50.
The Kid LAROI (ft. Justin Bieber):

“STAY”

Catapulting himself into a new stratosphere of stardom, The Kid LAROI drops a catchy pop rap track and alley oops Bieber in for the second verse to bring the song together.

When should you listen?
An Uber ride home after a long night out

Listen: The Kid LAROI (ft. Justin Bieber), “STAY”

49.
Little Simz:

“Introvert”

An explosive, cinematic intro to her album, “Introvert” finds Little Simz calling out the corrupted government and unafraid to state things the way they truly are.

When should you listen?
Before the riot ensues

Listen: Little Simz, “Introvert”

48.
Pink Siifu (ft. Maxo):

“Call tha Bro (Tapped In)”

Seamlessly mixing elements of jazz and rap as if it were a pot of gumbo, Pink Siifu and Maxo create harmony on this one.

When should you listen?
While cooking soul food

Listen: Pink Siifu (ft. Maxo), “Call tha Bro (Tapped In)”

47.
Pooh Shiesty (ft. Lil Durk):

“Back in Blood”

Over haunting, piano trap production, Pooh Shiesty and Lil Durk create one of the better murder music anthems of the year. This track gave Shiesty some much deserved shine.

When should you listen?
Payback season

Listen: Pooh Shiesty (ft. Lil Durk), “Back in Blood”

46.
beabadoobee:

“He Gets Me So High”

An airy yet alternative vibe, this song is infectious. With help from The 1975’s Jacob Bugden, Beabadoobee accurately depicts the feeling of infatuation.

When should you listen?
In the midst of a dream

Listen: beabadoobee, “He Gets Me So High”

45.
Nardo Wick:

“Who Want Smoke??”

If “Back in Blood” was the murder music anthem of the first half of the year, “Who Want Smoke??” with Durk, Herbo, and Savage definitely takes the cake for the second half. Each featured artists maintains the menacing theme with ease.

When should you listen?
When you forget how to count from 1-12

Listen: Nardo Wick, “Who Want Smoke??”

44.
Young Stoner Life, Young Thug & Gunna:

“Paid the Fine”

A track with Thugger, Gunna & Lil Baby is a proven recipe for a hit. Each rapper floats over the beat and YTB Trench adds a new flair that brings the lowkey banger together.

When should you listen?
Bailing out the homies

Listen: Young Stoner Life, Young Thug & Gunna, “Paid the Fine”

43.
Lil Nas X:

“SUN GOES DOWN”

A deep cut off the new Lil Nas X album, “SUN GOES DOWN” finds the artist showcasing his vulnerability, singing of confliction based on his complexion and sexuality.

When should you listen?
When you need to feel uplifted

Listen: Lil Nas X, “SUN GOES DOWN”

42.
John Mayer:

“Last Train Home (Ballad Version)”

This version should have been the one to make the final cut of his album. Mayer is at his best when he can sing and also showcase his one of a kind guitar skills, and “Last Train Home” is certainly no exception.

When should you listen?
Roadtrip through Arizona

Listen: John Mayer, “Last Train Home (Ballad Version)”

41.
Kanye West:

“Moon”

Ye, Toliver, and Cudi come together for a track that is both reflective of the past and yearning for the future. It’s honest yet vulnerable, creating a beautiful melody.

When should you listen?
Stargazing on blissful night

Listen: Kanye West, “Moon”

40.
Isaiah Rashad:

“Headshots (4r Da Locals)”

New Zaywop!! All that needs to really be said. Here, Rashad maintains his nonchalant flow and uses the laid back delivery to bring the listener into his world. 4r da locals.

When should you listen?
Backyard cookout

Listen: Isaiah Rashad, “Headshots (4r Da Locals)”

39.
42 Dugg & Roddy Ricch:

“4 Da Gang”

Over a 1980s rock sample, 42 Dugg & Roddy Ricch each use their unique voices to contribute a refreshing take on modern rap. The future is still bright.

When should you listen?
Full blast on an old school boombox

Listen: 42 Dugg & Roddy Ricch, “4 Da Gang”

38.
Polo G:

“So Real”

His lyrical follow up to “Martin & Gina,” Polo G delivers another heartfelt trap ballad. This track is for all the modern day Bonnie & Clydes.

When should you listen?
When you got a real one holding you down

Listen: Polo G, “So Real”

37.
Westside Gunn:

“Hell on Earth, Pt. 2”

Griselda never seems to slow down. On this posse cut, Gunn, Benny & Conway simply do what they do best. The biggest rap gangsters in the game maintaining top form.

When should you listen?
Buffalo, NY

Listen: Westside Gunn, “Hell on Earth, Pt. 2”

36.
Rod Wave:

“Street Runner”

Straight from the soul, Rod Wave reminisces on his past trangressions but continues to stay focused on the future. The pitched sample and old voicemail make this song perfect. A modern day, anti-Marvins Room.

When should you listen?
Flying to a new city

Listen: Rod Wave, “Street Runner”

35.
Playboi Carti:

“F33l Lik3 Dyin”

The final song to Whole Lotta Red, Carti samples Bon Iver vocals to create a beautiful trap song the world didn’t know it needed. It’s boundary pushing and original without being overbearing.

When should you listen?
Wh3n you f33l lik3 dyin 4 luv

Listen: Playboi Carti, “F33l Lik3 Dyin”

34.
Mustafa (ft. Sampha):

“Capo”

“Capo” portrays the negative effects of living in the street life of Toronto. There’s no glorification of the ghetto here, just raw emotion that details loss. Mustafa & Sampha sound angelic.

When should you listen?
When the dust settles

Listen: Mustafa (ft. Sampha), “Capo”

33.
Coi Leray (ft. Lil Durk):

“No More Parties (Remix)"

A lowkey trap ballad, the chorus to this song will be stuck in your head for awhile. Coi Leray kills her performance with her assertive yet chill tone. Durk adds another hit to his 2021 feature run.

When should you listen?
At the kickback next door

Listen: Coi Leray (ft. Lil Durk), “No More Parties (Remix)"

32.
Mach-Hommy (ft. Melanie Charles):

“Au Revoir”

Mach-Hommy sounds like the Godfather on this one. Over minimal production, Mach-Hommy uses a single verse to demand authority. Melanie Charles adds a haunting touch throughout.

When should you listen?
A haunting night in Transylvania

Listen: Mach-Hommy (ft. Melanie Charles), “Au Revoir”

31.
J. Cole (ft. 21 Savage & Morray):

“m y . l i f e”

This song sounds like the sequel to “A lot” and that’s not a complaint in any regard. Adding Fayetteville’s Morray into the equation leaves a soulful flair and 21 Savage lays down another chilling feature. Cole kills it per usual.

When should you listen?
Before clocking into work

Listen: J. Cole (ft. 21 Savage & Morray), “m y . l i f e”

Return to top