As 2021 comes to a close, it is appropriate to reflect on a remarkable year for Hip-Hop music and news. Although we did it slightly differently this year, Ambrosia For Heads shares our list of the best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2021. On episode #72 of the What’s The Headline podcast—starting at 1:13:00—we list our definitive 14 Rap albums of the year. In discussing the albums, we highlight some essential tracks and name some honorable mentions who did not make the list.

The 14 albums span region, generation, and style. There are several first-time collaborative albums between great MCs and producers, long-awaited solo debuts, sequels, and one project released through an online video game. Along with the podcast (which also covers the year’s most important stories in detail), each album is embedded below to enjoy and support. As always, we can count on our fellow Hip-Hop Heads to let us know what we may have missed or got wrong.

Ambrosia For Heads‘ Best Rap & Hip-Hop Albums Of 2021 (Listed Alphabetically):

Apollo Brown & Stalley – Blacklight

Released: November 19, 2021
Label: Mello Music Group
Guests: Skyzoo, Joell Ortiz, Omari Hardwick
Producers: self

Armand Hammer (billy woods and ELUCID) & Alchemist – Haram

Released: March 26, 2021
Label: Backwoodz Studioz
Guests: Earl Sweatshirt, Quelle Chris, Curly Castro, Amani, FIELDED, KAYANA,
Producers: self

Benny The Butcher & Harry Fraud – The Plugs I Met 2

Released: March 19, 2021
Label: Black Soprano Family/SRFSCHL
Guests: Fat Joe, 2 Chainz, Chinx, Jim Jones, French Montana, Rick Hyde
Producers: self
AFH‘s What’s The Headline podcast episode dedicated to this album.

Breeze Brewin – Hindsight

Released: January 22, 2021
Label: Matic Records
Producers: Marco Polo, Black Milk, DJ Maseo, DJ Spinna, Parallel Thought, B-Money, Sebb Bash, Megalo, Kev Fevr

Dr. Dre – The Contract

Released: October 15, 2021
Guests: Eminem, Nipsey Hussle, The D.O.C., Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Anderson .Paak, Rick Ross, Ty Dolla Sign, Thurz, Cocoa Sarai
Producers: self, Eminem, Alchemist, Bruno Mars, Dem Jointz, Mike & Keys, Bink!, Luis Resto, 21 the Producer, JBLS, Phonix Beats

Evidence – The Unlearning, Vol. 1

Released: June 25, 2021
Label: Rhymesayers Entertainment
Guests: Conway The Machine, Boldy James, Navy Blue, Fly Anakin, Markage Dave,
Producers: self, Alchemist, Nottz, Khrysis, Daringer, Sebb Bash, Animoss, Mr. Green, V Don, EARDRUM (QThree)
AFH‘s interview with Evidence discussing this album.

J. Cole – The Off-Season

Released: May 14, 2021
Label: Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope Records
Guests: 21 Savage, Lil Baby, Morray, Bas, 6LACK, Diddy, Cam’ron, Lil Jon, Damian Lillard, TS Rose
Producers: self, Timbaland, Boi-1da, T-Minus, Jake One, Tae Beast, DJ Dahi, Frank Dukes, Wu10, Maneesh, Sucuki, DrtWrk, Don Mills, Mario Luciano, Coleman
AFH‘s What’s The Headline podcast episode dedicated to this album.

Khrysis – The Hour Of Khrysis

Released: April 20, 2021
Label: Jamla Records
Guests: De La Soul, Pharoahe Monch, Busta Rhymes, Del The Funky Homosapien, Evidence, Rapsody, Sa-Roc, Geechi Suede, The Away Team, Mumu Fresh, Niko-Is, Chi-Ali, Reuben Vincent, Ian Kelly, Heather Victoria
Producers: self

Lute – Gold Mouf

Released: October 4, 2021
Label: Dreamville/Interscope Records
Guests: Little Brother, JID, Bas, Westside Boogie, Saba, Cozz, Ari Lennox, BJ The Chicago Kid, DEVN,
Producers: Phonte, Marco Polo, Ron Gilmore, Zo!, Blakk Soul, K-Quick, Diamond, J-Smash, Dominique “Dom” Smith, Christo, ROMderful, Mell, Matthew Crabtree, Suburban Plaza, The Nukez, Trox, Diego Ave, Swish, mixMP, Patrick “Guitarboy” Hayes, KingCeez, Coop The Truth

Mach-Hommy – Pray For Haiti

Released: May 21, 2021
Label: Griselda Records
Guests: Westside Gunn, Tha God Fahim, Keisha Plum, Melanie Charles
Producers: Conductor Williams, Camoflauge Monk, Denny LaFlare, Nicholas Craven, DJ Green Lantern, Sadhu Gold, Cee Gee, Messiah Musik

Nas – King’s Disease 2

Released: August 6, 2021
Label: Mass Appeal Records
Guests: Lauryn Hill, EPMD, Eminem, Hit-Boy, Charlie Wilson, BLXST, YG, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Don Toliver, BJ The Chicago Kid, James Fauntleroy, Garren
Producers: Hit-Boy, Jansport J, Dustin James Corbett, Brian Alexander Morgan
AFH‘s What’s The Headline podcast episode dedicated to this album.

Russ – CHOMP 2

Released: December 8, 2021
Label: Russ My Way Inc.
Guests: Ghostface Killah, Snoop Dogg, The Game, Big K.R.I.T., Jay Electronica, Styles P, Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, Ransom, Papoose, DJ Premier, Big Sean, Wale, Joey Bada$$, Hit-Boy, CyHi The Prynce, Lloyd Banks, Mozzy
Producers: self, DJ Premier, Hi-Tek, 9th Wonder, B!nk, Jake One, Statik Selektah, Hit-Boy, Harry Fraud, Mr. Porter, Boi-da

Skyzoo – All The Brilliant Things

Released: June 11, 2021
Label: Mello Music Group
Guests: Al Skratch, BJ The Chicago Kid, Raheem DeVaughn, Blakk Soul, Aaria, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Stlndrms, Xiolynn
Producers: self, J57, Thelonious Martin, JR Swiftz, Zerrick Beats, Stlndrms, Marc Ninit, Karl Marx, Kenny Keys, Tuamie, Rashid Hadee, M3rk
AFH‘s interview with Skyzoo about this album.

Westside Gunn – Hitler Wears Hermes 8 (Side A + Side B)

Released: August 27, 2021 + September 24, 2021
Label: Griselda Records/EMPIRE
Guests: Conway The Machine, Benny The Butcher, Lil Wayne, AZ, Jadakiss, Jay Electronica, Tyler, The Creator, Boldy James, 2 Chainz, Mach-Hommy, Stove God Cooks, Rome Streetz, Sauce Walka, DJ Clue, Flee Lord, Larry June, Jay Worthy, Keisha Plum, AA Rashid, Trap-A-Holics, Chase Fetti, Armani Caesar, Billie Esco, Tiona Deniece,
Producers: Conductor Williams, Denny LaFlare, Camoflauge Monk, Alchemist, Daringer, Madlib, Beat Butcha, DJ Green Lantern, Jay Versace, Sadhu Gold, Sovren, Nicholas Craven, JR Swiftz, King JVYB

Here Are Our 20 Best Rap Albums Of 2020

#BonusBeat: Ambrosia For Heads’ official and regularly-updated playlist, featuring the best in music from 2021: