In the music industry there are artists, or even albums, that go unnoticed despite their high quality of work. I guarantee you there is some 15-year-old in America discovering his or her ability to sing that will have a Billboard #1 album by 2024. I just wanted to give the people some albums that are currently in my rotation. Some albums that may be by bigger artists but are currently overlooked by the masses. Or if they do, it’ll be a select group of people. Let’s get into it.
1. Vory – Vory
Landing at the #14 spot on my “Favorite Albums of 2020” article, is Vory’s self-titled project. Vory is one of my favorite artists to listen to right now and this album is just the perfect showcase to why that is. Before he made his three appearances on Kanye West’s “DONDA” this August, Vory was mostly underground and not very well-known by the masses. The 24 year-old from Louisville is special and now his fans are not the only ones realizing it. This album is currently fourth on my most listened to albums this year, and I’m not stopping anytime soon. Songs like “CC Interlude” and “Harder Than Pain” are reasons why I’m a huge fan. People need to realize that Vory is more than just a couple of Kanye West features. HIs discography is not to be played with. God-willing we get to see Vory open up for his Dreamchasers Records boss Meek Mill on his upcoming tour. I got the money put to the side to be front row, I need to see those legends on stage together. Vory posted that his upcoming album, rumored to be titled “Lost Souls”, is 100% done. Trust me, the real ones waiting on it. It’s time to show the world what you can really do.
Favorite Songs
- CC Interlude
- Try Me If You Want
- Harder Than Pain
- Too Real
- Bad Guy
2. Don Toliver – Donny Womack
Before the stardom, Don Toliver was working on developing his sound and fanbase in the Houston music scene. Don is currently two albums in and is clearly a household name, but I think fans should be visiting this project as much as they go to listen to “Heaven or Hell” and “Life of a Don”. After I heard Donny on “CANT SAY” in August of 2018, naturally, I went to go check out the rest of his discography. Funny enough, “Donny Womack” had dropped a day before “ASTROWORLD”. It has the same high energy sound as his newest albums, mixed in with his signature Houston sound that has carried him this far in the industry. Now I wouldn’t say this project is better than the last two he’s put out, but it definitely deserves a listen from all Don Toliver fans if they haven’t yet.
Favorite Songs
- Diva
- Holdin’ Steel ft. Dice Soho
- Bang Bang
- 2 Lil Shorty
- Issues
3. Blxst – No Love Lost
If I had discovered Blxst before this January, “No Love Lost” would’ve definitely made it into my “Favorite albums of 2020” article. The 26-year-old from Los Angeles has really burst on to the scene starting from late last year to now. His flow seems effortless, his lyrics are smooth like butter and the production is top-tier. In addition to making the XXL Freshmen list this year, Blxst dropped a collab project with fellow LA artist Bino Rideaux titled “Sixtape 2“. That project will be making an appearance on my favorite albums of 2021 article. The hits are going to keep coming for Blxst and I can’t wait for him to make an appearance on a bigger artists album like Roddy Ricch or Toosii. I feel like Blxst is just on the brink of making it super mainstream and I wish nothing but the best for him. His music is great and deserves to be heard around the world.
Favorite Songs
- Overrated
- Be Alone
- No Love Lost
- Chosen ft. Ty Dolla $ign & Tyga
- Wrong or Right
4. Roddy Ricch – Feed Tha Streets II
Speaking of Roddy Ricch, here he is. Now while this project might not have the production or soul that “Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial” might have, it showcases Roddy’s ability to rap and command each beat. I feel like as Roddy grew in both the rap game and in his life he started to implement more instrumentation in his music. That includes the wonderful choir that you hear at the end of “War Baby“. Since dropping PEMFBAS in December of 2019, Roddy has yet to drop any full-length body of work. He dropped the mega-hit “Late At Night” and was featured on “4 Da Gang” by 42 Dugg, but that is arguably the most work you’re going to see from him until at least this December. Roddy has been teasing a new project called “LiveLifeFast” but no one around him has heard a track-list or release date. Hopefully it will come soon. The world needs new Roddy Ricch music.
Favorite Songs
- Every Season
- Down Below
- Die Young
- Can’t Express
- Nascar
