2020 has been a year like no other.
From the COVID-19 pandemic, quarantining, lock-downs and more.. it’s safe to say everyone is praying for 2021 to be a better year for us all. Through all the misfortune, some of our favorite artist still held us down with good music and good vibes. We’ve heard bops from the biggest of the biggest, and even some newcomers in the game.
Follow us as we look back at the BIGGEST records that dropped in 2020.
The H-Town hottie herself, Megan Thee Stallion came on the scene super HOT. She linked up with fellow Houston native, Beyonce in April and dropped a remix to her hit single “Savage.” The remix blazed the charts, and hit number one on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Roddy Ricch also popped up on the scene and took 2020 over by storm. He released his hit single “The Box” in January. It became his highest-charting song worldwide, spending eleven weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Speaking of Roddy Ricch, he jumped on a track with breakout artist DaBaby and the two’s chemistry was undeniable. The single, “Rockstar” spent seven non-consecutive weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. According to reports, the song also topped the charts in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top 10 of the charts in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The song was written by DaBaby and Roddy Ricch.
Three words..W..A..P..Cardi B linked up with Megan Thee Stallion and released a very controversial song, “WAP.” The women-centric themed song started a lot of conversations about the sexual connotation behind the song’s lyric, yet, the song still topped the charts. The track dropped in August and It debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Cardi B her fourth number-one single. The single samples Frank Ski’s 1993 Baltimore club single “Whores in This House”.
Other honorable mentions include:
“Laugh Now, Cry Later” Drake featuring Lil Durk, “Tap In” Saweetie, “Lemonade” Internet Money Featuring Don Toliver, Gunna and Nav, “Said Sum” Moneybagg Yo “Whole Lotta Choppas” Sada Baby.
Even through the pandemic and the world being on lock down, some of the top artist still delivered repeat-worthy albums. Join us as we recap them below (no particular order).
You may remember Atlanta’s newest rising star, Mulatto, Jermaine Dupri’s “The Rap Game.” The rap star dropped her album Queen Of Da Souf which featured big names such as Gucci Mane, The City Girls and 21 Savage.
The late Pop Smoke dropped what would be his debut album, following his tragic and untimely passing on February 19. The album was executively produced by 50 Cent. Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon debuted at number one and Pop Smoke became the first act in hip hop history to have a posthumous debut album at the top of the chart.
Freddie Gibbs also came with some HEAT. His album Alfredo gave us the bars that we needed. It featured artist such as, Rick Ross, Benny the Butcher, Tyler, the Creator, and Conway the Machine. It received a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 2021 Grammy Awards.
Honorable mentions include:
My Turn Lil Baby, PTSD G. Herbo, Good News Megan Thee Stallion, Thats What They All Say Jack Harlow, The Album Teyana Taylor, ELE2: The Wrath of God Busta Rhymes, Savage Mode II 21 Savage & Metro Boomin’.
With the year coming to an end, it’s important to reflect as we prepare for the year ahead. We had a lot of misfortune this year and shortcomings but we have a lot to look forward to next year.
Keep your radios locked on Hot 97 as we continue to bring you the hottest and newest songs out of the tri-state area!
For more, watch our Hot 97 Personalities & DJ’s look back at 2020 in music.