Hip-hop fans received the royal treatment in 2021 when some of the genre’s biggest names made their valiant returns onto the main stage. Kanye West, Drake and J. Cole dominated with their respective efforts while promising acts such as Don Toliver, Baby Keem and Slowthai made compelling cases as to why they’re anything but flash-in-the-pan performers.
Dive into Billboard’s top 20 hip-hop albums of 2021 below.
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EST Gee, 'Bigger Than Life Or Death'
EST Gee’s eventful 2021 may be best remembered by his breakout sixteen on Lil Baby’s “Real As It Gets,” but his Bigger Than Life Or Death mixtape, released last July, stands as a complete display of the Louisville rapper’s abilities as an emerging artist. Cuts like “5500 Degrees” with Baby, 42 Dugg and Rylo Rodriguez and “Lick Back” landed Hot 100 placements, propelling the project to a No. 7 peak on the Billboard 200 chart last August. – EJ Panaligan
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Aminé, 'TWOPOINTFIVE'
Switching gears from his introspective sophomore album Limbo, Aminé’s TWOPOINTFIVE sees the Portland rapper reverting to his cheery self as he experimented with faster, bouncier tempos. Not taking himself too seriously this time around, TWOPOINTFIVE is Aminé at his silliest, with playful song titles (“YiPiYaY” and “Dididumduhduh”) and even quirkier bars (“Baby girl, I’m in the street with my n—-s goin’ crazy/ When I say street, I mean outside daily/ I never took a L so I’m L-less like Tracee/ Her blouse see-through with the navy blue pasties,” he raps on “Between the Lines”). – Cydney Lee
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Wale, 'Folarin II'
In 2012, Wale released his acclaimed Folarin mixtape; nearly 10 years later, the D.C. pun-slinger returned with the project’s second installment. With a penchant for throwback samples, Wale deftly reimagines Q-Tip’s “Vivrant Thang” and Diddy’s “I Need A Girl” with his tag-team partners J. Cole and Chris Brown, respectively. Despite the glossy remakes, Wale’s best trick comes when he seamlessly flips a clip from The Jamie Foxx Show for the project’s standout, “Dearly Beloved.” – Carl Lamarre
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Lil Baby & Lil Durk, 'The Voice of the Heroes'
Through the 18 tracks that comprise The Voice of the Heroes, Atlanta’s Lil Baby and Chicago’s Lil Durk put forth a balanced blend of boastful bars and introspective insights about their rising status as hip-hop artists – and all the complications that come with it. Cuts like the title track reflect those daunting stresses, uptempo songs like “2040” and “Still Runnin” lay it on heavy with the flexes, and Baby can’t help but be completely honest throughout: “I feel better with no IG, but I’m too big of an influence.” – E.P.
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Trippie Redd, 'Trip at Knight'
On Trippie Redd’s fourth studio album, the Soundcloud-bred rapper makes use of distorted synths, heavy bass, trap snares and his most signature instrument – his controlled wail. The 17-track effort features guest appearances from Drake, Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Ski Mask The Slump God, Polo G, Lil Durk, late rappers Juice WRLD and XXXTentacion and many more. Coming in at just a little over 49 minutes, however, Trip At Knight poses Redd as its persistent (and mildly maniacal) central figure, inspired by his featured guests in the creation of this bass-thumping sequel to his 2018 debut album, Life’s A Trip. – Thania Garcia
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Chika, 'Once Upon a Time'
Chika’s six-song EP Once Upon a Time is an upbeat 15-minute project that quickly captivates listeners: with only one feature, from BJ the Chicago Kid in its lead track “Fairy Tales,” Chika raps about the importance of self-love during her journey to stardom. “I’ll be remembered like Biggie and Pac,” she raps in “Hickory Dickory,” sporting a confidence you have to respect. – Darlene Aderoju
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Maxo Kream, 'Weight of the World'
Maxo Kream’s Weight of the World is a testament to the Houston rapper’s propensity in both personal and familial successes, failures, struggles and heartaches. With expert precision, Kream illustrates heavy scenes of neighborhood crimes, systemic racism and illicit submissions juxtaposed over crafty rhyme schemes, bouncy melodies and 808s. He drifts from describing the unrequited relationship he has with his mother on “Momma’s Purse” to confessing his drug problem on “Worthless.” “I boast and brag ’cause it was not supposed to last,” he starts on “Whole Lotta,” summarizing the essence of the 44-minute album. –T.G.
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Nas, 'King's Disease II'
Who doesn’t love a sequel? Nas and Hit-Boy linked up on the follow-up to the former’s King’s Disease album, which won a Grammy for best rap album earlier this year. The new installment includes such indelible gems as “EPMD 2” with Eminem and EPMD, and “Nobody” with the elusive Ms. Lauryn Hill. The true highlight, though, is “Death Row East,” where Nas shines a light on the notorious East Coast versus West Coast beef of the mid-90s. – C.L.
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Slowthai, 'Tyron'
Slowthai (real name Tyron Frampton) undergoes a two-part self-reckoning and reconciliation on his eponymous sophomore album Tyron. Released exactly one year after his controversial NME Awards appearance, where he was crowned Hero of the Year, Tyron follows the anti-hero’s journey as he tries to save himself from the noise online. The first half contains brash, mosh-pit-ready anthems with roaring ALL-CAPS titles and all-star rap patrons like A$AP Rocky (“MAZZA”) and Skepta (“CANCELLED”). But the back half is more subdued and stripped-down, as Slowthai comes to terms with his past over dark, pensive keys. – Heran Mamo
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Moneybagg Yo, 'A Gangsta’s Pain'
Moneybagg Yo was one of the major winners in 2021, leveling up multiple tiers to prove he can be a mainstream force representing Memphis. Big Speaker made sure to have something for everyone with A Gangsta’s Pain — which notched him his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 — whether that was conquering Biggie’s “One More Chance” sample, dominating radio airwaves with “Wockesha” or making a record for the ladies alongside R&B queen Jhene Aiko om “One of Dem Nights.” Moneybagg Yo made sure to tap every market to solidify his ascension. – Michael Saponara
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Ye, 'Donda'
Kanye West successfully re-solidified his place in hip-hop with the release of his elusive project Donda. Named after his late mother, the album boasts 27 tracks after a weeks-long rollout, and while there aren’t any credited features on his 10th studio effort, Ye landed mega-features from some of the genre’s biggest names, to great success. Not only does he rejoin his “Big Brother” and Watch The Throne compatriot Jay-Z on “Jail,” but he aligns himself with two of today’s brightest stars in The Weeknd and Lil Baby on the emotionally sweeping “Hurricane.” – D.G.
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Pi'erre Bourne, 'The Life of Pi'erre 5'
On The Life of Pie’rre 5, Pi’erre Bourne plays both the man behind the boards and the talent in front of the mic, the latest example of his knack for creating both catchy raps and addictive hooks. The project further distances Bourne from the “producer” label that helped him burst onto the scene in 2017 and entrenches him into the role of full-fledged artist; still, his first hat fits better than ever, with seamless transitions from track to track making TLOP5 an intriguing ride from start to finish. – E.P.
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Drake, 'Certified Lover Boy'
On Certified Lover Boy – Drake’s highly anticipated sixth studio album – the Toronto rapper solidifies his formula of record-breaking success. CLB became Drake’s tenth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, making for the best first-week numbers of the year to that point, while simultaneously breaking the record for the most top 10 Hot 100 singles from one album. With features coming from Future, Kid Cudi, Jay-Z and more, Certified recruited friends and partners from Drake’s inner circle while tackling themes of love, broken friendships and, of course, The Boy’s unnerving struggle with fame and vulnerability. – T.G.
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Little Simz, 'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert'
British star Little Simz shows off her big-time flows on her breakthrough fourth studio album, Sometimes I Might Introvert. Released through U.K. label Age 101 Music — which she shouts out in the catchy track “Speed” — Simz showcases her reflective lyricism throughout the soulful 19-track, project, and as an added listening bonus, Simz (who spent two weeks on Billboard’s Emerging Artist list following its debut) highlights her Nigerian roots with the Afrobeats-infused bop “Point and Kill.” – D.A.
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Vince Staples, 'Vince Staples'
Vince Staples runs through many topics across his self-titled LP – most of them heavy, unpleasant and existential – but the Long Beach MC manages to keep himself centered throughout. The 10-track project meets the executive production touch of Kenny Beats, who curates an experimental yet grounded set of beats for Staples’ ideas to shine through. Descriptively honest lyrics, most notably on Staples’ standout track “Taking Trips,” tell the tale of his difficult upbringing: “I hate July, crime is high, the summer sucks/ Can’t even hit the beach without the heat, it’s in my trunks.” – E.P.
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J. Cole, 'The Offseason'
While J. Cole remains the ultimate technician in rap, The Offseason provides a much more digestible listen for fans compared to the heavier KOD. With Cole opening the door for features, he had no issues going toe-to-toe with a pair of Atlanta’s finest in Lil Baby (“pride.is.the.devil”) and 21 Savage (“my.life”) on his album, while learning to bury the hatchet with past foes, most notably his childhood hero Puff Daddy on “let.go.my.hand.” After notching another chart-topper on the Billboard 200 with The Offseason, the Dreamville CEO has his stock pointing in the right direction heading into The Fall Off. – M.S.
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Don Toliver, 'Life of a DON'
Cactus Jack crooner Don Toliver considers the post-fame fruits of his labor on his sophomore album, Life of a DON. The bass-thumping club banger “Way Bigger” sees Don embody “when life gives you lemons, you make a Hot 100 top 10 hit ‘Lemonade,’” as he takes a front row seat to his fabulous new life — which comes at a cost (“They only see you for what you’re worth,” he bemoans on the woozy, twinkling synth-driven “Double Standards.”) The trap&b artist slips out of Travis Scott’s shadow, who’s featured twice, and shines with his distinct voice on the type of melodies that prove you don’t have to understand what Don’s saying for you to fall in love with his music. – H.M.
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Isaiah Rashad, 'The House is Burning'
After what he calls his “fall from grace,” Isaiah Rashad re-emerged with his stellar comeback album The House is Burning: the Chattanooga rapper’s resiliency shines through bangers (“From the Garden” and “Wat U Sed”) and introspective ballads (“Claymore” and “Score”) alike, as the 16-song record features Rashad at his most refined. Taking influence from the sounds of Texas and Louisiana neo-soul and bounce music he grew up listening to, Rashad earned his first top 10 album on the Billboard 200 chart with The House is Burning, a testament to the 30-year-old’s maturity, lyricism and ability to rise from the ashes. — C. Lee
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Baby Keem, 'The Melodic Blue'
With the approval of L.A.’s music tastemakers and fashion trendsetters, Baby Keem’s name has been bubbling for some time. Yet Keem surpassed even the loftiest of expectations with his debut album, The Melodic Blue, to prove he’s much more than Kendrick Lamar’s cousin uplifted by any sort of nepotism. Despite flashing his tight-knit allegiance to Lamar on “Family Ties” and “Range Brothers,” the 21-year-old is a versatile force to be reckoned with, whether he’s colliding with Don Toliver on “Cocoa” or relishing life off the “Deep End.” Baby Keem’s 2021 mainstream invasion feels like only the beginning of what’s to come. – M.S.
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Tyler, The Creator, 'Call Me If You Get Lost'
A new dimension of the Tyler, the Creator Cinematic Universe comes to life in his Grammy-nominated album Call Me If You Get Lost. DJ Drama narrates his new jet-setting character Tyler Baudelaire’s journey, traveling back in time to resurrect hip-hop’s heralded Gangsta Grillz mixtape that Tyler willed into existence a decade later. Soundtracked by swelling jazzy flutes, laser beam-like synths and chugging neo-soul beats to expand his decadent palette, Tyler’s long-winded verses confront his bumpy past, reflecting on getting canceled pre-cancel culture on “MANIFESTO” and tracing every milestone of a troublesome love triangle on the nearly 9-minute track “WILSHIRE.” With CMIYGL, the culture-shifting MC continues cementing himself as one of the leading voices of rap’s current generation. – H.M.