If you're anything like me -- bored, stuck at home in isolation with COVID, a huge hip-hop fan -- you've been thinking, gee I really wish someone would rank the best rap verses of 2021! Look no further, your wishes have been answered!
Behold, the top twenty rap verses of 2021.
20. Benny the Butcher on "DIET_1.5"
In 2020, Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats released an incredible yet short album, and in 2021, released an entire album of remixes for this same album. Benny the Butcher (of the Griselda label) comes in swinging in the first five seconds of his verse. It's something of a spectacle each time he hits the mic.
19. Jadakiss on "Black Illuminati"
Jadakiss and the LOX experienced something of a renaissance in 2021 thanks in part to Kanye West and the "Verzuz" series. I'm not sure when people forgot that Jadakiss could rap, but here he is outrapping Freddie Gibbs (which is hard to do).
18. Freddie Gibbs on "WHAT I LOOK LIKE"
Speaking of Freddie Gibbs, his upcoming album Soul Sold Separately is my most anticipated album of 2022. He's given us some great singles over the past year, but he truly shined on his guest features.
17. MIKE on "Lossless"
Probably the best hidden weapon in the lo-fi rap scene, New York emcee MIKE delivers some unforgettable lines on the second part of the Alchemist's This Thing of Ours release.
16. 2 Chainz on "Forest Lawn"
I know that 2 Chainz hasn't been popular since middle school, but the man is a stellar rapper and brings his best on each feature. Him teaming up with the Griselda crew has been a highlight during his later career.
15. Mach-Hommy on "Self Luh"
Fun fact, you can't find any Mach-Hommy lyrics anywhere on the internet, because the man wants people to hear his lyrics first hand. This makes it a little difficult when you don't speak Haitian-Creole, but on "Self Luh," everything is in English. Here, Mach begs his listeners and peers to treat their bodies with respect.
14. Earl Sweatshirt on "2010"
This verse lasts the entire song, but damn, is Earl at his best here. And guess what? His album is out this Friday (he'll be overshadowed by the Weeknd, but that's okay).
13. Freddie Gibbs on "Fake Flowers"
I can't stress enough how incredible the team of Boldy James and the Alchemist are, but throwing Freddie in the mix? It's over. "F*ck them kids, I ain't your mentor or your role model" is a top 10 way to start a verse.
12. Lil Wayne on "HOT WIND BLOWS"
Similar to 2 Chainz, Wayne hasn't been hot in a minute, but Tyler brings out the best in him (peep their other collars if you haven't before). A full album of Lil Wayne over Tyler's production would be mind-blowing.
11. Tyler, the Creator on "MASSA"
We couldn't leave Tyler out now, could we? There's a lot of great introspection on CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, but this verse particularly stands out, throwing some shade back at (white) rap critics and tying in a mess of race issues at the same time.
10. Earl Sweatshirt & Navy Blue on "Nobles"
These two youngin's have been through a lot in their lifelong friendship, and the music video brings a tear to the eye. Here, the two trade bars for some of the most enjoyable bars over beautiful Alchemist production.
9. Fivio Foreign on "Off the Grid"
New York drill has made a resurgence since the death of Pop Smoke (and he himself is to thank for its resurgence during his career), and one of the most surprising things to come of this is Kanye West's foray into producing some wild beats. Up-and-coming drill rapper, Fivio Foreign, delivers one of the most powerful and intimate verses of the year, outshining pretty much everyone on Donda.
8,7,6. Your Old Droog, billy woods, and Lil Ugly Mane on "Meteor Man"
All three underground rapstars on "Meteor Man" blew the rest of the rap game out of the water on one of the most threatening beats of the year. Makes you wanna punch a bathroom stall door.
5. Little Simz on "Woman"
Women built this world, and Little Simz is here to let us know this. I was trying to pick a single verse as my favorite from this song, but you can decide yourself. They're all great.
4. Nas on "Wu for the Children"
Nas gave us two (TWO) releases in 2021. That's two more than Kendrick has in forever. Never mind that, because on this song, he's praising the young bloods of the rap game, and passing the torch to those stars. Tear-jerking, almost.
3. J. Cole on "m y . l i f e"
Cole had an excellent year in 2021, with one of the most successful and exciting rap releases of the year. By far, the standout song from The Off-Season was the one toting a 21 Savage feature and some incredible one-liners from Jermaine himself.
2. André 3000 on "Life of the Party"
What a rare occurrence, having a fantastic André 3000 feature next to a fantastic Kanye West verse. The first few times I listened to André's verse, I was in tears. The man has a way with words, and spins an excellent narrative about youth, mothers, and grief in just a few minutes.
1. Kendrick Lamar on "family ties"
This is the hungriest Kenny has sounded in a long time, I just wish he'd followed up on his promise of "2021 I ain't taking no prisoners". Who knows, maybe we'll hear new KDot soon enough, although probably not.
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Who is bringing the heat this year? Will we finally get new Kendrick? New Frank? Nope, probably not! Let us know your favorite verse from last year below in the comments!
- Ritter
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