Top Music Moments Brought to Us By Black Men in 2021

Music is a part of our lives. It soothes us, motivates us, and takes us to levels that allow our minds to forget about all our troubles. It's no secret that 2021 was a year that broke the mold with new artists, new ventures and trendsetting vibes. From the vibes of Lil Nas X showing how diversity and inclusion matter, to legends like Jay-Z and Maxwell who broke the mold for years in the music industry, being honored to the highest. This year has been one for the books, and the men highlighted in this list, will do nothing to stop being the best at their game. Here’s my pick of some of the top musical moments for men in 2021.

Jay-Z Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

His name is HOV, H to the O V! If you don’t know what that means, then I am going to need you to take Hip Hop 101! Shawn Carter best known as Grammy Award-winning artist Jay-Z is a multi-platinum rapper who has placed a big mark on the Hip Hop industry. From millions of albums sold to running huge empires such as Roc Nation, Jay-Z is one of Hip Hop’s most influential artists. It was no surprise that his highlight of 2021 was on October 30th when he was inducted into the 2021 Class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This is an honor that was long overdue and well deserved for HOV. As his wife, Grammy Award-winning artist Beyoncé, stated in his tribute video “What’s better than one billionaire, two!”

Lil Nas X’s Iconic Trendsetting New Album Montero

Trendsetting, standing out, breaking chains and boxes are some of the most known actions artists do in the music industry. Lil Nas X took a master course on doing all of these! Since his hit Grammy Award-winning single Old Town Road featuring Billy Cyrus, Lil Nas X has been one of those artists that made you keep your eyes on him. From provocative performances celebrating LGBTQ+ openness to dropping his highly-anticipated album Montero in September 2021, Lil Nas X had a 2021 like no other artist in the industry. A musical moment is not what we’ll give Lil Nas X, he deserves a musical and fashionably trendsetting year!

Drake is Billboard’s 2021 Artist of the Decade

Whether you call him Aubrey, Jimmy from Degrassi, or just Drake, any of those names will stand completely out from the rest. That’s why Billboard named Drake their Artist of the Decade this year at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. Drake has topped every major chart there is in this past decade.

Nelly is BET’s Hip Hop Icon of 2021

If you can remember one thing about Hip Hop in the 2000s, what would it be? For me, I remember it getting "hot in here" but not taking off all my clothes (laughs). It's no secret how talented and innovative Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum rapper Nelly was in the 2000s. From hit albums such as his debut Country Grammar, Nellyville and Sweat Suit, Nelly has shown longevity and purpose in the Hip Hop industry.

Silk Sonic Album Collaboration

Music in the 1960s and 1970s hit different because it had a deep soulful meaning. To be alive during that time I’m sure was musical bliss. When Grammy award-winning artists Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak decided to form Silk Sonic and release their album in November 2021, I knew right then that music can be recreated and sound even more meaningful. Silk Sonic was the group to watch all 2021 for being so creative in their work. Silk Sonic had several generations jamming to their soulful sounds and made history in my eyes!

Maxwell is the Soul Train awards Living Legend 2021

Take yourself back to growing up in the 90s and hearing your mom and dad groove to some smooth and mellow tunes of thee Maxwell! From mellow tunes such as This Woman’s Work, and Til’ The Cops Come Knocking, to upbeat grooving tunes such as Sumthin Sumthin, and Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder), Maxwell has made his mark on R&B music for more than a decade. His winning the living legend award with Soul Train proves that living legends do exist in this industry and real R&B music is still recognized.

Berry Gordy Receives 2021 Kennedy Center Honor

Berry Gordy! What more can I say here? This also living legend has created timeless music since the early 1960s. With the creation of Motown, Gordy played a monumental part in the careers of legends such as Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Temptations, Smoky Robinson & The Miracles, The Marvelettes and so many more. This Kennedy Center honor was long overdue because the careers that blossomed from Motown paved the way for artists of color to be bold and challenge the norm of what music should be. To this day, Motown is still in full effect changing lives and careers time after time.

MAJOR. is the First Black Male Artist to Release a Spoken Word Album

One thing I love the most about music is the fact that it can come in many different forms. Whether it's instrumental, live singing, or in this case spoken word, it all means something to us. For R&B artist MAJOR. to put out this body of work MAJOR.HOPE Motivations channeling mental health awareness, sets the bar even higher for artists today. We need more of this type of work on all platforms for everyone to take part in. Hats off to MAJOR. for setting the tone, for raising the bar, for being the Hope Dealer!