2020 Year In Review: 15 Hip Hop Albums That Should Be In Your Playlist

By: James Teague

Up until COVID-19 making it’s controversial debut into the world, the year 2020 was set up to be a promising year for us. With the new year and new decade came new music to help serve as a personal life soundtrack for our lives this current year. As this year comes to a close, it’s safe to say that we will never forget 2020 and all of the craziness that’s unfolded.

I personally can’t wait until I’m at the dinner table with my future family and we’re talking to our kids about what will happen in 2020. From losing Kobe Bean Bryant in the beginning of the year to experiencing a global pandemic thanks to COVID-19, seeing the continuing cycle of black people being murdered and us being outside protesting for our rights and for police brutality and systematic racism during a pandemic, and controversial Celebrity stories such as J-Cole vs NoName, Meg The Stallion/Tory Lanez debacle, the 2020 election, etc.

With life happening all around us, it was difficult for some to really focus and digest the latest of new Friday music releases due to the lack of stability around us. How can you be mad at anyone who might have personally choose to not check for new music at a time when we don’t know what’s going to happen next in the world. Luckily for I, music still played a big role in assisting me with dealing with the global Pandemic in it’s entirety. Even though we weren’t outside as often normally, the music released this year still served it’s purpose for me.

Here is the list of just my personal favorite hip-hop albums of 2020. Keep in mind readers these favorites of mine are not in order.

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BLXST - NO LOVE LOST

I remember hearing about No Love Lost while I was listening to the Joe Budden Podcast and hearing Mal giving his praises on the album. So one day while at work, I decided to take a listen for myself and this quickly became one of my favorite albums cuts to play. Til this day I love it when I discover new & original dope acts. Discovering new music is considered a love language for me personally. My favorite songs off the album include “Gang Slide”, “Overrated”, “Be Alone”, and “Wrong or Right”.

Blxst - No Love Lost

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6LACK- 6PC HOT EP

I’m not even a huge 6lack fan like that but I enjoyed 6PC Hot EP. It felt good for him to create this EP to hold us over until the time comes for the official album whenever it is time to drop. My favorite song(s) off the EP was “Know my Rights” with Lil Baby and “Elephant in the Room”. Im looking forward to see what 6lack is officially cooking up for his next album.

6lack - ATL Freestyle

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VIC MENSA - V TAPE

Last time that I was tapped in with Vic Mensa was on his last project Hooligans. I’ve always been a fan of Vic Mensa music since his Save Money days. Innanetape is a personal Chicago hip-hop classic mixtape. I think Vic is one of the most talented rappers to come out of the city but he almost lost me a bit when he was making his rock music. I much would rather prefer Vic when he is on his Hip-Hop tip. “Vendetta” was the perfect intro song for V Tape. Not only did it help set the tone for me on what to expect but it’s the lyrics that reminded me why Vic is considered to be one of the best emcee’s out in Chicago. All of the guest features did their thing , especially Snoh Aalegra, which i didn’t expect for ”XGames” to really be as great of a song it was. Hit Boy came through for Vic on “Dirt on my Name”.

Vic Mensa - VENDETTA

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BIZZY CROOK - FROM ME, TO YOU

I want to personally thank my homie Kim Chanel for putting me onto Bizzy Crook music through via her IG story post. I came across this album From Me, To You. Up until this year recently, It’s honestly been awhile since I was actually able to search for newer and unknown hip-hop music. I was impressed by some of the people I checked out this year, including Bizzy Crook himself. Bizzy originally hails from Miami, Florida and has an extensive catalog of projects released since 2011. My favorite tracks include “Dios Mio”, “Rich and Damaged”, “Broke my Heart”, and “South Florida Girls”.

Bizzy Crook - Over You

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DON TOLIVER - HEAVEN OR HELL

Let me tell you if it wasn’t for Coronavirus impacting the entire world, Heaven or Hell would have been the perfect album for the summer of 2020. I heard about Don Toliver through Twitter. He was originally on the Jackboys EP with Travis Scott. When I found out about his debut project, I decided to tap in to the project to see it for myself. I was not expecting to love this debut album as much as I do. All of the vibes that I received from this project just told me that the music would’ve hit 10x more had the world been open up formal. Regardless of COVID, Don Toliver still was able to held it down on Heaven or Hell as the artist to stand his ground and let the world know he’s here to stay, pandemic or not. My favorite cuts off this album include “Cant Feel my Legs” , “After Party”, “Cardigan”, and “Candy”.

Don Toliver - Heaven Or Hell [Official Audio]

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K CAMP - KISS 5

I would just like to get this out of the way and say that K Camp does not miss at all when it comes to music. He does not disappoint with Kiss 5 (regular and deluxe album) as this served as the sendoff for the final chapter of the Kiss Series. “What’s on Your Mind”, “Tatted Up”, “1 Mo Time”, “Ari, What’s The Rush”, and “Rude Boy” are some of my favorite cuts to come from this album. Even though this deluxe has came out I’m already excited for whats to come with Camp and the Rare Sound crew in 2021. On another note, Camp told us through social media that he is to be referred as Float.

K CAMP - Regret (Intro/Audio)

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DOE BOY AND SOUTHSIDE - DEMONS R US

This album was most anticipated from me with Doe Boy. Since 2012, Ive been following his music and I’ve been waiting so long for Doe to make an album that’s going to let the world know that he’s here to stay. He makes the type of music that I want to hear and he didn’t disappoint at all not even the slightest. The sound for Demons R US is the exact sound I was waiting for Doe to rap on. I’m looking forward to seeing where Doe goes 2021 and beyond.

Doe Boy, Southside - Intro (Official Audio)

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BENNY THE BUTCHER AND HIT BOY - BURDEN OF PROOF

Hit Boy has been having a helluva year between playing executive producer for Sean’s album Detroit 2 and other projects plus him opening up about his slave deal he got into when he was younger, Hit has been making it a point to prove his worthiness to be being producer of the year. He hooked up with one of Griselda’s own Benny the Butcher and the result was his album Burden of Proof. His first single timeless with Lil Wayne and Big Sean had me sold on being excited for this new album. I’m not a huge huge fan of Griselda like that even though I know they’re some of the most talented rappers out right now, but I was amazed by Benny’s album. The sound throughout the album sounds so much more polished and rich. You can tell that there has been a lifestyle upgrade. “Famous”, “Timeless”, “Where Would I Go”, “Over The Limit”, and “Legend” are some of the songs that I enjoy.

Benny The Butcher and Hit Boy - Burden Of Proof

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21 SAVAGE AND METRO BOOMIN – SAVAGE MODE 2

Savage Mode 2 was another anticipated album that I was looking forward to. It was safe to say that the sequel overly delivered and its possible that it can be better than the original but we’ll let time tell since this album is still brand new. Now that the album has been out for a minute I can say confidently that “Runnin” is a top 5 21 Savage song. “Runnin” and “Glock In My Life” going back to back should be considered a crime. What I also love about Savage Mode 2 is how 21 has found his pocket with the Memphis sound. 21 and Metro are a duo to be reckoned with.

21 Savage - Intro

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GUNNA – WUNNA DELUX

It’s took me some time to warm up to Gunna’s music but Wunna did what it was supposed to do. A lot of Gunna’ music prior to Wunna was hit or miss for me. I liked him when he was making songs with Lil Baby or if he was on certain songs with certain rappers. Gunna to me at first sounded a whole lot like Thug too much. I was watching him and Lil Baby’s musical growth to see who was better. I’m not going to hold you I thought Baby’s album My Turn was going to be better than Wunna but once I pressed play the album told me a different story. “Met Gala”, “MOTW”, “Top Floor”, “Wunna”, “Blindfold”, and “Cooler Than a Bitch” are some of the tracks I love from Wunna.

Gunna - 200 FOR LUNCH [Official Audio]

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HONORABLE MENTIONS 

G-HERBO - PTSD DELUXE 

LIL UZI VERT - LUV VS THA WORLD 2/ETERNAL ATAKE 

LIL BABY - MY TURN 

DRAKE - DARK LANE DEMO TAPE

NAS AND HIT BOY - KINGS DISEASE

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The Best Summer Anthems Of 2018 | 9 Songs That You Need in Your Playlist

By: James Teague

For some reason the vibes for Summer 2018 were different and I couldn’t put my finger on why. Maybe the current climate of our lives is playing a role. All that I can say is that the season is almost over and we don’t truly have an anthem to define our Summer this year. There’s usually a song that’s already been decided by the masses already. There's some songs you can say that fell into that Summer 18 category and after careful living and observation, I’ve picked out a couple of songs that can be nominated as the best summer anthems 2018. You can be the judge and decide which song is considered to be the anthem of Summer 18. 

Ella Mai - Boo’d Up   

This song was originally on Ella Mai’s Ready EP which was released last year. But somehow it resurfaced this year and created a life of its own. I appreciate the “Trust the process” story. Ella Mai is deserving of all this attention she’s getting. Everybody loves it especially the guys.

Ella Mai - “Boo’d Up” Music Video

Drake - Nice for What

It’s not Summer without Drake giving us an anthem to enjoy amongst the current time of our lives. From the song to the visual, you can tell this was dedicated more to the women out there working hard and looking good simultaneously. He made it clear for the women that this was the summer to start acting up and letting the men know what time it was.

Drake - “Nice For What” Music Video

YG - Big Bank

Everybody loves a rachet west coast style single from YG alongside DJ Mustard on the production boards. It felt good to hear Mustard & YG linking back up again for Stay Dangerous. You can't help but do your dance when “My b*tch drive an all white range/ Couldn't hit if you n*ggas had aim..” first comes on.

YG - Big Bank ft. 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Nicki Minaj (Official Music Video)

Jay Rock - WIN

This isn’t just a song, it’s a life mantra that the people strive to live for in life! This was the perfect song to officially kick off Jay Rock’s run with Redemption, which happens to be one of top rap albums so far in 2018. Once again the TDE brand remains strong.

Jay Rock - “Win” Music Video

Tory Lanez ft Rich The Kid - Talk to Me

I was having a tough time trying to choose between BID and Talk to Me but the chorus alone for Talk to Me is so catchy that it just rolls off of your tongue with ease. Tory is planning to drop a new project Love Me Now right after releasing his Sophomore Effort Memories Don’t Die.

Tory Lanez, Rich The Kid - “TAlk tO Me” Music Video

Drake - In My Feelings

When I first heard this record on the night Scorpion released, I already knew this was going to be a smash single! Between the New Orleans influence and Drake giving City Girls a huge look, it had all of the ingredients for a successful moment. And it all kicked off when IG comedian Shiggy started the “In My Feelings” challenge.

Drake - “In My Feelings” Music Video

Khalid ft Ty Dolla Sign & 6lack - On the Way

The visual and vibe of this song gave me 90s vibes with a twist. It’s always great to hear feel good R&B records that you just automatically know is going to stand the test of time especially when hearing great young R&B acts. Ty Dolla is currently on his run with some of the best guest features in 2018 so far! Meanwhile everyone is anticipating 6lack’s next album release at any moment.

Khalid - “OTW” featuring 6LACK, Ty Dolla $ign (Official Music Video)

Valee ft Jeremih - Womp Womp

The rising stardom of Chicago rapper Valee has been a trajectory to watch this year from his debut EP GOOD Job, You Found Me to watching other rappers try and imitate his rap flow. This is one of the records that helps highlight who Valee is as an up and coming artist. I'm looking forward to hearing his next project with Cardo Got Wangz to see where he’s going to go next with his music.

Valee featuring Jeremih - “Womp Womp” (Official Music Video)

Tyga ft Offset - Taste

With all of the constant slander and jokes that the masses have made towards rapper Tyga, we forget about his ability to keep a hit record under his belt. At first I wasn’t sure what to think about the reactions to the song, but after listening and living with this song, I was sold. Between that, his other record Swish, and his new LA Leakers Freestyle, I’m liking what he’s doing with his music and hope he continues this streak of great music.

Tyga - “Taste” featuring Offset (Official Music Video)

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