40.
LANY:

“mama’s boy”

On mama’s boy, LANY sticks to the style of music they know how to make best. Each song cohesively flows into the next, and ultimately serves as a great soundtrack to set a warm and calm vibe.

Top 3 Tracks:
paper, anything 4 u, you!

Listen: LANY, “mama’s boy”

39.
Phoebe Bridgers:

“Punisher”

Indie alternative artist Phoebe Bridgers puts her talent on full for “Punisher,” an album that showcases her unique identity and encourages listeners to live in the moment.

Top 3 Tracks:
ICU, Chinese Satellite, Kyoto

Listen: Phoebe Bridgers, “Punisher”

38.
BTS:

“MAP OF THE SOUL: 7”

The biggest group in the world return with a new album, putting their variety of talents on full display. Despite the coronavirus affecting the entire industry, BTS used this period to propel themselves to untouchable heights of stardom.

Top 3 Tracks:
Life Goes On, Boy With Luv, Dynamite

Listen: BTS, “MAP OF THE SOUL: 7”

37.
Brent Faiyaz:

“Fuck the World”

Brent Faiyaz brings a new flare to R&B with his nonchalant flow that’s dripped in confidence. His voice is gentle on his latest effort, but he comes off in a way that sounds like he wants to dominate the game.

Top 3 Tracks:
Fuck the World (Summer in London), Clouded, Make It Out

Listen: Brent Faiyaz, “Fuck the World”

36.
Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats:

“UNLOCKED”

Carrying a theme of old school comic books, Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats unite for a fun project filled with solid flows and beats. This is a good listen for innovative, lyrical rap.

Top 3 Tracks:
‘ Cosmic ‘ .m4a, Pyro (leak 2019), Take_it_Back_v2

Listen: Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats, “UNLOCKED”

35.
Knxwledge:

“1988”

A beautiful beat tape, Knxwledge crafts a project full of great tracks. Finding the right samples, this album sounds perfect on a low key evening.

Top 3 Tracks:
Itkanbe[Sonice], Minding_My Business, Don’t Be Afraid

Listen: Knxwledge, “1988”

34.
Ariana Grande:

“Positions”

An unexpected release in 2020, Ariana Grande continues to strike while the iron is hot. Positions is a light pop record that is both whimsical and mature.

Top 3 Tracks:
positions, six thirty, pov

Listen: Ariana Grande, “Positions”

33.
Chris Brown & Young Thug:

“Slime & B”

A collaborative project that released under the radar, Slime & B sounds like a Chris Brown lead with Young Thug guesting on each song. That’s not a bad thing at all, as Thug reinforces himself as one of the most adaptive artists of all time.

Top 3 Tracks:
Go Crazy, Help Me Breathe, Animal

Listen: Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Slime & B”

32.
HAIM:

“Women In Music Pt. III”

HAIM’s latest album sounds like the soundtrack to an old, indie western film in Los Angeles. Filled with hope, angst, and frustration, HAIM is able to capture human emotion in a unique manner.

Top 3 Tracks:
Gasoline, FUBT, Los Angeles

Listen: HAIM, “Women In Music Pt. III”

31.
Curren$y & Harry Fraud:

“The OutRunners”

An immaculate rapper-producer combination, The OutRunners is 25 minutes of mature, swag rap. Both Curren$y & Harry Fraud have established themselves as legends, and this tape is a victory lap for the fans.

Top 3 Tracks:
90’ IROC-Z, Offloading, Riviera Beach

Listen: Curren$y & Harry Fraud, “The OutRunners”

30.
Polo G:

“THE GOAT”

One of the realest rappers in the game right now, Polo G’s sophomore effort is a continuation of what we heard on Die a Legend. He continues to show his potential as a mature artist.

Top 3 Tracks:
Martin & Gina, Trials & Tribulations, Wishing For A Hero

Listen: Polo G, “THE GOAT”

29.
Rod Wave:

“Pray 4 Love”

Florida artist Rod Wave continues to shine. With Pray 4 Love, Rod provides no shortage of trap ballads as he reflects on the hardships in life. A friend told me that “Girl of My Dreams” is the 2020 “Marvins Room,” and that might be the realest thing I’ve heard.

Top 3 Tracks:
Girl of My Dreams, Rags2Riches, 5% Tints

Listen: Rod Wave, “Pray 4 Love”

28.
Future & Lil Uzi Vert:

“Pluto x Baby Pluto”

Another year, another collaboration tape with Future. This time he brings Lil Uzi Vert into the mix, leading to an outer space themed project that has way more hits than misses. Have you ever been to Pluto?

Top 3 Tracks:
Drankin N Smokin, I Don’t Wanna Break Up, Becase of You

Listen: Future & Lil Uzi Vert, “Pluto x Baby Pluto”

27.
KA:

“Descendants of Cain”

Arguably the most lyrical album of the year, Ka creates another masterpiece of a narrative. This time, he compares the biblical story of Cain and Abel to cocaine street life. Pull up Genius.com while you listen to this one.

Top 3 Tracks:
My Brother’s Keeper, I Love (Mimi, Moms, Kev), Solitude of Enoch

Listen: KA, “Descendants of Cain”

26.
Jay Electronica:

“A Written Testinomy”

The debut album from Jay Electronica, words I never thought I’d hear. This album is no let down either, and while he does receieve the JAY-Z stimulus package, Jay Electronica holds his own with powerful verses.

Top 3 Tracks:
Universal Soldier, A.P.I.D.T.A., Ezekiel’s Wheel

Listen: Jay Electronica, “A Written Testinomy”

25.
Juice WRLD:

“Legends Never Die”

A posthumous release from Juice WRLD, Legends Never Die includes all of the amazing elements that made Juice the impactful artist he was. It’s truly heartbreaking to see his career cut short. Long live Juice WRLD.

Top 3 Tracks:
Wishing Well, Man of The Year, Hate the Other Side

Listen: Juice WRLD, “Legends Never Die”

24.
Pop Smoke:

“Meet the Woo 2”

Another artist who the world lost way too soon, Pop Smoke’s Meet the Woo 2 is a breath of fresh air to the rap game. With elements of drill, rap, and melodic trap, Pop Smoke had immense potential. Rest in peace to The Woo.

Top 3 Tracks:
Invincible, Element, Dior

Listen: Pop Smoke, “Meet the Woo 2”

23.
Blu & Exile:

“Miles”

Over 8 years since their last collaborative album, Blu & Exile return for Miles, a needed rap project that sounds like a lost art in modern day. This is refreshing, motivating, and informative.

Top 3 Tracks:
The Feeling, The American Dream, True & Livin’

Listen: Blu & Exile, “Miles”

22.
Bryson Tiller:

“A N N I V E R S A R Y”

The aptly titled album, Bryson Tiller released his third offering on the fifth anniversary of Trapsoul. Continuing the vibe set on the previous album, Tiller comes in for a quick ten tracks that will leave you wanting more.

Top 3 Tracks:
Next To You, Outta Time, Sorrows

Listen: Bryson Tiller, “A N N I V E R S A R Y”

21.
Taylor Swift:

“evermore”

Only months after the release of folklore, Taylor Swift strikes again. evermore is a beautiful continuation of the sound from folklore, with more eloquent stories of self discovery.

Top 3 Tracks:
evermore, ivy, gold rush

Listen: Taylor Swift, “evermore”

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