Top 20 Rap Albums Released During the Pandemic Era
From Pop Smoke’s major debut to Playboi Carti’s avant-garde masterpiece, here’s a rundown of the 20 best rap albums that emerged during the pandemic era.
The onset of 2020 seemed filled with anticipation. Big names like Drake, J. Cole, and Cardi B were rumored to drop new projects.
However, everything shifted dramatically on March 11, 2020, when COVID-19 was officially declared a global pandemic. As lockdowns ensued and daily life was upended, it became clear that the music world would be forever changed.
With tour dates canceled and the live performance industry on pause, many prominent rappers found themselves grounded.
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This unexpected disruption birthed a unique period in music, dominated less by superstars and more by rising artists, as well as established acts who stepped into the spotlight in new ways. Ironically, the pandemic created the perfect moment for album releases, with listeners stuck at home, eager for new sounds.
The following list reflects the best rap albums released during the pandemic, which we define as spanning from March 2020 to April 2021 when vaccines started rolling out and the world began cautiously reopening.
Release date: April 23, 2021 Moneybagg Yo serves up a dynamic blend of street rap, trap, and soulful ballads in A Gangsta’s Pain, delivering emotional depth and gritty storytelling from Memphis to the South. This album is a testament to his versatility, seamlessly merging humor and heartbreak.
2. Flo Milli – Ho, Why Is You Here?
Release date: July 23, 2020 Spanning just under 30 minutes, Flo Milli’s debut mixtape captures the essence of her brash, unfiltered style. With sharp bars and a captivating delivery, she carved her place in the rap scene, balancing playful charm with undeniable toughness.
3. Conway the Machine & The Alchemist – LULU
Release date: March 30, 2020 Conway’s collaboration with The Alchemist is pure magic. With a mix of hard-hitting rhymes and cinematic production, LULU encapsulates the raw energy of Griselda, bringing gritty narratives to life with a smooth, methodical approach.
4. Drake – Dark Lane Demo Tapes
Release date: May 1, 2020 Drake’s surprise release hit with the same energy as his past projects—without the usual pressure. Dark Lane Demo Tapes offers a blend of introspective tracks and bangers, providing fans with an unexpected but highly welcomed glimpse into his evolving sound.
5. 21 Savage & Metro Boomin – Savage Mode II
Release date: October 2, 2020 After a high-budget, cinematic rollout featuring Morgan Freeman’s narration, Savage Mode II lived up to the hype. With Metro Boomin’s signature production and 21 Savage’s menacing delivery, the album is an unflinching look at the darker side of life.
6. Jack Harlow – Thats What They All Say
Release date: December 11, 2020 Jack Harlow’s debut album proved he wasn’t just a flash in the pan. Featuring collaborations with legends like Lil Wayne and newer voices like EST Gee, That’s What They All Say demonstrates Harlow’s ability to go toe-to-toe with both street poets and mainstream giants.
7. Megan Thee Stallion – Good News
Release date: November 20, 2020 Released after an emotionally turbulent year for Megan, Good News delivers empowering anthems for her fans while showcasing her resilience. The album blends vulnerability with confidence, offering a glimpse into her personal journey and growth as an artist.
8. Gunna – WUNNA
Release date: May 22, 2020 WUNNA is a smooth, atmospheric album full of Gunna’s signature flow and catchy melodies. At the peak of the pandemic, it became a staple for listeners craving a mix of laid-back, yet sharp, trap sounds.
9. Rod Wave – SoulFly
Release date: March 26, 2021 Rod Wave’s SoulFly captures the weight of heartbreak and betrayal, diving deep into personal trauma while offering a glimmer of hope. A perfect reflection of the pandemic’s emotional toll, the album channels vulnerability into soaring melodies and heartfelt lyricism.
10. Juice WRLD – Legends Never Die
Release date: July 10, 2020 Released posthumously, Legends Never Die is an emotional rollercoaster that showcases Juice WRLD’s introspective and raw songwriting. The album’s themes of pain and loss were deeply resonant during a time of global uncertainty.
11. Westside Gunn – Pray For Paris
Release date: April 17, 2020 Westside Gunn’s Pray For Paris is more than just a rap album—it’s a cultural statement. Inspired by his own battle with COVID-19, Gunn weaves high art and street narratives into an album that transcends typical rap boundaries.
12. Don Toliver – Heaven or Hell
Release date: March 13, 2020 Don Toliver’s debut album felt like an introduction to a new era of melodic rap. With cosmic production and dreamy vocals, Heaven or Hell was an early highlight of the pandemic era, showcasing Toliver’s versatility under the guidance of mentor Travis Scott.
13. Jay Electronica – A Written Testimony
Release date: March 13, 2020 The long-awaited debut from Jay Electronica arrived with a bang, featuring Jay-Z and intricate production. A Written Testimony blends spirituality and personal history into a deeply introspective album that satisfies fans who waited years for its release.
14. Polo G – The GOAT
Release date: May 15, 2020 Polo G’s The GOAT is an emotionally charged album that addresses trauma and resilience. While rooted in personal struggles, the album concludes on a hopeful note, bringing a sense of closure and strength in the face of adversity.
15. YoungBoy Never Broke Again – Top
Release date: September 11, 2020 Even in the midst of house arrest and quarantine, YoungBoy Never Broke Again delivered one of the hardest-hitting albums of the pandemic era. Top is a testament to his unflinching authenticity and an album that could not have come at a better time.
16. Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist – Alfredo
Release date: May 29, 2020 This project brought together two of rap’s most respected names, with Freddie Gibbs’s sharp bars and Alchemist’s timeless production. Alfredo was the perfect example of street rap refined to perfection.
17. Lil Uzi Vert – Eternal Atake
18. Lil Baby – My Turn
Release date: February 28, 2020 Although it technically dropped before the pandemic, Lil Baby’s My Turn took over the rap world as the pandemic hit. Dominating the charts and airwaves, the album solidified his place as one of rap’s top-tier stars during the isolation period.
19. Pop Smoke – Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon
Release date: July 3, 2020 Pop Smoke’s posthumous album embodied the Brooklyn drill sound that he helped popularize. Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon showcased his growing versatility, from drill to melodic bangers, and remains a lasting tribute to the late rapper’s potential.
20. Playboi Carti – Whole Lotta Red
Release date: December 25, 2020 Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red is one of the most transformative albums of the pandemic era. Its experimental, high-energy sound has had an undeniable influence on the genre, setting a new benchmark for how the future of rap could sound.
