Our Top 50 Albums of 2020

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2020 was rough on all fronts, but perhaps unsurprisingly, its saving grace was the new music released over the past year. Though the industry was hit hard, and most live music has been suspended indefinitely, many artists and their teams overcame this new adversity. Together they worked to release records to tide fans over in tough times, and we couldn’t be more appreciative. Our team at StereoVision listened to a lot of music this year, and lately we’ve been hard at work compiling a year-end list showcasing our favorite projects of 2020. Well this list is mostly comprised of albums and mixtapes, some EPs were so damn good we just couldn’t leave them off (See God Bless the Child). Projects released between December 13th, 2019 and December 11th, 2020 were eligible for selection meaning that well some bold claims were certainly made about Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red in the StereoVision group chat, it was not considered for this list. Without further ado, please enjoy StereoVision’s top 50 albums of 2020:


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50. Father: Come Outside We Not Gone Jump You

Spotlight Track: Backbreaker


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49. Pop Smoke: Meet the Woo 2

Spotlight Track: Element


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48. TiaCorine: 34TiaCorine

Spotlight Track: Lotto


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47. Nick Grant & Tae Beast: God Bless the Child

Spotlight Track: FEDS


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46. Hook: Crashed My Car

Spotlight Track: Fell in Luh


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45. Drake: Dark Lane Demo Tapes

Spotlight Track: Chicago Freestyle (Feat. Giveon)


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44. Arca: KiCk i

Spotlight Track: KLK (Feat. ROSALIA)


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43. Kacy Hill: Is It Selfish If we Talk about me again

Spotlight Track: Unkind


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42. Polo G: The Goat

Spotlight Track: Martin & Gina


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41. Rico Nasty: Nightmare Vacation

Spotlight Track: OHFR?


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40. Larry June & Cardo: Cruise USA

Spotlight Track: Meet Me In Frisco


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39. Yves Tumor: Heaven to a tortured Mind

Spotlight Track: Kerosene!


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38. Logic: No Pressure

Spotlight Track: man i is


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37. Young Thug & Chris Brown: Slime & B

Spotlight Track: Go Crazy


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36. Boldy James & The Alchemist: The Price of Tea in China

Spotlight Track: Surf & Turf (Feat. Vince Staples)


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35. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie: Artist 2.0

Spotlight Track: Numbers (Feat. London On Da Track, Gunna, & Roddy Ricch)


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34. Spillage Village: Spilligion

Spotlight Track: Mecca


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33. tkay maidza: Last Year was weird, vol. 2

Spotlight Track: Shook


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32. Future & Lil Uzi Vert: Pluto x Baby Pluto

Spotlight Track: Drankin N Smokin


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31. Giveon: Take Time

Spotlight Track: The Beach


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30. 21 Savage & Metro Boomin: Savage Mode 2

Spotlight Track: Many Men


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29. chloe x halle: Ungodly Hour

Spotlight Track: Do It


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28. G herbo: ptsd (Deluxe)

Spotlight Track: In a Minute


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27. Gunna: Wunna

Spotlight Track: Nasty Girl


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26. g herbo: ptsd

Spotlight Track: Intro


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25. bryson tiller: anniversary

Spotlight Track: Things Change

Bryson Tiller’s third studio album ANNIVERSARY shows a Tiller consumed with his use of time. Although its level of impact does not match his debut album, TRAPSOUL (2015), ANNIVERSARY is an ode to the classic because of Tiller’s raw emotion and undeniable relatability throughout the approximately thirty-minute project. My favorite song “Things Change” victoriously demonstrates an exchange between Tiller and an ex-lover who is obsessed with closure. -Amaya Lorick


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24. kota the friend: Everything

Spotlight Track: Long Beach (Feat. Hello O’Shay & Alex Banin)

EVERYTHING is a brilliant compilation of varying perspectives that discuss the purpose of life. Although Kota the Friend’s 2020 album was under appreciated because of the width of his fanbase, its May release was essential during a time where many felt uncertain about their livelihood dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. With a descriptor as the saddest song on the project, the introductory track “Summerhouse” epitomizes coming to terms with unwanted realities and recognizing life’s beauty. 2020 prompted many to engage in self-reflection and EVERYTHING poses two arguably abstract questions: “What means everything to you?” and “What does it mean to have everything?” -Amaya Lorick


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23. bino rideaux: Outside

Spotlight Track: Brand New (Feat. Blxst)

On Bino Rideaux’s Def Jam debut, OUTSIDE, the 27-year-old delivers his best music to date while simultaneously making a legitimate case for the hottest rapper in Los Angeles. The 15-track record has something for everyone ranging from trunk-rattling, west coast bangers like “BET” and “BREAKFAST” to more emotional chill cuts such as “COLD FEET” and “FUCCWITCHU”. Over the course of the 28-minute run time, Bino is assisted by fellow LA natives Ty Dolla $ign, BlueBucksClan, and most notably, Blxst on the album’s fantastic climax “BRAND NEW”. With the release of OUTSIDE it’s clear that Bino Rideaux is more than just Nipsey Hussle protege; he’s a budding superstar whose stock will continue to rise as the rest of the country catches wind of his hypnotic flows and the enthralling landscapes he’s able to craft and communicate, three short minutes at a time. -Spencer Lobdell


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22. run the jewels: rtj4

Spotlight Track: goonies vs. E.T.

If there’s one word I could use to describe Killer Mike and El-P’s return to their critically-acclaimed Run The Jewels series, it’s “massive” as everything about this project seems to have upped the stakes from their last installment. The duo’s verses hit harder, are more aggressive, and eager to call out the vast injustices that the United States has grown complacent with over the past few years. El-P and Killer Mike call out Pseudo-Christians failing to condemn the injustices caused by the Trump administration, the racism ingrained in our nation’s police forces, and a wealth disparity that grows larger every day, among other subjects. Meanwhile, El-P’s production serves as some of the strangest from the duo’s entire discography; the melodies are sparse, the ambiances are overbearing, and the bass slams against the top of the mix from start to finish. With plenty of strange samples and unfiltered performances, this project is often as difficult and complex as it is invigorating, and I believe its message is only emphasized by the endless chaos that we lived through this year. -Owen Tait


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21. Thundercat: It is what it is

Spotlight Track: Funny Thing

It is fascinating how an artist can work on a project for months, maybe even years before they plan to release it to the public and yet once it drops, it speaks to zeitgeist as if it was written yesterday. This is the case with Thundercat’s fourth studio album It Is What It Is. Released less than a month into many of our state sanctioned lockdowns, It Is What Is was the breath of fresh air we all needed during such an uncertain time. On the album, Thundercat explores themes of melconchony, loss, and directionlessness in tandem with tongue and cheek humor for an album that can either make you laugh or cry depending on what you need to express during each listen. Complimented by Thundercat’s immaculate instrumentation that has made him a mainstay in the industry for two decades, It It What It Is is a poignant reminder to have fun, let go of fear, and trust the process no matter how difficult things may get. -Kaila Cherry


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20. Big Sean: Detroit 2

Spotlight Track: Deep Reverence (Feat. Nipsey Hussle)

When Detroit 2 was released, you could immediately tell Big Sean was on a mission. In an era of short length albums, Sean decided to release a whopping 21-track project. There were many Detroit-themed bangers on this album, and what stood out to me was that he even included stories from talents like Dave Chappelle and Erykah Badhu. This was the first time in a while where I felt the essence of a true “album experience.” There is a lot of depth to this record and every time I play it through I find a new favorite song. And I mean, who doesn’t enjoy listening to Sean’s swagger filled wordplay? -Colson O’Connor


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19. Childish Gambino: 3.15.20

Spotlight Track: 12.38 (Feat. 21 Savage, Ink, & Kadhja Bonet)

Of all the projects to come out this year, the latest album from Childish Gambino might have been the most surprising. From the rollout to how sonically all over the place it is, 3.15.20 almost seems like a random release from Childish. This led to the project being one of his more slept on pieces of work, but it is also some of the best music of 2020. Gambino captures a sound that is futuristic, yet also has moments that would impress most people’s parents and grandparents. Gambino uses a different vocal inflection on almost every track and manages not to miss once. While doing all of this there is still a track like 12.38 that could be one of the biggest hits on the radio if it got the play it deserved. In a time where he could have rested on his previous success, he continues to challenge himself and the listener to take a deeper look at what music can be. -Miles Hagan


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18. lil uzi vert: eternal atake

Spotlight Track: Prices

Lil Uzi Vert had a very busy 2020. He dropped not one, not two, but three full-length albums this year after not releasing new music since 2017. The project that kicked off this trio of drops was Eternal Atake which came out in early March. With the reality of the pandemic causing this album to fall to the wayside for some time, as the year comes to an end and we are reflecting on the music we were met with, Eternal Atake is coming back into the spotlight. A concept album about Uzi’s abduction by aliens and subsequent travels through space, Eternal Atake is without a doubt one of the most unique projects to come out of 2020. Not only is it a concept album, but it also is broken up into three sections that reflect Uzi’s three artistic personas: Baby Pluto, Renji, then finally, Lil Uzi Vert. Like the rest of Uzi’s discography, Eternal Atake is a well-produced, fantastical, and fun project that will make you want to type like a scene kid from 2008 with no remorse. -Kaila Cherry


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17. Lil Uzi Vert: LUV vs. the world 2

Spotlight Track: Strawberry Peels (Feat. Young Thug & Gunna)

Though there seems to be some debate on who started the ‘surprise-deluxe-double-album’ trend, it is hard to deny that Lil Uzi Vert mastered it earlier this year. LUV vs. The World 2, which released as a sister record to the long-awaited Eternal Atake, is a nonstop rollercoaster that arrived just a week later. While EA’s only featured artist was Syd, this record is the polar opposite - collaboration heavy and decorated with features from artists like Young Thug, Chief Keef, 21 Savage, and Future. EA helped solidify Uzi as a talented lyricist and rapper, and this project returned to a more exciting and light-hearted register where Uzi simply sounded like he was having a great time - and I had a great time listening to it. Though some of the tracks had leaked beforehand, LUV vs. The World 2 managed to fulfill the high expectations set after the popularity of the first LUV vs. The World, and it isn’t hard to see why. -Carter Fife


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16. Lil BAby: My Turn

Spotlight Track: Emotionally Scarred

Lil Baby did not disappoint with the drop of his second studio album, My Turn. Lil Baby displays versatility in his sound, giving us songs to blast in the car like “Sum 2 Prove,” and even songs to vibe to like “Catch The Sun”. He manages to deliver trap hits such as “Forget That” and “Woah”  as well as highlighting lyrical depth, as he opens up on songs like “Emotionally Scarred”, with narratives of his past and personal rap journey. As if his graceful flow wasn’t enough, Lil Baby teamed up with artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Wayne, and Future to offer even more heat. -Chloe Clark


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15. westside gunn: Prey for paris

Spotlight Track: $500 Ounces (Feat. Freddie Gibbs & Roc Marciano)

Griselda was locked in this year. From Boldy James' stunning collaborative project with The Alchemist The Price of Tea in China, to Benny the Butcher’s LP Burden of Proof, it’s safe to say Griselda did not miss in 2020, including label head-honcho Westside Gunn. With Pray for Paris, Westside Gunn delivers exactly what you'd expect: hard coke bars, production defined by dusty drum loops, and the iconic Westside Gunn ad-libs. Although Gunn may be infamously known for valuing quantity over quality in terms of album releases, Pray for Paris is easily his most concise and focused work to date. With guest appearances from Tyler, The Creator, Joey Bada$$, Freddie Gibbs, The Alchemist, Wale, and the rest of the Griselda crew, Pray for Paris put the rap game on notice. -Luke Modugno


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14. Charli xcx: how I’m feeling now

Spotlight Track: enemy

Following the seamless blend of pop and experimental aesthetics that appeared on her 2019 outing Charli, fans were definitely eager to see where UK pop artist Charli XCX’s sound would venture next. Trapped in self-isolation, she took the time to reflect on her relationships with her significant other, her friends, and herself—a process that resulted in her most intimate and innovative project to date. On how i’m feeling now, Charli pushes further into the strange than ever before, as the majority of the tracklist is saturated with glitchy percussion, distortion, noise, and busy synths that perfectly compliment Charli’s heavily-manipulated vocal delivery. Additionally, Charli manages to bring one powerful performance after another to the table, delving into a variety of introspective topics such as her love life, friendships, and mental health. If you’re searching for the future of pop music, look no further than how I’m feeling now, a one-of-a-kind sugar rush that I would deem pop record of the year. -Owen Tait


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13. blxst: no love lost

Spotlight Track: No Love Lost

No new artist burst onto the scene in 2020 with half as much confidence, momentum, and poise as Blxst. The LA native’s breakout year was largely due to an incredible debut solo project, No Love Lost, an addicting 8-song album jam-packed with beautiful hooks and exceptionally polished writing that had me smashing repeat for months. This tape is the definition of “no skips” and I can confidently say that any of the eight songs could’ve been the spotlight track. Over the course of the quick 18-minute listen, Blxst tells vivid stories of the fast life in the city of angels while captivating listeners with mesmerizing melodies and a slew of slick bars that leads me to believe Blxst could out-rap half of my favorite emcees. No Love Lost is a damn-near perfect project in my eyes making it my personal favorite release of 2020. -Spencer Lobdell


12. Future: High off life

Spotlight Track: Accepting My Flaws

With Future’s release of High Off Life he gave another hour of pure heat. With his signature sound, we received bangers like “Hitek Tek” as well as more mellow cuts like “Outer Space Bih”. Lyrically, narratives of trapping display Future well in his element, but in “Accepting My Flaws”, he takes on a different route. In this song, he speaks of asking for forgiveness, as he fights against demons and acknowledges his struggles.  Much like other hits on the album, the booming beat carries the song. Along with production, features are another element that elevates the album as Future feeds off great appearances from artists including Young Thug, Travis Scott, and NBA Youngboy. -Chloe Clark


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11. brent faiyaz: fuck the world

Spotlight Track: Fuck the World (Summer in London)

Brent Faiyaz solidified his spot in the R&B scene with the release of his album Fuck the World. In this album, Faiyaz touches on the themes of love, lust, and loss. Lyrically, Faiyaz invites the listener in on an intimate experience as we listen and relate to similar heartfelt emotions. His angelic vocals, paired seamlessly with the smooth beats, offer nothing but chill vibes. Specifically on the song, “Let Me Know”, Brent sings over a repeated instrumental and piano keys, while elaborating on self love and reflection.  With only 10 songs on the album, it is a true testament to quality over quantity. -Chloe Clark


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10. kid cudi: man on the moon III

Spotlight Track: Tequila Shots

Kid Cudi delivers on MOTM III, rapping harder than we’ve ever seen him rap before, bringing together an unstoppable and classic team of producers like Plain Pat and Dot Da Genius to start the decade off right. The first and innovative act of the album sounds like it could have been written with Travis Scott last year, and the second act sounds like the classic 2009-era Cudi that many of us grew up with. MOTM III’s final act sounds like something entirely new itself, which is rare for an artist to do in the third decade of their career. I would have enjoyed more guests on the record to celebrate the trilogy’s conclusion, but it is hard to complain when the guests we got include Skepta, Phoebe Bridgers, and even a posthumous Pop Smoke hook. Though fans can expect a whopping four more records from the Philly rapper in the future - WZRD 2, Entergalactic, KSG 2, and an untitled project with Travis Scott - hopefully MOTM III will tide us over until then. -Carter Fife


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9. smino: she already decided

Spotlight Track: 2Much Fronto

Smino is one of the most unique acts in music today and She Already Decided is the project that shows how close he is to greatness. From a vocal standpoint, he flips between slick bars and constant flow changes to melodies that make you question if he should even be considered a rapper. He combines classic R&B sounds with some of today’s biggest hits from the past year to create a sound that feels necessary in 2020. The album is upbeat and engaging, while also still feeling relevant and in the moment. Smino is able to ease the listeners’ mind for a little while he focuses on the few things we can control and enjoy in a time like this. -Miles Hagan


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8. jhené aiko: chilombo

Spotlight Tracks: Triggered (Freestyle)

Grammy-nominated Chilombo has been a top contender for album of the year since its release. The use of alchemy crystal singing bowls within every song indicates Jhené Aiko’s intention to not only entertain but provide her listeners with tools for healing. The Los Angeles native’s initial single “Triggered” was packed with painful lyrics describing relationship strains but also includes the first and sixth chakras to promote clarity and stability. It is clear when a project is strategically constructed beyond the order of its tracklist. From the sequencing of the selected singles to their implementation onto the album, it’s clear that Chilombo is destined for success throughout the rest of this decade. -Amaya Lorick


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7. aminé: limbo

Spotlight Track: Roots (Feat. JID & Charlie Wilson)

Limbo, Aminé’s 14-track masterpiece, surpassed all of my expectations by miles. From the very first track Limbo feels bigger and more important than anything Aminé has released to date. The beat selections, the few but well-placed features, and the versatility of Aminé’s sound are among the many reasons why Limbo will go down as one of the most impressive albums of 2020. -Colson O’Connor


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6. mac miller: circles

Spotlight Track: Right

In his posthumous record Circles, Mac delivers a love-letter to his fans and a completion of a generation-defining artistic evolution. Transforming and refining himself from awkward frat rapper to musical genius, Mac leaves his legacy with his most sonically elegant project to date. Narratively, sonically and lyrically, Circles accompanies Miller's magnum-opus Swimming, building on the jazzy, lo-fi soundscape and mental-health centered lyrical content. Circles is a truly beautiful work of art and is well-deserving of its top 10 spot on this list. -Luke Modugno


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5. Jay electronica: A written testimony

Spotlight Track: A.P.I.D.T.A

In my review earlier this year I touched on the mythos surrounding this record, though months later, all you really need to know is that A Written Testimony is a big deal. Jay Electronica and Jay-Z go head-to-head throughout just about every song on this project, showing a versatility previously unseen from the Louisiana Rapper. One moment, he’s trading bars about success and expectations with Travis Scott over a beat from Hit-Boy - the next he and Jay Z are lamenting the loss of loved ones over a Khruangbin instrumental. Though the two Jay’s do not invite too many artists to share their spotlight (The-Dream is the only other guest), there are so many styles and sounds at work that anyone can find something to enjoy here. This was my favorite record of the year for most of 2020, though it’s hard to name what makes this record so special. Perhaps it’s the almost prophetic lyricism, or the confident cadence of the two rappers, or maybe it’s just the fact that many of us have been ravenous for more Electronica music for close to a decade. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but I’m hoping we get another Electronica record before the end of the 2020’s. -Carter Fife


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4. the weeknd: After hours

Spotlight Track: Faith

Selling 444,000 units first week and having two platinum singles, After Hours was one of 2020’s biggest, and best releases. The album was an artistic reinvention for The Weeknd, taking inspiration from 80’s pop music. Much like Tyler the Creator’s “IGOR” The Weeknd created an entire new identity for this album, which made the rollout and the listening experience one of the most memorable moments in music this year. -Courtney Fields


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3. pop smoke: shoot for the stars aim for the moon

Spotlight Track: Got It On Me

One of the most anticipated albums of the year that delivered far beyond the public’s expectations. Pop Smoke’s posthumous album proved that he was no one-trick pony. While he did popularize himself off of one particular sound, this project showed us that Pop was an artist who was destined for stardom. Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon is one of the most addicting albums of the year and because of Pop’s unique artistry all signs point towards this album getting even better with time. -Courtney Fields


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2. benny the butcher: burden of proof

Spotlight Track: Where Would I Go (Feat. Rick Ross)

Griselda's own Benny the Butcher has been quietly crafting a compelling niche within the Buffalo collective. With projects under his belt like The Plugs I Met and Tana Talk 3; Benny has what it takes to be one of the elite rappers in the world. Burden of Proof sees Benny realize his full potential, as the project is chalk-full of reasons why Benny has a legitimate claim to being the best rapper in Griselda and in turn, one of the best in the game. Executively produced by the legendary Hit-Boy, Benny kills each and every one of the beats laid down for him. Burden of Proof is one of few projects this year I can legitimately say has no skips. -Luke Modugno


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1. freddie gibbs & The alchemist: Alfredo

Spotlight Track:

In a year full of inconsistency and turmoil, Freddie Gibbs and Alchemist came through and delivered in every way possible. With the incredible release of Bandana in 2019 many fans of the rapper were left wondering where he would go next, after seemingly conquering the drug rap game. Freddie responded by linking up with one of the most creative and dynamic producers of the last decade in The Alchemist, and they created the cinematic masterpiece that was Alfredo. From the merchandise, to the vinyl, to every cut throat bar Freddie delivers, this drop felt like it was aiming to be some of their best work. Alchemist provided Freddie with a blank canvas for him to paint a picture on. Alfredo was a coke rap kingpin reflecting on his incredible rise to power and asking himself, “who can stop me besides me.” -Miles Hagan


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StereoVision's AOTY Power Rankings: Week One

 

By StereoVision Staff

Welcome to our Album of the year power ranking series! Each week all our team members submit their “top 10 albums of 2020 so far” along with some notes about why their list looks the way it does. These lists are then compiled into our overall power rankings which you can find below. Keep scrolling to see each team members personal list which gives interesting insight on how different albums age over the course of the year for specific people. Thanks for reading, we hope you enjoy the article!

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The teams picks:

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Besides death, sickness, and tragedy, if you’re a rap fan in 2020 there very little you have to complain about. We’ve already been blessed with enough anticipated releases, albums from industry heavy-weights, and overall excellent music in general to keep me content in quarantine for the remainder of the year. All jokes aside, as fans of hip-hop we really have been spoiled with great music in 2020 which I think might be exactly what we need in the face of a national crisis. Childish Gambino’s new album debuts at number one for me because well I’ve already listened to the record 10+ times, every time I press play it still takes my breathe away. With this being said, this weeks number one spot was very difficult to select because of how fun LUV vs. The World 2 still is and because of the sheer ability that Jay Electronica showcases on A Written Testimony. -Spencer Lobdell

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Name another album as captivating and versatile as CHILOMBO that is also 20 tracks long with no skips…  Anyway, as a person who is inspired by the stories of others, PTSD and A Written Testimony are currently both two of my favorite projects. Both showcase a skillful pen and instrumentals that allow them to get their bars off. Honestly, Meg and Nudy only made my list because they are two artists I want to stay in the conversation. I’m just waiting for more music. -Amaya Lorick

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So for my list, The Weeknd comes out on top due to the fact that he fully reinvented his sound for After Hours, as well as the fact that the album's narrative is fully cohesive and features the best production on any album I've heard from him (also I'm a big sucker for synthwave). LUV vs. The World 2 was easily the most fun album I've heard this year, so that comes in at #2. 070 Shake and Gambino both had R&B albums that took experimental pop routes, and I really enjoyed them. Denzel Curry and Gupi's albums had some of the most complex and mind-boggling production I've heard this year. Mac's on there for the sentiment and heart behind his album, polearm is a newcomer with a unique, psychedelic pop-rap sound, and Tame Impala's album wasn't my favorite material of his, but it delivered a few key tracks that have high replay value for me. -Owen Tait

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Just three months into 2020, this year is stacking up to be one of the best in recent history for hip hop. With plenty of industry giants dropping this year and many more big names rumored to drop this year, the fight for the best project of the year will be fierce. But in the current crop of albums available now, Mac Miller's posthumous record Circles is by far and away the cream. The project is a beautiful send-off to Miller and his fans, completing his discography and symbolizing the final step an astutely profound sonic evolution as an artist. Between dazzling collaborative efforts from Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats (UNLOCKED) and Boldy James and The Alchemist (The Price of Tea in China), and Uzi's impressive pair of projects Eternal Atake and LUV vs. The World 2, 2020 has already been a wild ride. -Luke Modugno

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2020 has been a pretty terrible year, but from a musical sense it has not disappointed. 3.15.20 by Childish Gambino and A Written Testimony are two albums by artists at their creative peak. These are projects that will remain in these power rankings very deep into the year no matter what else is released. Brent Fiyaz did what he had to do on F**k the World. He hasn't released a full length project since 2017 and with this he stepped right back into form. Don Toliver has been generating buzz since he was featured on Astroworld and gave us a concise project filled with his hits. The rap community was blessed by Uzi with not one, but two pieces of new music. Both LUV vs The World 2 and Eternal Atake highlight the fact that Uzi never settles with his status in music and is always looking to give his fans a new and exciting experience. -Miles Hagan

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This year got off to a slow start in terms of big record releases but as March comes to close we already have a few significant albums under our belt. With Uzi dropping two records after two and a half years, a new Tame Impala record after five, and THE Jay Electronica album after twelve, 2020 has been a great year already for highly anticipated projects. From The Weeknd’s energetic R&B/Hip-Hop Synthesis to Denzel Curry’s long-awaited mix, these are the sounds that have defined my year thus far. -Carter Fife

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At number one, ‘A Written Testimony’ may be a questionable choice to many music fans out there since it is not your traditional debut album. But, it’s the most important release this year. Numbers 2, 3, and 4 were a bit of a challenge. Although Lil Uzi Vert’s ‘Eternal Atake’ is undoubtedly the most fun album of 2020, musically it just doesn’t match ‘Circles’ and ‘Chilombo’. At 8 and 9, I had no choice but to incorporate two of my maybe lesser known artists with Boldy James and J Hus. The two released some of the best rap projects this year, J Hus even went #1 on the UK Billboard chart. The Weeknd caps off the list at number 10 since it just came out. -Courtney Fields

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As we approach the end of March, I think that the album releases this year prove to show more quality than quantity. I stay busy listening to Mac Miller’s bittersweet final project Circles, Jay Electronica’s long-awaited album A Written Testimony, and the new Lil Wayne record Funeral (he really doesn’t miss). The artist that most surprised me, however, was G Herbo. His new project PTSD has become a personal favorite because of his ability to paint a picture with his words, accompanied by fire features like Juice WRLD, 21 Savage, and Chance the Rapper. If the rest of 2020 looks anything like the first three months, we’re in store for a strong year. -Colson O’Connor


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The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo: 'Chilombo' Album Review

How Jhené Aiko learned to put “Happiness over Everything” in her new album CHILOMBO

By Courtney Fields

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Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Jhené Efuru Aiko Chilombo has been in the music business for quite a long time. At age 12, Jhené signed her first record deal with Epic Records; laying down vocals on several B2K tracks in the early 2000s. 12-year-old Aiko even opened for the boy band’s tour “Scream Tour 3” in 2003. When Aiko was 15, she asked to be released from Epic Records due to conflicts of interest regarding who she was as an artist. In 2008 at the age of 20, Jhené and O’ryan Browner’s (brother of former B2K singer, Omarion) daughter Namiko Love Browner was born.

Fast forward to March 16th, 2011, after an 8-year hiatus Jhené made her return to the music business. Jhené released her debut mixtape, Sailing Soul(s) via her website jheneaiko.com, with features from artists such as Kanye West, Drake, and Miguel. In 2012 Aiko signed a deal with legendary producer No I.D. 's record label, Artium Records, (Def Jam affiliate) to prepare for the release of her debut album. November 12th, 2013, Aiko released her debut EP Sail Out. Featured on the album were popular artists Kendrick Lamar, Vince Staples, Childish Gambino, and Ab-soul. Aiko has since gone on to release TWENTY 88 which is a collaboration album with rapper and boyfriend Big Sean, her second studio album Trip, and now CHILOMBO.

In May of 2019, it seemed as if Jhené was back in album mode. Jhené released “Triggered (freestyle)” which was a breakup song aimed towards rapper Big Sean. The song itself triggered the release of four more singles over the next year: “Trigger Protection Mantra”, “None Of Your Concern” featuring Big Sean & Ty Dolla $ign, “P*$$Y Fairy”, and “Happiness Over Everything” featuring Miguel & Future. 

On February 21, 2020, Aiko went to Instagram to announce that CHILOMBO would release on March 6th. Later that week Aiko described her then-upcoming third studio album as a celebration of her coming into her own personal power.

CHILOMBO was released on March 6, 2020, through Def Jam. The album boasts 20 songs and has an 01:03:34 timestamp on it.  The album features some old faces we’re used to seeing on Jhené’s albums, as well as some new ones. Big Sean, H.E.R., Future, Miguel, Ab-Soul, Dr. Chill, Nas, John Legend, and Ty Dolla $ign all feature on the project.

 “Triggered (freestyle)” and “None Of Your Concern” featuring Big Sean & Ty Dolla $ign are tracks two and three on CHILOMBO. With these songs being back to back, they immediately give listeners a perspective on her and Sean’s relationship. Rather than bottling up her emotions, Jhené went to the studio to express her irritation through a freestyle. Jhené doesn’t leave any room for confusion on this track. Instead of sending subtle shots, all of her bars are direct. The singer even went on the Rap Genius website to provide verified commentary on the song. On “None Of Your Concern”, Jhené and Big Sean are dealing with the aftershock of their relationship. Although the two artists do tell each other how they felt during the downfall of their relationship; much of the song focuses on how they plan to move on: with, or without one another. 

 “Happiness Over Everything” featuring Miguel & Future, “Tryna Smoke”, and “Party For Me” featuring Ty Dolla $ign all show a side of Jhené that fans are not used to seeing. The three songs draw many comparisons to 90s West Coast Rap. The production on the three tracks are based on funk music and have very laid-back melodies; if you couple that with the fact that the lyrics are related to partying and drugs, listeners are definitely reminded of where Jhené is from. “Party For Me” stands out the most out of the three. While listening fans took to Twitter to say they felt like she channeled her “Inner Nipsey Hussle” on the track, it turns out they were right. The track interpolated Nipsey’s flow on his song “Dedication”. “Party For Me” is seen as a tribute to the late rapper. 

It wouldn’t be a true R&B project without a sensual slow bop, and Jhené delivers just that on track 6 with “P*$$Y Fairy (OTW)”. Although the song is your classic seductive R&B track, it stands out from most songs with a similar subject matter because of its storytelling. Jhené paints a vivid picture of sexual fantasizing, tension, and the actual experience. This is one of the most popular tracks on the project, with many of its lyrics flooding our timelines since its release.

As a whole, CHILOMBO is quite the experience. If Jhené’s massive dragon tattoo on her back was no indication, fans should know she’s evolved. On Jhené’s social media, you can find the singer reading books like ‘FEAR, Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm’, by Thich Nhat Hanh or ‘Becoming Supernatural’, by DR. Joe Dispenza. There’s a common theme Jhené’s new favorite reads, and her new music share: the concept of healing. In every song on CHILOMBO, the singer has the sounds of a crystal singing bowl embedded into every track. The bowls are used for healing, meditation, reducing stress, and balancing chakras. Along with singing bowls, the album is filled with uplifting and reassuring lyrics. 

On CHILOMBO the four singles on the album were some of the best songs on the project. Often, by the time an artist's full project comes out, their singles are played out. Even though Jhené beautifully steps out of her comfort zone vocally on “Speak”, “Magic Hour”, and “Lightning and Thunder” featuring John Legend; her singles still stand out.

You can hit me up on twitter @004COURT and let me know what you think.

Favorite Tracks

None Of Your Concern (Feat. Big Sean)

Tryna Smoke

Magic Hour

Rating: 9

Listen to CHILOMBO here:

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