Getting this down to 10 was impossible this year as we saw major album drops evenly split between men and women. EP’s and smaller projects took a back seat this year as massive track-counts started to reemerge like it was the early 2000’s and artist continue to exit the Covid studio and create music in a more traditional setting surrounded by human beings again.
In this article, Release Dates and Article-links will reflect the original release, but the media links will take you to the Deluxe versions of the albums where applicable.
#15
Coco Jones
“What I Didn’t Tell You”
Release Date: November 04th
Def Jam / Universal Music
#14
Sabrina Claudio
“Based On A Feeling”
Release Date: May 06th
Atlantic Records
#13
Phabo
“Before I Let Her Go”
Release Date: July 15th
Independent (Phabo)
#12
Days On 85
“I Wish You Knew How Much You Mean To Me”
Release Date: June 27th
Independent (Winter 97)
#11
Ella Mai
“Heart On My Sleeve”
Release Date: May 06th
Summer Records / Interscope
#10
Muni Long
“Public Displays of Affection (The Album)”
Release Date: September 23rd
Supergiant Records / Def Jam / Universal Music
#9
PJ Morton
“Watch The Sun”
Release Date: April 29th
Motown Records / EMPIRE
#8
Ari Lennox
“Age / Sex / Location”
Release Date: September 09th
Dreamville / Interscope Records
#7
Kehlani
“Blue Water Road”
Release Date: April 29th
Atlantic Records
#6
Eli Derby
“More Than Friends”
Release Date: October 26th
LVRN / The Brain / Interscope Records
#5
Kenyon Dixon
“Closer” (Deluxe)
Release Date: November 04th
Independent (Kenyon Dixon)
#4
Chris Brown
“Breezy” (Deluxe)
Release Date: June 24th
RCA Records
#3
August 08
“Seasick”
Release Date: August 12th
Universal Music
#2
AremitRo$
“Nothing Left” (Deluxe)
Release Date: July 01st
Independent (Until Forever Recordings)
#1
Lucky Daye
“Candy Drip” (Deluxe)
Release Date: March 10th
Keep Cool / RCA Records
Very honourable mentions to:
JOEY XL, “XL’s Room”
Released on September 30th via Independent label “Joey XL”.
Skye Morales, “Skye”
Released on November 04th via Independent label “1400 Ent”