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