Top 10 Best Rap Songs of 2021
Kenya
12
Putting a list like this together is never an easy task, but in a year like 2021, when so many artists finally released music after holding onto it in the early stages of the pandemic, it was even more difficult.
Sifting through a massive collection of songs, I set out to select the most essential moments from Hip Hop Music, including releases from rising stars and A-listers alike.
Here are the 10 Best Rap Songs this Year;
1)Industry Baby by Lil Nas X ft Jack Harlow
“Industry Baby” is a certified hit on its own. Stepping further away from the country-rap sound of “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X jumps on the Kanye West and Take A Daytrip-produced track as a seductive provocateur, sing-rapping about his rising fame and success.
“I ain’t lost since I began/ Funny how you said it was the end/ Then I went and did it again,” he taunts as a reflection of the one hit wonder moniker that was unfairly placed on him earlier in his career
Jack Harlow leans into his own charismatic starpower, delivering a syrupy verse with quotables like, “I didn’t peak in high school, I’m still out here gettin’ cuter.”
It’s not every day you hear a song from two relative newcomers that tops the Billboard charts, but with “Industry Baby,” Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow prove why they’re leaders of the new generation.
2) Seeing Green by Nicki Minaj ft Drake and Lil Wayne
The reason the big 3's collaborative résumé is so strong is the same reason they all became solo stars: They’re damn good rappers.
That’s what they showed off here. Nicki joked that the other two “washed” her on the track, but she more than held her own with a braggadocious verse where she re-affirms
“these bitches still my sons,” and lets the world know, “No one bitch could be my opp, that shit offends me/ It’s corporate giants and machines that went against me.” hinting at Atlantic records (Cardi's label) who offered to pay a rapper to diss Nicki.
That said, Drake and Wayne did put on an incredible rap clinic, as they always do. They always get the best out of each other, knowing that even if they’ve both figuratively scored 81 before, it’s better when both of them score 40.
They each dug through the drums to hit unique pockets, taking advantage of the methodical tempo to get showy.
“Seeing Green” has everything we love from all three MCs, captured over a cinematic beat that’s somehow massive enough to match the moment
3) Up by Cardi B
After a months-long wait following the release of her hit single “WAP,” Cardi B returned with a bang on “Up.”
Not only does she get to show off her hard-hitting delivery, the song is catchy enough to become an undeniable hit across streaming and radio.
Besides, who can resist when Cardi gets in her fashion bag? Showing her appreciation for her favorite brands yet again, she spits lines like, “Man, Balenciaga Bardi back and all these bitches fucked.”
Many fans interpreted the meaning of the song to be about becoming financially secure, but during an interview with Jimmy Fallon in February, Cardi joked that “Up” is simply about constipation. However you want to interpret it, the song is a hit.
4) Rapstar by Polo G
Polo G is at his best when he puts his vulnerability on full display, and on “Rapstar,” he doesn’t shy away from broaching topics like getting high to hide his insecurities, the senseless murders he’s witnessed, or being overwhelmed by anxiety
Anchored by collaborator Einer Bankz’s catchy ukulele, “Rapstar” is a hit song in which the Chicago rapper confronts his feelings about fame, wealth, relationships, and mental health.
“When they ask if I’m OK, it just make everything seem worse/ Try and explain your feelings, sound like something you rehearsed,” he raps.
Polo G is realistic about the price that comes with fame and fortune, and it’s this honesty (and songwriting ability) that helps make him such a special talent
5) Straightenin by The Migos
Leaning on a simple but hypnotic chorus and the signature Migos triplet flow, “Straightenin” captures the same hunger of the group’s early run.
Over production from DJ Durel, Quavo addresses gossip concerning the rap group’s current status, rapping,
“In this game, sit back be patient/ Niggas act like the gang went vacant/ Niggas act like something been taken/ Ain’t nothing but a little bit of straightenin.”
Takeoff lays down a similarly thundering verse, spitting, “We were trappin’ out the spot out the basement/ Tasmanian Devil, we spin on your block.”
In case you had any doubts about Migos’ ability to still deliver records that match the caliber of their mid-2010s hit, “Straightenin” proves otherwise.
6)Get into it yuh Doja Cat
If Doja Cat lays claim to any superpower, it’s crafting the kind of earworms that work their way from intrigue to obsession.
On “Get Into It (Yuh),” Doja bounds over the track’s twinkling production, contorting her voice from fast-paced rasp to all-out chant by the time the hook shows up.It’s a testament to Doja’s versatility as a pop-rap maven.
7) Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar, “Family Ties”
“Family Ties” brought the hard-to-catch Lamar out of hiding for his first official feature appearance in three years.
The pair spend four minutes exchanging heat with comfortable and confident camaraderie, the sort of easygoing atmosphere you can only end up with if you’re on a track with someone you love like family — or someone who is family.
The track maintains it's desirability and notweworthy moments from start to finish with unexpected beat changes and flow switches serving the best rap perfomances in 2021.
8) “His & Hers” by Internet Money ,Don Toliver, Lil Uzi Vert, & Gunna
Who said lightning can’t strike twice? Last year, Internet Money’s “Lemonade” collaboration with Gunna, Don Toliver, and Nav was a massive success, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
And this year, the producer collective reunited with Gunna and Don (plus Lil Uzi Vert) for a followup of sorts called “His & Hers,” which might be even better than the first go-around.
The vibe is similar, with guitar-heavy production and melodic vocals from Gunna and Don, but “His & Hers” is somehow even catchier than “Lemonade,” and Uzi’s verse is an upgrade (no disrespect to Nav, of course).
It’s the kind of breezy, carefree song that sounds the best when you hear it in warm weather, so we expect this one to rack up an unfathomable amount of streams this summer. These guys have found a formula together, and it’s working extremely well. —Eric Skelton
9) Wants and Needs by Drake ft Lil Baby
Ever since 2018’s “Yes Indeed,” it goes without saying that Drake and Lil Baby will make a hit whenever they get together, and the proof is in the pudding with “Wants and Needs.”
Over production from Cardo, Dez Wright, and 40, Drake addresses his detractors in a quick and concise fashion, rapping, “Come with a classic, they come around years later and say it’s a sleeper.”
The icing on the cake, though, is Lil Baby’s verse. After effortlessly gliding onto the track to open his verse, his energy level rises as he discusses different ideas of wants and needs in life.
Some of Baby’s best bars arrive when he’s feeling the most confident about his own career as he rattles off lines like, “I’m not a GOAT, but I fit the description.” At one point, he boasts, “I’m droppin’ hit after hit, I’m just chillin.” No lies detected
10) My Life by J Cole ft 21 Savage and Morray
J. Cole bares his soul on “My Life” as he reflects on generational demons and the struggles he’s endured on the road to success.
He also contemplates the end of his career, rapping, “No weapon gon prosper that’s formin against me/ Nigga, I’m starvin’ immensely/ Know when I’m done with these songs, you gon miss me.”
21 Savage manages to keep up with Cole, matching the hunger as he delivers one of the better guest verses of his career. 21 confronts his lethal past, hoping that it doesn’t find its way to his future on his verse
“My Life” wouldn’t have half the soul it possesses if it weren’t for Morray’s contribution, though, as the newcomer provides a standout chorus.
J. Cole has spent much of his career walking alone, having only recently begun collaborating with other rappers on a consistent basis, but “My Life” is a perfect example of the magic that can come from putting the right people in the studio together.
What's your favorite Rap Song this Year? Let me know in the comments
#2021WrapUp #Music #MusicReview #hiphopmusic
Sifting through a massive collection of songs, I set out to select the most essential moments from Hip Hop Music, including releases from rising stars and A-listers alike.
Here are the 10 Best Rap Songs this Year;
1)Industry Baby by Lil Nas X ft Jack Harlow
“Industry Baby” is a certified hit on its own. Stepping further away from the country-rap sound of “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X jumps on the Kanye West and Take A Daytrip-produced track as a seductive provocateur, sing-rapping about his rising fame and success.
“I ain’t lost since I began/ Funny how you said it was the end/ Then I went and did it again,” he taunts as a reflection of the one hit wonder moniker that was unfairly placed on him earlier in his career
Jack Harlow leans into his own charismatic starpower, delivering a syrupy verse with quotables like, “I didn’t peak in high school, I’m still out here gettin’ cuter.”
It’s not every day you hear a song from two relative newcomers that tops the Billboard charts, but with “Industry Baby,” Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow prove why they’re leaders of the new generation.
2) Seeing Green by Nicki Minaj ft Drake and Lil Wayne
The reason the big 3's collaborative résumé is so strong is the same reason they all became solo stars: They’re damn good rappers.
That’s what they showed off here. Nicki joked that the other two “washed” her on the track, but she more than held her own with a braggadocious verse where she re-affirms
“these bitches still my sons,” and lets the world know, “No one bitch could be my opp, that shit offends me/ It’s corporate giants and machines that went against me.” hinting at Atlantic records (Cardi's label) who offered to pay a rapper to diss Nicki.
That said, Drake and Wayne did put on an incredible rap clinic, as they always do. They always get the best out of each other, knowing that even if they’ve both figuratively scored 81 before, it’s better when both of them score 40.
They each dug through the drums to hit unique pockets, taking advantage of the methodical tempo to get showy.
“Seeing Green” has everything we love from all three MCs, captured over a cinematic beat that’s somehow massive enough to match the moment
3) Up by Cardi B
After a months-long wait following the release of her hit single “WAP,” Cardi B returned with a bang on “Up.”
Not only does she get to show off her hard-hitting delivery, the song is catchy enough to become an undeniable hit across streaming and radio.
Besides, who can resist when Cardi gets in her fashion bag? Showing her appreciation for her favorite brands yet again, she spits lines like, “Man, Balenciaga Bardi back and all these bitches fucked.”
Many fans interpreted the meaning of the song to be about becoming financially secure, but during an interview with Jimmy Fallon in February, Cardi joked that “Up” is simply about constipation. However you want to interpret it, the song is a hit.
4) Rapstar by Polo G
Polo G is at his best when he puts his vulnerability on full display, and on “Rapstar,” he doesn’t shy away from broaching topics like getting high to hide his insecurities, the senseless murders he’s witnessed, or being overwhelmed by anxiety
Anchored by collaborator Einer Bankz’s catchy ukulele, “Rapstar” is a hit song in which the Chicago rapper confronts his feelings about fame, wealth, relationships, and mental health.
“When they ask if I’m OK, it just make everything seem worse/ Try and explain your feelings, sound like something you rehearsed,” he raps.
Polo G is realistic about the price that comes with fame and fortune, and it’s this honesty (and songwriting ability) that helps make him such a special talent
5) Straightenin by The Migos
Leaning on a simple but hypnotic chorus and the signature Migos triplet flow, “Straightenin” captures the same hunger of the group’s early run.
Over production from DJ Durel, Quavo addresses gossip concerning the rap group’s current status, rapping,
“In this game, sit back be patient/ Niggas act like the gang went vacant/ Niggas act like something been taken/ Ain’t nothing but a little bit of straightenin.”
Takeoff lays down a similarly thundering verse, spitting, “We were trappin’ out the spot out the basement/ Tasmanian Devil, we spin on your block.”
In case you had any doubts about Migos’ ability to still deliver records that match the caliber of their mid-2010s hit, “Straightenin” proves otherwise.
6)Get into it yuh Doja Cat
If Doja Cat lays claim to any superpower, it’s crafting the kind of earworms that work their way from intrigue to obsession.
On “Get Into It (Yuh),” Doja bounds over the track’s twinkling production, contorting her voice from fast-paced rasp to all-out chant by the time the hook shows up.It’s a testament to Doja’s versatility as a pop-rap maven.
7) Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar, “Family Ties”
“Family Ties” brought the hard-to-catch Lamar out of hiding for his first official feature appearance in three years.
The pair spend four minutes exchanging heat with comfortable and confident camaraderie, the sort of easygoing atmosphere you can only end up with if you’re on a track with someone you love like family — or someone who is family.
The track maintains it's desirability and notweworthy moments from start to finish with unexpected beat changes and flow switches serving the best rap perfomances in 2021.
8) “His & Hers” by Internet Money ,Don Toliver, Lil Uzi Vert, & Gunna
Who said lightning can’t strike twice? Last year, Internet Money’s “Lemonade” collaboration with Gunna, Don Toliver, and Nav was a massive success, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
And this year, the producer collective reunited with Gunna and Don (plus Lil Uzi Vert) for a followup of sorts called “His & Hers,” which might be even better than the first go-around.
The vibe is similar, with guitar-heavy production and melodic vocals from Gunna and Don, but “His & Hers” is somehow even catchier than “Lemonade,” and Uzi’s verse is an upgrade (no disrespect to Nav, of course).
It’s the kind of breezy, carefree song that sounds the best when you hear it in warm weather, so we expect this one to rack up an unfathomable amount of streams this summer. These guys have found a formula together, and it’s working extremely well. —Eric Skelton
9) Wants and Needs by Drake ft Lil Baby
Ever since 2018’s “Yes Indeed,” it goes without saying that Drake and Lil Baby will make a hit whenever they get together, and the proof is in the pudding with “Wants and Needs.”
Over production from Cardo, Dez Wright, and 40, Drake addresses his detractors in a quick and concise fashion, rapping, “Come with a classic, they come around years later and say it’s a sleeper.”
The icing on the cake, though, is Lil Baby’s verse. After effortlessly gliding onto the track to open his verse, his energy level rises as he discusses different ideas of wants and needs in life.
Some of Baby’s best bars arrive when he’s feeling the most confident about his own career as he rattles off lines like, “I’m not a GOAT, but I fit the description.” At one point, he boasts, “I’m droppin’ hit after hit, I’m just chillin.” No lies detected
10) My Life by J Cole ft 21 Savage and Morray
J. Cole bares his soul on “My Life” as he reflects on generational demons and the struggles he’s endured on the road to success.
He also contemplates the end of his career, rapping, “No weapon gon prosper that’s formin against me/ Nigga, I’m starvin’ immensely/ Know when I’m done with these songs, you gon miss me.”
21 Savage manages to keep up with Cole, matching the hunger as he delivers one of the better guest verses of his career. 21 confronts his lethal past, hoping that it doesn’t find its way to his future on his verse
“My Life” wouldn’t have half the soul it possesses if it weren’t for Morray’s contribution, though, as the newcomer provides a standout chorus.
J. Cole has spent much of his career walking alone, having only recently begun collaborating with other rappers on a consistent basis, but “My Life” is a perfect example of the magic that can come from putting the right people in the studio together.
What's your favorite Rap Song this Year? Let me know in the comments
#2021WrapUp #Music #MusicReview #hiphopmusic
Comments (12)
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New Comments（12）
eddylolu83
Jim Karis
good list
kennepps
On point [0x1f621][0x1f621]
Popfressor
seeing green
Jaymez Kaytah
@Rosemary Minjaj:
up and its stuck
Rosemary Minjaj:
CARDI B [0x1f641][0x1f63f][0x1f63f]
Rosemary Minjaj
CARDI B [0x1f641][0x1f63f][0x1f63f]
CARDINALhk8er
[0x1f619][0x1f619][0x1f619]
CherediJoshua
This is great
Teddy West +267 King
without doubt [0x1f621]
k