Year in review: The ultimate playlist for saying goodbye to 2021

A one-hit wonder? Not on Lil Nas X’s watch. He may be a master at trolling on social media, but he’s also a go-getter in proving people wrong. After a number of critics counted him out when he released his 2018 hit “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X continued to break records, all while doing it his own way. As an ode to the naysayers, he teamed up with Jack Harlow on their hit “Industry Baby." His confidence and boastfulness shine throughout the song, especially as he says, “And this one is for the champions / I ain’t lost since I began, yeah / Funny how you said it was the end, yeah / Then I went did it again, yeah.” 

Kali Uchis may have released her single “Telepatía" in November 2020, but the song started gaining a lot more popularity in early 2021 due to a viral trend on TikTok. On “Telepatía," Uchis sings about being connected with her partner telepathically, even if they aren't physically near each other. The bilingual lyrics mixed with a whimsical and laid-back production make for a smooth listen as Uchis sings, "I can hear your thoughts like a melody / Listen while you talk when you're fast asleep / You stay on the phone just to hear me breathe on repeat." 

Halsey is a new mom, and while the journey to motherhood can be a beautiful one, it can also be a daunting one. The milestone was inspirational to her album "If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power," and particularly on the single "I am not a woman, I'm a god." While Halsey is aware of her power, she stresses the extreme dualities of womanhood. 

Emerging DJ and producer Amorphous took Twitter by storm in 2020 after his mashup of Rihanna and Luther Vandross went viral. Amorphous hasn't slowed down since and released his debut EP "Things Take Shape" the following year. On his single "Finally (Cannot Hide It)," he teams up with Kelly Rowland and CeCe Penıston to give a new spin to her 1991 classic "Finally." Amorphous proves time after time that he's a master of bringing new light to songs of the past, and Rowland is a star on any EDM track. 

If it's one thing country music fans can always count on, it's artists bringing some of the best duets that tap into every single emotion. Jason Aldean teamed up with Carrie Underwood on their hit single "If I Didn't Love You." While the piano and guitar sounds can easily draw fans in, it's the lyrics about trying to get over a relationship that is sure to put listeners in their feelings. As the hook says, "If I didn't love you, I'd be good by now / I'd be better than getting by somehow." 

Whether he's taking over radio airwaves with his own music or collaborating with some of the biggest artists in the industry, Bad Bunny's star power continues to rise. While his song “Yonaguni” may also be the name of an island in Japan, he reflects on trying to deal with a breakup even when his feelings continue to get in the way. As Bad Bunny continues to gift fans with reggaeton anthems, "Yonaguni" became a top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It's no wonder how he's become the most streamed artist on Spotify for the second year in a row.

Earlier in the year, sister duo Chloe x Halle decided to create their own social media accounts, as a way to express themselves separately, while also being in different places. Both sisters are typically known for sharing studio sessions and song covers, and Chlöe was no different when she announced her first solo single “Have Mercy.” Chlöe shines on her debut as she asserts her sensuality and appreciates herself for everything she has to offer. 

Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars surprised everyone when they announced new music as supergroup Silk Sonic. The duo’s first single “Leave The Door Open” took fans back to an era of ‘70s soul with its vintage composition, and their harmonies are layered to perfection. On the track, Bruno and Anderson do their best at convincing a potential lover to spend a romantic evening with them. As the first verse says, "We should be dancing, romancing / In the east wing and the west wing of this mansion / What's happening?" The invite is there and fans are ready to show up for whatever Silk Sonic is offering. 

If MTV still played music videos and TRL was around for a video countdown, there’s no doubt that Olivia Rodrigo’s hit song “good 4 u” would be a popular request. Think of artists like Paramore and Avril Lavigne, that's the type of music composition this song breeds. The catchy single is reminiscent of 2000s pop-punk that takes listeners back to a defining pop culture era. 

Drake and Future have collaborated numerous times throughout their careers, so naturally when the Toronto rapper announced the features for his latest album “Certified Lover Boy,” fans knew another hit was brewing. On “Way 2 Sexy,” Drake and Future team up with Young Thug as they sample a Right Said Fred ‘90s classic for an empowerment anthem. In pure Drake fashion, there's plenty of lyrics in the hot track to use for Instagram captions. 

If there was one song that seemed to be everywhere this year, it was "Essence" from Wizkid and Tems. Wizkid's “Made In Lagos” album was already getting rave reviews, but this collaboration alongside Tems is pushing his stardom to another level. The song quickly became a hit on radio airwaves, day parties, and TikTok videos. While some people deemed "Essence" as the song of the summer, it could easily be crowned as the song of the year. 

The year of R&B started off strong when Jazmine Sullivan returned to the scene with her new EP “Heaux Tales.” The project’s lead single “Pick Up Your Feelings,” gives fans another breakup song that they can sing their hearts out to. Sullivan encourages listeners to get rid of extra baggage and any toxic relationship that is not worth their time. In true Sullivan form, experiences lead to lessons learned. 

K-pop boy band BTS continues to keep their fans melting with their scorching single "Butter." Landing a hit single is apparent for BTS and "Butter" earned the band yet another prestigious honor—Billboard's 2021 Song of the Summer. The song is filled with disco-pop and EDM elements as they sing, "Smooth like butter, like a criminal undercover / Gon' pop like trouble breaking into your heart like that." 

Coming off the heels of her critically-acclaimed debut album, Billie Eilish returned with her sophomore effort “Happier Than Ever.” The album’s title track gives an acoustic guitar-driven melancholy before forming into a rock song. Eilish reflects on a relationship that is no longer serving her and realizes how much happier she is without them. 

The ladies of pop and R&B were pretty dominant all year long and one of 2021’s most popular collaborations came from Doja Cat and SZA. On “Kiss Me More,” the two singers find themselves yearning for some affection from their lovers. The disco-infused pop production along with the singers' smooth vocals, gives "Kiss Me More" the perfect springtime vibe. 

Fans have been waiting patiently for Normani to release her debut solo album, and in the meantime, she teamed up with Cardi B on their collaboration “Wild Side." With video choreography reminiscent of Ciara, Aaliyah, and Janet Jackson, Normani is showcasing her visual direction and stellar showmanship while keeping it sexy. The ladies are all about exploring their sensuality as Normani sings, "We just can't keep talking about it / We think too often about it / We can't just keep cautious about it / I wanna get wild." 

There is no doubt that Adele runs the music industry every time she releases new music. It was no different when the singer announced her new single “Easy On Me,” her first in six years. In true Adele fashion, the song is a piano-driven ballad filled with emotion and heartbreak as she reflects on her past marriage. 

Gone are the days when Willow was whipping her hair for R&B and pop audiences, this time around, she’s stepping into her punk-pop mode with her new album “Lately I Feel Everything.” The album’s lead single “t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l” finds Willow teaming up with Blink-182 star Travis Barker as she steps into her true element—a rock-infused sound. Willow calls out the fake and envious people who try to do her wrong as she sings, "I knew a boy just like you / He's a snake just like you / He's a fake just like you / But I can see the truth."

Now that the world is catching up to the stardom of Tyler, The Creator, the rapper is more than ready to elevate his artistry with each new project. Tyler recruits YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Ty Dolla $ign with a summertime love mood on his smooth single "WUSYANAME." The rapper tries his best pickup lines to get the attention of a potential lover, can't blame a guy for shooting his shot, he just might make it.

After a four-year hiatus, indie rock band Japanese Breakfast returned with their third studio album “Jubilee.” After lead singer Michelle Zauner suffered a number of tragic losses, she was ready to switch up the music content. It was evident in the album’s lead single “Be Sweet,” which gives a more uplifting and joyous feel to the band's discography. 

There’s no doubt that the past two years have brought difficult and tragic times across the world, and sometimes people need just a little bit of hope to continue in the midst of chaos. SZA's single "Good Days" beams with sounds of birds chirping, nature noises, and an acoustic guitar to keep a listener's mind at ease. "Good Days" is the perfect listen for people who are optimistic about peace and solace on the horizon. 

Justin Bieber is in love and he wants the world to know. It was evident when he teamed up with Daniel Caesar and GIVEŌN on their joint single “Peaches,” which is all about confessing his feelings to the one he loves. His feelings are on full display, especially in the first verse as he sings, "There's nothing like your touch / It's the way you lift me up, yeah / And I'll be right here with you until the end of time." 

Sometimes people need to hype up their friends, Saweetie and Doja Cat have the perfect record for it in "Best Friend." Saweetie is in her lane for giving fans a catchy anthem, especially one that encourages people to support their friends and have a good time. The empowerment beams throughout the song as she says, "That's my best friend / She a real bad b***h / Drive her own car / She don't need no Lyft." 

Kendrick Lamar has been fairly quiet with music releases for the past few years, so the fandom was at an all-time high when he teamed up with Baby Keem on “family ties.” Lamar puts the world on notice that he’s coming back to claim his hip-hop throne, while Keem is ready to put his stamp on it.

Amaarae and Moliy released “Sad Girlz Luv Money” in late 2020, but the song saw new light the following year when Kali Uchis joined the remix. Amaarae, Moliy, and Uchis trade verses about getting to the money and having a good time. Kali's lush vocals alongside the airy tones of Amaarae and Moliy make for a catchy listen as they sing, "Get the f*** up out of my way / I'm gonna get paid, yeah / I wanna get paid, yeah / Just give me my mula-la-la." The remix went to number one on the Spotify Viral and TikTok Top Tracks charts.

British duo Jungle returned with their latest album “Loving in Stereo" and the album’s lead single “Keep Moving" is a joyous listen. Between the disco vibe and classical arrangement, the infectious single sounds reminiscent of the Bee Gees era. 

Over the past year, Ari Lennox has been in the studio with some heavy hitmaking producers. As she gears up to release her sophomore album, she teamed up with Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, and Johnta Austin on her latest single “Pressure.” The song feels reminiscent of the Motown era as Lennox is confident in asking her lover for exactly what she wants, "Keep your eyes on me, eyes on me, apply that pressure / Get it, don't be timid when you in it, apply that pressure."

The Kid LAROI had a groundbreaking year in 2021. He teamed up with Justin Bieber on his hit single “Stay,” the song became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, he broke the Spotify billion streams record, and earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. The catchy single has seen a lot of rotation this year and The Kid LAROI is showing no signs of slowing down.

Kacey Musgraves is ready to move on from her divorce, which is evident on her new album “star-crossed.” On her single “justified,” she sings how healing isn’t always a streamlined process, and emotions can be up and down along the way. In the hook she sings, "If I need just a little more time to deal with the fact / That you should've treated me right / Then I'm more than just a little justified." 

Obviously, Kanye West can make headlines no matter what the story, which includes massive listening party productions for his latest album "DONDA." One of the album's most heartfelt singles comes from Ye and André 3000 on "Life Of The Party." André is at a point in his career in which he drops sporadic features and he's the shining star on this single as he yearns for more moments with his late mother. 

Music fans are always looking for tracks to fit a weekend mood. That’s where Twenty One Pilots comes in with their catchy single “Saturday.” On the hook they sing, “Slow down on Monday / Not a sound on Wednesday / Might get loud on Friday / But on Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, we paint the town.” The pop-funk-infused production makes the song a must-listen on the perfect summer day. 

After winning three Grammys earlier in the year, Megan Thee Stallion returned as her alter ego Tina Snow for her single “Thot S**t." Megan knows exactly what her fans want, a catchy anthem in which they can feel like themselves, unapologetically. Throughout the song, Megan is calling out her haters and celebrating her success as she says, "Acting like you winning, if you think about it, actually / Are they supporting you or really just attacking me? / I don't give a f*** 'bout a blog tryna bash me / I'm the s**t per the Recording Academy." 

Chicago rapper Polo G wants people to know about the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Being a celebrity can be great, but it comes at a cost at times. He wrestles with the ups and downs of his new life on "RAPSTAR" as he says, "I'm the chosen one, seen my potential so they fear me / Lately I've been praying, God, I wonder can you hear me? / Thinking about the old me, I swear I miss you dearly."

Something fans have heard a lot more over the years is artists re-recording new versions of previous albums due to ownership of their master recordings. Taylor Swift re-recorded her album “Red” and one of the standout tracks is the ten-minute version of her hit "All Too Well." In true Swift form, the singer is transparent and vulnerable about relationships that didn't work out. 

Sometimes artists are all about being a voice for the people and their music can help define movements for social change. Yotuel, Gente De Zona, Descemer Bueno, Maykel Osorbo, and El Funky released “Patria y Vida” or "homeland and life," back in February. By the summer, the song became the anthem for what people are deeming as the largest protests in Cuban history. Officials of the Cuban government may not be fans of the song, but it's a rallying cry for the people, that ultimately won Song of the Year at the Latin Grammy Awards.