Music Moose

2020 has been one of the weirdest years in recent memory. This trend has certainly affected music as some of the biggest names in the industry have not released any albums due to the implications of Covid-19. Nevertheless, this year has been very lacklustre as most albums have been mediocre; nothing has really caught my attention apart from a few. So here’s our ranking of the best albums this year.

Honourable Mention: J Hus – Big Conspiracy

Momodou Jallow better known as J Hus, faced a lot of pressure coming into his sophomore album. Nevertheless, Big Conspiracy managed to live up to expectations. Big conspiracy follows Hus on his journey of new found spirituality as well as self-love and black empowerment. The album is Momodou’s most cohesive project to date and continues to push the afro-swing genre to the forefront.

5. Wiz Kid – Made in Lagos

‘Made in Lagos’ couldn’t of been a more fitting title. Wiz Kid’s latest efforts encapsulate the ultimate African experience. Made in Lagos can only be described as “Afro Blues” due to its predominant jazz aesthetic throughout. Wiz continues bring the afro-beats sound to the western world and show the blueprint to how African artists can find fame outside their backyard.

4. Nas – King’s Disease

At this point in Nas’s career, he is already solidified his place as one of the greatest rappers, but yet he still continues to break the mould of what a rap career should entail. King’s Disease is a throwback to Nas’s best works but with modern production; thanks to Hit-Boy. The album finds Nas give his perspective on today’s youth as well as drop gems on all the lessons his learned over his illustrious career. King’s disease is the best rap album of 2020 and shows that substance is still as important, regardless of the current landscape of Hip-Hop.

3. Pop Smoke – Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon

This year has been rough for us all, especially losing one of the most promising rappers to come out in the last several years. Pop Smoke’s influence on music was felt throughout the year as the New York drill sound continued to dominate airwaves. Pop had only been around for a year, but it felt like forever. His unique delivery culminated with his husky voice made some of the most distinctive trap records since the Chicago drill era. Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon was a fitting title for the legacy of Bashar. Although it was recorded under a year Pop’s ability to step out of his comfort zone showed many he was going to stick around for years to come.

2. Lil Baby – My Turn

Lil Baby hasn’t taken his foot off the gas since his breakout in 2018. The rapper is the embodiment of what a trap artist should be in 2020. Baby’s flow, charisma and melodies were taken to new levels this year. ‘My Turn’ had listeners live vicariously through Baby’s word; I know I’m not the only one rapping emotionally scarred word for word in the mirror. Baby has shown his ability to garner mainstream attention and the future is looking bright for the Atlanta native.

1. The Weeknd – After Hours

2020 saw Abel make his return after a four year hiatus with ‘After Hours’. ‘After Hours’ is arguably the Weeknd’s best album since 2015’s ‘Beauty Behind The Madness’, due to Abel’s reinvention of himself. Not only did the album spawn one of the biggest songs of the year but it’s use of 80’s synth pop gave listeners a glimpse into Abel’s versatility as a singer. Songs such as ‘Save your tears’ made one of the best ballads you’ll hear this year. Michael Jackson’s influence on Abel can be heard throughout this album; After Hours represents what a Michael Jackson album would sound like in 2020.