The Best Hip Hop and Soul Music of 2020
A look at the best hip hop and soul music of 2020. From the old school to the new school, these are the tracks that defined the year.
Introduction
In a year that felt, at times, almost unbearably heavy, music provided moments of light and joy. Cardi B released her long-awaited album, “Invasion of Privacy,” which went on to become one of the year’s most acclaimed releases. Kendrick Lamar continued to cement his place as one of the greatest rappers of all time with the release of the soundtrack for “Black Panther.” And Janelle Monáe delivered a funky, futuristic album that further cemented her place as one of the most creative and innovative artists working today.
These are just a few of the highlights from a very strong year for hip hop and soul music. Below, you’ll find our picks for the best albums and songs from 2020. We’ll be updating this list throughout the year, so be sure to check back for more great music.
The Best Hip Hop Songs of 2020
Hip hop and soul music had a great year in 2020. There were many great songs released in both genres. In this article, we will be discussing the best hip hop and soul songs of 2020.
“Laugh Now Cry Later” by Drake
“Laugh Now Cry Later” is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, featuring American singer Lil Durk. It was released on August 14, 2020, as the lead single from Drake’s upcoming sixth studio album Certified Lover Boy. “Laugh Now Cry Later” peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Drake’s 30th top-ten entry in the country.
“The Box” by Roddy Ricch
“The Box” by American rapper Roddy Ricch was released on November 7, 2019, as the lead single from his debut studio album Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial (2019). The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Ricch’s first US number-one single. “The Box” also peaked atop the charts in Canada and New Zealand, and reached the top five in Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
“Toosie Slide” by Drake
“Toosie Slide” by Drake is the best hip hop song of 2020. It was released on April 3, 2020, and quickly rose to the top of the charts. The song is catchy and Drake’s flow is on point. It’s a great song to dance to and has been making waves in the hip hop community.
“Goosebumps” by Travis Scott
“Goosebumps” is a song by American rapper Travis Scott, released on October 7, 2016, as the lead single from his second studio album, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight (2016). The song features guest vocals from Quavo and Takeoff of American hip hop group Migos. It peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100. The music video for “Goosebumps” was directed by Hiro Murai and released on January 12, 2017.
“Goosebumps” is a trap song that features a ominous, synth-led beat. The song’s lyrics find Scott rapping about how his “goosebumps” turn into “dopamine rushes” whenever he thinks about his significant other.
The track was met with positive reviews from critics, who praised its catchy hook and Scott’s vocal performance. “Goosebumps” has been certified septuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also won Best Collaboration at the BET Hip Hop Awards and was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Rap Performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.
“Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion
“Savage” is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé, released as a single on April 29, 2020. The song was written by Megan Pete, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Jordyn Kane, Kylie Peters, Jordan Asher and Joshua Scales. It was produced by Hitmaka and co-produced by Marzz. A remix version with Beyoncé was released the same day. “Savage” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the UK Singles Chart. The song earned Megan Thee Stallion her first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
The Best Soul Songs of 2020
2020 was a tough year for many of us, but there were still some amazing soul songs that came out this year. Here are our picks for the best soul songs of 2020.
“Black Parade” by Beyoncé
“Black Parade” is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé for her 2016 album Lemonade. The song was released on June 24, 2016, by Parkwood Entertainment as the lead single from the album. “Black Parade” is a spiritual and marching anthem, which celebrates black culture and history. Lyrically, it contains references to the African diaspora, police brutality, and the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. The song was solely written by Beyoncé, while its production was handled by Derek Dixie.
“Black Parade” received critical acclaim upon its release, with many critics dubbing it as one of Beyoncé’s best songs. Upon its release as a single, “Black Parade” debuted at number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, giving Beyoncé her twentieth top-ten single in the country. It also peaked at number one on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and US Hot R&B Songs chart, becoming Beyoncé’s fifth and sixth song to top both charts respectively. In addition, “Black Parade” also topped the US Rap Songs chart; this made Beyoncé the first woman ever to have a solo rap song reach number one on that particular chart. The single also attained commercial success elsewhere; it peaked within the top five in Canada and New Zealand, as well as reaching the top twenty in Australia and France.
“All Night” by Big Boi
Big Boi’s “All Night” is one of the best soul songs of 2020. The song has a classic soul sound, with a funky bassline and Big Boi’s smooth vocals. The lyrics are about getting up and dancing all night, and the song has an infectious energy that will make you want to do just that.
“Redbone” by Childish Gambino
“Redbone” is a song by American rapper Childish Gambino, released on November 10, 2016, as the second single from his third studio album “Awaken, My Love!”. The song peaked at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The song was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Record of the Year and Best R&B Performance.
“The Waters” by Steve Lacy
Steve Lacy’s “The Waters” is one of the best soul songs of 2020. The track features a smooth, hypnotic beat and Lacy’s falsetto vocals are absolutely stunning. While the song is about heartbreak, it’s also incredibly beautiful and will definitely get stuck in your head.
“What’s the Use?” by Mac Miller
Mac Miller’s “What’s the Use?” is one of the best soul songs of 2020. The track, which is produced by Miller himself, features a smooth, laid-back beat that highlights the rapper’s smooth flow. The lyrics are introspective, and Miller reflects on his struggles with addiction and depression. The song is a touching tribute to the late rapper, and it’s one of the best tracks on his posthumous album, Circles.
Conclusion
Despite a year of challenges and difficulties, 2020 was still a great year for music. In the hip hop and soul world, we saw a wide range of artists delivering some truly amazing tracks.
From the playful and fun vibes of J Cole’s “The Climb Back” to the smooth and sensual sounds of SZA’s “Good Days”, there was something for everyone. And, in a year that featured so much turmoil and heartache, there were also tracks that provided comfort and hope, like Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” and Anderson .Paak’s “Tints”.
As we move into 2021, we can look back on 2020 and appreciate all the great music that was released in what was truly an unforgettable year.
