Whoever said Hip-Hop was in its decline period wasn’t paying attention. The streaming era conducted in a spike in female rappers, and a high saturation of new Hip-Hop artists across the globe. Which isn’t entirely a downside on the profit side of things pertaining to record labels and income for these artists.
Currently, in the 2020s, this year has been about new growth in Hip-Hop/Rap genre. The talent that emerged from late 2021 to right now is immaculate. Female rappers across the world in the UK, US, Africa, Korea, and the rest made an everlasting impression on me as a hip-hop enthusiast. It’s quite alarming how the roles have reversed from the 90s. Female rappers are taking over, and quite easily best male rappers in upping the ante on bars, money moves, and being a brand. The LGBTQIA community has infiltrated the Rap scene positively too.
For that, I curated a list, Editor edition. My list includes the best of the best in Hip-Hop 2022. I summarised and squeezed it into four categories.
RAP SONG OF THE YEAR
- Nicki Minaj, Fivio Foreign- We Go Up
2. Doechii- Stressed
3. Ice Spice- Munch (Feelin’ U)
Album of The Year
- Joey Bada$$’s “2000” album is my top album of the year for countless reasons. He is an underrated gem of an artist, among the likes of JID, Vince Staples, and Lupe Fiasco. The album is reminiscent of Hip-Hop in the early 2000s but infused with current sounds. His pen on this album is quite genius and enviable. My favorite songs on the album include Survivor’s Guilt, Wanna Be Loved, and Written In The Stars.
2. Little Simz recently dropped one of my favorite female rapper albums NO THANK YOU, and yet it is a strong contender and my second favorite album. She has gone through a wild rollercoaster ride with record labels for years. This album was a public service announcement, from beginning to end. She unleashed a lot of her anguish, and obstacles in a very creative way that only she can accomplish.
3. “Shape Up” by Leikeli47 is my top 3 album of the year for its refreshing and different approach. The album’s overall production Is impressive, and the varied artistic avenues she ventured into–truly remarkable. She is a true artist who is consistent with her look, agenda, and creativity. I hope she gets the recognition she deserves soon, in 2023 at the latest.
Verse Of The Year
- “Project Princess” also known as London Hilll is one of my favorite female rappers on the rise this year. Her sound is old skool hip-hop and she adapts to any beat with grace and humility. She is one to watch out for next year. Her verse on Likkle Miss Fine 9 Remix is the hardest verse this year. The transition from hardcore to Caribbean flow, to double entendres on every line. You have to listen to understand.
2. Akbar V’s “Super Freaky Girl” verse on the QueenMix is complex and shows her growth as an MC. She said,
“But I can’t argue with no bum bitch
I’m cool J, take a LL (Fuck, yeah)
And I’m too player to ever kiss and tell (Shh)
Your nigga spend a forty right at Chanel
Then I send him back to you like, “Farewell”
He give me left strokes, back strokes”
3. City Girls’ JT’s transition to hopping on songs as an individual artist was a sweet unfolding. Her verse on “Top Notch” was even better. She slid on this heavy drill beat with her solid flow and stacked-up bars. JT stood out in this verse. Her steady growth in cadence and penmanship is evident. She went over to make a statement on Super Freaky Girl Queen Mix and dubbed herself “Princess of Rap.”
Rookie of The Year
Last on my list is my top 3 rookies of the year. These artists proved to the general public why they should be revered or taken seriously. Their work did all the talking.
- Monaleo, Houston’s very own and the youngest on my list. From the start of 2022, she came up with killing everything. Her tag-team effort with Flo Milli on We Not Humping Remix, Body Bag single, Faneto freestyle, and the recent Miss U Already live performance.
- Doechii is probably top 5 most creative hip-hop female artists this year. She released “Persuasive” with SZA, and jumped on Colors x Studio by launching her latest hit “Stressed” and the groundbreaking interview with Honda and Billboard. She will be a staple by next year. Watch out.
- UK’s finest drill queen, Ivorian Doll, also very young at 25 silenced her haters with two heavy singles–Messy and PETTY. She recently hinted at an EP release early next year. Fingers crossed Ivorian Doll lovers.
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