<p>It&#8217;s hard to believe we&#8217;re already back at year-end list time, as it&#8217;s formally referred to. The pandemic continues to affect all of our lives in disparate ways, depending on location, age, work, and living situation; meaning that, for most of us, life still hasn&#8217;t <em>necessarily</em> returned to &#8220;normal.&#8221; There is still some way in which we are grappling with the pandemic aftermath, or the&nbsp;virus itself, whether it be via local rules and regulations or the simple fact that we were pretty much collectively shut down all of 2020. Nonetheless, for the music business, things are resuming to &#8220;normalcy&#8221; as best they can&#8211; that is to say, we&#8217;re seeing new tour announcements pop up daily, and while the beginning of the pandemic may have brought some hesitancy as far as what&#8217;s the best protocol&nbsp;for releasing new music, 2021&nbsp;has pretty much been back in full swing, with major&nbsp;song releases (and album rollouts to match) from OGs like Nas, perpetually-cool artists like Drake and Tyler, the Creator, as well as newcomers like Baby Keem and EST Gee. All of these aforementioned artists make an appearance on our Top 35 Hottest Hip-Hop Songs of 2021 list below.</p>



<p>This year&#8217;s list showcases an eclectic mix of what was popping throughout hip-hop and rap, whether it be through a TikTok or social media channel, YouTube, or the streets. These were songs that made an impact due to sheer quality and the strength of #bars, or else,&nbsp;there were songs that might have been simply unavoidable, growing on us due to their ubiquity. This list blends what we perceived to be the most-talked-about, longest-lasting post-release, and most impactful and hottest hip-hop songs of 2021, with a splash of our staff&#8217;s opinions thrown in for good measure.</p>



<p>Scroll through the list below and sound off in the comments.</p>



<p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ed. Note:</span>&nbsp;</em>We decided to slim down the list this year. You will get&nbsp;our team&#8217;s&nbsp;in-depth write-ups&nbsp;by way of a &#8220;Staff Picks of the Year&#8221;&nbsp;round-up which we&#8217;ll be dropping next Monday, December 13. Stay tuned for this more personalized year-end approach.</p>



<p><em>&#8211; Rose</em></p>


<hr>
<h2><strong>35. Lil Wayne &#8211; Ya Dig</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EjJToOEeyyU" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>34.&nbsp;Tee Grizzley &#8211; &#8220;White Lows Off Designer&#8221; feat. Lil Durk</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dGY6kxOf7Yk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>33.&nbsp;Doja Cat &#8211; &#8220;Options&#8221; feat. JID</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TJoS_CZlbjc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>32. <a href="/profile/pop-smoke" class="text-word" target="_blank" >Pop Smoke</a> &#8211; &#8220;Bout a Million&#8221; feat. 42 Dugg &amp; 21 Savage</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tb7Ivb0-slM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>31.&nbsp;Benny the Butcher &amp; Harry Fraud &#8211; &#8220;Plug Talk&#8221; feat. 2 Chainz</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PQIsglsFZvM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>30.&nbsp;Meek Mill &#8211; &#8220;Sharing Locations&#8221; feat. Lil Durk &amp; Lil Baby</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XCyIcifbOWE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>29.&nbsp;Key Glock &amp; Young Dolph &#8211; &#8220;Penguins&#8221;</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EOffID-Hp7M" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>28.&nbsp;BIA &#8211; &#8220;Whole Lotta Money&#8221; Remix feat. Nicki Minaj</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/saqqO_uWxk4" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>27.&nbsp;<a href="/profile/lilnasx" class="text-word" target="_blank" >Lil Nas X</a> &#8211; &#8220;Industry Baby&#8221; feat. <a href="/profile/jackharlow" class="text-word" target="_blank" >Jack Harlow</a></strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UTHLKHL_whs" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>26.&nbsp;Freddie Gibbs &#8211; &#8220;Black Illuminati&#8221; feat. Jadakiss</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/58g_dyMTQHQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>25.&nbsp;Lil Durk &amp; Lil Baby &#8211; &#8220;Every Chance I Get&#8221;</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BTivsHlVcGU" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>24.&nbsp;Nardo Wick &#8211; &#8220;Who Want Smoke Remix&#8221; feat. Lil Durk, G Herbo &amp; 21 Savage</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U2SNwtE-0Us" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>23.&nbsp;Nicki Minaj &#8211; &#8220;Seeing Green&#8221; feat. Drake &amp; Lil Wayne</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Q7rcUm0Dro" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>22.&nbsp;Drake &#8211; &#8220;Wants &amp; Needs&#8221; feat. Lil Baby</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U6k5dIhB6AM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>21. Conway &#8211; &#8220;Scatter Brain&#8221; feat. JID &amp; Ludacris</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M6qBhi6FBe0" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>20.&nbsp;J. Cole &#8211; &#8220;Pride is the Devil&#8221; feat. Lil Baby</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZLX-GY0dJgc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>19. EST Gee &#8211; &#8220;5500 Degrees&#8221; feat. Lil Baby, 42 Dugg &amp; Rylo Rodriguez</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IWm4c9u0O8c" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>18.&nbsp;Nipsey Hussle &#8211; &#8220;What It Feels Like&#8221; feat. Jay-Z </strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/12e4v-XlCmk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>17.&nbsp;Young Thug &#8211; &#8220;Day Before&#8221; feat. Mac Miller </strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yV_vyn0ELH8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>16.&nbsp;<a href="/profile/westsidegunn" class="text-word" target="_blank" >Westside Gunn</a> &#8211; &#8220;Hell on Earth Pt. 2&#8221;</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OJMiv-ALbtw" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>15.&nbsp;<a href="/profile/Polo-G" class="text-word" target="_blank" >Polo G</a> &#8211; &#8220;Rapstar&#8221;</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w2IhccXakkE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>14.&nbsp;Sleepy Hallow &#8211; &#8220;2055&#8221;</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y1xZ_kAhjMc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>13. Lloyd Banks &#8211; &#8220;Empathy&#8221; feat. Freddie Gibbs</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ykG3Gg7fTB0" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>12.&nbsp;Drake &#8211; &#8220;Knife Talk&#8221; feat. Project Pat &amp; 21 Savage</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XqpQpt_cmhE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>11.&nbsp;Lil Tjay &#8211; &#8220;Calling My Phone&#8221; feat. 6lack</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zzd4ydafGR0" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>10.&nbsp;</strong><strong>Isaiah Rashad &#8211; &#8220;Lay Wit Ya&#8221; feat. Duke Deuce</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dzrQCsJzr70" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>09.&nbsp;</strong><strong>Tyler, The Creator &#8211;&nbsp;&#8220;WUSYANAME&#8221; feat.&nbsp;NBA&nbsp;Youngboy &amp; Ty Dolla $ign</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NJea386275c" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>08.&nbsp;YSL &#8211; &#8220;Ski&#8221;</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sevhj75lj80" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>07.&nbsp;J. Cole &#8211; &#8220;My Life&#8221; feat. Morray &amp; 21 Savage</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wLQ8u3xRZd8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>06.&nbsp;Kanye West &#8211; &#8220;Off the Grid&#8221; feat. Playboi Carti &amp; Fivio Foreign</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EbDMNjT-QpI" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>05.&nbsp;Nas &#8211; &#8220;Nobody&#8221; feat. Lauryn Hill </strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/234OiGtOvII" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>04.&nbsp;Drake &#8211; &#8220;Champagne Poetry&#8221;</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IxVuT8cgccM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>03.&nbsp;Baby Keem &amp; Kendrick Lamar &#8211; &#8220;range brothers&#8221;</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IkuBYRUwWdg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>02.&nbsp;Kanye West &#8211; &#8220;Life of the Party&#8221; feat. Andre 3000 </strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7YNL5DCRNec" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<h2><strong>01. Moneybagg Yo &#8211; &#8220;Wockesha&#8221;</strong></h2>


<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6bN45f9NjlA" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>


<p></p>