This year was long. Like, really long. Like, so long that some of the albums listed in this article feel like they are decades old. But it’s finally that season; so, I rounded up my personal favorites and put together this list of my top 20 Pacific Northwest albums of 2021.
I feel like I spent a lot of this year exploring new sounds and venturing out from the underground hip-hop world that I had been firmly hibernating in for quite a few years. The return of live shows halfway into the year also revitalized my senses. It gave me a completely different perspective on the way I listened to music.
There’s a wide variety of music listed here. I got some R&B, some beat production tapes, all kinds of rap, jazz, and even some dance/pop mixed in. This year also happened to be a big year for collaborations. So, peep the credits because you’ll see a lot of artists weaved into multiple projects on this list.
Taylor’s Top 20 Pacific Northwest Albums of 2021
Talaya., Existential Soul
Talaya’s voice is heavenly, rich, and soulful. On her album, Existential Soul, she explores different vibes. From the more upbeat and funky bops to the slow and smooth introspective R&B joints. No matter what the vibe, Talaya delivers with her vocals. Plus, not only is she singing on the album, but she engineered, mixed, and mastered the project herself.
I listened to her album while soaking in a candlelit bubble bath. I ended up in a deep and intense state of pure spiritual bliss. She tackles heavy topics in her lyrics, but delivers them calmly, yet passionately. This is a great album for times of reflection and those moments of self-care.
Anthony Danza, Straight Talk
I wasn’t alive in the 80s but when I listen to Anthony Danza, he makes me reminisce about a time in which I never lived. His music, in general, inspires a feeling of nostalgia. As one of three album releases for Danza this year, his album, Straight Talk, stood out the most to me for its retro futuristic hip-hop sound and flawless track list that, in my opinion, has no skips.
Danza’s production is always beautiful, and I’d listen to it by itself. Although he didn’t produce the beat for every song, I can still hear his flavor throughout the project. I get heavy Miami Discoteca vibes mixed with that West Coast, lowrider cruisin’ and bouncing kind of sound. And the hooks! My word, these hooks on this album are top tier catchy sons-of-bitches. Especially on tracks like, “Go 2 Work,” “West Side Bodega,” and “Fiyah.”
Laureli & Samurai Del, From Seattle with Love
I was HYPED that Laureli and Samurai Del decided to collaborate on an entire EP together. We saw them collab last year on the single, “Forgive Me,” off of Del’s album, Till Death, and it was magical. Now, with their collab project, From Seattle with Love, it’s evident that this duo has an incredible musical chemistry.
The album is short but sweet with heavy dance and pop inspired songs. Laureli’s catchy and original lyrics match the energy and complexity of Samurai Del’s beats. Throw in a couple verses from some of Seattle’s hometown heroes and you get a project that reflects on a region rather than just a couple of artists.
![top 20 albums of 2021: upendo moore, 4-21 (director's cut) [deluxe]](https://www.respectmyregion.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/upe-4-21-directors-cut-500x500.jpg)
Upendo Moore, 4-21 (Director’s Cut) [DELUXE]
Upendo Moore comes from a musically creative family. It shows as he effortlessly produces albums that have a timeless feel to them. It’s funny, the track “4 Tha $” came up on one of my Spotify daily mixes. At first, I thought it was some 90s era rap until I heard some modern-day Seattle references. That’s when I realized it was Upendo’s album 4-21 (Director’s Cut) [DELUXE].
Compared to his 2020 release of 4-21 (Culture-Wisdom-Knowledge.), the director’s cut, deluxe edition is actually much more condensed than its predecessor. It has a really laid-back kind of vibe to it, making it my stoop-chilling, blunt smokin’, kickin’ back kind of album.
Greg Cypher, Third Stone
Greg Cypher and Def Dee are “just some addicts for the funk, back to backin’ it up,” on their collab album Third Stone. Last year, I named Greg’s HOMEBASS as one of my top 24 albums of 2020, which also saw production from Dee. I just love it so much when these two work together.
Their boom bap spirits intertwine seamlessly creating a sound that is uniquely theirs but has this air of nostalgic familiarity. The passion that they put into their craft gives the album a fun, carefree vibe that makes me happy when I listen to it. Plus, the features they got give the album a super dope dynamic energy that emphasizes the foundation that Cyph and Dee laid down.
Sax G, The Rejected Works of Gregoiré Séxton
A good album is like a good book; when you’re enjoying it you get lost within it and join their world. One of my favorite moments of the entire year was this one night I spent walking throughout the city. I was smoking a blunt in the rain while listening to The Rejected Works of Gregoiré Séxton. I felt fully immersed, and it made me feel as if I was in a dream.
The brilliant composition by Sax G takes you on a journey with some unexpected turns. The features throughout were equally unexpected; I didn’t even recognize Gifted Gab the first time that I listened to the track, “Keep the Invite (Probably Not Going).” There was also a “Rejected Works” gallery show that took place at Museum of Museums this past October to celebrate the album, that I’m very sad I missed out on.
Macntaj, Big Bloc Meign
Macntaj gave us a piece of himself on his album Big Bloc Meign. The album opens us with a voicemail from his mom wishing him a happy birthday. That sets a vulnerable tone right from the beginning. Then you have these interludes by X-Raided that cut deep in the soul. He talks about the struggles of life and reminders of why we do the things we do and how to get there.
As his first release after signing to Blocstar Revolution/Ingrooves, he shows us a bunch of different sides to himself. There’s classic Macntaj humor on tracks like, “Eggs in the Trap,” and “Hood Burger.” But there’s also some incredibly beautiful and emotional moments like on “Pastor Houses,” and “Look Up.” Altogether, Big Bloc Meign gives us the full picture of who Macntaj is and his talents as an artist.
Campana, Matter of Time
I’ve been a fan of Campana for a while, so I was already excited when I heard he would be dropping a new album. What he delivered, however, was far from what I expected. Instead of just an album, Campana gave us the full package; we got a glimpse into his life, a studio album, and an award-winning short film based upon his album, Matter of Time.
This is the kind of album you listen to when you’re feeling stuck in the cycle of struggling to live. For those times in life where you have to do things you may have never imagined. When you’re stuck living paycheck to paycheck and the government is adamantly working to suppress you further. It’s clear with this album that Campana has come into his own as an artist. It’s only a matter of time until he breaks this cycle of struggle within his own life.
Noah Coinflip, Peaks
How do you tell a story with no words? How do you paint a picture with no canvas? Noah Coinflip and seven other very talented musicians came together to produce a cinematic soundscape that tells a story and showcases the beauty of the Pacific Northwest through their instruments alone. This collaborative album titled, Peaks, is a modern jazz record that truly has an organic feel to it.
The titles of each song capture the vibe as an abstract reflection of the sounds you hear. In the second track, “Clouds,” it feels as though the music is drifting along like a cool breeze. The bass line in “Roots,” thumps so hard you can almost smell the dirt from which the song has sprouted. Even the closing track, “Fire,” radiates a warm glow that hypnotizes the eardrums like a dancing flame does the eyes. The album, Peaks, is a masterpiece that will serve as a testament to the talent within our region for decades to come.
Wynne, Do My Own Stunts
Wynne’s album, Do My Own Stunts, came crashing into my inbox and disrupted my playlists in the best way. I binged listened to this project for weeks, I still keep a couple songs in heavy rotation to this day. I was impressed by how controlled Wynne sounded in contrast to the calculated cacophony of the Christo produced beats in the background.
By having no features on the album, Wynne makes it clear that she doesn’t need a stuntman to rap for her. Her hard-hitting rhymes are more than enough to keep you entertained from start to finish. No matter how much I listen to this project, I’m continually impressed with the quality of the sound, the lyrics, and the overall stank-face inducing effect the album has on me.
Travis Thompson, BLVD BOY
Right off the bat, Travis Thompson starts off his sophomore album, BLVD BOY, with a feature from the legendary, Juicy J. His track, “Dead Prezis” features G-Eazy and ended up going viral on Tik Tok. With the music video for it amassing over a million views on YouTube. The list of features continues with more top-tier talent like KYLE and Kota the Friend, as well as Tacoma staples, GLENN and KHRIS P.
There are certain artists in the Northwest that I’ve been following since the start of their career. Travis is one of them. When I listened to BLVD BOY for the first time, it was one of those moments where I felt proud to see him really settle into who he is as an artist. Watching his progression over the years has been incredible and based off this release, he’s truly just getting started.
Various Artists, Seattle Sessions, Vol. 1
Big shoutout to the guys at Studio Sage Recordings in Edmonds, WA, and Chase Fade for making this project happen. The Seattle Sessions, Vol. 1 is a collection of songs made by upwards of 50 different artists, 20 something producers, and a handful of engineers. Although it’s not the entire Northwest music scene, I do believe it showcases a wide range of what this region has to offer.
Some of my favorite tracks like, “Hittaz,” “On My Mind,” and “Honestly,” feature both established, well-known local talent, as well as the fresh faces making the newest waves in the scene. This project gave our community a chance to mingle with each other and work with some artists who they would have never collaborated with otherwise. The entire experience was documented, and we could possibly see an accompanying movie highlighting the two days spent in the studio to produce the Seattle Sessions, Vol. 1.
Gilton East, WAY98023
Gilton East came onto my radar towards the end of 2020 and I named him as one of my rising artists to watch. Fast forward to this year and now he’s dropped his Federal Way anthem EP, WAY98023, landing him on my list of my top 20 pacific northwest albums from 2021.
Through all five of these tracks, Gilton proves that he’s to be considered a master-class hook writer. On top of catchy hooks, East speaks his truth with original bars that reflect his life growing up in Federal Way. His lyrics highlight the perseverance and dedication it takes to make it as an artist coming from an often-overlooked area. Overall, the tone of each beat amplifies the emotional energy that he poured into these songs.
Bruce Leroy, Minerals
Bruce Leroy’s tone of voice is comforting to me. Like Jay Z and Method Man, his voice has a natural knack for rap. I don’t usually obsess over just one song; it usually takes a full project to make me press repeat. But I was obsessed with his song, “Kubrick,” which he originally released in 2019.
His lyrics are full of real-life observations and pop-culture references, which he continues throughout his album, Minerals. Although the album only has five tracks, Leroy doesn’t miss his opportunity on a single bar. He packs a lot of substance into a little amount of time making the entire 18 or so minutes exciting to listen to from start to finish.
Sol, Supply Pack
In September, Sol headlined a show at the Showbox at the Market and he lowkey dropped an album that night. Which, to this day, the album, Supply Pack, is only available in the physical form. There are a couple singles from the album like, “Penny” and “No Scared Money,” which you can hear on streaming platforms. But to hear the whole album, you need to cop the CD from his website, and it is Mos d-e-f-initely worth it to find a CD player to listen to this project.
This is the first album from Sol where he is showing us his production skills on a few songs on top of his lyrical prowess. Personally, I think it’s enhanced his compositions and given a new perspective to his artistry. He continues to grow with every release. I said it about the last project and I’ll say it again with this one; I think this is Sol’s best work to date and the exclusivity of the release makes it way more special in my eyes.
Rell Be Free, Sow What (Phase 2)
Rell Be Free was one of those names that I had heard around for a long while and for some reason hadn’t really listened to much of his music. That all changed when I went to a show at the Clockout Lounge that he was headlining. His live performance instantly made me a fan of his and now I couldn’t imagine my playlists without his music in the mix.
His album, Sow What (Phase 2), is raw and relatable. Noah Coinflip produced the album and helped give it a dark and slightly mysterious sound that flows smoothly alongside Rell’s lyrics. The Soufend native often rhymes about his community and the causes that matter to him. His authenticity shines through and makes it really hard to not want to support him.
Wffls, Thanksluv: Pure Maple, Vol. 2
Like a ray of sunshine, Wffls album, Thanksluv: Pure Maple, Vol. 2, will warm your soul. The soothing beats are perfect for daydreaming of blue skies to stare at and lush grass to lay in. You can almost hear the birds chirping overhead as the samples he uses throughout help bring you further into the wonderful world of Wffls.
Even though it is a product of the pandemic, the tone of the album has this nostalgic feeling with a sense of purity to it which makes me reminisce to a time pre-COVID. Simultaneously, Thanksluv: Pure Maple, Vol. 2 has a sweet and romantic sound that is offset by these saucy swinging beats that you would only find dripping off some good ass Wffls. We even get a special treat at the end with Blake Anthony and Yodi Mac letting some bars fly off on the closing track, “Fly2high.” Overall, the project shines a light on Wffls’ incredible talent as a producer.
Yohiness, Tutorials
Yohiness is usually throwing parties and hosting events all over the city, making music isn’t his main priority. But that doesn’t mean that he’s not a talented artist. He came out swinging this past fall with his album, Tutorials, and brought his homies along with him.
Overall, there’s a laid-back West Coast bounce style to the project; certainly, a late-night blunt cruisin’ vibe as well. There is also a duality to this album that plays to both sides of the typical Northwest weather. The beginning of the album is perfect summer weather music with tracks like, “VVS,” and “Ross.” Where the last half of the project is perfect for the cold wet weather with smooth and sexy tracks like “Blue Saphire,” and “Do Your Dance.” No matter what season, though, when you listen to Tutorials, you’ll be vibin’ out for sure.
Parisalexa, Finishline
Parisalexa is coming into her own as an artist at the same time as she is coming into her own as an adult. Last year, we saw Paris talk about that in an emotional and vulnerable way on her album 2 Real, which made my list of my top 24 albums of 2020. With her latest release, Finishline, we’re hearing her touch on these topics in a stronger and more confident way.
Racing themes swerve throughout the tracks acting as a metaphor for the hustle of Parisalexa’s life after signing to Payday Records. She bounces back and forth between feeling her independence on tracks like, “Vroom,” but also finding a partner that can ride shotgun with her as she zooms her way to the finish line like on the title track. This album has enough gas to keep her tank full and help her go for the gold.
Bocha & Donte Thomas, BUDS
Best buds, Bocha and Donte Thomas, came together to produce a collaborative weed-themed album appropriately titled, BUDS. My favorite way to listen to this album is to smoke a blunt while lying on my floor with headphones on. Although they rap about weed and every song title is the name of a different strain, it’s not presented in a corny way that would pigeonhole it into the kitschy category that many weed-themed music ends up in.
On BUDS, both Bocha and Donte take turns flaunting their lyrical abilities. Funky, head-bopping beats back their rhymes making for a super groovy vibe from start to finish. The accompanying music videos for tracks like, “GG #4,” and “Moon Rocks,” are just as good as the songs themselves, reinforcing the fact that every facet of this project is of the highest quality.
