The Best Rap Artists of 2021
I pen this article while contemplating warmer days and listening to Nas’s King’s Disease II. As the soothing sounds of the boom-bap resonate in my wandering mind, my thoughts bring me to the ever-present question of the year. Who were the best rappers in the last twelve months? Who took the crown and sat upon the throne, alone? Many people attempted, but many failed on their quest. In my lonely eyes, there are only six artists who should be mentioned.
My choice for honorable mention would be none other than Baby Keem. A prominent member of the 2020 XXL Freshman Class, Keem has made a name for himself althroughout the year. Namely, he got his cousin, Kendrick Lamar, on ‘Family Ties’ and worked with Kanye West on ‘Praise God’; two big artists who used their platforms to promote him, and he used both of them to really put himself on the national and international map. Therefore, he deserves this spot.
5. Lil Nas X
My mind remains boggled whenever I contemplate that the guy from ‘Old Town Road’ really landed on my top 5 rappers of the year list. While he is not the most lyrical rapper on the list, his hits speak for himself. His debut album, Montrero, produced hits such as ‘Industry Baby’ with Jack Harlow and the eponymous title track. All the while, he managed to stay consistently in the spotlight through his MSCHF shoes and a lot of other controversies. He continues to trailblaze; I wish him all the best.
4. Jack Harlow
Another person I believed would be whisked away in the sands of time after releasing “What’s Poppin”, Jack Harlow used the pandemic to make a name for himself. While barely being on my radar with his subsequent remixes and ‘Tyler Herro’, he managed to release That’s What They All Say and held his own with guys like Big Sean, Lil Wayne and Tory Lanez. Congratulations to the boy, keep it up!
3. Drake
Arguably the lowest ranking by the Canadian singer-rapper since 2014, Drake has been both very quiet and very loud this year. While people continue to debate whether his Certified Lover Boy or Kanye West’s DONDA was better, the numbers and the stats don’t lie. Not just anyone can drop 60 billion streams in their career. All of this to say while he continues to make numbers with hits such as ‘Way 2 Sexy’ and ‘What’s Next’. Two releases in the year and both prove how good he is. Continue killing it Drizzy, I can drink to your successes.
2. J. Cole
May this ranking not get me attacked in the comment section or in the world. I am a firm believer that J. Cole batted 1000 and took the game over this year with the release of The Off-Season. To see my inherent belief in him, one must only have to look at the extensive coverage that he has had on The Rap Clash Podcast this year alone! The album might be to the level of 2014 Forest Hills Drive, but we will only know as the album grows in time. All the best Mr. Cole.
1. Lil Baby
In hopes that the old-heads and modern lyrical lovers don’t speak ill of my name, allow me to explain myself. As presented in one of my previous articles, Lil Baby has paved his own way through the last two years. His collaborative album with Lil Durk, The Voice of the Heroes, is one of the best collaborative projects in a long time - maybe since What A Time to Be Alive. His features on Drake and J. Cole’s stuff have been impeccable and the grind that he has shown has been great. He deserves his due and it’s time to give it to him.