2020 was a chaotic year and thankfully we made it to 2021. While the start of the year has been relatively quiet musically, there are a few albums that stood out from the rest.
DX will be narrowing down the endless amount of music released during the course of a year to the essentials, providing readers with a list of the must-listen projects. Also be sure to check out our other lists:
- The Best Rap Songs of 2021 …(so far)
- The Best R&B Songs of 2021 …(so far)
- The Best R&B Albums of 2021 …(so far)
- Catch up on all of the Best Hip Hop Albums of 2020 and see who won our award for Best Hip Hop Album of the year here.
This list includes albums released between Dec. 2, 2020 and Jan. 29, 2021
The Top Rap Albums Of 2021 (December – January)
Contributing writers: Trent Clark, Kyle Eustice, Josh Svetz, Dana Scott, Brandon Caldwell, David Brake, Kenan Draughorne, Devon Jefferson, Michael Saponara & Jeremy Hecht.
Man On The Moon III: The Chosen — Kid Cudi
Twelve years after it began, Kid Cudi’s intergalatic saga has come to a close, with Man On The Moon 3: The Chosen. On his latest, we find the godfather of psychedelic rap in a better state than the previous two chapters of the trilogy. Previously, Cudder was a notoriously tortured soul, fighting battles with his demons, armed with hums and groovy rap melodies. But on The Chosen, Cudi seems more in control. His demons are still present, but he handles them with grace instead of despair. With a familiar producer team from the previous MOTM albums, of Dot Da Genius, Plain Pat, and Mike Dean, The Chosen is a cohesive extension of the Cleveland-born rapper’s previous work. There’s also some fresh blood and new collaborators, including Finneas from Billie Eilish fame, singer Phoebe Bridgers and producer duo Take a Daytrip. There’s some misses (Pop Smoke sounds wildly out of place on “Show Out”) but it’s overall an excellent end to one of rap’s most iconic storylines.
The Voice — Lil Durk
Nothing makes us happier than seeing Lil Durk succeed in a year where all the odds were stacked against him. He lost his dear friend and frequent collaborator in King Von last November, and channeled that pain into The Voice, Durkio’s sixth studio album which peaked at the second spot on the Billboard Top 200, marking the Chi-town rapper’s third top ten project. One of the more melodic founders of Drill Rap, The Voice is packed-full of effortless hooks and catchy melodies. “Stay Down” featuring 6LACK and Young Thug is one of the standout tracks from the project, a moody hit by three artists who work incredibly well together. But The Voice is truly a dedication to Von, and Durk shines when memorializing his fallen friend on “Death Ain’t Easy” and other heartbreaking but stunning tracks.
Proud Of Me Now — Sheff G
Since Canarsie-rapper Pop Smoke’s passing in February of 2019, Brooklyn Drill rap found itself in a precarious position. The roots were strong with Fivio Foreign, 22Gz, Sleepy Hallow and Sheff G, but there were vulturous newcomers aiming to make a quick buck off the hype Pop and the BK Drill founders had started. Artists such as CJ, Quelly Woo and other copycats have swarmed to the scene, scraping together what’s left. That’s why Proud Of Me Know, the latest from Sheff G, is so compelling. It’s a bite-sized and highly focused album that strays away from comparisons to the Big Woo xand shows that Sheff has a big, booming voice of his own. The aggressive “No Negotiations” and more introspective “Mistakes” suggests that Sheff might be ready for the crown of the Five Boroughs.
Song Of Sage: Post Panic! — Navy Blue
It would be easy to label Song Of Sage: Post Panic!, the latest album from LA-based rapper Navy Blue, as an extension of Earl Sweatshirt. But that would entail overlooking the vast differences between the two artists. Where Earl leans towards fractured narratives and abstract expression, Navy Blue is more concerned with storytelling, and presenting chronology through a deeply impassioned and personal lens. Navy Blue, born Sage Elsesser, self-produced a handful of the orchestral beats on Song Of Sage. Though he also recruited rappers Maxo, billy woods and the legendary Mos Def, Song Of Sage is primarily handled alone, a fitting approach given the intimate subject matter of personal history, self-identity and pride.
Music To Be Murdered By: Side B — Eminem
Say whatever you want about Eminem: the man pushes weight. Nearly a year after Music To Be Murdered By first released, Em dropped Side B, a deluxe edition which features sixteen new tracks. In typical Slim Shady fashion, Side B released without warning, and featured new contributions from old friends, including Skylar Grey and Dr. Dre, but also some new faces in the Eminem universe like Ty Dolla $ign. The shock drop spread like wildfire, selling nearly 100,000 units in its first release, and helped to propel the album back to the third slot in Billboard’s Top 200 chart. Em might be pushing 50-years-old, but it seems he’s as nimble as ever.
That’s What They All Say — Jack Harlow
If anything, Jack Harlow’s debut album That’s What They All Say proves he is worthy of the hype and chatter surrounding him. Following his Billboard Hot 100 Chart-topping hit “What’s Poppin” remix featuring DaBaby, Lil Wayne and Tory Lanez earning him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance last November, the Generation Now rap star had a lot to live up to. Jack delivered, though, in December and remained steadfast in keeping up with his feverish hit-making pace and promptly secured the No. 5 spot on the Billboard 200 Chart. With deep cuts like “Luv Is Dro” which taps late R&B vocalist Static Major and fellow Kentucky native Bryson Tiller, combined with viral hits like “Tyler Herro” and “Way Out,” the album is as sound divers as it is well-kempt lyrically. The most convincing part of all, though, is Jack Harlow’s consistent prowess throughout That’s What They All Say — which is seemingly a master class on the execution of a multi-producer project as it’s laced with production from Scott Storch, Hit-Boy, Boi-1da, Harry Fraud and numerous others.
I just died of shame for you posting that Eminem album up at the top of that. It’s an insult to every other real hip-hop record out there right now, but I guess whitey has to get you a few clicks today. First thing first: You can’t say “hip-hop” when you got Ed Sheeran on a record, okay? And you can’t come out with a “moving” message on gun control and have your promo pictures showing you pointing a gun at your head. Well, you can, but you look dumb.
This album was all over the place and is more a study on how bipolar disorder turns you into an unintelligible babbling idiot in your 40s, 50s, and 60s. It’s almost unlistenable. And you’re talking about wordplay? It’s a dude rhyming toaster with roaster and boaster over and over again for over an hour until by the end you’re actually worried about whether or not he’s mentally fit. It’s a 50 year old dude screaming like a teenager about his stepdad. It’s scary bad.
But you gotta get clicks, I understand. I’m more embarrassed for the news media that has even given this wreck of an album the light of day just because they make so much money off this dude and feel bad he’s coming apart at the seams over bad reviews. If he keeps putting out shit like this, somebody is going to get the bright idea to go back and listen to the first two albums he put out and realize that they were just as bad, but we were all smitten by the image and Dr. Dre is a GD genius who made this guy’s unbearable high-pitched college pig squeal bearable with good beats. Seriously, go back and listen to that shit. It wasn’t good then. It’s not good now. But at least back then it was coherent.
You so salty I smell the ocean hate a it’s real thing
lord jamar is that you?! hahahaha
I agree with this dude 100 percent. I bought the first album because dr. dre was involved. M’s album was highly disappointing. Either i lost the cd or threw it in the trash. The beats on all of his albums are a hot mess. M’s rhyming style ain’t shit too. He sounds like a rapping dictionary. Shady needs to pass that money over to real mcs. Lord jamar is right about mr. Wonderful. He is a guess in hip hop. The beastie boys have a room in the house of hip hop. They never sold out to the pop crowd. They work with other hip hop stars unlike shady. They love hip hop music. Shady just wants to be down.
Seem like your brain with full of shit.
Get off my jock kid! There is only one unknown.
Dog you need to get off the internet you need to get you a life
Why do you keep on commenting on shit especially shit you dont like
Damn.. if Em is that bad, I guess when Wayne and damn near every 21sr century rapper says Em is the GOAT when it comes to lyrics and word play is less intelligent than you are. I’m not gonna lie, I’d definitely choose your bias opinion over people that are at the top of the industry.
I just gotta say one more thing.
This dude got killed on his own album by Young M.A. By Juice WRLD. By Slaughterhouse. Hell, by Ed Sheeran for that matter. There isn’t one rapper on this album who doesn’t out-rap him. It’s like watching a lunatic send himself into cardiac arrest doing 1000 cartwheels while everyone around him just totally murders his performance by doing just ONE really good cartwheel. Then they walk off while he keeps rolling around on the floor trying to get someone’s attention. It was just sad.
That might be the stupidest post I’ve read in a while. Really, killed by Juice WRLD? The dude only had the chorus. But it’s alright, haters are going to hate.
Dude, u on crack???
TF you talking about
Don’t agree but that comment is fucking hilarious, great imagination.
D – Smoke x Black Habits is my favourite so far. Followed by Royce
BOLDY JAMES X ALC THE PRICE OF TEA DESERVES A MENTION
D Smoke should DEFINITELY be on here. “Black Habits” is fire
Royce and Em have the best albums of the years so far. DETROIT!
The hammer sister city it’s hamilton
Boldy James too
How could people just count out the goat lil wayne.His album ? the best one soo far this year thats just mine opinion it seems that wayne never gets respect when credit is do FACTS!
because Lil Wayne is overrated and always produced garbage albums.Lil Wayne sang like frog.He is the goat for one of the worse rapper.
Not even the goat if the south groupie
This list is trash without D Smoke- Black Habits on it.
They sleepin on that MC Eiht album. I think Royce & Em put out the best albums with Royce getting the edge…but my favorite to date is Eiht. GHEA!
How does Sauce Walka get overlooked. The man tells a story or offer real nigga inspiration that’s lost with the youth these day…TSF
Allergory and Reasonable Drought best 2 by far imo…
Wheres bizzy bone – carbon monoxide ?
Taiyamo Denku The Darker Side of Light. The Four owls nocturnal Instinct. Dr.Oop Essential Business. MH The Verb Space Ninja. Ardamus Astro Blocks.
Igh I seriously sat here and read every single comment, and you amino gonna tell me rhat ADHD by Joyner lucas isn’t up here, it’s a disgrace to all, Joyner lucas is better than 3/4 of all those rapper up there and all the rappers ppl sayn in the comment, get yo shit straight.
Same here was looking for ADHD and so confused why they didn’t choose it as one of the best albums of 2020.
I like Joyner but the only rapper he’s better than on this list is Polo G, maybe got Denzel Curry by a little bit. But he nowhere near Royce or Freddie Gibbs
I like Joyner but the only rapper he’s better than on this list is Polo G, maybe got Denzel Curry by a little bit. But he nowhere near Royce or Freddie Gibbs. G Herbo’s PTSD was better than ADHD too imo.
Actually he is better than everyone save for Jay Electronica and Royce.
G herbos whole album including the deluxe was raw I hope he gets a Grammy nomination tbh
How the hell isn’t ace hoods new album on here thsts prob the best album of 2020 so far, ace is soo underrated
Jay Electronica’s “joint album” with Jay Z was disappointing to be fair
I agree. Tried to get into it but couldn’t. Now when I see it mentioned my first thought is “oh yeah, that’s right Elec did drop an album”.
Eh I stopped caring about their opinion on things. It’s all trash.
You clearly don’t have a strong sense of lyrical ability. People as ignorant as you honestly blow my mind. I truly feel sorry for you and whoever has to deal with you
It’s an opinion get over it
Im sorry, i dont fck wit Westside Gunn like that. I dont see why everybody thinks hes such a dope rapper.
IMO he whines over the beat, same cadence every song, rarely stays in the pocket. Lyrics…ehh And every track is the same tempo.
I feel like… keep his ass on skits and shit, maybe a verse here and there.
I know, people gonna say i just dont understand him and all that bull ish. Thats a trash take I understand who he is and what he does. I’ll take the hate. I just aint feeling dude.
HOW DARE YOU DISRESPECT WESTSIDE BRUH!!! Nah all jokes aside I think what you said is very valid because I felt and still kinda do feel the same way. I remember listening to an album of his per others request and just hating every second of it especially with the gun sounds every 5 seconds. I think he really just needs some time to grow on ya and you’ll either come around to him or you won’t, it took me until earlier this year with his verse on Overcomer to start enjoying the way he raps. It’s all a vibe hearing the flow mixed with the language and the smooth ass beats he picks at times.
Ransom directors cut scene 2 should be on here
Stove God is unquestionably the aoty so far
Westside
Jay Electronica
And Pop Smoke
Should not be in this list. Don’t be emotional when doing these list. Just be fair. This is a walk ass list. Those “Honourable mentions”are a big tell of your bais.
You are so stupid it actually insults me. Just cause something goes over your head doesn’t make it a “walk-ass” list. You put Pray for Paris and a Hov/Electronica collab in the same sentence as a posthumous Pop Smoke cash-grab? I really hope you’re 15 or a troll so there’s an excuse for the nonsense I’m reading right now
Goes to show how dumb downed people are now a days, not having Em’s album on the list. Real talk. Don’t make me chuckle haha. The G.O.A.T is light years ahead of everyone
It burns your lil a$$ that his album is not at the top, doesn’t it? MTBMB = above average album. You’ve never listened to any of those top albums anyways (except The Allegory because he’s associated to Eminem lol). You are u cultured and not from USA so you don’t understand the game. Just keep listening to your favorite rapper and stfu.
At least its up there
I’m so sick of this being the Eminem fans defense. It has nothing to do with dumbing down and or not understanding what he’s saying it. I caught it all, every corny wordplay and every forced horrible flow. The guy does not make enjoyable music. That’s what it it’s about. If he wants to rap like this go to King of the Dot, that style doesn’t work when you’re trying to make music that’s actually enjoyable to listen to. The guy hasn’t made a good song in 10 years. And no, Im not mumble rap fan at all…because that’s another thing you stans love countering with. I love real HipHop with soul, something Eminem has never had even in his prime.
Well you’re an idiot. Hasn’t made a good song in 10 years. You can dislike him, cool, but your ignorance is on some next level. Other dude who replied to the original guy, you’re also a cuck. Em is a legend, I also disagree when he gets mad about ppl being too dumb to catch all his shit (although even the hip hop heads normally dont catch it all, that’s not why ppl dont like him). People dont respect lyricism anymore, rapping is corny now. Sometimes he says some things I dont like, I think it’s a reach, but his corny ass reaches are still better than the hottest dudes hardest lines. You’re talking like anybody on the list could make a “Darkness” like Em, where the whole song is a double and it’s deep and relevant.
Darkness was trash. And no. His corny lines back the song suck and is why the reason why the likes of Uzi Vert is currently making more enjoyable music. MGK is also making better music than Em
Thx for deleting my comment. Long live commercial pop rap, you hiphop DiX.
Nas King’s Disease is definitely number 1 Rap Album. Nothing but a classic man… I pump all 13 tracks daily! Nas GOAT
That Eminem garbage don’t even deserve a mention but that’s INDUSTRY for ya
You MAD OR NAH
HAHAHAHA
HES LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK WHILE you JUST KEEP ON TALKIN THIS NONSENSE ON HERE
K, well westside Gunn was trash, written testimony had 4 good songs, thank God Hov was there to save the day, RIP pop smoke but nope, I love Denzel but nope. Stove and Em deserve to be there
This list is better than expected. Probably because we’re normally bombarded by mainstream hip hop which is a shiny pile of homogeneous dogshit. You 12-year-old girls need to stop paying for autotune pop trap.
Agreed. The music industry is consumer driven, if more “real hip-hop” heads supported the artists they champion then the labels would push more quality content. Until then, the mainstream will be stuck in that shiny pile you speak of.
Pretty solid list here
2020 worst year in a long time… but not in rap music it is! I wonder if you will add Detroit 2 to the list. I love it. So many dope albums tho
That Stove God album is great and worth remembering in these conversations about the year’s best. He fits in on Roc Marci production just as well as Roc himself, but Stove God has that youthful flavour that brings something new to the plate. And the young man can write a killer hook. “Sold a brick out the church parking lot, hall-e-lu-jah!“
This list is a nice reminder that musically, 2020 has provided some pretty fine hip-hop.
The LOX new joint is fire should be on the list, Saigons new album too.
Where the in the hell is the LOX!! Y’all trippin
the lox are in the honorable mention part…..
EASY..ALFREDO YOU PUSSSS ASS NIGGAZ!
I am liking this year so far … hope these last few months bring more heat !!
How they not gonna have Cambatta Lsd album on here.. Fucking haters run this site forreal
Nas album is complete fire… all 13 songs! Most definitely a classic album..,
nah mate, that woman song was trash with a shit hook
Well mate, clean your ears and press rewind. Remember, we are talking about the entire album mate and not a song. To me, and my opinion the album is complete fire. Best album of the year so far now doubt! Classic!!! All songs are above average. Please tell me how many RAP “albums” not songs in this decade are really good. King Disease is the best so far production and lyrical wise…. album was well put together and I am not even a Nas fan but this album is fire no doubt!
I can’t skip.a track on Nas album, it is one of the best albums of 2020 , not forgeting Ignatius by Jada kiss
? The Lil Durk joint go super hard…..you bugged out.
No ka-descendants of cain…this list is null and void
Props for putting Stove God name up there. Him and Marci crafted a masterpiece and deserve more recognition and awareness. He got that Pusha T caliber god flow, IMO his album shits on most of this list with the exception of RTJ, Freddie & Nas. The correlation between those four albums is that they were all made with a single producer at the helm. Seems to be the best approach for creating a classic album.
Cam’ron – Purple Haze 2 ,
no NF ?
My never dropped in 2020?
So does scores for albums change? Because music to he murdeeed by has a 4 and used to be on this list?
I’m not the biggest Eminem fan and for the people below who are shitting on his last album it’s still better than a lot of the other stuff being put out and why do you think it’s on honorable mention? We all have our valid points and opinions on these albums. All these albums cover different types of rap and we are all From different generations, so let’s have some respect
WTF put some respect on Futures name!!! High off life is definitely top 10!!
Future is garbage and not a rapper, barely a singer either.
Bro I couldn’t agree with you more.
You smokin dick
I think Jay Elet put out this album because he is planning his retirement I don’t believe he’s planning on coming back. I haven’t listen to all those albums but the ones I did I enjoyed.
Marlowe 2 needs to be on this fucking list IMMEDIATELY.
1. 21 Savage
2. Gunna
3. juice WRLD
4. Lil Baby
5. Lil Uzi Vert
6. Polo G
7. Pop Smoke
Cambatta LSD: Lunar Solar Duality project was better than anything I heard all 2020
Yall tripping for not putting Lil Baby on there
Black Thought released three projects this year and I don’t see one of them, so… you know… grain of salt ??♂️
Where’s Jadakiss Ignatius?
F.A.T.E. by Tawobi should be on the list!
Gunna #1 Album this year
Hands down !
HOW IS LEGENDS NEVER DIE NOT EVEN ON THIS LIST AT ALL, these are all old-head rappers or not even rappers at all, complete offense to everyone on this list besides polo and pop smoke, these albums are trash as hell
Welcome to O Block?
Aint even put Lil Baby or Uzi on there
How did y’all miss Descendants of Cain! That’s most probably aoty.
Ka can rap but the no drums shit is played out and very boring.
As much as I like griselda Conway had the best of all of those releases…the Liz was trash too. Spillage and black thought, and Royce had the best albums this year
LITERALLY EMBERAASSING NOT TO HAVE LIL BABY EVEN MENTIONED ON THIS, HONESTLY DID YALL EVEN LISTEN TO IT?
Ya it was garbage
ELE2 was dope, that Goodie Mob album was highly slept on, griselda albums were good….
WHERE THE FU#K IS MEGAN THEE STALLION or 21 SAVAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Neither of the people you are talking about dropped in 2021. Wake up brooo
LIL BABY MY TURN IS #1 ALBUM Y’ALL LOST SOME CREDIBILITY SMH
Idiot
Can’t believe how many of ya’ll are getting this wrong talkin up albums that dropped last year. The list is best albums of 2021 SO FAR!!!
Y’all capping how u gon do TORY like that when he was the heat of 2020
It’s easily Eminem’s album as the best for 2021. People love to hate on him these days to act cool and want attention. But in the hearts of men they know who the legit GOAT is. Hahahaha mannnn
This guy is your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper or he bodied your favorite rapper already on a feature. Take your pick.