems
Though For Broken Ears came out in 2020, do yourself a favor and just think of these two projects as one album.


Mother / Rose in the Dark by Cleo Sol
Cleo Sol should only release her stuff on vinyl. It just has a timeless feel. The song Know That You Are Loved from Mother is a message that all of us needed to hear.

Yes, Mother is a tier below her work on Rose in the Dark but it's still a great entry into the cannon of Cleo Sol. Listen to them both and catch a vibe.


Big Sleepover by Big Boi and Sleepy Brown
Big Boi just has a way of moonwalking over beats that is unmatched AND he's been doing this for 25+ years (!!!). He also brings in an air of funk and soul that still sounds like it comes from the future. When I visit Mars, I want this playing in the background.


Spotify Playlist (Best of 2021... The Albums) [Tidal | Apple Music | Spotify]


Songs - A 2021 Playlist Curated by Me (updated as of 1/2/22)

  1. Essence by Wizkid ft. Tems
    Easily the best song of 2021. It's a vibe. It's a mood. I hope to wake up every day of my life and feel like this song.
  2. I Like Dat by T-Pain, Kehlani
  3. Avalanche by Migos
  4. Lower Case (no cap) by Big Boi, Killer Mike
  5. Up by Cardi B
  6. FYE FYE by Tobe Nwigwe, Fat Nwigwe (video makes this even better)
  7. CORSO by Tyler, The Creator
  8. Big Boss Rabbit by Freddie Gibbs
  9. Brand New Funk by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (seeing him perform this live during his book tour made me a fan)
  10. Smokin' Out the Window by Silk Sonic
  11. Reckless by Wizkid
  12. Temptation by Tiwa Savage ft. Sam Smith
  13. Wild Side by Normani ft. Cardi B
  14. Dangerous City by dvsn, Ty Dolla $ign, Buju Banton
  15. Good & Plenty (Remix) by Lucky Daye ft. Masego, Alex Isley
  16. Lady by Jon Echols
  17. Damage by H.E.R.
  18. (At Your Best) You Are Love by The Isley Brothers (grown folks music)
  19. Nobody by Nas ft. Ms. Lauryn Hill
  20. JUST LIKE THAT by Snoh Aalegra
  21. Astronaut In The Ocean by Masked Wolf
  22. We Win by Lil Baby ft. Kirk Franklin
  23. Jesus Lord pt 2 by Kanye West ft. Jay Electronica, The Lox (Jay Elec had the verse of the year)
  24. my.life by J. Cole ft. 21 Savage,  Morray (21 didn't miss this year on any feature)
  25. 95.south by J. Cole
  26. pride.is.the.devil by J. Cole ft. Lil Baby
  27. 100. mil by J. Cole
  28. Hurricane by Kanye West ft. Lil Baby, The Weeknd (Lil Baby also had a fantastic year)
  29. Lord You're Holy Ballin' by Kanye West Sunday Service (only available via YouTube)
  30. Penguins by Young Dolph ft. Key Glock (RIP Dolph)
  31. family ties by Baby Keem ft. Kendrick Lamar
  32. Thot Shit by Megan Thee Stallion
  33. You Only Live Twice by Drake ft. Lil Wayne, Rick Ross
  34. Flamerz Flow by Meek Mill
  35. Cheat Code by Young Dolph ft. Key Glock
  36. Down South by Wale ft. Yella Beezy, Maxo Kream
  37. Sharing Locations by Meek Mill ft. Lil Baby, Lil Durk
  38. FRANCHISE by Travis Scott
  39. Lumberjack by Tyler, The Creator
  40. EPMD 2 by Nas ft. EPMD, Eminem (Who knew 50 year old rappeds would be a thing 20 years ago??)
  41. Get Into It (Yuh) by Dojo Cat
  42. Off The Grid by Kanye West
  43. Knife Talk by Drake ft. 21 Savage, Project Pat (Project Pat deserved a longer verse)
  44. Black Illuminati by Freddie Gibbs ft. Jadakiss (Jadakiss was the GOAT of 2021. Nobody had a better year than him.)
  45. SORRY NOT SORRY by DJ Khaled ft. Nas, JAY-Z, James Fauntleroy (Jay and Nas together don't miss)
  46. 3 Hour Drive by Alicia Keys ft. Sampha (love the colors video that accompanies this also that ft. SiR)
  47. Best of Me (Originals) by Alicia Keys
  48. Billions (Originals) by Alicia Keys
  49. Make the Most by Lonr. ft. H.E.R.
  50. We Are One by Maze ft. Frankie Beverly (again, grown folks music)
  51. Louie Bag by YEBBA ft. Smino
  52. Anxiety by JoJo
  53. Mountains by Charlotte Day Wilson
  54. My Little Love by Adele (we've missed you Adele)
  55. Know That You Are Loved by Cleo Sol
  56. Still Wonder by Alex Isely ft. Jack Dine, Robert Glasper
  57. Leave the Door Open by Silk Sonic
  58. SWEET / I THOUGHT YOY WANTED TO DANCE by Tyler, The Creator ft. Brent Faiyaz, Fana Hues
  59. 777 by Silk Sonic (Let's goooooooo!)
  60. Champagne Poetry by Drake
  61. Life Of The Party by Kanye West ft. Andre 3000 (3k with the top 2 verse of the year)
  62. Blessed by Wizkid ft. Damian Marley
  63. Free Mind by Tems (a vibe, a mood, a message)

Spotify Playlist (Best of 2021... Music) [Tidal | Apple Music | Spotify]