Hip Hop Music Releases 2021: What to Expect
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It’s a new year, which means new music to look forward to! Here’s a list of some of the most highly anticipated hip hop music releases of 2021.
New Music From Established Artists
It’s a new year, which means new music to look forward to from some of our favorite artists. We can expect new albums from Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and J. Cole, just to name a few. But that’s not all – we can also expect new music from some up-and-coming artists who are about to make a big splash in the hip hop world. So, what can we expect from the hip hop music releases in 2021?
J. Cole
J. Cole is one of the most popular and well-known rappers in the world, and fans are always eager for new music from him. He usually takes his time between releases, so it’s hard to predict when he might drop something new. However, given that he released his last album in 2018, it’s possible that he might have something in the works for 2021. If so, fans can expect more of his signature thoughtful and introspective lyrics, delivered with his smooth flow.
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar is one of the most celebrated rappers of our generation. His last album, DAMN., was a commercial and critical success, winning a Pulitzer Prize and cementing his place as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Kendrick is set to release a new album in 2021, and it is sure to be one of the most anticipated hip hop releases of the year.
Drake
Drake is one of the most successful and popular artists in the world, and he always seems to be working on new music. In 2021, he is expected to release a new album, which will likely contain a mix of Rap and R&B tracks. He has teased a few potential songs on social media, but no official singles have been released yet. Fans can expect Drake to continue his trend of releasing chart-topping hits in 2021.
New Music From Rising Artists
We’re only a few weeks into 2021, but there’s already a lot of new music to be excited about. Some of our favorite artists are releasing new albums, and we can’t wait to hear what they’ve been working on. There are also a lot of new artists emerging on the scene, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us.
Megan Thee Stallion
Hot off the release of her album Good News, Megan Thee Stallion is quickly becoming one of the most popular names in hip hop. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Megan began releasing music in 2019 and quickly rose to prominence with her unique style and infectious personality. Good News includes the hit singles “Body” and “Hot Girl Summer”, both of which have become fan favorites. Expect to see Megan Thee Stallion continue to dominate the hip hop world in 2021.
Roddy Ricch
From Compton to the charts, Roddy Ricch has had one of the biggest breakout years in hip-hop. The young rapper released his debut album, “Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial,” in December of 2019 and it quickly shot to the top of the charts, fueled by the popularity of its lead single, “The Box.”
Ricch followed up his successful debut with a string of high-profile guest appearances, including on hits like Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hot Girl Summer” and Nipsey Hussle’s “Racks in the Middle.” He also collaborated with Lil Baby on the track “Ghetto,” which appeared on Baby’s album “My Turn.”
With his unique blend of melody and aggression, Roddy Ricch is one of the most exciting new voices in hip-hop. And with a strong start to 2021 with his song “Body” already climbing up the charts, it looks like he’s set to have another big year.
Polo G
Polo G is an up-and-coming rapper from Chicago. His music is a mix of trap and drill, with thoughtful lyrics about his life in the city. Polo G’s debut album, Die a Legend, was released in 2019 and was met with critical acclaim. His follow-up album, Hall of Fame, is set to be released in 2020.
New Music From Collaborations
It’s no secret that some of the biggest hip hop hits come from collaborations between multiple artists. This year is shaping up to be no different, with a number of highly anticipated releases already in the works. Here’s a look at some of the most anticipated hip hop collaborations of 2021.
Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion
The hip-hop world is still buzzing about the surprise release of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP.” The track, which arrived on August 7, is a banger that finds the two rappers celebrating their own sexual prowess. But “WAP” isn’t the only collaboration we can expect from these two in the near future.
The pair are also working on an as-yet-untitled project that is expected to arrive later this year. Cardi B first teased the project back in May, when she tweeted that she and Megan had “a lot of new music coming soon.” It’s unclear what shape the project will take, but given the success of “WAP,” it’s safe to say that fans are eagerly awaiting whatever these two have in store.
Lil Baby & 42 Dugg
The two young stars from different sides of the country have been teasing their joint project for months, and it looks like we might finally get it in 2021. The pair have already released a handful of songs together, including “We Paid”, “Grace”, and “My Turn (Remix)”, all of which have been huge hits. If their chemistry on those tracks is any indication, we’re in for a treat when this project finally drops.
Drake & Lil Durk
Drake and Lil Durk have been teasing a possible collaboration for a while now. It all started when the Chicago rapper posted a photo of himself in the studio with Drake back in December. A few days later, Drake was spotted in the studio with Durk’s close friend and collaborator, Young Thug. It’s unclear if the two songs are related, but it seems likely that they are.
If these two do have a collaboration in the works, it would be their first official release together. However, they have worked together on a number of songs in the past, including “Laugh Now Cry Later” and “Pain 1993.”
New Music From Soundtracks
There are several highly-anticipated hip hop albums set to release in 2021. Some are from artists who have been quiet for a while, while others are from newer artists who are just starting to make a name for themselves. Here are some of the most anticipated hip hop releases of 2021.
“Black Panther 2”
The first teaser for Black Panther 2 was unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2020, and it promised a darker sequel that will explore the Ongoing effects of Killmonger’s brief reign. “Wakanda will never be the same,” T’Challa says in the trailer.
What to Expect: The highly-anticipated follow-up to one of the best superhero movies in recent memory. Black Panther 2 is set to begin production in late 2020 or early 2021, with Ryan Coogler returning to write and direct. Chadwick Boseman is expected to reprise his role as T’Challa/Black Panther, alongside Lupita Nyong’o, Letitia Wright, and Winston Duke.
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2”
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2” is an upcoming American computer-animated superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Miles Morales / Spider-Man, produced by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation in association with Marvel, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. The film is a sequel to the 2018 film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. It is directed by Joaquim Dos Santos and Jeff pinkner, with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller returning as producers and Aaron Galang serving as co-producer. Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry, Lily Tomlin, Luna Lauren Velez, Zoë Kravitz, John Mulaney, Kimiko Glenn and Nicolas Cage reprise their roles from the first film.Steven Caple Jr. was hired to direct in October 2018.
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2” was originally scheduled to be released in North America on April 8, 2022, but was moved up to October 7, 2021.
“The Suicide Squad”
The second official soundtrack for the movie was released on August 6, 2021, and was once again met with strong reviews. The album featured a mix of classic rock, hip hop, and electronic music. Some of the artists featured on the album include: Metallica, Blink 182, Linkin Park, Beastie Boys, Missy Elliot, and Public Enemy.
