In a year music fans thought would be another dry spell in terms of releases, 2021 had a lot of great and innovative projects released. Hip-hop had a lot to say with solid projects dropping each month of the year, from the heavy hitters to the new beginners. Below—in no particular order—are five projects that challenged and broke down the genre of hip-hop this year through their ability to transcend their sound and vocal delivery.
Boldy James
Bo Jackson
ALC Records
After the critically and listener acclaimed 2020 album The Cost of Tea in China, Boldy and legendary producer, The Alchemist, link up for yet another classic. Bo Jackson steers from the typical conventions of street rap by breaking its boundaries down brick by brick.
The project turns the genre on its head with ominous, yet truthful storytelling that leaves listeners fiending for more like the addicts Boldy would serve. The murky bars conveyed through Boldy’s calm and collected flow accompanied by The Alchemist’s psychedelic, sample-driven production only makes this a formula of fresh avenues for the genre. Be sure to check out this on-the-spot freestyle featuring The Alchemist and Kenny Beats on The Cave here.
Vince Staples
Vince Staples
Motown Records
The Long Beach native delivers his fourth studio album produced entirely by the go-to and versatile, Kenny Beats. Staples brings the embodiment of his chill, yet somber ambiance that is delivered flawlessly to his listeners time in and time out.
Staples’s self-titled project transcends Hip-hop by staying on track with the experimental sound he is most known for. Weaving stories of the streets, loss, and love over Kenny Beats’ moody and twangy production show a different side of Long Beach than what listeners are used to. These two being close friends outside of the music makes their chemistry combine like two chemical compounds as we hear throughout this 10-track LP.
Check out Vince Staples Tiny Desk performance with Kenny Beats to catch the vibe here.
Baby Keem
The Melodic Blue
Columbia Records
Keem’s debut album gave him a seat at the table for the conversation of who’s next. The Melodic Blue touches listeners’ hearts and souls by dabbling in experimental production and unorthodox vocal delivery.
This album displays a new direction that hip-hop is going by taking risks necessary to keep the genre pushing forward and not be stagnant. The album not only gave us witty and fresh viral flows from labelmate Kendrick Lamar—but also Keem’s cousin—but gave listeners a refreshing vision of what the future of hip-hop can be. Check out Baby Keem performing “issues” live on The Tonight Show here.
Tyler, the Creator
Call Me if You Get Lost
Columbia Records
Following up 2019’s Grammy-winning IGOR, the Creator brings us another classic with nostalgia-driven thematics and his cinematic signature sound. This piece takes listeners back to a simpler time of the early 2000s hip-hop era before streaming music was at the convince of our fingertips. A time when we’d crash Datpiff or Live Mixtapes when our favorite artist would release a new project on the interwebs.
The Creator recruited DJ Drama as his companion for this project that gave us a familiar vibe of the Gangsta Grillz projects back in the day. The signature DJ Drama tags and interludes appear throughout the project as though it was released as an early 2000’s mixtape. Tyler comes full force on this project giving listeners thoughtfully heavy bars over unique boom-bap blended with his signature futuristic production. Check out the Creator’s animated and charismatic AMA performance of “MASSA” here.
Isaiah Rashad
The House is Burning
Top Dawg Entertainment
After a five-year hiatus—with blessings of singles sprinkled throughout that time—Rashad came out the gate with a vengeance for this album. This highly anticipated piece reminded listeners that Rashad’s legacy has only begun and that he isn’t here for the gimmicks.
The House is Burning contains tracks for contemplation on lonely nights, to partying with friends, to cruising around the city. More importantly, this piece acts as a rebirth for the Chattanooga emcee. After spending a few years dealing with drug abuse and facing near-poverty this album is a nod to the trials and tribulations Rashad faced and overcame and the influences that helped him during the process. Check out Isaiah Rashad’s intimate performance of “HB2U” for COLORS here.
