Ever since the birth of my son I've been wanting to leave him things that will do a better job of telling him how I was at certain ages. Well son here's me at 28. The year started off slow, but it ended up being an incredible year for music in 2021. Music has a way of resonating with your heart and emotions. It's been a personal whirlwind for me so we did more singing this year than ever.
100. Piped Up
Artist: Big Pokey
Album: Sensei
What better way to kick this list off with the best Intro song of 2021. From the first "ugghh" Pokey let you know he was back. Pokey came back in style, "they said they missed me nigga since I put the mic down."
99. Green Juice feat. Pharrell Williams
Artist: A$AP Ferg
Album: Single
It's Pharrell. The beat slaps you across the face before Ferg can even start his barking off. I don't hear this song. I see colors. I see flashes, I see energy. "You can not make this shit up you're a fraud."
98. On One feat. Freddie Gibbs
Artist: Joyce Wrice
Album: Overgrown
Joyce sounds like the 2021 Amerie. This songs puts me in the mindset of "One Thing." Released on my daddy's birthday, Feb. 26th, Overgrown wasn't that good. But between Joyce's sweet vocals and Freddie's 90's Bad Boy R&B flow, it'll make the cut.
97. Contagious
Album: Punk
"I wish that keepin it real really was contagious, cuz I be showing love always met with fake shit, But that's what's in my heart, I could never change it, I just wish that things were reciprocated." Those lyrics touched my soul. I feel like all I do is show love and all I get is hate and fake smiles and dap.
96. Dearly Beloved feat. Jamie Foxx
Album: Folarin II
I thought that the idea was corny. Super gimmicky, but any time you include a vocal from the Jamie Foxx Show you'll score big with me. Surely, I didn't put a song on here just for the chorus? I absolutely did.
95. Having Our Way feat. Drake
Album: Culture III
"Load up the Drake!" I was kinda sold from then on. The beat is tough, and Drake and Quavo carried the song. Breakup lines always sound better when it's recent so when Qua hit Saweetie with "She had it her way, now she out of a Bentley. Get Out." I was big lit.
94. Time Today
Album: A Gangsta's Pain
"Might be ugly, but my bitch pressha." Thank Jon Writt for tattooing that line in my head. Look ion like niggas, ion like bitches, ion like nobody. I saw more friendly people quoting this line, meanwhile they got a million friends. Between the beat and the flow, Moneybagg will have you ready to shoot 50 people 10 times, 500 bullets all of it worth every rhyme.
93. Ski feat. Gunna
Album: Slime Language 2
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! SKI!" Thugga knows how to have fun and Ski is a blast. If you take your life too serious than skip this song, but if you can enjoy good sounds have a blast. Gunna jumps on the second verse and tears it up.
92. Life Support
Album: Sincerely, Kentrell
Straight from prison, YB released Sincerely Kentrell and not gone lie, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I did "Top" in 2020. Life Support was one of the few songs that resonated with me instantly. It felt like House Arrest Tingz, but on the same token it wasn't. YB just oversaturates the game so a lot of his music feels really similar.
91. Get Along Better feat. Ty Dolla $ign
Album: Certified Lover Boy
"This might be too real, too real" R&B Drake is different, and I without shame love it. This is probably my favorite song off the album. I recognize it's not the best song on the album, but between the lyrics, Drake's high note on friends, and Ty Dolla's crooning it's a win.
Artist: Ty Dolla $ign and DVSN
90. Memories
Album: Cheers to the Best Memories
"Freak me baby..." That's the perfect sample for a Ty Dolla song. Ty Dolla might be the best worst singer of all time. He can break every run rule in the world, but that shit is gone go because he singing with every thing he got. The auto tune is an incredible add. The layers of this song are dope. It's a great song.
89. Angels Never Cry feat. Moneybagg Yo and Kodak Black
Album: Moon Boy
Bleu's energy is awesome in this song. You can tell he feels every word he's singing. He's the true star of this song. Moneybagg and Kodak dropped decent verses, but I can't get past the chorus to be honest. "My life of a movie, my life a mooooviiiieeeee!"
88. Score feat. SZA and 6LACK
Artist: Isaiah Rashad
Album: The House is Burning
One of the smoothest tracks that came out this year, but you probably figured that out just looking at SZA and 6LACK features. Rashad put out one of the better albums of this year, and Score is one of the better highlights of the album. Rashad is as smooth as it gets and it's been 4 years since a SZA album, so every verse she drops feels like gold.
Artist: Ye
87. Jail feat. Jay-Z
Album: Donda
So I deleted the first track from Donda off my phone mainly because it sound like some witchcraft. So the first real sounds I heard came from the guitar ripping as loud as it can. Sonically, the song is incredible. Hov's verse maybe one of the best of the year, but it's the other components of the song that keep it low. I like it, I just didn't run it back often.
86. On It feat. Ari Lennox
Album: Heaux Tales
The 2021 R&B version of WAP, performed by two of the best young seasoned voices in the game right now. Ari singing her heart out, so you know that pussy good. Her and Jazmine both look like they'll rock your lights. You better not coming half stepping,
Artist: Don Tolliver
85. Better Yet (dvsn's interlude)
Artist: dvsn
Album: Cheers to the Best Memories
It's Ty Dolla and dvsn so expect a bunch of hard ass sanging, but do yourself a favor and fast forward to 2:06. The entire song is a build up to that incredible singing cry dvsn belts out. It's truly a bright spot of the album, my favorite song for sure.
84. Flocky Flocky feat. Travis Scott
Album: Life of a Don
One of my favorite tracks from 2020 was What To Do? that featured both Travis and Tolliver. This was the same vibe but not as vibrant. Scott is the star of the show, as his verse shines. Going back to look at the lyrics, he really ain't say shit, but Trav just has a way of making hype music.
83. In The Bible feat. Lil' Durk and Giveon
Album: Certified Lover Boy
"Ok. Ok. Ok. Ok. Counting up my bodies, damn that thang just start to pile." I was hooked from the first line. Lil' Durk capitalized the most out of everyone. Any time you can use the biggest streaming artist in the world to promote ya lady's business, your definitely will win boyfriend of the year.
Artist: Lil' Baby and Lil' Durk
82. 2040
Album: The Voice of the Heroes
I didn't love this album, but 2040 was a weight room favorite of mine this year. The track bleeds energy into the room and Baby and Durk are the perfect duo to deliver on this type of beat. Their plan is simple, they'll be balling til 2040.
81. Moon feat. Kid Cudi and Don Tolliver
Artist: Kanye West
Album: Donda
Don T belches out, "I wanna go to the Moooooooooooooon, don't leave so soon." From there on out it didn't matter. Cudi gives a classic "Day N Nite, Creepers" like performance, and Kanye smoothly serenades with Tolliver in the background. Definitely a highlight of the year.
80. Light Years feat. Rick Ross
Artist: Wale
Album: Folarin II
Classic Wale. From the flow, the beat, even the Ross feature is a touch from 2011. My favorite track from Wale this year, this is definitely luxury rap.
79. No Love
Artist: Summer Walker and SZA
Album: Still Over It
This catchy, smooth track let’s these two exes know if they ever got a chance to run it back it’s gonna be straight lusty. They both tales of how they are over their previous treatment, but that dang-a-lang is still tattooed on that memory.
78. Too Easy
Artist: Gunna and Future
Album: Single
Too easy, appropriately titled because these two are automatic hit monsters. The beat is electric and Gunna and Future flex lavish lifestyles and excellent women choices. 😂
77. I Can Only Whisper
Artist: Charlotte Day Wilson
Album: ALPHA
“I can only whisper, I can only cry tonight, I wish I was with her, yeah we’d be getting by tonight.” Painful moments in life will turn you to a lil lesbian white girl to sing your life. Good thing for me I found CDW and she’s worthwhile. A sample from Fair Trade introduced me to her, and thanks to CLB I’ve got another go to sad artist.
76. Moonwalking In Calabasas feat. Blueface
Artist: DDG
Album: Die 4 Respect
“Don’t call that lil ass place no estate, unless it came with a pool and a gate.” Never thought I’d say this, but Blueface smashed both his verses and DDG took a classic in “Too Comfortable” and added some spark too it.
75. Damage
Artist: H.E.R.
Album: Back of My Mind
A truly incredible song, just not an incredible amount of replay material. The instrumentation is amazing as expected, her voice is awesome, but it’s just missing something to put it over the top for me.
74. Hats Off feat. Travis Scott
Artist: Lil’ Baby and Lil’ Durk
Album: The Voice of the Heroes
The beginning feels like a hip hop horror movie is about to start, then Baby comes in running a 100 MPH, Durk is at his Durkiest and Travis adds the background music to make it sound like a Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
73. GREENER KNOTS
Artist: Maxo Kream
Album: Weight of the World
"Ok I seen a lot." Maxo's got that fat guy tongue that's apart of his flow, and to me it makes his sound. Maxo gets on the upbeat of this song and stays on top of the flow and tempo. He didn't say anything that changed my life in this song, but Greener Knots was a go to for me this year.
72. Way 2 Sexy feat. Future and Young Thug
Artist: Drake
Album: Certified Lover Boy
Environment, environment, environment. The scene makes the song. By myself, I probably haven't listened to this song past Future's verse since the album came out. This is a club song with a club sound, that's made to be played on loud speakers. Things can get 2 Sexy in the right spot with this one.
71. Beat Box 3 feat. Da Baby
Artist: Spotemgottem
Album: Single
Ah... January 2021. Da Baby was still in good graces with the alphabet gang, and might've just scored verse of the year for his performance on Beat Box 3. There's so many quotables from this verse. Da Baby took a Tik Tok joint and made it an anthem with an all time performance. I'll always love this song, shout out to Spotem.... "in Miami with my m'fn heat iiiiiiiiiiiii."
70. Baddest feat. Chris Brown and 2 Chainz
Artist: Yung Bleu
Album: Moon Boy
Brown's a favorite of mine so he always captures my attention. It doesn't take long for him to make an impact on this song. "Sexy MF you the Baddest One." Well that didn't take long to know what this one was about. In every song Bleu is going to find a way to buy some new titties and ass for somebody, Chainz is exceptionally smooth this go round, and Chris Brown Chris Brown's this song too.
69. Straightenin
Artist: Migos
Album: Culture III
Initially, I thought this was song of the year, but it just faded. It's quite possibly beat of the year, all 3 Migos really went in on it, it just didn't last all year like I thought it would. Nonetheless, Straightenin' was a great start to the Migos 2021, and while Culture III isn't on the level of the original, there's several jams to take from it, including Straightenin'.
68. Wild Side feat. Cardi B
Artist: Normani
Album: Single
Cardi's lone slot on this year's list comes in a guest role to former Fifth Harmony, breakout star Normani. The lyrics are what you would expect from the previous WAP star, but the real star of the show is the beat. The One in a Million flip mixed with Normani's background vocals take me away every time I play this jawn.
67. Punchin the Clock
Artist: J. Cole
Album: The Off-Season
From the beat, all I can hear is Phife Dawg's "microphone check 1, 2 what is this?" The beat, the Dame Lillard sample, the flow is all on J. Cole's level. The song is only 1:51 but Cole is rapping like he's getting paid for every syllable. He murdered this track.
66. Good Days
Artist: SZA
Album: Single
Released as a Christmas present last year, Good Days is a gem. The instrumental is way better than SZA. I can't get away from the music. She does an awesome job of just vibing and crooning away with the sounds. She bamboozled us all, I guess we'll wait 5 years for a new album instead of 4 SZA.
65. Killing Me Slowly
Artist: Paris Price, Chris Patrick & Dende
Album: Single
So Idk nan one of these, but courtesy of Ice from the Joe Budden Podcast, this song here got consistent plays all 2021. It's a vibe for sure. Like hip hop elevator music. It's on. It's perfect background to a conversation. Shout out to these fellows for this song.
64. Pride is the Devil feat. Lil Baby
Artist: J. Cole
Album: The Off-Season
Ain't nothing like a J. Cole truth bomb disguised by a good beat and a Lil' Baby feature. Pride is the Devil is a look into the thought process of two of the more successful artists in rap today. Speaking about self reflection and ego and pride aren't popular things to do, but Cole has made a career out of being the upstanding man that he is.
63. Old Days
Artist: Yung Bleu
Album: Moon Boy
I was surprised that I liked Moon Boy as much as I did. Old Days jumped out from the beginning. The guitar in the background is a nice touch and Bleu gets on this beat and rides in the new sing/rap combo that has taken over the game.
62. Don't Walk Away feat. Quentin Miller
Artist: Dom Kennedy
Album: From the Westside with Love Three
This song is definitely WEST COAST. Every time I hear it I keep waiting on a smooth ass feature from The Game. We don't get that, but this song feels like a scene from a California movie, driving with the top down with the sun on it's way down. My head won't stop nodding whenever this track is on.
61. Back of My Mind
Artist: H.E.R.
Album: Back of My Mind
There's always a sincerity whenever H.E.R. comes on. No matter who's project, if she is involved you're about to get the best vocal performance from the others around her. The album was named after this track and from the beginning, you can tell why. I love H.E.R. but Ty Dolla is the reason why this song is as high as it is. Nobody sings like Ty Dolla. It might not be the technical best, but when he says ooo yeah, who else you wanna hear do it?
60. Amari
Artist: J. Cole
Album: The Off-Season
95 South is the intro to The Off-Season, but Amari to me is the first real song. May sound stupid, but that's kinda how my brain sees it. Either way, Cole is showing off his new tricks as a producer as this beat is ridiculous. Cole's a true musician and really harmonizes his flow differently all depending on the song. Amari might be one of my favorite Cole tracks ever. "Them summers was cooooooooooooold."
59. OK OK feat. Lil Yachty and Rooga
Artist: Kanye West
Album: Donda
There's 2 standout parts in this song: the beat and Rooga. The beat got Kanye acting like he wanna rap again. He's got some bars for Drake in this one: "Oh you rap, sound like me. Can't tell who is who. You have no real identity. Can't tell you for you." Yachty's verse is serviceable at best. He actually kinda held his own, seeing he's not known for killing shit. Rooga, who I've never heard prior to this song, raps his ass off. YOU GOTTA CHIN UP SHOW A NIGGA TOUGH LOVE, LET EM GO WITHOUT YOU JUST TO SHOW EM WHAT IT WAS. Sorry I felt that line.
58. What I Look Like feat. Freddie Gibbs
Artist: Maxo Kream
Album: Weight of the World
So this song is borderline 100 if Freddie Gibbs isn't on it. Gibbs performance is one of the top of the year. The beat is cool and Kream has a flow that you have to nod your head too. Gibbs raps at twice the pace of Maxo, which the two contrasting styles make each other shine. Gibbs: "I pray Lord, Allah, got forgiveness for killers (yeah) We pray when we lost but forget when we winnin' (yeah) Courthouse, penitentiary, was not my intention My front door, my front seats, in front of my engine, yeah."
57. Lost You
Artist: Snoh Alegra
Album: Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies
With the right speakers, this song demands your attention immediately. The beat knocks, and Snoh in a real sweet, Sade-like manner comes in and melts you away with her voice. The stories of a struggling relationship will always serenade my heart, and with Alegra's singing prowess, she lived in my Air Pods this year.
56. 21C/Delta
Artist: Jack Harlow
Album: Thats What They All Say
"Oh my, she's so fly (fly) Nine-to-five but she wanna be somebody (she needs some) I can tell you need somebody (some) Put that thing on me, 'cause I need somеbody (ah) Girl, I'm at the 21c, come find me I want you to bе the one I keep beside me Baby, don't stop, can you keep massaging? Jack Harlow is a product of Drake being out for over 12 years now and the youth sitting back and being inspired. The sing/rap is as polished as it comes in his generation and Harlow's got some bars to go with it.
55. Lumberjack
Artist: Tyler, The Creator
Album: Call Me If You Get Lost
This album will more than likely win the Grammy, not because I think it's better than CLB, but because I know how the Grammy's work. Nonetheless, Tyler put a great project out this year and Lumberjack is a great starting place if you haven't heard it. Tyler has many styles, but he's at his best whenever he decides to put his big boy voice on and just deliver Bars. Tyler's rappin rappin, and it sounds as good as ever.
54. Understand
Artist: Omah Lay
Album: Single
From the first sound it was a keeper for me. The tone is set from the first note, and Omah Lay's sound is exceptional. Pun intended, but yes it was hard to understand the words, but the rhythm, and the voice isn't a difficult concept: it's good.
53. Blue Notes 2 feat. Lil Uzi Vert
Artist: Meek Mill
Album: Expensive Pain
Meek's album was meh at best. Blue Notes 2 tho. Awesome. Uzi smashes his guest appearance, keeping the same flow as Meek. Meek fires words at his new opps: Wale and Rick Ross. Ain't nothing like a passionate, motivated Meek. I'll take it.
52. Bitter
Artist: Summer Walker
Album: Still Over It
She is talking bad to one of yall. "Bitter, mad at me, mad at my nigga." That shit was so hard. It started around 2017 with SZA, but all of a sudden yall notice these women are being honest and raw in their songs. Walker puts all her life energy into this first track. "Better stop playing with me."
51. Recognize Real feat. Gunna
Artist: Young Thug
Album: Punk
Gunna starts the song off with one of the better first verses of the year. The soft instrumentation creates a serious tone and Gunna let's it rip. Had to gamble my life, I'm rollin' the dice, My name got a price, but talk to me nice, I got my money right, And now they criticize, but it's alright, I won't be victimized, Judgin' the police takin' my people lives, I'm just signin' checks and doin' what's best for mine, And ain't gotta do too much 'cause real gon' recognize. Thug's verse is just as hard, and the lack of energy, on purpose of course, is the only thing that keeps it out of the top half of this list.
50. Sweet/I Thought You Wanted To Dance feat. Brent Faiyaz and Fana Hues)
Artist: Tyler, The Creator
Album: Call Me If You Get Lost
So apart of the Tyler, The Creator package is R&B Tyler. Tyler smokes the first two verses of this song. You can tell he's not a singer, singer, but the quality of the song doesn't lack for it. Brent comes in and sings the parts he can't sing, and he sounds great. Bout the best thing he was on this year, because his other music was ass. I Thought You Wanted to Dance is the second half of the track, and it's on the same level as Sweet. The bridge is hard, some of the best moments in music this year.
49. Price Tags feat. Anderson Paak
Album: Heaux Tales
Jazmine Sullivan is as talented as they come. Heaux Tales really feels like Mascara extended into an entire albums. The stories are awesome, same goes for Price Tags. The beat feels so Mary J. Blige-ish and Jazmine is in full control of the tempo and flow on this one. Paak's verse is clever and it's a perfect fit for the track and album.
48. Durag Activity
Artist: Baby Keem and Travis Scott
Album: The Melodic Blue
Big Stinch. Big Stinch. Big Stinch in my life. Big Stinch. This is a Baby Keem song, but this is a Trav song. He takes over the entire song on this track. Absolutely lets it rip in his own Astroworld way. This will keep a party moving, definitely a middle of the party jam, instead of beginning tho.
47. INDECISIVE
Artist: Snoh Alegra
Album: TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES
"See, I don't really care, Really I'm too good for you, Lemme make it clear, Everything is not about you, no." So for about 7 months I slept on this song all because of the beginning. Stubborn ears wouldn't allow me to get past the sounds I didn't like. Meanwhile I did no one but myself injustice. It's an incredibly, relatable song and one that entered my feelings playlist.
46. Remote Control feat. Young Thug
Artist: Kanye West
Album: Donda
"Please don't ask again, who's up in the van, they my only fannnnnssssssss." I was hooked from the jump. Sounds like 808's n Heartbreaks all over again, and I'm here for it. Kanye low key sanging on this hoe and after an intermission Thugga comes in and skates the only way he knows how.
45. Paradise feat. Yung Bleu
Artist: H.E.R.
Album: Back of My Mind
For some reason this song always came on when I was cutting the grass this year, but anyway it was a win from the beginning for me. H.E.R.'S voice is incredible and Yung Bleu adds enough R&B street to this record to really boost this record. The anticipation between these two is really evident in this song, and those are some of the best feelings on Earth. To capture that emotion through song is a talent, and these two did really well.
44. Seeing Green feat. Lil' Wayne and Drake
Artist: Nicki Minaj
Album: Beam Me Up Scotty
How can a song where all 3 body their verses end up in the 40s? For one it's a great year for music, and for 2 the song too long. After about 4 years of listening to 2:32 songs, hearing a song go 5:40 is unheard of these days. All 3 of these artists earned a spot on the verse of the year list, but this 2009 "In My Mind" sample gets on my nerves after about 3 minutes.
43. Praise God feat. Baby Keem and Travis Scott
Artist: Kanye West
Album: Donda
"SPEAKS to the young, SPEAKS to the progress toward, ..... even if you are not ready for the day, it can not always be night..." From the beat to "La Flame" in the background, this song makes me wanna go play ball. Travis rips this verse in his own Travestonian way, Baby Keem comes in with the hype machine and really ripped a great conclusion to the song, but Kanye owns the chorus, "We gon' praise our way out the grave, dawg Living, speaking, praise God, Walking out the graveyard back to life (hey) I serve, follow your worth, see with new sight, into the night (hey.)"
42. Champagne Poetry
Artist: Drake
Album: Certified Lover Boy
"Until I, until I." The Masego cover makes the first half of this song. I can't help but to feel like Drake: "I been hot since the birth of my son." I'm with the masses that Papi's Home would've been the perfect intro to this album, but Drake always rips the opening song of his album in a manner just like this. He gives us a 2 sided song, which I don't think there's an artist who's been better about 2 tracks into one song and making it work and nobody blink. The second half feels like a long journey and finally making it to your destination and then the choir sings.
41. Girl Like Me feat. H.E.R.
Album: Heaux Tales
By the time I got to this track I was shocked. Jazmine had taken me everywhere but wholesome for about 25 minutes and it feels like "Girl Like Me," sums it all up. I really think SZA brought a shock value to the game, because ever since CTRL, ladies have been comfortable saying whatever they feel like saying on the mic. Well this song isn't anywhere near as nasty as "On It," but there's some shocking honesty. "Yeah, I made a profile on Tinder, Since you left me to be with her, I think that means I'm gettin' desperate, Wish I could return to sender, But you don't love me no more, And I don't even know what for." It's heartbreaking to hear a heart break.
40. Ayee (Jr Jr)
Artist: Yung Smoody
Album: Muddy Waters
The Asian tune that coasts in the backdrop of the beat is insane to me. Smoody is the owner of his flow and jumps all over this beat and turns into something. Ayee got play all year long for me, probably my favorite Smoody song of all time. The song just feels like Texas. Definitely the spirit of the 90s with a heavy Pimp C influence.
39. Lemon Pepper Freestyle feat. Rick Ross
Artist: Drake
Album: Scary Hours 2
Ross and Drake are two of the best from the past decade and they skated and started 2021 off right on this Freestyle. Both artist killed their flows, the beat is immaculate, the only reason it's as low as it is is because it disappeared by the summer. It's not really a club song so the lasting power didn't hold like a record of this magnitude typically would. Nonetheless a Top 40 appearance this year is a strong showing.
38. Hot Wind Blows feat. Lil' Wayne
Artist: Tyler, The Creator
Album: Call Me If You Get Lost
A true rap connoisseur could place this song into their top 10, because it's that good. Tyler flexes his lavish lifestyle, but Wayne, Wayne, Wayne. As soon as he starts with "excuse me, pardon me" he let's it go and puts out one of the best flows of 2021. Wayne has no problem owning the title GOAT and flexes his prowess over this different instrumental.
37. My Little Love
Artist: Adele
Album: 30
The instrumental is incredible. (It actually puts me in the mindset of Bodies by CeeLo Green. Bodies is a little louder, but the basic beat over a tough drumline. Anyway back to Adele.) I literally freestyled the first time I heard this song. The story is incredible. The only reason I hold it back is because of the talking interludes. Just sing to me, woman. Capturing emotion is incredibly difficult. Adele's voice mixed with the instruments is just a loud box of beautiful pain, frustration being released through the form of incredible music.
36. Life of the Party feat. Andre 3000
Artist: Kanye West
Album: Single
You get a flow from Andre 3000, it's a guaranteed top 100. You add that with the beat from Kanye and the College Dropout flow, and you've got an A+ song. These two are phenomenal, the tone is the only thing keeping it from being a top 10 entry.
35. Already Best Friends feat. Chris Brown
Artist: Jack Harlow
Album: Thats What They All Say
Jack Harlow shows off his singing skills in this fun, sexy good time. Chris Brown is an automatic listen for me, and while this isn't a classic Chris verse, it's as potent as some of the recent things he's released over the past couple of years. Brown's one of the few artist in the world, when he gets on the song, it's kinda his. Great project from Harlow released in December of 2020, this was easily my favorite from the album.
34. TSU
Artist: Drake
Album: Certified Lover Boy
Leaked in 2020, Not Around was easily one of my favorite songs from last year. Drake's team wisely pulled it down, but it was up and it was stuck. Drake brought it back for CLB and even added an alternate ending, different from the ending we received last year. It's a great record and I definitely gotta see somebody get naked to this one.
33. Bubbly feat. Travis Scott and Drake
Artist: Young Thug
Album: Punk
This beat is crazy. I'm really surprised Gunna didn't come outta nowhere, because this is definitely his style. Thug gets on this beat in classic Thugga style rapping his ass off. Travis Scott comes in and picks up the energy immediately. Drake of course, comes in and changes the beat. Initially, I didn't like his part, but after a couple of plays I realized "The Boy" did what "The Boy" does.
32. Guilty feat. Chris Brown and A$AP Ferg
Artist: Sevyn Streeter
Album: Drunken Wordz Sober Thoughtz
For about 2 months of the year this was probably my favorite song. Look, nobody will confuse Streeter for Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston, but when this lil baby has a hit, she has a hit. Chris Brown is Chris Brown. The guy was awesome on this one, but the real hero of the track is A$AP. The way Ferg is rappin, I just knew Diddy was gonna come out dancing. That's as good as a R&B verse as you're gonna get from a rapper. Exceptional.
31. Feelin' Peachy
Artist: Kodak Black
Album: Happy Birthday Kodak
This track should've came with a warning label because this beat is as hard as they fuckin' come. Kodak gets all over this one, and even though he repeats the same flow several times, your head will never stop bobbing with this one. (pause) Feelin' Peachy is one of 37 songs this year that received an A+ from me, and here it falls at 31.
30. Fair Trade
Artist: Drake
Album: Certified Lover Boy
"I don't understand why you blame me. Take me as I am its's the same me, Senseless sight to see. Senseless sigh to see." Charlotte Day Wilson went off on Mountains in 2019. Leave it to Drake's camp and Travis to turn in the toughest beat of the year. Drake Drakes like he always does, and Travis turns the song into Sicko Mode part 2 the way he changes the beat. A+ this hoe jam. As far as where I am in life son, Drake says it best: "I been losing friends and finding peace. Honestly that sound like a fair trade to me,"
29. Take Me Home feat. Foushee
Artist: Vince Staples
Album: Vince Staples
The self-titled album was absolutely stellar. Take Me Home is an incredible vibe that always fits for me. Staples flow is always well reflected and seems to be always talking to himself in his music, along the likes of J. Cole. This beat is insane. Foushee's part is incredible. You know it's good whenever I make my own adlibs. This is an exceptional song. A+
28. Bodies
Album: Heaux Tales
Shock value. What a way to start an album called Heaux Tales than to tell a story about how a body count can just slide up on you if you're not careful. And while the lyrics are very much 2021, Jazmine stays true to her beep bop skat style with her tempo and pronunciation of words. She's immensely talented and has found a way to keep her relevancy with such an amazing talent. Most people that talented get reserved for BET Award Show Gospel Tributes or only drama or National Anthem roles. Jazmine sings better than Jennifer Hudson and found a way to escape that lane. A+
27. 95 South
Artist: J. Cole
Album: The Off-Season
Number 1, you're not allowed to listen to this song unless you can turn this shit up as loud as you can. 95 South was J. Cole's version of looking in the camera and saying I'm Baaaackkkk!!! He's gotta be considered one of the greatest ever, and this is one of his hardest verses ever. Camron and Lil' Jon's appearance is a bright sight, and this was the perfect way to introduce an album.
26. Essence Remix feat. Tems and Justin Bieber
Artist: Wizkid
Album: Made in Lagos: Deluxe Edition
So I just knew I knew the words to this song until I read the lyrical video. Boy was I off, but the feel goods from this song are tough. It's an exceptional instrumental, and Tems and Justin Bieber deliver incredible vocal performances. Bieber has to be considered for verse of the year, as he delivered an all-time performance. A+
25. Pipe Down
Artist: Drake
Album: Certified Lover Boy
Start with the instrumental first and tell me that's not A+ production. Vocally, Drake is in his bag. He may not have authored this singy-flow, but he has owned that mf since 2009. It's still sappy like it was in 2009, but he's in such a different place in his life that he's channeled into CLB. These people be living my life bruh. You're the reason we'll be going separate ways. You're the reason we cannot communicate. It's not the things you say, it's what you don't say. I'm not in your way, you're in your own way. A+
24. Company feat. Future
Artist: 24KGOLDN
Album: El Dorado
Future may have spit the verse of the year on the beat of the year. This track is amazing. The only reason it's not #1 because 24KGOLDN didn't give an incredible first verse. The chorus is hot. The beat is stupid, but I can't give him the top spot getting shitted on by Future that hard. A+
23. Came and Saw feat. Rowdy Rebel
Artist: Young Thug
Album: Slime Language 2
2 words. Rowdy Rebel. The man absolutely came and saw on this track, probably how it got it's name. The beat is insane, and Thug gives us the Ski affect in how he comes in on this one. Songs not very long so you've gotta run it back to hear Rowdy tear this beat a new hide again. A+
22. Are You With That?
Artist: Vince Staples
Album: Vince Staples
Vince has never shied away from his Crippery. There more of the interesting and compelling stories he tells. Are you with that? He needs to know because the city goin up so you betta bust, bout to see which one of us really spillin blood out here. Everybody tough before they gotta see the judge. Nigga you better hush. Nah he spitting for real.
21. Solid feat. Drake
Artist: Young Thug, Gunna
Album: Slime Language 2
"Find me somewhere out in London, that's the hideaway." Not a person I know can relate to this, but tell me why we singing tf out of it. Drake is in peak form always right before an album drops, and this is the same for Solid. It's basically his song for the first 1:45 of the song. Gunna then comes in and delivers that talk like only he can. Thug's part could've been omitted. That's just me though.
20. WUSYANAME feat. Youngboy Never Broke Again
Artist: Tyler, The Creator
Album: Call Me If You Get Lost
For your own shits and giggles ask siri to play this song out loud and see how she pronounces it. Youngboy shines as always. The tone of the song is set up perfectly for him to sing his heart out, which I always giving him full credit for. When YB decides to sing, he singing with 0 regret or thought about what any of y'all think.
19. Easy On Me
Artist: Adele
Album: 30
Adele is immensely talented. She has a signature style and has signature notes when she sings that's really puts you in the mindset of a Kobe Bryant. Kobe was the master of moves, knowing when to pull each one out, and was highly skilled at all of them. Adele is a master singer, and has many trademark moves she pulls off effortlessly. This song sounds like Rolling in the Deep, Hello, and Skyfall all in one. You can feel her words as she sings them. She's on an Aretha level. But like way more skilled. Evolution is crazy. A+
18. Dying 4 Your Love
Artist: Snoh Alegra
Album: Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies
This song took over Guilty as my song of the year for a good portion of the year, and circumstances probably play more into affect in that. Nonetheless, Snoh is so smooth it's effortless. The baseline moves you right along with the vocals, and before you know you're Dying 4 Love just like her. I pay attention to damn near every detail of music when I like a song. So when the background vocals come in at 1:23 "Some night I even think I should call youuuuu." I was like yeah she got something. A+
17. Wat U Sed feat. Iamdoechii & Kal Banx
Artist: Isaiah Rashad
Album: The House is Burning
Perfect sound from an artist on TDE, that's from Houston, Texas. "Bet my bitch eat me up while I'm driving." Crude as it sounds, it's the hardest line on the song. Iamdoechii went hard af on her verse. I still don't know what the hell she is saying, but it's a masterpiece. Just too much south, too much 2021, too hard not to be this high. A+
16. N 2 Deep
Artist: Drake
Album: Certified Lover Boy
Nobody solstices Future's help like Drake, and there's not a duo in music that produces on the level of these two. Drake's intro is cool. It's a like more seasoned Trust Issues, not as good though. By itself it would probably be outside of the top 100, but things kick to another level when Pop That Shit drops. Future comes in with pure electricity. These two just don't miss. It's insane. A+
15. The Other Side
Album: Heaux Tales
This feels like Mascara part 2. I took this song as a daydream. The plan is stupid as hell, but it's sung so flawlessly that I'm rooting for the lil dumb heifer. It's definitely not the message you're use to hearing, but it's so relatable. Just watch VH1 or one of them channels. A+
14. Back In Blood feat. Lil Durk
Artist: Pooh Shiesty
Album: Shiesty Season
Whenever the first word of a song is bitch, you know you're in for a dousie. This song dominated radio waves, club scenes, but the version of the song I listened to was this one. The Whatever You Want version is way tougher. The beat is smoother and if you've been paying attention to this list you know why I chose this version.
13. Leave The Door Open
Artist: Silk Sonic
Album: An Evening With Silk Sonic
Song of the year for a lot of people, but this is why ima a fan of the Joe Budden Podcast. I agreed with Joe completely about this song being toooooooo perfect. It felt a little plastic, but hearing this duo perform it live is way better than the original. Nonetheless, the song is incredible. A+
12. After Last Night feat. Thundercat and Bootsy Collins
Artist: Silk Sonic
Album: An Evening With Silk Sonic
I loved this one from the jump. Song is incredible. Thundercat returns with his one song of the year that I accidentally found to deliver soprano notes and routine lullabies. The song has more heart, emotion to it. Bruno is clearly the best singer on the song, and he shows it here. IMO the best song of the album, one of the better performances of the year. A+
11. Outside Remix
Artist: Mo3 and Bobby Billions
Album: Single
I didn’t know how good this song was until I heard it in a party setting. Mo3 really singing his ass off, and really it’s his song. I couldn’t care any more less about Bobby Billions. The passion in 3’s voice is what’s so electric and magnetic. RIP to a fallen one. A+
10. Top feat. Lil Durk
Artist: Fredo Bang
Album: In The Name of Gee
"All these storms that I weathered, most couldn't take. I got problems with some niggas cause I won't be fake." Fredo Bang is talking. In the same sense of outside, this track speaks to my spirit. No lol, seriously it does though. I feel the energy. He mean every word he saying, and I'm fuckin with it. Durk's verse is cool. It doesn't really move me, but this song was out in February and can still rock. A+
9. Yebba's Heartbreak
Artist: Yebba
Album: Certified Lover Boy
“How much better can I show my love for you?” Don’t think I’ve heard those words sung like that before. “All of those times you wasn’t chosen, I’ll make it up to you. All of the feelings you’re not showing, when you’re rivers overflowing mmmm.” She cold. Add in a cold piano with no baseline, smh incredible. “Show my love for you. Can I show my love for you?” Sheesh. A+
8. Kiss Me More feat. SZA
Artist: Doja Cat
Album: Planet Her
At this point you shouldn’t be surprised. I love music. I did everything I could not to like this song. I heard it somewhere where I couldn’t change the station and I was hooked from there. For some reason I have a Doja Cat force field, but the name SZA drew me in. And while Doja performs well, SZA drops bars. It’s fun, it’s catchy, it’s a win. A+
7. Love All feat. Jay-Z
Artist: Drake
Album: Certified Lover Boy
My initial thoughts were, “Are you serious? Drake and Hov together for a Pound Cake part 2. In comparison Drake went harder on Pound Cake, but Hov delivered like no other on All Love. I honest prefer this beat over Pound Cake. The tone is so rich, so gangster. Feels like a billion dollar combination.
6. Off The Grid feat. Playboi Carti and Fivio Foreign
Album: Donda
I love big dramatic cinematic type of beats. You can just see the big bad anti-hero protagonist rise as the beat picks up for Fivio. Foreign puts his verse of the year up all without cursing on Donda. He gave about 3 different verses in 1, with his drill style rap. “Tired of these niggas, need Gatorade.” Kanye takes his turn at the drill and actually held his own. “She put my paintings inside of her living room” and “they playing soccer backyard, I think I see Messi.” are two of his hardest bars of his career. Before my alliance with Drake, Kanye was my favorite. He’s a 🐐.
5. Taboo
Artist: Sevyn Streeter
Album: Drunken Wordz Sober Thoughtz
“Living my dreeeeeaaaaammmmmmm, if they could see me now, oh me noooowww.” Excuse the Texas outta me, but when I heard the beat Lil’ Keke and Billy Cook jumped straight into my mind. More appropriately, the original song is If You Were Here Tonugjt by Alexander O’Neil. Enough about them, Sevyn Streerer voice isn’t necessarily sweet, but it comes across sweetly in this song. Combo that with a terrific instrumental and a short, repeatable song with predictable ad-libs and you’ve got an incredible song. A+
4. Papi's Home
Artist: Drake
Album: Certified Lover Boy
One of Drake’s best ever. It’s really a true introduction to CLB and the shit he’s about to pop. The song carries great energy throughout and the Montell Jordan reach back let’s you know just how in tune his camp is with music. A+
3. Wants and Needs feat. Lil Baby
Artist: Drake
Album: Scary Hours 2
Tough beat. Tough flows. Baby potentially verse of the year. It was well needed at the time, and while at the time Lemon Pepper stole the show, Wants and Needs stands the test of time, adding to a list of songs between these two that is growing. Project on the way? Drake's singing at the end was a needed add for him, because Baby bodied him on the flow. This here is peak Drake. "Sins, I got sins on my mind. And some M's, got a lot of M's on my mind. And my friends, yeah, I keep my friends on my mind. I'm in love, I'm in love with two girls at one time. And they tens, that's why I got ten on my mind. I got M's, got a lot of M's on my mind . And my friends, yeah, I keep my friends on my mind. Should repent, I need me some Jesus in my life. Amen."
2. Mafia feat. J. Cole
Artist: Travis Scott
Album: ESCAPE PLAN/MAFIA Single
All of Travis's best shit is repeatable. My favorite song ever, Yosemite, I could repeat 3 times right now and not be annoyed. Mafia feels like Highest In The Room. It gradually rises with slight add-ons from vocals to the actual beat. By the end of the song you're in full rock and then J. Cole comes in and delivers some signature cliché cool bars. Scott shows his Cudi love by giving his own humming solo. It's pretty cool and on point. This one's tough. True masterpiece. A+
1. Girls Want Girls
Artist: Drake
Album: Certified Lover Boy
Initially I thought Drake was better than this. It felt cheesy, but then when I was paying attention, I heard "I don't know, I might come, I might go, I don't know." It registered by then, and did the rest of the song. Baby comes in and delivers bars that'll be remembered in his all-time category. One of Drake's best songs ever. "But I know you wanna roll with the gang, and I know you want the finest of things. Askin me bout settling down, cause you know it's going my way." A+
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