At a glance you would think 2020 has been a write-off for the music industry worldwide. No venues open to perform, no album tours or launch parties to promote the latest release, even the government suggesting creative people retrain in other areas… it would seem the world is on hold until 2021.
The team behind Wordplay have been carefully going through all of the years releases and, it seems, this couldn’t be further from the truth. 2020 has seen development at a rate like no other year before. Artists have had to adapt to a new (temporary) way of life to survive, pushing themselves with uncomfortable live streams, performing to empty rooms streaming live, Zoom call listening parties, even Social distancing festivals, but it’s worked!
There have been some solid releases this year for Hip Hop, in a time when we have forcefully been separated Hip Hop has come together and formed a sense of togetherness and support that we feel was long overdue. So we’ve trawled through the albums of 2020 and we have come up with our favourite ten for each genre, including Rap, Jazz and Soul Music.
Be sure to click the artwork for more information and links to stream/buy each release. Support independent music!
We’ve also opened it up to you – our readers – for your chance to vote for your favourite rap album of 2020. Scroll to the bottom to let us know!
RAP/HIP HOP
ALT SOUL/R&B
ALT SOUL/R&B ALBUM OF THE YEAR: LIANNE LA HAVAS – (SELF TITLED)
When it comes to anthems this year you don't get much bigger than 'Bittersweet' - amounting over 17 million streams on Spotify alone, it's a song of 2020 with a message of change and reconnecting with yourself. Something we can all relate to this year, in 2020 Lianne's third album couldn't be more welcome.
It's been a huge year for Lianne after a four-year break since the release of the Blood Solo EP. The concerns with her return were that she could develop into more of a pop artist but thankfully she has managed to hone her craft and release the perfect blend of Soul and Jazz. Throw in a feature with Oscar Jerome, the beautiful single 'Woman' with NAO and this well-rounded artist is top of our list for Alt Soul album of the year!
JAZZ
JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR: TOM MISCH & YUSSEF DAYES – WHAT KINDA MUSIC
Tom Misch links up with one of the greatest Jazz drummers this decade. In what is being described as the Jazz renaissance, South London's scene is thriving and this joint album is an exhibition of that. This may be a Tom Misch album but it's really Yussef Dayes that steals the show and has us hooked on watching live videos and Instagram stories of him freestyling drum solos. The man's a beast!
Featuring Freddie Gibbs on Nightrider was an unexpected highlight and a nice nod to the roots of Hip Hop culture and Jazz Music too. What Kinda Music had to be our number 1 Jazz album of 2020.
