Edd’s Favorite Songs of 2021

You’ve seen my Top 50 albums of 2021 list.

You’ve read the Top 100 R&B songs of 2021 list I crafted with YouKnowIGotSoul.com.

In both those cases, I had to embrace my role as Unbiased Music Reviewer and keep personal preferences aside when weighing the year’s best songs and albums. You should expect nothing less from me.

Buttttt not this time.

Today I’m sharing a playlist of my favorite songs of the year. They’re not necessarily the BEST songs (although in several cases, I’ll make that argument) but they’re the songs that defined my year. You can peep the full 77-song playlist below but first, let’s check out my personal top 10.

10. Kanye West featuring Andre 3000, “Life of the Party”

Obviously this is ALL due to Andre’s verse, who even in his rare appearances continues to prove why he’s one of the greatest rappers we’ll ever know.

9. Silk Sonic, “Smokin Out The Window”

After Silk Sonic’s second single “Skate” was met with indifference, they boys hit back HARD with this one – a soulful AND gif-worthy performance. That’s like double win in 2021.

8. Wale featuring Jamie Foxx, “Dearly Beloved”

Wale is so frustrating. I didn’t love his new album, but I absolutely adored this flip of this classic Jamie Foxx Show performance – even though it’s only an interlude. Give me more of THIS, Wale.

7. Ari Lennox, “Pressure”

This track is just so much fun. With Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri and Johntá Austin all on board, this was destined to be a hit. But the real star here is Ari, who proved she has no problem diversifying her sound while maintaining her high standard of quality. That’s artistry right there.

6. Drake featuring Rick Ross, “Lemon Pepper Freestyle”

Just like his boy Wale, Aubrey frustrates me to no end. While Drake’s stans (and apparently the Grammy committee until Drake backed out…) spent half the year twisting themselves in knots to convince themselves that the Certified Lover Boy album wasn’t a disaster, we actually DID get great music from the man. The Quadron sample; the haunting atmosphere; focused, sharp bars from the duo – it ranks as one of my favorite Drake songs ever. I don’t know WHAT CLB was supposed to be, but this was dope.

5. Silk Sonic, “Leave the Door Open”

Forget leaving the door open, this one blew the door off the hinges. The initial outing for Silk Sonic is still some of their best work, leaving fans salivating for their debut album. And yes, the album was pretty awesome.

4. Freddie Gibbs, “Big Boss Rabbit”

So are y’all ready to have the conversation that Gangsta Gibbs is one of the best rappers of the modern era? EVERY song the man drops hits. He just glides over this “In Jerusalem,” sample, popularized by Nas’ “You’re Da Man.” That’s pretty elite company if you ask me.

3. Masego and Devin Morrison, “Yamz”

I’ve been indifferent to Masego at various points but he’s determined to win me over with this one. The song’s barely been out a month and I haven’t stopped listening to it yet. Sure, it’s absolutely ridiculous but it’s so infectious.

2. The Shindellas, “When You’re Lonely”

You’ve heard me rave about The Shindellas all year long, whether it was on my review of their album, or our Top 50 albums of the year list, or even the SoulBack podcast. This song has everything I love about R&B – the writing, the harmonies, the bridge, the passionate performances, WHEW.

1. AGATHA ALL ALONG

A BOP!

AN EVIL BOP!

And no I’m not joking, this was legit my favorite song of the year. But since I know y’all are gonna cry foul about a TV show jingle, let’s go with a suitable replacement for the absolute best of 2021.

1. Eric Roberson, “Lessons”

From songwriting to performance, there was no song that beat Erro’s “Lessons” this year. Turning heartbreak on its head, he uses the pain of the past to show that that journey only prepared him for his destiny. In a year full of breakup tracks, thank Erro for showing us that sorrow is only part of the story. I had the great pleasure of witnessing two friends get married this summer and this track was part of the playlist, which made its themes hit even harder. It’s R&B storytelling at its finest.

Take a listen to my full playlist of faves below.