When I initially planned this list, the goal was to compile 50 titles. Unfortunately, the ongoing pandemic has affected my ability to keep up with the most-talked about releases. Meanwhile, the sudden, tragic death of MF DOOM on December 31 distracted me from posting my list at the end of the year.
This go-round, I will be trying something different. Below, you’ll find 40 titles that I enjoyed. Time permitting, I will update this list with additional releases over the next few weeks.
Here’s to a productive and hopefully less fraught 2021.
- Aesop Rock, Spirit World Field Guide
- Akai Solo, Eleventh Wind
- Amani + King Vision Ultra, An Unknown Infinite
- Aminé, Limbo
- Apollo Brown & Che Noir, As God Intended
- Armand Hammer, Shrines
- Benny the Butcher, Burden of Proof
- Blu & Exile, Miles
- Boldy James, The Price of Tea in China
- Chris Keys & Quelle Chris, Innocent Country 2
- Damu the Fudgemunk, Archie Sheep & Raw Poetic, Ocean Bridges
- Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist, Alfredo
- Homeboy Sandman, Don’t Feed the Monster
- Jay Electronica, A Written Testimony
- Jay Electronica, Act II: Patents of Nobility
- KA, Descendants of Cain
- Kenny Segal & Serengeti, AJAI
- Knxwledge, 1988
- The Koreatown Oddity, Little Dominiques Nosebleed
- Lil Uzi Vert, Eternal Atake
- Lil Wayne, Funeral
- Lojii, Lo&Behold
- Madlib, Bandana Beats
- Medhane, Full Circle
- Medhane, Cold Water
- Megan Thee Stallion, Suga
- MIKE, Weight of the World
- Moor Mother & Billy Woods, Brass
- Nappy Nina, 30 Bag
- Open Mike Eagle, Anime, Trauma and Divorce
- Pink Siifu, Negro
- Playboi Carti, Whole Lotta Red
- Pop Smoke, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon
- Princess Nokia, Everything Is Beautiful
- R.A.P. Ferreira, Purple Moonlight Pages
- Run the Jewels, RTJ4
- Shabazz Palaces, The Don of Diamond Dreams
- Small Bills, Don’t Play It Straight
- Vic Spencer, Psychological Cheat Sheet
- Westside Gunn, Pray 4 Paris