5 Albums I Can’t Wait To Hear In 2021

Over the past year, music became an essential source of comfort and distraction in the midst of these uncertain times. 2021 is set to be another intriguing year for music. I’ve compiled a list below of my most anticipated music releases this year.

Jill Scott, TBD

Following Jill Scott’s Verzuz battle with Erykah Badu in May, the Philly songstress told ABC Audio that she was working on new music with “incredible producers.” "I am getting really incredible music from incredible producers, that I wanted to work with for a long time and new ones that I just heard about on Instagram, quite frankly," Scott said. "And it's been very, very exciting for me."

Scott also shared that fans could look forward to new rhythms and new voices that she's never played with before. "So, yeah, there's new music coming," she concluded. "I couldn't help it."

Joey Bada$$, TBD

It’s been nearly four years since the Pro Era leader dropped his socially conscious album, All-Amerikkkan Bada$$. In his hiatus from solo music, Joey has ventured into acting, with roles on Mr. Robot, Wu-Tang: An America Saga, and more. He explained to Complex in May the wait for his next LP. “It’s not fast food,” he said. “It’s not something that keeps coming, even though I’d like it to be like that, and my fans would like it to be like that. But I just need time. I’m talking about my life, talking about my experiences. That doesn’t always happen in six months. Sometimes, not much happens in six months that’s super significant to express through art. Or sometimes you need another six months to even process what you just went through.”

To whet fans’ appetite, Joey released a three-song EP, The Light in July. It explores enlightenment of the mind, body, and soul.

SZA, TBD

In an interview for the February issue of Cosmopolitan, SZA confirmed that the follow-up to 2017’s Ctrl would arrive this year. “This album is going to be the shit that made me feel something in my (heart and gut),” she shared. “That’s what’s going to go on the album. I’m making all different types of shit every day from different places in my spirit.”

Last year, SZA unleashed two singles – “Hit Different” featuring Ty Dolla $ign and “Good Days” which will presumably appear on the forthcoming effort.

Camper, TBD

Prolific producer DJ Camper, who has produced hits for the likes of H.E.R. and Mary J. Blige, is readying his own album. While details surrounding the LP are discreet, Camper has already released two singles, “Grip” and “Sleep” featuring Brandy. The two recently worked together on Brandy’s latest effort, B7, serving as the executive producer.   

Isaiah Rashad, The House Is Burning

Besides Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Isaiah Rashad is another TDE artist with a highly anticipated release. The Chattanooga rapper has revealed that the follow-up to 2016’s The Sun’s Tirade is titled The House Is Burning.

Rashad also acknowledged his sobriety during the recording process on Twitter. “everything on the track list so far was made completely sober,” he wrote in a since-deleted tweet. “which is a first. I quit drinking and recording around 2019. slick quit drinking then too. but ya kno. da wagon.” His tweets follow a battle with alcoholism that he divulged back in 2016 to Billboard.

Rashad’s sophomore album should arrive sooner rather than later as he’s currently in the mixing stages.