Anticipated Hip-Hop Albums of 2021

David Bien-Aime, Student Journalist|February 1, 2021

Drake – Certified Lover Boy 

In late October 2020, Drake officially announced on all social media platforms that he’ll drop his sixth studio album Certified Lover Boy in January 2021. In the summer, he released a hit single leading up to album release Laugh Now, Cry Later featuring Lil Durk. Drake confirmed this song will be on the album. There’s a possibility of a Roddy Ricch feature on the album, in the leaked track In The Cut. Recently, Drake announced on his Instagram that he will postpone the album due his surgery and rehab. The album is likely to drop in February.   

 

Kanye West – Donda 

Originally titled God’s Country, Kanye changed the name of his 10th studio album to Donda, to honor his late mother Donda West who passed away in 2007. Kanye announced on July 21, 2020 that he’ll be dropping Donda on the Friday of that week with the tracklisting, but hasn’t released or talked about it since. Kanye has a history of delaying his albums after announcing the official date of the release.  The album is expected to have 12 tracks. Fans still wait eagerly for an update.  

 

J. Cole – The Fall Off 

J. Cole, coming off his successful album KOD in 2018, announced he will be releasing a brand new album titled The Fall Off. On July 22, 2020, J. Cole released a short EP titled Lewis Street with 2 track listings. The 2 tracks will be on the album. The tracks, The Climb Back and Lion King On Ice left fans excited for the new album. J. Cole dropped hints, teasing the album released on his instagram. The abum is expected to drop in 2021. People are still awaiting for the official release date. 

 

Travis Scott – Utopia

On Oct. 5, Travis Scott confirmed that he’ll be dropping his 4th studio album Utopia in 2021. Travis hasn’t given an official release date for this project. In 2020, Travis Scott released the single Franchise featuring Young Thug and M.I.A and The Scotts with Kid Cudi. He’s been dropping music consistently, fans don’t know what to expect with this new project. 

 

Kendrick Lamar –

Kendrick hasn’t dropped a studio album since DAMN, back in 2017. Fans have been on the edge of their seat, waiting for him to announce a new project for years. Kendrick explained why his albums take so long to make. In an interview with Baby Keem for i-D magazine  he said, “I spent the whole year just thinking about how I’m going to execute a new sound, I can’t do the same thing over and over” Kendrick explained. Kendrick’s label Top Dawg Entertainment, announced Kendrick would “return soon” back in May 2020. People suspect Kendrick will drop something this year. Fans continue to grow more and more anxious for a new project.