The long-lasting feud between two of rap's top artists, Drake and Kanye West, filtered into this year with the pair continuously pushing back their album release dates, keeping fans anticipating new music. Kanye opted for a more interactive rollout, one that required his fans to fill up the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta three times. At each listening event, Kanye performed, swapping out featured artists on tracks, being joined onstage by controversial artists and even ascending into the sky.

On August 29th after various edits Kanye released his long-awaited album Donda, named after his late mother Donda West, who passed away in 2007. The 27-track gospel-rap mash-up featured various artists including Young Thug, Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, Fivio Foreign, and Pop Smoke. Drake’s sixth studio album Certified Lover Boy was originally set to release in January, but ultimately released just five days after Donda on September 3rd, following a billboard roll-out highlighting featured artists in their respective cities. Artists featured on the album and simultaneously announced their participation via the billboards are 21 Savage, Future, Lil Wayne, Giveon and Yebba.

While the two remained at odds, their likeness was evident with both albums featuring verses from Jay-Z, Lil Baby, Lil Durk and Kid Cudi. Social media was overrun with criticism and discourse around which album was best, but streaming numbers would decide between the toss up. Upon its release Donda topped the Billboard charts with more that 341 million streams, but was dethroned as Certified Lover Boy raked in 744 million streams in its first week.

The Atlanta singer-songwriter Summer Walker had an extremely wild year — Billboard history-making success and an infamous break-up — and still came up with a creative album rollout for her second album, Still Over It. Placing the 20-track effort in a glass box, Walker traveled to random cities where her legions of fans “came with the Timbs and black forces energy” to try and break the case to win the hallowed hard drive. 

The move followed her summer ‘19 where Summer planted pink payphones in random places for fans to hear snippets from her debut project. Still Over It has been one of 2021’s most relatable R&B projects out, and with creativity, a motif in Walker’s bag — listeners will be highly anticipating her next move.

For the release of his tenth studio album Donda, Kanye West revisited a similar roll-out framework from The Life of Pablo, packing out a stadium with fans, family, friends, fellow artists, and collaborators. On July 22nd, Ye held his first event in the series at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with attendees waiting nearly two hours before he graced the circular white-clothed stage.

For the duration of the event, Ye walked around the stage as the album played through. Two weeks later, people filled the stadium once again to hear the changes he had made to the album. While the white circular stage remained, there was a recreation of the cot and gym layout seen on his Apple live stream as he lived in one of the suites in the stadium while working on the album. 

The third and final listening party in the series featured a replica of Kanye’s childhood home where he was joined by two controversial music stars — who were then-currently facing heightened backlash due to sexual assault allegations and homophobic comments made at Rolling Loud Miami.

This final event revved up the performance aspects from Kanye, as countless people dressed in all black filtered in amongst luxury cars whipped around the stage. He and his fellow artists remained on the porch of the house for the duration of the event.

Easily, the Verzuz between The LOX and Dipset was one of the year’s most ICYMI/FOMO moments. Taking place at the MSG Theater in New York City, Yonkers’ handed the Harlem delegation of rappers a major L that reverberated across the internet and pop worlds. 

The “Money, Power, Respect” trio displayed true hip hop ethos, pulled no punches, and delivered a masterclass in showmanship that made Cam’Ron and company look like some Trap Karaoke performers, respectfully. The well-deserved praise for “J to the Mwah” made his “We Outside” proclamation one of the best music moments of 2021.

On Nov. 5th, approximately 50,000 people attended Travis Scott’s annual festival Astroworld in Houston, Texas. The highly awaited festival returned this year with a loaded two-day line-up including Don Toliver, Roddy Rich, and SZA, after being postponed in 2020 amid the pandemic. Though due to the tragic events that ensued during Scott’s set the second day would not see itself through. According to reports, Scott took the stage at 9 p.m., later being accompanied by Drake for a surprise performance of their collaborative track “Sicko Mode”.

During the set, the crowd surged and began pushing towards the front of the stage, causing many in attendance to be tightly compressed and ultimately resulting in widespread injuries and medical emergencies. Social media provide a more vivid look into the events that unfolded that night with many fans posting videos of people yelling for Scott to stop the show, standing atop platforms to inform the cameramen that people were injured and dying, as well as more sensitive footage of fans attempting life-saving measures on other attendees.

At the conclusion of the show, eight victims were reported dead with two other victims in critical condition, amongst hundreds of other injured persons. In the weeks to follow the death toll would rise to 10 with the victims ranging in age between 10-27 years old. Following the tragic events, Scott partnered with BetterHelp to provide all attendees with mental health services and offered to cover the funeral costs for all of the victims.

Y’all know Jazmine Sullivan better win at the Grammys next year, right? Her fourth album, the critically acclaimed Heaux Tales, certified what many music lovers knew about the vocalist — she has a grand command of her voice and masterfully constructs an ambitious concept. Within hours of announcing her album, #NewJazmine trended on Twitter, she’s since confirmed a deluxe version with new snippets, and after her recent speech at the 2021 Soul Train Awards — 2021 cemented her as an undeniable star who music lovers feel excited to celebrate ahead of her sold-out tour in 2022.

H.E.R. has proven to be a chameleon of sorts when it comes to exploring her musical capabilities. Whether it's exploring emotional experiences or making powerful anthems, she can do it all. For the soundtrack to the film, Judas and the Black Messiah, the songstress worked with Dernst Emile II and co-wrote the song with singer-songwriter Tiara Thomas.

The film received five Oscar nominations with the artist trio claiming the award for Best Original Song at the 2021 ceremony. During the pre-show, H.E.R. performed a powerful rendition of the song equipped with a band and laced with quotes from Fred Hampton, the late Black Panther activist on which the film is based upon.

The film also won the award for Best Supporting Actor with Daniel Kaluuya, earning praise and distinction. The song served as a perfect connection between the history and the film, aiding the film as its ode to the history of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party.

Does everybody agree that Silk Sonic had one of the best albums of the year? An Evening with Silk Sonic had already been added to audiophiles’ pre-order list after “Leave the Door Open” received universal acclaim and countless covers. It also became Anderson .Paak’s first, chart-topping number one song in the U.S., while Bruno Mars clocked his eighth. 

The Bootsy Collins-named super duo delivered an irresistible fusion of funk, rap, and R&B that featured other repeat-worthy songs such as “Smokin Out the Window” and “After Last Night.” An evening with Silk Sonic has lived up to its billing in 2021 as a sexy, rich, and authentic experience — one to take with you into the new year.

2021 has truly been Doja Cat’s year. On Nov. 23rd, the nominations for the 64th Grammy Awards were announced in a virtual rollout across their digital platforms, where Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Board of Trustees chair Tammy Hurt were joined by artists H.E.R., BTS, Jon Batiste, Carly Pearce, and Tayla Parx to reveal the nominees.

Doja Cat, who released her third studio album Planet Her last year, was nominated for eight Grammy awards, tying with H.E.R. and Justin Bieber for the second most nominations behind Jon Batiste. The “Kiss Me More” rapper was nominated for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Melodic Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Album of the Year again for her feature on Lil Nas X's song “Scoop,” from his debut album Montero.

From her new album, songs “Kiss Me More” and “Need To Know” also earned her nominations. With the wins coming in en masse, Doja’s Grammy nod for her feature on Saweetie's song,  “Best Friend,” led to the Tarzana, Calif. Native sharing her disbelief in a litany of tweets, reading, “yo wtf 8?!?!?!??” and “that’s dope man wow”.

If you’re asking where the new Normani and Cardi B albums were to go with this visual entrée, then pick a number, friends. After the former made a cameo in the latter’s “WAP” video with Megan Thee Stallion, the Keep Cool singer-songwriter solidified her star status with “Wildside,” a follow-up to her smash hit “Motivation.” 

Normani’s sinuous falsetto gives way to Cardi B’s slowed-down, tempestuous verse, which layers their racy, NSFW visuals. Even with the fashions and the frisky confidence, watching these two in “Wildside” only makes their fans heightened anticipation for more that much more enjoyable for when summer ‘22 arrives.

Unfortunately this year, like many others, hip hop suffered tremendous losses with the passing of DMX, Biz Markie, and Michael K. Williams. With each announcement, there was an unforgettable blow and reminder of the legacies each of them had forged in hip hop. The iconic rapper DMX passed away April 9 at the age of 50 from a cocaine-induced heart attack, after battling addiction throughout his lifetime.

Most recently, the rapper who fused his pain with his unique snarling voice was seen reveling in his success during a Verzuz with Snoop Dogg. The “Just A Friend” legend Biz Markie passing away July 16 at the age of 57 would wield another shocking blow as people pondered on why we weren’t able to see long lives for our Black legends and icons. It was said in a statement provided to Rolling Stone that the rapper “with his wife Tara by his side, peacefully passed away.”

Later in the year Michael K. Williams, a renowned actor known for his roles ranging from “The Wire,” to “Boardwalk Empire,” “Lovecraft Country”  was found unresponsive in his Brooklyn apartment Sept. 6, having suffered from an accidental overdose. Following DMX’s death in April Williams took the stage during a tribute to the late rapper, as people often likened the two.

Rap beef in 2021 hit the megastar community as Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Drake clashed on- and off-wax, throwing barbs on their respective albums (Donda, Certified Lover Boy) and in interviews (Drink Champs). Their issue quickly became the most dramatic conversation in the music space for 2021. But then enters J Prince and Larry Hoover Jr. for a much grander effect. The Rap-a-Lot founder brokered the peace between Yeezy and Drizzy, leading to them co-headlining the #FreeLarryHoover benefit concert. 

In a matter of weeks, $300 tickets and concert merch were flooding underground sites the day of the event, and the feed was streamed live to more than 240 nations on Prime Video (and at select IMAX theatres). With their differences aside and a bunch of videos out, this latest clip showing Drake getting teary-eyed watching Ye perform could mean a shared, new no. 1 Billboard chart-topper between these two hip hop legends.

Oscar-winner Halle Berry had her directorial debut with her new film Bruised, which is available to stream on Netflix. In the movie Berry stars as a disgraced MMA fighter named Jackie Justice, who embarks on her comeback journey while navigating motherhood. For the movie’s soundtrack, Berry executive produced the album with Cardi B., enlisting numerous thriving and diverse female rappers, including City Girls on “Scared,” Latto on “Tha F**k,” Erica Banks on “On They Neck,” Young M.A on “No Mercy,” Saweetie on “Attitude,” Rapsody on “She Bad”, Baby Tate on “Dungarees,” and more.

Berry’s curation made Bruised the first all-female hip hop soundtrack for a major motion picture. The soundtrack also included songs “Sweater” and “Automatic Woman” by H.E.R. and Ambré. And while Cardi B, who also doubles as a featured artist on the song “Bet It,” was onboard pushing the project, Berry promoted the album with her Instagram series 5 Rounds where the artists sat down with the actress for a candid conversation about sexual encounters, biggest purchases, celebrity flings and more.

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the iconic Soul Train television show. Supported by BET, the milestone was celebrated with a star-studded event showcasing the bridges between today’s reigning R&B/Soul artists and the legends of yesteryear. 

Taking place at the World Famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City, the dynamic best-friend duo of Tichina Arnold and Tisha Campbell kept audiences laughing, while the night was filled with flower-giving moments to legends such as Ashanti, Maxwell, and future legends such as Jazmine Sullivan. It was a night powered by love, peace, and Blackness that will surely be amplified in 2022.

Nov. 15th marked the 10th anniversary of Drake’s sophomore album Take Care. The seminal album has been hailed as one of the Toronto-born rapper’s best albums. The album's royal-esque cover art featured Drake sitting at a table in a black silk shirt surrounded by paintings with a gold chalice in hand. Also, on the table were a gold owl, a nod to OVO, and a medieval-like candlestick. In an interview with MTV News, he explained the cover, saying it was symbolic of a boy who used to look out the window hoping that one day he'd also have a life filled with strip clubs, money, booze, and girls.

“That's who's sitting on that album cover, that kid that's just somehow gone from his mom's basement in Toronto to becoming a king," he said of the artwork. The photo for the album art was actually shot at one of Drake’s favorite Toronto restaurants, Josos. On the project, Drake explored various styles across a wide array of songs from strip club anthems to heartbreak songs. The album perfectly walked the line of boss talk and navigating relationships and familial affairs tackling his emotional depth, juxtaposed with velvety smooth beats.

Take Care debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 selling 631,000 copies in its first week. Just 5 weeks later the album officially went platinum, having sold over a million copies, and has since been certified six-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In celebration of the anniversary, Drake shared a selection of throwback photos including moments of him in the studio, from the Club Paradise Tour, magazine covers, and the tracklist written on a yellow notepad.

There is no one quite like Missy Elliott. After receiving her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, now anyone from all over the world will know the same thing. Last month, Nov. 9, Elliott was honored with the distinction and paid tribute to her “sisters in hip hop,” including the ones that are stars now, and her “godmothers,” such as Queen Latifah, Roxanne Shanté, MC Lyte, and more. “Y’all are the backs that we stand on,” she said during her emotional speech. 

“Y’all are the foundation.” A forever visionary, super-spreader of love and joy, Missy Elliott has paved the way for next-gen talent to explore their artistry. In the new year, there is no one like Missy Elliott who can do what she can to celebrate our culture in a genre-defying way.

Following the release of Kanye West’s long-awaited album Donda, the rapper sat down with N.O.R.E for an unexpected interview on his show Drink Champs. During the interview, Ye discussed a variety of topics including his divorce from Kim Kardashian, his tumultuous history with Drake, and regrets over signing Big Sean. The Chicago rapper also addressed comments from artists like Soulja Boy who had unnerving responses to Kanye removing their verses on his tenth studio album without notice.

During the Yeezy designer’s trilogy listening events he played various versions of the album with some verses being swapped out at every listening party. While Ye shared his thoughts on Soulja Boy calling him “top five most influential rappers,” ultimately he felt the “She Make It Clap” rapper’s verse didn’t fit the track “Remote Control”. Ye also addressed the betrayal he felt when artists like Big Sean and John Legend publicly said they were not voting for him in the 2020 presidential election.

Following the interview, there were responses from the aforementioned Soulja Boy and Big Sean, who both shared their disappointment with how Kanye chose to address the situation. In the interview, he also committed to paying Beanie Sigel for giving him the name “Yeezy,” of which the Philly-bred MC declined to accept the offer.

Eccentric, amorphous rebellious-types like Tyler, the Creator weren’t plastered all over the media before him, and definitely weren’t a mainstay megastar in the world of hip hop. This year’s BET Hip Hop Awards celebrated the prolific artist as he represented the ones who saw themselves in his skater, fluidly masculine rap persona. This is why it was appropriate that his Call Me If You Get Lost project with DJ Drama reviewed the mixtape format while inspiring his nakedness to expand into a mad experiment worth keeping on repeat. 

Comedic, nostalgic, and suited perfectly to his strengths, Call Me If You Get Lost inspired IRL speculation about his love life and fueled an imaginative live stage show. If Tyler’s true story lives between these beats and rhymes, then 2022 is going to continue his track record centering new ideas for audiophiles to enjoy.

Singer and songwriter H.E.R. has proven over the years that she is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry, and all without releasing an official studio album. At the 61st Grammy Awards, the dynamic songstress received awards for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Album for her compilation album H.E.R. featuring tracks from her first two EPs H.E.R. Volume 1 and H.E.R. Volume 2, as well as six additional tracks. This year on June 18th, the instrumentalist released her debut studio album Back of My Mind, featuring artists like Lil Baby, Ty Dolla $ign, Chris Brown, and Yung Bleu.

The album pulled from all of H.E.R.’s capabilities, tapping into upbeat tracks, deep emotional cuts, and hip hop-influenced tracks, making for a well-rounded album and the perfect re-introduction to all that is H.E.R. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 100, no. 1 on the R&B Albums charts, and solidifies her as a next-gen artist to see live in 2022.

Afrobeats is winning, Wizkid and Tems are winning, and we are winning. The international heavyweight has boosted the volume way past 10 for the culture. His fourth album, Made in Lagos, connected audiences across the water in the U.K. and U.S. But “Essence,” the breakthrough single featuring BET Amplified rising star Tems, has earned global adoration from critics and fans alike. 

The song became the first Nigerian song to chart in the Top 20 on Billboards Bubbling Under Hot 100, and at no. 88 on the Billboard Hot 100, it was Tems’ first entry onto the charts. Although the album dropped in 2020, “Essence,” released as a single in April, was right on time to become the most popular song of the summer in 2021.

Although this summer looked much different than pre-pandemic summers, with much smaller events being held and many people opting to stay inside, the music that created the vibes still prevailed. There wasn’t a single place one could venture where Wizkid and Tems’ “Essence,” Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open,” and Capella Grey’s “Gyalis” were being played.

Newcomer Capella Grey also saw much success as his Caribbean-inspired bop took off beyond the East Coast where the rapper is natively from. It quickly filtered from New York alongside the coast and into the mainstream which landed the artists appearances at major festivals. As fans awaited the next efforts from some established greats, they happily clung onto Grey’s monster single. There’s no doubt that when people reminisce about the summer of 2021 that these songs will definitely come to mind.

Looking back at J. Cole’s initial, next-level 10-year run, Roc Nation’s first-ever artist has emerged as the cool, “middle child” of hip hop’s elite. Now, at 36, the Fayetteville, North Carolina MC released The Off-Season, his sixth studio effort and a project that earned him high MVP marks this year. 

On it, Cole lyrically swishes from the half-court thanks to his expert level of microphone mastery he’s developed for himself over time. 

The project, which harkens to his future retirement from the sport of rap, would break ankles with the self-produced “applying.pressure,” and his featureless streak with a fuego-fueled verse by Lil Baby. In 2022, look for It’s a Boy and The Fall Off to be Cole’s “Black Mamba” tour.

In A Man Named Scott, Grammy-winning rapper Kid Cudi got candid about his life and career. Cudi, who was born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi in Cleveland, Ohio, emerged on the music scene in 2003 and continued down a successful and sometimes genre-defying musical career. The “Day 'n' Nite” rapper dished on how he navigated his career when it came to creative decisions, personal struggles, and breakthroughs.

Released on Amazon Prime, it served as a deep dive into the rapper's life beyond the music and the tabloid headlines. Cudi is easily one of rap's most influential artists, consistently challenging the landscape of rap when it came to musical sound and his personal fashion style. The film was directed by Robert Alexander and produced by Complex Networks and Film 45 and was born from Alexander’s personal interest in the rapper and his influential career.

Fellow artists Kanye West, Lil Yachty, Timothée Chalamet, Jaden and Willow Smith, and actor Shia LaBeouf all attest to the rapper's supreme influence on them in their lives and with their art. Thankfully, in the new year, there will be more to see from the Man on the Moon, as he boasts upcoming work with Kenya Barris and Netflix.

“If you don’t push yourself outside of your comfort zone you will never grow,” shared Lil Nas X, commenting with Out Magazine about his BET Awards performance. MONTERO, which was released with its fair share of controversy, placed the Grammy-nominated rapper and singer in the crosshairs of many who are anti-everything. 

Speaking of those golden gramophones, Montero Hill is up for three of the Big Four nods, Album, Record, and Song of the Year. While his “dividing” stage kiss during the BET Awards was being debated online, Lil Nas X, who is known for standing up to trolls, led with love and his polarizing project will continue to be talked about well into 2022.

NBA YoungBoy not only has a dedicated fanbase who will remind anyone talking about music that the young rapper is better, but he also has the work and numbers to prove it. For the fourth time in his career, the rapper earned a No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 with his latest album Sincerely, Kentrell, dethroning Drake’s Certified Lover Boy.

The album added a historic notch to the 22-year-old’s belt making him one of two acts to ever have a number one album every year for the last three years, with the other artist being pop sensation Taylor Swift. The albums assisting him in his success include AI YoungBoy 2, and 38 Baby 2, which topped the charts 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively.

Prior to the release of the album, he penned a letter from jail as he explored his growth and maturity while incarcerated. Now free, and with a new song featuring his girlfriend, Jazlyn, it looks like 2022 will be NBA season in a different way.

Doja Cat has stayed consistently viral, despite controversies, and grown well into her pop star purpose. Planet Her, a project nominated for Record and Song of the Year, has been a moment in the making for the self-professed “geek”. Clocking in at 138 million views (and growing) — “Streets” offered a meta-for-meta’s-sake look at how impactful Doja Cat’s album is on- and offline. 

In the Christian Breslauer-directed effort, Kofi Siriboe co-stars in this Mannequin meets Instagram Reel visual and cemented “Streets” as the official “Silhouette Challenge” music video. Early predictions for Doja Cat in 2022? Markdown a few gramophones wins for the star whose identity is embedded into the internet.

In 1996, Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown released their debut albums Hard Core and Ill Na Na just a week apart, building the foundation for female rappers who followed to lean into their sexuality in their music, no holds barred. This year marked the 25th anniversary of both historic and culturally impactful albums, with Hard Core being released on Nov. 12, 1996, and Ill Na Na released on Nov. 19, 1996.

The two Brooklyn rappers forged a lane that created a dynamic shift within hip hop that transcended the ‘90s era and has filtered into the make-up and approach to female rap in the years to follow. While both artists’ album took on their own approach in talking about their sexual desires, what they want from men, and living lavish boss-like lifestyles — both maintained themes of sex, money, cars, designer clothes, and adult entertainment.

Songs from Lil’ Kim like “Crush On You” and “No Time” became leading hits and staples in pop culture, while Foxy’s street anthem “I’ll Be Good” and “Get Me Home” thrived in their own right. The pair would be the first female rappers to have albums go platinum in the same year. Oddly, there wasn’t a lot of acknowledgment from Kim about the anniversary, while Foxy celebrated the milestone on her Instagram reposting several tagged posts from family, friends, and fans.

Hip hop is inching upon its 50th anniversary, and so what better way to jumpstart the celebration than to formally vault LL Cool J and Jay-Z into national treasure status. In October, the two Def Jam alumni were at Cleveland, Ohio’s Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, inducted into its hallowed space as “our” hip hop heroes. 

Word to Dave Chappelle, who inducted Hov, for expressing how much those two mean to the hip hop genre and culture. With billionaires like Dr. Dre, Uncle L, and Jay positioned as hip hop forefathers, 2021’s affair shows just how influential our culture is and will continue to be for decades to come.

On Oct. 29th, Yung Miami dropped her first solo track, “Rap Freaks,” alongside an NSFW, BDSM-inspired video. On the sultry track, she takes a page from Lil’ Kim’s “Dreams” and Nicki Minaj’s “Barbie Dreams,” dropping the names of several of her crushes. The list includes fellow rappers Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Baby, Moneybagg Yo, Yo Gotti, Diddy, and a few others.

In the video, the photos of the rappers can be seen hanging on the walls while Miami hangs in a swing in a black leather look with a matching mask and plays on the bed wearing a red leather look with thigh-high boots. The video also shows Miami’s rapping from inside a cage, as well as a host of BDSM and bondage toys hanging from the bed and being used by the women and men accompanying Miami.

The song sparked a lot of conversation on social media and responses from women whose boyfriends were mentioned in the song including India Royale, Ari Fletcher, and Jayda Cheaves. One of the most memorable lines from the song was a line about Diddy, Miami’s rumored partner. The line referenced Diddy’s story about waking up with 15 roaches on his face prior to his success, “Diddy, let me put it in your face like them roaches/And put your rich ass to sleep, buenas noches”. Miami mentioned that the song was something fun for her to do, and audiences will be looking forward to more in the new year.

Impossible is but a mid-day leap for Cardi B, whose song “Up” received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Performance, and extended her record as the category’s most nominated female MC. The Yung Dza, DJ SwanQo, Sean Island, and DJ Prince-produced chart-topping blockbuster made history for the hip hop megastar as she also became the first female rapper to achieve multiple Diamond-certified songs. 

“Up,” as the Bronx bombshell’s fifth no. 1 hit, marked the highest debut for a solo talent since Ms. Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in 1998. So, if you’re looking for that power anthem to take with you into 2022, “Up” is still up to be added to your rotation!

On Feb. 23rd, Bobby Shmurda was released from prison after serving over six years in prison. He was released from Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate New York 10 months early for good behavior after previously being denied parole last September. Upon his release, he was picked up by Quavo with a private jet. The Migos’ rapper then shared on Instagram that he would be personally picking up Shmurda and later shared video footage of him exiting the jet with the caption, “Did Six And Didn’t Switch Welcome Home!”

Following his release, the Brooklyn rapper, whose hit single “Hot Ni**a” brought him success prior to his 2014 arrest, hopped right back into making music. Then on Sept. 3, he released his first song back outside titled, “No Time For Sleep”. The track was accompanied by a music video featuring Shmurda in a fiery warehouse with two women armed with guns.

Shmurda has continued showcasing his return by joining the Rolling Loud Miami lineup and sitting down for interviews with Desus and Mero and Complex host Speedy Morman. Shmurda’s latest song, “Shmoney,” enlists Quavo and fellow rap partner Rowdy Rebel to showcase the trio’s excess with money and women, which hopefully means a full-length work of inspiration by the Brooklyn-based rapper.

Chlöe Bailey’s awakening took place in front of adoring fans, roving media personalities, and snoopy internet gossip hounds. Despite that, 2021 found “Beyoncé’s ultimate protégé” delivering ravishing dance moves, sultry and high-power vocals, and internet-breaking ensembles that imbued “Have Mercy” with the type of must-see elements that are ripped right out of the Super Bowl Halftime Show. 

Swinging for the fences her first time out, Chlöe performs with next-level bravado in the Karena Evans-directed visual that shows why, in 2022, she’ll continue to stand out favorably amongst the other R&B voices currently doing it.

On Nov. 17th, reports that Young Dolph had been shot and killed in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee poured in from reputable news sources and fans who were on the scene. According to WREG, Memphis Police said one male victim was located and pronounced dead at the scene and confirmed the shooting took place while Dolph was purchasing cookies from a local cookie shop named Makeda’s.

Following the news, there was an outpour of love and condolences from all who knew and loved Dolph. Fellow rappers Gucci Mane, Megan Thee Stallion, Westside Gunn, Quavo, Offset, and others were amongst those sharing their love and disbelief. The tragedy took place just days before Dolph’s annual turkey giveaway, however, his friends, fans, and supporters vowed to continue the tradition of gathering at St. James Missionary Baptist Church as volunteers.

The 36-year-old rapper was laid to rest in his hometown following a public memorial at a local church. Afterward, a ceremony was held in Memphis to unveil a street sign in his honor reading Adolph “Young Dolph” Thornton, Jr. Avenue. At the ceremony, Dolph’s longtime girlfriend Mia Jaye delivered a speech about how great of a man and father the late rapper was.

“Blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” should be Drake’s tagline or calling card. The 6 God has always been one to make a memorable moment out of a project, and Certified Lover Boy was no different. Instead of trying to break the internet, the OVO co-founder disrupted the media landscape and had everyone trying to find his latest rap easter egg. 

From his cheeky ESPN hack on their network and Twitter account to offering billboards that teased featured guests, Drizzy Drake had places like Atlanta, Lagos, New York, and Houston in a state of heightened anticipation. With “Way 2 Sexy” as his ninth no. 1, Certified Lover Boy was set to be a critical darling of the Grammys until Drake withdrew his Best Rap Album nomination.

Since Cardi B’s introduction to the world through comedic videos on Instagram and her role on Love and Hip Hop New York, the rapper has continued a successful run in the music industry. In March her first single “Bodak Yellow,” influenced by Kodak Black’s “No Flockin,” was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) making her the first female rapper to have a diamond-certified single.

This would also be the Bronx rapper’s second Diamond certification after collaboration “Girls Like You” with Maroon 5 accomplished the same feat in November of last year. But Bardi didn’t stop there, closing the year out with her third Diamond record for her song “I Like It” featuring J. Balvin and Bad Bunny.

The song fused the trio’s Latin culture with her razor-sharp rap style. While Cardi has not released an album since her debut Invasion of Privacy, the project continues to show and prove how impactful it was culturally and solidified Cardi’s presence in the music industry for years to come.

H.E.R. has been on a rollercoaster wave since recently winning an Oscar and after taking home two Grammys in 2019. So, when the awe-inspiring singer-songwriter helped induct Tina Turner into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year, you couldn’t help but feel those “passing the torch” vibes in the air. And while others like Lionel Richie and Dave Grohl said that she’s going to also be a legend one day, many of us are saying that H.E.R. is a legend right now.

At only 24 years old, the Bay Area artist is up for eight nominations for the 64th Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year (“Fight for You,” Judas and the Black Messiah soundtrack) and Album of the Year (Back of My Mind). And with 2022 already upon us, interested collaborators should know that yesterday’s price for getting H.E.R. is definitely not today’s price!

50 Cent has seen much success with his urban crime dramas like Power and Power Book II: Ghost and promised his new series, BMF, would be no different. Available on Starz along with his other drug-and-crime-based series, BMF unveils the history of the decade-long crime syndicate and drug operation, while refraining from using any of the members’ real names.

The characters in the show adapt attributes and mannerisms of known and linked members while not explicitly saying out loud — although fans have drawn similar parallels. The series focuses on BMF founders Demetrius and Terry Flenory as they build up from a local Detroit drug crew to becoming the largest drug cartel in Atlanta. 

The show features actors Demetrius Flenory Jr., Wood Harris, Steve Harris, LaLa Anthony, and rappers Snoop Dogg and Kash Doll in key roles that are sure to be on everybody’s must-watch list for 2022.

Usher’s road to Las Vegas was not like those aging talents who want to escape the allure but can’t. As Atlanta’s official R&B superhero, he already commands hundreds of thousands of music lovers to see him perform. Opening up a show in Sin City seemed like a smart investment for someone with eight Grammy wins, nine Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s, and 64 million records sold. 

Consistently sold out, Usher: The Las Vegas Residency brought “Usher Bucks,” skate aficionados, and the strippers to the Strip. If you haven’t seen his career-spanning set curated for superfans, mark a date in the new year to witness Usher’s laser-sharp stage show.

On Nov. 28, a heart-wrenching post was made from Virgil Abloh’s personal Instagram account announcing the designer's passing. Abloh, 41, passed away from cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare form of cancer he had been privately battling since his diagnosis in 2019. The Off-White founder and artistic director of Louis Vuitton Menswear and his family received an abundance of love from people in every corner of the music and fashion industry including Pharrell, Drake, Questlove, Idris Elba, and many more.

Abloh staked his claim in both the fashion and music industry early on — interning at Fendi and later becoming the artistic director for Kanye West’s agency Donda. He would go out to design the cover art for notable albums such as Watch the Throne, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and Big Sean’s Finally Famous, amongst others.

With his appointment to Louis Vuitton, the innovator and disruptor further bridged the gap between rap and luxury fashion, beyond rapper’s name-dropping their favorite labels in their songs. In addition to cultivating his fashion legacy, he continued to pour into his other passion — deejaying. Following his passing, Louis Vuitton announced they would still showcase Abloh’s latest collection at Miami Art Basel as planned. Abloh’s memorial service was held in his hometown at the Museum Of Contemporary Art where his family, friends, and past collaborators were in attendance including Drake, Rihanna, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, and Tyler, the Creator.

Yonkers, New York’s own Mary J. Blige spoke to broken hearts everywhere with her landmark 1994 album, My Life. And now, the Amazon Prime Video-led documentary finds the multiple Grammy Award-winning singer reflecting on the highs and lows of the record, how it was made, and her struggles with addiction that informed its lyrics. 

When the trailer came out, longtime fans and celebrity friends articulated just what the moment meant to them. “She gave us a face, gave us a name; she humanized us,” Taraji P. Henson says. It’s a robust look at a woman and an artist whose work still resonates amongst the Summer Walker and Ari Lennox listeners of today, and one to add to your 2022 binge-watch collection.

Tina Turner was among the 2021 class of 16 inductees at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which included Jay-Z and LL Cool J. The induction ceremony was held on Oct. 30 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, and her induction marked the historic first time three female artists were inducted into the Performers category in a single class.

Turner was inducted alongside two other legends, singer-songwriter Carole King and female rock band the Go-Go’s. Turner, a Black household name and who became a global superstar following her divorce from ex-husband Ike Turner, became a solo artist and rock and roll’s then-resident rebel. Fusing pop and rock sensibilities, she solidified herself as a pivotal queen in both genres.

Earlier in the year, HBO released a documentary featuring candid conversations with Turner about her life, career, and finding love after experiencing world-dominating fame. Turner noted that the documentary was her way of saying goodbye to everyone while telling her story in full one final time.

Willow, also known as Willow Smith, continues to stunningly demonstrate her versatile talent now into her twenties. After three solo projects, each an evolution on her skills and execution, T r a n s p a r e n t s o u l is, at the root of it, a punk rock, rough-around-the-edges audio extravaganza. 

Unflinching and never shy to get into the weeds, Willow’s mix of clean-and-distorted guitars, Travis Barker drumming, and open and honest songwriting has separated her from anyone in her music class heading into the new year. Will and Jada’s daughter proves why she is a voice that is wholly original and truly can thrive as a breakout star next year.

Baby Kash’s song “Throat Baby” garnered him much success prior to the “Throat Baby (Remix),” a mix of sexually suggestive lyrics accompanied by a video where the rapper and City Girls explored a whimsical world. While all the artists on the track came through with strong bars that perfectly aligned with the song, it was JT’s verse that had the most impact.

Her raunchy bars were laced with melodic harmonies where the “Twerkulator” rapper talked about her sexual prowess and her effect on men she interacted with to close out the song. Subsequently, in the NSFW video, JT and Yung Miami dressed as modern-day Barbies with JT donning a full lime green look and finished off the verse in a sexy black catsuit that made fans and detractors alike hit the rewind button.

The confidence and sexual appeal exuded in the bars and on-screen pushed JT to the front of the pack with her verse being recreated and reshared on platforms like Twitter and TikTok.

Megan Thee Stallion’s hot girl summer shows no end in sight as she was awarded the Grammy for Best New Artist at the 63rd annual celebration. The 26-year-old artist (and recent college graduate) was stunned speechless after Lizzo called her name ahead of fellow rapper Chika, viral pop princess Doja Cat, Rhythm and Flow winner D Smoke, innovative producer Kaytranada, and others. 

The Houston rapper, who has already made her 2022 vision board known, also became the first female hip hop artist to claim the award since Ms. Lauryn Hill in 1999. 2022 looks like she may add Best Rap Performance to her growing list of accolades.

Historically, Black people have been shut out of country music, with the majority of white artists dominating the genre — but change is on the horizon. Following this controversial situation when Lil Nas X’s debut song “Old Town Road” climbed country music charts and received airplay, many in the genre opposed the song as not maintaining the true elements of a country music song.

Enter Jimmie Allen. A 36-year-old country artist — and budding star — proved that Black people still have a place in the genre they created. Donning a pink rodeo-inspired look, Allen tearfully accepted the award for Best New Artist at the 2021 Country Music Awards and made the world recognize that Black is beautiful wherever it shows itself.

“I’ll take you on a trip down memory lane,” Kendrick Lamar proclaimed even before the first beat dropped at the Day N Vegas music festival. As promised, the TDE affiliated rapper presented a sweeping 90-minute performance after two years, which consisted of a theatrical exhibition of his musical eras, and reminded everyone of his top-tier level showmanship. 

Taking listeners through Section.80 to DAMN., the Day N Vegas audience was captivated by the reflection, passion, powerful prose, concessive funk, and beautiful Black excellence that brought the house down on the opening night. 

ICYMI: Our review recaps the full performance, but you definitely don’t want to miss his next appearance — the 2022 NFL Super Bowl.

Aaliyah’s catalog consists of timeless songs like “One in A Million,” “Rock the Boat,” “We Need a Resolution,” and more, but sadly, it has taken over two decades for them to be available on streaming services. Now, as a collective push takes shape to place Baby Girl amongst other R&B greats, Blackground Records 2.0 and B partnered to make her discography available everywhere for all listeners. In addition to Aaliyah’s Romeo Must Die and Exit Wounds soundtracks recently being released, her latest, “Poison,” which features The Weeknd, strongly hints at new Aaliyah hitting in 2022.

Earl Simmons, also known as DMX, DMX The Great, and Dark Man X, reflected a lot of the pain and bravado experienced in the streets. His passing really impacted the hip hop community and followed a sad succession of artists who have left our wings too soon. Grieving fans were treated to a “last will and testament” styled offering in the form of Exodus, a posthumous, Swizz Beatz-produced album that arrived shortly after his death on April 9.

X still channels his pain better than anyone in rap and his energetic spirit was powered by the Verzuz appearance he had with Snoop Dogg, where he felt the love from everyone around the globe. Arriving almost 25 years after X’s debut album, The Dog may no longer be on the yard with us, but his very public life and what he felt in the final years of his life will help others who are slipping, falling, and feeling like they can’t get up.

It sucks that the amount of hype and pressure that hip hop fans place on André 3000 is enough for him to question releasing a new album. Thankfully, one-half of the Mighty O delivers a reflective, humorous, and very poignant look into his upbringing on Ye’s “Life of the Party,” which appeared on Donda. 

An event in and of itself, 3 Stacks painted a masterful verse, ruminating about a plane of existence where he and Kanye West’s late mothers look over them and protect their kids. It was a brief reprieve to the circus surrounding Yeezy and Drake and showcased why the Outkast MC is leagues ahead of others in the rap world.

Mickey Guyton received three nominations for her song Remember Her Name, as well as some dedicated nods for her full-length debut album. The nominations make Guyton the first Black country music nominee in the categories for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance and the first Black woman to be nominated for Best Country Album since the category was relaunched in 1994.

In October, the Country Music Television (CMT) announced it will recognize Guyton as its Breakout Artist of 2021 during its "Artists of the Year" event. Guyton also claimed another first being the first Black woman to host the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards. The singer gushed about her work with the academy as they navigated their work on diversity and inclusion. In an interview with The New York Times, Guyton shared how this year's nominations differed from last year where she was nominated for her song “Black Like Me’ which was released amid the protest for George Floyd and combating racial injustice.

“That’s the word — I feel validated. Like, ugh, thank God. Because there was doubt cast upon this project before I released it. So now to see the response, I just feel relieved,” said Guyton of her nominations. Rest assured that Mickey Guyton is here to stay.